Knights of Columbus

Saint Joseph Consolers Ministry is into its fourth year. The Consolers have served over 150 families since its inception. We have a collection of wonderful notes of appreciation from those we served. We have seen some family members return to Church after being separated for along time. We initially started with three members who participated as Servers at the Funeral Mass. Since then, through the Graces and Blessings of the Holy Spirit, our Ministry has not only grown both in membership (30 total-10 of whom are Knights) and services, and has spread to three other Churches in New Hampshire. This Ministry is in place at St. Matthews, Our Lady of the Rosary in Rochester and St Pious X in Manchester. Recently we have been called upon to assist at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Litchfield.

Our outreach now includes assisting the bereaved to plan their loved ones funeral, which is followed by a hand off of a meal symbolic of Parish Community support, Rite of Initial Separation which is prayed at the Funeral home just prior to the procession to the Church. Four Altar servers at Mass, assisting at the Mercy Meal and a monthly follow up letter with a list of important resources to turn to. We stand ready to help any Parish interested in starting up this outreach program and can provide the necessary materials and hands on training as required.

Any member wishing to join this compassionate outreach program or start one in their Parish should contact Charlie Espinola 603-893-3960. Training is easy, you always serve as a team and the rewards are immeasurable. This is a great Ministry to get started in serving your Parish because we reach out only when Funerals are scheduled, which obviously is not every week. In addition since we have several volunteers we rotate assignments. If you have computer skills you can be a vital asset to us as well.

The mission continues. We are sending each month two boxes of goodies to our troops, one box to Iraq and one box to Afghanistan. Here is one recent email from a unit that got Tootsie Rolls.

Mr. St. Amand,

I am the Battalion Commander for the Military Police Battalion here in Afghanistan. Thank you so much for the Tootsie Rolls.

They are already on their way into the hands of the children of Afghanistan. Not sure how many will get passed out as many of my Soldiers were salivating over them :-)

We don't really have a lot of time to listen to the political issues surrounding Afghanistan and Iraq, but we do know that we are supported by Great Americans like the Knights of Columbus. We can and will make a difference to the people of Afghanistan. Our philosophy is that this must start with the children, so we are focusing some of our efforts on them.

To see their smiling faces when you hand them a small symbol of childhood joy is overwhelming. They are a very poor people, who survive on very little. Every little bit makes a difference and I know the Tootsie Rolls will be well received. We are very grateful for your generosity!

I just wanted to take a few moments and extend my personal gratitude.

Again, thank you & God Bless You & God Bless America!

DONNA W. MARTIN
LTC, MP
TF DRAGOON

The council hall may be rented by a Brother Knight of the Bishop Peterson Council. The renting Brother Knight is required to be at the function at all times and is responsible for clean-up.

The hall may not be rented for a "for profit" function unless it is for a charity approved by the Board of Directors.

The rental fee is $125 with a retainer fee of $100 for a total of $225. Please make all checks payable to Bishop Peterson Corporation. This includes the use of the hall, the bar and lounge area, the hall bathrooms (including the handicap bathroom) and the kitchen area and common equipment such as sinks, refrigerator, coffee maker and oven. The steam oven is not included unless specifically authorized by the house Committee.

Upon final inspection after the function, if no damage has incurred, the retainer fee will be returned. If there is damage, the repairs will be deducted from the retainer with the balance, if any, returned to the renter. If kitchen utensils are to be used (including pots and pans, dishes, glassware, knives and forks, etc.) there is an additional fee of $100. The renter will be responsible for washing all utensils used and cleaning the kitchen to have his deposit returned. If renter chooses, he can notify the manager to make other arrangements for kitchen cleaning in which case he forfeits his $100.

The renting party shall be responsible for all damages and for the nominal cleaning of the areas used by clearing the tables and placing all trash in plastic bags, putting the trash in the outside shed, wiping down the kitchen (if used) and vacuuming the hall.

Hanging of objects from walls or ceilings is prohibited. The second floor is off limits during the function.

The use of the Corporation bar glasses is not permitted.

The facility is non-smoking and abuse could result in the loss of the retainer fee. Smoking is allowed outside of the building.

The sliding doors shall be closed by renter to restrict access to the second floor.

For more information, please call George at 603-893-3035. During the winter months, please contact Chanel Simard at 603-898-4950. 

The Knights of Columbus offers to its members and their families various insurance options. Brian Gillis has been appointed as the new field agent to service our Council membership with Retirement, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Insurance, and other programs available from our Supreme Council. Please make note of his address and phone number:

Brian Gillis

12 Webster Court

Merrimack, NH 03104

Office (603) 429-1017

Cell (603) 494-0332

Fax (603) 429-1017

If you have any insurance needs or benefits that you would like information on that the Knights of Columbus offers, please feel free to call. Subscribing also helps our Council to attain Star Council status, so you should at least talk to Brian before you make any insurance decisions. Even a small $500 annuity or the $50 per year plan on yourself will make you an insurance member and count toward our goal.

The Knights in Shining Armor Award is awarded for service to the Order with distinction during the first year of membership. It is given to those men that exemplify what a true Knight of Columbus is.

The concept of the "Shining Armor Award" program is to get new members active in the many facets of our Council as early as possible and assist in maintaining that activity and also honor them as a valued member of our Council.

To qualify for the "Shining Armor Award", new Knights must during their first year of membership.

1. Be involved in at least 3 Council Service programs
2. Attend at least 3 Council business meetings
3. Receive their second and third degrees
4. Meet with our Councils insurance representative (purchase not mandatory)
5. Recruit at least one new member

To help members keep track of their progress toward attaining the award, special qualification cards will be available from the Grand Knight. As an achievement is accomplished, the Grand Knight should sign off on it.
 

We have not decided on what other things may be included in the actual Award, but right now, recipients will receive Certificates of Recognition along with special "Shining Armor" Lapel Pins.

If you know of any former Knight, please ask them to consider coming home to us once again. We are doing a lot of good things for our Churches, Community and Families, which is why they probably first joined.

If there are special concerns, please have them call the Grand Knight personally. The closeness of the Council today is similar to how things were in the "good old days". We have a great mix of young and old members and this should help us set the stage for future growth. Many of these former Knights may have grandchildren now who are eligible for scholarships or could become Columbian Squires.