The Spirit Page 1 Volume 39 Issue 6 July 2021 Council Officers Chaplain Fr. Anh Tran 817-284-4811 Grand Knight Robert Sands 817-988-3376 Deputy Grand Knight Terry Barnhard 817-707-6135 Chancellor John Giglio 817-281-4617 Recorder Juan Valdez 817-966-8925 Treasurer Gary Yanowski 817-656-1142 Financial Secretary Mark Krueger 817-939-1192 Inside This Issue Lecturer Juan Valdez 817-966-8925 Advocate Dave DeSkeere 817-284-3288 Warden Gary Obudzinski 817-656-3274 GK Message 2 Guard Paul Cuttica 518-774-4019 Guard Chuck Seefelt 817-422-4949 Calendar 3 Trustee (3-Year) Jerry Dews, PGK 817-932-0551 Trustee (2-Year) Bobby Donahoo, PGK 817-498-9628 Birthdays 4 Trustee (1-Year) Ken Kenvin, PGK 817-271-9970 Council Activities 5 Insurance Field Agent Tim Bradford 817-789-0456 Entertainment 8 Fourth Degree Take Action 10 District 3 Master Pat Conway San Juan Diego Assembly 2857 News 11 Faithful Navigator SK Dick Norgaard 817-656-2529 Comptroller SK Ejikeme “EJ” Alozie-Nwagboso Tidbits 13 Diocese Father McGivney 16 Diocesan Rep Bruce Mallory 817-807-2982 District Deputy Obie Obregon 817-528-2393 The Spirit Page 2 Grand Knight’s Message Brother Knights, Let me start by congratulating the 2021-2022 Council 8512 Officers. Your dedication to our church and council and tireless desire to accomplish the work of Christ our Savior is inspiring. Renewing the pre-pandemic spirit and energy levels will be one of our top priorities and I thank you in advance for all your hard work yet to come. I’m excited about the growth and changes the next year will bring, and I value the talents and contributions of each knight in our council. The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and while July 1st was removed as an official feast day in 1969, the devotion has origins in the 16th century and is still practiced in many Catholic groups. Read more on page 7. The book of the month on page 9 has me reflecting on miracles and the power they have to shape the lives of the faithful as well as those who come in contact with them. 82 years ago today on Jun 28, 1939, after praying novenas to St Therese of Lisieux, Rhoda Wise of Canton Ohio was cured of un-healable open surgical wounds on her abdomen. She kept a diary detailing her miraculous healing following visions of Jesus, often accompanied by “The Little Flower” St Therese herself. A young 19 year old Rita Rizzo (Mother Angelica, foun- der of EWTN) was healed of a painful condition called “dropped” stomach after she met Rhoda Wise and was given a novena to recite to St Therese. Mother Angelica then went on to impact lives of millions, and hun- dreds of other miracles were and still are attributed to Mrs. Wise and St Therese. As we celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s Declaration Of Independence, it is appropriate to recognize the apparent Divine Providence surrounding America’s founding. Many are unaware that in 1755, during the French and Indian War, 23-year-old Colonel George Washington along with 1400 British troops under the command of General Braddock were attacked by a French and Indian force. During the battle, Braddock was killed and every officer on horseback was shot, except Washington. The young colonel later wrote to his brother, “But by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.” Miracles of the American Revolution | Tomorrow's World (tomorrowsworld.org) As detailed in the linked article, many times throughout the Revolutionary War, the weather suddenly and unpredictably changed to favor the Continental Army as flash floods, winds, snow and fog stymied the efforts of British troops. This well sourced article documents a few such events along with an admonishment that we not forget God’s role in the blessings of our victories. Miracles remind us of God’s presence in our world and of His unending love for us. “Their primary purpose is the glorification of God and the calling of people to salvation”. The Church's Teaching on Miracles (catholiceducation.org) They may not always change the course of a nation or heal thousands for the conversions of souls but some of the most overlooked are the “Ordinary Miracles” that occur everyday. https://youtu.be/bqZE4ZDnAkQ While the beautiful and touching Sarah McLachlan song focuses on natural events and may not rise to the technical theological definition of a miracle being supernatural, the song poignantly reminds us to look around at God’s wondrous gifts right in front of us every day. As you enjoy the 245th anniversary of our independence with family and friends be mindful of the miracle of our very existence, and even in a tumultuous and divided America, the miraculous blessings of liberty. Have a safe and happy 4th of July and pray that God continues to bless our great nation. GK Robert Sands The Spirit Page 3 July 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 St Thomas The Apostle St Junipero Serra 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Independence Day Sandwich Making Birthday Dinner 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Garage Sale Setup Garage Sale Garage Sale 12PM to 7PM 7AM to 5PM 7AM to 12PM 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 St Mary Magdalene 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 St Ignatius of Loyola Burrito Breakfast This Month’s Events Upcoming Events Jul 2021 Aug 2021 Sep 2021 1st Business Meeting 5th Business Meeting 2nd Business Meeting 3rd First Saturday Mass 7th First Saturday 4th First Saturday 4th Independence Day 19th Officer’s Meeting 6th Labor Day 6th Birthday Dinner 16th Officer’s Meeting 5th Sandwich Making 15th Officer’s Meeting 16/17th Garage Sale 25th Burrito Breakfast Note: Due to increased in person attendance and dwindling online viewing, the Zoom meetings will no longer be necessary unless conditions change. The Spirit Page 4 Vincent P Smith 07-02 Donald R Taylor 07-02 Michael N Kennard 07-03 Thomas P Schwenk 07-05 Daryl K Hykel 07-06 Johnny Lopez 07-07 Marco A Acevedo 07-08 Michael D Lansing 07-08 Charles M Petter 07-08 Chase Pemberton 07-09 John C Giglio Sr 07-10 Prayer List Jesus Quiroga Jr 07-10 Pope Francis I Paul E Franko 07-13 Pope Benedict XVI Donald R Moody 07-13 Gerald P Campbell 07-14 Bishop Michael Olsen Moses Lopez 07-14 Fr. Jack McKone Thomas Carroll 07-16 Fr. Anh Tran Christopher Dilday 07-16 Seminarians Obie R Obregon Sr 07-16 Kevin G Costello 07-18 Unborn Children Charles D Mac Donald 07-18 Middle Eastern Christians Luis M Rodriguez 07-19 Victims of Domestic Violence Margarito Silverio 07-20 Neil T Coffee 07-21 Active Military / Veterans Robert G Martinez III 07-21 First Responders David A Deskeere 07-23 COVID-19 Victims/Families Leroy B Ledet Jr 07-24 Miami Building Collapse Gustavo Perez Jr 07-24 Siegfrieo Paul Lang 07-28 † Oliver Pettit Stephen E Hoyer 07-29 † Ray Schueler Manuel R Ramirez Jr 07-30 † Mike Dellies John and Mary Mokry Jerry Dews Ken Kenvin The Spirit Page 5 Council Activities YOUR Help is Needed! Garage Sale — We have been approved to hold the Garage Sale July 16 and 17 in the school gym, and will be needing all hands on deck. July 15 please join us at the gym anytime from Noon to 7PM to accept/arrange drop off items. July 16 (7AM to 5 PM) and July 17 (7AM to Noon) monitoring sale and helping out where needed. Saturday July 17 Noon to 2PM loading unsold items into Salvation Army truck. Note: We will not be renting the U-Haul storage so all items will need to be donated during the week of the sale, but we do have permission to store items in the gym starting Monday July 12th. This will require somebody with a key to meet individuals at the church so please contact GK Sands if you’ r e willing to help with meeting donors or even delivering limited arranged pick ups. Ushers — As more parishioners return to the pews we are now desperate for ushers at all Masses, especially Sunday 5PM. If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve our Lord ’ s Church please consider ushering. Your Safe Environment training must be up to date and you will be required to pass a financial background check. Please contact the parish office to find out more. Recruitment — We need some volunteers to increase our presence after Mass to interest male parishioners in joining the Knights. It will take a few minutes once a month to stand outside after whatever service you already attend and get some names and phone numbers. Please con- tact the GK if you want to help. Burrito Breakfast — Our first breakfast burrito sale was very successful thanks to Obie Obregon and all who helped. This will be a regular monthly activity and is financially a good money maker for the council. It ’ s also a lot of fun! We need about 4-6 people to make the bur- ritos from 5AM to 8AM, and another 4-6 to man the two tables at each of the three morning Masses (hint – you can help after the Mass you regularly attend.) As you can see this takes con- siderable manpower but is only once a month so please mark you calendars.