Bernard P. O'Brien Council 3956

Brother Knights and Friends, 

Let me be among the first to wish you all a very blessed, healthy and Happy New Year!

The theme of this newsletter is not to dwell on the resolutions not achieved in the past year, but to learn from them a resolute new year. You will notice that some of our upcoming events are repeated in various articles and calendars, this is by design to help you remember them. In particular our first meeting of the year this Wednesday, January 3^rd in the Social Hall. This is where it all begins.

Grand Knight Mark Garcellano, as he prepares the agenda for the new year is asking for help in ways that may be more accommodating to your schedule. We each have preferred ways we would like to participate in events, whether it be planning in advance, coming only to the days of the events, or providing details for submission after the event that we can all learn from.

I encourage each of my brother knights and friends to read the newsletter in its entirety to understand for yourself which of these activities may be best suited for you. I assure you many are.

Thank you to GK Mark Garcellano for providing us with a road map of the quarter ahead, and to DGK Dave Kudla for his unique perspective of past events. To SDDR and Financial Secretary Ray Bilyk for his relentless dedication to building our council, and to Deacon Chuck for his contributions in writing and actions for our church and council. Thank you to PGK Bill Robert for his down to earth perspective of our purpose as catholic men, to Brian Batko for his enduring good spirit and dedication to fraternity, and to Dick Gregoire for his lively conversational writing approach to life. Thank you to those of you that have promised your own contributions in the coming year.

As we enter the holiday season our council invites each member and their family and friends to celebrate with us. We start with a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 2nd, featuring John Tibbs, a top-notch entertainer in Christian music. With special guest the Bell Ringer of Christ The King parish John and his guests will bring to St. Pius Church an evening of fun and faith. Please see the flyer on page 4 of the newsletter to learn more.

On Sunday, December 10th, you are invited to our annual Christmas Party at Hungarian Rhapsody Restaurant on Northline in Southgate. Dinner for two is only $25.00 or $12.50 per person. This event has always been a blast. For sure, you will have a great time. Food will be great, and the company outstanding! Page 5 flyer has the details.

St. Nick returns while he warms up for Christmas as our guest of honor for Brunch with Santa on December 17th in the St. Pius School Activity Center after 11:00 Mass. Proceeds go toward out St. Pius Tuition Scholarship. Last year’s event was so well received that registration and wristband are necessary for this year. Volunteers are greatly needed. See the link to sign-up on page 6.

Besides the flyers, each of our contributors has written from their perspective what this season, this council and this community has given to them. As we approach this last month of the year, my hope is that in reading the thoughts of these fine men, you will learn why this council is a gift to you. I assure you, it will make you a better person, more than you thought you could be. I Guarantee It!

Blessing to you all your loved ones this holy Advent and Christmas season.

Peace,
Anthony (Tony) Chirco
Newsletter Editor

https://www.kofc3956.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K-of-C-Newsletter-December-2023.pdf

Happy Thanksgiving!

GOD Invented Thanksgiving. Would you agree? After all, all that is good in this world is from God. So, Thank him first. Recall all that is good in your life and find a way to thank the Lord by helping others, here through the Knights of Columbus.

When I joined this council of the Knights of Columbus, it was Dave Sadjak that recruited me. As you will read, Dave has relocated to Florida where he is still active in the St. Anthony Council. Dave was among several officers that welcomed me. People like Tony Cerezo who we lost several years ago, Bob LaForest who I knew when my kids were attending St. Pius school, Ray Bilyk who still inspires me and Dave who I try to stay in touch with. These are the best examples of what a good man is.

I joined with a group of men that continue to give so much of their time and energy. Mark Garcellano is our Grand Knight; Bill Robert is our Past Grand Knight and Bob Schooner was our Past Deputy Grand Knight. Each of them still usher with me at 11:00 mass on Sundays. Now we are blessed by a new group of fine men who have taken on the challenge that is the Knights of Columbus. I won’t name them so as not to forget one or another. Our council has flourished with men who were here before me, joined with me others who become a member more recently. I know there are others among us, perhaps yourself who is ready to be the best version of yourself by becoming more active and volunteering for any of our necessary charitable works.

This month’s articles are among the best I have ever had the privilege to work with. Father Suresh was kind enough to share one of his recent homilies about how we should not expect life to be fair but to know that God is. I hope to see you at mass and are our next event. Read on to find out more.  

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace,

Anthony (Tony) Chirco, Newsletter Editor

https://www.kofc3956.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/K-of-C-Newsletter-November-2023.pdf

Brother Knights and friends,

What is it that you truly enjoy? Let’s admit it, giving is fun. We offer so many ways for you to have a good time. You will be glad you did come around. This October newsletter has something for you. See the meeting agenda on page two.

The Newsletter showcases our Knights of Columbus council expanding its contributions to the broader community. We have a larger presence in the Fourth Degree. For many years only a fraction of our fraternal organization were members. That fraction is increasing regularly, spearheaded by our own DD Ray Bilyk, who has been elected Worthy Navigator.

Our support of St. Pius X School continues. Our recent Tony Cerezo Memorial Golf Tournament committee chose the St. Pius Tuition Scholarship as the recipient of the proceeds from that event.

We were very much involved with the Parish Festival by operating two of the most popular venues including the Toss and Cheap Eats booths. There was a greater need for hands on deck. These types of undertakings require more volunteers.

This newsletter offers an opportunity for you the see what we do and why we do it. There is a place for you. Come learn more by enjoying the camaraderie of men like yourself at our general business meetings, this evening, the first Wednesday of the month, in the Social Hall beginning at 6:00 pm.

Peace!
Anthony (Tony) Chirco, Newsletter Editor and PR Director

https://www.kofc3956.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/K-of-C-Newsletter-October-2023.pdf

My dear Brother Knights and our friends,

I would like to share a blessing with you. On September 5th my granddaughter was born. They named her Giuliana April, or GIGI as my grandson chooses to call her. I share this with you because of the overwhelming joy that it brings to my heart.

We each have had similar moments in life.
For some of us, it is a wedding, a child born, a special event with family and friends, and for others it is receiving what many of us take for granted: Like a meal, a coat, an embrace from a loved one, or maybe a stranger that shows somebody cares about them. We want more of these moments, and we want others less fortunate to have them as well. As Knights of Columbus, we have a responsibility to offer more of these moments.

In the months ahead you have an opportunity to do just that with us. Think about that as you read our newsletter. Read the flyers as they too in some way give us a chance to use our God given gifts to help those that need us. Coats for Kids is a great example. Raising money for our blessed St. Pius X school at the St. Pius Festival, and fund raising for M-Drive are notable upcoming projects. Also recruiting new members bring more talented men to help us carry the load.

Special thanks to my brother knights who worked hard to put this newsletter together. A shout out to our worthy DD, Ray Bilyk who inspires me and brings to our attention many reasons to be a knight. To GK Mark Garcellano who is an outstanding persona of relentless energy for good purpose. To David Kudla who allows us to articulate his messages. To PGK Bill Robert who steps in when I need him the most. To Robert Park for being my right-hand man. To each of you that help in ways that are absolutely necessary to meet the needs of our community. May you all have special moments and plenty of them.

Peace,
Anthony (Tony) Chirco
Newsletter Editor and PR Director

https://www.kofc3956.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/K-of-C-Newsletter-September-2023.pdf