Holy Name Parish KC

News

Excerpts from Knight Moves, December 2008

Chaplain's Message - Father Cosmas Ajawara

HERE COMES ANOTHER GIFT SEASON

The bells are already jingling, the signs are up, the smells are in the air. We do not need to be told that it is that time of the year when we prepare for Christmas and get caught up with so many things including shopping, sending and receiving of gifts.

If Christmas becomes a season of gifts, there is nothing wrong with that, for that is what it is indeed. For it was at the very first Christmas, which took place at Bethlehem in Judea, that mankind received the greatest of gifts from God the Father, the gift of His Son Jesus Christ who came to be with us – Emmanuel. He did not come to Judge or to condemn, but to save and redeem the world. His coming would not have been useful if he did not accomplish our redemption by dying on the cross. It is true then that the Father did not give us the Son for the sake of giving, but because he knew that this unique gift will transform the world.

We are called to be both receivers and givers of this same gift. Christmas truly provides us with this give and take opportunity, the same gift which we have received, we are to pass on to others. When we give Christ we give the greatest gift. If Christ is the gift that we give, then we can never be short of gifts no matter how long our list is, there will always be enough Christ to go round.

So let us not feel guilty if we get caught in giving and receiving at this time of the year. However, one pertinent question that we need to ask is whether we are giving and receiving the right gift and in the right way. This right gift may or may not be found in the stores, but one place that it is definitely found is in our hearts. All we need to do is to search.

Just in the last week or so some of our brother Knights gave this right gift and at the right time, they gave the gift of their time. After we mounted a desperate appeal for volunteers to help set up the gym for our Sunday masses at St. Martha’s school, a group of six brother knights agreed to form a set up crew. This is commendable, this is the way to give the right gift, this is the way to give Christ to others. This is just but one way that we can give the right gift.

Let us therefore continue to engage in this whole business of giving and receiving the transformative gift of Christ everyday of our lives, but more especially during this season of gift.

Vivat Jesu & Merry Christmas
Fr. Cosmas Ajawara

District Deputy's Message - Brother Fred Watson

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to your Council for all the wonderful works you have carried out in your parish and indeed your community during the past year.

It is truly a pleasure to visit your council, and learn of all the activities and involvement of all the Brother Knights working together in unison to display the principles of our order. To list all of your achievements during the past year, would require much more space in this worthy publication than I am entitled to.

As the year comes to a close, I cannot help but reflect back on the past year with pride and gratitude. You have achieved a full program of activities, allowing you to raise funds for your charities budgeted, you have seen a growth in membership, and along the way you have had many good times and much fun. Your council has been blessed with outstanding leadership and membership, and you have responded to the call from your State representatives when asked. Most recently, you have responded to the support of the Marian Prayer Program allowing us the graced opportunity to reflect on the virtue of charity and to make more widely known the beautiful teaching of Deus Caritas Est, in which Pope Benedict XVI explores the true nature of charity, based on love of God and love of neighbor.

We now celebrate Advent on our church calendar, a time when we must reflect on all the wonderful gifts we have been blessed with and to give our most meaningful thanks for those gifts, however, it should not stop there, we must give to others who are in need, or poor health our love and support in any small way we can. In the spirit of Advent, we must remember to include prayer and sacrifice in our lives.

Mary and I wish you and yours, a very Blessed Merry Christmas and a most Joyful Happy New Year

Grand Knight's Message - Brother Philip

I would like to start my message by thanking you for all the work that you have done during the past two months. Our council:

• collected Coins for Life
• conducted a successful membership blitz
• cleaned highway 15
• collected food and clothing for the St Vincent de Paul Society
• collected items for and conducted a successful silent auction table during the church bazaar
• picked up leaves at the church
• setup and tore down the bazaar and
• assisted with two confirmations of Holy Name and St Martha Students.

In particular, I would like to recognize the efforts of Brothers Al Sullivan and Stan Pietak for leaf removal at the church and Brothers George Caron, Pat Stenson, Bob Portman and Ron Arsenault for the work they put into the silent auction table and Brother Gary Richards for the tremendous membership blitz that he organized. I would like to thank Brother Jim Ford and his team for assisting with the confirmation ceremonies that recently took place. I would also like to thank Brother Basil Brosso for collecting the coins for life during two weekends of masses. Finally, I would like to thank Brother George Caron and his team for the St Vincent de Paul collection.

The Council has also commenced the Substance Abuse Poster Contest in three schools and the Free Throw Competition in Holy Name and St Martha Catholic Schools.

As we enter Advent its time for all of us to give thanks and to reflect on God the Father and the Son he gave to the World, our savior, Jesus Christ. It is also an opportunity to spend special time with our families and friends. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a safe Holiday. If you drink, please don’t drive. And remember, keep Christ in Christmas. God bless.

St Vincent de Paul

In keeping with mission month, our parish sponsored another clothing and food drive on October 25th & 26th for the St Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston. Brother George Caron coordinated the event arranging for a large truck, which was donated by Discount Car and Truck Rental Ltd., to pick up donations before and after each weekend mass. Parishioner Michael Caron with assistance from Brothers Basil Brosso and Allan Sullivan helped brother George in receiving and delivering the donated men's clothing, children's winter snow suits and boots, small appliances, food and money to a very appreciative St Vincent de Paul staff.

This time of the year food supplies and winter clothing are in great need. This year's drive was very successful. It was the eighth year that the Parish has sponsored this event. Thank you for the generous donations from our church's members.

Fund raising

One of the greatest things about being a Knight is knowing that the fund raising you do can make life better for both fellow Knights in need, the Parish and Church, and the community at large.

In October, the Council distributed the monies raised from last year’s State raffle, supplemented by some existing Council funds as follows:

Holy Name Parish $700
Arthritis Society $500
St Vincent de Paul $200
Cancer Society $200
Alzheimer’s Society $100
Hospice Kingston $100
Birth Right $100
Heart and Stroke Foundation $100
Ontario Fibromyalgia Association $100
ALSCSB Catholic Education Foundation $100
In November, the Council continued to provide support to one of our Diocese’s seminarians, Mac Orr by participating in the Refund Support Vocation Program (RSVP). Through the RSVP, councils receive incentives for providing an individual seminarian or novice with meaningful financial and/or moral support. In November, the Council provided Mac a cheque for $500.
Finally, when parishioners were being asked to contribute to the Priest’s pension fund, our Council contributed $200.

Kit Shop

Brother Ron Arsenault has volunteered to run a kit shop, on behalf of the council and he has filed the following report.

Brother Knights,

The 1st order has been sent on to Supreme for filling with but a few items to get things underway. Hopefully things should arrive before Christmas. Approximately $100.00 worth of goods have already been requested by individuals. It will be necessary for us to add something to the cost, to cover the exchange and shipping, however this will be kept to a minimum as we want to provide a service and not operate as a money making task.

The catalogue will be available to anyone wishing specific items and a separate order will be submitted when sufficient items warrant it. Hoping that this endeavour will be well received and utilized by all. Best wishes to you and yours for the upcoming holiday season,

Merry Christmas
Brother Ron Arsenault

Give thanks . . .

Thank you to Brother Basil Brosso who once again looked after the distribution and collection of the “Coins for Life” Containers.

We wish to especially recognize Brother Basil for his never ending support to “Birthright”. Not only has he single handedly collected all these containers, but also for a number of years he has organized the distribution of “Roses for Life” and he has participated in local activities for “Birthright”. Each spring Brother Basil also ensures that anyone who is able attends the national “March for Life” in Ottawa.

Our thank you to all who helped with the Parish Bazaar this fall. Especially to Pat Stenson who organized the Silent Auction Table and to Ron Arsenault and Bob Portman who looked after the table during the Bazaar.

On the evening of Oct 17th and the morning of Oct 18th, Mike Stenson, Steve Coombs, Bob Portman, Al Sullivan, Stan Pietak, Ron Arsenault, Gary Richards, Ken Olivier, and Pat Stenson assisted by his friends Rob Markell and Rob’s son Taylor, all pitched in to sweep the sides of Highway 15 clean of all trash. Thank you Brother Knights.

Marion Prayer Program

The Marian Prayer Program is in honor of Our Lady of Charity and will continue through September 30, 2009. This program features an image of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba.

Our Lady of Charity has special significance to our Order, given our first principle of Charity, which was also the theme of Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. Therefore, although the Virgin of Charity has her origins in Cuba, devotion to her is altogether appropriate for Knights of Columbus everywhere.

As a sign of spiritual solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father, his intentions will be remembered during each prayer service. Marian Prayer Program. State initiated the program that involves the circulation amongst Districts and Councils of Our Lady of Charity Icons. Council 11886 received the Icon for the period 25 November – 1 December 2008 and a Prayer Service was conducted on Sunday 30 November.

The story of Our Lady of Charity is a rather simple one. Like many other Marian apparitions, it occurred in a nameless place and involved ordinary people. Around the year 1600, three boys were sent to gather salt needed to preserve the meat of the town’s slaughterhouse, which supplied food for the workers and inhabitants at the Spanish copper mines near Santiago, Cuba. Two of the boys were native Indians and brothers, Rodrigo and Juan de Hoyos, and the third was a 10-year-old black slave, Juan Moreno.

On their way back to Santiago del Prado (modern El Cobre) and halfway across the Bay of Nipe, they encountered a fierce storm that threatened to destroy their frail boat. Suddenly, the waters calmed. In the distance the boys saw a white bundle floating on a piece of wood that they mistook for a sea bird. In reality, it was a small statue of Mother Mary holding the infant Jesus in her left arm and a gold cross in her right. Inscribed on the wooden board were the words, Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad (I am the Virgin of Charity). According to recorded testimony, despite the motion of the ocean waves and the storm, neither the image of Mary nor her white robes were wet. The youths brought the statue back to their village of Barajaguas, where a chapel was built and the image venerated by all who heard the story.

Much like Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Mayan Indians, Our Lady of Charity instantly became a pilgrimage site, a reminder for the underprivileged that their heavenly Mother cared and stood beside them.

El Cobre was to be the first place in Cuba where freedom was won for slaves. In 1688, the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cuba, initiated the first inquiry into the statue’s mysterious origins in response to the extraordinary and faithful devotion demonstrated by the Cuban people. Surnamed El Cobre — the name of the mining town where her sanctuary was eventually built — Our Lady of Charity was declared the patroness of Cuba by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 at the request of the nation’s bishops and the faithful.

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Home News Contacts Parish website	News Excerpts from Knight Moves, December 2008 Chaplain's Message - Father Cosmas Ajawara HERE COMES ANOTHER GIFT SEASON The bells are already jingling, the signs are up, the smells are in the air. We do not need to be told that it is that time of the year when we prepare for Christmas and get caught up with so many things including shopping, sending and receiving of gifts. If Christmas becomes a season of gifts, there is nothing wrong with that, for that is what it is indeed. For it was at the very first Christmas, which took place at Bethlehem in Judea, that mankind received the greatest of gifts from God the Father, the gift of His Son Jesus Christ who came to be with us – Emmanuel. He did not come to Judge or to condemn, but to save and redeem the world. His coming would not have been useful if he did not accomplish our redemption by dying on the cross. It is true then that the Father did not give us the Son for the sake of giving, but because he knew that this unique gift will transform the world. We are called to be both receivers and givers of this same gift. Christmas truly provides us with this give and take opportunity, the same gift which we have received, we are to pass on to others. When we give Christ we give the greatest gift. If Christ is the gift that we give, then we can never be short of gifts no matter how long our list is, there will always be enough Christ to go round. So let us not feel guilty if we get caught in giving and receiving at this time of the year. However, one pertinent question that we need to ask is whether we are giving and receiving the right gift and in the right way. This right gift may or may not be found in the stores, but one place that it is definitely found is in our hearts. All we need to do is to search. Just in the last week or so some of our brother Knights gave this right gift and at the right time, they gave the gift of their time. After we mounted a desperate appeal for volunteers to help set up the gym for our Sunday masses at St. Martha’s school, a group of six brother knights agreed to form a set up crew. This is commendable, this is the way to give the right gift, this is the way to give Christ to others. This is just but one way that we can give the right gift. Let us therefore continue to engage in this whole business of giving and receiving the transformative gift of Christ everyday of our lives, but more especially during this season of gift. Vivat Jesu & Merry Christmas Fr. Cosmas Ajawara District Deputy's Message - Brother Fred Watson Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to your Council for all the wonderful works you have carried out in your parish and indeed your community during the past year. It is truly a pleasure to visit your council, and learn of all the activities and involvement of all the Brother Knights working together in unison to display the principles of our order. To list all of your achievements during the past year, would require much more space in this worthy publication than I am entitled to. As the year comes to a close, I cannot help but reflect back on the past year with pride and gratitude. You have achieved a full program of activities, allowing you to raise funds for your charities budgeted, you have seen a growth in membership, and along the way you have had many good times and much fun. Your council has been blessed with outstanding leadership and membership, and you have responded to the call from your State representatives when asked. Most recently, you have responded to the support of the Marian Prayer Program allowing us the graced opportunity to reflect on the virtue of charity and to make more widely known the beautiful teaching of Deus Caritas Est, in which Pope Benedict XVI explores the true nature of charity, based on love of God and love of neighbor. We now celebrate Advent on our church calendar, a time when we must reflect on all the wonderful gifts we have been blessed with and to give our most meaningful thanks for those gifts, however, it should not stop there, we must give to others who are in need, or poor health our love and support in any small way we can. In the spirit of Advent, we must remember to include prayer and sacrifice in our lives. Mary and I wish you and yours, a very Blessed Merry Christmas and a most Joyful Happy New Year Grand Knight's Message - Brother Philip I would like to start my message by thanking you for all the work that you have done during the past two months. Our council: • collected Coins for Life • conducted a successful membership blitz • cleaned highway 15 • collected food and clothing for the St Vincent de Paul Society • collected items for and conducted a successful silent auction table during the church bazaar • picked up leaves at the church • setup and tore down the bazaar and • assisted with two confirmations of Holy Name and St Martha Students. In particular, I would like to recognize the efforts of Brothers Al Sullivan and Stan Pietak for leaf removal at the church and Brothers George Caron, Pat Stenson, Bob Portman and Ron Arsenault for the work they put into the silent auction table and Brother Gary Richards for the tremendous membership blitz that he organized. I would like to thank Brother Jim Ford and his team for assisting with the confirmation ceremonies that recently took place. I would also like to thank Brother Basil Brosso for collecting the coins for life during two weekends of masses. Finally, I would like to thank Brother George Caron and his team for the St Vincent de Paul collection. The Council has also commenced the Substance Abuse Poster Contest in three schools and the Free Throw Competition in Holy Name and St Martha Catholic Schools. As we enter Advent its time for all of us to give thanks and to reflect on God the Father and the Son he gave to the World, our savior, Jesus Christ. It is also an opportunity to spend special time with our families and friends. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a safe Holiday. If you drink, please don’t drive. And remember, keep Christ in Christmas. God bless. St Vincent de Paul In keeping with mission month, our parish sponsored another clothing and food drive on October 25th & 26th for the St Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston. Brother George Caron coordinated the event arranging for a large truck, which was donated by Discount Car and Truck Rental Ltd., to pick up donations before and after each weekend mass. Parishioner Michael Caron with assistance from Brothers Basil Brosso and Allan Sullivan helped brother George in receiving and delivering the donated men's clothing, children's winter snow suits and boots, small appliances, food and money to a very appreciative St Vincent de Paul staff. This time of the year food supplies and winter clothing are in great need. This year's drive was very successful. It was the eighth year that the Parish has sponsored this event. Thank you for the generous donations from our church's members. Fund raising One of the greatest things about being a Knight is knowing that the fund raising you do can make life better for both fellow Knights in need, the Parish and Church, and the community at large. In October, the Council distributed the monies raised from last year’s State raffle, supplemented by some existing Council funds as follows: Holy Name Parish $700 Arthritis Society $500 St Vincent de Paul $200 Cancer Society $200 Alzheimer’s Society $100 Hospice Kingston $100 Birth Right $100 Heart and Stroke Foundation $100 Ontario Fibromyalgia Association $100 ALSCSB Catholic Education Foundation $100 In November, the Council continued to provide support to one of our Diocese’s seminarians, Mac Orr by participating in the Refund Support Vocation Program (RSVP). Through the RSVP, councils receive incentives for providing an individual seminarian or novice with meaningful financial and/or moral support. In November, the Council provided Mac a cheque for $500. Finally, when parishioners were being asked to contribute to the Priest’s pension fund, our Council contributed $200. Kit Shop Brother Ron Arsenault has volunteered to run a kit shop, on behalf of the council and he has filed the following report. Brother Knights, The 1st order has been sent on to Supreme for filling with but a few items to get things underway. Hopefully things should arrive before Christmas. Approximately $100.00 worth of goods have already been requested by individuals. It will be necessary for us to add something to the cost, to cover the exchange and shipping, however this will be kept to a minimum as we want to provide a service and not operate as a money making task. The catalogue will be available to anyone wishing specific items and a separate order will be submitted when sufficient items warrant it. Hoping that this endeavour will be well received and utilized by all. Best wishes to you and yours for the upcoming holiday season, Merry Christmas Brother Ron Arsenault Give thanks . . . Thank you to Brother Basil Brosso who once again looked after the distribution and collection of the “Coins for Life” Containers. We wish to especially recognize Brother Basil for his never ending support to “Birthright”. Not only has he single handedly collected all these containers, but also for a number of years he has organized the distribution of “Roses for Life” and he has participated in local activities for “Birthright”. Each spring Brother Basil also ensures that anyone who is able attends the national “March for Life” in Ottawa. Our thank you to all who helped with the Parish Bazaar this fall. Especially to Pat Stenson who organized the Silent Auction Table and to Ron Arsenault and Bob Portman who looked after the table during the Bazaar. On the evening of Oct 17th and the morning of Oct 18th, Mike Stenson, Steve Coombs, Bob Portman, Al Sullivan, Stan Pietak, Ron Arsenault, Gary Richards, Ken Olivier, and Pat Stenson assisted by his friends Rob Markell and Rob’s son Taylor, all pitched in to sweep the sides of Highway 15 clean of all trash. Thank you Brother Knights. Marion Prayer Program The Marian Prayer Program is in honor of Our Lady of Charity and will continue through September 30, 2009. This program features an image of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba. Our Lady of Charity has special significance to our Order, given our first principle of Charity, which was also the theme of Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. Therefore, although the Virgin of Charity has her origins in Cuba, devotion to her is altogether appropriate for Knights of Columbus everywhere. As a sign of spiritual solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father, his intentions will be remembered during each prayer service. Marian Prayer Program. State initiated the program that involves the circulation amongst Districts and Councils of Our Lady of Charity Icons. Council 11886 received the Icon for the period 25 November – 1 December 2008 and a Prayer Service was conducted on Sunday 30 November. The story of Our Lady of Charity is a rather simple one. Like many other Marian apparitions, it occurred in a nameless place and involved ordinary people. Around the year 1600, three boys were sent to gather salt needed to preserve the meat of the town’s slaughterhouse, which supplied food for the workers and inhabitants at the Spanish copper mines near Santiago, Cuba. Two of the boys were native Indians and brothers, Rodrigo and Juan de Hoyos, and the third was a 10-year-old black slave, Juan Moreno. On their way back to Santiago del Prado (modern El Cobre) and halfway across the Bay of Nipe, they encountered a fierce storm that threatened to destroy their frail boat. Suddenly, the waters calmed. In the distance the boys saw a white bundle floating on a piece of wood that they mistook for a sea bird. In reality, it was a small statue of Mother Mary holding the infant Jesus in her left arm and a gold cross in her right. Inscribed on the wooden board were the words, Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad (I am the Virgin of Charity). According to recorded testimony, despite the motion of the ocean waves and the storm, neither the image of Mary nor her white robes were wet. The youths brought the statue back to their village of Barajaguas, where a chapel was built and the image venerated by all who heard the story. Much like Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Mayan Indians, Our Lady of Charity instantly became a pilgrimage site, a reminder for the underprivileged that their heavenly Mother cared and stood beside them. El Cobre was to be the first place in Cuba where freedom was won for slaves. In 1688, the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cuba, initiated the first inquiry into the statue’s mysterious origins in response to the extraordinary and faithful devotion demonstrated by the Cuban people. Surnamed El Cobre — the name of the mining town where her sanctuary was eventually built — Our Lady of Charity was declared the patroness of Cuba by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 at the request of the nation’s bishops and the faithful. (back to top)
	Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 950 Old Kingston Mills Road, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 4V3