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Fellow Council #2243 Members,
Due to pandemic restrictions, the next meeting of Council #2243 will be a telephone conference meeting beginning at 7 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. In order to "join" the meeting, follow these steps:
On Saturday, January 16, 2021, at noon, the Lackawanna Catholic Club's Board of Directors will hold its annual "reorganization" meeting. Due to Covid-19 local restrictions, the meeting will be a telephone conference meeting rather than an in-person meeting. The purpose of the meeting is for the Board members to select the President. the President Pro-tem and the Secretary/Treasurer for 2021. In addition, 3 Board members will be selected to join the President Pro-tem and the Secretary/Treasurer to complete the Executive Committee (of the Board) for 2021. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to act for the entire Board as it deems appropriate. In the event of an emergency, when a Board quorum cannot be obtained, the Executive Committee is empowered to act in place of the full Board.
Council members interested in joining the meeting on January 16 need to do the following:
A 1-year term position on the board is still vacant. The President of the LCC will appoint a club member to fill the 1-year position. Any Fr. Baker Council member, in good standing, should contact President John Sowinski (570-7427) if interested in being appointed to that available Board seat or, announce your intention at the reorganization meeting on January 16.
Fr. Baker Council Members,
February 20, 2021 marks the 100th year of the existence of the Knights of Columbus' Fr. Baker Council #2243 (originally called Lackawanna Council #2243) in the City of Lackawanna. That represents 100 years of working together to do charitable works for the betterment of our local community.
Congratulations, brother knights for all of the charitable events you have been involved in since joining the Order!
More information pertaining to our 100th anniversary will be coming in the near future.
PURPOSE: To provide Financial Assistance to dependent children, grandchildren and legal wards of Knights of Columbus members for the furthering of their Catholic High School education.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: Scholarships are awarded based upon the scholastic aptitude of the applicants and their involvement in Church and/or Community activities. The scholarship is awarded without consideration of financial need. REQUIREMENTS:
1. Applicant must be a son, daughter, grandchild or legal ward of a Knights of Columbus member in good standing of a Council located in New York. Children of deceased members who demise occurred while in good standing are also eligible .
2. Application is for 9th Grade applicants planning to enter a Catholic high school only.
3. Acceptance in a New York State Catholic high school for the school year beginning in September of that year.
4. A student entering the 9th grade of a New York State Catholic High School may apply for both a Tuition Grant and a Scholarship Award, but may only receive ONLY one or the other.
5. Completed applications must be RECEIVED by the NY State Council by April 15.
For further information and applications, go to https://www.newyorkknights.com/copy-of-programs-1
Click on "Important Forms." Then, scroll down the page and click on the scholarship info or the grant info to bring up a printable document.
On December 16, 2020, Fr. Baker Council #2243, of the Knights of Columbus, donated twenty-four winter jackets to needy students attending Our Lady of Victory Elementary School. Pictured holding two of the jackets are Gene Mendrysa, Grand Knight of Fr. Baker Council and OLV Principal, Carolyn Kraus. The “Coats for Kids” donation was funded with proceeds from the Council’s fundraising activities.
On December 18, 2020, Fr. Baker Council #2243, of the Knights of Columbus, donated forty-eight winter jackets to needy students attending schools in the Lackawanna School District. Pictured displaying donated jackets above (left to right) are Council Treasurer, Bruce Coleman, Jr., School District Attendance Teacher, Meagan Bender, Parent Resource Center Coordinator, Judy Faircloth and the Council’s Grand Knight, Gene Mendrysa. The “Coats for Kids” donation was made possible with proceeds from the Council’s fundraising activities.
Congratulations to those members of Fr. Baker Council who assisted in achieving the Columbian Award for the Council!
This award was presented to the Council by the Supreme Council in recognition of Fr. Baker Council's work on the K of C's "Faith in Action" programs during the 2019-2020 fraternal year.
During these uncertain times, due to the pandemic, it is important to continue to support our Council's social partner, the Matthew Glab Post of the American Legion. Until Covid-19, the Council held fundraising events at the Post's hall. We were still fortunate to be able to hold our annual Memorial Mass for departed Council members there, following CDC safety guidelines. Unfortunately, because of local Covid-19 safety regulations, we have had to temporarily stop having monthly meetings (Council #2243, Sr. Knights, and Lackawanna Catholic Club) there.
Because of more outbreaks of the Coronavirus, further restrictions on public dining have been implimented. The Post has had to cancel all events in their hall since March and now can only offer takeout food from 2-8PM on Wednesdays and Fridays. We encourage our members and friends to call the Post (716-825-3733) with takeout orders from their Wednesdays "Burgers & Wings" menu and Friday fish frys menu (cash only please). The bills still need to be paid, folks!
For much of U.S. history, Columbus has symbolized civic unity and the hope of building an inclusive society. Now, when scores of statues of Christopher Columbus have been vandalized or removed around the United States, it is important to remember why those statues were erected. READ MORE
Columbus rediscovered Columbus’ virtues — including dazzling bravery and ingenuous charm — balanced his vices. He was sympathetic toward cultures other than his own, including those of Native Americans. READ MORE
Five myths about Columbus Claims about Columbus need to be tempered by a sober look at the historical record. READ MORE
Lessons of history A member of the Osage Nation and past state deputy of New Mexico, Supreme Director Patrick T. Mason explains that righting wrongs against Native Americans must start with a just appraisal of the past. READ MORE
Honoring our Namesake READ MORE
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Fr. Baker Council Members & Friends,
Father Michael McGivney’s beatification Mass took place on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. ET at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT. You can read about the activities surrounding the Beatification of our founder, by going to:
https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/americas-newest-blessed.html
Fr. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 and is the first American parish priest to be beatified by the Church!
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Due to the spike in COVID, the NY State Council of the KofC has delayed the winning ticket drawings. The Drawings will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 16, 2021. It will be streamed via Zoom, beginning at 9:50 AM on January 16, 2021. Click on the link to Zoom below and call the telephone number shown:
Click HERE to Join Zoom Meeting
Dear Knights of Columbus Candidates:
Now through June 30th, enter Promo Code MCGIVNEY2020 for 12 months of free online membership.
*Online Membership only. Annual dues of $30 will apply on your Membership Anniversary. Local council dues vary
Since 1882, membership in the Knights of Columbus has been open to men 18 years of age or older who are "practical" (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. Since that time, the Knights of Columbus has understood "practical catholic" to mean a Catholic who accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
Open the registration form by clicking the “View Now” link below:
We look forward to you becoming a Knight of Columbus!
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of blood drives have been canceled, resulting in a shortage of over 100,000 units of blood. To address this urgent need, Brother Knights and their families who are not already isolated due to illness, age or underlying conditions are encouraged to donate blood. Your donation of a pint of blood is the gift of life so many now desperately need. Give a Pint, Save a Life!
Persons who are over the age of 60, live with someone over the age of 60, or who are otherwise at heightened risk due to illness or underlying conditions should not participate in this activity.
Action Steps
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Fellow Council Members,
For all of your K of C insurance needs or questions, please call brother, Thomas Iwankow at 716-844-1251. Tom will be our council's insurance agent. His email address is Thomas.Iwankow@KOFC.ORG.
If Tom is unavailable, contact this area's general K of C insurance agent, John P. Hoolick at (570) 654-3390. His email address is JOHN.HOOLICK@KOFC.ORG.
On February 14 with the approval of both Msgr. David LiPuma of OLV Basilica, and Fr. Baker Council, Grand Knight Gene Mendrysa placed a pamphlet kiosk next to the entrance to the Basilica's gift shop. The pamphlets provide parishioners, visitors, and Council members with free "faith based" educational materials from the Knights of Columbus organization's "Building a Domestic Church" initiative. The goal of the Domestic Church initiative is to help strengthen the faith of our parish members and Catholics in general. Fr. Baker Council will resupply the kiosk with the pamphlets, as needed. The pamphlets' topics cover a variety of subjects.
To view upcoming Degree dates and ceremony locations, K of C events in Western New York, and WNY Chapter meetings, hold the ctrl key and click on: http://wnychapter.org/index.html
