Grand Knight’s Message, November 2009

Dear Brothers and families,

The first weekend of October kicked off a very busy weekend for Bellmore council. We held our first fundraising Vegas Night of the Columbian year on Friday night October 2nd. Several of our brothers who worked the entire evening stayed well after midnight to ensure the hall was set for our annual Italian night which was held the following evening. We could use your help at our next Vegas Night which will be held on November 6th. If you can spare an hour or two please come down and help out at this monthly fundraiser. All of the money we raise goes to charity and during this difficult time more people than ever need our assistance. No experience is necessary, you don’t even have to know how to deal cards, and the help is greatly needed.

Italian night was a huge success thanks to co-chairmen Jim Turzilli, PGK and our Worthy Chancellor Anthony LaBarbera who also cooked a fantastic meal for the 130 people in attendance. Not to be slowed down, the following day Jim Turzilli, PGK was installed as a District Warden of the 15th District. Please congratulate Jim on this prestigious appointment.

The annual “Stand up for Life” silent prayer rally was held on Sunday, October 4th along Jericho Turnpike and Route 110 in Huntington NY. Brothers Hank Holzwarth, PGK and Kevin Coleman, PGK, joined me and over 600 brother Knights and friends from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties for the one and a half our event to show our opposition to abortion. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to Father Nuss for spending time with us during this worthwhile event.

Looking forward to November, The Nassau County Chapter’s Memorial mass for deceased brothers of Nassau County will be held at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center on Sunday November 8th at 11 AM.

November 11th is Veterans Day. Please find some time during the course of the day to stop and pray for the deceased members of our armed forces who gave their lives for this great Country. Please also remember and continue to pray for the safety of our service men and women who serve at home and abroad to keep our Country safe and free.

November 19th is our annual Memorial Mass for deceased members of Bellmore council. Please join us at 7:30 in the Holy Family Chapel of St. Barnabas church. Our Chaplin, Father Valentine, will celebrate the mass as we remember and pray for our departed brothers.

Crèche set up, On Saturday morning November 28th at 9:00 AM meet us at the council as we continue our long standing tradition of setting up the crèche on Bedford Avenue and in front of the council.

I would like to personally invite all of our members and their families to our next 5th Sunday Communion Breakfast which will be held on Sunday morning November 29th. The mass at St. Barnabas will begin at 9 AM with the breakfast immediately following at our council. There is no doubt that this mass is an excellent opportunity to join together as Catholics, brothers and families in a truly inspirational setting, thank God for his blessings, and enjoy each other’s friendship. I would like you to consider joining your brother Knights at this mass, even if you regularly attend a different mass or a different Parish. This is truly a spiritual and fraternal morning. The cost for the communion breakfast is always free and all are always welcome.

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude to God, our creator and provider, whose guidance and care go before us… and whose love is with us forever.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.
Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving. As we see the beauty of autumn, let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours…
Let us think of our brother Knights, families and friends. And let us give thanks in our hearts.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

Fraternally,

James Mikowski, G.K.