ST. THERESA’S COUNCIL # 14615

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

450 Radio Road

Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

September 14, 2011

 

 

September Council Meeting:

Date:                     Wednesday, September 21, 2011 (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

Time:                     7:00 PM. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Location:              Faith Formation Center, St. Theresa’s Church.

Dress:                   Business Casual

 

Officers’ Meeting:

We will hold our October Officers’ meeting as follows:

Date:                     Wednesday, October 5, 2011 (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

Time:                     7:00 PM. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Location:              Faith Formation Center, St. Theresa’s Church

Dress:                   Business Casual

 

 

Chaplain’s Message:

 

My Dear Brothers in Christ,

 

I trust that, as fall approaches, we can recall the summer beauty of our New Jersey coastal location and the joy it has brought all of us and our visitors.  We give great thanks for having been spared the wrath of hurricane Irene and pray for those who felt its devastating destruction.

 

As we begin a new Columbian year I salute our new slate of officers and look forward to the upcoming year and the good works that have already been proposed.

 

Moving on, I would now like to give answer and clarity to a question which has been raised which concerns many men in our community: What is the Catholic Church's official position on Freemasonry and are Catholics free to become Freemasons?

 

Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith. Freemasonry teaches a naturalistic religion that espouses indifferentism, the position that a person can be equally pleasing to God while remaining in any religion. Masonry is a parallel religion to Christianity. The New Catholic Encyclopedia states, "Freemasonry displays all the elements of religion, and as such it becomes a rival to the religion of the Gospel. It includes temples and altars, prayers, a moral code, worship, vestments, feast days, the promise of reward and punishment in the afterlife, a hierarchy, and initiative and burial rites". Masonry is also a secret society. Its initiates subscribe to secret blood oaths that are contrary to Christian morals. The prospective Mason swears that if he ever reveals the secrets of Masonry—secrets which are trivial and already well-known—he wills to be subject to self-mutilation or to gruesome execution (most Masons, admittedly, never would dream of carrying out these punishments on themselves or on an errant member). Historically, one of Masonry's primary objectives has been the destruction of the Catholic Church; this is especially true of Freemasonry as it has existed in certain European countries. In the United States, Freemasonry is often little more than a social club, but it still espouses a naturalistic religion that contradicts orthodox Christianity. The Church has imposed the penalty of excommunication on Catholics who become Freemasons. The penalty of excommunication for joining the Masonic Lodge was explicit in the 1917 code of canon law (canon 2335), and it is implicit in the 1983 code (canon 1374). Because the revised code of canon law is not explicit on this point, some drew the mistaken conclusion that the Church's prohibition of Freemasonry had been dropped. As a result of this confusion, shortly before the 1983 code was promulgated, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement indicating that the penalty was still in force.

 

In the most recent decree from the Vatican on the subject of Freemasonry it states: 

“The Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.”

 

Canon Law states:

Canon 915: Membership in Freemasonry is an external or public condition, thus the Catholic Mason can be refused Holy Communion by the pastors of the Church for obstinately persevering in his Masonic membership

 

Canon 916: A Catholic who is aware that the Church authoritatively judges membership in Freemasonry to be gravely sinful must not approach Holy Communion. The Church imposes the duty upon all grave sinners not to make a sacrilegious communion. Such a Catholic Mason who is aware of the grave sin must receive absolution in a sacramental confession before being able to receive communion again, unless there is a grave reason and no opportunity to confess. This confession, in order to be valid, also requires the Catholic Mason to renounce his Masonic membership.

 

Canon 1007: A Catholic Mason would also be forbidden from receiving the Anointing of the Sick

 

Canon 1184: A Catholic Mason would be forbidden from receiving ecclesiastical funeral rites if public scandal were to result. 

 

Canon 1364: Imposes an automatic excommunication upon apostates, heretics, or schismatics. This canon could also apply to Catholic Masons. If, for example, a Catholic Mason embraced the theological teachings of Freemasonry that the Church has condemned (indifferentism, syncretism), he would be in heresy by virtue of his belief in these teachings. Further, if a Catholic Mason knew the Church opposes membership in Freemasonry, and yet adamantly and persistently refused to submit to the pope’s authority in precluding his membership in the Lodge, he may also find himself in schism.

 

Canon 1374: a Catholic Mason could also be subject to the imposition of an interdict or just penalty upon those who join associations that plot against the Church.

 

For the canonical penalties to apply, the Catholic Mason would have to act in a gravely imputable way (that is, the Catholic would have to be aware of the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry and, after being warned about it, choose to disregard it).

 

Unfortunately today many Catholic Masons do act in a gravely imputable way in regard to their Masonic membership and so the canonical penalties, including excommunication do apply.

 

The Church's penalties are not meant to alienate the person on whom the penalty is levied. Instead, the penalties are meant to communicate to the person the gravity of his conduct, encourage his repentance and reconciliation with the Church, and bring him back into the one fold of Christ. After all, the mission of the Church is the salvation of souls.

 

I am very aware of the Mason’s strong presence in Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor and how many men and women in our community may not realize the prohibitions placed on membership in the Masons by the Roman Catholic Church.

 

This is the reason for this writing.

 

The Roman Catholic Church prohibition against Freemasonry is not a joke. It is the Law of the Roman Catholic Church and deals directly with the fidelity to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

Yes the Freemasons are a large and powerful worldwide organization. However it is in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church. The same Church that Jesus instituted when he said “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,^* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

 

I pray that if you are a Catholic Freemason you consider the gravity of your decision to participate in this organization. If you know of some person who is a Catholic Freemason, please give them this information. If you are a Catholic considering joining the Freemasons, please consider carefully what you are doing.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Fr. Mick Lambeth

Pastor and Chaplain of Council #14615

 

 

Death:

 

Brother Don Fine’s brother-in-law Ray passed away on September 13^th.

 

Please remember him in your prayers.

Illness:

 

Brother Deacon Bill Sulzmann is having difficulties with a heart condition.

Brother Deacon Hank Palan is recovering from heart surgery.

Brother Deacon Bob Kratchman is being treated for a gall bladder condition.

Past Grand Knight Tom Hartley is recovering following a pacemaker implant.

Brother Mike Santo is currently in rehab following knee surgery.

Brother Franklin Clayton is ill.

Brother John Taaffe’s wife is ill.

Grand Knight John Hulme’s wife is currently in rehab following knee surgery.

 

Please remember them in your prayers.

 

If you know of a Brother Knight or a member of the family, sick or in distress, please let Jay Werling know. His contact information is at the bottom of this Knight Letter.

 

 

Identification:

 

We have a need to put a more public face on our Council.  This will help us with identification and Council growth.  Whenever you are participating in any parish activity - attending a meeting of any of the parish ministries, assisting at any parish function - if possible please wear Knights of Columbus identification (either a Council shirt or Council name tag).  This will help put a public face on the Council and allow parishioners to know who we are and what we do.

 

 

Disability Membership:

 

The Supreme Council has arranged for disabled members, whether permanent or temporary, to be exempt from Council dues and per capita charges for the duration of the disability.  If you are currently collecting either temporary or permanent total disability payments from the Veterans’ Administration, Social Security or Workmen’s Compensation, please notify the Financial Secretary, Jay Werling.  He will tell you what documentation you need to provide so our Council can file this claim on your behalf.

 

 

Annual Dues Notices:

 

Our Council collects dues for the Fraternal Year (July through June).  Therefore, annual dues notices were mailed in June.  Please remit payment to the Financial Secretary, using the envelope provided with the dues notice.  You may also bring your dues payment to the Council Meeting.  Your Membership Card is only good for a three month grace period following the date shown.  After this grace period, your Membership Card is no longer valid and you will not be admitted to a Council meeting until your dues are current.

 

The Financial Secretary has sent out Second Notices this month as a reminder for those members who have not remitted their dues.

 

 

Membership Cards:

 

Two comments are necessary about Membership cards.

 

First, the Supreme Council has determined that some former members are misusing the Honorary Life Membership cards issued to them.  Therefore, the Supreme Council has directed that all Councils issue annual Membership cards to all Honorary Life Members on the Council Membership rolls.

 

Second, Membership cards for all members, Honorary Life, Disabled and those current in dues, will be available at the September Council Meeting.  Please see the Financial Secretary for your Membership Card.

 

You may also pay your dues to the Financial Secretary on September 21^st.

 

 

Fourth Degree Exemplification:

 

The Annual Fourth Degree Exemplification is scheduled for weekend of November 5-6, 2011 at the Sheraton in Eatontown.  Currently, all Third Degree members of our Council are eligible to take the Fourth Degree.  There is an attachment below which provides more information as well as the point of contact.

 

 

New Master of the Fourth Degree:

 

Because of his responsibilities as the new State Secretary of the New Jersey State Council, Knights of Columbus, Sir Knight Andrew Lipenta, who has served as Master of the Second New Jersey District, Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus, resigned his position as Master.  The Supreme Assembly has appointed Sir Knight Chester Kulak, of Lawrenceville, as the new District Master.  Master Kulak, in choosing his staff, has selected Joe Lyons, our current District Deputy, to also serve as the District Marshall for the Second New Jersey District.

 

 

Past Grand Knights’ Dinner:

 

This year, our Past Grand Knights’ Dinner is scheduled for Friday, September 30, 2011.  We will honor both Past Grand Knight Glenn Tooth and Past Grand Knight Jeffrey Kleinow.  See the flyer attached for details.

 

 

 

Fund Raisers:

 

Currently two fund raisers are under way:

 

NAME BADGES:

 

The name badges have been ordered; the price is $11.00 for regular members and $12.00 for Fourth Degree members.  See Jay Werling at the meeting for your badge.

 

New orders for name badges will be taken at all meetings.  See Jay for this as well.

 

SHIRTS:

 

Brother Earl Lind is selling Council T-Shirts.  The price is $10.00 a shirt.

 

Additionally our Council is considering other fund raisers throughout the upcoming Fraternal Year.  These include a Television Raffle; Christmas Card sale; Spaghetti and/or Corned Beef dinners and additional bus trips to Atlantic City.  For any and all of these fund raisers to be successful, we will need assistance from you, our Brother Members.  For further information, attend our Council Meetings, read these monthly Knight Letters and watch the weekly Parish Bulletin.

 

 

Duck and Decoy Show:

 

This year the Duck and Decoy Show will be held in Tip Seaman Park, Tuckerton, the weekend of September 24-25, 2011.  St. Theresa Parish will host its usual food booth and the Council will assist in manning the booth.  Our point of contact is Brother Leo Rossetti – 609-294-3780.  He will need assistance in setting up the tent at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 22^nd; setting up the booth equipment on Friday, September 23^rd; manning the booth on both Saturday and Sunday, September 24^th and 25^th; and breaking down the booth on Monday, September 26^th.  If you can assist him, please see him at the Council meeting on September 21^st or call him.  We look forward to your assistance.

 

 

Equipment Received:

 

Brother Leo Rossetti, who requested a computer equipment last month for the Food Pantry, received it through the assistance of Brother Dave Johnson.  Thanks Dave for your help.

 

 

INSURANCE MESSAGE:

 

Your Knights of Columbus Insurance Update

 

New products now available

Disability Insurance

10 Year Pay Whole Life

Contact Bob Dodds for details (number below).

 

Annuity

Still guaranteed at a minimum of 3% (Don’t Wait)

Members & Wives – IRA’s Regular & Roth also Flexible Premium and SEP

Transfers and rollovers accepted --- Minimum to start only $300

 

Long Term Care

Remember – Shared care available to member and wife if qualified.

 

MEMBERS OR WIVES, PLEASE CALL ME ASAP FOR DETAILS OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

 

FIELD AGENT BOB DODDS 609-978-6396

 

 

Emails:

 

If you want to contact me via email, please use ‘Knights of Columbus’ in the Subject Line and use my email address at the end of this letter.

 

If you receive this monthly letter via the United States Post Office, it costs your Council $5.28 per year to mail it to you.  We want to continue to reduce our monthly mailing expense so we email this letter to those members who provide us with an email address.  If you want to receive this via email, please see the Council Guards at the meeting and provide them with your email address, or send Jay an email using his email address below.

 

 

Newsletter:

 

Articles for inclusion in this newsletter should be forwarded to Jay Werling, at the email address below, by the 10^th of each month.  Anticipated distribution date is not later than the 15^th of each month.

 

 

Jay Werling

226 Lake Champlain Drive

Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

609-294-8393

FOURTH DEGREE

EXEMPLIFICATION

 

 

DATE:                    Sunday, November 6, 2011

WHERE:                Sheraton Hotel Eatontown, NJ

DRESS:  Men – Formal – Black Tuxedo

                                Ladies – Formal or Semi-Formal

 

Schedule of Events:

 

                Saturday, November 5, 2011

                                4:00 PM – Mass which satisfies Sunday Obligation

                                5:30 PM – Hospitality Suites open for entertaining Candidates and Guests.

 

                Sunday, November 6, 2011

                                8:00 AM – Hospitality Suites open for morning refreshments.

                                11:30 AM – Candidate Registration begins.

                                1:00 PM – Exemplification of Fourth Degree begins.

                                1:15 PM - Ladies’ Entertainment.

3:30 PM – Exemplification concludes – New Sir Knights, Ladies and Guests gather in Hospitality Suites for Introductions and Refreshments.

6:00 PM – Formal Banquet begins.

 

COSTS:

                Candidates – $70.00 fee which includes the Formal Banquet

                Guest’s Formal Banquet Tickets - $45.00 per person

Hotel Accommodations are available for Friday. Saturday and Sunday nights – Hotel rooms $110.00 + tax per night.

Tuxedo rentals and purchase are available.

 

 

 

If interested, out Council’s point of contact is:

                Joseph Lyons,

                Faithful Comptroller

                18 Daffodil Drive

                Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

                609-296-2820

                 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

PAST GRAND KNIGHTS’ DINNER

 

 

DATE:                    September 30, 2011

TIME:                    7:00 PM

PLACE:  Legacy Restaurant, Sea Oaks.

PRICE:   $35.00 per person.

 

 

Price includes a buffet dinner (veal and chicken) with dancing.

 

There will be a cash bar.

 

Please make checks payable to St. Theresa Council and forward to Francis Murphy at the address below.

 

 

Point of Contact:

 

Francis Murphy,

22 Reef Lane,

Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

609-294-8244

 

 

Brother Murphy,

 

I will be attending the Past Grand Knights’ Dinner on Friday, September 30, 2011.

 

Enclosed is my check for ______ attendees at $35.00 per person.

 

NAME: ___________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________

 

CITY, ST, ZIP: _____________________________________________

 

 

Jay L. Werling

226 Lake Champlain Drive

Little Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08087

609-294-8393 - Home

609-709-9236 - Cell

609-677-6706 - Work