September 2010 Dispatch Newsletter

Archbishop Michael J. Curley Assembly No. 383
Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree
Archdiocese of Washington District
Meetings held at 8:00 P.M. - First Monday of each Month Prince George's Council, College Park, Maryland

"Knights Dedicated to the Service of Others"

Faithful Friar's Message
Earlier this month, I went on a vacation to Arizona and Nevada with my parents. We
spent about five days in LasVegas, where we saw a couple of the famous Vegas
shows, spent a lot of time walking around gawking at stuff, and did almost no gambling. If you’ve never been there, it is quite a spectacle, and there were several thousand other tourists there with us to see the sights at
the hottest time of the year.

With large corporations running the casinos now, Vegas probably isn’t as seedy as it once was, but it still has a very shallow feel. I thought about how temporary and passing it all is, like everything in this world. One day all of the giant casinos will be torn down and replaced by other ones, or not. It felt like nothing there had lasting value, like we would be no poorer without “Sin City.”

During our trip we also visited Hoover Dam, which my grandfather helped build, and a couple portions of historic Route 66. We spent two days at the Grand Canyon, the main destination of our trip, which none of
us had ever seen before. It is true that pictures cannot capture the immensity and grandeur of the canyon. It is quite a unique and impressive site. As a former geology student, I particularly enjoyed learning about how the
canyon came to be. One doesn’t expect to see many signs of Christian belief in a national park (or in Las Vegas, for that matter), but I was delighted to see an inscription from Psalm 104 on the wall of one of the park buildings at the canyon rim: “O Lord, how great are your
works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” The Grand Canyon is a marvelous example of the beauty of creation. While it too will one day be gone, eroded away to sand and dust, it does have
a timeless beauty, unlike the casinos and their attendant shops and restaurants. One cannot imagine that it will be any less impressive or awe-inspiring in a thousand years or in ten thousand years.
Returning to Maryland, I reflected on how much I despise humidity and how important it is for us to seek always the things above, including the ways in which God acts and is present in our world and in our lives. We have countless impressive things that we have built or created, but none can really compare to the gifts that God freely gives to us: the beauty of nature, the delight in seeing a child’s smile, the warmth of friendship, and the love and peace that Christ wants all of us to share.

 Faithful Navigator's Report
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our Assembly. A committee is being formed to organize an activity to celebrate this occasion. As of now, Don Kutzera and I are the only members. We need more members, please let me know if you can help.
The investiture of officers was held on July 24 at Saint Mary of the Mills Church. Monsignor Mike Wilson did the Mass and the Master Charles Smallwood conducted the Investiture. A dinner was held afterwards, 52 Sir Knights, ladies and children attended. Our thanks to SK Stan Potter and Bill Knox who prepared and served the food. At the dinner we were assigned a quota of 26 new members for this fraternal year.
The Exemplification of the Fourth Degree is scheduled for Sunday, March 12, 2011 at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, MD. We have been asked to sell three commercial ads for the program, anyone with ideas on selling these ads, let me know.
The Color Corps has already participated in 14 turn outs, including the Supreme Convention. Congratulations and thanks to SK Dave Knitowski and his crew.
The Master's appreciation brunch will take place on October 16 at St. Mary of the Assumption School in Upper Marlboro. Cost is $16 for singles and $26 for couples. If you want to attend bring your check to the next meeting on October 04.
The Assembly picnic was held on
September 26. Thanks to FC Gary Pastishnock for organizing the picnic, SK Tom and Lady Ann Barrett for providing the hamburgers, hot dogs, bread and condiments, and the 33 attending for bringing salads and desserts. Although initially the weather did not look good, it cleared up and a good time was had by all. Cooking the food were Tom Lank and myself.
Vivat Jesus

SK Marc Alvarez, PGK, FN
Faithful Navigator

 Faithful Captain's Report
"Food, folks and fun." Three great reasons to attend your next 4th degree meetings. We have our annual picnic later this month as well as snacks, meals or desserts after our regular meetings.
Folks include both our brothers and their families. Thank them each day for making your life worthwhile.
Fun! The month of September is full of church picnics, fairs, sporting events as well as Knightly events. Have a great month!

Gary Patishnock, PGK
Faithful Captain

Admiral’s Message
The Priest Exemplification is scheduled to take place at St. Mary of the Assumption School, Upper Marlboro on Saturday, February 26, 2011 starting at 9:45 A.M. And, on Sunday, March 12, 2011, the Exemplification of Brother Knights will take place at Colony South Hotel and Conference Center, 7401 Surratts Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735 (telephone 800-537-1147 or 301-856-4500.)

We are off to a good start—thanks to efforts of S/Ks Don Kutzera and John Landicho. We just began and we have two Priest candidates for the Fourth Degree Exemplification for February 26th and one Brother Knight for March 12. Also, I am pleased to inform you that a Brother Sir Knight will be transferring to our Assembly.

Please be advised about the rules for Eligibility for Membership. To be eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree, candidates must be: (1) over 18 years of age, (2) a Third Degree member in good standing in his Council, and who was initiated into the First Degree prior to September 11, 2010, a practical Catholic in union of the Holy See, and (4) a citizen of the country in which he resides.

Our members of our Assembly’s Membership Team are S/Ks Rick Askins; Tom Lank, and John Landicho. They plan to visit each Council who are affiliated with our Assembly. I must point out, however, that the best way for a Sir Knight or Sir Knights to get candidates are to be members of Councils affiliated with our Assembly who are active. These Sir Knight(s) continue to demonstrate through word and deed the meaning of being a Fourth Degree Knight. A package of forms, data and information will be prepared that includes: (1) a Trifold prepared by S/K Rick Askins, (2) Form 4, and (3) data (including fees) and forms from the Archdiocese of Washington District. The package will also contain instructions. These materials must be considered and used for getting a candidate into the Fourth Degree.

S/K John Landicho, PGK, PFN
Faithful Admiral


VAVS Representative Patriotic Activities
Last month I was sent an Email from the USO HQ. They offered to
send my "Thank You" to a Serviceman or ServiceWoman in Iraq. This Email was via their Web-based service. I was honored!

The URL "Home Page" of the USO, "//action.uso.org/", allows you to
"sign on" by providing your Email ID. They ask for contributions in order to provide the services to these warriors "in harm's way".

Fraternally yours,
SK Tom Lank
Patriotic Activities

September Color Corps Turnouts
TO#10
Sunday Sept 5th Labor Day Mass at PG Council 2809 Grotto (indoors in case of rain)
0830 am report for 9am Mass
White Jacket (No sword)

TO#11
Monday Sept 6th Greenbelt Labor Day Parade on Crescent Rd in Greenbelt, MD
Staging area is at St Hugh Church NLT 915am for 10 am start
Get there early, police close off roads!
White Jacket with sword!

TO#12 Wed. Sept 8th at SHRINE lower church for ordination of Auxiliary. Bishop Richard Spencer, for Military Archdiocese
1215 report for 1pm start
Black Jacket (No Sword)

TO#13
Sunday Sept 19th
Our Lady of Sorrows church on Larch Ave in Takoma Park, MD for procession ingress only with Bishop Gonzales followed by Mass & Benediction
Staging / Start: Parking lot of school by the cafeteria, slowly march up the driveway ; turn right on Larch Ave ; procession up the hill to Church. ( about a 1 ½ block walk)

Report time 1100am
Procession start time: 11:30AM
Multi-Cultural Mass : 12:15PM
Black jacket

TO#14

Saturday Sept 26th for Burtonsville Parade (And in keeping with tradition, Curley Assembly is the parade leader)
Report time 0915 for 10am start
Get there early, police close off roads!
Staging Area is at Paint Branch H.S
Black Jacket with Sword

For God and Country
God Bless America!
PFN Dave Knitowski
CC Cmdr

Sick and Deceased
Sick List
SK Earl Thorne, FN Lord Baltimore Assembly; SK Richard Branson, PFN,
Fr. Betz, #11619 Chaplain, Sam Owusu, #11619 member,
Deceased List
SK Gus Weber, Past State Deputy and charter member of the Shrine Usher Program