Dispatch For April through June 2011

Master's Log

Worthy Sir Knights:

Please allow me to extend to each of you, your family, your Assembly and all Brother Knights a very “Happy Memorial Day”! This is a day that we all should give thanks to all those who have gone on before us. May we forever be thankful and remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Please take the holiday weekend to connect and reconnect with those you love. It is so true that our days are filled with so many things that we fail to remember who and what should be first. God and family should always top our list. When it is all said and done, those are the things that will matter the most. However, please always keep in our thoughts and prayers those who gave so much for us to have our freedoms.

To help re-educate and remind all of us of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed in December, 2000, which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans " to voluntarily and informally observe, in their own way, a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Just for your information: The Lyrics and the History of Taps is cited below:

Taps Lyrics:

Day is done,

gone the sun,

from the lakes,

from the hills,

from the sky,

all is well,

safely, rest,

God is near.

Fading light,

Dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky,

Gleaming bright,

From afar,

Drawing near,

Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,

For our days,

'Neath the sun

'Neath the stars

'Neath the sky,

As we go,

This, we, know,

God is near.

History of Taps:

The 24-note bugle call known as "taps" is thought to be a revision of a French bugle signal, called "tattoo," that notified soldiers to cease an evening's drinking and return to their barracks or garrisons. It was sounded one hour before the bugle call that brought the military day to an end by ordering the extinguishing of fires and lights. The last five measures of the tattoo resemble the modern day "Taps".

The word "taps" is an alteration of the obsolete word "taptoo," derived from the Dutch "taptoe". Taptoe was the command -- "Tap toe!" -- to shut ("toe to") the "tap" of a keg.

The revision that gave us present-day taps was made during America's Civil War by Union Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield, heading a brigade camped at Harrison Landing, VA, near Richmond. Up to that time, the U.S. Army's infantry call to end the day was the French final call, "L'Extinction des feux.". Gen. Butterfield decided the "lights out" music was too formal to signal the day's end. One day in July 1862, he recalled the tattoo music and hummed a version of it to an aide, who wrote it down in music. Butterfield then asked the brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton, to play the notes and, after listening, lengthened and shortened them while keeping his original melody.

He ordered Norton to play this new call at the end of each day thereafter, instead of the regulation call. The music was heard and appreciated by other brigades, who asked for copies and adopted this bugle call. It was even adopted by Confederate buglers. This music was made the official Army bugle call after the war, but not given the name "taps" until 1874.

The first time taps was played at a military funeral may also have been in Virginia soon after Butterfield composed it. Union Capt. John Tidball, head of an artillery battery, ordered it to be played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Not wanting to reveal the battery's position in the woods to the enemy nearby, Tidball substituted taps for the traditional three rifle volleys fired over the grave. Taps was played at the funeral of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson 10 months after it was composed. Army infantry regulations by 1891 required taps to be played at military funeral ceremonies. Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services and is still used to signal "lights out" at day's end.

Fraternally yours,

Charles H. Smallwood, Master

Archdiocese of Washington District

Faithful Friar's Message

This weekend we remember our honored dead, those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the defense of our nation. Memorial Day, Monday, is more than the unofficial beginning of summer, more than the end of school or picnics and the opening of the local pool. It is a day when we hopefully stop and take a conscious moment to remember those who died that we might live in freedom. How easy it has become to forget these valiant souls who, like us, have every reason to live, but were willing to lose their lives that the ones they love might live.

For us who are centered in Christ, it is so like Him. Putting others before Himself, He died that we might live. Although His response was in a nonviolent manner, the courage of both Christ and our deceased warriors is still the same. It is not the courage to fight, but the courage to give up what we want, LIFE, for those that we love. How petty selfishness, greed, pride, egotism, vanity, being short tempered, impatience, laziness, and all other forms of me- ism seem compared to the selfless sacrifice of these brave men and women. So much like Christ, maybe not in the way they lived, but certainly in the way they died. Now it is a great time for us, in our moments of remembrance, to see if we can't live like Christ and live for others so that no one would have to die for them. Peace is such an elusive goal, but so strongly desired by all people, maybe the sacrifice of these fallen heroes can inspire us.

Faithful Navigator's Report

Beginning July 1, there will be a new slate of Assembly Officers for the 2012 Fraternal Year.

On June 17, 2011 the Assembly is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a catered BBQ.

At the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree for priests on February 14, 2011, Curley Assembly had two priests make the degree, Rev. Harry Stokes of Saint Mary of the Mills in Laurel and Rev. Donald Sullins of Saint Mark in College Park. At the Exemplification on March 12 we had 16 new members become Sir Knights for a total of 18 new Sir Knights. During the event our Faithful Captain, SK Gary Patishnock, was sick, so, SK Rick Rekus, his wife Mary and daughter Rose provided short notice support to our hospitality room. SK Rick Rekus also served as a sentinel during the exemplification. Much thanks to Mary, Rose and Rick for keeping the hospitality room operating.

On April 4, 2011 AMJC Assembly held a dinner to welcome our new Sir Knights. About 75 members attended including 10 new Sir Knights. Food was great and all enjoyed the celebration.

The Color Corps has participated in 45 turn outs. On March 14, 2011 we went to Saint Joseph's Regional Catholic School in Beltsville to present the oratorical contest awards to five students. Here we presented the Colors and then gave awards to five students, first and third place for seventh grade and first, second and third place for eighth grade. On April 1, 2011 we went to Holy Redeemer Catholic School in College Park to present one oratorical contest award. Here we escorted the Colors and gave the second place for seventh grade award. The evening of April 01 we went to Saint Hugh's in Greenbelt to provide the Color Guard for Saint Hugh Day Mass.

On June 17, 2011 the assembly held a BBQ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our founding. About 60 Sir Knights and their families attended, including three priests. A very pleasant time was enjoyed by all. A resolution of congratulations from the State Deputy, Peter Davio, was presented and read by his representative, Jim Ragusa, District 14 Deputy. The Faithful Navigator and Color Guard Commander showed their appreciation for the support received during the fraternal year from the assembly members and their families. The Faithful Captain, Gary Patishnock was selected Sir Knight of the Year.

The investiture for the assembly officers for fraternal year 2011-2012 has been scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 2011 starting at 1700 (5 PM) at Saint Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel.

The Color Guard has participated in 58 turn outs. Most recently the first mass officiated by Reverend Michael Paris on June 18, 2011 in Saint Mary of the Mills Church. We will end the fraternal year by leading and carrying the canopy for the Corpus Christi Procession near Saint Mary of the Mills.

Vivat Jesus,

S/K Marcos Alvarez, PGK, FN

Faithful Navigator

Faithful Captain's Report

BBQ!

Sir Knights: Mark your calendars for Friday, June 17^th!

Archbishop Michael J. Curley Assembly #383 celebrates its 50^th Anniversary and appreciates our Faithful Navigator and all fathers.

Our family “Knight Time BBQ” is catered by Kloby’s Smokehouse - Pulled pork, smoked turkey, BBQ chicken, sides and more! Just $15 per adult payable at the door (donations appreciated for kids). Dress is “Knights Casual” – extra door prize ticket if in Knights wear.

Friday, June 17^th from 7PM-10 PM at the Prince Georges Council #2809, 9450 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, MD 20740.

RSVP SK Gary Patishnock

Gary Patishnock, PGK

Faithful Captain

Faithful Admiral's Message

On Monday, April 4, 2011, our Assembly had its annual Pot Luck--a tradition to welcome our new Sir Knights, their Ladies and children. As a result of the Fourth Degree Exemplication held in February and March, 2011, we now have 18 new Sir Knights, as listed below:

S/K Fr. Harry J. Stokes

S/K Fr. Donald P. Sullins

S/K Leo Anigbo

S/K William Castillo

S/K Joseph P. Cole

S/K Dionysius Correya

S/K Carlos Delgado

S/K Kenneth C. Duru

S/K Ruben A. Garcia

S/K Anthony O. Ijoma

S/K Oliver Ike

S/K Bill Knox

S/K Udoka Obijiaku

S/K Jose Polio

S/K Jose J. Vasquez

S/K Louis Velis

S/K Mario E. Villatoro

S/K Jose E. Zelaya

As the Faithful Admiral, I want to thank the efforts of S/K Rick Askins and S/K Tom Lank who served on our Membership Committee. In particular, S/K Rick prepared the tri-fold for our Assembly that was included in the Membership Package for candidates for the Fourth Degree. S/K Tom Lank visited two councils (Sedes Sapientiae Council No. 13295 and Bishop Thomas W. Lyons Council 9808). S/K Tom Lank and I made presentations regarding the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. Membership Packages were provided to the Grand Knights. Also, I want to thank all the Proposers (Sir Knights of our Assembly) that sign-off on the Form 4s for their excellent efforts. Finally, thanks to our Faithful Navigator, S/K Marc Alvarez who helped me to check in our candidates for the Fourth Degree Exemplification held at Colony South Motel and Conference Center, Clinton, Maryland.

In conclusion, we welcome aboard our new Sir Knights. We want them to participate actively in the events of our Assembly--just ask any Officer or Sir Knight.

Vivat Jesus,

S/K John Landicho, PGK, PFN

Faithful Admiral

Sick and Deceased List

Sick and Distressed:

Don Kutzera, PGK, PFN Curley Assembly & State Membership Committee

Tony Salvemini, PGK, Special Projects for the State Team

Berkley Laite, cousin of Pat Hogan, PGK

For the safety of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are in harm's way

For all who are unemployed

Deceased:

Shirleyann Cohen, mother of State Advocate Steve Cohen

Agnes Lorraine Wallace Bailey, mother of Council 7914 Member, S/K Jim Bailey

Photo from the 2011 VAVS Memorial Service

The 4th Degree J. Kemp Cook "Choir Boys" and Lady Di
at the VA Hospital for the 2011 VAVS Memorial Service

Master's Log For April 2011

Master’s Log – Easter Message

April 2011

Worthy Sir Knights

Today as we experience Good Friday we remember the darkest, most painful day of Christ’s life, we cannot help but think of and remember those Good Fridays in our own life. Those days when we were at our lowest, those days when we felt all was lost, just as Christ felt forsaken and abandoned, we too, often feel that way. But we cannot allow that Good Friday to last any longer then it is meant to last.

Just as it was in God’s plan that His own Son should die to this earthly life, it was also in His plans that the Son of God rise from that day and that death to a new and heavenly life. It is also in God’s plan that we may experience death, sometimes literally but most often figuratively. As God expected His Son to endure pain, and death, He expects us to endure the pain and sorrow of living our lives.

That Good Friday which began so dark and so painful passed in just two short days and in its wake came a most joyful and uplifting time. That day we call Easter celebrates Christ’s victory over death and we sing praises of how Christ rose up beyond the grave and fulfilled the promise of His Father to come and save the souls of man. We too must have that Easter Sunday in order to get beyond that Good Friday. We must have that victory over all that is dark, painful and deadly to our spirit. We too must rise up from those tombs we have allowed ourselves to be subjected to. We must fulfill God’s plan for each of us to rise up and leave behind the life of pain and suffering we subject ourselves to. We must have victory over all that has kept us down and smothers our spirit, and strangles our soul.

We must keep the promise of the risen Christ, we must believe, so that we will live and be born again.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes on me shall never die. John 11: 25-26

He has risen, let us all rejoice and be glad! Because He Lives! Alleluia!

Pray to St. Michael and the Holy Spirit to watch over our service men and women. Pray especially for those who return home with the mental, emotional, and physical wounds of combat. Please, let us not forget any of our fallen Knights. Please keep him and all fallen Knights in your prayers.

The District Staff and our families wish each of you the most joyous and God filled Easter Holiday.

We are One Nation Under God, but it does come at a price. God Bless America and God Bless you and your families!

AMJ Curley Assembly FN Report For 04/14/2011

Faithful Navigator's Message

At the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree for priests on February 14, 2011, Curley Assembly had two priests make the degree, Rev Harry Stokes of Saint Mary of the Mills in Laurel and Rev Donald Sullins of Saint Mark in College Park. At the Exemplification on March 12, we had 16 new members become Sir Knights for a total of 18 new Sir Knights. During the event our Faithful Captain, SK Gary Patishnock, was sick, so SK Rick Rekus, his wife Mary and daughter Rose provided short notice support to our hospitality room. SK Rick Rekus also served as a sentinel during the exemplification. Many thanks to Mary, Rose and Rick for keeping the hospitality room operating.

On April 04, 2011 AMJC Assembly held a dinner to welcome our new Sir Knights. About 75 members attended including 10 new SK's. Food was great and all enjoyed the celebration.

The Color Corps has participated in 45 turn outs. On March 14, 2011 we went to Saint Joseph's Regional Catholic School in Beltsville to present the oratorical contest awards to five students. Here we presented the Colors and then gave awards to five students, first and third place for seventh grade and first, second and third place for eight grade. On April 01, 2011 we went to Holy Redeemer Catholic School in College Park to present one oratorical contest award. Here we escorted the Colors and gave the second place for seventh grade award. The evening of April 01 we went to Saint Hugh's in Greenbelt to provide the Color Guard for Saint Hugh Day Mass.

Faithful Navigator, S/K Marc Alvarez, PGK, FN

The Beatitudes Rosary

Message from the Archdiocese of Washington’s District Friar

The Beatitudes Rosary

We say that Jesus is Our Lord and Master. That means that he is our teacher. His first great teaching in the Gospels is the Sermon on the Mount. That contains His instruction on the spiritual life, the Beatitudes.

These Beatitudes are the essence of Jesus’ teaching on how His followers should live. The Beatitudes are His formula for holiness and happiness.

This Lent I hope you will join me in making these Beatitudes part of our Spiritual Memory Bank. We should take the Beatitudes to heart and know them “by heart.”

We can do that by saying a Beatitude Rosary. So what is a Beatitude Rosary?

A Beatitude Rosary is just like a regular Rosary, except we substitute a Beatitude for each Hail Mary on the five decades.

By reciting it regularly, we can commit the instruction of the Lord to memory, and make it part of our lives.

There are nine Beatitudes, so the last bead is the rewards of His spiritual instruction: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, they shall be satisfied.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

6. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

9. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you, and utter every kind of slander against you because of Me.

10. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

If we say this every day during Lent, by the end of Lent we will have committed these instructions for holiness to our hearts. They will become a pattern for our souls.

Fr. Peter Daly

Lent, 2011

Master's Log For March 2011

Master’s Log

March 2011

Let us welcome the March 12, 2011 Class of New Sir Knights who were exemplified this month. How will we include them in our Assembly activities? What plans do you as Assembly Officers and members have for them to become active?

By now your Faithful Navigator has appointed or will soon be appointing a Nominating Committee to put together a slate of potential officers for the 2011-2012 Columbian Year. What are your expectations for these Sir Knights and the Programs they may propose? It is so important to elect Leadership that will be active. Simultaneously, we need to include and encourage many more members to be active Sir Knights. The two go hand in hand. As I go about the district and attend meetings and Color Corps events, I see many excellent candidates as potential leaders of an Assembly. I would like each of you to consider what it is that you could be doing to build up the activity level of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. We are the Patriotic, Educational, and Visible Knights of Columbus. If we truly believe we are, then we need to show it.

How can you, your Council and your Assembly better Serve God and Country? As Fourth Degree Sir Knights, be visible in your Council, your Church, and your Community. Consider, what could you do to help servicemen and women and our veterans? Let's actively support and help secure more Chaplains in our military so our servicemen and women can still practice their Catholic faith under these Chaplains' guidance. Pass on the lessons of Patriotism to our youth. Be an active Sir Knight of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. Also, please work to help bring other Knights into the Order. Let’s do this by recruiting ONE First Degree Knight. But the challenge is to follow him through the second and third degrees. Accomplishing this task, we will have ready and waiting a new Fourth Degree Knight.

We also need to take a bit of a break now and then, spending some time preparing for Lent and Easter. As Fourth Degree Sir Knights and Ladies, let us strive to do even more this year. Praying a Beatitudes Rosary (See this in a separate cover), attending weekday Mass, Stations of the Cross, quiet time for prayer, and self-imposed fasting are just some examples. Lent is a time that we should not concentrate on giving up something, but concentrate on giving something of ourselves to our family, friends, community and church. It is my prayer that it be God’s Will that our country will once again be A Nation of Light and Life with Freedom for All.

Pray to St. Michael and the Holy Spirit to watch over our service men and women. Pray especially for those who return home with the mental, emotional, and physical wounds of combat. Please, let us not forget SK Brian Adkins. Please keep him and all fallen Knights in your prayers.

We are One Nation Under God, but it does come at a price. God Bless America, and God Bless you and your families!

AMJC Assembly #383 FN Report 2/19/11

On 02/02/11, at the request of the Principal,Mr. Andrew Currier, the Faithful Admiral, John Landicho and myself attended the school assembly at St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School to make a presentation on patriotism. The FA introduced me and I spoke on patriotism. The presentation went well and afterwards Mr.

Currier did a review of my presentation and the children understood all my points on patriotism.

AMJC assembly sponsored an oratorical contest on 02/13/2011 at St. Joseph's School with the theme of Catholic Patriots.We had eleven speakers, ten from St. Joseph's and one from Holy Redeemer Catholic School. All the speeches were very good and results were as follows:

Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

First Place Luke Hernandez Tiffany Akoakwa

Second Place Julia Pedersoli Andrew Rater

Third Place Mesode Ekaney Laura Irwin

Julia Pedersoli was from Holy Redeemer, all others from St. Joseph's. After the contest Mr. Currier said " I am very proud of how the students performed! What a great skill to cultivate, and we have the Knights to thank." I also need to thank our Faithful Pilot for chairing the event.

The Color Corps have participated in 36 activities and are looking forward to participating at the ordination of Bishop Neal Buckon of the Military Diocese and the Exemplification for priests.

For the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree we have paid for our hospitality room, our assembly ad, and one commercial ad.Two of our associated councils also have ads. We have two priests coming to make the degree on 02/26/11 and twelve other candidates for March 12, 2011 and possible six more.

We continue to plan an activity to celebrate AMJC Assembly 383's fiftieth anniversary.

AMJC Assembly #383 FN Report 11/20/10

AMJC Assembly #383 FN Report 11/20/10:

We continue to plan an activity to celebrate Archbishop Michael J. Curley Assembly # 383 fiftieth anniversary next spring. We are considering a harbor cruise of Baltimore or Washington, or a dinner/dance.

To date our Color Corps has participated in twenty-three activities, three since the last report. These include

the Mass for people with disabilities, the Mass honoring veterans and the memorial Mass for Council 2203. For the rest of November we have three more memorial Masses and the Mass for Cardinal Wuerl.

For the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree we have sent our reservation and money for the hospitality room, brought payment for the assembly ad in the program book, the ad will follow electronically and are working on commercial ads.

We have five firm candidates for the fourth degree and one transfer. We have contacted eight knights, six of which look very promising. We have also started visiting other councils affiliated with our Assembly.

AMJC Assembly is sponsoring an oratorical contest for seventh and eighth grade students with the theme "Catholic Patriots". St, Joseph Regional Catholic School in Beltsville, MD and St, Mary of the Mills Catholic School in Laurel, MD are participating. We are working on getting Holy Redeemer Catholic School in College Park, MD involved.

We are having our Christmas Party on Friday December 11 at council 2809 starting at 1830.It will be a pot luck supper and will include a visit by Santa Claus.

Assembly #383 does not have a EIN, tax number. I have contacted the Supreme Advocate and have not been called back. Will call them again.

Faithful Navigator Report 12/18/2010

Assembly 383 has received a thank you letter from the Archbishop for the Military Services for our donation to the Archdiocese for the Military Services. A copy will be provided Saturday.

We have five firm candidates for the Fourth Degree and one transfer. We have contacted 14 knights of which nine look very promising. We are in the process of visiting the councils associated with our assembly.

For the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree we have sent our reservation and paid for our hospitality room, sent and paid for our assembly ad and are working on commercial ads.

We continue to plan an activity to celebrate AMJC Assembly # 383 fiftieth anniversary next spring.

The assembly Color Corps has participated in 26 activities. Since last report we participated in three memorial Masses and Cardinal Wuerl's Special Mass.

A Christmas Party was held by the assembly on Friday 12/03/10 at Council # 2809. It was attended by around 60 Sir Knights and their families. Santa Claus also visited and listened to children and adult requests.

AMJC Assembly is sponsoring an oratorical contest for seventh and eighth grade students with the theme "Catholic Patriots". St. Joseph Regional Catholic School and Saint Mary of the Mills Catholic School are participating. Holy Redeemer Catholic School has also been invited to participate.

Faithful Navigator Report 1/15/2011

The assembly Renewal of Obligations was held on 01/03/2011. The Master, SK Charles Smallwood, presided over the ceremony. In attendance from the Master's staff were the Secretary, SK Ernest Harley and the Marshall, SK John Winfrey. The event went well and after the meeting we enjoyed baked Ziti. My thanks to the Master and his staff for helping Assembly 383 carry out this event.

For the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree we have paid for our hospitality room, our assembly ad and one commercial ad. Working on other ads, the assembly has six firm candidates and another dozen that look very promising. We will continue to visit the councils associated with our assembly.

AMJC Assembly is sponsoring an oratorical contest for seventh and eighth grade student with the theme "Catholic Patriots". The finals will be on Sunday 02/13/2011 at St. Joseph Regional Catholic School. St. Joseph and Holy Redeemer Catholic School are participating. St. Mary of the mils Catholic School is also expected to participate.

The Color Corps have participated in 32 activities.We have recently done a couple of wakes and funerals and Cardinal Wuerl's Mass.

We continue to plan an activity to celebrate AMJC Assembly # 383 fiftieth anniversary next spring.