Breakfast Report from Captain Ted Seeber and Chairman Michael Chau

We did pretty well at the St. Clare's breakfast.  Phil, Michael Chau and Ted Seeber set up the dining room by 3pm on Saturday, except about half the forks were missing and all of the salt shakers were empty.  Ted found the forks and finished up on his own by 5pm Mass on Saturday.  Sunday, Ted brought salt, and Mike Morgan, Christopher Seeber, and Laura Bowers got everything ready.  By 8am, Ken Paulsen and his grandson Michael had showed up.  Phil and Donna Jarvis showed up and set up the money and got the dishwasher going.  Brandon showed up to help Mike Morgan crack eggs.  Paul Pompili, Marc Gregoire, Michael Chau and Tom Owens rounded out our team to get breakfast ready by 9:30.

We served 52 Breakfasts at the first mass.

At the second Mass, Mike Devlin showed up and thinking that we wouldn't get many people, we let Ken Paulsen and his grandson go, as well as Brandon.  Tom Owens and Mike Devlin took over at the Dishwasher, and Phil drove Donna home.  We also went down to just the six tables.

Boy, were we wrong.  We served an additional 42 people after the 10:45 Mass.  It was a scramble to set up placemats and get them silverware.  We ran out of eggs and we ran out of applesauce.  We made another two batches of pancakes.

Thank you to all who worked so hard- especially those who pulled multiple shifts.

We made $382- $191 to the council, $191 to St. Clare's

Keep Christ in Christmas to launch at Breakfast

A couple of surprise deliveries to Ted Seeber's house today means that Deacon Bill's dream will come true; we will have yard signs, car magnets, and window decals for Keep Christ in Christmas campaign for sale at the breakfast.  $15 for yard signs, $5 for car magnets or window decals.

Sunday Breakfast

Due to two people dropping out (illness and out of town) I'm making a final call- if you can help us at either the 8am-10:45am shift or the 11:30pm-2pm shift on Sunday, just show up.  Remember that these breakfasts earn money for our council to do good things.  Consider asking your families to come along!  Volunteering is a family affair!

John Clare first in Division 4 for Family Points

At Deacon Bill's request, Ted Seeber was looking for information on the Keep Christ in Christmas Program (to be launched at our next meeting December 11), and he ran across the December State Newsletter in which our council is on track to win the Division 4 small council Family Award from State. Only two Reporting sessions left to go, so get those Family activities that you do in!

The Help Them Return Lesson

As discussed at the meeting, Tom Owens and Ted Seeber have purchased access on our behalf to the Help them Return Master Series by Brandon Vogt. Ted Seeber has downloaded the videos, but at Brandon's request, we can only show the videos at meetings, we cannot distribute them. You can purchase your own set at https://helpthemreturn.com/game-plan

Monthly Activity Reporting

Ted Seeber created this survey for us to report our monthly activities. The trustees strongly urge every Knight to fill out this form monthly. This form will be reposted on the first of every month.
Create your own user feedback survey

2015 Fraternal Survey

Click through to the blog on this message, we would really like to see greater participation this year.  This is the Supreme Survey that keeps our 501c(8) status with the IRS- so it is very, very important that we get as many members as possible answering the questions.  You can answer right on the blog! Due date is January 15, 2016


Create your own user feedback survey

Save the Date, Next Meeting December 11, 2015

Click through to see full message.

Due to a conflict in our meeting space with SVDP/Giving Tree Project, and with the holidays coming up, our Christmas Party will be Friday, December 11, 2015 at 5:30pm.  This will replace our regular business meeting, but it won't be a regular meeting.  Invite your family, invite friends, all parishoners of both St. Clare's and St. John Fisher are welcome.

Show off your cooking skills!  Bring a favorite holiday dish or desert!   We're having a potluck.  For the kids, this will also be our family movie night, showing Muppet Christmas Carol.  We will have awards for Knight of the Year and Family of the Year.  And we will also be showing the first three video lessons from Brandon Vogt's RETURN.

The Giving Tree Project thanks the Knights for being flexible.

All Hands On Deck, Part III

Here comes the 2nd Breakfast in the same month at St. Clare's.  Click through to blog to see and volunteer.  Michael Chau would like you to volunteer for at least one of the following three shifts:

• 2pm-5pm Saturday, November 28 - setup.  The more hands we have the faster it will go.
• 8am-10:45am Sunday November 29- first shift cooking and breakfast.  Ted will be there at 7 to start coffee.
• 11:45am-2pm Sunday November 29- second shift and cleanup.  We will serve until 12:30.  Once again, the more hands we have, the faster it will go.

Ted Seeber is keeping the list of volunteers, click here to volunteer by e-mail or call 503-318-1508

Congratulations to our Essay Contest winners

Click through to blog for pictures.

1st Place, Lizzie O - Decision Point and $50
2nd Place Kenzie G - Rediscover Jesus and $20
3rd Place Everett E - Rediscover Jesus and $20

A Personal Message....

Dear Brother Knights,

I remain impressed with the faith and charity I see in you.  With that in mind, I wish to share a personal experience that I hope you'll consider.  I believe that Our Blessed Mother is currently appearing to six people in Medjugorje (in former Yugoslavia).  Catholics are not obligated to believe in private revelation - including approved apparitions such as Lourdes and Fatima.  But I figure, if in fact, heaven has decided that Mary should communicate a message to us, then who am I to ignore it.

In 2010, the Vatican established a committee headed by Cardinal Ruini to study Medjugorje.  After about four years, and countless tests, interviews and medical studies, they forwarded their findings to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), headed by Cardinal Muller.  A "leak" of that study suggested by the "Vatican Insider" (publication) suggested their findings were positive.  You can read about that here:

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/medjugorje-ruini-31362/

The CDF committee has furthered their study of Medjugorje, and recently handed on their final report to Pope Francis, who has indicated he will make those findings known soon.  His decision is likely after the Feria Quarta meeting in February.  Part of the Medjugorje phenomenon involves instructions from heaven, that we should "pray, fast, convert our lives to follow Jesus" - things we Knights already believe.  But also, there are "secrets" of future events which are to be revealed just in advance - some which involve fairly bad things.  With this in mind, I think this personal message is appropriate for these men we call Knights. 

I recently watched a video of Monsignor Amorth (a high ranking exorcist at the Vatican) and he had something insightful to say (1 minute, 19 second video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0y89TmlQh0

I submit this for your consideration.  I visited Medjugorje several years ago, and am convinced it is authentic.  But of course, I will obey our Pope in whatever decision he renders.
Vivat Jesus!

In preparation for a new series

It has been decided by the Grand Knight and the Trustees that since so many of us struggle with the pain of a close loved one leaving the church, we will dedicate 10 minutes out of the next four meetings to watching a video and discussing a new series of videos and books by Brandon Vogt:  Return .  The link provided in this blog post is good until 11:59pm on Thursday Night, and allows you to download the four videos and three PDF e-books that are the core of the series.

The above, for free, is just a 4 part sampler.  You can also go here for the three for-pay options, all of which are cheaper if you grab them before Thursday midnight.

Meeting Agenda - Thursday Nov. 19 at 7pm.

Meeting Agenda for November 19, 2015

John Clare Council #15485

Meeting Agenda

November 19, 2015

St. Clare Fireside Room

●         5:00pm  First Degree Training

●         6:00pm  First Degree Ceremony

●         7:00pm Essay Contest Winners & Awards

●         7:15pm Call to Order

Warden’s Report,

Prayer & Pledge of Allegiance,

Roll Call of Officers,

Chaplain’s Message,

Reading of Minutes

●         7:20pm  Grand Knight’s Remarks

○     St. John Fisher Breakfast Success

○     Upcoming events – St. Clare Breakfast

○     brochures available

○     Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine at the Grotto update

●         7:20pm  Treasurer’s Report

●         7:25pm  Financial Secretary’s Report

●         7:30pm  For the Good of the Order

●         7:40pm  Confirm Committees

○     Life  (Mother’s Day flower, baby bottle drive, report on current events)

○     Membership / Admission  (Prospects, Invitations, Stock vestibules)

○     Family / Community  (Picnic, Breakfasts, Movie Night, Easter Egg hunt)

●         7:45pm New Business

○     November 29 Breakfast

○     Activity Reports

○     Church Drive

○     HelpThemReturn.Com

●         7:50pm District Deputy/State Officers

●         7:55pm Sick or in Distress – Decade of Rosary

●         8:00pm Closing Prayer

First Degree Ceremony - This Thursday

We will be conducting a First Degree Ceremony for at least one new member (Paul Pompili) on Thursday at 6pm. 
A second candidate Scott Kneefel, has just secured a new job with CYO and is committed to attend a function this Thursday night.  He intends to be installed next month.

The following officers are necessary to conduct a First Degree Ceremony:
1 - GK - Ken Paulsen
2 - DGK - Jim Van Domelen filling in for Polinus who is unable to attend
3 - Chancellor - Mike O'Phelen
4 - FS - Phil Jarvis
5 - Warden - Michael Chau - assisted by Ted Seeber
6 - Inside Guard - Don Mey
7 - Sound Man - Ted Seeber

If any of you are unable to attend this ceremony, please let me know at once so that I can arrange a replacement.  However, I would encourage you to fulfill your role in this important event if at all possible. 
To those able, please meet in the Council Chambers one hour early - 5pm - so that we can rehearse our parts together.

All other officers and members are welcome to attend - and in fact, may be needed.

A few details:
I understand Ted has new member kits as well as all the props necessary for the ceremony.  He will also bring sound equipment / music.
I understand Phil has the Constitutional Roll.
We are encouraged to wear our jewels - and be appropriately dressed.
The Warden is responsible to set up the Council Chambers as shown on page 6.

I hope we will become very competent at performing the First Degree Ceremony.  Memorizing the text is encouraged - but perhaps too much for us at this time.  I will attempt to provide extra copies of the text so that it is available to the conferring officers.
Thanks,
Ken

St. John Fisher Breakfast Debriefing

Hi All,
First off, I just want to say how proud I am, and humbled, to be among such a dedicated team of hard-working saints-in-the-making.  The "can-do" attitude was instrumental in throwing this successful breakfast.  I'm honored to be counted among you.  Thank you all.

Michael Chau
Mike Devlin
Marc Gregoire
Phil Jarvis & Wife Donna
Deacon Scott Kolbet
Don Mey
Mike Morgan
Tom Owens
Paul Pompili
Jim Stall



A special thanks to Phil's wife - who made and donated the place maps, assisted with the posters, brought flowers, and worked along side of us throughout the event. 

There were two members of the Men's Club - Colm Joyce and Ken Weston, whom I hope I can contact to thank personally.  In all the confusion, I'm not certain that I've included everyone in this list who made this breakfast work.  But again, the team worked like a well oiled machine.  A few rough spots, but it was a successful event.

Phil has all of the breakfast supplies / tools which he plans to sort and organize.  I think this will help for our next breakfast at St. Clare on Nov. 29 after the 8:30 and 10:45 masses.  I understand Phil will provide an inventory of supplies left over.
In addition, I have another 10 lb bag of pancake mix that didn't come out of my truck. 
There were 18 eggs left over from 20 dozen - they're in the fridge at St. J.F. 
I also left some frozen Brown & Serve sausages in the freezer at St. J.F.   I'll try to get these sausages to Phil tomorrow.
Marc - I left some Stainless Steel cream dispensers at St. J.F. - I'm not sure if they're ours or theirs, but I figure you would know.

Things learned:
1.    Better to have too much food than too little.  I was amazed that we went through 10 dozen eggs so quickly.  I had to run out to buy 10 dozen more.  But making people wait for eggs - or go without - was a huge mistake.  5 dozen eggs costs $10.  Our reputation is far more valuable that $10.
2.    We need two pans to cook eggs.  Eggs seem to cook slower than other items.  They were always the bottleneck.  Twice the production would probably keep up with demand.
3.    I bought an extra 6 lbs. of sausage as 15 lbs. was not enough.  (However, we had sausage left over.)
4.    I bought an extra 2 gallons of applesauce as 1.5 gallons was not enough.  (We had about 1/2 gallon left over.)
5.    I panicked on the pancake batter and bought one more 10 lb. bag, (40 lbs total) but we only used 20 lbs. and we now have 20 lbs. left over.

The total cost for the food and supplies was $240.22.  Phil Says that after expenses, our profit is $327.30 - which we'll split 50/50 with the parish - $163.65 for St. John Fisher and $163.65 for our Council!  Nice Job!!!

Seems to me, that at each event, we invest in some item that is not a consumable.  For example the egg pan, the batter pooper, and the warming tray.  This time, it was salt and pepper shakers.... rather a small addition to our inventory.  We were also donated some vinyl gloves by Phil and Polyethylene gloves, butter patties and stir sticks by Ken Weston.  But for those planning a future breakfast, anticipate some funds for hardware.

What  like about these breakfasts - irrespective of whether or not they're profitable - is that they help develop a sense of community in our parishes.  Not only that, but they also help develop a sense of camaraderie among the members of our Council.  I get to know each of you a bit better - and realize, that you're actually a really nice bunch of guys.   Thanks again for your generous hard work.  God Bless You.
Ken

ALL HANDS ON DECK - PART 2

Hi All K/C Brothers,
Tomorrow morning, we're serving breakfast after the 9am and 11am masses at St. John Fisher.  This is the last call for those of you who wish to help.  Actually - a lot of you have volunteered already and so I it appears we're pretty well staffed.  Still, I enjoy seeing you all - and I believe your presence makes a strong statement about the value of serving our Church.

Our next business meeting is next Thursday at 7pm.  More on that later...
But just prior to that meeting at 6pm, we'll have a 1st degree ceremony to install 1, 2 or 3 new members.  Again, it appears we have plenty of Knights to participate in the 1st degree ceremony - but if you have an interest in this, please show up at 5pm - as we're going to rehearse our parts prior to the actual ceremony at 6pm.

ALL HANDS ON DECK (for Breakfast...)

Brothers,
This coming Sunday, Nov. 15, we'll be serving a fabulous breakfast after the 9am and 11am masses at ST. JOHN FISHER in the school cafeteria.  We're attempting to promote this with the hope of a successful event.

We'll have two shifts:
A)  8:30 am to 11 am - involves setting up, cooking, serving,  for the 9am mass crowd.
B)  11am  to 1pm +/-  - involves cooking, serving and clean-up after the 11am mass crowd.

Please sign up for one or both.

Those who have K/C t-shirts - please wear them.
Those who need a K/C t-shirt - (never got one, or yours wore out) - please let me know your size.  My intent is to order more shirts - but there will probably be a charge involved.  (I think it's $15.)  We probably won't have them within a week.

We already have several volunteers - but don't let this hold you back.  The more the merrier, and it's always fun.

Some job descriptions:
1.  Money handlers - Phil.  (Free will offering for this breakfast.)
2.  Pancake Cook
3.  Sausage Cook
4.  Egg Cook
5   Beaverages - Orange Juice, Decaf Coffee, Regular Coffee
6.  Dish washer
7.  Line Servers - three Brothers
8.  Floor Servers - one or two that ensure syrup and pancakes don't run dry / bus tables  

Ken


 

Best Advent Ever - Year of Mercy

We all did Best Lent ever last year- Matthew Kelly's organization is now kicking off Best Advent Ever:  The year of Mercy.  This fits in extremely well with St. Clare's Parish Advent Theme:  Celebrating God's Mercy.



Best Advent Ever - Year of Mercy: