2005-2006 FRATERNAL YEAR

July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006

Council 12158

Knights of Columbus

Saint Patrick’s Basilica

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada 

CHURCH ACTIVITIES

BARBEQUES FOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY – Held in July & August of 2005, following a successful BBQ in June, these barbeques were part of the 150th anniversary celebration of the parish. Community Director Martin Reaume organized the BBQs. Some 125-150 attended each event. At the August BBQ, children under 18 were served free of charge, to encourage families to attend.

SALE OF CHRISTMAS CAKES AND COOKIES - From Mid-November to Christmas –This project has taken place at Saint Patrick’s over the last several years. Sales are at the doors of the Basilica as well as in the Basilica gift shop. Total sales were $2,500. About 25 knights participated in the sale of the cakes to parishioners who look forward to purchasing the cakes and shortbread cookies for Christmas. There were also large sales to corporate donors who supply these items as gifts for employees and clients. There is a considerable amount of labour moving the cakes from one area of the church to another and collecting and counting the proceeds. Funds raised go to the Basilica’s Restoration Fund.

PARISH ANNIVERSARY MASS & BANQUET - November 17 - Council members who are fourth degree knights participated in the honor guard with the mass celebrated by Archbishop Brendan O’Brien of Newfoundland, who was baptized in the parish. Members and their families attended the mass and banquet at the Crown Plaza Hotel. The Grand Knight proposed the toast to the pope.

ANNIVERSARY PATEN – Our Council donated $150 to the parish for the purchase of a large paten for the 150th anniversary. The Knights of Columbus name was engraved on the paten.

SUPPORT FOR SEMINARIANS (RSVP) - Over the past year we have supported two seminarians in the Refund Service Vocations Program (RSVP). Their names are Brian O’Neill and David Bergeron, members of the Companions of the Cross.

ORDINATION OF STEPHEN LIANG AS DEACON ON DECEMBER 18, 2005 – Our Council hosted a large reception following Stephen’s ordination as a deacon on December 18, 2005. About 1,000 people attended. About 100 of these came downstairs for the reception in his honour. Our Council also presented Stephen with a Sacramentary to mark the occasion. Stephen is a member of Good Shepherd Parish, where he spent his internship year. The Catholic Women’s League at Good Shepherd prepared the food and the Knights of Columbus from Good Shepherd helped set up the hall for the reception.

VOCATIONS DEVELOPMENT – Msgr. Len Lunney, the Apostolic Vicar for the English Sector of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, has set up Come and See sessions at Saint Patrick’s Basilica to help men interested in exploring a vocation to the priesthood. These sessions were arranged by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Patrick’s and are held in the Council Chamber at Saint Patrick’s Basilica every third Friday of the month.

BAPTISMS IN THE BASILICA – Every year, a Knights of Columbus Bulletin Board displays the names of all children who were baptized in the Basilica over the past year. The Bulletin Board was placed in the sanctuary of the church. The purpose of this display is to celebrate the birth of children. Past Grand Knight Michael Ferrigan arranges this bulletin board for the parish.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST – Under the leadership of Brendan Hennigan, the Church Director, the Council has co-operated with the clergy to set up a schedule for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. These men serve the Holy Eucharist at the 9 pm mass on Sunday when other clergy are not available.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA) – Our Associate Pastor and Vice-Rector Father Lindsay Harrison of Saint Patrick’s is in charge of the RCIA program. The Council once again supplied 30 Knights of Columbus rosaries for the RCIA candidates. The RCIA in our parish uses the Luke Hart series published by the Knights of Columbus for instruction.

HOLY ROSARY ROUND TABLE – Saint Patrick’s Basilica Council has established a round table at Holy Rosary Parish. The parish priest is Father John Likozar and the Household Head is Father Jim MacGillivray. The roundtable at Holy Rosary has lapsed due to the departure from our city of the former co-ordinator, who was transferred to London. The grand knight spoke to the pastor and suggested that he appoint a new co-ordinator and provided a list of names. The Council expects and hopes that the roundtable will function again in the next fraternal year.

IN MEMORIAM MASS AND LIST – Past Grand Knight Michael Ferrigan set up a memorial list of all persons whose funerals were at St. Patrick’s Basilica in the past 12 months. The list was displayed in the sanctuary during the month of November. On November 18, a memorial service was held for deceased members of the parish and the deceased members of the Knights of Columbus. Members and spouses of Council 12158 and the Cartier Assembly attended. The mass was presided over by our Chaplain Msgr. Robert Martineau, who is also the Faithful Friar of the Cartier Assembly. There was a well-attended social for members and spouses after the mass.

USHERING - Members of the Council ushered at all of the Masses held during the fraternal year 2005-06 as follows:

• Ushering took place each Sunday at the 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 am, 12:15 and 9:00 pm masses as well as the Saturday mass at 4:30 pm.

• Saint Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. This is a special mass that is celebrated each year for the patron saint. The Archbishop of Ottawa presides at the mass and there is also a guest homilist. This year the guest homilist was Father Gerry Monaghan. In recent years, the church has been filled well beyond capacity.

During the Christmas Season on:

• Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. (family Mass for Christmas); 11:00 p.m. (“A Christmas Festival of Carols”) and 12:00 solemn Midnight Mass

• Christmas Day Masses on December 25th at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. New Year’s Masses on December 31 at 4:30 p.m. and January 1 at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 am and 12:15 pm.

CHRISTMAS MANGER – Members set up the manger on the Basilica lawn. On December 14, at the annual Christmas party, members participated in the Light Up for Christ Christmas ceremony. Msgr. Martineau, the rector, led the prayers and blessed the manger.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS – On Good Friday, April 14, three members of the Knights of Columbus – Stephen Kusiewicz, Mike Ferrigan and Charles Gauthier - assisted with the Stations of the Cross. There were about seven hundred people in attendance, including members of the Knights of Columbus and their families.

LECTORS FOR MASSES - Members of the Council participate at Sunday liturgies as lectors as well as over the Christmas season and Easter Triduum.

MASS FOR FATHER MCGIVNEY - On August 14, a special memorial mass was said at Saint Patrick’s Basilica to remember Father McGivney the founder of the Knights of Columbus. Past Grand Knight Michael O’Neill requested this Mass and the membership was notified. Several members and their families attended.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP MASS ON JUNE 21 – This is an annual event that has been held in Ottawa for some 60 years running. Our Council assisted with the preparation of refreshments for the participants following the mass.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MASSES AND THE PRAYING OF THE ROSARY - Knights of Columbus Masses were held on the last Sunday of each month. Mass was preceded by the Rosary at 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 with masses at 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. As of January, the knights began reciting the rosary from the sanctuary of the church using the microphone. Member Knights and their families are in attendance. Parishioners are invited to join in the praying of the Rosary. The Council Banner was placed on the pulpit and the Knights of Columbus candle was placed in front of the altar. One of the knights is the lector. Parishioners are invited to the basement of the church for hospitality and refreshments. This monthly activity demonstrates that the knights are present and active in the parish.

WAKE SERVICE FOR NEWTON STEACY – This prayer service was held August 8, 2005. There were some 35 knights and their spouses in attendance. It was held at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, across the street from Saint Patrick’s Basilica. The funeral was held the following day at the Basilica with members of the Knights of Columbus in attendance. Father Lindsay Harrison led the wake service with prayers and readings by Brendan Hennigan, Maurie Breen, and Reid Barry. Michael O’Neill, Past Grand Knight, spoke briefly about the deceased, who was an active member of the parish. He was involved in setting up and managing the Basilica Gift Shop and was also a chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST WAS HELD ON SUNDAY, MARCH 26 on the same day as our knights’ mass. A first-time effort, this breakfast netted over $400 in proceeds for the Council. The meal consisted of pancakes, beans and ham. There were about 200 in attendance at two masses. Cash donations were requested but there was no formal admission. Clergy and members of the parish appreciated the effort.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AND LIGHT UP FOR CHRIST – On December 14, 2005 our council held its annual Christmas party with a potluck supper, light up for Christ, and Christmas carols. There were about 75 members, spouses and guests in attendance. One of our members, Donald MacDonald, played the bagpipes as he led the group to the manger outside for the Light Up for Christ Ceremony. The members donated a large box of toiletries for the Good Day Workshop, an Outreach project in the neighbourhood. For the Light Up for Christ, Msgr. Robert Martineau led the prayers before the outdoor manger. Carol singing took place with Julia O‘Neil, wife of Michael O’Neill, playing the piano and Donald MacDonald playing the bagpipes. Door prizes were given out at the end of the evening. It was a great success and a fitting lead-in to the Christmas season.

ROSES FOR LIFE SALES ON MOTHER’S DAY – Our Council sold roses for life provided by the Ontario State Office, at the doors to the church on Mother’s Day and also at the Day of the Unborn Child. The total proceeds were over $1,000 with some $700 going to pro-life charities.

WIDOWS OF DECEASED KNIGHTS – Our Council has made an addendum to our membership list with the names, addresses and phone numbers of our three widows. This is a way of carrying on the tradition of the Knights of Columbus to keep in touch and extend friendship to the widows and families. Widows are invited to participate in Council social events.

CATHOLIC THEME TRIPS - This past year, our PGK Michael O’Neill has continued his work of organizing and co-ordinating Catholic theme trips.  Last August, he organized a trip to the Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, accompanied by one of the priests of the parish, Father Lindsay Harrison.  Father Harrison assisted in the celebration of the main mass with Cardinal George of Chicago.  On March 18, 2006, Michael O'Neill organized a trip to Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.  This included mass and a tour of the Oratory, as well as a tour of Montreal and lunch for the group.  In the past, we have had trips to Washington, New York and New Haven as well as another trip to Saint Patrick's Basilica in Montreal.  In September of the coming year, there will be a trip to New York, New Haven and Boston.  Trips to New Haven include of course a tour and mass at the church of the founder, Father Michael McGivney. 

LADIES’ NIGHT – On April 22, the Cartier Assembly together with our Council held their annual ladies’ night in the basement hall of Saint Patrick’s Basilica. There was a Lebanese buffet that everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed, followed by music and dancing. There were about 80 knights and their ladies in attendance.

YEAR END BARBEQUE AND AWARDS NIGHT – On June 24, 2006 our Council held its year-end barbeque with some 65 knights and family in attendance. Chicken was served as well as an assorted menu of salads, baked potatoes, and desserts. There was a cash bar and door prizes. Certificates of appreciation were presented as well as awards for the knight of the year, and the family of the year.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

CEILIDH AND CHARITABLE DONATION OF $515 TO YOUNG IRISH MUSICIANS - In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the parish, the Knights of Columbus under the direction of Martin Reaume organize a ceilidh hosted by Kevin Dooley, a local musician. The ceilidh was held on November 3. The money raised was directed to the Danny O'Connell Fund, established in memory of a young and talented musician, who died tragically in his early 20's.  Money in the fund goes towards the training of young musicians who specialize in Irish music. Our Council’s donation totalled $515.

HURRICANE KATRINA – Our Council donated $100 to a fund operated by the Knights of Columbus Charities in Canada for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

LEGION OF MARY – Our Council also donated $100 to the Legion of Mary in our parish to assist with the expenses for a pilgrimage for disabled persons in September of 2005.

LUNCHEON FOR THE ETHIOPIAN AIDS ORPHANS – The Knights of Columbus set up the hall and helped with serving a pancake lunch on December 4 following the 12:15 mass. The luncheon raised over $1,000. The luncheon was to support the Canadian Ethiopian Committee for Aids Orphans. The Archbishop of Ottawa and the rector of Saint Patrick’s Basilica are patrons of the organization. Christina Lubbock was the guest speaker. She is the former executive director of Watercan. Both the rector of the parish and the Archbishop were in attendance.

ANTI-ABORTION MESSAGE NEAR THE BANK STREET ABORTION CLINIC – Our Council provides financial assistance for the message “Abortion Stops a Beating Heart”, which is a highly visible pro-life message in downtown Ottawa. This message is placed near the location of an abortion clinic at the corner of Bank Street and the Sparks Street Mall. We contribute $300 annually towards this message, which is sponsored by Action Life, the educational arm of the pro-life movement.

DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS HAMPERS – Under the direction of Peter Heenan, seven members of the Knights of Columbus participated in the distribution of Christmas vouchers to the poor and needy of the parish. Brother Peter has looked after this project for a number of years. The distribution is carried out with the co-operation of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which provides the names and addresses of needy families.

SHEPHERDS OF GOOD HOPE – A group of knights from our Council met at the Shepherds of Good Hope on December 24 to assist in the preparation and serving of lunch for about 300 homeless persons who go there for meals. In attendance were the following knights of our Council: Dalton McIntyre, Andrzej Banas, Gerry Angers, Reid Barry, and John O’Brien.

DONATIONS TO THE GOOD DAY WORKSHOP – At our annual Christmas Party, members brought toiletries for the GOOD DAY WORKSHOP and also donated $188 for the organization, which is an outreach project that provides employment for people who are suffering from physical and psychological disabilities. This service specializes in refinishing furniture. It is an operation that began under the auspices of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and is now an incorporated organization. The money raised was used to purchase four sanders for the workshop.

DAY OF THE UNBORN CHILD - On March 25 our council arranged to have the 8 am mass dedicated to the Unborn Child; the Feast of the Annunciation is the Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child. One of our priests, Father McCormick, gave the homily and spoke about the dedication of the Knights of Columbus to this cause. There was also a holy hour following the mass, which the Knights joined. We recited the rosary before the mass.

SELLING OF SHAMROCKS FOR SAINT PATRICK’S HOME (MARCH 4-5 & 11-12) – For the past two years, the Knights of Columbus have been requested by the parish to sell shamrocks at the entrances of the church after each Sunday mass. This project is a fund-raiser for Saint Patrick’s Home, a Catholic retirement residence in Ottawa. Since many of our members are ushers, there are usually enough men from the knights to sell the shamrocks, with the addition of a few others in attendance.  At each of the five masses, there are four members of the knights who sell the shamrocks at each of the four entry points to the main church. This is an example of a small way in which our Council assists the parish and the community. A total of $940 was raised through the sale of the shamrocks.

SAINT PATRICK’S HOME DONATION – Our Council purchased $100 in tickets from Saint Patrick’s Home, a retirement residence for senior citizens. 

MARCH FOR LIFE – The annual March for Life was held in our city of Ottawa, the capital of Canada, on May 11 with other events from May 10 to 12. Knights also participated in a mass at Saint Theresa’s Church and a candlelight vigil on the night before the march. There was an all-night exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Basilica.

PENNIES FOR LIFE – Every year pennies are collected from among our Council members for pro-life charities.

FRATERNAL SERVICES – Gerry Angers and Bob O’Neill check the list of parishioners who are ill and follows up on any council members who may be included. The Grand Knight and other members notify them of any members who are sick or in distress or celebrate a special occasion.

LIAISON WITH THE IRISH SOCIETY – Mike Ferrigan, Past Grand Knight, is the liaison with the Irish Society. Brother Michael helps with the planning of the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, including honour guard and a float. This year, we also participated with the fourth degree Cartier Assembly in hosting a party in the basement of the Basilica. It was a catered event with Irish stew being served. It also featured a band playing traditional Irish music.

IRISH SOCIETY ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATIONS - The council sponsored an entry in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A fourth degree knight played the role of Saint Patrick in the parade. A prayer card of Saint Patrick was distributed along the parade route. The PGK Michael Ferrigan along with Dick Cordick of the Ontario State Council made arrangements for other Councils to participate. Following the parade, there was a social at the Basilica with entertainment and food. Irish stew was served along with favourite beverages.

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY MASS OF THANKSGIVING - On Wednesday, March 17, the Archbishop of Ottawa celebrated a Saint Patrick’s Day Mass of Thanksgiving. Members and their families attended the mass and assisted in the preparation. Members also participated in an honour guard.

HIKE FOR LIFE – Members of our Council participated in the Hike for Life on Saturday, April 29th. This is a 10-kilometer hike sponsored by Action Life, the educational arm of the pro-life movement in the Ottawa area. The goal is to raise money with hikers obtaining sponsors who contribute to their cause. Saint Patrick’s Basilica’s designated hiker was Father Lindsay Harrison, our vice-rector, who collected funds from sponsors.

DOORS OPEN – Saint Patrick’s Basilica participated in the Open Doors Weekend on June 3 & 4. Members of the Knights of Columbus acted as guides and hosts to the general public. Open Doors was sponsored by the City of Ottawa and is a an opportunity for people in Ottawa to view and tour the interior of public and private buildings that they would not ordinarily use or have access to.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

BASKETBALL FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP – JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2004 - The final round of the basketball free throw championship was held at St. Pius X High School in Ottawa. Our Council was involved with hosting the free throw at three schools in the Ottawa area: Saint Mary’s, Saint Daniel’s, and Corpus Christi as well as the Sandy Hill Community Centre. Tom Furmanczyk took the lead in organizing the event. Reid Barry, Gabe Rajhathy, Michael Ferrigan and Joe Prince also assisted.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY - A Children's Christmas Party was held on December 19, 2005.  This party is for families with young children.  We have a Santa Claus, hot dogs, popcorn and other refreshments are served, and videotapes and Christmas music are played. One of our knights, Roger Maloney, brought his guitar and played Christmas music for the children.  Some of the children joined Santa to sing along with the music.  This year we set up a microphone for the kids to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.  The emphasis, however, is on the birth of Christ and we start off with Santa reciting the Christmas story.  We also distribute small gift bags for the children and door prizes consisting of children’s religious Christmas books or colouring books (from the Basilica Gift Shop). A small manger was set up as a reminder to Keep Christ in Christmas.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PROGRAM AND BOARD GAME DENIAL - One of our members has developed a board game on the dangers of alcohol and drugs.  He is Barry Keane and Barry has also been involved in organizing the program for the past several years.  There are five schools this year where we have been involved with the program.  We provide certificates and cash prizes to the winners at each school.  Young people from the intermediate grades create posters that are judged by committees, usually made up of students and teachers.

SCHOOL ROSARY PROJECT – EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH – A group of knights and their wives under the leadership of Past Grand Knight Michael O’Neill, go to Immaculata High School, which is located in the core area of the city, to recite the rosary. Students and staff are invited to attend.

CONTRIBUTION TO HELP FAMILIES AT IMMACULATA – Our Council contributed $100 to Immaculata High School for a needy family during the Christmas season.

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO THE ALTAR SERVERS AND DONATION TO THE YOUTH CHOIR - Our Council tries to show its support for the youth of the parish. One of the ways in which we have done this during the past year is by presenting the altar servers (mostly young people) with certificates of appreciation.  We also took up a collection for the youth choir at our Children's Christmas Party and were able to make a donation of $75 to the choir director. 

COLUMBIAN SQUIRES – Our Council made a contribution to the Columbian Squires Convention by purchasing an advertisement for $50 for their 53rd Ontario Convention booklet.

GIFT PACKS TO FIRST COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION CHILDREN ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 14 – Our Council presented small gift bags to the first communion and confirmation children and also sponsored hospitality for the children and their families on Mother’s Day. The gift bags for each child contained a rosary, a booklet on praying the four mysteries of the rosary, and prayer cards of Saint Patrick, Father Michael McGivney and the Hail Mary. Five of our members also participated in an honor guard for this occasion.

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

PRESENTATION OF HONOURY MEMBERSHIP TO MICHAEL O'NEILL - At the meeting in February of 2006, the Grand Knight presented an honorary membership to our Charter Grand Knight, who also becomes eligible for lifetime membership in 2008. 

HONOURARY WARDEN PRESENTATION TO WARDEN ROBERT O’NEILL – At our Christmas Party, the council presented a plaque naming Robert O’Neill the honorary lifetime warden for his faithful work on behalf of the Council and the parish.

K OF C WEBSITE – One of our knights is the webmaster and he receives contributions are from the grand knight, past grand knights and other members of the executive.  This past year we have upgraded the site to allow for news items from Catholic News Agencies and from our own Council, reflecting our activities and the place of our parish in the universal Church.

THE SHAMROCK – The Council newsletter continues to be published and provides our members with news, entertainment, general information and spiritual support. During the current fraternal year, Michael Ferrigan, the past grand knight, has been the editor. Mike receives written contributions from Council members and puts the newsletter together. It is published about three or four times yearly and distributed or mailed to all the members of Council 12158, as well as district officials, the Ontario State Council and the Knights of Columbus Supreme Office. An electronic version of the Shamrock is available on our website. Past versions of the Shamrock are also posted.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY – A directory with the list of phone numbers, postal and e-mail addresses is updated regularly and distributed to the members. Roger Richard, membership director, prints and distributes the directories. The directory was updated and distributed twice during the year. Our Council uses the list as a communications tool so members can keep in touch with one another and the executive can contact the membership at large. The addresses are also used to update the mailing list for The Shamrock, the Council newsletter.

TELEPHONE COMMITTEE – This committee was activated regularly for Council events, either by the grand knight or the deputy grand knight. The deputy grand knight contacts the seven members of the telephone committee who each contact a group of members assigned to them and inform them of the upcoming event.

50/50 DRAWS - 50/50 draws are held at each General Council Meeting. The money raised is used help in the funding of the operations of the Council.

CAR RAFFLE FOR THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY - Brother Michael O’Neill, Past Grand Knight, coordinated the sale of the Charity Raffle Tickets for the support of the Arthritis Society. This year the Council sold 400 books with sales in the Basilica’s Gift Shop, at the doors of the church and by individual members.

ARCHBISHOP’S DINNER – There were 12 members and spouses from our Council who attended the Annual Archbishop’s Dinner, held April 30 in Embrun, a town east of the city of Ottawa but in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. The Archbishop’s Dinner is an annual event, which members of our Council and other Councils in the Archdiocese of Ottawa attend to raise money for charities supported by the Archbishop of Ottawa. There was a mass in the afternoon followed by a social and banquet organized by the Archdiocesan Knights of Columbus. The Archbishop spoke about his upcoming retirement now that he is close to reaching the age of 75. There were some 400 knights and spouses in attendance. Our Council also donated to the Archbishop’s Charity.

STATE COUNCIL CONVENTION - The Council sponsored the Grand Knight, to attend as a delegate to the State Convention. The Council won the Trillium Award from the Ontario State for a range of activities by our Council and a plaque from the Arthritis Society for our participation in the Car Raffle Ticket Sales.

UKRAINIAN NIGHT AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST UKRAINIAN CHURCH sponsored by St. Vladimir the Great Council was held on November 4, 2005. Members of the Saint Patrick’s Basilica Council 12158 attended the event in the church hall. Mass in the Eastern Rite liturgy was celebrated at 5 pm followed by a social hour, a wonderful home-cooked Ukrainian dinner consisting of perogies, cabbage rolls, and Chicken Kiev, a performance of Ukrainian dancing and finally, an evening of dancing for the assembled guests. Altogether, there were 10 knights and their spouses in attendance. During the evening, a presentation was made to Saint Vincent’s Hospital of a donation over five years of $10,000. Saint Vincent’s Hospital is run by the Sisters of Charity and cares for the most vulnerable, elderly and infirm of the community of Ottawa. Our Council was please to attend and show its support.

GOOD OF THE ORDER - Our Council observes the tradition of having a guest speaker or entertainment for our meetings.  This year, we had a guest speaker from a palliative care facility in Ottawa, Linda Jenkins of the Maycourt Home. She spoke about palliative care at the meeting of February 14. We also listened to a talk from our Charter Grand Knight Michael O'Neill, who spoke about offering up frustrations in life for the intentions of the souls in purgatory.  Michael also suggested a prayer for the unborn, first suggested by Bishop Sheen. 

RECRUITMENT DRIVES – A recruitment drive was held on the weekend of October 16 & October 17 at Saint Patrick’s Basilica and another on the weekend of January 23/24. For the firs event, there were speakers at each of the six weekend masses giving the parishioners information on the Knights of Columbus and urging potential members to join our society. Council members distributed pamphlets at the doors of the church and provided hospitality in the basement following each mass. Our Council gained about twelve new knights as a result of the membership drive. In addition to these new members we also have an additional ten members who have joined our Council until a new one is established at Notre Dame Basilica.

RETENTION COMMITTEE – Our council established a retention committee to deal with seventeen members who have not paid their dues for the last three years. The purpose of this committee is to follow the procedures to advise the members of their obligations and the potential consequences of not paying dues. Deputy Grand Knight Stephen Kusiewicz was the head of the committee.

Reid Barry

Grand Knight