Grand Knight's Report March 2017- WGK Greg Villard

Worthy Brother Knights:
          It has been another busy month for our Council.  I appreciate everyone's time and support for our Council's activities.
          
    Tomorrow morning (March 17th), we will be  presenting a check to Noah Homes for the monies our Council collected from the annual Intellectual Disabilities (Tootsie Roll) Drive.  If you are available, meet at Noah Homes (12526 Old Campo Road, Spring Valley) at 9:30 a.m.  Our check for $3700 from the Columbian Foundation will be matched by a donor at Noah Homes.  We will be given a guided tour of the facility.  Afterwards, our Brothers are planning on traveling to Planned  Parenthood (1685 east Main St.) in El Cajon to participate in the annual 40 Days for Life program for the unborn.  Our plan is to meet Pat Brown, the pro-life coordinator for the Santa Sophia Parish, to say the rosary for the unborn from approximately 10:30 to 11:00.
     
          Fridays are the designated day for Santa Sophia parishioners to pray the rosary at Planned Parenthood as part of the 40 Days for Life.  Any Brothers or family members who are available to participate in the 40 Days for Life on Fridays during Lent are encouraged to contact Pat Brown(619-248-4003) for scheduling purposes.
     
        Saturday, March 25th is the International Day of the Unborn, which was established by Pope John Paul II to coincide with the Feast of the Annunciation. Our Council will be dedicating the 4:30 Mass on that Saturday to the unborn. In addition, we will be leading a special rosary after that Mass in the Church.  Everyone should plan on attending this service.  
       Also on Saturday March 25th, our Council will be traveling to Tecate to prepare lunch for the boys, sisters, and workers at the orphanage.  This will be the last outing of the Tecate outreach program this year.  Please contact Brother Ed Reidy, chair, if you are interested in participating in this outing.
     
        At tonight's meeting, we will be presenting a check to Father Bosco for his missions in Africa.  Our $500 donation for this cause was approved by the Council as part of the Council's budget for this year.
     
       Last month, we hosted our annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance.  This was another fun-filled evening with prime rib and baked salmon from Cupid's Catering and music provided gy Billy Eatmon and his daughter.  Thank you to all the Knights who assisted  and sold tickets to this event as well as those who attended the Sweetheart Dinner Dance.  Special thanks goes to Ed Reidy who chaired this event again this year.
     
        It is that time of the year that we need to consider who will be officers of our Council for the next Columbian year.  We will need to post a slate of officers for our April business meeting and hold elections at our May business meeting.  Anyone wishing to become an officer for our Council should contact me or Deputy Grand Knight Shawn Reidy.  
       Despite the absence of Vince Garra, our Lenten fish dinners so far have been very successful.  Thanks goes to all the Brothers and their family members who helped prepare, cook and serve the meals, cleanup, tend the bar, and collect the money. 

  Special thanks go to Sam Caeti and Paul Melcher for cooking the shark and baked salmon, respectively, and Jim Maasch for purchasing the food and supplies and running the kitchen.  

We still need Knights to volunteer to help in the roles of food preparation, cooking, serving, and cleanup at the three remaining Knights Lenten dinners.  
       If you can help in any of these capacities, please contact Jim Maasch or me.  Also, please remember invite your friends and relative to attend our dinners on Friday nights.
     
        Brother Leo McGarry, our financial secretary, has mailed out billings for the annual dues.  Thank you goes to all Knights who have paid their dues for the 2017 year.  For those who haven't, please remit your dues ASAP to Brother Leo.
     
      So far this year, we have recruited six new members to our Council.  We need to recruit just three new members by June 30th to attain Star Council status, which is one of the goals of every Knights of Columbus council.  If any Brothers have any friends or relatives who might be interested in joining our Council, please contact me. Remember, every Brother is a recruiter for our Council.
     
        Anyone who has chaired an event or activity this year should complete a service award form for that activity.  All completed service award forms and supporting documentation (i.e. pictures, flyers, etc.) should be submitted to Shawn Reidy or Leo McGarry ASAP.  In order to be considered for competition with other councils, our Council must submit all service award applications to the Knights of Columbus State office by April 1.     
      As always, please remember to wear your Knights of Columbus "name plate" to mass. Do you know a Catholic Gentleman that is 18 years or older? 
Enrich his life and give him a membership in the Knights. 
 Let's continue to work together in the spirit of Fr. Michael J. McGivney with 
Charity, Fraternity and Unity.
    
   If you have not been to a meeting in a while, plan on attending this Thursday and reacquaint yourself with your brothers, and what is currently being planned in your council. 
I hope to see you next month!
Vivat Jesus!
 
Greg Villard | Grand Knight | Valle De Oro |Council 9332