For Immediate Release
Press releases from the Oregon State Knights of Columbus
Public Relations Chairman Paul Bosquet paulb@peak.org
Help for Pregnancy Care Centers
March, 2011
Pregnancy Care Centers of Brookings, Oregon and Crescent City, California were aided in their annual fund raiser banquet by Brookings Knights of Columbus council 5511. In past years the centers hired caterers to prepare the meals. Because of the bad economy, the Centers did not have the funds this year to conduct the program.
When District Deputy John Kleespies discovered the Pregnancy Care Centers were in need of help to prepare a meal for the annual banquet, he encouraged his brother Knights to participate in the project, and were responsible for buying and cooking the meal. The Knights were very frugal, spending only about $500 to feed 320 people a wonderful meal including salad, pot roast with gravy, carrots, potatoes, and cake for dessert. The salad, meat, and cake were prepared in Brookings, while Knights in Crescent City prepared the vegetables.
The Brookings C.C.D. director, Val Cowan, was in charge of organizing the area Christian Youth groups who served the meals. The fund raiser raised over $12,000 for the two Pregnancy Care Centers. The Knights were thanked for their efforts that will help young families bring their babies to full term.
Sacred Heart Medford Renovation
February, 2011
Recently, the Sacred Heart Meford Parish office building underwent a major renovation. The exterior siding needed replacement due to extensive damage by local woodpeckers, and old energy inefficient windows needed replacement as well. Also, the interior needed new lighting and the reception area was in need of major revamping.
The Knights of Columbus were informed by Parish director of administration Marie Chandler that receptionist Eileen Kralik had no counter space and very limited storage,and the arrangement of the reception area was not conducive to conducting parish business in an efficient manner.
During the planning phase there was an effort to reduce costs. The initial estimate put the cost of the reception area modification at about $35,000. The team of Knights of Columbus brothers Ed Cavasso, Elmer Dreiling and Curt Swift was brought in and were happy to help Pastor, Father Liam Cary reduce costs by taking on the task. The same team had previously completed most of the work last spring in planning the parking lot expansion project.
Approximately 810 hours and $2,017 were spent on the project, versus the contractor's estimate of $35,000 to do the same work.
GUADALUPE MASS
Decembeer 2010
The Knights of Columbus have been involved with the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day since 2003. The celebration takes place on December 12th, the feast day of our Lady of Guadalupe, the miraculous apparition which took place in Mexico in 1531 on a hilltop in Tepetac, Mexico. The travelling icon of "Mary, the Star of Evangelization" was and is the focus of the celebration.
From the 2003 liturgy, "We wish to unite our voices to that filial hymn which the people of the Americas raise up to the Mother of God. Devotion to the most Holy Virgin of Guadalupe must be, for all, a constant and specific demand for authentic christian renewal.
The Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus led the procession into and out of the EXPO building in Medford, Oregon at the beginning and end of the Holy Liturgy, for a congregation of more than four thousand people. The Color Corps also acted as escort for the Priests at Communion time, and helped with lecturing. This year was a special celebration with thirteen Knights escorting six Priests and Most Reverend John G. Vlazny, Archbishop of Portland in Oregon.
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS BILLBOARDS
December 6, 2010
Every November and December during the Christmas season for the past twenty-seven years "Keep Christ in Christmas" billboards have been posted on Interstate highways and principle state highways throughout Oregon by the Oregon State Knights of Columbus. A full color nativity scent illustrates the reason for our adoration and the 'Reason for the Season'.
This year, ten high-rise billboards are posted throughout eastern and western Oregon and prominently illustrate the Knights of Columbus are the sponsors. The program has been consistently administered and directed by Francis Mohr of the Baker City Council of Knights.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SILVER ROSE RUN
December 6, 2010
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Rose program began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project of all Knights of Columbus in several jurisdictions including Oregon. The program has expanded with three roses traveling simultaneously through 31 jurisdictions from New York and Manitoba to Monterey Mexico, arriving at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
All three roses will travel over the International Bridge and be handed over to Knights from Monterey. It is to the Blessed Mother that Catholics turn in prayer working to the sanctity of human life. In terms of "One Life, One Rose" it is most appropriate that Catholics turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe who made known her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses.
The roses are made of silver, one of Mexico's precious metals.
EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENT
A twenty-one year old client with special needs in a life threatening situation and in desparate need of emergency dental work was helped by the Knights of Columbus in McMinnville. The man had never had proper instructions on dental hygiene and was only able to eat very small portions at one time.
Marie Wyfells, working for Mid-Valley Rehabilitation as an employment specialist in McMinnville requested that the Knights provide financial aid. The Knights council provided three hundred dollars, that was matched with another three hundred dollars from Jim Wyfells, the father of Marie, and a Knight in McMinnville. Immediate emergency dental work has been completed, and more work will be completed soon.
PRO-LIFE CHAIRMAN HONORED A THIRD TIME
August 25, 2010
Corvallis council #1785 of the Knigts of Columbus honored Pro-Life Chairman Jerry J. Jackson with the Knight of the Year award for his work in providing dressers, changing tables, blankets, and baby clothing for expectant mothers at the Charles P. Taaffe Homes for Unwed Mothers in Salem, Oregon.
Past Grand Knight Jackson has received this award on three occasions: in fraternal year 2001-02, 2003-04, and 2009-10, and has delivered furnishings and baby clothes every four months for the last nine years. During the 2009-10 year he has been instrumental in forming the new annual charity fund producing Crab Feed Dinners in Benton County. Funds from this program are earmarked for various charities around Oregon such as Pro-Life, Mt. Anger Seminarian relief, St. Vincent de Paul Society and other related Catholic charitable programs.
MEMORIAL WALL FOR THE UNBORN
June 1, 2010
OSU Students-For-Life designed a Memorial Wall for the Unborn (8 ft. by 48 ft.). The wall project was led by Drew Kawell and Jason Schnackenburg, both Knights of Columbus, with assistance from Jerry Jackson, Council 1785's Pro-Life Chairman.
Twelve panels, one for each month of 2009 have names of babies aborted than year according to Oregon Department of Health records. The names were generated by a random name generator, but each personifies an aborted child and is printed on vinyl creating a stone-like surface. The display, designed to be mobile, is stored in a trailer that can be easily transported and used at parishes throughout Oregon.
OSU students and volunteers painted the 4x8' pieces of plywood prior to vinyl application. The wall has been displayed at the OSU Newman Center and was on campus during the month of April 2010. It will be transported to other Oregon cities this spring and summer, and used as a backdrop for the annual Roe vs. Wade rally in Portland in January 2011.
The Memorial Wall for the Unborn was designed to show the magnitude of the effects of abortion in Oregon and encourage people to oppose abortion.
Election of Officers for 2010-2011
May 3, 2010
During the 2010 annual convention held in St. Henry's Parish Center in Gresham last weekend, Delegates from seventy-five councils of Oregon Knights of Columbus elected State officers for the 2010-2011 fiscal term.
Re-elected for a second year term were Wayne A. Clemmer of McMinnville as State Deputy; Patrick L. Rice of Newberg, State Secretary; David D. Denton of Springfield, as State Treasurer; Robert J. Kish of Corvallis, as State Advocate; and Norris Hibbler of Portland, as State Warden. Dennis J. White of St. Hellens remains in office as the Immediate Past State Deputy.
Pennies for Heaven for Seminarians
May 3, 2010
Mount Angel Seminary is the recipient of funds raised by thePennies-For-Heaven program of the Oregon Knights of Columbus during the past fraternal year 2009-2010. An amount exceeding $40,000 will be presented to Very Rev. Richard Paperini, President-Rector of the seminary by Wayne Clemmer, State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus in Oregon.
The program, initiated in 1989, has provided well over half a million dollars for the needs of seminarians attending Mount angel Seminary. The long range goals include investments that will provide a million dollar base investment plan for long range yields for future priests.
Knight of the Year for 2010
May 3, 2010
Wayne A. Clemmer, State Deputy of Oregon Knights ofColumbus, presented the "Knight of the Year" award for 2009-2010, toDaniel G. Yolk of the Springfield Council during the State.
A twenty-six year member of the Knights, Yolk has served as Grand Knight of the Springfield Council and has been an exemplary Treasurer for the past eight years. He has served St. Alice Parish as Youth Minister and for Sunday School classes. Dan and his wife Sherry have three children; Daniene, 27; Brandy,22; and Dustin, 19. He has been caned "Neighbor Dan" by the Eugene and Springfield media.
Last year Dan was diagnosed with Colon Cancer which has spread to his liver. Throughout his chemo-therapy treatment and surgery, Dan has never lost the smile he was so well known for. He has set an example for courage and spirit during this time.
He has never missed a Knights of Columbus meeting nor hesitated to volunteer to help the Knights, the church or his fellow man. He does not wait to be asked, he volunteers whether it be for charities, fund raising, or church functions such as ushering, church clean-up, etc.
Daniel G Yolk epitomizes the highest ideals of the Knights of Columbus.
Council of the Year for 2010
May 3, 2010
Knights of Columbus of Oregon elected Brookings Council #5511 as Oregon's best council for 2009-2010 during their annual convention held in Gresham. The award was presented to the council leader, Grand Knight Robert St. Jean by State Deputy Wayne A. Clemmer.
Brookings Council is one of seventy-five councils throughout Oregon and one of six along the Pacific coast of the state. Other awards presented to Brookings Council were first place honors for outstanding activities in Pro-Life programs, and a third award for the promotion of church planning and support.
Oregon Activity Awards for 2009-2010
May 3, 2010
Parish Councils of the Knights of Columbusthat exceeded standards of performance in Catholic programs during the fraternal year 2009-2010 for Church, Community, Family, Youth, and Pro-Life support work were announced during the 102nd annual convention convened at St. Henry’s parish in Gresham on the weekend of April 30 through May 1 and 2. Guests of honor included Most Reverend John G. Valzny, Archbishop of Portland; Most Reverend Robert Francis Vasa, Bishop of Baker; and most Reverend Thomas J. Connoly, Bishop Emeritus of Baker.
Large Parish Councils honored for outstanding fraternal efforts were as follows:
For outstanding Church / Parish programs: McMinnville Council#1623 Runner up: Coos County #1261
For Community improvement programs: Newport
Council # 7246 Runner up:
McMinnville Council #1623
For Council development activities: Corvallis Council #1785 Runner up: Gervais Council # 5842
For Family help and support programs: Klamath Falls #2255 Runner up: Corvallis Council
#1785
For Youth encouragement programs: Astoria
Council #1307 Runner up: Corvallis Council # 1785
For Pro-Life promotion assistance: McMinnville
Council #1623 Runner up: Klamath Falls
Council #2255
Small Parish Councils honored for outstanding fraternal efforts were as follows:
Church / Parish help programs: Brookings #5511 Runner
up: St. Joseph the Worker #13700
Community improvement planning: Dallas
Council #8129 Runner up: Hood
River Council #7292
Council development and extension: Hood
River Council #7292 Runner up: Dallas
Council #8129
Family aid and support activities: Newberg
Council #6602 Runner up: Dallas
Council #8129
Youth help and support planning: Dallas
Council #8129 Runner up: Hood
River council #7292
Pro-Life inspiration and promotion: Brookings
Council #5511 Runner up: Newberg
Council #6602
“Council of the Year” honors were awarded to Brookings council #5511.
Engraved plaques were presented to the representative delegates by Oregon State Deputy, Wayne A. Clemmer and Rev. Father Terry J. O’Connell, State Chaplain of Knights of Columbus in Oregon, during the convention at St. Henry’s Parish Center.FUND DRIVE FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
March 12, 2010
Oregon Knights of Columbus from Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove participated in the Tootsie Roll Fund Drive and the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in the cold waters of the Willamette River to benefit People with Intellectual Disabilities.
They raised$3,527, and one Knight, Steve Vachon, alone raised $2,270. Twelve Knights volunteered to serve hot clam chowder to all brave souls plunging in the waters as well as to the hundreds of observers.
COMMUNITY CRAB FEED & CHARITY AUCTION
March 9, 2010
Two hundred twenty three people enjoyed a complete fresh crab dinner prepared and served by members of Corvallis Council 1785 at Benton County Fairgrounds with the net proceeds benefiting local charities
Oregon Special Olympics, St. Vincent de Paul, Food for Families, Fr. Taaffe Catholic Homes for Unwed Mothers, and Quo Vadis Vocation Camp are but a few of the various charities supported by the council with funds raised throughout the year. This includes the Annual Crab Feed with a silent auction that benefits numerous charities and scholarship programs. Over $5,000 generated by the Crab Feed will be disbursed to those specified charitable organizations that rely on help provided by the Corvallis Council of the Oregon Knights of Columbus.
PLUNGING FOR A CAUSE
February 20, 2010
About 300 people registered to brave the Willamette River's icy waters in the inagural Corvallis Polar Plunge for Oregon Special Olympics, including five Knights of Columbus and four Knights ladies at Crystal Lake Sport Park in Corvallis, and raised nearly $37,000 in donations in the process.
Plungers included Douglas Johnson Grand Knight, Robert Kish State Advocate, and Sam Dailey from Council 1785 Corvallis. The three successfully raided over $1,500 for Special Olympics. Brother Kish is also a chairman for Special Olympics and has served for eleven years.
Meanwhile, Knights of Columbus members Jerry Jackson and Phil Dailey prepared hot clam chowder for the plungers and the observing public.
Law enforcement officers form Benton, Linn and Marion counties as well as from Oregon State Highway Patrol jumped into the cold Willamette waters to raise funds for the project for people with special needs.
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND
January 22, 2010
The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus has sent a donation of $50,000 in earthquake relief funds to Catholic Relief Services, which has a large presence in Haiti. Damage from the 7.0 earthquake is widespread, and officials now say that hundreds of thousands may have perished under the rubble of thousands of collapsed buildings.
Among the dead is Catholic Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince, whose body was found in the ruins of his office.
The Knights will earmark all donations between now and the end of the month to its United in Charity Fund for earthquake relief in Haiti.
OPERATION SWEAT PANTS
December 10, 2009
The Hood River Knights of Columbus and Knights in Bagram Afghanistan teamed up with Walmart to send 169 pairs of sweat pants to injured troops in Afghanistan. Art Kunigal, a member of the Knights in Hood River Oregon, works in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan and on his time off, visits injured troops in the Bagram hospital. Over forty (40) ambulaatory members of the U.S Armed Forces are airlifted weekly from Bagram to a military hospital in Germany. The troops requested sweat pants for the long journey.
Art Carroll and James Dummer of the Hood River Knights of Columbus coordinated with Walmart manager Dugan Harris in Hood River to purchase 169 pairs of sweat pants to be packed and sent to the field hospital.
Walmart lowered the price from $6.00 to $3.00 per pair. Funds were collected from local 4th Degree Knights, and donations also came from councils in Gresham, Troutdale, and Portland. The program started in October, and the last shipment reached Afghanistan during the first week in December. The operation was named "These men they call Knights".
PARISHIONERS HELP KNIGHTS AIDING FR. TAAFFE HOMES
December 8, 2009
The two largest purchasers of Oregon wines that help fund the Fr. Taaffe Foundation operating the St. Brigid, St. Monica, and St. Teresa Homes for Unwed Mothers in Salem, were parishioners of St. John's Parish in Yamhill and St. Peter's Parish in Newburg.
A sale of 895 bottles or 75 cases of four assorted Oregon premium wines, at five dollars per bottle, brought in a total of $4,475 during a two weekend program. The 2009 vintage of three varieties will be available in March.
Additional information may be obtained from Mike Dickey, Knights of Columbus Oregon State Wine Steward at: mikedickey@verizon.net
October 28, 2009
THESE MEN THEY CALL KNIGHTS
Art Kunigal, a member of St. Mary's parish in Hood River, works for the Army Corps of Engineers in Bagram, Afghanistan with a reconstruction team in remote areas. He left last week for another three months of rebuilding destroyed facilities. He rejoins a group of 22 servicemen, all engineers, having something in common in that they are all Catholics and members of the Knights of Columbus mostly from Erie, Pennsylvania. They are working in a land populated with Muslims.
The platoon attends 2 to 4 Masses each week and over 50 men and women pray the rosary together every Friday Night.
Art presented a gift to the Knights of Columbus in Hood River of a flag mounted on a plaque which reads: "Let it be known that this flag of the United States of America was flown over the U.S.. Army Corps of Engineers Bagram Resident Office in Bagram, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on 29 September 2009 in honor of Knights of Columbus council 7292 Hood River, Oregon". It was signed by Michael J. Rounds, Officer in Charge.
Within our church, and community, the men they call Knights are alive and strong in Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
October 26, 2009
THE ARCHBISHOP MEETS WITH THE KNIGHTS
Most Reverend John G. Vlazny, Archbishop of Portland met with the Reverend Father Terry J. O'Connell, Pastor of St. James Parish, McMinnville and Wayne A. Clemmer, Oregon State Deputy of Knights of Columbus on Saturday, October 24th to discuss the various charitable programs sponsored by the Knights in Oregon. particularly the aid to the Seminary at Mount Angel and financial help to the seminarians in attendance.
The Order of Knights raises money that helps funding for priests traveling to various locations and countries for language training in a multi-cultural Catholic society. Moreover, the Knights sponsor programs for the purpose of supplying chalices to the newly ordained priests.
Currently, plans are moving ahead for a documentary Mass and banquet to be held at Mount Angel next March to honor Very Reverend Father Richard Paperini, Past State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and President-Rector of the Seminary.
The Archbishop recommended that Priests serving as Chaplains in the seventy-four councils of Knights of Columbus in Oregon could be invited to attend opening ceremonies of the State Council's annual convention, convening in 2010 at St. Henry's parish in Gresham. All knights and ladies attending received a special blessing from the Archbishop at the end of the meeting.
October 21, 2009
PHILLIPINE TYPHOON RELIEF
A benefit dinner for Phillipine Typhoon Relief was held on Saturday, October 17th, sponsored by the William J. Leahy Council #1307 of Knights of Columbus in Astoria, Oregon. The local Phllipine/American Club provided authentic Phillipine cuisine and entertainment. The event was well attended and raised over twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) for the relief of victims.
October 1, 2009
Pledge victory in federal court
(MANCHESTER, NH) - The Knights of Columbus scored an important victory in federal court in New Hampshire on Wednesday, September 30, when U.S. District Judge Steven McAuliffe upheld the constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Atheist Michael Newdow had filed the lawsuit against the school system in Hanover, New Hampshire on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, in a case that mirrored his earlier lawsuit against schools in and near Sacramento, California.
As with the California case, the Knights of Columbus sought and received permission from the court to become a "defendant intervenor," allowing attorneys representing the Order (from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty) to participate directly in the court proceedings.
The California case, argued before a panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2007, has still not been decided. Read the New Hampshire court decision.
Read the Knights of Columbus Fact Sheet about the Pledge of Allegiance and recent litigation.
September 28, 2009
OCTOBERFEST AT MOUNT ANGEL
The 'Father Taaffe Homes for Unwed Mothers' in Salem food stand netted over four thousand dollars in profit during the Mount Anger Oktoberfest celebration which will help support the operation of the homes. Various members of the Knights of Columbus from the Salem council and the Oregon state officers and wives rotated duties preparing and serving food and beverages during the weekend celebrations.
The three non-profit homes, named St. Brigid, St. Monica and St. Teresa started operation as non-profit, non-partisan sanctuaries for unwed mothers of any age or race, over thirty-three years ago and are uniquely resposible for saving well over one thousand lives of babies from the crime of abortion. Reverend Father Charles Patrick Taaffe, later ordained as Monsignor, opened the first home in downtown Salem with financial help from the local Knights of Columbus and has been continually supported anualy by the Knights throughout Oregon.
The 'Father Taaffe Homes for Unwed Mothers' is the primary charitable fund-raising program of the Oregon Knights of Columbus and is administered through 'Catholic Charities of Oregon'.
September 22, 2009
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In his keynote address at the 127th Knights of Columbus convention in Phoenix, Francis Cardinal George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, thanked the Knights for their continued commitment. "In promoting the goals of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism," he said, "and fostering dedicated Catholic faith, strong family life and active involvement in the community, your witness and service make a tremendous difference in our Church and our world -- and we are grateful."
Likewise, words of greeting and gratitude from Pope Benedic XVI were conveyed through a letter from Cardinal Trrcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, who was an honored guest at the Supreme Convention in Nashville two years ago. Cardinal William J. Levada read the letter to those in attendance at the business session.
Delegates approved a number of resolutions that reaffirmed the Order's commitment to build up the Church and to promote her teachings. Topics of the resolutions include "Marian Devotion", "Building Culture of Life", "Support for Marriage", "The Impact of Violence and Pornography" and "Patriotism", among others. "As a respected and articulate voice of the Catholic faithful, the Knights of Columbus will continue to defend the Church's teaching, our Bishops and priests", stated Supreme Knight, Carl A. Anderson.
September 21, 2009
A RESPECTED AND ARTICULATE VOICE
In a letter of papal greetings to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention, read by Cardinal William J Levada, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said that the pope "trusts that, as a respected and articulate voice of the Catholic faithful, the Knights of Columbus will continue to defend that teaching through reasoned argument and responsible participaton in civic and political life."
To this end, delegates to the convention adopted a resolution on "Defending the Right to Life", which reaffirmed the order's commitment "to unconditional support for the right to life and full protection in law for every human being from conception to natural death."
The resolution declared opposition to "any health care reform legislation that does not explicitly exclude abortion coverage for any health insurance plan, public or private." It also called upon "legislators everywhere to adopt legislation protecting the religious concience rights of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, guaranteeing their right to refuse to participate in abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide or any other practice that is destructive of innocent human life or that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs."
August 28, 2009
McMinnville, Oregon
The Oregon State Deputy of Knights of Columbus, WAYNE CLEMMER, announced that the organization has raised a record breaking $43,000.00 for the "Pennies for Heaven" charitable program supporting seminarians during the fraternal year 2008-2009. Immediate past State Deputy DENNIS WHITE presented a check for $22,000.00 to Very Reverend Father RICHARD PAPERINI, President-Rector of Mount Angel Seminary.
The remaining $21,000.00 is invested in the "Christopher Fund" of the Supreme Council of the Knights and is summarily matched by the head office and thereafter earns 4.5% interest on the entire ammount, which is earmarked solely for and payable to the seminary. The "Pennies for Heaven" program was initiated in 1989 and has proviced over $450,000.00 to the seminary at Mount Angel.
Another benefit for seminarians proviced by Knights of Columbus is a charitable program titled "R.S.V.P" plan by which individual councils throughout Oregon are issued the names of seminarians and are asked to forward fnancial assistance in the ammount of $500 if they are able. Additional support of seminarians includes letter writing, holiday cards, and other timely remembrances during holidays.