Council Host Marian

Following the events of September 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II urged all Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary for peace.  Shortly after the Pope’s pronouncement, the Knights of Columbus sprung into action and instituted a Marian Hour of Prayer Program with that purpose in mind. 

The four-part program, being implemented by Knights of Columbus Councils worldwide throughout the 2002-2003 Fraternal Year, honors the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Rosary."  As the symbol of the program, a copy of the icon painted by Bartolome Esteban Murillo in the 17^th Century, is circulated from Council to Council for use at the prayer service.

Our Council had the honor and distinction of being the first Council in our District to receive the icon and host a prayer service, which was held on Monday, January 20^th.  The celebrant and homilist was one of our brother Knights, Reverend Father Lawrence Violette.  Also participating in the service where GK Rich LaRoche who lead the Rosary, and Chancellor Jim McCarthy who served as reader. 

Over 40 parishioners attended the service, including 16 brother Knights, their spouses, family members, and members from several parish groups that were invited to participate in the service.v

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Super Good Time Had By All 
At Super Bowl Party

The fact that local or favorite teams were not playing in this year’s Super Bowl did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 33 brother Knights and guests who attended this year’s party that was held for the first time at the beautiful Chase Club in Hampton Chase.  The attendees were treated to excellent sub sandwiches from the Little Italy Deli, a nice selection of dips, vegetables, chips, desserts, a variety of drinks, and the friendship normally found at a Knights of Columbus event. 

While Tampa Bay walked away with the Super Bowl championship, a couple of charities that we have strongly supported over the years also came away winners that evening – the Knights of Virginia Assisting the Retarded (KOVAR) and the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM).  Several knights made generous donations to KOVAR, a charity that is run by the Virginia State Council, while all of the attendees brought food items or donated cash for the WFCM food bank. 

Thanks to Brother Gary Petty for chairing this event and coming up with the charity idea.  Also deserving thanks for the help that they provided to Gary were brother Knights Kevin Craddock, PGK Al Grimmig, GK Rich LaRoche, Jim Bertine, and all the other attendees who helped to make the party a big success. v

Special 4th Degree Schedule

At the January 11^th State Council meeting in Richmond, an announcement was made that a special “no frills” Fourth Degree Exemplification will be held in Richmond on May 17, 2003.  While candidates will still be required to report in tuxedo, there will not be a banquet after the Degree.  Anyone wishing to take part in this exemplification should contact GK Rich LaRoche by phone at 703-266-3814 or by email at stone48@erols.com.v

Sweetheart Social Is Back On!!

Who says chivalry is dead?  When it looked like no one would step forward this year to chair our annual Sweetheart Social, a gallant knight – Deputy Grand Knight Gary Petty – stepped forward to rescue his brother Knights from having to explain the situation to their distressed damsels. 

Brother Gary, who also moonlights as the Council’s chief food gatherer, has arranged a fine dinner selection for us and our special ladies at one of our favorite restaurants – P.J. Skidoos – on Saturday, February 15th, at 7:00 p.m. 

Since we will have the banquet facility, there is plenty of room for a large crowd.  This is a great opportunity for our newest brother Knights and their ladies to meet some of us who have been with the Council for a while. You can also invite your friends and neighbors to join you. 

The dinner options include:

• Stuffed (mushrooms, spinach, & cheese) Chicken

• Fresh Grilled Salmon

• Prime Rib

With dinner you get vegetables, salad, bread & butter, dessert, tea/coffee, and a carafe of wine for every four people.  There will also be a cash bar.  In addition, our ladies will each receive a long stem rose and all attendees will receive an attractive wine glass commemorating our Council’s 10th Anniversary that we celebrated earlier this fraternal year.  Our favorite resident Dee Jay – Brother Al "Boom Boom" Grimmig – will provide a good selection of  music for your dancing pleasure.  All that for only $30.00 per person.  You can pay in advance at the next Council meeting or you can pay at the door the night of the social.

For those of you who are not familiar with P.J. Skidoos, it is located at 9908 Lee Highway (Route 29), right across the highway from the turnoff into Fairfax High School (after

crossing Route 123, the restaurant is at the sixth light - on the left hand side of the highway). You can check out its web site at www.pjskidoos.com.

For reservations and entrée selection, please contact Grand Knight Rich LaRoche by phone at 703-266-3814 or by email at stone48@erols.com.

Knights Marshal and March for the Unborn

In spite of the coldest weather in recent memory, our Council was well represented at the 30^th Annual March for Life that was held on January 22^nd in Washington, DC. 

Four of our brother Knights joined forces with about 100 other Knights from all over the Virginia jurisdiction to provide marshaling services for the many dignitaries who attended the event, including our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and most of his immediate staff.  An additional two to three dozen brother knights chose to be part of a group of 140 St. Andrew’s parishioners who traveled into Washington on buses chartered by the St. Andrew’s Parish Pro-Life Committee.

Prior to and during the speeches, the marshals – wearing special white jackets and hats provided by the Virginia State Council – formed a protective human barrier around the stage area on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  After the speeches, the marshals escorted the dignitaries as they led tens of thousands of marchers along Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument past the front steps of the Supreme Court where the march ended.  While police estimates put the crowd at about 50,000 people, the sea of humanity visible from the top of Capitol Hill appeared to be several times that number in size.

Our Council wishes to thank PGK Al Grimmig, GK Rich LaRoche, Gerry McGinn, and John Tillie for representing the Council as marshals at this year’s event.  We also wish to recognize and thank Brother Rickey Dean, our Church Committee Director, and his wife Doris, who co-chairs the parish Pro-Life Committee with Rickey, for the fine job they did in orchestrating such a large turnout from our parish.  And, last but not least, we wish to thank all of our brother Knights, their spouses, and their children who participated in the marchv

Key Help Still Needed 

The Council is still looking for two volunteers, one to take over as our web site web master and the other to serve as our newsletter editor.  Raul Almeida will gladly work with you to assure a smooth transition to your new responsibilities.  Anyone interested in filling either of these positions should contact Grand Knight Rich LaRoche by phone at 703-266-3814 or by email at stone48@erols.com.v

Free Throw Competition
Drawn Big Turnout

For the first time in several years, our Council was able to get a sizeable turnout for its annual boys and girls basketball free throw competition – thanks to brother Knight, and head of the CYO basketball program, Ralph Sepulveda. 

In lieu of holding the competition on a single day, Ralph arranged for us to conduct it in conjunction with the CYO basketball practices during the last week of January.  Over the past several years, single day competitions drew less than 20 competitors.  This year, we were able to get over 60 boys and girls to participate.  While we used the CYO practice times and venues, the competition was not limited to CYO athletes.  The event was open to all boys and girls of the parish who met the age (10 to 14) criteria. 

The winners in each category are eligible to compete at a District competition that will be held in Manassas in February.  Winners of the District competition are eligible to compete in Richmond in March 

Our thanks go to Brother Mark Mulholland for chairing this event once again.  Mark has done this event for the past several years.  Mark could not have done it without the help of the following helpers: Brian Becker, PGK Matt Borkowski, the Cruz family (Henry, Norma, and Norman), Mike Dowgiello, Jens Faaborg, Andy Garlichs, PGK Al Grimmig, Emil Kloske, GK Rich LaRoche, Joe Micari, PGK Steve Munchak, Brian Rafferty, and Ralph Sepulveda.  Congratulations to all on a job well done.v

Degree Eligible Members

Second Degree: Steve Bahr, Steve Bozzo, Walter Cekala, Jr., Andrew Cizek, Rev. Robert DeMartino, John DuBois, Tedd Durden, Mike Gambone, Carlos Hernandez, Mike Hoffman, Silvino Lima, John Lovejoy, Sam McCormick, David McGettigan, Brian Michael, James Murphy, Mike Olszewski, Tim Schiesl, Corey Smith, Danny Schueckler, Charles Spasaro, and Tom Vinter.

Third Degree: Aaron Accurso, Anthony A. Ascone, Joe Bartoletta, Brian Becker, Craig Eichenlaub, Patrick Farrell, Richard Ferrick, George Fukumoto, Thomas Kosten, Austin Ley, Harold Lockwood, Sabastian Malvagna, Mike Mancil, Carson Martin, Neal Miller, Stephen J. Munchak, Mark O’Brien, Shawn O’Neill, Roberto Picha, Matt Pugsley, Bob Steele II, Mark Torch, Tom Warren, and Leon Zelenskyv

K. of C. Family Day At GMU