August – We celebrated, remembered, served, and said farewell
Members of our council shared some significantly different experiences in the month of August. First of all, we had five council members (Dennis Alfano, Michael Garrido, Tom Kessinger, Jose Quintas, and myself) receive the Fourth Degree at the Tampa Airport Marriott hotel on August 14th. We celebrated along with our lovely wives, who attended a ladies’ luncheon at midday and then join us knights for mass, followed by a banquet. For you Third Degree members in the council – I urge you to take the Fourth at the next opportunity, which will be this November, in Orlando. More information is to come.
Events soon took on a more somber tone, as members of the council joined the rest of the St. Francis of Assisi family in remembering and honoring our former parishioner Paul O. Cuzzupe II, who gave his life while serving with the U.S. Army, in Afghanistan. Council members were among those who paid their respects to Paul and his family along the route of the motorcade carrying his remains from MacDill AFB to the funeral home in Brandon. Many members also attended the visitation and rosary on the 20th, and then the funeral mass and burial on the 21st. The outpouring of support for Paul and his family from the parish and the community was truly remarkable. I greatly appreciate the members of this council who were able to support Paul’s family through their presence and their prayers.
Last Wednesday afternoon, the 25th, the council took its turn to “Feed the Needy” with a hot meal of hot dogs, beans, fries and dessert. Ten knights & family members joined the “regulars” from the parish who carry out this important ministry each week. Most organizations at St. Francis take turns, and our council’s turn is the last Wednesday of every other month. I hope to see even more of us present at our next turn, which is October 27th.
And, as the title of this section indicated, we finished the month with a farewell. Our good friend and Council Director, Tom Kessinger, took his bride Shirley and moved up to Bob Hope Village, in the Panhandle. Tom was the knight who kept us together by organizing our social meetings, producing the certificates for Knight of the Month and Family of the Month, and of course bringing the pizza for after every council business meeting. He also did many other things for us and attended practically every council activity. Now, we need another knight to step up and fill Tom’s shoes. If you would like to volunteer, or know a member who you think would be great in this job, please let me know ASAP! Tom – We will miss you! You are always welcome here, and may God bless you and Shirley as you embark on a new adventure!
Onward – And Upward
As you read this, the council officers and committee directors are making plans for council activities for the remainder of the fraternal year. They will be calling on members to take on a project or two, so please give some thought to what activities you might want to lead or be a part of. If you already have an idea about a project or activity you like, don’t wait to be called – contact me or any of the officers or directors. Our parish is seeing our council as a group that is doing great work. We need your help to keep that work going!
Sad news
On August 29th the parish was shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Penny Haladay, wife of our brother Bill Haladay. Please remember Penny in your prayers, and ask the Lord to grant Bill and his family comfort and peace.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
John Wilbur
Grand Knight
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