June 15, 2010
Welcome Brothers.
Thank you for coming out this evening.
On June 4, 2010, Jack Calamis received his third degree in Carmel NY. He was accompanied by Brothers Bob Moser, Nick Pesacretta, John Bianco PGK and myself. Congratulations to Brother Jack for reaching full knight hood. I wanted to mention the important and significance of completing your degrees and encourage everyone in the future to advance if you have not done so already.
This past Friday night, we had a wonderful Pasta Night, to honor those men who have achieved honorary or honorary life membership. I will ask John Bianco FS PGK who organized and ran the program to give a report under the program directors report. However, I wanted to thank John for a wonderful affair honoring the men who have dedicated years of service to the Knights. He spent a great deal of time not only in organizing the affair itself which was outstanding but also getting the appropriate men identified who achieved this status as well as getting the certificates, pins and promoting the event directly to the men who were eligible. Thanks to him for his dedication and his commitment to honoring the men in a fitting manner.
This past Sunday as you and everyone in the community knows we dedicated a statue of the Blessed Mother outside of our council home. It is with deep gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for your love of the Blessed Mother and allowing her to work through you to get this accomplished. I will share with you that I am convinced of her intercession and guidance during this project. The Mass that we celebrated at Holy Rosary was beautiful and a perfect way to begin our morning in prayer together as a community. It is also with sincere gratitude that I thank Father Fraser for his kind and supportive words during the Mass. I was able to present him with his vestment from the Altar and was very proud when the Knights started a standing ovation for Father Fraser. We then proceeded back to the council for the dedication. This was a particularly beautiful setting; I could not be more proud as a Catholic Gentlemen and as your Grand Knight to stand and watch what transpired. It was almost as if I could see the Mother of Jesus in our midst. I also felt the presence of Jesus as Father Paul Tolve spoke and read the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the Blessing we performed two decades of the rosary. As cars drove by, they slowed and watched this strange sight. I think it may have had an impact on some as I saw several cars circle back and watch. At the conclusion of the rosary we gave flowers to the guests and asked them to place them at the feet of the statue as they thought of their special intention or prayer. In the background the song played that reminded us that Jesus is the resurrection “I am the Bread of Life.” As the guests and Brother Knights and their families placed their prayers at her feet signified by the flowers, I watched the flags flap in the wind, the rosaries in the hands and the tears of joy from so many of our guests. That setting was everything important in our lives the prayers, Father Paul Tolve, the rosaries and the statue of the Mother of Jesus signified God and our faith, the Flag Pole monument with the flags of the United States and the Knights of Columbus briskly snapped in the wind signified our Country and order and most importantly the people present represented the extended family of St Dominic Council.
Whether you realize it or not we became the epitome of God, Country and Family in that setting. I cannot thank each and every one of you for what you accomplished. In an age when statues are coming down, crucifixes are not allowed and the mere mention of Jesus is removed from history books, in the name of separation of Church and State. What we accomplished is not minor or trivial. The statue is not a garden decoration or a landscape accent. That statue that stands outside represents the love each one of us has for our council, order, family and most importantly our Catholic faith. It is with deep fraternal gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for dedicating your time, talents, gifts as well as all of the generous donations to this effort. I realize that I am imperfect and forget names and for this I deeply apologize. I have had some time to reflect on it and realized I would be afraid if I listed each and every one of the people involved. Every member of the council contributed in some manner. Whether it was through prayer, supportive or kind words, donations, landscaping, building the base and statue or promoting the event throughout the community. Whatever the contribution, there was not any act of generosity that was greater or smaller than the next in this project. Each man gave from a deep faith to what this monument represents and it is through that combination of faith that we now have a statue and garden that was created as a result of the love of what that statue represents. When I have a little more time over the next couple of weeks I will write a personal letter to all of you for your support in this project as well as this past two years.
Now down to the nuts and bolts. Everyone must be sitting here thinking these are nice words but what did it cost the council. When we embarked on this project I committed to the council as a Catholic gentleman that this would not cost anything. I knew I could make this personal commitment as we were embarking on a project that was extraordinary and my faith and John Magaletta PGK taught me “that it would simply work out.” I am happy to report that we will have enough money to cover the costs of this project. Further, I am even happier to report that we have far exceeded my original estimates of $2,500. The grand total either pledged or collected is approximately $4,300. The statue was $2,300, the granite insert was $150.00, the landscaping was an additional $150.00; there are outstanding receipts for the electrical work, flowers as well as food. The total cost of the project should come in the range of $2,800 to $3,000. I made that faith based commitment with some hesitation but also knew the council and community would respond. I will share with you that I added to my prayers, in addition to my normal daily intentions for each one of you, a prayer of faithfulness. Mother Teresa once said “I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.” I can now understand what she meant, as it was completely through faith that we were successful.
To finalize this project we will need to gather some receipts, pay balances and close this chapter by the end of the month. However, I still have remaining a portion of the project that is not sitting well with me. I must not have written my letter clearly as some people came with their intentions in hand on the day of the dedication and unfortunately the base was already sealed with other intentions. I apologize for the miscommunication but plan on correcting the situation. To accommodate those people John Bianco PGK is donating a “time capsule” to be placed directly behind the statue. If anyone would like to include a prayer or special intention, I will bury the capsule by month end.
Tonight is my last council meeting as your Grand Knight. As I approach the end of my tenure as Grand Knight, I look back to where we started. When I started this journey, I committed to serving this order, council and you my Brother Knights, to the best of my ability. It is my hope, that I have come full circle and accomplished that promise. In retrospect, I know I could have done things differently and I know in my heart that I could have done things better. I can only tell you, that what I have done was done with great love of our council and our order. My heart was and will always be to simply live a life of service. I will continue to be committed to this council and will serve the next Grand Knight to the best of my ability. I ask that you support him, in the same manner in which you supported me. Being a Grand Knight requires a man of dedication, patience, commitment and most importantly faith, but it also requires the support of his council. As he assumes his new position, please do not wait for him to approach you for your help, go to him. In the immortal words of a brother Knight John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Replace the words with council and let it resonate in your heart.
I realize this probably is the longest Grand Knights report in the history of the order. But I know I am not the most gifted speaker and sometimes incapable of expressing my emotion. I wanted to express to you my deep gratitude for entrusting me with this role, for having more faith in me than I did of myself, and for being simply a friend and Brother Knight. This has been one of the most rewarding times in my life, and I thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Grand Knight.
With Gratitude,
Respectfully Submitted,
James M. Collins
Grand Knight Council 4399
2008-2010
Welcome Brothers.
Thank you for coming out this evening.
On June 4, 2010, Jack Calamis received his third degree in Carmel NY. He was accompanied by Brothers Bob Moser, Nick Pesacretta, John Bianco PGK and myself. Congratulations to Brother Jack for reaching full knight hood. I wanted to mention the important and significance of completing your degrees and encourage everyone in the future to advance if you have not done so already.
This past Friday night, we had a wonderful Pasta Night, to honor those men who have achieved honorary or honorary life membership. I will ask John Bianco FS PGK who organized and ran the program to give a report under the program directors report. However, I wanted to thank John for a wonderful affair honoring the men who have dedicated years of service to the Knights. He spent a great deal of time not only in organizing the affair itself which was outstanding but also getting the appropriate men identified who achieved this status as well as getting the certificates, pins and promoting the event directly to the men who were eligible. Thanks to him for his dedication and his commitment to honoring the men in a fitting manner.
This past Sunday as you and everyone in the community knows we dedicated a statue of the Blessed Mother outside of our council home. It is with deep gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for your love of the Blessed Mother and allowing her to work through you to get this accomplished. I will share with you that I am convinced of her intercession and guidance during this project. The Mass that we celebrated at Holy Rosary was beautiful and a perfect way to begin our morning in prayer together as a community. It is also with sincere gratitude that I thank Father Fraser for his kind and supportive words during the Mass. I was able to present him with his vestment from the Altar and was very proud when the Knights started a standing ovation for Father Fraser. We then proceeded back to the council for the dedication. This was a particularly beautiful setting; I could not be more proud as a Catholic Gentlemen and as your Grand Knight to stand and watch what transpired. It was almost as if I could see the Mother of Jesus in our midst. I also felt the presence of Jesus as Father Paul Tolve spoke and read the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After the Blessing we performed two decades of the rosary. As cars drove by, they slowed and watched this strange sight. I think it may have had an impact on some as I saw several cars circle back and watch. At the conclusion of the rosary we gave flowers to the guests and asked them to place them at the feet of the statue as they thought of their special intention or prayer. In the background the song played that reminded us that Jesus is the resurrection “I am the Bread of Life.” As the guests and Brother Knights and their families placed their prayers at her feet signified by the flowers, I watched the flags flap in the wind, the rosaries in the hands and the tears of joy from so many of our guests. That setting was everything important in our lives the prayers, Father Paul Tolve, the rosaries and the statue of the Mother of Jesus signified God and our faith, the Flag Pole monument with the flags of the United States and the Knights of Columbus briskly snapped in the wind signified our Country and order and most importantly the people present represented the extended family of St Dominic Council.
Whether you realize it or not we became the epitome of God, Country and Family in that setting. I cannot thank each and every one of you for what you accomplished. In an age when statues are coming down, crucifixes are not allowed and the mere mention of Jesus is removed from history books, in the name of separation of Church and State. What we accomplished is not minor or trivial. The statue is not a garden decoration or a landscape accent. That statue that stands outside represents the love each one of us has for our council, order, family and most importantly our Catholic faith. It is with deep fraternal gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for dedicating your time, talents, gifts as well as all of the generous donations to this effort. I realize that I am imperfect and forget names and for this I deeply apologize. I have had some time to reflect on it and realized I would be afraid if I listed each and every one of the people involved. Every member of the council contributed in some manner. Whether it was through prayer, supportive or kind words, donations, landscaping, building the base and statue or promoting the event throughout the community. Whatever the contribution, there was not any act of generosity that was greater or smaller than the next in this project. Each man gave from a deep faith to what this monument represents and it is through that combination of faith that we now have a statue and garden that was created as a result of the love of what that statue represents. When I have a little more time over the next couple of weeks I will write a personal letter to all of you for your support in this project as well as this past two years.
Now down to the nuts and bolts. Everyone must be sitting here thinking these are nice words but what did it cost the council. When we embarked on this project I committed to the council as a Catholic gentleman that this would not cost anything. I knew I could make this personal commitment as we were embarking on a project that was extraordinary and my faith and John Magaletta PGK taught me “that it would simply work out.” I am happy to report that we will have enough money to cover the costs of this project. Further, I am even happier to report that we have far exceeded my original estimates of $2,500. The grand total either pledged or collected is approximately $4,300. The statue was $2,300, the granite insert was $150.00, the landscaping was an additional $150.00; there are outstanding receipts for the electrical work, flowers as well as food. The total cost of the project should come in the range of $2,800 to $3,000. I made that faith based commitment with some hesitation but also knew the council and community would respond. I will share with you that I added to my prayers, in addition to my normal daily intentions for each one of you, a prayer of faithfulness. Mother Teresa once said “I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.” I can now understand what she meant, as it was completely through faith that we were successful.
To finalize this project we will need to gather some receipts, pay balances and close this chapter by the end of the month. However, I still have remaining a portion of the project that is not sitting well with me. I must not have written my letter clearly as some people came with their intentions in hand on the day of the dedication and unfortunately the base was already sealed with other intentions. I apologize for the miscommunication but plan on correcting the situation. To accommodate those people John Bianco PGK is donating a “time capsule” to be placed directly behind the statue. If anyone would like to include a prayer or special intention, I will bury the capsule by month end.
Tonight is my last council meeting as your Grand Knight. As I approach the end of my tenure as Grand Knight, I look back to where we started. When I started this journey, I committed to serving this order, council and you my Brother Knights, to the best of my ability. It is my hope, that I have come full circle and accomplished that promise. In retrospect, I know I could have done things differently and I know in my heart that I could have done things better. I can only tell you, that what I have done was done with great love of our council and our order. My heart was and will always be to simply live a life of service. I will continue to be committed to this council and will serve the next Grand Knight to the best of my ability. I ask that you support him, in the same manner in which you supported me. Being a Grand Knight requires a man of dedication, patience, commitment and most importantly faith, but it also requires the support of his council. As he assumes his new position, please do not wait for him to approach you for your help, go to him. In the immortal words of a brother Knight John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Replace the words with council and let it resonate in your heart.
I realize this probably is the longest Grand Knights report in the history of the order. But I know I am not the most gifted speaker and sometimes incapable of expressing my emotion. I wanted to express to you my deep gratitude for entrusting me with this role, for having more faith in me than I did of myself, and for being simply a friend and Brother Knight. This has been one of the most rewarding times in my life, and I thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Grand Knight.
With Gratitude,
Respectfully Submitted,
James M. Collins
Grand Knight Council 4399
2008-2010