Knights of Columbus
Orange County Chapter Happenings
October, 2014
My Brothers,
October is a month dedicated to the Right To Life and it’s also the official month when our drive for the Intellectually Disabled is held. Many of our Councils make supporting the ID campaign a year round effort and for that, the Diocese and the beneficiaries of our efforts are ever grateful.
On that note, I’d like to clarify some questions that have come up regarding Camp Recreation, which has been a major recipient of our contributions for many years. The directors of Camp Recreation for the past 8 years have been successful in growing the camp both in the number of clients served and events that have been held. They have done an excellent job serving the ID members of our community.
They have left the Orange County Diocese Catholic Charities program, initiated their own 501c3 program, and will conduct a new camp named RAD Camp. RAD Camp is not sponsored or supported by the Diocese. It is a new and completely separate entity. The information sent to campers and supporters talks about RAD Camp but it does not mention that the Diocese will continue Camp Recreation with new directors.
When the Orange County Chapter formed, we were asked by Bishop Johnson to provide for the Intellectually Disabled of our Community. We accepted that commitment and since that time have supported them through the office of the Catholic Charities of our Diocese. Our Chapter Charities 501c3 corporation, led today by President and PCP Joseph Krochmalny, works closely with Catholic Charities that our contributions are spent wisely in support of those we committed to with Bishop Johnson so many years ago.
There are many organizations that selflessly support people with Intellectual Disabilities but the fact is, there are not nearly enough. I am told that there are over 10,000 people in need of the type of respite and recreation that Camp Recreation and now RAD Camp offer. As RAD Camp moves on, we wish them well but the Knights will continue to place our support behind Orange County Catholic Charities’ Camp Recreation. In the long run, this means that more can be served
Did you know that 300 Third Degree Knights in Southern California advanced to the Fourth Degree and became Sir Knights on October 4th? Orange County Assemblies were well represented and we congratulate all of our new Sir Knights. Congratulations to Christ Cathedral Assembly 3479 for winning the award for most new candidates.
Our Wheelchairs for Veterans, led by Chapter VP Jack Cleary, will receive a container of 110 more chairs on November 11th. Brother Jack is working with the American Legion and Disabled Veterans to ensure that these are distributed to Veteran’s who are ineligible for chairs under current VA guidelines.
Note that on October 25th, the Knights of Council 6020 will again be hosting the annual benefit dinner for the Brothers of St. Patrick. Please see the attached flyer. Come out and say thank you to these dedicated men who educated and guided so many of our youth.
The Southern California Regional Soccer Challenge for 2014-2015 will be held at Santiago Charter Middle School located at 515 N. Rancho Santiago Blvd, in Orange on November 9. Chapter winners should send the original score sheets to Committeeman Don Ehrman by Nov. 1. 4429 E. Euclid Ave. Orange, CA. 92869. If you have questions, call Don at 714-865-2496.
The date is set and final for Clergy Night; Friday, January 23, at St. Joachim’s Parish Hall. Please send invitations to your Priests, Deacons, and Sisters as soon as possible. Calendars fill fast and the sooner they reserve the date, the better chance we have of honoring all of our Clergy here Orange County. Full information flyers will be published soon.
Finally, our Chapter Directory has been released. I ask that all DDs, Grand Knights, and Financial Secretaries review your Council’s entry for accuracy and completeness. We plan to do one update that will be released on or about December 1. Send all corrections to Chapter Secretary Jim Brucken at jimbrucken@att.net.
Our Chapter Meeting will be this coming Thursday, October 23, at 7:30 pm. I will be sending out the agenda and an updated calendar later this week.
Vivat Jesus!
Yours in service,
Jack Haney
President, Orange County Chapter
Knights of Columbus
714-746-0445