St. Joseph, Patron of The Church #18037 
Minutes of Meeting Held on November 15, 2022
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www.jolietassembly0204.org
Call to Order
The Council was called to order at 7:00pm by Grand Knight Jim Holuj for the general meeting of the council
Opening Prayer led by Fr. Magiera
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Officers in Attendance
| Chaplain | Fr. Michael Magiera | P | 3Yr. Trustee | John Glennon | E |
| Grand Knight | Jim Holuj Jr. | P | 2Yr. Trustee | Brian Holuj | E |
| Deputy Grand Knight-Program Director | Paul Ward | P | 1Yr. Trustee | Andrew Pavlis | P |
| Chancellor-Membership Chairman | Michael Lamlech | E | Inside Guard | Jim Holuj Sr. | P |
| Field Agent-Lecturer | Erik Jurgens | P | Outside Guard | Ralph Orozco | E |
| Financial Secretary-Pro Life Chairman | Randall Norman | P | |||
| Warden | Stanley Malnar | P | |||
| Recorder | Glenn Proud | P | |||
| Treasurer | Charles Safiran | E | P-Present; A-Absent; E-Excused | ||
| Advocate | Nick LaBanca | P | *Serving as Pro Temp Officer |
Recognition of Guests and Dignitaries: District Deputy Steve Joutras and New Council Development Michael Enos (arrived after a previous commitment).
Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting:Motion to approve the minutes of the previous General Meeting, motion moved and seconded. No correction nor discussion. All in favor of approving the minutes, minutes approved.
Chaplain’s Message: Fr. Michael Magiera: We have a difficult road ahead of us in the aftermath of the recent mid-term elections. Father reminds us that we were born at this present time because there is something we are intended to do. With the help of God, and the strength of brother knights behind us we can overcome the “bluing” of our nation and pray for better outcome in the next election. It’s been said that the Republican Party needs to be purged and completely rebuilt top to bottom and bottom to top which is a valid point. However, what is certain the United States is in a sad situation, and we must do everything possible in our power, through prayer, brotherhood, work, and resistance to make this country a better country in our own way.
Grand Knight’s Report: Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.”
Thank you to Fr. Magiera for purchasing our American and Papal Flags.
Thank you to Br. Mike Enos for the gift of K of C name badges for the Officers of the Council.
The Public Rosary this past Saturday asking for Our Lady’s intercession on behalf of Law Enforcement and especially our local police went well. A thank you to Fr. Magiera, Randy, Glenn, Stanley, Jim Holuj Sr, Brian Holuj and Andrew who joined him and 15 other parishioners for the Rosary and blessing of the officers and their squad cars by Fr. Magiera. The Knights will be organizing next year and look forward to great attendance and participation.
The Men’s Book Club continues their weekly reading of Bearing False Witness – debunking centuries of anti-Catholic history by Rodney Stark on Thursday nights at 7pm in the St. Michael room. Each Chapter is like a book so it’s easy to jump in, there is no need to have begun from the start. It’s a wonderful group and a great book on how to defend the faith.
Our next Officers Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 6th at 6pm in the St. Michael room. As a reminder, if you can’t attend just notify G/K and he’d be happy to make your report in your absence. Family comes first. Also, this meeting is open to all members, however officers are only allowed to vote.
The Knights have been asked by Deacon (630) 215-5469 to assist with food distribution to 25 Rockdale families that are in need this weekend:
- Friday: food pick up at St. Pau’s at 4pm and brought back to St. Joseph’s
- Saturday: 11am – 3pm, check dates, sort food and shop
- Sunday: 11-12:30pm, delivery of food
Membership Report: Br. Michael is currently on vacation. We have one applicant, Julian. A motion was sought to accept Julian as a member of our Council, a motion was made and seconded, no objections or further discussion necessary. Julian’s application was put forward for a vote and all members were unanimous in their approval.
Creating a “Standard Operation Procedure” for new applicants was discussed. There is concern that online applicants who wish to join our Council may get contacted and picked up by other Councils creating confusion. Br. Michael Eno who recently participated in a couple of success membership campaigns this past weekend affirmed that on the membership “Join Us” page there is a field the applicate can enter the name of the Parish and associated Council #. Information entered goes into the “prospects” tab for the Financial Secretary and Grand Knight. He reminds us that now we are established to reach out to men who may have been hesitant to join while we were just getting off the ground.
Respect Life Program Director: No full report today but Br. Randall filled us in that Cardinal Wilton Gregory has canceled the inaugural Mass that proceeds the March for Life in DC.
Field Agent Report: Br. Erik will set up a date to discuss iniquities and insurance, so keep that on the radar. If anyone has any questions prior to that, just reach out to him.
Treasurer Report:
Financial Secretary’s Report: By the end of the weekend the plan is to have the EIN application completed which needs to be done prior to setting up a Council checking account.
Regarding the checking account, Br. Chuck had done extensive research to identify best options in terms of location, costs, and fees. From that research, the Officers recommend NuMark Credit Union be chosen as our Councils financial institution.
A decision was made to use the churches mailing address for our K of C Council. This will help avoid the need to spend $176 annually for a PO Box. A box will be set up at the Rectory for our correspondence which we’ll check as necessary.
Our current financials are as such: Income: $400 ($100 from Joliet Chapter, $100 from Joliet Assembly and $200 Supreme; all to help us get off the ground). Expense: $11.20 of 2022-2023 Chapter dues (28 members at $0.40 each based off our October roster).
Soon the Officers will need to solidify the Councils By-Laws (dues, quorums, and other legalisms). There is a template to use on the Supreme Councils website. This should be finished by the end of the year.
Membership Billing notices will go out in December with a due date being after the new year (date TBD) along with the issuing of Membership Cards for 2023.
We’ll need to start thinking of ideas to generate revenue for the Council as what we’ll receive from membership dues will only cover a small portion of our operation expenses. We just don’t want to make money, we also want to have fun and be of interest to the members of our parish, so bring in your ideas.
As of November 8th, our Council Roster consisted of 28 members, we now have 29 will Julian’s membership approval. Out of the 29, 2 are Honorary Life Members, 27 are due paying members. Another way to break down our membership, we have 22 Associates and 7 who have Insurance.
On the heels of Randall’s report and the work facilitated by Treasurer Br. Chuck a motion was sought to approve Numark Credit Union as the institution we’ll have our checking account. Br. Erick put forth the motion with Br. Paul seconding, branch locations was discussed, and all members approved, no objections.
District Deputy’s Report: Silver Rose Program, end of the August and first a few days of September of 2023. There is interest and the Officers will work out the details with Fr.
Neuman Fund (one of five State charities) please consider donating to help support the priests that run the campus ministries at our State University institutions ($5 per member is the goal). Br. Michael Enos suggests becoming a “Century” member, donating $100 a year which you’ll receive a plaque for your contribution.
The first weekend in December Br. Steve will attend a meeting of the State District Deputies with the State Officers. He’ll find out what we’ve done well in the first 5 ½ months of the year and get ideas of how to improve for the next 6 months.
Bishop Hicks will be saying Mass at St. Ambrose’s Church at 10am and at 11:30am at St. Annes on December 4th in Crest Hill.
The Bishop’s Burse, councils donate to the Bishop (roughly $1 per member). December 10th, 5pm Mass at the Corpus Christi Church in Carol Stream with dinner to follow. $35 if anyone would like to attend.
Volunteer Opportunity- Wreaths Across America, Saturday December 17th at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery. People donate money to buy wreaths and place them on the markers of our fallen service men and women.
Vocation Raffle- We’ll plan this for next year, as we can donate to a Seminary of our own choosing which would be Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.
Unfinished Business:Future Chapter meetings will include a non-meat option for members who observe Friday abstinence.
New Business:Once we have our checking account established, we’ll discuss creating an operating budget. Also, we have an audit due for February of 2023, which should be simple.
Good of the Order:Br. Erik requests prayers for a friend and brother knight to receive social security benefits for his children. Br. Steve’s 70-year-old cousin (Bill Paul) passed away last week from cancer, prayers for him, his brother and their 90-year-old mother who is in assisted living. Also, continue to pray Jim’s in-laws Ron and Marica. Last, the Sisters of St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in St. Louis.
Closing Prayer, Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney, and Blessing
Motion to Adjourn: 7:48pm
Respectfully Submitted, Glenn Proud, MFA