I Am With

You Always
Empire State Bulletin Official Publication
of the New York State Council
Knights of Columbus
Vol. 54 Issue 10 April 2016
Organized February 3, 1896
A Message From Your State Deputy, Robert D. Weitzman
Worthy Brother Knights,
REJOICE, The Risen Christ is with us, Always.
We have just celebrated Easter Sunday, the fulfillment of Gods promises. Through His death, Christ
destroyed our bondage to sin; Through His Resurrection, He brought the promise of new life in heaven and on
earth. His own prayer Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven. Such powerful and meaningful words.
When the Risen Christ appeared to the disciples He said Peace be with you, as the Father has sent me, so I send
you. We are His disciples. We must bring His teaching into our homes, communities and councils. We have been
entrusted with a mission of Charity, Mercy and Love. We have to live this mission; we have to welcome our
Catholic brothers into our order. We must grow because as our order grows, our society grows in Faith. Our
families become stronger, which, in turn, builds a better community for all.
This is our time to shoot for Star Council. When we achieve Star Council we have fulfilled our mission
of bringing Catholic men into our order, and as said before, we make good men better men and better men great
men. We also successfully ran programs that met the needs of many. We served our Church, Community, Youth,
Council, Culture of Life, and Families and protected our family by providing financial security though our
insurance programs. So lets move forward and reach for the Stars by becoming a Star Council. To help motivate
us, Supreme has also offered a financial incentive. If your Council achieves State Council, they will receive $4.50
per billable member.
Our State Convention will take place this month and I am looking forward to seeing the members of our
Columbian Family at the Villa Roma. I am also looking forward to spending some time with The Sisters of Life
who will be attending our Ladies Luncheon. I know you will support the Sisters and the
services they provide for so many by donating a baby item or by making a monetary
donation at the convention. If you are not attending the convention, but would like to
make a donation, your check payable to the NYS Knights of Columbus can be mailed
to the State Office at NYS Knights of Columbus, 201 Portion Road, Suite A, Lake
Ronkonkoma NY 11779. In the memo part of the check write Sisters of Life. I thank
you in advance for your generosity.
May the Light of Christ shine on you always, God Bless you all.
Bob Weitzman,
State Deputy

Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney

God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest,
Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the
generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son,
Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the
Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may
continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father Michael
J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now
present (make your request here). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Visit the New York State Council

Website for up to the minute
information! Let us know
how you like it!
http://newyorkknights.com/

If members of your
council are not
receiving the Empire
State Bulletin, please
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Highlighted In This Issue

Message from your State Deputy

Table of Index

Message from Senior Associate Chaplain

Message from our MPC

Weve Moved

Membership Information

6- 7

Programs

Sisters of Life

9 - 11

Bowling Anyone

12 - 14

Around the State

15 - 23

Telecare Schedule

24

Staff of the New York State Council

25

Find us on Facebook

New York State

Knights of Columbus
Page 2

A Message from our Senior Associate State Chaplain,

Fr. Brian McWeeney...
My Brothers,
As we celebrate the Easter season for fifty days we are ever aware of the
renewal that the Lord calls us to receive. He has promised us abundant life not only
today but for all eternity. How might we accept this gift and equally important how
can we witness it to others? In this Year of Mercy we need only to look at the corporal
and spiritual works of mercy.
If I might I would like to share some simple examples. We are called to pray for
the dead. As a Council we should be especially aware of the need to respect to go to
the wakes of our brother Knights even if we do not know them. Later on we should
visit the family and invite them to our council events. We are called to feed the hungry
not just during holyday periods but throughout the year. Be sensitive to our
food banks as well as those run by other community organizations.
We are called to instruct the ignorant and admonish the sinner. Let us continue
to be lectors, catechists, and writers of articles inspiring others to share our values. I
know that many of you are already doing many of these things continue especially as
the Lord renews us in His graces.

Vivat Jesus,
Father Brian
Senior Associate State Chaplain

Page 3

A message from Eric Johnson, PSD, MPC

New Member Annuity
There seems to be some confusion about when a member can be
offered the New Member Annuity. Hopefully this article will help bring
this product into focus.
Councils should always work with their assigned Field Agent to ensure
each member has been given the opportunity to take part in our award
winning insurance products. Our experienced field agents are trained
to conduct a family needs assessment which is for the best interest of
our brother knight and his family.
The New Member Annuity is available to any Associate Member on a
council roster and the Financial Secretary has the forms needed. Once
the member decides to purchase the annuity he should contact the
Financial Secretary and complete the application with a W-9 form.
The Financial Secretary should retain a copy then send the original
paperwork and a members check for $100 (or more) to the General
Agent as requested by the insurance department.
If you have any questions, please contact the General Agent in your
area, or the Supreme Council. This new member policy should not take
the place of an entire portfolio of insurance products. This product is
being made available to assist councils to reach Star Council status.

Page 4

We have moved the

New York State Council

Knights of Columbus
Executive Office
Our new address is
201 Portion Road, Suite A, 2nd floor
Lake Ronkonkoma, New York 11779
Same phone numbers:
631-366-3787 631-366-3788
Fax 631-366-3786
Same Email Address:
nyskofc@aol.com

Page 5

Its all about the members!

by

Sal Restivo, PSD, Membership Director

Sprint to the Finish! Being a runner (when I was much

younger) my team mates and I always saved a little bit
for the finish. So towards the end, we picked up the
pace and rallied what strength we had to Sprint to the Finish! We would finish
the race completely exhausted knowing we gave our best effort.
Our Fraternal year is in its final quarter. In the months of April, May and June
we must step up our efforts to bring new members into the Order. Supreme is
sweetening the pot with their STAR council incentive. Remember that the
Supreme council has reinstituted the $4.50 per billable member incentive
for those councils that reach STAR council. We can reach our goal. Councils
that have not recruited members this year should work to do just that. Councils
close to reaching their council quota must reach and surpass their goal. All this
will help our state council reach our goal.
To the brothers on Long Island: Our membership contest ends on April 21
and we will award the checks at the Long Island Conference Meeting.
As of this writing, we brought in 1984 new members and
need 1016 new members to reach our goal!

Remember, Just ask him"!

Page 6

Conference Incentive Recruitment Program 2016

CONFERENCE

MEMBERSHIP

Area

Intake

# OF

Goal

Goal

Goal

4/5/2016

Cls

# of New Members
To
To G To G
G
2

Nassau

333

48

384

336

288

-45

51

Suffolk

262

52

416

364

312

50

102

154

HudVal

268

53

424

371

318

50

103

156

BMS

192

31

248

217

186

-6

25

56

Kings

186

46

368

322

276

90

136

182

FL

141

40

320

280

240

99

139

179

Capital

131

52

416

364

312

181

233

285

Queens

103

33

264

231

198

95

128

161

Central

99

37

296

259

222

123

160

197

West/Put

95

30

240

210

180

85

115

145

Western

101

41

328

287

246

145

186

227

Northern

73

47

376

329

282

209

256

303

1076
TOTALS
Money to Charity

1984

4080

3570

1586 2096

3060

$2,000 $1,500 $1,000

Page 7

Page 8

Visit the Sisters of Life

web site to learn more
about their great work.
http://www.sistersoflife.org/
about-the-sisters-of-life

Prayer to End Abortion

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself Never to be silent,
Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Page 9

Our First Lady is hosting a Brunch Baby Shower

and she would love for you to join her on
Friday, April 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
at the Club House at the Villa Roma!
Connie Weitzman has selected The Sisters of Life
as the choice charity for this years
New York State Convention Ladies Brunch.
All attending the Brunch are asked to bring a
baby item which the Sisters will take back with
them as they will be joining us for this event. We
are anxious to make this a spectacular event
and we know we can with your support!
All Brother Knights attending the convention
are invited to donate baby items too!
Some ideas are:
Baby Toiletries: Shampoo, Lotion, Diaper Rash Cream
Baby Necessities: Diapers, Wipes, Blankets, Towels
Baby Tools: Pacifiers, Teething Rings, Rattles
Baby Clothing: Boy or Girl! Have fun shopping!
If you have any questions, please contact
Connie Weitzman at (607) 437-9441 or you
can email her at conniemmw@yahoo.com.

Page 10

Your generosity
towards the
Sisters of Life is
greatly appreciated!
We look forward to
the many beautiful
donations we know
they will receive!

Thank you!
Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

Training across the great

state of New York!

Page 15

Great men are honored for their great work for our Order!
Congratulations Henry Tomlinson as you are honored as
Past Faithful Navigator!

********************************************************
Congratulations
Tony Ippolitto
as you are
honored as
Past Nassau
Conference
Chairman!

Page 16

Bishop McGann Council #564

celebrates their 115th Anniversary! Sharing keepsakes
from their 50th Anniversary, and celebrating such a
milestone, a great time was had by all! We know the
Charter members were smiling done on us!

115
Years
Strong
Page 17

Fr. Crowley
Council
celebrates
their

50th
Anniversary
in style!

Page 18

St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911

had our annual St. Patrick's/ St. Joseph's party. It was
held at St. Anastasia's annex in Douglaston on March 12.
The proceeds of the party will go to various
charities we sponsored at St. Anastasia church,
the community and in the Knights of Columbus.
Pictured below from left to right are:
Giuseppe Petruso, Rev. Dariusz Strzelecki,
Msgr. Anthony Sherman, Martin Aversa,
Michael DiOrio, and Frederick Bedell Jr. Grand Knight.

Article and photo submitted by Frederick R. Bedell JR., Grand Knight

Page 19

2016 Suffolk County Free Throw Championship

On Saturday, March 5 over 110 Boys and Girls representing the 11 Districts in Suffolk
converged at Ss Cyril and Methodius Gym in Deer Park to take part in the 2016 Suffolk
County Free Throw Championship. The gym was packed with participants family members
and Knights. After 2 hours of competition, the 14 Champions were recognized for their
achievement, as they now prepare to move on to the Long Island Regional Championship
to be held in early April. Thanks to Chairman, John Lazar, the Suffolk Board of District
Deputies, Grand Knights, and the many Knights who were there to help run the event, or
just cheer on the participants. A special thanks to the participants and their parents for
making the event a success.

2016 Suffolk County

Free Throw Champions
Group
B-09
B-10
B-11
B-12
B-13
B-14

Name
James Burton
Alex Solis
Kristian Kent
Jonathan Moore
Aidan Christ
Travis Newman

District
10th
10th
6th
4th
4th
10th

Group
G-09
G-10
G-11
G-12
G-13
G-14

Name
Jaclyn Morra
Julia Greek
Brooke Bittlingmeyer
Lauren Wald
Kathleen Maguire
Sarah Hull

District
8th
5th
6th
10th
7th
4th

Council
11163
11163
2458
1992
1992
11163

11968
12006
8607
11163
564
1992

Article submitted by
Mike Hearney,
Youth Director
Picture submitted by
Paul Basilio, PGK, FDD
Page 20

Msgr. Sherman Council 5103 held our annual Good Friday Blood Drive at Sacred Heart Church
in Glendale, Queens. This year, after the mass, Bishop DiMarzio stopped down to visit with us.
The blood drive netted 68 pints of blood.
Photo to the right: Bishop DiMarzio, to his right
Bill Kuil Grand Knight of Msgr Sherman Council,
Father Marcin of Sacred Heart Church and Deacon
Jamie, the Bishops aid.

We continue to do great things as we held our Annual Lenten fish fry benefiting St. Pancras
Church on Friday, March 18th. Guests were served flounder, French fries, cole slaw, a cold
drink, and coffee and cake. After the dinner, the guests were invited to the church to watch a
live living stations of the cross, put on by the children of St. Pancras school. All proceeds
from the fish fry went directly to St. Pancras Church. The winner of the 50/50 donated all his
winnings also giving the church 100% of the 50/50. Pictured above to the left are: Front
Row: Richie Speidel, Jerry Bollmann, Bill Kuil, Grand Knight (blue apron), Don Gander Joe
Strohmeier, Chris Russo, Joe Falce, Michael Falce Seminarian. Back Row: John Konig,
Frank Kotnik, Jim Funaro, Jim Sexton, Sr., Gerry
OCallaghan, Dom Pucci.
We are very proud of the success of our second
semi-annual food drive for Sacred Heart Food
Pantry which we held on Saturday, March 12 at The
Glendale Stop & Shop supermarket on Union Tpke.
Due to the generosity of the shoppers, we collected
32 boxes of food equaling about 1,000 pounds!
This will allow the food pantry to provide a nice
Easter meal for all 150 families they serve.
Pictured to the right are the men of the council and
a woman who just made a donation. Front Row, Jim Sexton Sr., Joseph Strohmeier, woman
donator, John Baer, Donald Gander, Joe Falce. Back Row: Henry Engesser, Ken Engesser,
Gerry O' Callaghan, Chris Russo
Articles and photos submitted by Bill Kuil, Grand Knight

Page 21

Our Wheel Chair program continues to be successful!

While the Supreme Board of Directors were on a Pilgrimage to
Mexico City and Guadalupe in February, one gentleman was very
happy to have been able to receive a wheel chair! This elderly
gentleman had only a pair of old crutches that he had been using
until he received his
chair! He wanted to
shake our hands for the
gift! Our Supreme
Director, Art Harris and
his wife Marlene were
thrilled to be a part of this
great effort!
Article and photo submitted by
Supreme Director Art Harris

******************************************************

Members of Assumption - Msgr. James J. Dorney Council

#1694 hosted a traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper for
their members and families. Pancakes and sausage patties were
cooked by PGK Bill Venturini and the councils Chancellor,
Lenny Jones.

Article and photo submitted by

Bill Venturini, PGK

Page 22

On Sunday, February 7, 2016, the Kings County Conference in conjunction with the New
York State Council Knights of Columbus sponsored a Swish for Kids event at St. Ephrams
Church. This was a fun filled day with awards and basketball scrimmages with St. Francis College
and St. Vincents Basketball teams of Brooklyn. A Donation of $1,000.00 was presented by
John V. Arcate on behalf of Kings County and the State Deputy, Robert D. Weitzman. This
money helps defray some costs incurred by families whose children suffer from some form of
cancer. Approximately 45 -50 children were in attendance and this program has grown
tremendously in the past 4 years. Over $16,000.00 was collected due to many businesses and
organizations in Brooklyn.
We were honored by the Fourth Degree Color Corps with their presentation of the Pledge of
Allegiance, led by, Edgar Perez. All Conference Officers were present along with the Board
of District Deputies. Also present, was our State Secretary, Ken Latham, Borough President,
Marty Golden and Assemblyman Vinny Gentile.
All in all it was a productive day including a Membership Recruitment Table in the Gym.
A few form 100s were completed, and will be
distributed to the selected councils.

Article and photo submitted by John V. Arcate, PGK, FDD, Kings County Conference Chairman

Page 23

Be sure to view the Knights of Columbus

Building His Dream Show on Telecare, the Best in Catholic TV!
This years schedule will begin on Monday, November 30, 2015.
Listed below are times, dates, and channels.
Channel 296 FIOS
Channel 20 Nassau & Suffolk Cablevision / Elsewhere on Ch. 137 on Cablevision
Channel 471 on Time Warner and you can always watch it live on the internet
www.telecaretv.org
Monday, 9:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., Friday, 7:00 p.m., Each show will air 6 times.

We know you will like what you see.

Page 24

EMPIRE STATE BULLETIN

Knights of Columbus
New York State Council
359 Route 111, Bldg. 1, Suite 2
Smithtown, N.Y. 11787

Delivered
via e-mail
Register Now!

STAFF OF THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL

Honorary State Chaplain........His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan
State Chaplain......Most Rev. Robert Cunningham
Senior Associate State Chaplain..Rev. Father Brian McWeeney
Associate State Chaplain.............Rev. Msgr. James Cox
Associate State Chaplain....Rev. Fr. Donald Bourgeois
Associate State Chaplain...Rev. Fr. Robert Dwyer
Associate State Chaplain...Rev. Fr. Darr Schoenhofen
State Father Prior of Youth.Rev. Father Dennis Nikolic
State Deputy........Robert D. Weitzman
State Secretary....Kenneth Latham, Jr.
State Treasurer..Edward Kennedy
State Advocate......Gary Leonardo
State Warden..........Edward Ciulla
Chief of Staff.......Edward OToole
Secretary to State Deputy..John G. Joseph
Warden to State Deputy..Thomas Boslet
Admin. Assistant to State Deputy.............Frank Bagley
Admin. Assistant to State Deputy..............Jerry Connelly
Events Coordinator......Anthony Sonny Mangone
Counsel to the State Deputy....Carmine Musumeci, Esq. PSD
Counsel to the State Deputy....Joseph Lupia, Esq.

A message from
the Editor:
We want to share the good
work of our Order with
everyone! Kindly submit
your article to me by the
15th of each month
and it will be in the next
Empire State Bulletin.
Please send articles to
esb.staff1@gmail.com.

State Membership Director..Salvatore A. Restivo, PSD, XS

Assistant Membership Director...Rich Elias
State Program Director.......Michael Flanagan
State Youth Director........ Michael Hearney
State C&B Director........Anthony Ippolitto
Assistant State C&B Director....Hank Theiling

I look forward to
hearing from you.

State Ceremonials Chairman....James. A. Foy, PSD

Admin. State Coord. Ext. Fund Raising.....Rocco DErasmo
ESB Editor....John G. Joseph
Web Master.........Brian Ennis
State Logistics Chairman..Deacon Charles Esposito
Insurance Liaison........Eric Izzo

John G. Joseph,
PGK, FDD, FST
Secretary to the State Deputy
Page 25