THE
JANUARY 2011
Compass
EST. AUG. 3, 1902
Better Communicators
A New Year means new beginnings,
and one of our new resolutions
should be to improve our communica-
tions. Communication is the lifeblood
of any relationship. This is essential
in marriage or in any organization or
institution.
While I was cleaning out my filing
cabinet, I ran across some notes I had on
six simple ways for communicating:
1) Be open! Negative comments are
difficult to hear! Establish a policy of
taking all criticism as friendly. Once
you accept

the other
faithful
person’s
criticism friar’s
as well- focus
intentioned,
you will disarm your critic and get value
from a legitimate criticism.
2) Count to ten! We all know that
words can hurt or heal, injure or inspire.
So many regrets can be avoided by paus-
ing and thinking before speaking. Bite
your tongue! Thing things through! Pres-
ent your views calmly and carefully.
3) Focus on feelings, not faults.
It’s much healthier and safer when the
conversation is about feelings rather than
blame.
4) Speak in non-threatening ways.
Try to move from offensive to non-
offensive ways of communication.
5) Don’t criticize or judge! People
always find criticism painful, even if
it is valid. No one likes to be judged.
Criticizing and judging someone will
escalate tensions and weaken relation-
ships. Strong relationships are the result
of healthy communications.
6) Please touch! When words fail
(Continued on Page 2)
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697
VOLUME LVII NO. VII
Knights of Columbus Council 697
Inspired to Live as Faith-Filled Knights
I ’m sure we have all had a defin-
ing moment as a Knight of Co-
lumbus. A time, event or situation
where we truly felt like a soldier
for Christ; when we felt a swell-
ing in our heart and said, ‘This is
what we’re all about.’
I want to invite each and every
Brother Knight in Council 697 to
rediscover this defining moment. that brought him home to the
After a year of difficulties, con- Catholic Church – and later to
troversy and, frankly, acrimony the Knights.
among some of our members, it Sometimes we need encour-
is finally time to move on. For agement and example to guide
Christ and His Church. our steps on the path. Our guest
In previous columns, I’ve speaker will provide some extra
urged Council 697 members to light for us as we discern our roles
rediscover what it really means to as Knights and promoters and
be a Knight. Let’s step back and defenders of the Catholic Church.
take stock. Who are we? Who We’ve all been
should we be? In Mass, we are the Prodigal
sometimes asked to renew our Son at one
baptismal vows. As Knights, I’d time or anoth-
like us to renew our solemn oath. er. We must
To help set us on the right know that grand
path for 2011 and beyond, we Christ and knight’s
will have a special guest speaker His Church message
at the Jan. 13 Council meeting. welcome all of
He is a Fourth Degree Sir Knight us home if we’ve lost our way.
who actively lives his Catholic The Catholic Church needs us
faith. He has been a leader in the at our best, to be beacons of true
pro-life movement in Wisconsin. hope and Christian charity. If we
His story is a great example of build each other up, we can all be
how we can be away from Christ such leaders.
and return to Him for the greater Let’s resolve to live our best,
glory of God. Away from the starting this month, today, right
Church for 37 years, our speaker now. Vivat Jesus!
had a defining personal moment — Joe Hanneman
JAN. 22 FEB. 3 FEB. 19
KNOWLEDGE THAT MAN MEN OF
& FREE THROW IS YOU! CHRIST CONF.
WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN

Notes from the Third Degree
• The Life Savers for Life drive was quite successful,
grossing close to $2,000. Funds are being used to sup-
port pro-life causes and to save toward purchase of an
ultrasound machine for a pro-life crisis pregnancy center.
• Nine cases of Coats for Kids
have been received and are now
awaiting distribution at HALO and
John XXIII Center. If you’d like to
help, contact GK Joe Hanneman or
DD Bill Frayer.
• The Christmas Poster Con-
COUNCIL 697
test went very well with
MSGR. nearly
STANLEY 400
B. WITKOWIAK
entries and the winners on the front
page of the Journal Times Christmas
RAC IN E , WI S CO N S I N
Day!
• We hope to plan a Food for Families Drive some-
time in February.
• We have flyers for the bus trip to the Respect Life
March in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 22nd.
• District 67 will be starting a committee in 2011
to work on planning how to raise money to put an
Ultrasound machine at a crisis pregnancy facility in the
Racine-Kenosha area.
• The Corporate Communion originally set for Jan.
30 has been cancelled. We will restart Corporate Com-
munion at a later date.
Resolve to be better communicators
(Continued from Page 1)
you, you’re not at loss for communication. A touch, em-
brace or a hug can provide encouragement and comfort
while conveying tenderness and understanding to your
spouse or your children.

If you want to get closer faithful
to those around you, be
friar’s
aware of the power of
communication which you focus
hold in your hands.
St. Jerome once said: “He who lives without quar-
reling is a bachelor.” If we want to build good relation-
ships within our families or within our Council, realize
there will always be disagreements and conflict; but I
think if we adopt any of these simple suggestions, we
will preserve any friendship, as a healthy, joyful source of
fulfillment.
A blessed New Year to you and your family!
— Father Richard Molter
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697
January 2011
Notes from the Fourth Degree
• The December meeting was cancelled. We will meet
on January 28th.
• An Introductory event for 3rd Degree candidates to
the 4th Degree is being planned. All members should talk
to 3rd Degree members and urge them
to join the 4th.
• The Tri-Assembly Formal will be
re-evaluated in the spring.
• A $100 contribution to the Christ-
mas Coalition was approved along with
$300 for the Christmas TV ads.
• The need to establish a budget for
2011 was discussed.
• Yard signs, magnets and clings
were OK as far as sales are concerned
but well down from the last several
years. Quite a few parishes had no
coverage this year!
Kaycee Limited monthly report
• We are in serious negotiations with a local business
to buy the old hall. We have received an offer letter, pre-
sented a counter offer and now have the signed counter
back. We met with the buyer and our attorney to make
sure everyone was in agreement with the counter offer.
With all of our prayers, we hope to close on the deal
within sixty days.
• We will be asking for volunteers to help with the
upkeep at McGivney Hall. We would like to setup a
schedule to
have indi-
viduals come
Kaycee Limited Inc.
and vacuum,
take out the
garbage, make sure the bathrooms are clean and the front
walk/stairs/ramp and back stairs are clean of snow/ice.
With enough volunteers, we should only need you
once per quarter. Sign up will be available at the next
meeting or you may contact Bill Wehnert (bwehnert@
kofc697.org or 262-598-8777).
• This whole transition has been hard and stressful for
all of us. We have been working hard to sell the building
and provide a good and solid home for our council. We
are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and will be
able to move forward without worry soon.
WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN
January 2011
Wirtz to receive Pro Deo Award
Earl Wirtz of St. Sebastian Parish will be the recipi-
ent of the Pro Deo Et Ecclesia Award from Msgr. S.B.
Witkowiak Council 697. Earl is just the second recipient
of the award since it was established in 2009. Sharon
Gierahn of St. Rita Parish was the inaugural recipient.
The Pro Deo Et Ecclesia Award recognizes and hon-
ors service to the
Catholic Church
by the laity. Earl’s
nomination
came from his
home parish and
was supported
by people from
across the Racine
area.
At St. Sebas-
tian, Earl has
headed the parish festival effort for more than 20 years.
He has served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector for
more than two decades. He has also helped with major
maintenance at the parish, including installation of a
new electrical and sound system.
Earl is a co-leader of the Racine Catholic Men /
Men of Christ group. He has been active in the Cur-
sillo movement in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He
worked for more than two years to renovate a home
near St. Catherine’s High School for use by the school
as an alumni hall. He regularly spends vacation time in
Mississippi helping Father Greg Plata with a Franciscan
mission.
The Council will team up with St. Sebastian and the
Catholic Association of Racine on an award ceremony
for Earl. A tentative date of Feb. 27 was set.
Kaycee Limited meeting minutes
December 2010: An early meeting was called
by President Bill Wehnert to discuss the offer we had
received from a local business interested in buying the
Knights of Columbus Hall on Highway 20. We had pre-
sented the offer to our attorney for review and he had a
number of comments regarding the offer. After reviewing
the attorney’s comments, a vote was made to send three
representatives (Bill Wehnert, Matt Nelson and Stan For-
tuna) to meet with the buyer and the attorney to come
together to discuss and finalize the agreement rather than
go back and forth with offer letters and to help minimize
expenses with the attorney.
Bill, Matt and Stan met with the attorney and buyer
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG
and after discussing the sale of the building, the terms
were agreed upon and the attorney agreed to write up the
agreement per our conversation. We received the revised
agreement at the end of the month and it was placed on
the agenda for the January meeting.
January 2011: The agenda for the meeting was to
discuss the
revised offer
to purchase Kaycee Limited Inc.
agreement.
After discus-
sion, the board
voted to accept the agreement and to present the counter
offer to the buyer. A resolution was passed to accept the
offer (this was required for the Title Company to accept
that we had agreed to sell the facility).
The offer was delivered to the buyer on the 4th of
January and they have until the 7th to get back to us
with the agreement. Once they sign the agreement, we
will sign and at this point a sixty day window begins for
them to reach closing. There are provisions to extend the
time required if need be with more earnest money being
presented by the buyer.
In the mean time, we will begin marketing the build-
ing which will include putting a for sale sign out at the
hall. If another buyers comes forward with no contingen-
cies, we will give the current buyer 72 hours to remove his
contingencies or forfeit the ability to purchase the hall.
‘Putting on the Armor of God’
Mark Saturday, Feb. 19 on your calendars for the an-
nual Men of Christ conference at the Milwaukee Theater.
At least one bus will run from St. Lucy Parish with the
support of Council 697.
The conference, “Put-
ting on the Armor of
God,” will feature speak-
ers including Deacon
Harold Burke-Sivers,
Father Wade Menezes
CPM, John Pridmore and
Father Francis Hoffman,
known to radio listeners
as “Father Rocky.”
Discounted $35 group tickets may be available. Con-
tact Matt Nelson, Mike Benner or Jim Poulsen for details.
This is a great conference for Knights to attend, and good
source of potential new Knights!
For more information on the conference, go to the
MOC Web site, www.menofchrist.net.
RACINE, WISCONSIN

District Deputy news and notes
• Sentiments for Seminarians – It was very gratify-
ing to bring to the DD Conference in Minocqua a car
fully loaded with Sentiments for Seminarians materials
gathered from five of our six District Councils, includ-
ing Council 697. These gifts are deeply appreciated by
our Seminarians across the state. Let’s continue to collect
these items in the months to come.
• Food Drives – I also urge the Council to plan a
Food Drive for February throughout the Racine area. We
can help those in need and bring money back to Racine
area food pantries!
• Membership – We also
need to plan membership re-
cruiting activities for the March-
April Blitz period. We must
continue to work at this for our
Council to grow and flourish!
• Remember Our Mission –
DISTRICT 67
Finally, as we enter 2011, after
a very trying and divisive year,
I ask each of you to look and reflect once again on our
Mission Statement. It says “Council 697 is committed
to the principles set for the order by our founder, Fr.
Michael J. McGivney: Charity for those in need, and
Unity, working together to help others and Fraternity,
sharing concerns and respect for all people, and Patrio-
tism, promoting greater love and respect for our Ameri-
can Heritage.”
Are you following these principles? If so, great; if not,
what do you as an individual and we as a Council need
to do to get back to where we need to be and how do we
get that done? We all need to pray over, reflect on this
and make a commitment here in 2011 NOW to work
to make this the best year it can be for our Council and
Order! — Bill Frayer
Archbishop’s ‘Sunday Sip’ on TV
Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki is reach-
ing out to Catholics and non-Catholics alike via the
radio waves. The archbishop will make appearances on
WTMJ’s Weekend Morning News program, the “Sun-
day Sip.” Archbishop Listecki will tackle a number of
topics on the show including Catholic education and the
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, marriage, divorce
and same-sex unions. The schedule: Catholic Educa-
tion, January 16 at 9:20 a.m.; The Positive Impact of the
Church, February 6 at 9:20 a.m.; Marriage, February 20
at 9:20 a.m.; The Forty Days of Lent, March 6 at 9:20
a.m. For more information visit www.archmil.org.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697
January 2011
News from Ladies of Columbus
All the Ladies enjoyed the lovely Christmas Luncheon
at the Summit Restaurant. The Buffet was awesome;
the presentation was beautiful and plentiful. The ladies
exchanged gifts and Christmas carols were sung.
Our next meeting is January 27, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at
L
McGivney Hall.
As we honor the Blessed
ADIES Virgin Mary, the mother of
Mercy, may she help all who
OF COLUMBUS are faced with trials.
Mary is the Mother of the
Holy Family. May all mothers of families foster love and
holiness through her intercession.
May all of you and your families enjoy a Happy,
Blessed, Healthy New Year. – Joyce Junge
That Man is You starts Feb. 3
Plan to take part in the next semester of “That Man Is
You,” the inspiring men’s leadership program held at
McGivney Hall. The spring program, with a Lenten
theme, will run from 5:45-7:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting
Feb. 3. The sessions start with fellowship and continen-
tal breakfast, followed by a
DVD presentation and small
group discussion. The DVD
sessions are hosted by Steve
Bollmer, founder of Par-
adisus Dei, an outreach that
supports Christian marriage
and family life.
NOTE: A Sunday eve-
ning session for those who
can’t make the morning program is a possibility if there
is enough interest. More information and registration
available at http://www.paradisusdei.org/tmiy/, click on
“REGISTRATION” then choose “St. Lucy - Racine” as
the host Parish. You can also call Mike Benner at 554-
1367 with questions or if you’re interested in the evening
program.
Pray for the sick and in distress
Pray for Fr. Paul Daniels, Clyde Sus-
tachek, Dr. Ray Skupniewicz, Frank
Feil, Chet Leskowicz, Helen Leskowicz,
Lu Goetz, Gail Otwaska, Steve/Barb
Jansta, Curt Pippenger, John Shelby, Lu
Goetz, Bill Pinnow and all who are in
ill health. Mary, Help of Christians, Pray
for Us!
WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN
January 2011

News In Brief Knowledge & Free Throw Jan. 22

Our annual Knowledge and Free Throw Contests
 Dues for Council 697 for 2011 are now being will be held Jan. 22 at St. Catherine’s High School. This
accepted by Financial Secretary John Shelby ($46 is always a very enjoyable and rewarding event to par-
for the year) + ($3.65 for the Penny-a-Knight a day ticipate in. As usual, the Free Throw Contest runs from
program also recommended.) Proceeds of PKD go to 9:00 a.m. – 1:00
Archbishop Listecki for Catholic Education. Please p.m. in the third
forward them to P.O. Box 203, Somers, WI 53171- floor small gym.
0203.- not to McGivney Hall. Dues for Assembly (Workers be there
1207 are also being accepted by Faithful Comptroller by 8:30 a.m.)
Bill Frayer. They are $15 for the 2011 fraternal year. The Math and
Please forward them to 2339 Meachem St., Racine, Spelling Contests
WI 53403, not to McGivney Hall. Also, please do run in the first
not put charity raffle or 4th Degree raffle money on and second floor
the same check as dues payments. Remember to send classrooms from
in Fraternal activity survey information by Jan. 28. 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
If you’ve
 Veterans Christmas – On Dec. 4th, 7 Knights helped in the
escorted some of the Veterans at Union Grove Vet- past, we look for-
erans Home to the different activities taking place ward to your assistance again. If you’ve not helped before,
that day in their facility. They were: John Clark, Jim come out and give it a try; family and Ladies of Colum-
Sisak, John Corvelyn, John Ramaker, Gary Brown, bus are welcome too! Also, encourage your kids/grandkids
Tom Goetz, and Stan Fortuna. In addition to escort- and any other kids you know to compete (ages 10-14 for
ing, the 4th Degree donated $200 to the vets home free throw, grades 5 – 8 for Math and Spelling). For more
to purchase a stereo for the 3rd floor wing. This is a information contact Steve Jansta (FT, 554-6376); Jim
very rewarding project, enjoyed by all Vets & Knights Hamilton (Math, 884-0951); Paul Noelke (Spelling, 886-
involved. The staff at Vets place could not thank us 6408); or Bill Frayer (general coordinator, 633-7887).
enough, and all the smiling faces was our reward. We Plan to stop by McGivney Hall after the contest for lun-
are looking forward to next year. cheon, beverages, cards, social time (1:30 – 5:00 p.m.)

Although blizzard winds knocked over the Nativity Creche on Monument Square, the crib dis-
Nativity Creche play was quickly put upright and repaired. With the help of many Brother Knights, the display
was expanded and enhanced for 2010. Many hundreds stopped to snap photos at the display.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN

 January 2011

JANUARY 2011 FEBRUARY 2011

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 1 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
23/ 24/ 25 26 27 28 29 27 28
30 31

01 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 01 Dartball @ St. Patrick’s, 6:30 p.m.
03 Kaycee Limited meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 03 That Man Is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
04 Dartball vs. St. Joseph @ St. John, 6:30 p.m. 07 Kaycee Limited meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
08 Take down Nativity Creche, Monument Square, 10 a.m. 08 Dartball @ St. Joseph, 6:30 p.m.
11 Dartball @ St. John’s, 6:30 p.m. 10 That Man Is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
13 Council 697 officers mtg., McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m. 10 Council 697 officers mtg., McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m.
13 Council 697 business mtg., McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 10 Council 697 business mtg., McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
18 Dartball vs. Epiphany @ St. John, 6:30 p.m. 13 District free throw contest, St. Joseph Kenosha, 2 p.m.
20 1st/2nd Degree exemp, McGivney Hall, 7:00 p.m. 15 Dartball vs. St. John’s, 6:30 p.m.
22 Knowledge and Free Throw Contest, St. Cat’s, 9 to 2:30. 17 That Man Is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
22 Knowledge and Free Throw Social, McGivney Hall, 1-5 17 1st/2nd Degree exemp, McGivney Hall, 7:00 p.m.
23 February Compass articles due 19 Men of Christ Conference, Milwaukee Theater
24 Assembly 1207 meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 22 Dartball @ Epiphany, 6:30 p.m.
25 Dartball at Christ Church, 6:30 p.m. 23 March Compass articles due
27 That Man Is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m. 24 Ladies potluck program/social, TBA
27 Holy Rosary, McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m. 24 That Man Is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
27 Ladies of Columbus, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 28 Assembly 1207 meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
27 Council 697 social night, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
28 Confirmation Mass w/Archbishop, St. Lucy, 7:00 p.m.
29 Knowledge and Free Throw Content (snow date)
29 Women of Christ Conference, West Bend
THE
FUTURE REFERENCE
Feb. 19 — Men of Christ Conference, Milwaukee
Compass Knights of Columbus Council 697

Published 12 times per year by Msgr. S.B. Witkowiak Council 697

March 5 — Diocesan Knowledge/Free Throw, Racine
March 9 — Ash Wednesday
March 19-20 — Bowling Tournament, Green Bay
March 27 — Third Degree, Racine (tentative)
April 2 — 4th Degree Exemplification, Appleton
April 17 — Palm Sunday
April 21-23 — Easter Triduum
McGivney Hall, 2516 Winthrop Ave., Racine, Wisconsin 53403
www.kofc697.org compass@kofc697.org
Editor ....................................................................... Bill Frayer
Chaplain ............................................Rev. Richard Molter
3rd Degree ................... Joe Hanneman, Stan Fortuna
4th Degree .....................................Jim Sisak, John Shelby
History.................................. Joe Hanneman, Bill Frayer
Kaycee Limited ....................... Bill Wehnert, Jim Marks
Ladies of Columbus ........................................ Joyce Junge

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN