THE
OCTOBER 2010
Compass
EST. AUG. 3, 1902
We Are All Gifts
E very one of us has been blessed
and gifted by God, and for this, we
should be thankful. Everything we have
is a gift. Our very existence is a gift. We
own nothing! We are only stewards of
what we have and what we are.
Each of us is a gift! And we should be
able to say, “How lucky I am to be the
person that I am.” We are unique! Don’t
try to be someone else. Be who you are.
God’s will for us is to be a blessing
and a gift to others. God’s desire is to
let his blessings flow through us. Our
human vo-

cation and
faithful
our ultimate
destination friar’s
is to work focus
towards
unity. “That we all may be one as I and
the Father are one.” That was Jesus’
prayer; that was His desire. Our voca-
tion, as individuals and as Knights of
Columbus, is to work towards unity
within the family, the Church and in
society. But so often we are agents of
divisiveness. I am amazed how loud and
angry people get when they talk money,
religion or politics.
When we are aware that our human
vocation is to work towards unity, we
will soon discover the divine image in
the other; which leads us to a mature
love that becomes care and concern for
the other. Jesus said, “whatever you do
to the least of my brethren, you do unto
me.” When we begin to live this way, we
will discover our true identity; that we
are “made for gift.”
When we see our lives as a gift, we
will be able to love one another con-
cretely; that is, we can share everything:
(Continued on Page 2)
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697
VOLUME LVII NO. IV
Knights of Columbus Council 697
Honor the real Christopher Columbus
I t seems every year the politically
correct trot out a growing list of
indictments against Christopher
Columbus. Some will say he was
an oppressor. Others accuse him
of racism. To get a real sense of
why Columbus is under constant
attack, remember that while he
was a great explorer, he was first
and foremost a faithful Catholic.
Some of the greatest minds in
the history of the Church and the
Knights of Columbus have spo-
ken eloquently about the meaning
of Columbus and his discovery of mind and heart can be compared
the New World in 1492.
to but few in the history of hu-
Council 697 Chaplain Father manity.”
John M. Naughtin preached an Father John Hardon, S.J., a
eloquent sermon on Columbus in Columbus
October 1910. You can read his expert, said the
words on Page 4. Genoan “was
“The very name Christopher the instrument
is symbolic of the man’s character of extraordi-
and deeds — Christopher mean- nary grace.”
ing ‘Christ bearer’ — a messenger
grand
“It is one
of peace,” Father Naughtin said. knight’s
thing to say
“Our great patron was a mes- that Columbus
message
senger bringing the knowledge discovered
of Christ from the old world to America,” Hardon wrote. “It is
the new. What better name could something else to realize that he
God have selected for the man opened the door to the most phe-
who was to do so much good for nomenal spread of Christianity
the universe?” since the time of St. Paul.”
Pope Leo VIII issued an encyc- Let’s remember this year to
lical, Quarto Abeunte Saeculo, on celebrate the real Columbus and
the 400th anniversary of Landing ignore the nattering of the revi-
Day. The Holy Father said this of sionists. Vivat Jesus!
Columbus: “The greatness of his — Joe Hanneman
OCT. 23-31 NOV. 6 NOV. 12
LIFE SAVERS MEMORIAL CHARITY
FOR LIFE DRIVE MASS CARD PARTY
WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN

Notes from the Third Degree
• Because of a busy month of October, we decided to
forego the Landing Day event for 2010 and to postpone
our next Corporate Communion to Jan. 30, 2011.
• We will continue the Sentiments for Seminarians,
Coats for Kids and Food for Families programs this fra-
ternal year, as well as the Christmas
poster contest and Keep Christ in
Christmas PR campaign.
• The Council donated $300 to
the Serra Club of Racine to support
the 17th annual Religious Apprecia-
tion Night, thisMSGR.
year STANLEY
honoring Sir
COUNCIL 697
B. WITKOWIAK
Knight Deacon Russ Missureli.
• Information has been sent out
RAC IN E , WI S CO N S I N
to schools, parents and the media for
the annual Respect Life Essay Contest. This year’s theme
is, “Marriage and the Family: Is Marriage Important to
the Life of the Unborn Child?” The contest is open to all
students in 7th-12th grades. Details are on the Council
697 Web site. Deadline is Nov. 8, 2010.
• The “True Meaning of Christmas” poster contest
will be run in November and December. Dick Otwaska
is coordinating the contest again this year.
Seeing ourselves and others as gifts
(Continued from Page 1)
our worries, our sorrows, our meager possessions and
our spiritual riches. The next time you attend a Third or
Fourth Degree meeting, try to realize the person next to
you was created as a gift for you and you are created as a
gift for the person next to me.
We cherish the value of brotherly love and fraternal
charity as most important

in the Knights of Co-
lumbus. Everything is of
faithful
friar’s
value if it expresses sincere
fraternal charity. Noth- focus
ing we do is of value —
card parties, fundraising,
Tootsie Roll drive, etc., if there is not a feeling of love for
our brothers and sisters in it.
We live in a secular culture that emphasizes having
the best of everything. We need to transform that into a
culture of giving our best.
The mood of our times has been to look out for one-
self, but the central commitment of our faith is showing
that we really care about one another!
— Father Richard Molter
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697
October 2010
Notes from the Fourth Degree
• More than 45 classroom size and other United
States flags have been distributed to 16 area schools by Sir
Knight Bill Frayer. The flags were much appreciated.
• Fourth Degree state charity raffle
tickets are here, but we will wait until
December to distribute them. If anyone
wants their supply earlier, contact Bill
Frayer.
• A Fourth Degree exemplification
will be held Oct. 30 in Plover, Wis.,
near Stevens Point in Portage County.
Contact Bill Frayer for more details.
• We will be doing a Get Out the
Vote program in October and Novem-
ber. If anyone can help put up promo-
tional K of C posters or help with rides
to the polls, contact Bill Frayer.
• The Tri Assembly Formal is set for Saturday, Nov.
20 at the Kenosha Country Club. Send reservations and
checks to Bill Frayer by Nov. 9. (See the separate news
item on Page 3 for more details.)
• We will be putting up the Nativity Creche on Monu-
ment Square again this December in cooperation with the
Racine Coalition of Churches.
• Our 2010 Christmas programming will include a
party for veterans on Dec. 8 at Union Grove, sales of yard
signs, window clings and magnets; and the Light Up for
Christ event.
• Assembly 1207 will have its Honor Guard at the
Serra Club Religious Appreciation Night Mass on Oct.
19. The Assembly purchased dinner tickets for Honor
Guard members to support the annual event.
Still time to join us for TMIY
Four sessions of the leadership program “That Man
Is You!” have been held at McGivney Hall since mid-
September. Men still have
time to sign up for the free
program being co-sponsored
by Council 697 and Kaycee
Limited. It is a great way to
learn more about the leader-
ship roles God wants men
to play, and how men can
support each other in their
roles as fathers and Christian
leaders. Programs run from 5:45 to 7:30 a.m. Thursdays.
Drop in for a listen. You will be inspired.
WWW.KOFC697.ORG RACINE, WISCONSIN
October 2010
Serra Club to honor Missureli
The Racine Serra Club will honor Deacon Russ Mis-
sureli, a Fourth Degree Sir Knight, at the 17th Annual
Religious Appre-
ciation Night being
held Tuesday, Oct.
19 at Roma Lodge.
The event begins
with Mass at 5 p.m.,
followed by a short
reception, dinner and a program. Tickets cost $20 per
person. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so get yours
now. For reservations or more information, contact John
Murphy at 681-2690 or Bob Miller at 886-4699.
Memorial Mass will be Nov. 6
The annual Memorial Mass for departed Knights
and Ladies will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6
at St. Lucy Catholic Church. Father Mark Jones will be
the presider. We will gather to remember and pray for
Knights and Ladies who died over the past year, and
remember those
who have died over
the more than 108
years of Council
697 history.
This year we
will add a special
feature. We’ve
been developing a
memorial honor
roll encompassing deceased Knights from 1902 up to
the current day. Containing what will eventually be
thousands of names, the book will be present during the
Mass. Plan to be at this special event Nov. 6.
First pancake breakfast a success
The Sept. 26 pancake breakfast fund-raiser at St. Ed’s
brought in $250 each for the parish and the Knights of
Columbus. It was a great start for our pancake breakfast
fund-raisers, which we plan to hold at other parishes.
Thanks to Bill “Flapjacks” Pinnow for setting up the
cooking assembly, plus volunteers including the Frayer
family, Curt and Barb Pippenger, John and Julie Shelby,
John and Joanne Ramaker, Steve and Barb Jansta, Rollie
and Elaine Dretzka, John and Karen Corvelyn, Mike
and Pat Sweeti, Ray and Nancy Fliess, Herb Spalla, Paul
Willing, Jim Corona, Joe Hanneman and anyone else
who helped to make the event a success.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG
News In Brief
 New players are needed for the dartball season now
underway. All games are on Tuesdays (6:30 p.m. prac-
tice, 7:00 game). Home games are played at St. John
Nepomuk. Call Warner Williams at 633-1586.
 The 2010 Tri-Assembly Formal at the Kenosha
Country Club will honor SK Julius Ventura, who
died Oct. 11. He would have turned 100 in Janu-
ary. The event is Nov. 20, with cocktails at 5:30,
program at 5:45 and dinner at 6. Menu choices are
chicken marsala ($27.27), sweet potato crusted tilapia
($27.27), slow roasted prime rib ($43.39) or sliced
beef tenderloin ($43.39). Send dinner choices and
checks to Bill Frayer by Nov. 9.
 Personal care items are needed for the Knights of
Columbus Sentiments for Seminarians program. We
need things like gas cards, gift cards, toothbrushes,
mouthwash, soap, shampoo, hats, gloves, cleaning
supplies and more. Items must be collected by late
November. See any Council 697 officer or bring your
donations to McGivney Hall.
 Heavy storms kept turnout (35) lower than expected,
but the Punt, Pass and Kick Contest held Sept. 18 at
Haban Park went very well. Thanks to Cal Converse,
Gary Leo Smith, Mike Quill, Dick Otwaska, Warner
Williams, Mark Frayer, Curt Pippenger, Jim Corona,
Don Bauer and Bill Frayer.
 The Council received several letters of thanks from
agencies that received grants from our 2010 Tootsie
Roll drive to aid those with intellectual disabilities.
Letters came from Thomas Dunbar, executive direc-
tor of Racine County Opportunity Center Inc.; Joe
Greene, executive director of Careers Industries Inc.;
and Kris Fell, director of Developmental Disabilities
Information Service Inc. Well done, Knights!
 The Milwaukee Bucks invite all Knights and fam-
ily members to attend the 2nd annual Knights of
Columbus Night With the Bucks at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Bradley Center. The Bucks
will play the Orlando Magic. Discounted tickets are
available to Knights. Each ticket sold will return $5 to
local K of C councils. The ticket order form is posted
as a PDF in the news section of the Council 697 Web
site, kofc697.org. For more information, contact John
Hummitzsch at the Milwaukee Bucks, 414-227-0572.
 Ladies of Columbus 2010-11 dues should be sent to
the new treasurer, Barb Pippenger. Send your $10 to
1437 Hickory Way, Racine, 53405. – Gail Otwaska
RACINE, WISCONSIN

A Stirring Exposition on Columbus
Father John M. Naughtin lauds the explorer in 1910 Landing Day sermon
I n the annals of history and tradition, no man stands
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
forth more prominently than the man whose deeds we
are commemorating today. For although Columbus has
been dead about four hundred years, he is just begin-
ning to be appreciated now. Only the infinite knowledge
of God himself can grasp the meaning of the work of
Columbus.
Think of what this western world has developed into
since Columbus’s time — the home of millions and
the homes of millions yet to come — all the work of a
simple, practical Catholic man, Christopher Columbus,
the Genoese. A man who was not understood in his own
country; who many times did not have enough to eat.
Italy would not have him; it jeered at him and practically
turned him out to find in Spain a welcoming hand and
the substantial aid that made his great work possible.
America owes a
tremendous debt of
gratitude to Spain. We
are told of the deeds of
the Caesars, of Napoleon
and of Wellington, but
all these figures were
simply national — striv-
ing for one country,
but Columbus is a
worldwide character; he
worked that the whole
world might benefit
from his deeds.
The very name
Christopher is symbolic
of the man’s character and deed: Christopher meaning
‘Christ-bearer’ — a messenger of peace. Our great patron
was a messenger bringing the knowledge of Christ from
the old world to the new. What better name could God
have selected for the man who was to do so much good
for the universe? In his youth, Columbus often sat by
the seashore and wondered where and whence the great
white winged ships came from. No doubt some had been
on trips to the Holy Land and the Sepulchre and to fol-
low in their footsteps became his one desire and that one
thought dominated his life.
Columbus did not belong to the 20th century class of
explorers; he did not seek for material gain, but his great
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG
October 2010
Catholic heart was filled with an overwhelming charity
and love of God. He founded a home for people from
every part of this world’s surface—for all colors, all races
and conditions of men. His first act, upon reaching land,
true, to his faith, was to fall upon his knees in devotion,
dedicating this new world to the Almighty God. He did
not crave acres of this new country, but rather that to the
souls of these strangers might be brought the knowledge
of God. Columbus was great — there have been none
greater — but Columbus the Catholic was still greater. It
was his faith which gave him the strength and the cour-
age to undergo the trials of his explorations; to undergo,
as Christ had undergone, the misrepresentations, the
calumnies, the backbiting of his enemies and even to his
returning to Spain in shackles after his wonderful trip
which resulted in the discovery of a new land.
It is a good thing in this world of ours to have some
model. The model we, the Knights of Columbus, have to
imitate was, to be sure, a mere man, but great enough and
powerful enough to do as God willed. The name Knights
of Columbus is very appropriate—the word “knight”
typifying everything that is admirable in a man, embrac-
ing all the manly qualities and this coupled with the name
Columbus, has a wonderful significance.
Even as the attention of the stranger entering New
York harbor is arrested by the Statue of Liberty towering
for hundreds of feet and standing for the freedom of the
new land, so does the greatness of Columbus tower im-
measurably above that statue so that the whole world may
gaze upon him, and gazing upon him, do him honor.
– Delivered Sunday, Oct. 16, 1910 at St. Rose Catholic Church
RACINE, WISCONSIN
October 2010
District Deputy news and notes
Insurance Night – Thanks to General Agent Ken
Sosnowski for a most informative and well-presented
fraternal benefits night on Sept. 9.
Third Degree Nov. 14 – A Second/Third Degree ex-
emplification is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 14 at Sacred
Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners. Registration
for the Second Degree is at 10:30 a.m. and the degree
starts at 11. Registration for the Third Degree is at 12:15
p.m. The luncheon is at 12:30 and the degree starts
at 1:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to take Second or Third
Degrees should contact Grand Knight Joe Hanneman,
Financial Secretary John Shelby or District Deputy Bill
Frayer no later than Nov. 6.
Marian Month – October is a Marian month, so let’s
honor the Blessed Mother by saying the Rosary for Life,
contributing to the K of C Respect for Life Fund, hand-
ing out candy in our Life Savers for Life drive or organiz-
ing plans to fund an ultrasound machine in our district.
Membership – Let’s
all try to bring in several
new members this month.
All new members exempli-
fied between Oct. 1, 2010
and June 30, 2011 will
be honored with a special
certificate commemorating
the canonization of Brother
André, the first Canadian-
born man to be named a
saint. Brother Knights who
recruit a new member dur- Brother André Bessette
ing this period will receive a Canonized Oct. 17, 2010
commemorative medallion
of the new saint.
PKD & Food Grant – Archbishop Jerome Listecki
received a check at the diocesan meeting for $13,058
from the 2010 Penny a Knight a Day collection, to be
used for Catholic education. He previously received
more than $21,000 from Supreme Council as the
Archdiocese of Milwaukee portion of the 2010 Food for
Families program. The money will be used for food pan-
tries and meal programs throughout the archdiocese.
Ladies of Columbus report
Our fall schedule is in full swing. Your officers would
like to meet ALL of you at our October meeting. We are
hoping to make upcoming meetings exciting, informa-
tive, enjoyable, newsworthy and, most of all, spiritual.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 697 WWW.KOFC697.ORG
We need the presence of all of you at the meetings to sug-
gest what your special interests are, to make this a worth-
while and fun-loving organization. In order to have great
speakers and/or demonstrations of different arts, etc.,
will require your attendance in order to make the efforts
worthwhile!
We will continue to give to charities and worthy
causes. In working together, we please God and remain
committed to our Catholic Christian values as a Ladies of
Columbus auxiliary. See you at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Mc-
Givney Hall. God bless! – Joyce Junge
Life Savers® for Life help needed
If you can help distribute candy for our new Life Sav-
ers® for Life initiative, we still need volunteers for Masses
on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31. The program is similar to
the Tootsie Roll drive, except we use packets of gummi
Life Savers as the hand-out.
Proceeds will be used for pro-life programs such as
the Alpha Center, Project Rachel and the annual Teens
for Life leadership camp. If you can help distribute at
your parish, contact Deputy Grand Knight Bill Wehnert
(bwehnert@kofc697.org).
Charity card party set for Nov. 12
Plan to participate or help out at our annual Charity
Card Party, set for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 at the St. Lucy
church hall. By now you should have received your raffle
tickets and admission tickets. Fliers and additional tickets
can be picked up at McGivney Hall.
We need Brother Knights to sell raffle tickets, recruit
participants, put up fliers and staff the event. If you can
lend a hand, contact Steve Jansta (554-6376), Tom Goetz
(878-4260), Rollie Dretzka (554-8841) or Dave Poisl
(859-2936). This is a major charity fundraiser for the
Council, so let’s all help by supporting it!
Pray for the sick and in distress
Remember in your prayers: Father
Paul Daniels, Clyde Sustachek,
Dr. Ray Skupniewicz, Frank Feil,
Chet Leskowicz and all who are
in ill health. Also pray for Paul
Kroes, who recently lost a brother
and sister-in-law.
(To add or remove someone
from the list, contact John Shelby,
Bill Frayer or Joe Hanneman.)
Mary, Help of Christians, Pray for Us!
RACINE, WISCONSIN
 October 2010

OCTOBER 2010 NOVEMBER 2010

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

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

11 Columbus Day (honor our patron, fly your flag!) 01 Solemnity of All Saints
12 Dartball vs. St. Patrick, @St. John Nepomuk, 6:30 p.m. 02 All Souls Day (Tempus Fugit. Memento Mori.)
14 That Man is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m. 02 Dartball at Epiphany, 6:30 p.m.
14 Council 697 officers mtg., McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m. 02 Election Day, please vote and encourage others to!
14 Council 697 business mtg., McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 04 That Man is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
19 Serra Club, Roma Lodge, Mass 5 p.m., prog. follows 06 Memorial Mass, St. Lucy Catholic Church, 6:30 p.m.
21 That Man is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m. 08 Kaycee Ltd. board, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
21 1st/2nd Degree exemp, McGivney Hall, 7:00 p.m. 09 Dartball vs. Christ Church, @St. John Nep., 6:30 p.m.
23 Deadline for November Compass articles 11 That Man is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
24 Life Savers® for Life drive at parishes 11 Council 697 officers mtg., McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m.
25 Assembly 1207 meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m. 11 Council 697 business mtg., McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
26 Dartball vs. St. John, @St. John Nepomuk, 6:30 p.m. 11 Veterans Day (fly your flag proudly!)
12 Charity Card Party, St. Lucy Hall, 6:00-11:30 p.m.
28 That Man is You!, McGivney Hall, 5:45 a.m.
14 2nd/3rd Degree Exemplification, Hales Corners
28 Holy Rosary, McGivney Hall, 6:30 p.m.
16 Dartball at St. Patrick, 6:30 p.m.
28 Ladies of Columbus meeting, McGivney Hall, 7 p.m.
18 1st/2nd Degree exemp, McGivney Hall, 7:00 p.m.
28 Council 697 social meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
20 Tri-Assembly Formal, Kenosha Country Club, 5:30 p.m.
31 Life Savers® for Life drive at parishes
22 Assembly 1207 meeting, McGivney Hall, 7:30 p.m.
FUTURE REFERENCE 23 Deadline for December Compass articles
Dec. 4 — K of C Night at the Milwaukee Bucks 25 Thanksgiving Day (enjoy with friends and family!)
Dec. 6-7 — Put up Nativity Creche on Monument Square
THE

Dec. 7 — Light Up for Christ
Dec. 8 — Veterans Christmas party, Union Grove
Dec. 11 or 12 — Monument Square concert, TBA
Dec. 12 — Christmas Party, TBA, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — Christmas basket distribution
Jan. 21-25, 2011 — Bus trip to D.C., March for Life
Jan. 22, 2011 — Knowledge and Free Throw Contest
Jan. 24, 2011 — 4th Degree/3rd Degree Dinner
Feb. 19, 2011 — Men of Christ Conference, Milwaukee
Feb. 19-April 3, 2011 — Bowling Tournament, Green Bay
Compass
Knights of Columbus Council 697
Published 12 times per year by Msgr. S.B. Witkowiak Council 697
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, Terry Smith

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