Dear Brother Knights,

As we approach the upcoming Christmas season, let’s remember in our daily prayers our recently deceased Brother Knights, Virgio Vanzo, Leon Pralatowski and William Carufe.

The 2011 year was a great year for our Council as many of the projects that we worked on were a success thanks to your support and I look forward to working with you in 2012.

The Charitable & Benevolent Program (C&B) that has been under way for the past several months as come to an end.  Our C&B Chairman Bob Flaherty was hoping that we would reach 200 books in sales; however, we fell a little short but did improve from last year. We sold a total of 188 books with a profit of $1128.  The monies raised from this fundraiser support our charitable contributions during the year and without this, we would not be able to donate to or support many of the programs.

We sponsored a Seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary with a donation of $500 to the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP).  The Supreme Council reimbursed us $100 for supporting this program.

The sale of the Hope for Youth Foundation Weather calendars was another success as we sold 183 calendars which made the Council $1186 towards our Scholarship Program.

Over 200 coats were donated by our parishioners and community in our recent Winter Coat Drive.  The Council distributed these coats to St. Christopher’s Inn, Putnam County Social Services and the veterans at Castle Point.

On Saturday, December 10, many members and their families gathered at the church hall for our annual Christmas party.  Everyone had a great time and the Santa visit was the highlight of the evening for the many children in attendance.

I want everyone to help Keep Christ in Christmas. All I ask of you is to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


John F Gilsenan
Grand Knight