Monday, December 31, 2007

Special Olympics Jan 18-20 SD Convention Center

Looking for Volunteers for Special Olympics. The Knights of Columbus is leading efforts again in the Winter Special Olympics. The dates are January 18-20 in the San Diego Convention Center. Please contact

John Ramirez
858 673 1949
johnramirez@kofc@earthlink.net
Chapter Special Olympics Coordinator

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Pope's Midnight Mass ushers in Christmas

Pope's Midnight Mass ushers in Christmas

By ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press Writer 54 minutes ago

Pope Benedict XVI urged the faithful to set aside time in their lives for God and the needy, as he ushered in Christmas early Tuesday by celebrating Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Echoing a theme he has raised about an increasingly secular world, Benedict said that many people act as if there is no room for spiritual matters in their lives.

"Man is so preoccupied with himself, he has such urgent need of all the space and all the time for his own things, that nothing remains for others, for his neighbor, for the poor, for God," he said.

Benedict also use the homily to link the Christmas message to the church's growing environmental concerns, referring to early theologians who interpreted Christ's role as also a healer of the Earth and universe.

"He came to restore beauty and dignity to creation, to the universe: This is what began at Christmas and makes the angels rejoice. The Earth is restored to good order by virtue of the fact that it is opened up to God ... Thus Christmas is a feast of restored creation."

Under Benedict, the Vatican has been taking steps toward greater environmental action, a key element of which has been its involvement in reforestation project aimed at offsetting its carbon emissions.

In a homily delivered in Italian in front of thousands packing the basilica, Benedict asked the faithful to make room for God, as well as the less fortunate, in their lives.

"Do we have time for our neighbor who is in need of a word from us, from me, or in need of my affection? For the sufferer who is in need of help? For the fugitive or the refugee who is seeking asylum? Do we have time and space for God?"

Benedict drew parallels between what he perceives as modern society's refusal of God and the story of how Jesus was born in a manger because there was no space for his family at a nearby inn.

"In some way, mankind is awaiting God, waiting for him to draw near. But when the moment comes, there is no room for him," he said.

But the message of Jesus' birth, which is marked on Christmas, is also that "God does not allow himself to be shut out," Benedict said. "He finds a space, even if it means entering through the stable; there are people who see his light and pass it on."

Earlier, as Midnight Mass began, Benedict blessed the crowd of pilgrims, Romans and tourists, as he walked in a procession up the main aisle to the central altar, which was decorated with red poinsettia flowers.

As a choir sang, Benedict sprinkled incense on the altar under Bernini's massive bronze baldachin before opening the service with the traditional wish for peace in Latin: "Pax vobis" ("Peace be with you"). The faithful responded: "Et cum spiritu tuo." ("And also with you.")

Four children, some in native costume from their countries, brought flowers to the altar, placing them near a statue depicting baby Jesus as Benedict, dressed in white and gold-colored robes, joined a choir in a hymn.

For those unable to get into the midnight service there were giant screens set up in St. Peter's Square, which was made festive with a twinkling Christmas tree and the Vatican's Nativity scene.

Officials unveiled the life-size Nativity on Monday, revealing the statues of Mary and Joseph, Jesus' parents, in a huge house-like structure located next to the Vatican's giant, twinkling Christmas tree.

This year, the scene of Jesus' birth was depicted in a recreation of Joseph's Nazareth home rather than the traditional manger in Bethlehem. Officials at the unveiling said the shift underscored the idea that Jesus was born not just in a single place, but everywhere and for everyone.

Hours before Midnight Mass, Benedict briefly appeared at his studio window to light a candle as a symbol of peace, blessing the crowd with the light before leaving it on the sill.

At noon on Tuesday, Benedict was to deliver his traditional Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" speech — Latin for "to the city and to the world" — from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, in which he often touches on current events and issues of concern to the Vatican. He then is expected to issue Christmas greetings to the faithful in more than 60 languages

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Pray for Brother Ron Nowak

Please Pray for one of our local field agents Ron Nowak. He is going through Skin Cancer Surgery.


Vivat Jesus,

John Ramirez
Chapter Public Affairs Officer
858 673 1949

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Eve toys give away

Worthy Brothers,

Please pass this message along to all Brothers, family members, and
friends who may be able to help.

I realize that Christmas is a time to thank God for the gift of His
Son,
Jesus, and a time to share with your families. However, if you could
spend your Christmas Eve volunteering on Market Street near 805 you
would
be the presence of Christ to about 8,000 needy people!

Shabach Ministries and the San Diego Motorcycle Club organize a Toys
for
Tots give-a-way on Christmas Eve from 7 to 10 PM. They not only will
give
away about 8,000 toys but also have at least 30 booths to give away
5,000
or more other items from each booth to families. The booths will have
items as varied as cookies to popcorn to cereal and more.

Organizers need 100 volunteers to help set up beginning about 5 PM.
They
will also need volunteers to help at the booths from 6 PM until about
10
PM (when all is given away). In addition, if you read this in time,
they
need pick up trucks for transporting items on Wednesday at 10 AM (Call
LeShawn for details). Finally, they could use some men as Santa Claus
(last year one Santa was there for 5,000 kids).

Please call LeShawn at (619) 288-0700 to volunteer. They need to put
together a list of volunteers to give to the SD Police Department so
they
can save $1,500 off the permit fees.

Volunteers need to wear black and white and be ready to serve! I hope
to
see many of you there on Christmas Eve!

Vivat Jesus,

Michael D. Brault
DD 110, SD Chapter Secretary, PGK, PFN
(619) 548-3190

Sunday, December 16, 2007

1st and 2nd Degree in San Marcos Jan 20 Sunday

There will a 1st and 2nd degree on Sunday, January 20th at St Marks in San Marcos at 230pm. Finished by 5pm. Just got this word from Paul Le Cocq from Escondido.
I will also post on Chapter Blog.

Point of Contact: DD Bill Brown, 760-471-8212.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Office of Social Ministry San Diego Diocese Bulletin #63



Brothers,

This is the latest bulletin from the Office of Social Ministry from the San Diego Diocese.

For those of you who did not receive Bulletin #63, or for those who prefer to view it as a web page, it can be found at:

http://www.osmelink.org/messages2005/071213%20December%2013,%202007%20Number%2063.htm

John Ramirez
San Diego County Chapter Public Affairs Officer
858 673 1949
johnramirez_kofc@earthlink.net

Brothers in need

Brothers,

By the way, Joe L., a brother who lives in
Indiana is out-of-work. He was transferred from RB a
year or two ago to Indiana, but now his job has been
eliminated. Do you know of anyone who's hiring or
looking?
I have another Knight who has serious financial
problems, mostly caused by his Mother's death. He has
lost over $3,500. a month in income and is facing
eviction. The K of C Col. Charities is working with
him but he could use a part-time job to supplement his
income...anything. Do you know of anyone?
Fraternally,
Ron Nowak

Please contact me if you can assist.
John Ramirez
Chapter Public Affairs Officer
858 673 1949
johnramirez_kofc@earthlink.net

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Bishop Brom invites Knights and Wives. Jan.26

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND WIVES
In the
DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
Are invited to
A PASTORAL MORNING WITH BISHOP ROBERT BROM
To address
SEXUAL ABUSE & RELATED MATTERS
On SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2008 From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
at THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER
3888 Paducah Drive
San Diego, California 92117

This pastoral session will be the same as Bishop Brom, assisted by Monsignor Steve Callahan, is leading at many of the parishes throughout the diocese.

December 10, 2007
All Knights of Columbus
San Diego Diocese Chapter

Dear Brother Knights:

Bishop Brom has arranged a very special event for all members and wives of the Knights of Columbus in our Chapter. I would like to extend my personal invitation to you and your wife to attend this Pastoral session. This will be an informative meeting hosted by Bishop Brom and Msgr. Steve Callahan, our Vicar General. The topic will be the sexual abuse cases facing our Diocese and other related matters. Bishop Brom has expressed to me that he would like to see 200 – 300 people at this event. A strong response in the way of attendance, to this unprecedented invitation, will show our support, as a group, for our clergy and our Diocese.

Enclosed is a flyer from Bishop Brom with complete details.

Let us join together as a group to show our support, and in the process, we will receive accurate information regarding this important and timely issue facing our Diocese and Church.

Vivat Jesus!
Jack O’Rourke
Chapter President
San Diego Diocese Chapter
Knights of Columbus
858-395-9985
jack@candy-suite.com