August 2020 Bulletin: Planning Around COVID-19, Outdoor Meeting

Lead article from the August 2020 bulletin, online now.

It has been a wild ride so far this year. The officers met in July to go over the budget and activities for this upcoming Knight’s calendar year. With all the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 virus, a number of activities will take a year off as it is currently unclear when large in-person gatherings will be able to happen. Activities that made the cut and are anticipated to happen include, but may not be limited to, the Pro-Life Dinner in October, the Christmas Tree Lot, the Father-Daughter Dance and the Father-Son Fun Day.

Another event that is in the works depending on multiple factors is a combined Watchmen-Knights of Columbus sandwich-making event. More to come on that event as plans are nailed down. We also need to continue to welcome Fr. Brian Park into the parishes as our new pastor. It is definitely going to be more challenging for Fr. Park to connect names to masked faces.

The plan for the August council meeting on Thursday, August 6, will be to have the meeting outdoors near St. Albert’s parish hall (good weather) or in the St. Albert’s parish hall main room (not as good weather). It is important in this time of mask-wearing isolation to keep your brother Knights in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks for all that you do, and remember to keep the faith! 

God Bless, 

Andy Sipple
Grand Knight

Please remember our sick Brother Knights in your prayers, in particular, Adam Roden, Tom Hackenmueller, Elmer Waltz, Joe Perrault and Mike Salonek. Pray for all deceased brother Knights and  for the repose of the souls of all those who passed away,especially Norbert Russell. Lyle Buckingham and Wallace Barthel.

September 2019: A Full Fall on Tap

Lead article from the September 2019 bulletin.

The August Hanover and St. Michael parades were a good experience. Many thanks to Earl Krajsa for another year of letting the Knights use his trailer and for driving the float (Earl’s trailer) in the Albertville, Hanover, and St. Michael parades. Thanks to Brent Traynor for organizing our councils ability to be in the parades. In the Hanover and St. Michael parades around 17 boxes of tootsie rolls were tossed to kids and adults. It seemed the adults enjoyed getting the monster Knights of Columbus tootsie rolls as much or more than the kids. The kids had a great time tossing out the tootsie rolls.

The September calendar is pretty full of events. In addition to St. Michael and St. Albert’s fall festivals on consecutive weekends there is major degree Saturday September 21 at St. Joseph’s in Delano. The 1st degree starts at 9 am, followed by the second degree at 10 am and the third degree at 11 am with lunch to follow. Please consider attending if you are looking to get additional degrees and/or support new Knights in our area.

Our council is co-sponsoring with the Catholic Watchmen a talk by Matt Birk on the evening on September 21 at St. Michael’s church. Mr. Birk will speak from 7:00 – 8:00 pm and be available in a reception after he finishes his talk. This is a father-son event and tickets are only $5.00 a head. Following the Matt Birk talk, a first degree is hoping to be held in October with recruits from the talk.

As summer comes to an end and as school supplies in preparation for the next school year start showing up around the house, I am reminded that the Christmas tree lot is not too far off. I believe that set up for the tree lot will start around mid-November and shifts to work the lot will be available shortly thereafter. Please keep some time available to help out at the tree lot. More information to come later. Many hands make light work at the Christmas tree lot. 

God bless,

Andy Sipple

Grand Knight