Christmas Message - Grand Knight

Dear Brothers,

Christmas is a celebrating season. Universally, we rejoice at the Birth of the Babe in Jesus. He is the "Emmanuel', gifted to us. His coming offered us hope, radiated His Light and exemplified His Love for us.

The Miracle of Christmas is a source of Inspiration

Let us inspire others

The Birth of Christ is the cause for Celebration

Let us make known His cause

May we always cherish His Coming

For Jesus is the epitome of true Love

May your days be bright and your heart light

May this glorious day of our Saviour's Birth

Resound with Hope and Peace on Earth!

On a personal note, as we celebrate, it is befitting for me to acknowledge that the Lord has been so good to me always. I am also grateful for the time, effort and dedication, you have offered in your services towards the Council and the consistent support you have given me.

I call upon you and your family to join me in thanking God for His wonderful Blessings upon us, both as an individual and as a family. This is a time not only of Celebration but also the time of Reflection in my life. May it be the same in yours.

On behalf of Lynette, Lynsi, Samantha, Gwen, Keene and myself,

I wish You, your Lady, your Children and other Members of your Family:

A Christmas of all Joy and Peace

May Jesus shower His Choicest Blessings on you in abundance!

May your New Year be wonderful, with Good Health, Cheer and Success in your endeavours!!

Fraternally,

Simon Mendes

Grand Knight

GUIDELINES

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH

USHERING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL OF CAR PARK AREA

for MASSES on

CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE & NEW YEAR’S DAY

GUIDELINES

FOR USHERING General Guidelines (UG- )

UG-01 AREAS - Inside the Church, Foyer / Hallway & Church Hall

UG-02 Direct people first in the Church, if need be then in the Church Hall

UG-03 Set up Chairs in the Main Hall

UG-04 Know where all the Emergency Exits are located

UG-05 Be aware of what is going on around, non-parishioners also attend Masses

UG-06 Walk around, as need be, the Church, the Hall, the wash-rooms

UG-07 Keep confessional doors open and ensure all other doors are locked

UG-08 Ensure there are no bags or knapsacks left unattended

UG-09 Be observant of any suspicious activity or people and report

UG-10 Spread out in the Church and avoid many being at the back of the Church

UG-11 To avoid air congestion / heating - If required OPEN Slightly the

emergency exit doors – one by the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and - the other at

the opposite side of the Church where the sound system is located

FOR COLLECTION/COMMUNION/BULLETINS Guidelines (CG- )

CG-01 FOR COLLECTION, we need ushers at a maximum, as follows:

6 – as usual, to proceed from the main aisle

2 – to collect from the pews at the back of the Church

1 – to collect from pews near the extreme right side ( west side wall )

1 – to collect from the people in the Foyer & Hallway

2 – to collect from the people in the Hall

CG-02 FOR COMMUNION, we need ushers at a maximum, as follows:

3 – as usual, to proceed from the main aisle

1 – to direct from pews near the extreme right side ( west side wall )

4 – to direct people in the back pews, Foyer & Hallway

2 – to collect from the people in the Hall

CG-03 FOR BULLETIN DISTRIBUTION, if distribution is required, we need

ushers at a maximum, as follows:

2 – as usual, back of the Church (inside)

3 – in the foyer

2 – in the Hallway near the Hall entrance

Carol - Ladies Nite

>>click on image to view picture album - courtesy Bro. John DeSouza

A great performance by our Voices for Christ Choir at the Carol/Ladies Nite Dec 20, 2010.

Ladies / Carol Nite 20th Dec. 2010

Address by the Grand Knight- Simon Mendes

Rev. Father(s), Worthy DD Bro. Mike Muldoon, Past Grand Knights, Ladies & Brother Knights,

I welcome you all to our annual Ladies Nite – also our Carol Nite. At this culminating celebration of the calendar year, we meet fraternally to be together, to remember, to acknowledge gratitude and of course to enjoy.

As we are here together in a festive mood, contrary to the ways of the world, let us remember all our dear family members, our friends and our brothers whom we miss. May I request you to stand in Silent Reflection for a few moments, in their memory. …… Thank you. … You may now sit.

And as the GK of the our Council, I deem it a privilege to have you here, providing me an opportunity to appreciate all who support, assist and spend their time and effort to work for our Council.

I sincerely thank Fr.Bob O’Brien, Pastor and Chaplain of our Council, for his support to our Council and our events. To Fr. Steve Murrin also, a big thank you for your assistance all along. A big round of applause for them.

I have to admit, we continuously, almost on a day to day basis receive assistance from our Church Staff Joanita Miranda and Marilou Alinea. And I call on them to please come forward to receive a token of our appreciation. … Ladies, Brothers let us applaud them

To our DD Bro. Mike Muldoon – District Warden Bro Valens Almeida and to our past Grand Knights Bros. Mathew Rodrigues, Anthony D’Souza, Bro. Fred Gamboa, Bro. Gabriel Ogundele, Bro. Marcel Lemmen and Bro. Valens Almeida - thank you for your support and your guidance. Please stand and be acknowledged.

I thank all Executive Officers, Directors & Chairs and all members of different committees who have worked tirelessly to move our events to success.

And now to you all Ladies, You have always provided support to our Council not only in releasing our Brothers to attend to the Council’s activities while you shouldered the domestic and other fronts in their absence. Words would fail me to express my gratitude. In all humility I admire you for your patience and understanding and willing cooperation. May I request you all including my wife Lynette, to please stand and be recognized. Thank you. Brothers please join me in extending this round of deserving applause on behalf of our Council # 12067 and myself,

Lest I forget my Executive Officers, Brothers may I request you to stand be recognized. ….They work willingly and with dedication. I count on them for having the events successful. Sometimes, it could be my late evening call or a morning call, they are there. Alan Pires (Fraternal Advisor) Dominic Fernandes (Financial Secretary), Joseph Remedios (Deputy Grand Knight), Edwin D’Cruz (Chancellor), Edgar Dias (Treasurer), Hilary D’Souza (Recorder), Patrick Bajcar ( Advocate), Anthony Wong (Warden ), Guards- Venant Ferreira, Satish Karunakaran, Priyal Jayasinghe and Justin Yao, Trustees George Lim, Edward Rodrigues and Hilary Fernandes, Lecturer Bro. Kelvin Netto – Chief Counsellor for the Squires – Savio Pereira and the Directors;

Church – Jestin Nazren

Council - Joe Bonnici

Youth - Joel Pereira

Community – Nigel D’Souza

Family - Tony Mathias

Health - Blood Donor Clinic - Sunil Mudalige

Right to Life - Francis Ho

Website – Luis Gomes

If I have missed anyone, pardon me.

Finally, this event, if we have gathered in so large a number and are enjoying today, it’s due to the unremitting efforts to attain the best, by the team headed by Bro. William Fernandes, his team of Committee members. It is a no frills event but a great one. Ladies and Gentlemen, - may I have your hands for a big round of applause to Brother William Fernandes and his team.

Enjoy the evening. Thank you!

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

Feast of St. Francis Xavier

>>click here to view picture album - Courtesy Bro. John D'Souza

Top placings in The Voices for Christ, Choir Competition

YouTube clips Courtesy Bro. Sunil Mudalige

On Friday's Voices For Christ East competition we came in 2nd runners up with a prize of $500.00 and a certificate. On Saturdays Voices For Christ West competition, we came in 1st with a trophy and a cheque for $750.00.

There were two competitions.................. we entered in both and got placed in both, coming out on top on

Volunteers Required

Awards at the General Meeting November 15, 2010

23 New Knights

>>click on image to enlarge

Council's 13th Anniversary Dance

Our Council donated $5000 towards the Parish building fund. GK Bro. Simon Mendes presents a check to Our Chaplain and Pastor Fr. Bob O'Brien.

Our 13th Anniversary Dance Picture Album presented by Bro John DeSouza. To View the complete Picture Album >>click here

Vote October 25 - A letter from The Archbishop of Toronto

October 24, 2010

Dear Faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto,

I strongly urge you to vote Monday in the municipal elections. The political leaders who serve at the municipal level have an immediate, practical, and profound influence on the well-being of the whole community; it is vital that each citizen vote for the candidate he or she considers most qualified to serve the common good.

As I mentioned in my pastoral letter of September 12th, it is especially important that Catholics vote, and vote wisely, in the election of Catholic School Board Trustees. I stated in that letter:

A Catholic School Trustee should be a faithful practicing Catholic.

A Catholic School Trustee should be exemplary in personal integrity and conduct, always striving to foster the good of the children, and not personal interest. We need to elect trustees who will represent us with honour and dignity, as worthy stewards of Catholic Education, so that we may all be proud of their stewardship.

A Catholic School Trustee should have a well developed understanding of Catholic Education, and of the role of the board of trustees in setting the policy that advances the common good of the whole Catholic School District, and of all of the children entrusted to it. Competence, wisdom, maturity, fiscal responsibility, respect for the law, and the capacity to work effectively with fellow trustees for the common good of Catholic Education - these are essential qualities in a Catholic School Trustee.

I urge each eligible parishioner to assess rigorously the candidates for the vitally important position of Catholic School Board trustee, holding them accountable to the highest standards, and to vote conscientiously on Monday, October 25th.

Thomas Collins

Archbishop of Toronto

13th Anniversary Dance

>>click here to enlarge

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Brothers,

We, called for by our Order, to be practising Catholics, know that the living of our

life, is rooted in the Word of God - the Scriptures. Therein, in Ecclesiastes 3:1 -15, we are reminded that there is "A Time for Everything".

This weekend is the Time for Thanksgiving for us in Canada.

Let us acknowledge the gifts God has bestowed upon us both the Spiritual and the Temporal ones. A little reflection may lead us to honestly admit that sometimes, if not many times, we take these gifts for granted. We often hear, "This is my life" and yet we know that this is not true in absolute terms.

As you may be aware, our life, our talents, our health are God's gifts to us. So also our services to others, our friendships, and our support to others are also gifts to others through you who are God's agent for providing temporal gifts.

I, as your Grand Knight during my tenure, have been extremely fortunate to be the beneficiary of the gifts of your services, your volunteering, and your effort, your time for all the events, or functions or activities of the Council. The commendations I have received and successes of the Council have been made possible through the active participation and generous support by each one of you in the Council, in magnanimous measures - big and not so small.

I am profoundly grateful for the support and services rendered and thank our Chaplain Fr. Bob O'Brien and each one of you and your Lady for your co-operation, assistance and understanding.

Here is a Prayer that may interest you

Thanksgiving Prayer By Scott Wesemann

Lord, so often times, as any other day

When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing

Thanks, ………………..Amen.

Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload

We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more

To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed

My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those

Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure

Thankful that in my heart, lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place

And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace!!

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided

And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

Together with Lynette, Lynsi, Samantha, Gwen & Keene,

I wish you all

A Wonderful, Happy and a Safe Thanksgiving Day!

May God Bless you always with

Peace of mind, Cheer of heart, Health of body

And Wealth of need

Fraternally,

Simon Mendes

Grand Knight

New Year's Eve Dance 2010/2011

>>click here to view flyer

SFX Church Ministries & Church Organizatons Fair - 2nd &3rd Oct 2010

You are aware of the announcements about the "Ministry Fair", made at the last weekend Masses of 25th & 26th September 2010.

This is like our Membership Blitz but is global at the Church level and includes all the Church Ministries - Liturgical Ministries, Choir, Lectors, Sacramental Ministries, Parish Life Ministries and Organizations like: Our Knights of Columbus- St Francis Xavier Council# 12067, C. W. L., Society of St Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary

The Church announcement includes / refers to the following:

Quote

In an effort to bring awareness to the wider parish of different parish ministries and organizations, and recruit new members, the parish will be holding a "Ministry Fair" on the Weekend of October 2nd and 3rd . For anyone who has ever attended a "Job Fair" – it

will take that format.

This will take place in the parish Hall where individual tables will be set up for each ministry/organization.

At each table, information will be available and a form to be completed by anyone wanting to sign up .

The hours will be ...

Saturday, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

Sunday, 9:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Please note that on Sunday morning, The Hall will remain open even while

Mass is held...

Unquote

The task for our Council members is three-fold:

a) In the Hall ----------- To man our Blitz Table in the Hall

b) In the Parking lots ---To control / man the Parking Lots and to

divert cars to the neighbouring Chinese Home for the Seniors (Yee Yong)

and to organize one-way entries to and one-way exits from the parking

c) In the Church----------To usher, to do collections and distribute

Church Bulletins

At our table, we need to have at least 3 Brothers during and after each Mass. They should be prepared and able to offer / discuss information about our Council, advise about qualifications and abilities suitable for the Knights' group,

At a maximum turnout of parishioners, we may need many Brothers to

assist as follows:

i) At the table in the Hall ---- 3 brothers per Mass x 7 = 21 Brothers

ii) In the parking areas---------10 Brothers per Mass x 5 = 50 Brothers

iii) In the Church---------------- 8 Brothers per Mass x 7 = 35

Brothers

This, at a maximum, will ensure a fair sharing of tasks and distribution of work load so that it does not fall on the shoulders of a few.

Besides, please remember that we have the LIFE CHAIN to attend to from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Our Church Director Jestin Nazren and Brother Hilary D'Souza together with our Membership Director will co-ordinate to organize the arrangements. Bro. Vince Spagnola will provide the traffic vests and the cones.

Brothers, we need every assistance and I encourage you to volunteer and participate in this exercise to share the tasks. It will be little on each, making it easy on all.

Your co-operation and assistance will go a long way to ensure success of the Ministry Fair.

Please confirm your volunteering to Bro. Jestin Nazren by this Thursday at tel. 905 564 0519 or at his email:jestinrani@sympatico.ca. Kindly assist even if you miss signing up.

Thank you and May God Bless You!

Fraternally,

Simon Mendes

Grand Knight

First General Meeting - Fraternal Year 2010/2011

Officers Fraternal Year 2010- 2011 >>click here to enlarge

>> click here to enlarge Pictures courtesy Bro. John D'Souza

Emergency Meeting' at Madd Hatters

Emergency Meeting' at Madd Hatters for Retirement Celebration for Mathew & for Celebration for Appointment of New Deputy Warden, Valens. Pictures courtesy Maureen Rodrigues

9th Annual Golf Tournament

9^th Annual Golf Tournament, 2010

On a sunny summer Saturday morning of July 10, 2010, a band of 44 merry Knights and their guests invaded the rolling plains of Hornby Glen golf course to duel it out and find out who reigns supreme in the 9^th annual golf tournament. The band of 44 brave souls were made up of, St Francis Xavier Council 12067 Chaplain, Fr. Bob O’Brien, 19 Brothers from our Council, 14 Brothers from other Councils and 10 guests including one lady., This is the first time in the tournament history that we had one of our Chaplains participate.

The day commenced in no better way other than with players duelling it out to win money ($100, $ 50 and $ 20) and a bottle of cognac!! Charter GK Bro Matthew’s practice in Tanzania paid off as he won the $100 and Bro George Lim’s expertise in coin tossing helped him win the bottle of cognac. Thereafter, Fr. O’Brien led the players in prayer before the battle began at 11.30 a.m. By 5.00 p.m., the weary Knights returned to the base camp having completed their battle. Following a sumptuous steak dinner, the winners and all the players who participated in the tournament were given prizes.

Leandro Saldanha won the Closest to the pin contest and Bro Mike Balawejder, from Maximillian Kolbe Council won the longest drive contest. The overall golf tournament winners were the foursome from Maximillian Kolbe Council made up of Brothers Joseph Zielinski, Mike Balawejder, Andy Macula and George Perez. The KOC Council 12067 winners were the foursome of Bro Valens Almeida, Steve Ozorio, Flint DaSilva, and Brian Fernandes.

Since inception, the primary objective of this tournament is to foster fraternity among brother knights and to have fun. A secondary objective is to support a charity, which in our case for the past few years has been The Silent Children, a charity run by Dr Simone, which helps abused children overseas. With this in mind, the various organizing committees have kept the tournament fees reasonable to primarily cover tournament related costs while any profits are generated from silent auctions, sponsorships etc.. This year is no different. Financially, this tournament was a success. As budgeted, we broke even on the golf side, but made a substantial profit of $2,021.78 largely due to hole sponsorships, silent auctions and contests. The Silent Children charity will receive $1,150.00 of the profits and the balance $871.78 will be donated to the council to support other causes.

I am grateful to all our fellow Brother Knights and sponsors for donating trophies, gifts, hole sponsorships and also for playing in the tournament. I would like to specially recognize;

· Bro John Tavares for donating four trophies, which we used as floating trophies for the various contests, and

· Mark Vas, son of Bro Mario Vas, for assisting at the registration desk and for taking photographs

My sincere thanks to my committee for making this a successful tournament. They worked hard to register players, ran the contests, donated gifts, and rode to the rescue when our gift situation was precarious.

Finally, I wish Bro Francis Ho, the very best in organizing next year’s tournament.

Bro. Brian Fernandes

Chair, Golf Tournament Committee, 2010

Installation of Officers - 2010/2011

9th Annual Golf Tournament

Due to the Installation of Officers on Wednesday July 7, final practice session on Thursday July 8, 7.30-9pm at Andy Bathgate Golf Range located at 600 Eglinton E Mississauga.

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Clergy Appreciation at the Parish Get-Together Event

View complete Picture Album courtesy Bro. Paul D'Souza

9th Annual Golf Tournament

Cost : $125 (includes green fees, cart and dinner)

HORNBY GLEN GOLF COURSE INC

DINNER BUFFET MENU

Assorted rolls and butter

Fresh Garden Salad with a selection of dressings

Pasta Salad

Homemade Caesar Salad

Seasonal Vegetables

Choice of

1) Roast Beef au jus

2) Pork Tenderloin with Maple walnut glaze

3) Stuffed Chicken Breast with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and basil

4) BBQ New York Strip Loin Steak (10oz) with Hunter sauce

5) Grilled Salmon Filets in a wine dill sauce

Choice of

1) Oven Roast Potatoes with Rosemary

2) Potato Gratin

3) Baked Potatoes

4) Basmati Rice

Assorted Pastries

Fresh Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea

$25.95

All food is priced per person, plus Taxes and Gratuity

• New to golfing? Come join our practice sessions every Wednesdays at Joshua Creek golf range @ 7.30pm. Knights with golfing experience will help you get started. All new golfers please use the mats located on the left side where the Squire will be located.
• Wednesdays @ 7:30 pm - Joshua Creek: 1330 Burnhamthrope Rd E Oakville 905 257 6075 website http://www.joshuacreek.ca Practice sessions starting Wednesday May 12, until July 7, 2010

View Larger Map

Car Rally/Treasure Hunt May 29, 2010

Well done and thanks to Bro. William Fernandes and his Team for a fun Event.

Knight of the Month April, 2010