Alaska Knights Of Columbus,News

News :
Archbishop Seghers Assembly 1515 in Fairbanks, Alaska organized and hosted a Blue Mass on Veterans Day to honor military veterans, law enforcement and firefighters, and the Knights of Columbus.

The Blue Mass was celebrated by State Chaplain Father Fred Bayler, who called his Knights "my own Special Forces that act as the vanguard to defend our Holy Catholic Church".

Pictured with the Assembly 1515 members is Chaplain Father Bayler, and to his left is Alaska State Deputy Mike Welch and Pro Deo Et Patria member Jerry Norum.

Wreaths Across America 2009

The 3rd annual Wreaths Across America hosted by John A Forsting Council 9830 in Eagle River was successful in placing 563 wreaths on soldier's gravesites at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery with a recognition ceremony on December 12th 2009. Knights from Eagle River and the State Council were among volunteers from Birchwood Civil Air Patrol, Eagle River ROTC, and Chugiak ROTC cadets who placed the wreaths on fallen soldiers' graves in remembrance. Marc Balnius, Deputy Grand Knight and project coordinator hopes to eventually place 5200 wreaths, 1 on each grave at the cemetery.

Pictures attached, click to enlarge.

Keep Christ in Christmas

For over 12 years now, John A Forsting Council has helped to share the Real Reason for the Season by selling religious Christmas cards, Advent candles, wreaths, and other religious gifts. Their goal of keeping Christ in Christmas is achieved each time someone shares their items and evangelizes. This message is so important that this is not a fundraiser for the council. This is an awareness raiser. Their success increases each time a Merry Christmas button is given away, a Keep Christ in Christmas car magnet is attached, or a stamp is put on each religious Christmas card.

Pictures attached, click to enlarge.

Christmas Beanie Boxes

For several years now John A. Forsting Council has teamed with the Ladies Ministry of St. Andrew Parish to provide boxes for those staying at the Beans Cafe for Christmas. These boxes contain a variety of gifts like shaving cream, razors, shampoo, cotton swabs, soap, and most importantly warm socks, gloves, hats, and occassionally scarfs or blankets. This year they collected enough for their goal of 100 boxes for homeless or people in need. Their inspiration is Jesus' words : "If you have done this for the least of my children, you have done it for me."

Pictures attached, click to enlarge.

Sweets for Soldiers,

John A. Forsting Council in Eagle River Alaska mailed 55 dozen cookies right before Christmas for troops in Afganistan to enjoy for the new year. The Knights asked parishioners and Knights to bake extra cookies for those serving overseas during the holidays. A special thank you went to Joy Thompson of the Eagle River food bank who donated tubs of cookies for people to bake and return for the troops. The cookies were in small bags 6 to 12 each, ready for "grabbing" for the soldiers to enjoy!

Pictures attached, click to enlarge.

Religious Assistance

At one of our monthly meetings a Knight brought to our attention that our Deacon's house was in need of repair to his front porch, sidewalk area, and some minor landscaping. About half a dozen Knights organized a work party, purchased the porch supplies and the gravel and topsoil needed for the project. After several hours of hard work and fraternal service the Deacon & his wife once again had a safe walk from their car to the house and a safe porch to walk on while entering the house. This reinforced to our entire council the mindset that we have about supporting our Religious.

Humbly Submitted,
Eagle River Council 9830

Eagle River Annual Bear Paw Festival Parade Council 9830

The John A Forsting Council of Eagle River participates in the city's yearly Bear Paw Parade. Normally in the past we have always performed security for the floats while they were staged and through the marshalling of the parade route. This year 2009, we added a float of our own! This float designed as a replica of the ship Christopher Columbus sailed to America on, was in the parade for those watching do discover what the Knights of Columbus do for the parade and the community of Eagle River and Alaska. Helpers walking along the float passed out candy, bead necklaces, and toys to children. Knights on the float were dressed in 4th Degree Regalia and a symbolic Christopher Columbus played by Fr. Eric Wiseman who blessed the crowd with holy water along the route!

(*The float won 2nd place!!)

The John A Forsting Council in Eagle River holds a Superbowl party for family and friends to all come together for a time of food, fellowship, and fun! This annual event is always well attended by clergy, family, and fellow parishioners! Over 30 families attended. This event is not designed as a fundraiser but as a way of keeping Parish Life alive in our parish. Any profits recieved go towards the council's other family activities sponsored throughout the year.

The Sitka Knights of Columbus held their first sweet hearts dinner for Valentines day. 38 couples attended and enjoyed good and fellowship. We honored Mike and Louis Perensouch and Walter and Margaret Dangel who have a combined total of 118 years of marriage and are great examples for us to follow. The evening was ha huge success and everyone is asking when the Knights can do this again. Photo of every couple were taken and will be provided to each of them.

At the beginning of 2009, Pastor Fr. Francis Le, O.P. (Holy Family Cathedral) established a Building Committee to look into a renovation project of the Holy Family Religious Education Center (located next to Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska).

Granma's House (community) - Council 12290 Purpose: To assist 80 year old Ludmilla Jacobs in emptying and sorting 48 years of assorted belongings from her home, and organize an estate sale to raise funds to support her continued daily care. Description: Ludmilla “Ludy” Jacobs is a long time parishioner of Holy Family Parish, and a well known advocate for individuals, especially children with disabilities. During the past few years, Ludy’s health has deteriorated to where she is now blind, mostly deaf, walks with a walker, and suffers from diabetes and emphysema. She requires a full time caregiver to help her make it through the day. In October of 2009, it was discovered that her daughter, and self appointed caregiver, had taken much of the meager amount of money that Ludy has scraped together over the years. At that time, financial responsibility for Ludy’s daily care and health was taken over by her Granddaughter Rachel, and her employer, Rich Owens. Until the last few years Ludy was very active with issues related to people with disabilities and the aged. She worked with the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Hope Cottages, Anchorage School District, and the Older Persons Action Group. In 1982, she was an Honoree for Alaskan of the Year awarded by the Governor. At Holy Family Parish she was very busy with the music ministry and choir. Other than the small amount of money she has left, Ludy’s last remaining asset is the family home she shared for many years with her autistic son. It is approximately 3000 square feet, and was full from floor to ceiling with “stuff” (some valuable, some not) that she collected (hoarded) since 1961. In order to sell or remodel the house it is essential to empty and sort the entire home. On October 17th, 2009, Rich and Rachel began the seemingly impossible task of cleaning the house out. After several weeks it became apparent much more help would be needed, and Rich requested the help of the Knights of Columbus at his Parish, St. Benedict’s. For the past 5 months a hardy group of Knights, spouses, and friends, have spent between 2000 – 2500 hours sorting, cleaning & packing Ludy’s possessions. Working throughout the winter, with minimal heat in the house, the volunteers braved dusty piles of boxes and bags, damp boxes with mildew, and frosty fingers and toes, to prepare for an estate sale in the Lumen Christi Gym on April 16 – 18, 2010. In the process of sorting out the rubbish, 17 large construction containers were loaded and hauled away. Without the hard work and dedication of the Knights from St. Benedict’s, none of this would have been possible.
(Click on images to inlarge)	The entire home was filled, floor to ceiling, with treasures that Ludy saved over the years.
	Cleaning up included sorting the trash from the valuables. Several freezers/refrigerators were hauled away. Many items were given to the Archbishop’s Attic and the Rummage Room at St. Benedict’s Parish.
	Snow removal was required as the weather warmed and roof leaks were found and repaired.
	Rich Owens, project manager and chief sorter, directs team members on sorting items for the estate sale to be held April 16-18^th at Lumen Christi Gym. Many items of interest and nostalgia were recovered from the home for the upcoming sale. Proceeds will be used to benefit Ludy’s care.
	Some of the china and glassware that was cleaned and ready for estate sale pricing.
	Here are pictures of the preparation being done for the estate sale. Tables were set up at the Lumen Christi gym. Even the bleachers were used for an overflow area. The 2 day sale brought in $21,076.00.
	During the project a date was set for volunteers to get a chance to meet with Ludy. A pizza party was held at the St. Benedict’s Council location. Both volunteers and Ludy were excited to talk and share with each other. Ludy talked about her party for days afterwards.

RECTORY WOOD CUTTING PARTY

John A. Forsting Council 9830 in Eagle River held a wood cutting party to help clear trees and brush from the rectory grounds. With many strong winds, several trees on the property had fallen. Father Ben was worried about how he would get the trees cleaned up. The Knights formed a work party and went there to remove the trees. The rectory uses a wood burning fireplace for heat and with winter approaching, it was a WIN-WIN! We cut the trees into fireplace sized longs and filled the wood shed for the rectory to have plenty of heat through the winter months.

(photos attached)

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting Council 9830

2009 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

John A Forsting Council offers yearly scholarships to graduating seniors of Saint Andrew Parish, Elmendorf's Our Lady of Fatima Round Table parish, Fort Richardson Round Table Parish and Big Lake's Our Lady of the Lake Round Table parish. Each year the Knights raise money through various events for the scholarships. In the past we have offered $5000 which was distributed to qualifying Seniors attending college. This money helps seniors to pay for books, supplies, and aides in the cost of attending college.

John A. Forsting Council is priveleged in the generosity of the parish so that they can provide these scholarships each year!

(pictures attached)

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting Council 9830

Purpose: To raise funds for scholarships (3) to be given to current year graduating catholic high school seniors for college and also provide for a scholarship endowment fund investment principal enhancement.

Description: Throughout the year the Council sponsors several events to raise funds for scholarships. Half the funds raised are to provide scholarships for graduating Catholic high school seniors from St. Michael's Parish. The other half of all funds raised is set aside and deposited in a self-perpetuating endowment fund with investment vehicles (presently certificates of deposit) to provide for future scholarships. At this time the endowment fund has more that $10,000 raised for scholarships. It is intended to increase the number and amounts of scholarships in the future as the endowment fund grows.

Students must enter and win an essay contest to qualify for the scholarships. Essays submitted are to reflect the following theme and topic: "The responsibility of the young Catholic citizen in a free society," and "Describe a young Catholic's role in modern society who lives his/her faith and follows the social teaching of the Church." Essays are evaluated and scored according to criteria established by a three-person scholarship review committee. Scholarships for 2010 are $700, $500, and $300 for the top three applicants and forwarded to their college of choice.

To further promote scholarship participation as a senior later, the Council also holds an annual essay contest for younger students of the parish in grades eight and nine and grades ten and eleven, which are scored similarly. The winner of each group wins a $100 cash prize.

The Council formed a nonprofit corporation in 2009 (Palmer KOC, or "Peacock") and obtained a gaming permit from the State of Alaska as a fundraising device for scholarships. The gaming permit now obtained its 2010 gaming permit and intends to continue maintaining a permit in the future for the scholarship program. The Council has annually held fish fries, an Oktoberfest, and quilt raffle to raise fund for scholarships. Basically, 70% of our Council membership have participated in these events to make them a success.

The Oktoberfest with costumed servers provides a vast array of German foods, beers, dancing with a live polka band, games for the young and old, even wiener dog races, for very fun community and family time for all parish members and visitors. Activities also include a silent auction and numerous split-the-pot drawings.

Two fish fries are held each year during lent, with funds raised from ticket sales and split-the-pot raffles dedicated to the scholarship program. The donated quilt raffled this year has a value of $1500. Our quilt maker has committed herself to making quilts n the future solely for the purpose of raising scholarship funds.

The Palmer Knights of Columbus of St. Michael's is dedicated to assisting our Catholic families and their youth in striving to further their education and becoming better, more productive Catholic citizen that reflect their faith in their daily lives. The scholarship program sponsored by Council 11816 gives the council high visibility as a Catholic men's fraternal organization and is greatly appreciated by the parish.

Purpose: Provided an opportunity for the youth to participate in an organized sporting event.

Description: St. Patrick's church hall was converted into multiple basketball courts with basketball backboards/nets rented from Sullivan Arena. They delivered the units prior to, and then picked them up after the event. There were 28 official participants with approximately 12 more who were too young compete, but got to shoot free throws anyway. The participants would shoot 15 shots for a score. Whoever made the most baskets was the winner for their age category.

K of C Knights and Squires acted as scorekeepers, and ball retrievers. Knights provided hot dogs, popcorn, and soft drinks free of charge for all attendants. Winners in each category received a trophy plaque. Sullivan arena also donated free basketballs for each participant to take home.

Purpose: The purpose of this activity was to support the church choir in their efforts to raise funds for the purchase of a new organ and piano for St. Patrick's parish.

Description: In support of the church choir's efforts to raise funds for a new organ and piano, the Knights prepared and served a Halibut Olympia dinner with all the fixings for the attendees of the fundraiser.

Purpose: The purpose of this activity was to kick off National Vocations Week with a 24-hour prayer vigil.

Description: Knights signed up for shifts throughout the 24-hour period to be present in the Church to guard the aumbry. The Church was left open at this time for people to stop in and pray at their convenience. Rosary was prayed at the beginning of each hour.

Description: A few days prior to the event, members of our K of C Ladies Auxiliary, along with the church's CHAOS group, set up and decorated the church hall with a "St. Patrick's Oktoberfest" theme. On the day of the event, Knights, members of out Ladies Auxiliary, and some volunteers set up and prepped the food service for the night. Dinner consisted of prime rib with all the fixings.

After the show and dinner, around 9:15 pm, the hall was quickly rearranged to open up space for a dance floor. The Alaska Polka Chips provided the live music, as they have for the last 27+ years. Dancers Polka'd the rest of the night away. Once the event ended, all hands helped to clean the hall and kitchen. A good time was had by all!

Purpose: The Primary Purpose of our Lenten fish fries is to show council support of Knights of Columbus activities at st. Michael's throughout the year. The dinners are also an opportunity for the council to gather less active members a little closer to the council fold and allows for the search of new candidates. Any funds raised at these dinners are for the St. Michael's scholarship program.

Description: Although St. Michael's Council began fish fry dinners for its parish four years ago, this will be the first time ever reported as a service program nomination. The outline following describes our Council's Lenten fish fry dinners for 2010. The teamwork shown by Council members and their families in this project demonstrates, we feel, the great sense of camaraderie with in our Council, while providing a fraternal service to parish and community during this special season of Lent. St. Michael's Council provided our parish two Lenten fish fry dinners in 2010 that were held in the basement of St. Michael's Church following Stations of the Cross services on Fridays. After hours of committee planning, menu discussions, preliminary food and kitchen preparation, setup and final cooking, the Council presented two first-class dinners to the parish on February 19 and March 19 of this year. It was estimated that at least 120 parishioners and community members gathered for each occasion to share an all-you-can-eat dinner of baked salmon, deep-fried halibut, coleslaw and green salads, french fries, steamed vegetables, scalloped potatoes, corn fritters, and a variety of donated desserts. The fish fry committee planned for several months coordinating dates and times for kitchen use and dinner space, requesting dessert donations and gathering fish from parish donors. During this time, a menu was finally determined, supplies purchased after Council inventory from least expensive sources, and weekly advertising in Sunday bulletins for at least a month. Dinner flyers were also posted through out. The committee established work crews for dinner setup and decorations, servers and go-fers, cooks (not too many), kitchen help, mostly for food preparation before cooking began, and, of course, the all important hardest to find: crew for cleanup. The last several days before the event are always the most intense with last minute supplies to purchase, confirming the number of desserts promised will show up, and finding that last donor of fish needed for the dinner. We were all but out of fish one day before our last dinner, March19, until a good Samaritan cleaned out his freezer to help us. The setup crew began the day before with table arrangements and decorations, and cleaning of chafing pans, while the cooking crew started about 9a.m. on Friday cutting up fish thawed since Thursday. Deep fry cookers were set up and circuit breakers checked for overload. Pots and pans were gathered and large stove and ovens inspected for the last time to make sure they were working.(Last minute repairs in the past have created chaos.) Our "specialists" began arriving after lunch on cooking day to prepare their "bubbly batters" and "family secret" seasonings for the fish and the untold mixture for cornfritters. All in all, dinner seems to culminate ready for serving on time, thanks to members and their families who participate. Dinners last about 2 1/2 hours with several split-the-pot drawings during dinner. Our Knights of Columbus fish fry dinners now have a reputation for excellent foods and inexpensive cost for the family and anticipated during the Lenten season. Compliments have been many. Any profits gained at these dinners are placed in the Council's scholarship fund.

SEBATICAL FUNDRAISER FOR FR. BEN TORRETO

Father Ben Torreto was tasked with becoming the pastor of St. Andrew after Fr. Leo Walsh received a once in a lifetime job offer in Washington D.C. Father Ben had already planned a 1 year sebatical to celebrate the anniversary of his 25th year of Ordination. He reduced that to 6 months for the St. Andrew Parish family. Historically in the Philippines the priest has several parties to celebrate his anniversary which he pays for himself. Saint Andrew instead of giving him Christmas gifts, gave him money for the expenses of his ordination.
The Knights of Columbus hosted a Breakfast fundraiser to raise money for Fr. Ben. Knights brought in eggs, breads, hashbrowns and juices. The breakfast was for donations only to Fr. Ben. The council paid for all of the supplies and refreshments. The breakfast was a huge success raising around $2000 for Fr. Ben's anniversary celebrations. This breakfast was an opportunity for everyone to thank Fr. Ben for the work he had already done with us, and to wish him well on his sebatical and to hurry home!

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting COuncil 9830

YOUTH PROGRESSIVE DINNER

On March 24th the Knights of Columbus in association with the Ladies of Saint Andrew Parish hosted a progressive dinner for the St. Andrew Youth (StAY). Several Knights and their wives opened up their homes for youth to come and fellowship with each other and adults in a home setting away from the church. Focusing on the youth and encouraging them with positive and christian based conversations.

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting Council 9830

Purpose: Our Purpose was to make our community aware of and pray for the lives of the unborn children and the reversal of the supreme court decision Roe v. Wade.

Description: As the Pro-Life Couple for our council, my wife Mary Lou and I formed a contingency of Knights, their families and our parish to orm a rosary with us all representing rosary beads. Each person present would lead one of the prayers of the rosary.

We prayour our first "Living Rosary" to memorialize the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. This was such a success that we, in turn, prayed a "Living Rosary" to commemorate the Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child on March 25.

At the conclusion of each rosary, we would recite the prayer on the back of the Knights of Columbus flyer titled, Pray the Rosary to End Abortion. This prayer is an adaption of Pope John Paul II's homily at the Capitol Mall, October 7, 1979.

A rosary is made up of 60 beads and a crucifix. Therefore, we needed 61 people to pray this completely. We had 75 people attending and we had them sit in the pews. Although we have 73 members in our council, some Knights could not attend this prayer and we recruited their families. Between the two rosaries we had 22 individual Knights and 34 family members. For the January 23rd Rosary we had a Brother Knight's daughter, Angela Houser, carry the cross to each "bead." Angela was a sickly baby and has been ill most of her life. She a joy to be arond. She sings in the choir with her older sisters and says she wants to be a martyr. She made the prefect cross bearer for our Rosary.

Our parish was so supportive of this project that we decided to hold a "Living Rosary" quarterly.

Purpose: To showcase the St. Nicholas Catholic Church icon of the Praying Santa by The Christ Child in the form of an ice sculpture to the thousands of visitors from around the world to the North Pole Christmas in Ice 2009.

Description: There has been for many years a small figurine in the back of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in North Pole. It depicts a kneeling Santa, his hands folded in prayer, looking lovingly and humbly at the Christ Child in the crib. It so beautifully symbolizes the fact that we know the real reason for Christmas, not the commercial version. Keeping Christ in Christmas is also near and dear to the community, and for “North Pole Christmas in Ice” the Knights of Council 8308 sponsored ice artist Aino, “the Ice Elf,” to carve this image, as part of the competition. Eighteen sculptures were created and they can be viewed on www.ChristmasinIce.org

Saintly Seconds Moving Crew (Church) - Council 9830
In June 2009 a group of Knights were on hand to assist in the closure of our church's thrift store Saintly Seconds. More than 10 Knights along with several wives and even a few children aided in boxing up merchandise, placing furniture in storage, and delivering items to Love Inc. or the Bishop's Attic where items were donated to.
Saintly Seconds hosted a portion of the space for "The Bread of Life Store". Selling religious items, rosaries, bibles, and more. These items were placed in storage at the church. With the help of the Knights and the Keep Christ in Christmas campaign, a large amount of these items were sold during Christmas, returning needed funds back to the parish for use in different worthwhile ways.

Fraternally yours,
Council 9830

Quarterly Council Church Cleaning Crew (Council) - Council 9830

As a council, the John A Forsting Knights come together every quarter on a Saturday to give the church a thorough cleaning. With recent financial cutbacks at our parish there is no full time employed maintenance for cleaning and minor repairs. One of our Brother Knights, Don Cuthbert stood in the gap and filled a parish need. Don volunteers his free time to help clean the church and keep things running as smoothly as he can on a weekly basis. The council supports him and the parish with assistance should it be needed.
The council makes an added effort to come together and encourage the Knights to come and help clean the church better than it might get cleaned the rest of the time. The Knights clean the windows, empty the trash, wax the pews, vacuum the carpeting and cement floors, clean the bathrooms, mop the floors and wax the floors. During the winter, snow may be shovelled and fire exits cleared for safety. Any other minor repairs that may be found are addressed.

The council specifically has a cleaning party before Christmas Mass and Easter Services for the church to be extra clean for these high masses. This event is an ongoing event with a dedicated following. The opportunity to come together and pray to God while cleaning his house is an event that leaves one better off.

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting Council

COUNCIL FOUNDER'S DINNER (Council) - Council 9830

The John A Forsting Council comes together each October to "pat ourselves on the back" for all the good deeds we have done throughout the year. This is a time for us to come together, dress up, take the wives out on a date and enjoy each other's company just for the sake of having a good time! A good will offering is collected for the Parish Confirmation class who serves the meal for their Confirmation Retreat expenses. We have a great dinner, music, a guest speaker ( Jim & Ann Curro with Pro-Life) and a time of recognizing what we have done with awards to brother Knights, and the District Deputy gave us some awards for a job well done! This event by far has the highest turn out with over 50 Knights and their wives attending. This year we recognized those Knights who were no longer with us and especially remembered all of our Military Personell around the world away from home.

Pictures attached

Thank you for your consideration,
John A Forsting Council 9830

Purpose: The John A Forsting Council celebrates the Eucharist as a body on the months where there is a 5th Sunday.

Description: The John A Forsting Council holds Corporal Masses on the weekends where there are 5 Sundays in the months. We rotate around to different masses for parishioners all to get an opportunity to see us in action. Knights volunteer for all the mass positions from usher, L.E.M., lectors, to having the Deacons and the Priests. Whenever possible we have a Color Guard of the Fourth Degree. The Knights and their families process in with the priest at the beginning of mass and sit in a designated area together. The priest usually draws special attention to the Knights and all our good works. Occasionally we will present awards like Family of the Month, Knight of the Month, etc.

There were 4 Corporal Masses during the 2009 - 2010 Fraternal Year. These events are always attended by the Knights and their families.

Purpose: The Council sponsored a "Living Rosary" at St. Andrews which was lead by Father Eric Wiseman and 60 participants each prayed a special prayer for and end to abortion.

Description: Knights, parishioners, ladies, children and the parish Pro-Life Ministry were all in attendance.
An Honor Guard representative symbolizing the Cross of the Rosary started us off and concluded each decade with the Fatima Prayer. Special Pro-Life Rosaries were purchased by the chairman and were sold at First Friday Rosaries monthly rosaries for Life and after masses. Each Rosary symbolizes an unborn child who with the help of the prayee each prayer helps to save an unborn child. Rosaries were available in full or single decades. Remaining rosaries were sold at the Keep Christ in Christmas tables during Christmas and available at monthly business meetings. This event is planned as a Biannual event at Saint Andrew Parish.

Purpose: The Knights lead monthly Rosaries for Life in cooperation with our Parish Right to Life Ministry which are every first Sunday of the month.

Description: The Knights lead monthly Rosaries for Life in cooperation with our parish Right to Life Ministry.
The rosaries are every first Sunday of the month at St. Andrews in honor of Respect for life.
We have done them nine times since July 2009 to March 2010.
The rosary is usually attended regularly by up to 20 to 30 people. Usually anywhere from 10 to 20 Knights.
This is an ongoing event with a dedicated following.

Purpose: The Knights provide a party for the youngsters of the Parish during the Advent season.

Description: The knights provide an Advent Party for the younsters of the Parish complete with Santa Claus. The Knights decorate the stage of the Miki Center and provide snacks for the children. This Church activity helps put Christmas and the parties associated with it into prespective.

The even i sheld in the Miki Center which is part of the Church complex. It all ows the children to appreciate the secular as well as the Holy aspects of the season.

Purpose: The St. Paul Miki Council celebrated our 100th Pancake Breakfast by serving over 400 people free of charge.

Description: The Knights of Columbus of St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish have served a stack of pancakes taller that the Empire State Building, topped with gallons of syrup, bushels of blueberries, piles of whipped cream and a snow storm of powdered sugar. This tasty breakfast of over 50,000 pancakes was complimented wit 32,000 sausage, 16,000 cups of coffee, and over 1500 gallons of juice.

The Knights began this stack of pancakes in May of 2000 with a free trial run to determine the best batter mix, the kind of sausage the folks preferred and whether we could do it. Over 200 people attended and helped determine the best batter mix and sausage, We also proved to ourselves that we could do in in our new untested kitchen.

The first official breakfast was held on the first Sunday of June, 2000. The knights have served over 25,000 breakfasts and raided over $30,000 for a variety of charities.

This family oriented activity has encouraged Faith, Fellowship and Fun for the families of St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

The Knights celebrated the milestone 100th Pancake Breakfast bey serving over 400 people free of charge. Grand Knight Dale Curtis presented chairman Bill "the bam man" McCarron an Honorary Life Chairmanship Award.

The families of St Elizabeths look forward to the breakfasts and enjoy wholesome fun.

	Two pieces glued together makes the beginning of Santa’s body, strapped securely for the seam to set up before further carving starts.		The seam fractionates the light from the work light behind, seven hours into the competition on the roughed out piece, is awaiting arms and a head. Most of the competition is during dark hours so good lighting is a must.
	Santa is shaping up, even from behind.		Twenty five pounds of beard needs a chisel for a trim.
	Praying together….what a great idea!		Ready for judging under white light.
	After judging, the sculptures are shown in colored light for the rest of the exhibition.		“Thanks Knights” sign by the sculpture alerted to public to the Knights of Columbus involvement in this community event. Aino’s bio poster at the sculpture also included the following information: “Knights of Columbus Northern Lights Council 8308, from St. Nicholas Catholic Church, supports Aino in her quest to create “Praying Santa by the Christ Child,” remembering always to “Keep Christ in Christmas!” This is Aino’s first ‘solo’ competition.”



	PGK Bill “The Bam Man” McCarron entertaining both young and old.
	PGK Dave Tobin presents Bill “The Bam Man” McCarron with Honorary Lifetime Chair award commemorating the 100th Pancake Breakfast held by Council 10798.