2006-2007 COLUMBIAN YEAR EVENTS

JULY: Philip Bruce Memorial Scholarship Fireworks Sales - Fundraiser 2006

This year marked another success for sales at our annual Firework’s Booth which generates necessary funds for our scholarship program. Our booth was located at St. Ignatius Parish and ran from June 28th to July 5th YES, the 5th, and this year’s net exceeded $7,500.

Our council goal was to provide 10 - $500 scholarships as in previous years. Each parish school, we serve, receives two of these scholarships, one to a boy and a girl graduating to a local Catholic high school of their choice.

AUGUST WAS FAMILY MONTH

On Sunday, August 20, 2006 the annual Family Ice Cream Social was, as usual, at Leatherby’s Ice Cream Parlor. Some twenty-five hungry folks celebrated in high calorie style.

Tuesday Ladies Night Out on Aug 29th starting was at Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant on Madison Avenue

SEPTEMBER: On Friday evening the 8th, a Past Grand Knights Dinner honoring PGK Larry Rositani. Our council also held its first Membership Blitz this Columbian Year at Our Lady of the Assumption parish at the parish’s Ministry Fair on the weekend of September 16th and 17th.

OCTOBER: Council brothers directed by Br. Ponce Marquez and with the help of student participation from one local high school and parish grade schools, and 75 members of the council raised some $7,500 for the Camp ReCreation Endowment Fund. The funds were raised at three super market locations over October 15-17.

The mission of Camp ReCreation, a diocese sponsored activity, is to provide a residential summer camp program which offers participants with developmental disabilities opportunities for fun, social interaction, skill development, and spiritual growth

Under the direction of Brother Gene Gobbo, our annual Italian Dinner was held on Oct 7th. This event is named in honor of our deceased Brother, Frank DiLeo, who with his family started and hosted this event many years ago. Over 160 attended the event raising $2000 for our charitable programs.

The Saints Go Marching event was made on October 14 in support of the Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home and involved a two mile walk from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament rectory along the Park around the Capitol. Hourly rosaries were said for the support of families with difficulties in crisis pregnancies and caring for the responsibilities with their babies.

NOVEMBER: Organized by Brother Ken Macdonald and Lady Knight, Glenda, our Council was very pleased to host our annual Memorial Mass in honor of our deceased Brother Knights who had contributed so much in the service to others. The Mass also honored the widows who supported their husbands during their married life.

The Mass was held at St. John the Evangelist Parish Chapel on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 AM. Seventeen widows attended to share the mass. The homily was delivered by Fr. Bland.

The St. Johns B-Frienders provided the roses for our departed Brothers and prepared the wonderful luncheon.

DECEMBER: Organized by Dorothy and Br. Mel Picanco and supported by a host of brother knights, once again the council was able to bring much Christmas cheer to the young women at the Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home. Everything on the housemother's wish list we were able to purchase in the amount of $1,312.37. Council members attending the Christmass party at the Home also collected $570.00.

JANUARY: Our council rep participated in the effort which resulted in two full bus load of marchers from St. John’s the Evangelist Parish .

Along with many busloads and private cars from Sacramento, council members joined over 20,000 abortion opponents who marched peacefully along the Embarcadero on San Francisco's waterfront on January 20.

As the council director, John Miserak stated, “I am proud to have been counted as a marcher and thank all that supported this show for the advocacy of the culture of life.”

Brother Rob Williams organized the Ladies Night which was held on January 30th at the always popular Espanol’s Restaurant.

FEBRUARY: In our sixth year honoring the religious who so selflessly serve our community. 2007 also marked our 1st year honoring our beloved beloved chaplain, Msgr. Nolan by officially renaming the annual event the “Monsignor. Patrick Nolan Appreciation Dinner.” Organized by chairman, Tom Robbins, the dinner held by the council on February 16 and seventy-five attended to honor seven of our priests and deacons.

A very intelligent and compassionate man and dedicated servant of God, he will be sorely missed by his Brothers in Council 4970 by all those who knew him.

MARCH: Our annual Filipino Dinner-Dance was held at St. Ignatius Parish. As always, under the direction of Ponce Marquez, the dinner consisted of traditional fare of the Philippines and expertly prepared. The dinner is one of the council's fund raisers.

The council is also active in fund raising to aid inhabitants of the village of Legazpi impacted by natural disasters. Legazpi is the hometown of council member, Dr. Jose Salazar. A retired physician, he travels to villages in the Philippines providing medical care and will meet with fellow Knights at the Church of Saint Gregory.

APRIL: Once again, Brother Knights of Council 4970 responded to the call from the Ladies Guild of St John the Evangelist Parish to help with the clean-up following the Ladies Guild Luncheon and Fashion Show on Saturday, April 21.

Six Brother Knights graciously volunteered to give up their Saturday afternoon to assist with this time consuming event. They were: Cliff Corrie; Eldon Hancock; John Mizerak; Jack Wakefield; Todd Wilson; and Jack Wright. Council knights from St John the Evangelist Parish are active in event support and clean-up functions during the Columbian Year.

MAY: Awards were presented to First, Second, and Third grade students in each of the four parish schools participating in the annual coloring contest. The photo is the award being given to the winners at Presentation Parish School.

Awards were also made to students of the parish schools participating in the annual essay contest. The essays written by students graduating from the Eighth Grade were written on the topic of the responsibility of the Catholic citizen in the community.

JUNE: This is the fourth year the council has facilitated the appreciation dinner for the Theater Arts Dept of St Francis High School in Sacramento. The event is a get together for new incoming students, and old, their parents the teaching staff which numbered over 300. We as a council were thanked again for our participation at this event, and requested to return again.