Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, August 19, 2025

St. Mark’s Parish Hall (1011 Eastwood Rd), Wilmington, NC

Opening Ceremony

• Faithful Navigator Larry Greer opened the meeting at 7:00pm in the Saint Mark’s Parish Hall, 1011 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC. There were 23 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

Call of Officers

Opening Prayer

• Meeting’s opening prayer of the Our Father was led by the SK Deacon George Keenan.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Opening Ode

• The Opening Ode, America the Beautiful, was sung.

Call for the Approval of the Minutes of the Prior Meeting

• Minutes approved as posted on website.

Report of the Faithful Friar - report by SK Deacon George Keenan

• Under discussion at the next 12017 council meeting will be praying the 60-foot Rosary at St. Mark after one Mass each month.

• Report of the Faithful Comptroller - SK Frank Bio

• 150 total members of which 2 are Honorary, 28 are Honorary Life, and two Exemptions for hardship.
• The Assembly Billing Statement shows we have a $10 credit.
• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Comptroller.

Report of the Faithful Purser - SK Tom Sullivan

• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Purser.

Report of Committees

Membership Report / Reading of Applications / Balloting – SK Decker

• The next exemplification will be on November 1 in Concord, NC. Application letter explaining the process and requirements is on our website.

Veterans Report – SK Ludgate

• 50/50 Drawing – Money used for our veteran programs such as Ashley House. The Ashley House provides short-term housing for homeless veterans; our assembly could provide each veteran with a gift card for food when moving into permanent housing.
• This month's 50/50 winner is SK ?.
• Veterans Day Parade – November 8
• SK Greg Decker reports:
  • We will launch the annual Veteran Support Raffle in September. Like last year's raffle, there will be three monetary prizes of $500, $250 and $125 with winners drawn at our November meeting.
  • SKs Greer and Decker went to the New Hanover County Veterans Council meeting late in July. SK Decker gave a briefing on resources available to veterans through the council. The committee meets every other month to review programs for veterans. The next meeting will be in September. Resources include a Veterans Crisis line, Habitat for Humanity projects, assistance obtaining an ID.gov log in, information on events such as the 80th anniversary of WWII celebration, veterans writing workshop called “stories we carry”, assistance in applying for benefits, Veteran Treatment Court , a program providing legal assistance with court system. The Faithful Navigator plans to have at least one Assembly member attend each Veterans Council meeting. Anyone interested in taking this on should let him know.
• SKs Greer, Pulawski and Decker attended the 80th anniversary celebration of the end of WWII at the USO. 11 WWII veterans were present and honored. SK Pulawski reported that over 300 people attended. The Mayor of Wilmington, Congressmen Rouser and other county officials were there.
• SK Vialpando stated that retired military IDs work like Real IDs for travel in the US according to his recent travels.

Color Guard Report - Corps Commander Bob Gabel

• SK Gabel would like to recruit more individuals into the Honor Guard and encouraged SKs to join. There are currently 8 SKs in the Guard. SK Bob Gorman, the past Corps Commander, said that there are not that many events and that it doesn’t take up a lot of time.
• The Honor Guard Uniform Reimbursement Program is to assist SKs purchasing regalia with up to 50% refund on the basic uniform. The assembly has a supply of donated swords so the SK does not need to purchase one.
• Recent Events: None
• Future Events
  • Flag Instruction at St. Mark Catholic School on August 25 at 2:15pm.
  • Flag Instruction at St. Mary Catholic School on September 4 at 8:15am.

2025 Collegiate Scholarship Report – Co-chairs: SKs John Reynolds & Jack Murphy

• No report as the co-chairmen were not in attendance.

Fraternal Socials - No director currently.

• None scheduled. Ideas are always welcome as is an SK to take on the social programs.
• The inter-assembly Bocce Tournament is coming up and 2017 will defend its title.
• SK Weisgerber reported that the South Beach Grill is available for the Christmas Party. He was given approval to book it for December 16, the night of our December meeting.

Trustees Report

• The annual assembly audit was completed and submitted on time. Thanks to the Trustees for their cooperation.

Unfinished/Old Business

• None

New Business

• The proposed budget for the assembly has been emailed to the membership. Please review before the next assembly meeting when it will be voted on for approval.

• SK Decker recommended helping at the VA clinic with Canteen operations on Wednesdays from 7-10am. This will Include picking up food and buying coffee. SK Oleary said he’s going to a meeting Friday at the VA to get more information. Four to six individuals are needed each week, recommending forming four four-man teams, each taking a Wednesday of the month. The Faithful Navigator is considering using Sign up Genius for Assembly members to use to sign up for this program.

• SK Keenan mentioned providing meals to UNCW students after 5pm Mass on campus. Angelica, who runs this program, is stepping down and a new coordinator has not yet taken her place. He suggested assembly members could start helping with this in September. SK Bio said that this should be a council function, and that his council, St Therese, will look into doing this.

• Faithful Navigator Greer made the following comments/announcements:

  • The 80th anniversary of WWII celebration at the USO was a good event.
  • A program on “The American Constitution” will be given on August 21st at Kenan Auditorium, UNCW at 7 pm. There is a link on our website for registration.
  • Anyone can come to the Flag Etiquette program for students at St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s. Presenters will wear assembly polo shirts. Regalia will be worn for the Passing of the Colors ceremony in the Spring.
  • SK Frank Bio reminded the assembly that the inter-council Bocce Tournament at Empire Park is scheduled for September 20th. It starts at 9:00 am, registration at 8:30 am. It will be good fun, and there will be food provided by Harris-Teeter.
  • The Faithful Navigator talked about the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program at the Lowe’s in Monkey Junction. It involves volunteers building beds for children. The next session will be on September 13th, from 7:30am to 4pm. SK Decker is the contact for more information.

    Report of Third-Degree Councils

• 1074 Wilmington

  • August 31 - Corporate Communion, Immaculate Conception Church (ICC)
  • September 7 - Faith Formation Picnic, ICC
  • September 8 - Lou Mattes Memorial Golf Tournament
  • September 13 - Food Drive, Piggly Wiggly
  • September 14 - Soccer Challenge, YMCA field George Anderson Rd., 2 – 4 pm
  • September 17 - COR Men’s Prayer Group restarts at ICC on September 17th
  • September 20 - Bocce Tournament, Empire Park
  • September 20 - Pasta for a purpose at St. Mary’s sponsored by Sister Isaac Center knights selling wine
  • September 21 - Membership Drive at St Mary’s
  • October 3 - ICC Blood Drive with the Red Cross
  • October 5 - Life Chain, College Road in the afternoon
  • October 11- Blood Drive, St. Mary’s with Blood Connection
  • Baby Bottle Drive - Collected over $12,000
  • Food Drives - Leland Piggly Wiggly, August 9; Carolina Beach Food Lion, August 16; and Leland Food Lion,September 13.

• 12017 St. Mark

  • September 6 - Faith on Film movie “Green Dragon” 6:30-9pm at St. Mark’s. The film is about Vietnamese refugees.
  • September - 6-7 Coats for Kids collection
  • September - 11 Assisting at the Lion Pride 5K run benefitting SMCS
  • September - 14 10 am Knights Breakfast after 9:30 mass at St. Mark
  • COR Men’s Group has resumed and meets in the Newman room at St. Maryk on Wednesdays from 7 – 8:30 pm
  • SK Decker announced that the Football Pool is still going on. Anyone still interested can participate. $20 gives you 20 chances to win $50. Buy ten, get one free.
  • Sleep in Heavenly Peace is one of the council's upcoming events.

• 12885 St. Therese

  • Great ideas from planning meeting a few weeks ago, including a calendar review. Calendar information is posted on their website. SKs are asked to look at the 12885 council website and provide comments to webmaster.
  • September 20 - Shrimperoo - Following the 5pm Mass.
  • September 27 - Membership Drive Weekend - The pastor will talk at all Masses about the what the Knights do.
  • October 1 - St Therese Feast Day Mass at 3:00 pm followed by a reception. Council members will help.
  • September 24 - The council has scheduled a “victory celebration” at St. Therese for winning the Bocce Tournament. [GK Bio requested that this be put in the minutes.]
  • Review of Council 12885 By-Laws. If any suggestions, let the GK know.
  • Family Night planning, led by Brother Smith with the goal of growing the council by targeting younger families to encourage parish involvement and recruit younger men into the council.
  • St. Joseph’s TEFAP – Third Tuesday each month at 10:45am. Council members help unload the vehicles.

• 11817 St. Stanislaus

  • Tootsie Roll Drive at Food Lion Leland, LAMB
  • Membership Drive in October, council members will wear council shirts
  • November 1 - Polish Festival
  • Mass event celebrating St. Stanislaus Church’s 30th Birthday

Brothers in Need

• Bishop Herb Brevard
• Faithful Captain SK Simpson gave information on the tragic accident at the building on New Center Drive. A driver ran into the gas line and caused an explosion. Five fire fighters were injured from a second explosion that occurred as they were battling the blaze.

Good of the Order

• As we move through the month of August, we reflect on a time of both civic and spiritual significance. While Summer draws to a close and families prepare for a return to school and routine, we, as Patriotic Knights, are reminded of the enduring responsibility we carry – to defend faith and country with courage, honor and humility.
  August brings us the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a powerful reminder of heaven as our ultimate homeland. As we celebrate Mary’s glorification in Heaven, we are called to live not just a citizens of the nation, but as citizens of the Kingdom of God.
  This dual citizenship – of Earth and Heaven - challenges us to bring Christ into the public square. Whether by defending the rights of the unborn, advocating for the dignity of the elderly and poor, or supporting our veterans and those who serve, we carry our faith into our patriotism. For these are not separate loyalties, but two parts of the same mission: to serve God by serving our country with in integrity and love.
  Let us take this month to recommit ourselves to being visible Catholic Gentlemen – men of prayer, action, and honor. May we live out our Forth Degree promises not just in ceremony, but in every day acts of charity, unity and patriotism.
  Let us pray for our country – this it may always be guided by truth, justice, and a return to God.

Closing Prayer

• Conducted by SK Deacon Keenan.

Closing Ode

• Sung the Star-Spangled Banner.

Adjourn

• Next regular meeting will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16 at the St. Mark Parish Hall.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:57pm.

Minutes submitted by SK Bob Carter, filling in for the Faithful Scribe.