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Promotion
of Patriotism
Msgr. Cramers Assembly
participated in a ceremony on Saturday, April 26, 1997 in De
Quincy, La., called Loyalty Day to honor law enforcement officers,
veterans, and youth
organizations. Several weeks in advance of this activity, we worked very
closely with the city
officials, and officers of VFW Post # 3802 planning the day's events. Past
Faithful Navigator
Fred Fluitt who lives in De Quincy was a member of the committee
responsible for the day's
activities. He kept the Assembly informed of what was expected of us and
the times that we
had to be at certain places during the day.
The Police Chief, and
ex-special services officer, Jerry Bell was the keynote speaker. Msgr.
Cramers Assembly Fourth Degree Color Corp posted the colors. Law officers
and firemen were recognized and given recognition for performing various
acts of bravery and heroism, along with the youth, especially one youth
who saved his companion from drowning. THIS PROGRAM WAS SUBMITTED FOR THE
"TO BE A PATRIOT" AWARD.
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Our Assembly formed a work
detail of 14 Sir Knights on Friday, November 8, 1996 for the purpose
of working on our float for the Veterans Day Parade that was held on Sat.
Nov. 9, 1997. Our float was decorated in red, white and blue, and the
colors wee carried ahead by three knights. Along the parade roule we could
hear the comments of the spectators stating how nice we looked dressed in
our full regalia, and how pretty the float was. 22 Sir Knights rode the
float and 12 ladies assisted in preparing food that was enjoyed after the
parade.
Sat., Sept. 14, 1996, the
Assembly participated on a ceremony in De Quincy, La. To honor our MIA's
and POW's. For this occasion an honor guard was furnished, and the posting
of the colors was performed.
The City of De Quincy asked
our Assembly to participate in their annual Christmas Parade on Sat. Dec.
7, 1996. WE decorated our float in red white and blue, and we placed small
American flags about 10 inches apart along the railing on both sides of
our float. 18 Sir Knights and 12 ladies participated in this event.
Also, on December 14,
1996, this same group entered a float in the City of Kinder Christmas
Parade. On March 8, 1997, we entered a float in the City of Iowa Rabbit
Day Parade, and the next day March 15, posted an honor guard for the
Queen's Contest.
Another of our very
impressive patriotic functions was our annual trip to the Veterans
Administration Hospital in Alex. La. On Sunday, March 15, 1997, 14 Sir
Knights and their ladies made this trip of 230 miles round trip. The
purpose was to visit with our veterans, and to !et them know that we
deeply appreciated the sacrifices they made for our country, and that they
were not forgotten. We had approximately 200 Sir Knights collecting more
than 500 books that were western and sports stories, because these were
the kind of books they asked for. In addition to the books, the Sir
Knights took along a large supply of bananas, which we knew was their
favorite food, large boxes of candy and $100 in one dollar bills for the
purpose of playing bingo.
As we entered the reception
room, the veterans greeted us with smiles and applause. They were waving
their bingo cards, anxious for the games to begin. Veterans not wishing to
play bingo visited with some of the Sir Knights and Ladies. Sir Knights
also helped those veterans needing help in playing bingo.
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The first and second place
winners of our Assembly Patriotic Essay
Contest were presented cash awards and recognized along with their
parents at our annual public awards banquet on May 22, 1997. Over 100
students participated in our Essay Contest. Four Knights spoke to student
bodies, and also award certificates were presented to school principals.
Our Assembly participated in
the Senior Awards Program, and 22 high school seniors were honored by the
fourth degree. Honorees received a medallion, and a certificate during
their school's honor night, presented by a member of Msgr. Cramers
Assembly. Also a junior ROTC and a College ROTC medallion and certificate
were given out. One to a senior at Washington Marrion High School and
another to a ROTC Cadet at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, La.
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On the Weekend of May
16, 1997, Msgr Cramers Assembly furnished the honor guard and posted
the colors for the State Convention of the 3rd degree Knights of Columbus
in Shreveport, La.-
The color corp carried
the colors at all activities in which the Assembly furnished an Honor
Guard, whether it was a church activity of banquet. Our Assembly probably
has one of the most impressive and professional looking Color Corps in the
La. District
Also, all members were
reminded of all patriotic holidays, so they could fly their flags on
appropriate occasions. Msgr Cramers members assisted veterans
organizations in Lake Charles area each year when thousands of American
flags are put on graves in Graceland Cemetery, celebrating Veterans Day.
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FRATERNAL
AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Msgr. Cramers suffered the
loss of Six (6) Sir Knights during the 1996-97 Columbian year. We formed
an honor of approximately twenty Sir Knights, provided that was in
agreement with the next of kin. We also furnished pall bearers when
requested by the families of these deceased members. Sir Knights also
participate in giving a plaque to the widow and the sword to a family
member. On one occasion we formed an honor guard for a Sir Knight's
mother.
Also, Msgr, Cramers has a
permanent wreath to be placed at the head of the coffin of the deceased
with a Fourth Degree Plaque in the middle. The wreath is covered with the
patriotic red white and blue. It is very impressive and can be used over
and over again as needed.
Our Chairman of the Wake is
Knight Clarence Duhon, who has the responsibility of notifying all the
members of all the Wakes, rosaries, and funerals.
Our Religion chairman S/K
Audry Pizanie is notified by our Liaison Officers when a S/K or a member
of his family is sick or in the hospital. The Religion Chairman sends a
get-well card and notifies the Faithful Navigator. We attempt to get the
word to as many members as possible ti insure assistance and visitation.
Our members also conduct periodic visits to shut-ins.
Our Assembly conducted a
Memorial Mass and Formal services on November 17, 1996 at the Immaculate
Conception Cathedral, lake Charles, La. For our deceased members, and also
recognized the widows of these deceased S/K's on this occasion. Twenty
nine (29) S/K's stood Honor Guard for the Mass and participated in the
service. Twelve ladies (12), many of them widows and several guests joined
us in the Mass and the Memorial service and luncheon.
The Assembly purchased and
presented a Chalice with the names of the deceased on the bottom, This
Chalice is then presented to a deserving Priest or a Parish with the
request that he remembers these Sir Knights each time he says mass using
this Chalice. We have another Chalice that we display at ali wakes for the
purpose of explaining this program to the widow and other family members,
and to the general public.
All of our functions
are family orientated. Our Officers meetings are held each month at the
Piccadilly Restaurant on Ryan St, Lake Charles, La. The first Thursday of
each month. We normally have as many wives as Sir Knights in attendance.
We !et all Sir Knights and their wives know that they are welcome to
attend any or all of our Officers Meetings
Our monthly General meetings
are held at a different Council home in our area each month. Again, we
often have as many wives and guests in attendance as there Sir Knights
present. We always begin with the saying of the Rosary, followed by a meal
prepared by the host Council. Host Council members and their families are
invited to join us in dinner. Activities such as these are consequently
used as a membership tool and has proven to be very successful. This has
helped to put us in first place in membership many times.
Diner is followed by a short
talk by a quest speaker, or by an informative speech on a contemporary
subject by our Faithful Friar, Msgr. Amos J. Vincent. The ladies are then
treated to some type of entertainment furnished by the Host Council, while
the formal business meeting for current Fourth Degree Members is conducted
in another chamber of the Council home. Each year at our regular January
meeting, we have a Father-Son Night in De Quincy, and a Father Daughter
Night in March at St. Margaret Council, Lake Charles.
Msgr. Cramers Assembly
co-sponsored an outing for all Altar Servers in the Lake Charles Diocese
along with the Serra Club of Lake Charles, of which many S/K's are
members. More than 250 altar Servers from the 36 Church Parishes were
honored with certificates of appreciation for their services to the
Church. After a Mass celebrated by Father Tim Goodly, Director of
Vocations for the Diocese, the Servers were treated to refreshments,
luncheon, and a day of games of basketball, swimming, and volley ball. The
Assembly shared the cost which was over $200. Also, the Most Reverend
Bishop Jude Speyrer was present, and addressed the Servers.
On Aug I1, 1996, Msgr.
Cramers posted an honor guard at St. John Bosco Church, WestLake ,La. For
a Pontifical Mass. Sept 8, 1996 Special Mass for St. Peter Claver at the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Lake Charles, La. MIA Celebration on
Sept, 14, 1996 in De Quincy, La. At the Lake Charles, Civic Center for the
LaSalette Apparition 150 Anniversary of Blessed Virgin Mary. On October
20, 1996 honor guard at Immaculate Conception Cathedral for Our Lady of
Palestine Mass for Peace. Nov 4, 1996 at Mass for All Souls Day at
Consolatta Cemetery. KOC District Memorial Mass at St Theodore Church on
Nov. 26, 1996. At Mass for Father Roland Vaughn's 25 Th. Anniversary,
Holly Beach, La. Mass at St. Theodore Church Moss Bluff on Jan 12, 1997 to
present Chalice to Father Wayne Le Blue a newly ordained Priest. On Jan
28, 1997 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven at Mass to present a Chalice to
Father Daniel Torres, also a newly ordained Priest. April 24, 1997
Confirmation Mass at St. Phillip Nerri, Kinder, La. Mother's Day Memorial
Mass at Consolata Cemetery, Lake Charles on may, 7, 1997. Father's Day
Memorial Mass at Consolata Cemetery on June 11,1997. At Immaculate
Conception, Lake Charles on June 6, 1997 at induction of new members of
Fieur De Li's.
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An Honor
Guard was furnished by the Assembly at other activities in support of
Parishes within our Diocese. SOME OF THESE INCLUDE:
-
Installation of Fourth
Degree Officers
-
MIA Celebration, De Quincy,
La.
-
Columbus Day Mass, St.
Theodore, Moss Bluff
-
Memorial Mass, Immaculate
Conception
-
Welcome back Mass for Father
Joe McGrath, at Oberlin, La, St. Joan of Arc. Church
-
St. Mary of the Lake, Big
Lake La.
-
Rabbit Queen Festival, Iowa,
La.
-
Hall of Fame Mass, Our Lady
of LaSalette, Sulphur, La.
-
Wake and Funeral of Harold
Carter.
- Quarterly Communion, St. Theodore
Church, Moss Bluff.
- Quarterly Communion, Fenton, La. St.
Charles Catholic Church.
- Quarterly communion, Big Lake la. St.
Mary. of the Lake.
- Quarterly communion, Cameron, Our
Lady Star of the Sea.
-
VFW Post # 3802 Law and
Loyalty' Day.
-
Altar Servers Recognition
Day, OLQH, Lake Charles, La. .
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PATRIOTIC
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Msgr. Cramers presented many
awards (described below) during the 1996-1997 Columbian Year. Plus the two
awards given for the Clergyman of the Year, and the Certificate of Merit.
Our Assembly supported the young man ( Drew Crawford) who won the
Patriotic Essay Award in the Diocese of Lake Charles this year.
Our Installation Banquet
was held on Saturday, August, 17 1996, with a 5: pm Mass prior to the installation
of Officers at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Lake Charles, La. The
installing Officer was Past Master John O'Reilly Jr.. This was followed by
a banquet at the hail of Council # 3208 at 7:30 pm.. There was a total of
6 Priests, 38 fourth degree knights, 27 ladies, and 16 guests for a count
of 87. Awards given at the installation banquet included the Charles C.
Jaubert Award presented to the outstanding knight of Bienville Province,
and outgoing navigator Wylace Vincent presented certificates of merit to
his Officers, Directors, Chairmen, and Liaison Officers. Also the Order of
Merit and Clergyman of the year was presented.
At our Anniversary Banquet,
Feb. 27, 1997 dedicated to Msgr. Amos J. Vincent held at the Family Life
Center of Our Lady Queen of Heaven following mass at Our Lady Queen of
Heaven 65 Knights and Ladies attended.
The Faithful navigator
presented certificates of merit to outstanding Knights in the areas of
Church, Community, and Order. Also, the Sir Knight of the Year, The Howard
Jaubert Award, The John W. O'Rei!ly Sr. Award, and The Isola Jaubert Award
was presented.
The Howard Jaubert Award is
given to the Sir Knight who gives the most time and energy. through
attendance at Wakes and funeral Services in honor of our departed Sir
Knights. The Isola Jaubert Memorial Award is given to the lady of a Sir
Knight who contributes the most to the Assembly. She is selected by a
board of former winners of the award.
Also recognized were Knights
eligible for Honorary Life Members.
The Public Officials
Recognition Dinner was held May 22, 1997 at Council # 4562. 68 Knights and
Ladies were present when the Public Official Of the Year was awarded to
Dr. Charles Mackey, The Diocese citizen of the year to Erbon Wise, The
Family of the Year to the Clark Yelverton Family, The Tony Abate Award to
Zeb Johnson, and Essay Patriotic winner Drew Crawford and His Mother Vicki
were recognized.
Msgr. A. J. Vincent was
recognized as the Assembly's Faithful Friar, who has even Friar longer
than any other Friar in the Assembly's 52 year history, and was presented
with an attaché case and a monetary gift.
During the year, Msgr.
Cramers Assembly held l0 regular meetings, at which the ladies were
invited, and 12 Officers meetings at which the Ladies were also invited.
Also two yearly planning
meetings were held, along with three special call meetings to set the
plans in motion.
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