Council Meeting Notice - Feb 2nd

Our Next Council meeting is on Monday evening Feb 2nd at 8pm. There are many upcoming events for discussion. We look forward to seeing you there!

Knights Community Breakfast Served Up Success

Our Council recently held the Community Breakfast at the Council Hall on Sunday January 18th. For a cold day, we had a very nice turnout. Approx 80 people stopped by for breakfast. We hope that this is only the first of many. Thanks to Chairman Jim Nardone and all who made this a great success!

Pictured (L-R): Jim Rose, Alan Dente, Maryann Maira, John Snitko, Bob Breza, Anne Joyce, Greg Serfass, Rich Shields, Chairman Jim Nardone, Ray Pasavage and Nora Freda. Kneeling: Grand Knight Rob Joyce Absent From Photo: Patricia Joyce, AnnTeresa Engleman, Joe Chernouskas and Jack Casper

Knights of Columbus 2009 Free Throw Championship Results

A total of six boys and girls, ages 10 to 14, participated in the 2009 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship at the Pittston YMCA. Boys winners included Jordan Black, Tyler McGarry, Zach Voitek and Kyle Gainard. Sarah Warnagiris took the Girls honors. The winners move on to compete in the district competition in February.

Photo on Left: Tyler McGarry, Jordan Black, Kyle Gainard, Sarah Warnagiris and Brandon Walker. Absent from photo: Zach Voitek
Photo Below: Roundup of the event.

Free Throw Championship - Jan 25th - THIS SUNDAY!!!

Just a reminder that our Council is holding the 2009 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship this Sunday at 1:30pm at The Greater Pittston YMCA. All boys and girls 10 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions, with winners progressing through local, district, and state competitions. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. For entry forms or additional information contact Our Youth Director Jim Rooney at 655-5060 or register at the event.

We Must Fight FOCA

Dear Brother Knights and Families,

Do you know what FOCA is? Have you taken the time to educate yourself on the Freedom of Choice Act? This is a very real threat to the sanctity of life. Please take some time to learn about FOCA. Here is the U.S. bishops’ summary of FOCA:

• It creates a “fundamental right” to abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy. No governmental body at any level would be able to “deny or interfere with” this right, or to “discriminate” against the exercise of this right “in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.” For the first time, abortion would become an entitlement the government must condone and promote.

• Some states require that women be told about the risks of abortion. FOCA would erase all informed-consent laws states have enacted.

• Many states require that parents be informed and sign off on their daughters’ abortions, just as they are informed and involved in every other surgical procedure. FOCA would override and end all parental-involvement laws.

• Some states have laws promoting maternal health. Obama’s FOCA wouldn’t allow them.

• Regulation on abortion “clinics” helps keep these businesses responding to health and safety concerns. FOCA would end these regulations.

• FOCA would disallow “government programs and facilities that pay for or promote childbirth and other health care without subsidizing abortion,” say the U.S. bishops.

• Conscience-protection laws would end. These currently allow Catholic and other pro-life hospitals, doctors, medical students and health-care workers to opt out of participating in abortion in many places.

• After FOCA, any laws that prohibit a particular abortion procedure, such as partial-birth abortion, will no longer be in force.

• FOCA would also strike laws requiring that abortions only be performed by a licensed physician.

Here is a link to the US Bishops statement: Click Here

The Diocese of Scranton will participate in the “Fight FOCA Postcard Campaign” on the weekend of Jan. 24-25. Mass attendees will be asked to sign postcards. The postcards will be collected and sent on parishioners’ behalf to the members of Congress who represent districts in the Diocese.
Through the postcard campaign, the Bishop Martino noted, Catholics throughout the country will have the opportunity to let our representatives know that we do not support FOCA and its anti-life policies.

I ask that all Brother Knights and their families do their part through both prayer and citizen action.

Fraternally Yours,

Robert G. Joyce

Grand Knight

Council Meeting Notice

Our Next Council meeting is on Monday evening. This will be a short meeting to be followed by the Fraternal Benefits Night at 8:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

2009 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship - January 25th

Our Council is holding the 2009 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship on January 25th at 1:30pm at The Greater Pittston YMCA. Please note that this is a new start time and Location) All boys and girls 10 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions, with winners progressing through local, district, and state competitions. International champions are announced by the K of C international headquarters based on scores from the state-level competitions. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. For entry forms or additional information contact Our Youth Director Jim Rooney at 655-5060.

Community Breakfast on January 18th!!!

Fraternal Benefits Night on January 19th

Our Council is proud to be holding a Fraternal Benefits Night on Monday evening January 19th at 8:30pm. This informative session will be hosted by Council Agent Bob Lukas. In these uncertain financial times, find out about the numerous fraternal benefits offered to members of the Knights of Columbus. This session is open to Brother Knights and their spouses.

Check Out our New & Improved Website

With a new year comes a new and improved look for the Pittston Council's Website. As always, webmaster Jim Nardone continues to make our Council website the best in the area. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.pittstonknights.com

4th Degree Assembly 948 Holding Night At The Races on February 21st

The 4th Degree Assembly is holding their annual Night at the Races on Saturday, February 21st at the Council Home. Admission is $3.00 per person. Sponsor a Horse for $10. Please support the Assembly’s Largest annual fundraiser. Horse Sponsor forms are available at the Council Home or Print the form below and return it.