October 2025
General Business Meeting
Fitzgerald Council 459 October 8, 2025
September 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Approved without change or revisions
Chaplain’s Report
Need Comfort, The Holy Spirit: The Comforter (06.07.2022)
We need to be comforted. Jesus offers Heavenly comfort and peace instead of a worldly comfort on the level of the senses. The Holy Spirit is the heart’s welcome guest who needs to be invited to dwell within. Saint Bonaventure said “Where trials are greater, He brings greater comfort. Not like the world that comforts and flatters us when things go well but derides and condemns us when they do not.” God is the one that provides and gives us hope.
Knights Report
- Parish Octoberfest Report
Octoberfest was an immense success with the brothers transporting the pork, manning the kitchen serving beer, grilling bratwursts, and cleaning up afterwards. Thanks to all who signed up, in advance. Almost all the slots were covered before the event.
- Ordered more than 50% from last year
- Coat Drive Report
Coats have been cleaned and prepared for distribution on Saturday October 11th.
- Coat drive report given by John.
- Raised $700 and 300 coats
Upcoming Schedule/Programs
- Winter Coat Drive – 09.20-21.2025, 09.27-28.2025 & 10.4-5.2025
Collection Completed with Distribution scheduled for the 11th or so this month.
- Soccer Shoot-out Contest – Chairman Chris Zettler – TBD – October after school Results to State by 11.15.2025 Volunteers Needed
- School asked to reschedule soccer challenge to either last 2 Wednesday in October start at 3:30pm. State report needs to be submitted by COB 11.14.2025.
- Sacred Heart Icon Event – 10.30.2025 Bill Beach and the parish Rosary Society to take the lead on scheduling and coordination with District 37
- KCIC Poster Contest – 11.2025 Chairman Needed to coordinate with the BSSM
- KCIC Christmas Card Sales – 11.29-30.2025 & 12.06-07.2025 Chairman Needed
- Christmas Turkey Transport – Pickup seventy turkeys and margarine from Royal Street Safeway at 0700 on Saturday 12.20.2025 and deliver to the Lyceum for assembly of Christmas Dinner baskets. Volunteers Needed
- Consecration to the Holy Family (All Masses) 12.27-28.2025
- Religious Freedom Day (Fredericksburg, VA) 01.11.2026
- National March for Life (DC) 01.23.2026
- Special Olympics Polar Plunge (Leesylvania State Park) 02.14.2026 – Chairman Gaston Reboredo
- Virginia March for Life (Richmond) 04.03.2026
New Business
- ALIVE! request for 8 volunteers once a year to help from 8 AM to 1 PM on a Saturday morning to move donated furniture. Notice resulted in 2 volunteers – at least 6 – 8 more needed so that we can get on the schedule. Moving end tables and lamps
- Spiritual Companion Opportunity – The BSM currently has 61 candidates enrolled in its 2025-2026 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program, which prepares adults to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Knights are invited to spiritually accompany one of these good people as a Spiritual Companion – a member of our Basilica of Saint Mary parish who has pledged to pray for the OCIA person anonymously on a regular basis. As a Spiritual Companion, you will be given the first name of an OCIA participant for targeted prayer support. Interested in becoming an OCIA Spiritual Companion? Please email Diane at .
- Parish Communications Protocols from Apostolate Metting on 09.29.2025
- Lead Time Flocknote to include web and social media (2 weeks) Reach 4,500
- Lead Time Bulletin (11 Days)
- No Flyers in back of Church or in the back rack
- Pulpit Announcements limited to 2-3 minutes and ONLY for events in the next week impacting the majority of the parish
- Posters ONLY for parish-wide BSM Events
- Father Searby Talk on Evangelization and Involvement
- St Mary is leading the Diocese in young adult programming. 200-500 people gather for P3 which Father Searby has led.
- Daughters of Saint Paul – Supporting them approved by Council.
- Monday 27th Fraternal Benefit Night.
- Basilica Knights of Columbus Exhibit
Other Reports
- Financial – Counsel is in good standing – Questions see Keith Matthews
- Membership – Recruitment & Council Exemplification September 17th –
welcomed Christopher Kleiber, Edwin Torres, and Jeff Butts – Chairman Ken Hyatt
- District 37 – Joe Mazel
- Fourth Degree – Northern Virginia Exemplification scheduled for 10.11.2025 at All Saints Church in Manassas, VA. Jake Carlo, Council 459, to be welcomed into the 4th Degree – See FN Sir Bill Beach for more information
Grand Knights Summary
The Council is performing well. Feedback is welcome on Counsel Leadership and programming. All are expected to record their commitments to volunteer by registering for specific tasks and times on the parish website. 459 Volunteers
Good of the Order
Prayer Requests
- Burt Mullins & for the repose of the soul of Burt’s Father
- Alfie Rodriguz for a return to good health
- Ryan Joyce, Stephanie and newborn baby girl, Charlotte Marie born October 15th (7lb 5oz and 20.5”)
- Guest Chris for blessings