27 Friday Apr 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
The Resurrection is an important part of our belief. This story is about Ron DiCianni, a painter who creates a large mural of the resurrrection. A story that unfolds as he describes what he has created and the inspiration he felt as he painted the mural.
25 Wednesday Apr 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
We welcome you to our web site and news blog. We are an active Assembly and we enjoy what we do.
Our members include many veterans that are active in veterans groups like the Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. They have served their country, now they serve their community and church.
We are the patriotic degree. However, you do not have to be a veteran to join the Assembly. Each of us shows our patriotism in a different way. As Knights, we show it through good citizenship and programs to help hospitalized veterans and people with special needs.
17 Tuesday Apr 2012
We just completed a very inspiring event Divine Mercy Sunday event at Holy Cross Church in Durham. There were 15 Sir Knights in attendance, with 12 in full regalia. The service was followed by a delightful lunch provided by the ladies and men of Holy Cross.
 |
| On the road to Holy Cross |
Parishioners from neighboring parishes and St. Thomas More Church were in attendance. Holy Cross also introduced a new framed icon for use on a permanent basis at the church. It seems that one member of the church has been holding Divine Mercy Sunday events in her home for several years. This was the first event at the church.
Activities started promptly at 2 p.m. and included an hour of information and the history of Divine Mercy Sunday and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Chaplet recital started promptly at 3 p.m.
A special thank you goes to Ron Patterson for bringing this event to Holy Cross and for Tom Chegash and Joe Accierito for efforts in support of Holy Cross’ first Divine Mercy Sunday.
28 Wednesday Mar 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
If you have been wearing your Fourth Degree Tux for about ten years (includes this writer), your mid-line may have spread.
If you have a synthetic fabric tux, remember that summer is fast approaching. We have already seen 80 degree days and it is still spring. So, what’s a Sir Knight to do?
Think about upgrading to a 100% wool tux. Yep, you would be more comfortable in a new, well fitting, cool tux. It’s affordable too!
Right in our own neighborhood, Hillsborough, there is a company who sells off rental tuxes. It is Formalwear Outlet on Millstone Drive. The best suits are retained and they have a huge selection. We visited them recently and did some pricing.
A jacket is $55 and pants are up there in price. But, wait! They have a special package for just $95.00. You get your own tuxedo jacket, tuxedo pants, shirt, vest, tie, studs and cufflinks. And, you get to try it on. They carry top brands like After Six, Andrew Fezza, Chaps Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Tommy Hilfiger and more.
For those of you living a good distance from Hillsborough, you can order by mail and your fit and satisfaction is guaranteed.
Let’s not forget our ladies, gentlemen. They also have gowns!
Sponsoring a candidate for the Fourth Degree? Share this information with them. Help them take the sting out of stepping up to membership in the Divine Mercy Assembly. Visit their site to learn more.
11 Saturday Feb 2012
Posted in bingo at the VA hospital, Durham VAMC
 |
| Assembly members host a Casino Night table at the VAMC |
One of the most rewarding things we do, as Knights of the Fourth Degree, is to visit with our hospitalized veterans at the VA Hospital in Durham.
At a funeral of a Chapel Hill veteran, a brother knight heard a family member. The son told the story of his father that included his dad’s long term care at the VA Hospital. The son said that his father enjoyed the times when he got to play bingo and win cash prizes. He enjoyed the small victories and the “winnings.” It made his stay less confining and he loved spending his winnings in the hospital canteen. Our visits do make a big difference, and they are appreciated.
The Assembly will be sponsoring Bingo at the VA hospital on Wednesday night, February 15th at 6:30 p.m. You are invited to help with the games. We will gather at the Community Living Center on the second floor of the Durham VAMC. Abena Jones-Boone, who works at the VA hospital, usually calls the games and we help the patients with their Bingo cards. Mike Memrick will have the prize money for the winners.
Mike says,”I would like to see our regular volunteers and any new volunteers who may be interested in serving our veterans. The veterans are very appreciative of our presence and they have a good time. Looking forward to seeing you there. You may park in the front parking lot of the medical center.” Let’s give Mike and his team our support and overwhelm them with Knights.
Directions to Durham VAMC
02 Thursday Feb 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
You have seen her in action with her camera at all Assembly events, it was Barbara Lodge. She is a professional photographer and really enjoys what she does. Learn more
Barbara has uploaded the January event photos (65) to a gallery for you to view and freely download for your own use. Visit gallery
There are other galleries at the same site. These include other Assembly events. These photos are also available for download, if you wish. Directions on how to download the photos are found inside each gallery. Barbara said that she would be happy to help you, should you have download problems. Contact Barbara
 |
| Barbara and Bill Lodge |
We thank Barbara Lodge for taking the time to take the photos and share them with you. She is very talented and rarely misses capturing us at our finest and happiest moment.
Don’t forget to use the this blog and her gallery was recruiting tools. Pictures speak volumes.
30 Monday Jan 2012
Posted in Social dinner
Our January dinner was a resounding success with 63 people in attendance. No, the numbers are not what made it a success, it was the camaraderie. When the meal was done and comments made, many stayed on for another half hour to chat with others at their table.
If you were not there, here are a few pictures of what you missed in the way of a fabulous meal, expertly prepared and served.
29 Thursday Dec 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
 |
| First Class dining in Durham |
It is time to spiff up your tux to look sharp for your lady as you prepare for our January 2012 Fourth Degree Social at the Durham University Club.
The dinner is Wednesday, January 25th, 2012.
We will have our social gathering (cash bar) at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. we will sit down and prepare for another great dinner buffet.
The price is the same as before and includes your gratuity. That means you will dine in luxury for less than you pay at one of those local chain restaurants.
06 Tuesday Dec 2011
Posted in amputees wounded warrior
For five consecutive years our Assembly has stepped forward to do something to honor our veterans on Veterans Day. We took time to honor our serving military by doing something very special for our wounded warriors. This group has a larger number of amputees than earlier conflicts.
They have returned home from the battlefield to receive rehabilitation training and prosthetics. This is an amazing group of proud men and women. They are eager to return to normal and many want to return to duty! But, they are assigned to hospitals and rehab and would not normally have the funds to go home for Christmas. We changed that!
The Knights of the Fourth Degree, Desoto Province (North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Puerto Rico), jointly use this time of year to raise money to send our local North Carolina amputees home for Christmas. This includes both Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune soldiers, sailors, and marines. We do this by working with the Military Order of the Purple Heart. They provide matching funds and ensure the vets get taken care of.
Last year the Desoto Province worked to help send 303 warriors home by mid-December. Then, 60 more flew in with 17 war dead. It was December 15th. Our Knights and the Military Order of the Purple Heart met the challenge and quickly raised enough money to include these 60 vets!
We are humbled and honored to perform this service as part of our ministry. Our Assembly raised $5,125.56. We thank the members of our assembly and the parishes of St. Thomas More and Holy Cross in Durham for their deep pockets and warm hearts.
Watch this video to see just what a difference we are making by seeing our hospitalized veterans return to normal through rehab. You are sure to agree, they deserve it! Remember, it is not too early to start filling a coin jar for next year’s drive.
05 Monday Dec 2011
Posted in Battle Hymn Knights of Columbus
We go through life listening, but not hearing. We see, but often miss the horizon and the colors. This is also true with music.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic. You have heard it a thousand times, but have you read the words as it is sung? Can you hear the words now echoing in your mind?
It arrived today in my mailbox from Sir Knight Joe Acciarito and I was about to delete it. It was loading slowly and I, as always, was in a hurry. Something told me to slow down, to take it a little easier, to listen. I could hear Joe! An introduction appeared and I was intrigued, then flag unfurled and I was in awe.
Patriotism is our basis, the bible is our sword. Watch, listen, and read the words as they are sung. It is a message about Christ and His love. Watch video
