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"ESTO DIGNUS - BE WORTHY"

From the desk of the State Director...

Another reason why I'm proud to be a Knight... and you, as Squires, should be proud of their sponsorship:

Supreme Court rejects challenge to "under God" in Pledge of Allegiance
Knights of Columbus waged successful defense on East and West Coast cases
June 14, 2011 - Flag Day

(NEW HAVEN, CONN.) - The United States Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance, thus ending a seven year battle involving two separate cases, one originating in California and the other in New Hampshire. The Knights of Columbus, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, played a key role in defending the Pledge as a "defendant intervenor" in both cases.

"The Knights of Columbus is proud to have played a major role in successfully defending the constitutionality of the words 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. "We were instrumental in persuading Congress to add those words to the Pledge in 1954, and they express a fundamental belief that we have held as a nation since our founding, that we 'are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.' The notion that this somehow violates the First Amendment has now been soundly rejected by both the First and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court has now allowed both decisions to stand. It is a victory for common sense."

The Ninth Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the Pledge in March 2010 and the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the California case in March 2011. The First Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the Pledge in November 2010 and the Supreme Court denied certiorari in that case yesterday, June 13, 2011.

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California State Circle, No. 8005 - Columbian Squires

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

During this third quarter of CY '10-'11, the State Circle continued to strive in memory of Past State Director Denny Riopel who went to his eternal reward on June 17, 2010. Brother Denny was a shining example of what it is to be a Catholic gentleman.

1. Columbian Squires Membership Rosters dated 01/01/2011:
Total number of active circles - 49
Total number of Squires - 689 (up 55 since 07/01/2010)
18 year olds as of 06/30/2011 - 91 (current number of Squires eligible for Knighthood)

2. New circles:
Reactivated circles - St. Joseph Caffasso Circle, No. 788, Lynwood (sponsored by Compton   Council, No. 2568)
                                    - Valley Squires Circle, No. 4346, Perris (sponsored by Fr. Patrick J. Scanlan Council, No. 9986)
Newly chartered circle - Immaculate Heart of Mary Circle, No. 5465, Los Angeles (sponsored by Immaculate Heart of Mary Council, No. 13237)

3. Scheduled Investiture of candidates for a new circle - April 30, 2011 at Palm Springs Council, No. 3583 (organized by D.G.K. William Irwin)

4. "Mini-jamboree" for Southern California area circles - April 30, 2011, sponsored by Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle, No. 505, San Bernardino (San Bernardino Council, No. 905, Chief Counselor Al Gomez)

5. A State Circle website (http://ca-state-circle.org) "By, For And About California's Squires" went on-line on June 3, 2010; it has had 602 "hits" as of 03/31/2010 indicating that its use needs to be encouraged by chief and committee counselors and circle officers. The site also boasts a restricted Facebook page limited to Squires and Knights by the State Circle.

6. Since becoming State Director, I made the decision to hold annual conventions at Catholic facilities. In 2010, our 59th annual convention was held at Loyola Marymount University if Los Angeles. The 2011 60th anniversary convention will be held at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont on the weekend of 24-26 June. An attendance of 130 Squires and counselors is anticipated at a contractual estimated cost of $14,140.00.

7. Of importance to the Knights of Columbus is the recruitment of new members. On March 15th, Chief Counselor Richard Scozzari of St. Joseph The Carpenter Circle, No. 5197, in Lincoln, CA, informed me that Squire Victor Gomez became a First Degree Knight in his circle's sponsoring council, St. Joseph's Parish Council, No. 9202. Brother Victor was the circle's first Squire to become a Knight of Columbus. I am sure that other Squires have become Knights during the current Columbian Year, but I have not been so informed by their circle leadership.

St. Joseph The Carpenter Squire Victor Gomez (right) becomes the Circle's first Squire to become a Knight in their sponsoring St. Joseph's Parish Council in Lincoln, CA. Brother Salvador Ramirez was his sponsor for both the Squires and the Knights. Congratulations, Brother Victor!

Having been a Squire in the Bellmore (NY) Circle No. 682 in the early ‘50s, I have found mentoring our Catholic young people to be both challenging and rewarding. My prayer is that more Knights will accept counsellorship of a circle.

Fraternally,

Eugene J. Buehl, Director
California State Circle – Columbian Squires

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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WINS SECOND VICTORY OF 2010 IN FEDERAL APPELLATE COURTS:

My Brother Squires and Knights,

This is why I have been a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for almost 50 years:

Blank Victory in Boston: Federal Circuit Court Upholds Pledge of Allegiance Law

11/14/2010

For the second time this year, a federal appellate court has rejected a constitutional challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance after hearing arguments from attorneys for the Knights of Columbus. On Friday, November 12, 2010, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston affirmed a lower court decision in New Hampshire dismissing a challenge by the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

As in an earlier Pledge case in California, the Knights of Columbus had joined the case as a “defendant intervenor,” and was represented by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in both written and oral arguments before the court. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance on March 11, 2010.

In its decision in Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Hanover School District, the First Circuit held that a New Hampshire law requiring that its public schools provide a period for the voluntary recitation of the Pledge does not violate the Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause, Equal Protection Clause, or the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The court, in a unanimous decision written by Chief Judge Sandra Lynch, noted that “The Supreme Court has upheld a wide variety of governmental actions that have some religious content.” Federal courts “must consider the text as a whole and must take account of context and circumstances,” the court observed.

“In reciting the Pledge,” the court continued, “students promise fidelity to our flag and our nation, not to any particular God, faith or church.” The primary effect of the New Hampshire law “is not the advancement of religion, but the advancement of patriotism,” the court said.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said that “The First Circuit decision, taken together with the Ninth Circuit decision earlier this year, reflects an unmistakable consensus among the nation’s appellate courts that the Pledge of Allegiance is constitutional. The Knights of Columbus is proud to have played a direct role in the successful defense of the Pledge in these cases, just as we are proud to have had a pivotal role in persuading Congress to add the words ‘under God’ to the Pledge in 1954. They convey a central belief that Americans have held since our founding in 1776: that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, and they are therefore not the state’s to give or take away.”

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest lay Catholic organization, with more than 1.8 million members around the world, including nearly 1.3 million in the United States. Last year, Knights of Columbus donated over $151 million and more than 69 million hours of volunteer time to charity.

Fratermally/Esto dignus - Be worthy,

Gene Buehl, Director

California State Circle

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POST-CONVENTION REPORT:

The 59th Annual State Circle Convention is now history and I can finally enjoy a little respite. Attending this year’s convention were circles from Napa, San Bernardino, Colton (California's newest circle), Lancaster (California's largest circle), Norwalk, Indio, Oceanside, Desert Hot Springs, Lincoln, Turlock and both Escondido circles. My best "guesstimate" at this time (I haven't reviewed the final accounting from the university) is that 89 boys and 26 adults attended the convention with the addition of those Squires and counselors from the local area who attended as "daytime participants."

Following Friday evening's opening ceremonies, 10 candidates were invested into the Columbian Squires by the 2009-2010 state officers. Following the investiture was the traditional "Living Rosary." This year, we were blessed to have the presence of Fr. José Salvador Ledesma throughout the convention. Fr. Sal is the father prior of Turlock's All Saints Circle and traveled to the convention with their Squires and Chief Counselor Rich Delgado. At Friday evening's "Living Rosary," Fr. Sal participated along with LMU/LA chaplain, Fr. Jim Arenz, S.J., who blessed our candles (donated by P.F.N. Jerry Heying of Anthem Church Supply).

State Father Prior Lucas Jauregui had a 1:00 p.m. ground breaking with Bishop Brom at St. Pius X on the Saturday of the convention, so he couldn't travel to LMU/LA till mid-afternoon. Fortunately, The Chapel of The Sacred Heart wasn't available until 6:00 p.m. due to an afternoon wedding. Thanks to the presence of Fr. Sal, confessions were heard at 5:00 p.m. in the residence hall lounge and, even though we couldn't get an auxiliary bishop for our convention Mass, we had three priests to concelebrate the Mass, Frs. Luke Jauregui, Sal Ledesma and Jim Arenz. Following the Mass, Fr. Jauregui blessed the jewels and the newly elected state officers were installed by State Warden Tim Carvalho. Elected to office for Columbian Year 2010-2011 were State Chief Squire Felipe Sanchez (Turlock), State Deputy Chief Squire Gregory Harlow (Lincoln), State Notary Squire Michael Schexnayder (Escondido), State Bursar Squire Antonio Rodriguez (Lancaster), State Marshal Squire Kyle Newman (San Bernardino), State Sentry Squire Damian Torres (Colton), State Arm Captain Squire Joseph Mackey (Oceanside) and State Pole Captain Squire Joseph Luna (Norwalk).

The awards banquet was held in St. Robert's Hall and featured a "Greek Grill" (tossed or Greek salad, chicken, beef or tofu kabobs, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, beverage and assorted desserts). The featured speaker was State Warden Tim Carvalho who attended with wife Stephanie. Also speaking was Fr. Arenz who spoke of the cause for the canonization of Ven. Fr. Emil Kapaun, an Army chaplain who died in a North Korean POW camp in 1951 and who is being considered for the Medal of Honor. Quite a story!

Following the talks was the presentation of the awards for the past Columbian Year. The "Church Ministry Squire of The Year" award went to Escondido's Msgr. Lawlor Circle Squire Sean McCoy, the "Counselor of The Year" award was presented to Chief Counselor Richard Delgado of Turlock's All Saints Circle, the "Squire of The Year" award was earned by Indio Circle's Laurent Spence, and the "Circle of The Year" plaque was given to Livermore's Mother Teresa of Calcutta Circle.

In closing, I would like to mention that this year's convention was dedicated to the memory of my predecessor, Brother Denny Riopel. Having cared for wife Ellen for more than two years following her heart transplant, Brother Denny became ill about four or five months ago and succumbed to cancer that affected much of his body on the morning of June 17th. For me, Brother Denny was always the shining example of what it is to be a Catholic gentleman. State Warden Carvalho spoke about Brother Denny's funeral at the awards dinner stating that St. Norbert Church in Orange saw more people at the Thursday morning funeral Mass than at a regular Sunday Mass. Ten state officers (including the State Deputy and State Deputy-elect) and 40 sir Knights in colors were in attendance. Quite a tribute, to say the least, and to honor Brother Denny, I am dedicating my efforts this Columbian Year to his memory. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Fratermally/Esto dignus - Be worthy,

Gene Buehl, Director

California State Circle

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"Thank You" Note from Mrs. Ellen Riopel:

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State Director's 2010 Convention Letter:

My Brother Squires and Knights,

As I write this letter, it is Father’s Day 2010. Today is much like the bright, sunny day I met State Chief Squire Stephen Codekas, Director Denny Riopel and Arrowhead-Desert Valley Chapter Committeeman Tom Quinn in San Bernardino. We were there to check out California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) as the site of our 57th Annual State Circle Convention. Much of the legwork had already been done by S.C.S. Stephen, who lived in nearby Indio. I was there to “learn how to run a convention” since I was to take over as state director following the convention. Wife Ellen’s increasing medical care needs was the intervening factor causing Brother Denny to make the decision to step down. Since the C.S.U.S.B. convention, the State Circle had a successful convention at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont in 2009, but it wasn’t the same without Brother Denny at the helm.

Now we are beginning our 59th Annual State Circle Convention here in Los Angeles, close to Brother Denny’s home in Anaheim. But Brother Denny won’t be here this year either. God called him home on the morning of June 17th following a short battle with cancer that affected much of his body. For me, Brother Denny was always the shining example of what it is to be a Catholic gentleman. And so it will be that we dedicate this 59th Annual State Circle Convention to the memory of Brother Dennis P. Riopel… child of God, husband to Ellen, father of two, grandfather to three, provider for his family, dedicated Knight of Columbus… and heir of Heaven.

Read the Orange County Catholic article and take note of all that Brother Denny did to fill his days on this earth. How many times have we said, “I’m too busy to do this” or “I’m too busy to do that?” Have you heard the expression, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.”? Maybe we can take this example in Brother Denny’s life and apply it to our own. If you are, in fact, really busy… maybe it’s time to tackle the Squire Advancement Program and become California’s next “Squire of The Body of Christ.” To honor Brother Denny, let’s get “busy” in our lives… busy with the things that really matter.

Brother Denny would also want us to mix a little fun with the work of the convention, so let’s get busy during the convention sessions so there is more time left to relax, have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

Esto dignus – Be worthy,

Gene Buehl, Director
California State Circle

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Passing of Past State Director and Brother Dennis P. Riopel:

My Brother Knights and Squires,

It is with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of my predescessor, Brother Denny Riopel. Brother Denny passed away on Thursday morning following a short battle with cancer throughout much of his body. Brother Denny was, for me, a shining example of what it is to be a Catholic gentleman. In addition to being past director of the California State Circle, Brother Denny was also a Former District Deputy, Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, retired Knights of Columbus Insurance Field Agent and, quite recently, the "Orange County Catholic Man of The Year."

Vigil Service (NO Call Out): 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 22nd, St. Norbert Church, 300 East Taft Avenue, Orange, CA (see directions below).

Recitation of The Rosary: 7:00 p.m. with a small reception to follow in the church hall.

Funeral Mass (Call Out at 9:30 a.m.): 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24th, St. Norbert Church, 300 East Taft Avenue, Orange, CA. A reception will follow in the church hall. No interment at this time.

Directions: Take the Ball Road exit off the 57 Fwy in Anaheim; the church is on the south side of Taft Avenue between Shaffer Street and Glassel Avenue, a few blocks west of Tustin Avenue. There is no Taft Avenue exit off the 55 Fwy in Orange; the closest exit is Katella Avenue.

For area map, click on http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Orange&state=CA&address=300+E+Taft+Ave&zipcode=92865-4330&country=US&latitude=33.81579&longitude=-117.850589&geocode=ADDRESS.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Ellen requests that you write a check to the Columbian Squires circle at Fr. Kass Council in Buena Park.

May Brother Denny's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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This was to have been published in the May 2010 issue of Knighletter News on the State Council website:

My Brother Knights,

Today is May 1st which means there are only fifty-five days remaining till the opening of the 59th Annual State Circle Convention at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. However, only two weeks remain for circles to sign up and make full payment for their Squires and counselors to attend. As of April 30th, I have received the required liability insurance payments from six circles and payment, partial or full, from three circles (a total of 40 Squires and counselors). Needless to say, remaining circles need to act promptly.

Of particular interest is the fact that a circle that won’t be reactivated till May 8th has already sent partial payment and will be sending 11 boys and 3 counselors to the June convention. Fr. Michael Keane Council, No. 4017, in Colton, will be reactivating Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Circle, No. 521. Grand Knight Abel Lopez heads the Colton Council and Brother Vincent Pabilla will be the newly reactivated circle’s chief counselor. Much thanks for the heads up on this information to Deputy Grand Knight Melvin Torres. It is hoped that many more circles will be signing up to welcome California’s newest circle at the convention.

For circle convenience, State Circle Form 1 (Insurance) is available on-line at http://kofc-ca.org/members/forms/circle/0115_State_Circle_Form_1_(Insurance).pdf. This form has fillable text fields; this means that the form can be completed on a computer, then printed out and mailed with the proper payment for the number of Squires and counselors covered.

Soon to be available will be State Circle Form 59TH (Attendees). This form also has fillable text fields and is used to sign up and make payment for the coming convention. Until the updated form is posted by the webmaster, you may use State Circle Form 58TH (Attendees) which can also be found on the State Council website. This convention sign up form can easily be accessed by going to http://kofc-ca.org/members/forms/circle/0000_State_Circle_Form_58TH_(Attendees).pdf. Circles are reminded that full payment of $100 per Squire and counselor MUST BE RECEIVED on or before May 14th. Regarding the planned convention T-shirts, please be advised that all sizes are based on men’s sizes.

To help pay for convention T-shirts for all attendees, I purchased 200 license plate frames for my council’s 50th anniversary. The net proceeds from the sale of these commemorative frames will be going to the State Circle. But I need more than this to make the convention a success. Perhaps your chapter, council, assembly or circle or the state’s general agents could purchase an ad in the convention booklet ($25.00-$100.00). State Circle Form 2 (Convention Ad Contract) is available on-line at http://kofc-ca.org/members/forms/circle/0530_State%20Circle%20Form%202%20(Convention%20Ad%20Contract).pdf. If last year’s form appears, you can use it until the updated form is posted by the webmaster. Businesses and field agents might consider placing a business card for a cost of $10.00 by using the same form. Even individual brothers can help by becoming “patrons” for $5.00; use State Circle Form 2P (Convention Patrons) for this purpose. Up to 8 brothers can sign up on the same form; go to http://kofc-ca.org/members/forms/circle/0530_State%20Circle%20Form%202P%20(Convention%20Patrons).pdf. Use the old form until the updated form is posted.
I would like to thank each brother who helps our “worthy” Squires have a memorable convention experience. And it is our hope that the 108th Annual State Council Convention on the weekend of 20-23 May will be a rousing success.

In closing, the State Circle officers and State Council oversight brother Knights would like to wish all Moms a Happy Mother’s Day.

Fraternally,

Gene Buehl, Director
California State Circle

Page last updated 6/15/11