✝️ Cross and Compass

Knights of Columbus Council Newsletter
November 2025 Edition

November 1, 2025

Brother Knights,     

Welcome to my first edition of Cross & Compass. It is an honor to be your next Grand Knight this year; and I look forward to working with all of you during the upcoming year.

October Activities

A total of 33 Knights & wives participated in a Columbus Day Retreat at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Venice on October 8th. Reverend Leland Thorp and his team inspired us with his insights on the power of prayer. We received the grace of Confession and attended Adoration & Mass in a peaceful setting.

The turnout for the Knights Breakfast on October 5th under the guidance of George Bevis was excellent, especially with the unexpected rush after the 10:00am Mass.  Thanks to the Breakfast Crew who made this possible.

At the Exemplification on October 12th in Church Hall we welcomed five new Knights: John Constanza (sp Vinnie Ferris) Louis Lamberto (sp, Ray Pronko), Anthony Leone (sp. Dan Dacey) William Linder (sp, Vince Ferris), Frank Marro (sp. Tim Foley)

We kicked off our first Live Bingo in conjunction with the CCW on Monday October 8th.  The turnout exceeded all our expectations. Nearly 200 people attended and we grossed nearly $4,000 after prizes and expenses with 80% of the proceeds going to Meals on Wheels of Venice and 20% going to the CFA. 

Thank-you to everyone who helped launch Bingo, especially Brother Eddie Jones who initiated the project, the leadership of Brother Mark Crews who “steered the ship through turbulent seas” and all the Knights and CCW volunteers. A special shoutout to our Treasurer Mike O’Connell and Program Director Ricardo Oritiz. The next Bingo will be held in the Church Hall on November 3rd at 6:00 pm and the first Monday of each month. Doors will open at 5:30 PM. Please invite your family & friends.  My wife Lynn is bringing her “lucky charms.”

Congratulations to Brother John Owens who has been appointed Communications Director of KofC Council 9924. In this role John will be attending our KofC Officers Meetings, which will enable him to more effectively represent the interests of Knights of Columbus Council 9924 within the Parish.

We kicked off the $100,000 CFA Raffle in October under the leadership of Kyle Hill & Kevin O’Brien.  Grand Prize is $10,000, 2nd is $5,000, 3rd is $3,000.  Drawing is on March 22, 2026.  Early-bird drawing for $2,500 on December 21st. All the Ministries of the Parish, including the Knights, Each Knight is encouraged to purchase 2 tickets at $100 apiece.  Please Click Here to see a flyer for more information.

Everyone enjoyed the Fall Festival on October 26th; the weather was sunny and there was plenty of food for everyone. Many young people enjoyed the water slide and other activities (face painting, basketball etc.)  Thank you to all our volunteers who helped out with the cooking, serving and cleanup. 

The Food Collection under the leadership of Bob Nowicki & Bobby Whiting collected 2,275 pounds of Food and a total of $1,712 was raised for the Food Banks we support.

The Italian Night Dinner Dance & Fundraiser for Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR) will be held on November 10th at the Plantation Golf & Country Club at 500 Rockley Blvd Venice from 5PM to 9PM Special thanks to Brother Ray Pronko and his team for all their work in putting this program together and selling out all 300 tickets!

All donations made by individuals with personal checks are tax deductible and will be matched up to $500. OWR is a 501(c)3 charity.

If you can't attend but want to contribute online, please contact Ray or Eric B.  for help with the Flanzer Foundation match.

November Events

• November 1st Saturday All Souls Day Mass at National Cemetery
• November 2nd Sunday Knights Breakfast in Parish Hall after 8:00am to 10;00 am Masses. Please sign up for a shift or invite your Family and Friends (Daylight Savings Time!)
• November 2nd Sunday 2:00PM All Souls Day Mass at Venice Memorial Gardens located at 1950 Center Road, Venice (Knights are helping to sponsor this event)
• November 5th Wednesday KofC Officers Meeting in Parish Hall Library 1-2PM
• November 8th & 9th Recruiting Drive after all Masses (Mark Shaeffer)
• November 10th Operation Warrior Resolution Dinner Dance Monday 5-9PM at the Plantation
• November 12th Knights 9924 Monthly Meeting 5:30 Rosary, 6:00 Dinner 7:00-8:00 Meeting
• November 13th Brothers Breakfast 9:00am to 10:30 at Eggs-traordinary - Order & Pay individually  
• November 16th Blood Drive 9:00am to Noon Church Hall Parking Lot (Paul Krause)

I am grateful for everyone’s help in volunteering for so many activities and proud of our support of so many ministries at Our Lady of Lourdes. Father Jay has also expressed his sincere thanks for all of our good works by Knights Council 9924 & Assembly 1818.

As many of you know, Brother Rick Keurtz is stepping down as Grand Knight at our last meeting for health reasons, Council rules require the Deputy Grand Knight to assume the role and responsibilities as Grand Knight.

Council 9924 is faced with a critical need for a Deputy Grand Knight. I was fortunate to serve as DGK under Brothers Ron Bowes & Rick Keurtz for nearly 4 years; and the transition to GK has been relatively smooth.

However, my ability to cover both positions is not sustainable in the longer term.  Therefore I ask for someone to prayerfully consider the nomination of DGK at the Wednesday November 12th meeting.

I promise you my full support and the Officer teams of both Council 9924 & Assembly 1818.  I am committed to serve a maximum of 2 years (ending June 30th 2027) in order to provide continuity.

“Jesus I Trust in You”

Fraternally yours, Eric Bisighini, Grand Knight Council 9924