November 27, 2025
Dear Brothers,
We want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We are all grateful for the
Blessings of the season.
The month of November was another busy one for our Council and want to thank everyone
who contributed to the success of these programs.
I was especially proud to accept the Star Council Award at the Florida State Deputy
Meeting on behalf of our Council 9924. I am grateful for the leadership of our past Grand
Knight Rick Keurtz and the stewardship of our Financial Secretary, Mark Crews.
November Activities
We had another successful Best Knights Breakfast on November 2nd followed by OLOL’s
Bingo on the first Monday of each month. Everyone had a great time and the 50/50 raffle
is growing in popularity as the raffle payout exceeded $500 for the second month. Thanks
to all who helped and congratulations to Tom Hankard & Jay Junkus who will be the cochairs (with the CCW) in running the Bingo for OLOL.
Many Knights attended the Veterans Day Mass on November 11th at Sarasota National
Cemetery, honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. Special thanks to
Assembly 1818 Color Corps for their tribute and honor of the deceased Veterans.
On November 10th our Council 9924 held our third annual fundraiser dinner dance in
support of Operation Warrior Resolution that provides mental health and physical healing
for veterans and their families at their new site in Sarasota. Thank you to Ray Pronko for
leading this program for the past three years.
Please contact Grand Knight Eric Bisighini on how you can still make a contribution to
OWR through the Flanzar Trust. Your donation is matched up to $500 per person per
month.
Thank you to Paul Krause, and all who donated to the Blood Drive on November 11th, a
total of 34 units of blood were donated.
We had a very successful recruiting drive this past Sunday November 23rd. I would
especially like to thank Steve Vacca for coordinating this drive for Mark Schaefer who was
traveling out of town. I want to thank several of our newest Knights who helped at the
drive. I believe your enthusiasm will encourage others to join the Knights.
I am pleased to announce that Mark Schaefer has asked me to be considered for the Deputy
Grand Knight position in Council 9924. I have known Mark for several years, working
closely with him on many membership drives and on the retention project, He was also
actively involved with the Knights of Columbus in the Chicago, holding positions of
increasing responsibility; including Membership Director, Deputy Grand Knight as well as
actively involved with the Knights at the State level (in Illinois).
We will follow the formal nominating process at the December 10th General meeting. I
encourage everyone to attend (if you can) as this will be the last meeting of the calendar
year (Note 6:45PM start time).
December Events
- December 3rd Wednesday, KoC Officers Meeting in Parish Hall Library, 1:00-2:00PM
- December 4th Thursday, CCW & KoC Christmas Party in Parish Hall, 5:30-9:00PM
- December 5th, 6th & 7th, Clothing Drive at OLOL Green Pavillion, 9:00AM-5:00PM
- December 5th Friday, New York Tenors in Parish Hall, 7:00-10:00PM
- December 7th Sunday, Knights Breakfast in Parish Hall, after 8:00AM and 10:00AM Masses
- December 10th Wednesday, Knights 9924 Monthly Meeting in Parish Hall, 5:30PM Rosary, 6:00PM Dinner 6:45PM-8:00PM Meeting
- December 27th-28th, Food Collection at main Church Entry, 45 minutes before all Mass Times
Tickets for the Christmas Party are $40 per person and include a catered dinner (by Café
Venice) served Buffet style. BYOB, and water tea and coffee are provided. RSVP by
December 1st. Make check payable to OLOL CCW and turn in envelope with your name
and check to parish office by Monday December 1st.
We only have eighty people attending vs 150 last year. If you want to attend, but can’t
make it to the Parish office on Monday, send an email to eric.bisighini@gmail.com with
your names and I will purchase your tickets and you can pay me later.
Finally, I need 4-6 Knights to help clean up. Since it is catered the clean-up will
consist of cleaning/moving the tables for the Irish Tenors stadium seating on December
5th.
Fraternally yours, Eric Bisighini, Grand Knight, Council 9924