KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 1

KNIGHT LIFE

ARLINGTON COUNCIL 2473 ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

August 2021 Founded May 20, 1923 Number 2

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

The month of August is dedicated to The Immac-

ulate Heart of Mary. Venerable People Pius XII

established this feast in 1944 to help heal a world

torn apart by war. Seventy-seven years later, we

are beginning to heal a world wounded by a

global pandemic. It is fitting that we honor Mary

during this month, this new beginning, this op-

portunity to rebuild and rejuvenate.

I would like to commend the good work of Bill

Wester who, among his many other responsibili-

ties, has tirelessly processed applications of pro-

spective Brother Knights into our Council.

On July 10th, during the Virginia State Council

meeting, Arlington Council #2473 was recog-

nized for recruiting an impressive 53 new mem-

bers last fraternal year. Congratulations to our

new Brother Knights and their families who sup-

port them in their Catholic journey.

Also noted during the Virginia State Council

meeting was the excellent work that Nick Beirne

and Mark Joyce did on behalf of Arlington Coun-

cil with the Box of Joy program this past fraternal

year. This was a new charitable effort for our

Council which provided Christmas gifts and nec-

essary items to impoverished children in Haiti,

the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala,

El Salvador, Grenada, and the Bahamas. Nick

and Mark did a great job and earned recognition

for our council while helping many in need.

Upcoming events include food drives, blood

drives, and fundraisers. Next month, we will

bring back Sunday Family Brunch and will need

volunteers to serve food and bus tables.

Summer BBQ’s continue and

we need Grillmasters.

Thanksgiving is on the hori-

zon and will require dona-

tions of turkeys and volun-

teers to serve over 3,000 peo-

ple in our community who

would otherwise not get a

Thanksgiving dinner. We have positions availa-

ble in the Red Coats, several committees, and on

the council.

Our first principle is Charity and it is the corner-

stone of our faith. This month’s Knight Life con-

tains several stories of charitable service. Last

month, I indicated that my primary focus is to

mobilize more of our Brother Knights than ever

before.

I hope that in the reading, you find a spark with-

in yourself, a calling to serve others. There are

many in our council, parishes, and community

that need our help, and we need YOUR help to

meet their need.

Whether you can offer an hour or two a month,

or a few days a week, your time matters to oth-

ers, if you can give it. You can reach me at

scott.wanek@icloud.com. I am excited to hear

from you to find out where your specific talents

and interests intersect with these and many other

initiatives.

Vivat Jesus,

Scott Wanek, GK

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 2

COUNCIL OFFICERS 2020-2021

Grand Knight: Scott Wanek 571-488-5826

Chaplain: Fr Joseph Giordano, CICM 571-982-5902

Dep Grand Knight: Charles Feghali 703-967-5304

Chancellor: Mark Joyce 703-946-6013

Fin Secretary: Bill Wester 571-276-1410

Treasurer: Andrew Rudolphi 609-364-3139

Recorder: Bryant Gilbertson 703-966-8862

Advocate: Joe McClanahan 703-861-8335

Warden: Dave Suchyta 586-305-0698

Inside Guard: Nick Beirne 202-531-8808

Outside Guard: Paul Kozich 703-505-5905

Trustees: Steve McTeague, PGK 703-969-1570

John Rovinski, Jr, PGK 703-536-6356 x 320

Jim Saenz, PGK 703-636-0075

Fraternal Benefits Advisors

Robert J Canter, Jr, CSA, FICF, LUTCF 301-952-0180

Daniel G Garrrigan, FIC 571-575-1207

Council Office 703-536-9656 x 320

Council Home Mansion 703-536-9656 x 314

In case of illness or death of a member

Please call the Council Office 703-536-6356 x 320

Committee Chairmen

Church Activities: Art Gamotis PGK 703-448-0332

Community Acts: John Carmany 703-876-4654

Communications: Bill Wester 571-276-1410

Council Activities: Art Gamotis PGK 703-448-0332

Faith and Parish: Mark Joyce 703-946-6013

Fraternal Activities: Joe Baker PGK 808-333-9689

Youth Activities: Steve Willenbucher 571-438-1517

500 Club: Council Office 703-536-9656 x 320

Advertising: Rick Vranesh PGK 571-214-9775

Blood Drive: Len Sese 703-641-4843

Charity: vacant

KCIC: Jim Holland PGK 703-533-1550

Knight Life Editor: Anthony Demangone 571.332.2512

KOVAR: Art Gamotis PGK 703-448-0332

Ladies U-Knighted: Jo Balsamo Wood 703-263-1185

Membership: Greg Strizek 703-346-4387

Organ Donors: Jerry Garren PGK 202-498-1638

Retention: Jim Holland PGK 703-533-1550

Waiters: Bob Muschamp 703-237-8475

Columbus Club of Arlington 2021 Board Officers

Grand Knight: Scott Wanek 571-488-5826

Dep Grand Knight: Charles Feghali 703-967-5304

President: Greg Strizek 703-346-4387

Vice President Bob Dannemiller FDD PGK703-685-3795

Secretary: Steve Willenbucher 571-438-1517

Treasurer: Charlie Boone 703-843-4248

Asst Treasurer: Anthony Demangone 571-332-2512

Board of Directors

Bryant Porter 202-213-8650

Brett Smith 703-536-6356 x 320

John Rovinski, PGK 703-489-3112

Al Garesche 703-967-5304

Jerry Garren PGK 202-498-1638

Club Staff

Acting General Manager: Nick Beirne 703-536-9656 x 310

operations@columbusclubevents.com

Events Mgr: Rene Padilla 703-536-9656 x 311

eventsales@columbusclubevents.com

Summer Camp Director: Ellie Ellison 703-536-9656 x 324

Pool Phone in Season: 703-536-9656 x 313

Columbus Club Update

What does that mean, “Discover the Catholic Difference?” Is it just a

marketing slogan or is there real meaning behind it?

Let’s look at that at several levels. Our Catholicity as an organization

forms all that we do. Our Order was founded on the principles of

Charity, Unity and Fraternity; as a Catholic business we also have core

values of Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence and Respect.

Money from insurance premiums and annuity deposits is managed by

the Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors. They manage more than $27

billion, using sound investment strategies in full compliance with the

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ socially responsible in-

vestment guidelines. We won’t invest in companies that engage in

abortions, producing abortifacient drugs, embryonic stem cell research,

human cloning or pornography. Our Asset Advisors prove that a busi-

ness can operate on these principles and still produce a healthy profit.

That’s a Catholic Difference!

Our charitable contributions of more than $185 million last year went

to a wide variety of organizations. Many were Catholic, but some were

not. We give money to support worthy causes and we do that, not be-

cause they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic. We are support-

ing victims of genocide in Syria and other places in the Middle

East. We have placed more than 1000 ultrasound machines in all 50

states and saved more the 1 million lives. We financially and spiritually

support seminarians, disaster victims, Special Olympians and many

others. That’s a Catholic Difference!

And speaking of the insurance program, let’s talk about the “Discover

the Catholic Difference” there. First, our products are designed with

our members’ needs in mind. For example, I’m not aware of any other

company that offers a Spousal Waiver of Premium benefit…and there

is no additional premium for that! Second, we have never raised our

Long-Term Care Insurance premiums, something very few, if any, in-

surance companies can say. Third, we offer Disability Income Insur-

ance to blue collar workers as well as white and grey collar workers.

We recognize that it’s not just the affluent that need that coverage.

Fourth, our fixed-rate annuity has a minimum guarantee for life, mean-

ing a member will always make money on his money. Now that’s the

Catholic Difference!

If you’d like to find out about more Catholic differences that could

make a difference in your life, let us know.

Robert J. Canter, Jr. FICF, LUTCF, CSA, LACP 301-952-0180

Daniel G. Garrigan FIC 703-494-0967

The Catholic Difference

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 3

The Columbus Club Board will

continue to provide monthly up-

dates on Club finances, Club

events, and other campus activi-

ties. This month’s updates include

the following:

Finances – the Board is happy to

report that pool can camp revenue

provided for strong June numbers,

pushing the Club into the black for

2021 YTD. The Club will continue

to recognize pool and camp reve-

nue in July and August providing

the opportunity for a strong finan-

cial year.

Holy Mackerels – congratulations

to the Holy Mackerels for a suc-

cessful season. The Boy’s team

won the Red Division Banner with

a 5-0 record and 40 swimmers

qualified for the All Star Meet. The

swim team provides a great oppor-

tunity for pool member families

and these families provide tremen-

dous support to the Club, thank

you!

Deep End – we would like to

thank Jimmy Luthman and Maria

Diaz for their efforts. Jimmy is

managing the Deep End and Maria

is leading food preparation efforts.

Those who have been on the

grounds know that we have a re-

vised menu that allows our staff to

deliver fresh meals quickly to you

in the picnic area and staff that

takes drink orders and delivers

refreshments to you at your table

all evening. The Board has happily

fielded a number of compliments

on the operations.

Council Home – there are a num-

ber of up-

dates related

to the Coun-

cil Home, in-

cluding:

• Return of

Tuesday

To-Go

Meals –

the Coun-

cil Home

staff has

restarted

our Tues-

day To-Go efforts, providing

your Council Home favorites.

Please support our Club and

staff on Tuesdays when you

can.

• Trivia Knight – Council Treas-

urer Andrew Rudolphi has cre-

ated a weekly trivia night at

the Council Home. The Council

Home is now open on Wednes-

day evenings and serving food

and drinks for trivia night. The

first two weeks have been well

attended, but we could also use

more teams. Thank you An-

drew for creating a new tradi-

tion.

• Council Home Hours – the

current hours for the Council

Home are Wed, 4-close; Friday,

4-close; and Sat-Sun, noon-

close. Friday-Sunday food

may be ordered from the Deep

End menu and Deep End staff

will deliver it to you in the

Council Home. Please support

Steve and our staff as we try to

work towards expanding

hours.

• Family Brunch – the Board is

looking towards September as

the date for the reopening of

Family Brunch and will moni-

tor the situation and provide

updates as we get closer.

Again, the Board would like to

thank all members for their contin-

ued support, we would not have

made it through this difficult time

without our members providing

continued support.

We would also like to thank our

staff – Nick Beirne, Rene Padilla,

Maria Diaz, Aussie Steve, Jimmy

Luthman, Ruth Haubert, and all of

their staff in helping us get to this

point. If you have any thoughts,

ideas, or feedback please feel free

to talk to any of the Board mem-

bers listed on page 2 of the Knight-

Life or e-mail the President, Greg

Strizek, directly at

gstrizek@yahoo.com.

Columbus Club Update

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 4

OBITUARIES

We are unaware of any Brother

Knights who have passed away in

the past month. With that in mind,

please say a prayer for all our

Brothers who have passed away

through the years.

SICK AND IN

OUR PRAYERS

Please remember the following

members and their families in your

prayers. If you have time, give

them a call or drop them a note.

Also, please remember to pray for

protection, healing, and guidance

during the coronavirus pandemic.

For all our Brother Knights

who are unable to travel to

visit with family this holiday

season.

For the slate of Council who

started on July 1, 20201.

For our Parish Priests.

For police, firefighters, and

healthcare workers.

Also, please pray for the Can-

onization of Father McGivney.

This month, I would like to recognize our Wor-

thy Chancellor and Faith Committee Chair,

Mark Joyce.

Mark has served an important role for our

Council by organizing several faith-based out-

reach events including ‘Box of Joy’, which pro-

vides Christmas gifts to impoverished children,

and ‘Author Talk’ talk/discussion led by author

Kevin Wells on his book ‘Priest & Beggar: The

Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz’.

Mark has recently decided to follow his calling to the priesthood.

He has been accepted by Missionhurst – CICM and will begin his priest-

ly training this month. Mark’s decision to live a life of service to others is

one that I am very proud of. I ask all of you to pray for Mark, that he

may find joy and satisfaction in his ministry. Vivat Jesus!

4

Knight of the Month

As our worthy Grand Knight men-

tioned, please be on the lookout for

two items of interest.

Trivia in the Council Home. Wor-

thy Brother Andrew Rudolphi has

been doing a fantastic job hosting

trivia nights on Wednesdays. Bring

your friends, and test your wits!

Family Breakfast in

the Maini Hall. For

those newer Knights,

you don’t want to miss

the family breakfast.

We’ll start those back

up in September.

Scrambled eggs. Bacon.

Biscuits. Waffles. Ome-

lets and more. This is a great place

to relax with your family—so look

for the September Knight Life for

dates and the menu.

Finally, it is a good reminder to fol-

low the Knights Facebook page

where we’ll keep you up to date on

things happening on campus. Go

to www.facebook.com/KofC2473/

and add us to feed!

Be on the Lookout

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 5

Meet Steve Willenbucher

Steve Willenbucher

was elected to the Co-

lumbus Club Board in

January of 2020, and

is currently serving as

the CCA Board Secre-

tary. Steve has been a

Knight for six years,

grew up in Mary-

land, and is a gradu-

ate of George Washington University. He lives

in Alexandria with his wife Shannon, and their

two children; Lauren, and Thomas who are

both proud students at Saint Ann. The Willen-

buchers love the Knights, and all that

our Campus offers for Catholic fellowship, and

good old fashioned fun as well as the close con-

nections to our Parishes. Steve is enjoying a

successful career in the government contracting

business spanning 21 years supporting DoD

and Civilian Agencies. Like all of us, Steve de-

votes time towards working to secure the fu-

ture of our Council and Club so that we can all

enjoy it for generations to come. Steve has been

and hopes to continue to use his keen contract

negotiation skills and the development of re-

peatable business practices to ensure our Club

dollars are spent wisely, ethically, and within a

sound business framework. Steve often jokes

about his home in Alexandria being too far

from Campus for his liking, but comes up as

often as he can to spend time with

his family, friends, and Brother Knights. If you

have not met Steve, next time you see him on

Campus please say hello to him and strike up a

conversation. See how long you can last before

he makes you laugh!

Special thanks

to Brian Schill

and his Arling-

ton Council

Grillmasters,

Randy Bender,

Jack Person,

and Dan Garri-

gan.

When Father

Don at St.

Charles contacted us asking for volunteers to support the

1st St. Charles BBQ in over a year, these Brother Knights

stepped forward and said, “yes, I will”. Also, thanks to

Nick Beirne and his team for supplying (and moving) the

6’ grill. Over 200 hungry St. Charles parishioners were

served hamburgers and hot dogs, and were able to join in

some much-needed fellowship after a very hard year.

Great job by all!

St. Charles Welcome Back BBQ

Grillmasters Dan Garrigan and Randy Bender

New Council Polo Shirts

Brought to you by the Council 2473 Swag Committee, we

have new council polo shirts for sale.

Our new shirts are made from a cotton blend and feature

our new council name and logo. They are only $25 each.

We also have a limited supply of SportTek shirts in both

“dawn blue” and black.

Please contact Worthy Treasurer Andrew Rudolphi

(andrewjrudolphi@gmail.com) to arrange a purchase to-

day.

Our Grand Knight and Worthy Treasurer model the new shirts.

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 6

Brothers, please help us welcome

and support our new slate of offic-

ers for the Knights of Columbus.

All of their contact information can

be found on page one of the

Knight Life.

These Catholic Gentlemen need

your help. As our Worth Grand

Knight said in his monthly mes-

sage, we urge all of you to reach

out and volunteer this year in

some way. Many hands make light

work,. And through the charity of

volunteering, you’ll meet fellow

Brothers and achieve another core

principle—Fraternity.

God’s speed gentlemen, and let us

know how we can lend a hand.

Welcome to our new Slate of Officers

Brother Knights: Are you retired? Would you like to

join us for some good food and conversation?

Our retirees meet once a month (second Tuesday of

each month) at 12:30 pm in a private room at Antho-

ny"s restaurant-3000 Annandale Road. Please join us

for fellowship and camaraderie. Next retiree luncheon

is Tuesday August 10. We look forward to seeing you.

Any questions, please contact John Cormany at 703-

732-7287.

Our hope is to grow attendance and ultimately have it

hosted at the Council Home.

Knights of Columbus

Retirees Luncheon Mother and her Twins

A mother and her twins have been spotted on the

campus recently. We’re not sure if they are pool

members, but if anyone has a chance to speak to

them, tell them about the upcoming family breat-

fast in September.

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 7

KNIGHT LIFE PAGE 8

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Arlington Council 2473

5115 Little Falls Road

Arlington, Virginia 22207-1899

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Merrifield, VA Permit # 1087

DATED MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE

All Knights are automatically registered to receive

the Knight Life by email. Others may request to

receive the Knight Life by email rather than by

U.S. Mail. The cost savings allows us to donate

more to charitable causes. Please type “bit.ly/

KnightLife” into a web browser to sign up.