Brother Knights,

We are now well into the Lenten season! We are approaching, or maybe have passed (depending on when this newsletter is published) our 3rd fish fry of the season! Our fish fry dinners are a tradition of Lent and Lincoln! Are FS Tony and DGK Matt used to come to the fish frys with their parents and I am sure many of you have some memories of the Fitzgerald Council fish frys! I have heard from numerous attendees this year, and in the past, that 1..we have the best fish in Lincoln and 2…that they have been coming for many years!

There are many reasons why I share that with you but the main reason is that our KNIGHTS are the reason many people have these wonderful memories! The Knights of the past, today’s Knights and our future Knights are what make these traditions possible.

We are blessed to have so much, yet we take so much for granted. I get nervous every week after looking at the signup genius and wondering how in the world are we going to pull off the fish fry this week when only a small number have signed up?? And then all of the sudden we have our brother knights coming through the door ready to work! Some bring their children and grandchildren to help and this is how the tradition of our wonderful fish frys continue. I am blessed to be associated with this council and the Knights that make up our council and I truly thank you for always “showing up” to make our events successful for our parish.

I hope you and your families are sharing time together, sacrificing together and making traditions together during this blessed season of Lent.

If you ever have questions, comments, or suggestions I can be reached via email at schinkelr@gmail.com.

Thank you and may God continue to bless all of us,

Ron Schinkel

Brother Knights,

Well it looks as if we are in for another half dozen weeks of winter, per Punxsutawney Phil and Unadilla Billie! Not to fret though, because these wintery days and nights will give you and your family the opportunity to enjoy, and volunteer at, our Lenten Fish Frys!!

We start this annual tradition by cooking and serving the best fish in Lincoln on February 24th! I love seeing everyone that comes through the door, dining and visiting with each other! We are so fortunate to have the success we have every year, but this all because of the time and commitment we get from you!
Once again we will be in touch asking for your help. We need many people to make this a success, and any time you can give is appreciated!

Our council recently approved the purchase of Math Booklets for all K-6 St. Teresa students. These booklets will be sent home over the summer for students to sharpen their math skills while away from school. We are proud to be able to partner with the school on many projects. This funding is possible because of our different fundraising events we do. This is why your help and involvement in our council is so important!
The fish fry tent outside of the hall will be put up on February 18th beginning at 9 AM at the hall. If you are able to help out please show up!

Our council will be holding a degree ceremony on February 13th beginning at 7 PM at the Knight’s Hall. If you are a first or second degree, this would be a great opportunity for you to get your 3rd degree. The ceremony is 30 minutes in length and then we will have beverages and pizza to celebrate. RSVP to me at schinkelr@gmail.com or text to 402-429-2515 so we can get a count of how many knights to expect.

I hope you and your family have a blessed beginning to the Lenten season. If there is anything you need from me or questions you may have regarding our council feel free to contact me using the information above.

May God continue to Bless us all,

Ron Schinkel
Grand Knight
Council 833

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a Blessed Christmas and hoping the new year brings good health and prosperity to you and your loved ones.

As we ring in the new year we ponder what this year’s resolution might be. Let me suggest that our brother Knights that haven’t been involved in council activities get more involved! We have many opportunities for you and your family to get involved.

I recently sent out an email with the 2023 Volunteer form address. You will also be getting a hard copy of this in this year’s dues mailing. Please respond to it via the web or mailing the form back to our Financial Secretary. You should be receiving the annual dues notification in the mail in the next week or so. Please take time to pay your annual dues. We are in the process of purging our membership of Knights that haven’t responded to our emails or correspondences. There are approximately 30 brother Knights that are on this list. Let’s make a resolution to communicate with us so we know you are still interested in being a Knight in our Council. The annual dues are $30. In the form you will receive you may voluntarily choose to purchase “In God We Trust” stickers ($10) and also be a member of the “Buck A Month” club ($12). Let Tony Schafers or me know if you have questions regarding the annual dues.

Congratulations to our Knight of the Month, Tom Hoffman. Tom spearheaded the
Candy Cane Sunday drive. Your donations, and that of our parishioners, totaled
$311.00. This money was used to purchase the items for the St. Teresa’s Giving
Tree.

Let’s also congratulate The Randy Polak family and Dan Wesolowski family for
overseeing the successful Fitzgerald Council 833 Christmas Dinner! There were
approximately 40 attendees and they enjoyed a prime rib dinner and white elephant
gift exchange.

Some upcoming events to put on your calendars…

• January 7, 9 AM we will take down the Nativity scene at church.
• January 15, Free Throw Shooting Contest
  -Contact Brad Behne for more information (402) 570-8585
• January 18, 7:30 PM, General Meeting at the Knight’s Hall

Thank you and may God continue to bless all of us,

Ron Schinkel
Grand Knight
Council 83

Brother Knights,

Happy Advent brother Knights!  What a wonderful season.  A season of candlelight, reflection, hope and wonder!  It is my hope that you and your family feel Christ’s blessings upon you and those close to you.

As I reflect, I am thankful to be a part of our parish and Fitzgerald Council 833.  We do so many important things for others and it is my hope that the time, treasure and talent we share with others, this sense of caring, is passed on to the younger people of our parish, so they continue our work.

As a very proud father and grandfather, it is most joyful to me to see the wonder of the season in my grandchildren’s eyes.  The gleam in their eyes as they look at decorated houses and Christmas trees gives me hope for a better world.  Not for me, but for our young people.  My grandsons, Weston and Lane, helped setup the St. Teresa nativity scenes along with John Lenich, Matt Schafers, Tony Schafers, John Weber, Randy Polak, Dan Wesolowski and myself.  The boys were particularly careful when placing Jesus in front of Mary and Joseph.  They were honored to put straw around Jesus to help keep him warm.  It warmed my heart to see.

I hope all of you have a Blessed Advent season and a very Merry Christmas.  I look forward to seeing you in the new year at our meetings and functions.

May God continue to bless us all,

Ron Schinkel
Grand Knight

Brother Knights,

What a wonderful time of the year as the leaves have changed colors and the weather has turned somewhat cooler. We are still experiencing beautiful weather as we enter into November but we know, as Nebraskans, this will pass and we will be facing cold, and hopefully, snowy forecasts! The fall weather this past weekend was perfect for our Council’s first Fall Party at the Knight’s Hall. Deputy GK Matt Schafers and his wife did a wonderful job hosting the party! Many children, and their families, were in attendance and enjoyed pumpkin painting, treats and the bounce house! Just a great time for everyone and the start of a something that we hope continues annually!

We also had our Corporate Communion on October 23rd. Father Kipper recognized the Knights that were in attendance at the mass and had kind words about our Council. Thank you for those that attended this special event and thank you to Father Kipper for allowing us to be a part of the mass.

Our council’s chain gang team consisting of Brad Behne, Ryan Weslowski, myself, Bob Codr and Brian Callan completed our 2nd year of holding the chains and down marker for the Pius football team at Aldrich Field. We would like to think that we were one of the reasons Pius made it to the Class B state playoffs this season! Thank brother knights for giving up some of your Friday nights to perform under the lights!

Our Knight of the Month for October is Matt Schafers for all of the time and effort he has put in with the St. Teresa’s teacher luncheon and the fall party! You have been busy since taking over the position of Deputy Grand Knight and we appreciate everything you do and will continue to do.

Our Knight Family of the Month for October is Ryan and Vonnie Weslowski’s Family. Ryan and his children helped to make our Tootsie Roll drive a success by working shifts at the 70th and Pioneers Hy-Vee handy out Tootsie Rolls. Thank you for your time and talents in all that you do for Council 833.

At this month’s meeting we will be having mass for the deceased brothers of our council. The meeting date is November 16th. We will have a very short meeting after the mass. We hope to have a great turnout for this meeting to honor those that have gone before us. We also have our annual bazaar happening on November 23rd. There are many ways we can support this fundraiser so please help out however you see fit.

Lastly, I have been in contact with parishioners that are elderly or home bound and that have asked for help with snow removal at their residence. I will be emailing a form out soon with addresses on it of these individuals. If you are able to help, please choose and address or two. This can be a great activity to do with your children. I am sure our brother knights will step up and make this a success too.

As always, thank you for everything you and your families do to make our parish and our council one of, if not, the best in our diocese!

May God continue to bless us all,

Ron Schinkel
Grand Knight