From the 4th Degree

The Fourth Degree has had a busy few months with several area Confirmations
taking place with the Color Corps in attendance for the Bishop. Elections of
Officers is scheduled for the June meeting and as your Faithful Navigator
for the past three years, I will be stepping down and assuming the position
of Admiral. The last three years have flown by with several programs that
the 4th Degree is actively involved with. We have continued to give out a
generous educational scholarship in memory of Andy Kuhar, Past FN and
Commander. We have also continued our tradition of marching in the Fourth of
July parade in Columbia and have hosted the annual Masters meetings each
December with the making of gift baskets for the needy of Eastern
Connecticut. Finally, our Chalice Fund continues to grow assuring every 4th
Degree Sir Knight that he will have his name engraved on a chalice in his
memory.

Finally, the K of C has been asked to be the primary sponsor of the 2007
Columbus Day parade in New Haven. This is no doubt because of the 125th
anniversary of the order. We will need to have 250 Color Corps members from
around the state to march in the parade to move forward with this
commitment. What a spectacular sight it will be for the crowd to see 250
dedicated Sir Knights in regalia. We need to get the word out and begin
planning to have as many of our Color Corps members in attendance as
possible.

Eligibility for Membership

Applications for membership in the
Fourth Degree may be made to any Assembly provided the applicant is: * A
Third Degree member in good standing in his council and who was initiated in
the Admission (First) The Fourth Degree has had a busy few months with
several area Confirmations taking place with the Color Corps in attendance
for the Bishop. Elections of Officers is scheduled for the June meeting and
as your Faithful Navigator for the past three years, I will be stepping down
and assuming the position of Admiral. The last three years have flown by
with several programs that the 4th Degree is actively involved with. We have
continued to give out a generous educational scholarship in memory of Andy
Kuhar, Past FN and Commander. We have also continued our tradition of
marching in the Fourth of July parade in Columbia and have hosted the annual
Masters meetings each December with the making of gift baskets for the needy
of Eastern Connecticut. Finally, our Chalice Fund continues to grow assuring
every 4th Degree Sir Degree at least six months prior to his initiation in
the Fourth Degree. *Over eighteen years of age *A practical Catholic in
union with the Holy See Come Grow with Us .There is a place for you among
the 1.7 million Knights of Columbus families who already consider membership
in the Order "An Experience of a Lifetime". Why not make your family a part
of ours, join today.


The December State Masters Meeting was another success this year. The Assembly members and wives were able to make 100 gift baskets to be handed out to the veterans in area hospitals.

Once again this year, our Assembly will be offering an educational scholarship to any Senior in High School preparing to go on to a school of higher education. This annual scholarship for $350 is in memory of Andrew Kuhar, past FN and past Color Corps Commander.

 The next Exemplification into the 4th Degree is scheduled for April 22nd. The 4th degree needs new members who would like to be involved in the Patriotic arm of the Knights of Columbus. There are a lot of programs such as the flag replacement program, the gift basket program to our veter- ans, and the Chalice donations to needy priests around the world just to name a few. Why not consider taking the next big step in your membership as a Brother Knight and become a SIR KNIGHT in the 4th degree.

Eligibility for Membership

Applications for membership in the Fourth Degree may be made to any Assembly provided the applicant is: * A Third Degree member in good standing in his council and who was initiated in the Admission (First) Degree at least six months prior to his initiation in the Fourth Degree. *Over eighteen years of age *A practical Catholic in union with the Holy See Come Grow with Us .There is a place for you among the 1.7 million Knights of Columbus families who already consider membership in the Order "An Experience of a Lifetime". Why not make your family a part of ours, join today.
God Bless,

Dennis


At the June 4th meeting at the Assembly Hall in Willimantic, elections of Officers for the 2006-2007 fraternal year took place. Sir Knight Dennis M. Kuchy was re-elected to his third term as Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree. Other officers from the Colchester Council included Vin Marceno as Comptroller, Dan Leone as Admiral, Jean-Maurice Soucy as Pilot, Lou Musinski as Outer Sentinel and Frank Palmer, Trustee. The 4th Degree also participated in several events during the summer including marching in the annual Memorial day Parade in Colchester and the annual Fourth of July Parade in Columbia, CT At our last meeting, two $350 College Scholarships were given out to two very deserving woman who are both from Colchester and graduates of Bacon Academy.

There will be an Exemplification into the 4th Degree held in Cromwell on November 5th at 12:00 noon at St. John’s. Anyone interested in joining the 4th degree, please contact a Sir Knight at the next Council meeting. 4th Degree meetings are generally held on the first Sunday of each month unless it is a holiday weekend.

Two Bacon Academy Seniors Received the Andrew Kuhar Memorial Scholarship at the June Meeting


Each year, the 4th Degree holds at least two Exemplifications for membership. There is usually one in early Spring and another in the Fall. To be eligible to join the 4th degree as a Sir Knight, any member in good standing may make his 4th degree 6 months after becoming a 3rd degree Knight. Unfortunately, Spellman Council has not had any new members join this prestigious rank in the Knights of Columbus in the last two years. I say unfortunate because the 4th Degree is all about Patriotism and a Knights desire to keep America strong through honoring our fellow Americans along with the flag and pledge of our country. It is truly what America needs today.

A Fourth Degree Knight may become part of the assembly's color corps. These members are recognized widely by their distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword. These members regularly take part in civic events such as parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and at ecclesial functions at Catholic churches. The various colored capes and chapeau feathers denote different officer positions within the Fourth Degree. Joining the Color Corps is an option. Please join us at the next Exemplification. We need you now more than ever before. Applications are available at the Council meetings and dues are only $10 per year.

God Bless,

Dennis


The 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus is the “visible arm” of the Order. With Patriotism as our cornerstone, the 4th Degree gets involved in a lot of activities to support the communities that it serves. At the December 4th State Master’s meeting that we hosted, 87 gift baskets were made to donate to needy families just in time for Christmas.

We also have an on-going scholarship fund in the name of our past Commander, Andy Kuhar. This $350.00 Scholarship is awarded to one student headed for an acredited college/school/university. There are 4 schools who currently have the applications through their guidance offices. It is based a lot on an essay regarding community and church involvement. The schools are:

  • Bacon Academy

  • E O Smith

  • Windham Tech

  • Windam High School

A committee of 5 reads all the essays and then come to consensus on one award of $350.

The Assembly continues to support the flag replacement program by donating American Flags to those organizations and schools that need to replace a worn or damaged American Flag.. One of the best programs that we have under way is called our Chalice program. As a member of the 4th Degree, every Sir Knight in good standing has his name engraved on a memorial chalice upon his death. That chalice is then donated to a needy priest either here in the United States or in a foreign country. Please consider joining the 4th Degree by contacting either SK Dan Leone or SK Vin Marceno.

God Bless,

Dennis