Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Assembly 209
Minutes of Meeting Held on
May 13th, 2026
Host Council: St. Matthew #9893
1555 Glen Ellyn Rd,
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
www.4thdegreeillinoisdistrict1.com
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by FN Mike Madonna at 7:00 PM, Faithful Pilot reported all present had a valid membership card. The Faithful Comptroller made a roll call of officers.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
OPENING PRAYER: We Prayed a Decade of the Rosary, led by Faithful Friar Father Gregor Gorsic
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Commander Dennis Jensen
ROLL CALL OF COUNCILS:
| 650 | Damen Hildebrand | P | 9893 | St. Matthew | P |
| 1911 | Fr. McDonald | A | 10325 | Holy Ghost – Wood Dale | A |
| 3738 | St. John | P | 10884 | St. Peter the Apostle | A |
| 4053 | Mayslake | P | 11027 | Christ the King | P |
| 5516 | St. Petronille | A | 11092 | St. Francis of Assisi | P |
| 5732 | Pope John | P | 14649 | Bishop James Fitzgerald | P |
| 6090 | Fr. Boecker | P | 15296 | St. Joachim | A |
| 6521 | Fr. Frank Anksorus | A | 15806 | Cardinal Nguyễn Văn Thuận | A |
| 8002 | Fr. Michael J. McGivney | A | 16062 | Fr. Ernie Norbeck | P |
| 8365 | Fr. John Barrett | P | 17359 | St. Alexis | A |
| 8522 | Fr. John Guiney | A | 17474 | St. Jose | A |
| 9806 | St. James the Apostle | A |
Councils Present –11, Councils Absent – 12, 23 councils total, 3 Councils are Inactive (11025, 10575, 11263)
33 Assembly Members Present for Meeting
COUNCILS REPORTING: 11
VISITING COUNCILS: St. Elizabeth Seaton 10025
DIGNITARIES PRESENT: James Almedia State Family Chairman, Mike Madonna State Chairman, D. Thurman & Jim McCarthy Assistant Joliet Diocesan Chairs
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:
Motion to approve the April meeting minutes seconded and approved.
FAITHFUL FRIAR’S REPORT: Faithful Friar Fr. Gregor Goric
Reflection on Our Lady of Fatima and the Call to Sacrifice
Today, as we prayed the Rosary, our decade focused on the Presentation of the Lord—Joseph and Mary bringing Jesus to the Temple. If you’re wondering why we say thank you Saint Joseph on the sign, it’s because the first day of May is dedicated to Joseph and the rest, of course, is to Mary. Joseph was the protector and provider of the Holy Family—this was God’s plan for him. We’ve reflected on that before, and we will again another time.
But today, our hearts turn to Our Lady of Fatima.
Last July, I had the privilege of visiting Fatima. I went with a question that had always troubled me: How could God, through Mary, ask two very young children—Jacinta and Francisco—to offer their lives for sinners? They were only about eight or nine years old, and yet when Mary asked them if they were willing to offer themselves for the salvation of souls, they said yes. Within a few years, both became gravely ill and died. Today we call them Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco.
I cannot claim to have a complete answer, but I can share the graces I received during my visit.
Fatima reminded me of Gethsemane. It is beautiful, but rugged—rocky ground, hardy plants, many with spines. Walking in sandals, I would occasionally get pricked by thorns. It felt like a place naturally suited for penance, just as Gethsemane was the place where Jesus prayed so intensely that He sweat blood. He offered His body for us.
The three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—came from families who prayed the Rosary daily. They understood that this life prepares us for a greater one. Lucia, the messenger, lived into her nineties. But Francisco and Jacinta were called to something extraordinary: a heroic offering of their lives for sinners.
Their yes was not spontaneous. Before Mary’s first apparition on May 13, they were prepared by three visits from the Angel of Peace, also called the Angel of Portugal.
During one of these visits, the angel appeared with a host and chalice. The host and chalice remained suspended in the air as the angel knelt with the children and taught them one of the Fatima prayers. Then the angel gave the host to Lucia and the chalice to Francisco and Jacinta. This mystical encounter prepared them for the moment when Mary would ask them to offer their lives.
When Mary finally asked, “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God for the salvation of souls?” Jacinta and Francisco said yes.
We do not know how many souls—including perhaps some of us—have been touched or protected through their sacrifice. The message of Fatima is simple and profound: prayer and penance for the salvation of the world, especially for those farthest from God.
As Knights, we share in this mission. We are called to offer our lives—our prayers, sacrifices, and service—for the good of others.
So today we pray:
Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
FAITHFUL ASSOCIATE FRIAR’S REPORT: Dc. Fred Maier – No Report
DIGNITARY REPORTS: James Almeida
Hopefully I’ll see some of you at the convention this weekend. Thank you.
D. Thurman: No Report
FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR’S REPORT: Mike Madonna:
I’d like to begin by thanking Council 9893, St. Matthew’s, for opening tonight’s meeting and for providing us with an excellent meal. We truly appreciate your hospitality.
We also received a letter from the Larry Beckerdite family, expressing their gratitude for the support and prayers offered by the council. The full letter is available up here for anyone who would like to read it after the meeting.
Next, we have a list of candidates to the Fourth Degree. I will read them into the record.
- Robert Sova St. Matthew #9893
- Eloy Mandujano St. Matthew #9893
- Anthony Mines Christ the King #11027
- Justin Karstetter St. Matthew #9893
- Kelvin Madero St. Matthew #9893
- Pedro Ocampo St. Matthew #9893
- Thomas Carmazzi St. Isaac Jogues
- Michael DePhillips Christ the King #11027
I make a motion that all that you’ve read in be accepted. Motion seconded and passed.
When you come to the convention, if you come tomorrow, I’d love to see you guys at the golf outing. Make sure that you know that the fraternal benefit room will be on the 12th floor. It’s going to be a combination room thrown by the diocesan chairman. The chapters have nothing to do with it. And those will only be open from 9 to midnight on Friday night and Saturday night. And I hope to see everybody there. With that, I will end my report. Thank you.
FAITHFUL COMPTROLLER REORT: FC James Almeida
We have nine candidates scheduled for the upcoming Exemplification. All completed candidate packets must be submitted no later than June 20. Our next meeting is your final opportunity to turn everything in.
Each candidate’s packet must include:
- Completed Form 4
- Exemplification information packet, fully filled out
- Copy of the candidate’s current membership card (Third Degree)
- Check made payable to the Master, Ty Simmons
Please ensure all items are submitted together as one complete packet so everything can be forwarded to the Master without delay.
If anyone still needs a packet, Ron Metty and I both have extras available.
Knights of the Month: No report
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Mitch Raines: Filling in Ron Metty
I’m tickled that we’ve got nine new candidates, but we can easily make it twelve if we nudge a few members and help them finish their paperwork.
Mike Madonna: Gentlemen, if your council has a Fourth-Degree candidate, please be sure that someone from your council accompanies him—ideally a full table at the dinner. Candidates should never be sent on their own. While we will be there to support them, they also need the visible encouragement and presence of their own councils.
MASS CARDS: SK Wally Johnson PFN: No Report
NEWSLETTER: Faithful Scribe Dennis Burke: No Report
LADIES NIGHT OUT: Need Volunteer We’re still going to volunteer to run the Ladies Night Out. If you feel like running a committee, please talk to the Faithful Navigator or anyone else on board and we’ll help you with it as well.
HOSPITALITY: Mike Madonna and Bill Schelli III: No report
AD BOOK: FC Edgar Garcia: No report
MEMORIAL MASS: Dc. Fred Maier: No Report
Veterans Committee: Mike Bruntz:
We had about 14 volunteers participate, which was a great turnout. We set up the room with two long tables, and both were completely full. In addition, we had two more tables up front for the guys who were there, so the space was well used and looked really nice.
The veterans actually played bingo for nearly two hours. We normally don’t go that long, but they were enjoying themselves, so we kept going. It made for a very good afternoon.
As part of the financial report you reviewed earlier, I was given $900 in cash for Bingo prizes. Instead of buying Crunch Bars this time, we purchased chips for $51.73. We also spent $369.25 on White Castle. That brought the total to $1,320.98. After the event, I returned $197 from the original $900. So, the final cost for this spring’s event was $1,123.98.
We are planning to do Bingo again in November.
Also, please mark your calendars: our picnic is scheduled for September 12.
Thank you again for all your help and support. We had a great time.
Widows and Orphans: We still need a volunteer to run that program. If anybody wants to step up and run that program, let me know.
Pro Life: Need Volunteer.
Old BUSINESS: Report of Nomination Committee: Chairman Jerry Kurowski:
I’m going to read the recommendations from the nominating committee. After you hear the names we’re putting forward, please remember that anyone who wants to run for an officer position can still do so at the elections.
Navigator – Ron Metty PFN
Captain – Matt Bogard
Admiral – Michael Madonna
Pilot – Dennis Burke
Scribe – John Krull
Comptroller – James Almeida Jr. – appointed
Purser – James McCarthy – appointed
3yr. Trustee – Jerry Kurowski
2yr. Trustee – Joaquim D’Souza
1yr. Trustee – Leon Ivanauski
Sentinel – Mark Morrison
Sentinel – Joe Iapachino
Sentinel – Richard ‘Mike’ Mikulecky
Sentinel – Bill Dawson
Sentinel – Tom Cifone
Nominations were closed without further nominations. Motion to accept one unanimous ballot cast in favor of the slate of all proposed officers for the incoming fraternal year. Second and passed.
New BUSINESS: No Report
.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES:
Bills are in order and approved and can be sent to the purser to be paid.
COMMANDER’S REPORT:
The Assembly wants to thank the Sir Knights who participated in these Honor Guards. Knights in Uniform are the visible arm of the Knights of Columbus.
1 Commander Emeritus Wayne Mitchell: No Report
2 Commander Tom Weiland: No Report
3 Commander Dennis Jensen: April 17th eight Sir Knights in attendance at St. Pius X Church for confirmation. Fifteen Sir Knights in attendance at St Bernard for wake and mass for D. Thurman’s father -in-law. April 18th seven Sir Knights in attendance at St. Pius X Church. April 12th seven Sir Knights in attendance at St. Pius X Church for Communion. April 30th eight Sir Knights in attendance at Holy Ghost Church for confirmation.
4 Commander Benny Raya: No Report
5 Commander Thomas Ngo: needs commander training.
6 Commander Matt Borgard: No Report
7 Commander: Claude Ortega: No Report
Third Degree Report: No Report
PRAYER FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Prayer led by Faithful Associate Friar Fred Maier
Joe Hrncink – infection
SK Matt Borgard cancer treatments
Connor McGinnis losing eyesight
Denise Manthei stage 4 Kidney Cancer
Vivian O’Connor – pulmonary heart valve problem
Noreen Sisco surgery recovery
Kristen Sheston broken bone from a fall
Sir Knights and their family members in poor health
All deceased Sir Knights
CLOSING PRAYERS: Led By Faithful Friar Father Gregor Gorsic
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:46PM by Faithful Navigator Mike Mardonna
Location of upcoming Meetings: All meetings start at 7:00 PM, Dinner at 6:00
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis Burke
Faithful Scribe
Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Assembly 209
