KYKofC-Newsletter-December-2021
Disaster Relief for tornado victims
My Brother Knights,
As the sun rises on my old Kentucky home this morning, the Kentucky Knights of Columbus is embarking on our most critical mission ever. Friday night and early Saturday morning, much of our commonwealth was impacted by historical tornadoes. We have confirmed devastation in three of our four Dioceses. In many areas, the loss of human lives and economic impact is truly devastating. Many of our neighbors are left to face the coming winter in dire need of our assistance. I have received reports of people escaping their destroyed homes barefoot and in pajamas to be left standing in a cold, pounding rain. Our first responders are doing all they can to treat the injured and mitigate the further loss of human life. Please pray for these men and women, for the strength to accomplish this daunting task.
I called the Kentucky State Council into session Saturday evening via Zoom, to gather information and identify those areas most in need of our assistance, and to determine what is the best way to assist at this moment. I have charged our councils to activate in their area to assist their brother knights, their fellow Catholic neighbors, and their communities. The councils have been instructed to contact me as State Deputy and let me know what they need from the State Council regarding contributions. Right now, physical presence in affected areas is not an option for most of us. Our State Police have restricted access to these areas to first responders and residents. For now, what is needed the most is prayers and monetary contributions. The Kentucky State Council will run our efforts through our Charities board. In some instances, we will send money to local councils to purchase food, clothing, etc. as needed. We may also be called upon to load trucks with specific supplies and deliver these items to specific locations. We will do what is necessary to help as many Kentuckians as we can, for as long as the mission takes.
The Kentucky jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus is not large. We have approximately 12,000 members. Our resources are limited, and without contributions we will exhaust these resources within days, as the need is so desperate. If you wish to contribute, please make your checks payable to K of C Kentucky State Charities, Inc. and send to the contact below.
K of C Kentucky State Charities, Inc.
c/o Cameron Peck
796 Wellington Way
Lexington, KY 40503
Vivat Jesus,
Steve Zanone, Kentucky State Deputy
Cookout for the Penny Royal Veterans Center
Assembly 2753 held its annual cookout for the Penny Royal Veterans Center (PVC) in Hopkinsville, KY. The PVC was in need of a new charcoal grill and a picnic table for its veteran tenants. We delivered a new grill, picnic table, several bags of charcoal and lighter fluid as well as several days of additional food.
We grilled burgers, hot dogs, and brats for 50 veterans on Sunday and donated 2 large trays of chili and one large tray of pulled pork for this week’s meals.
The Vets will eat well this week!
Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Run for Wednesday’s Child
Hello Brother Knights,
What an awesome year for our 19th Annual Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Run for Wednesday’s Child. Brother Clyde Hayes from Newman Council started the Motorcycle Run 19 years ago along with news anchor Liz Everman from WLKY-TV in Louisville to make sure The Wednesday’s Child Kids would have an awesome Christmas. Brother Clyde wanted them to have what they wanted for Christmas and not some generic toy for a boy or girl. Clyde worked tirelessly to make this happen and even used his own money to make sure his goal would be reached. Sadly for all of us Clyde passed away three years ago. In Clyde’s honor and memory we have named the ride “Clyde’s Ride” The Knights are So Proud to keep his legacy going. A little information on Wednesday’s Child Kids. The Wednesday’s Child Program was introduced 41 years ago by Liz Everman on a 30 minute tv show on WLKY-TV in Louisville, KY called of course Wednesday’s Child. In the last 41 years they have placed over 2000 kids in loving forever homes. These kids are older children with issues that make them harder to place in forever homes. When the Motorcycle Run started there were only around 100 children to buy for and unfortunately the number has grown to over 400 kids in the Kentucky area. This year has been our most successful year ever. We raised $10,100.00 for these awesome kids’ Christmas. I want to thank everyone who has donated time, money and support helping make this the best year ever. Thanks to all the councils for all the hard work helping raise money. Thanks to Newman Council and Mc Kune Council for covering all the expenses to make the ride possible. Thanks to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Louisville for the use of their facilities use for the run. Thanks to the Motorcycle riders for their generosity. I wish I could list all the names of each and every one of the people who helped make an awesome Christmas for these kids. Most of all I want to Thank Brother Clyde Hayes for starting The Motorcycle Run. I know Brother Clyde is sitting on his Harley looking down and smiling. Brother Clyde you are Missed.
Vivat Jesus,
Steve Arnold
Passing of PSD Michael T. Peak
Michael T. Peak served as Kentucky State Deputy from July 1, 1976 until June 30, 1978. He also served two years as Supreme Warden. Below is a copy of his obituary.
Louisville – Michael T. Peak, 83, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Mike was a 1956 graduate from St. X where he played varsity football and ran track. While at St. X, Mike formed lifelong friendships that were celebrated monthly at their special lunches. He was retired from the Courier Journal after serving 30 years as advertising executive. While with the Courier Journal, Mike won several national awards.
Active in the Knights of Columbus, Mike served as both the Kentucky State Deputy and the Supreme Warden. He was the only man from Kentucky that ever served as a supreme officer in the history of the Knights of Columbus. Mike served on the original organizing Board of Dismas Charities, and the original organizing Board of Opportunities for Life, the Kentucky Bishop’s Prolife Initiative. In the Holy Year of 1983, Mike went to Rome with the Supreme Board of the Knights of Columbus and had a private audience with Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. The following year he was blessed to have lunch with St. Mother Teresa. Mike was an avid Bellarmine basketball fan for over 50 years.
Mike is preceded in death by his brothers, Paul, William, and Edward Peak; and sister Pauline Gorman.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jane Peak; daughters, Terri Purol (Greg), Patty Kayrouz, Donna Foster (Mark), and Michelle Crepps (David); 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; brother, Donald A. Peak Sr (Alice).
Visitation will be Friday, November 12 from 12:00 to 8:00 pm at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road. A funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3345 Lexington Road with burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the Knights of Columbus Charities and Little Way Ministries. Memories of Mike and messages of support for the family can be shared at www.ratterman.com.
