Blessed Sacrament Council

               
                    Ken Weber GK
          Blessed Sacrament Council

       First Grand Knight 11/01/94
 

The  Beginning

From this very inspiring challenge, several Brother Knights decided to take up the challenge and investigate if there was a better way to do what we do.  A Steering committee consisted of Ken Weber, Ron Charest, PGK.FDD, Henry Mullaney, Gene Patane and Paul De Rosa.  The first meeting was on July 23, 1994 at Ken Weber's house to see if there was enough interested.  A list of 40 prospective members was drawn up and called that evening and 38 indicated that they would be part of a new Council. Questions were brought up by the steering committee members: Is this Council being formed for the benefit of any one individual or a select group? Why are we forming a new Council? Does the Nesconset/Ronkonkoma area need another Council? It was generally felt, that the advancements of the Orders principals were no longer met, and that we are looking to form a "CHRIST CENTERED COUNCIL" Before the meeting adjourned the committee gave a temporary name to this council." Most Precious Blood".  

The Following meeting was on August 2, 1994 and another member who was on the steering committee, Joe Ryan, PGK, FDD.  Joe provided us with the packet containing much information on how to form a new Council, the qualifications and possible obstacles to overcome.  His experience was invaluable to us all.  It was generally resolved that a new council will be formed.

We then met on August 26, 1994 with the paper work to form a new Council, the forms 100's from 38 members and the determination to get it done. We then contacted the District Deputy, Al Littman from the 6th District to inform him of our plans to form this new Council.  Al was encouraging and we met at his house on September 19,1994 to have him sign and forward the papers to the supreme.  On September 22, 1994 we received word that we were assigned Council #11416.

On September 23, 1994 we voted on the new name of the Council which would be called "Blessed Sacrament" in keeping with the theme as a "CHRIST CENTERED COUNCIL".  We were assigned to the 6th District in 1994, after a few months we were moved to the 4th District for two years 1995/1996 and then to the 5th District where we are now.

Our first meeting was held on October on October 5, 1994 at the Holiday Inn, Ronkonkoma where we held our elections.  Meeting at the Holiday Inn was too expensive and we had to find a permanent home.  We checked many places and we then went to Sister Catherine  and Sister Eileen of the Cleary school to see if the could help.  They were more than willing to help and offered their auditorium twice a month for our meetings.  Our first meeting was held at the Cleary school on November 1,1994.  We then were fortunate to have the days we needed for meetings at the Islip Town Pavilion were we have been now been meeting on the third Tuesdays of each month for our social night.  Since April of 2006 we been having our business meetings and officers meeting at the Hertlin House down the street from St.Elizabeth Ann Seton.

As the years moved on we are now one of the most active Councils in the Order.  We have at this time 110 members.  Our Council has stayed focused on the main principals of our order, CHARITY!!! We have over 10 years given out over $100,000 to Charity.  Skip Herr initiated the Council sponsored "GIVE A BEAR IF YOU CARE" program which receive thousands of stuff animals to distribute to the Social Services who are involved with dealing with the children who are the victims of family dysfunction's.

We have been blessed that we have in our Council members who have helped keep us all focused on what our religion and order is all about. Our Spiritual leaders Father Pat Whitney, Chaplin and Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Pastor of Holy Cross Parish Msgr. James McNamara and Deacon Joe Maffeo.