St. Jude Assembly 2375
Faithful Navigator Report
My Brother Sir Knights,
Thank you for voting me to being your Faithful Pilot, Faithful Captain and now your Faithful Navigator. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know more of you at each meeting and activity I attend.
In the way of some background about myself: I come from a large Catholic Italian family with much exposure at baptisms (being a Godfather twice), First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, and Funerals. I attended Our Lady of Loretto Grammar School, Cathedral High School and St. Mary’s College of Moraga, graduating in 1965 with a degree in accounting. Partied for number of months. Then spent four years serving our country in the United States Army. Honorably Discharged as a First Lieutenant.
I found an accounting job, but early on, I realized that accounting was not for me. I luckily found a job as a trainee salesman for selling mainframe computers to corporations. That was the start of my business career in computer technology of which I had little technical knowledge. But with the accounting background, I learned why and how corporations made decisions. Over time with many up and downs, I became successful selling, then moved into sales management, then 2nd and 3rd level management. Business traveled a lot throughout the United States and Europe and Asia. When I got to age 65, I retired and took up golf (big mistake). I still play a round a week on Tuesday mornings. So, I do not answer my phone while playing golf but I do follow up after the round. Oh, I was raised in downtown Los Angeles, and I am a Dodger and Rams fan. Anybody got a problem with that?
Two other important events in my life:
1. On a blind date meeting a beautiful and wonderful lady. It took me nearly three years to convince her to marry me. She would probably say it the other way around. Donna and I have been married for 51 years this month.
2. I pretty much left the Catholic religion after I got out of college. It took me heading into a major surgery in 2011 to realize that something was missing in my life. I went to reconciliation (confession) and coughed up all the sins I could think of and got a fresh start spiritually speaking. Not long after, I realized I wanted to give back to others for all the goodness God brought my way. I knew He had a path for me to travel, and I truly want to follow it.
In so doing, God guided me to become a member of the Knights of Columbus. It was a perfect fit for what I wanted to include in my life. Growing up I watched my father being involved at St. Peters Italian Church as a member of the Sons of Italy and his involvement in fundraising and fellowship. Didn’t think much of it at the time but later realized that I wanted that feel good satisfaction I saw my father have.
Well, all of this brings me to hopefully provide to the Assembly the enthusiasm and energy and experience I have gained along the way so far in my life. I see a tremendous amount of talent in our membership. But then, a small percentage do all the work, while the remaining members do not. While I find that odd, the reality is those that do not, need to find something besides their couch, that excites them. I will continue to provide to those members, areas to get involved that might excite them. I pray I do.
I would like to make it clear, that I will focus on the following six areas:
Military (Active, Veterans, & Charities Supporting Them)
Honor Guard (Grow from 16 Sir Knights to 30 SKs)
Chalice Fund (Keep the fund ample enough to support the half of our membership over 70 years of age)
Increase our Membership (Grow the organization and become more active and productive)
Visit our sick and aged Sir Knights
Communicate with our deceased SKs surviving widows
I hope you enjoy the section in this newsletter named, “Assembly Activities”. This is what the active Sir Knights are doing.
What about you?
Why did you join the Knights?
What did you expect to accomplish as a Knight?
Have you accomplished that?
As your Faithful Navigator, I want to find some activity that interests and excites you. Talk to me about yourself and let’s see what value you can bring to the Assembly. Most importantly, what does God want you to be doing? Are you willing to do that?
Vivat Jesus!
SK Frank Smaldino
Faithful Navigator
St. Jude Assembly #2375
Cell: 714-227-0227