Worthy Officers, Brothers, and Sir Knights,

Your Council has had a remarkable month since our last Newsletter. We held, after a two-year Covid hibernation, our Super Bingo for Kids with Cancer, and Camp Ta Kum Ta on 24 April 2022. It was a great event, and we are looking at about $30k in donation to the camp! We must thank our Super Bingo Chairman PGK Tom Gravelin and his team of dedicated volunteers for weeks of hard work and planning. We were a little rusty, but we pulled off a fine day of fun for charity.

On May 1^st we had the first K of C sponsored breakfast for Ukraine Catholic Relief at St Catherine of Siena. Again, a well-planned and executed event thanks to the efforts of our Worthy Warden and K of C Breakfast Chairman PGK Jay Benson. Jay and his team were joined by members of the Round Table Parish to serve about 140 in the community. We earned $1,867 for Ukraine! We would like to sponsor additional parish breakfasts at our other parishes in the coming months.

My concern is that in both apparent success stories is a troubling lack of Council participation. We were short-handed at both events and if not for the contributions of non-Knights the events could not have been pulled off. While I encourage and applaud/appreciate the participation of the community in our fund-raisers, I feel our Council should shoulder more of the burden. I hope in the weeks and months ahead you will consider being a volunteer, even if it means putting yourself a little at risk for the Gospel. A good place to begin is to notify the Worthy Trustees of your candidacy for Council Office! Elections are next month for the July 2022-June 2023 fraternal year.

The month of May is when we especially honor our Blessed Mother Mary. No day in May is more honorific than Mother’s Day. Our Lady was more than a Tabernacle of the Lord. As the mother of Our Savior, she nurtured His growing body and gave Him of Herself, from DNA, to air, to food and water. And She continued to care for and protect Him throughout his childhood and young adult life. I recently learned another wonderful title of St Mary; The Untier/Undoer of Knots. There is a painting by Johann Schmidner of Her undoing a knotted ribbon with the help of the Angels. The ribbon represents the lives of all who place their trust in Her Intersession. “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary; what the virgin Eve bound be her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith. Mary’s faith unties the knot of sin!” I hate to contemplate the knots our lives would be in if Holy Mary, just a teenager, had not said yes to God’s plan to redeem us.

On Mother’s Day morning my wife got a call from our son, David. He is a 3^rd Degree Knight on our prayer list due to cancer. He had fallen in the shower and called 911 due to pain in the neck, back and legs. Of course, she went to meet him at the hospital. She spent Mother’s Day there with him. She was not the only Mother in his room; I kept praying to the Virgin Mary, the Undoer of Knots. Miraculously, he later walked out of the hospital with a neck brace, having a non-displaced fracture of the C6 vertebra and black and blue elsewhere. He continues his chemotherapy this week and your continued prayers are appreciated. Holy Mary untied the knots of his fall!  

May is also a great time to commit, or re-commit, yourself to say the Holy Rosary every day. Sometimes we say the Holy Rosary quickly, like we need to escape a fire, or our minds wander aimlessly while we pray. Well, we are trying to escape a fire, the fire of Hell. I find it helpful to imagine the greetings of the Hail Mary as first quoted from the Archangel Gabriel, then by Mary’s kinswoman, Elizabeth. Remember you are praying to a living Saint and the Queen of Heaven. I like to think of Holy Mary as perpetually young-being immortal her Dormition/Assumption probably happened before Saint John’s neighbors noticed the woman who never seemed to age.

Truly 29 forever!

Blessings!

Super Bingo

Brothers, we overcame a shortage of manpower to pull-off a very successful Super Bingo this year. The exact numbers are not yet final, but we are looking at about $30k for Camp Ta Kum Ta. Many thanks to Tom (our April Knight of the Month) and his crew. This Bingo almost did not happen when the Shriners Bingo Machine and all equipment trailer was stolen in FEB. But thanks to prompt and assertive action by Mike and Maureen Parent, the needed equipment was ready on time. We have recognized three families this month for Family of the Month; The Parent Family, The Fontaine Family and the Family or Ilene Russell for all of their hard work.

Piano Moving at Saint John Vianney

We had a small but highly motivated crew this morning to move the final very heavy bits of a piano for Fr. Tim. Thanks to Ray, Charlie, Dave Martin, and Dave Carmichael for all the help.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Dear Grand Knight and Brother Knights,

I received two Archie Myers Scholarship applications and supporting information for the 2022 academic school year.

I present these applications to the council for consideration.

Andrew Michael Gervais

Eric Paul Guezek-Nasab

I am recommending that both applicants be considered as worthy and qualified* for the scholarship based on their applications, academic record, and recommendations from school personnel at their respective High Schools.

Both candidates have shared that they have been accepted at 4-year colleges/universities as described in their applications.

Sincerely,

Thomas E. Buzzell

Advocate

Saint John Vianney Council 7525

*Worthy Financial Secretary reports that both candidates Father and/or Grandfather is in good standing in the Council.

Trustees Recommend Payments

PGK Brad Chenette and the other two Trustees recommend the Council pay the remaining budget items before the end of the Fraternal Year on 30 JUN, 2022. Here is the breakdown:

Line-item name        Budgeted            Proposed                                                                              Payment

SJV Building Repairs      $1,500            $1,500                   Provide check to Parish without restrictions

Global Wheelchair          $   200            $   200                   Donation Form provided

St Joseph's House           $   200           $   200                   113 Elmwood Avenue 05401

Cots                                $  200             $  200                    PO Box 1616, Burlington 05402

VT Catholic Charites       $  200             $  200                    Donation Form provided

Bishop Fund                    $  200            $  200                    55 Joy Dr, South Burlington 05403

4 Degree support             $  600           $  600                    Transfer to Assembly Account

Church Facilities

SJV                         $1,500          $1,500                   Provide check to parishes

L of MC                 $    50              $     50                  

St Jude                 $    50              $     50  

Catholic Schools/Seminaries

                Budget                  $  500    Discussion: one donation to VT Catholic Schools or individual local schools? May Golf event raised $900 for seminarians this year or have additional donation?

St Ann’s Shrine                           $  500                            $  500                          P.O. Box 280, Isle La Motte, VT 05463

LAST MEETING

The last Council Business Meeting was held in person and remotely on ZOOM 7 April 7 PM. Meeting was called to order by Grand Knight Mike Bullock. Minutes were sent to all members for approval. The last Officer Meeting was held in person and on ZOOM on 31 MAR at 6:30 PM. This was a change due to Holy Week.  Voluntary donations reduced the cost of pizza prior to both Meetings. 

TREASURER'S REPORT

Our Treasurer, Rick Gravelin, reported the checking account balance of $13,915.00. Rick developed the online voucher system we are now using. Rick is now in the hospital fighting a serious infection. Please continue to pray for his complete recovery.   

FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT

The WFS reported the Morgan Stanley investment account balance at $414,447.58.  

  COUNCIL WEBSITE

The Website Development Team continues to work to make our website more user friendly. kofcvt.org.  

NEXT BUSINESS MEETING

Our next business meeting is 12 MAY 2022 at 7 PM in person and on ZOOM.  The Worthy DGK will be in charge as the GK attends Confirmation with his CCD Class and daughter, Elizabeth. Our pizza and salad will be at 6 PM. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09

HOLY HOUR

Our ninth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on 6 May 2022 from 3 - 4 PM. There were two Brothers present, and two parishioners. During the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, members of the Council led parishioners through the Holy Scripture Rosary. Next Holy Hour will be 3 June at 3 PM at SJV.   

Pickle Ball is here!

The Council now has a Pickleball Set at St John Vianney and at St Jude. If you want to get a game together, Call Ray Michaud (233-0145) at SJV, or Ted Barrett (458-1351) at St. Jude to schedule.       

LOUIS J TRONO ASSEMBLY 2106

Here is the schedule of events that require a Color Guard. Note that the burial of Ray Newman has moved to 29 July at the request of the family. Let us know if you can make any of these opportunities.  

1. K of C Convention: May 13-15 at Jay Peak

       5:15 PM Friday May 13 Memorial Holy Mass

       4:30 PM SAT May 14 Vigil Holy Mass

2. Ordination: May 21, 1000, St Joseph Cathedral

3. Memorial Day: May 30, 1000, Resurrection Park Cemetery (Next to Saint John Vianney Church)

4. Brother Ray Newman burial: July 29 at 1030 St George Cemetery

Age Well is looking for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels.  For information about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Age Well Volunteer Team by calling 802-662-5249 or via  email: volunteer@agewellvt.org

12 MAY 22 Council Business Meeting 7 PM, after pizza (GK Conflict with Confirmation) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4e     TMzUT09)

13-15 MAY 22 State Convention at Jay Peak

14 MAY Monsignor Thomas Ball Memorial Golf Tournament (West Bolton Country Club)

21 MAY 22 Ordination, 1000 at St Joseph Cathedral

30 MAY 22 Memorial Day Mass, 1000 AM at Resurrection Park Cemetery

02 JUN 22 Officer Meeting 6:30 PM, at SJV after pizza https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09

03 JUN 22 Holy Hour at St John Vianney in South Burlington at 3 PM

06 JUN 22 Men’s Night at 7 PM at St Jude in Hinesburg and on Zoom. Zoom link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84363879054?pwd=bVVOaFlwVXgvdXVsUGh6YmdnK3FNUT09

09 JUN 22 Council Business Meeting 7 PM, at SJV after pizza (Voting for Council Officers) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4e     TMzUT09)

29 JUL 22, 1030, Ray Newman committal at St George Cemetery

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Please pray for the following people who are ill or in distress and their families;

Rick Gravelin, Joan Foley, Tom Gravelin, Chuck Schifilliti, Gerry Seney, the people of Ukraine and an end to the war, Sue Cottrell, Family of the late Frank Cross, Family of the late DCN Chris Keough, Family of the late Ray Newman, Family of the late Lennie Roberge, Robert (Bob) Gravelin, Keith Marston, Gary Howe and Family, Family of the late Paul Pouliot, Christopher Haley (homeless veteran), Parker Yvonne Lyon (Granddaughter of Tom Gravelin) and mom and dad Ellen and Garrett, sister Clara Lynn, Patricia Stevens, Amy and her mother (22 year old woman fighting cancer at Dana-Farber), Kevin and Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton (relative of DD3), George Stevens, James Read, Richard Waite, Robert Morris, Gene Tofferi, Mike and Pam Audette, Joe Myers and Family, Jeffrey Claude Danis and family, Tom Westropp, Andrew Bolognani, PSD/PGK Don Sutton, Ray Miller, Stuart Fath, David Bullock (chemo), Yvonne Gravelin, Harold Ponto, Wally Rooney, PGK Bob Audette, Bob Wilkens, Gerry Malavenda, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, all clergy and religious, victims and families of COVID-19, First Responders, peace in Eastern Europe, the defeat of Article 22, the "Personal Reproductive Autonomy Amendment" in Vermont, and for new Members to join the Order.

WORTHY LECTURER

Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie will enlighten us about the life and virtue of St. Philip Neri and sing the song Immaculate Mary

INTO THE BREACH

This wonderful series can be found at this link: https://www.kofc.org/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html

MAY 2022 BIRTHDAY WISHES

1 Thomas O’Donovan Jr., 2 Richard Gravelin, 25 Dennis Johnson, and Thomas Westropp, 29 Christopher Johnson

LAST RITES

Please pray for all of the victims who have died in the Ukraine War.