“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.”

This month we celebrate the greatest act of love from our creator God-becoming one of us to save us. Significantly, many of us pay this greatest of all gifts forward through our generosity and good will. This month, more than any other month, we emulate our loving Savior by “loving each other as He loved us”. 

Since the fall of man, God has been seeking a reconciliation with us. The Incarnation was prophesied in scripture going back to Mosses, as Jesus Himself attested on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. How was the virgin incarnation of the Son of Man announced? The Archangel Gabriel announced it to Mary who said “yes”. Celestial signs were observed at His birth guiding the Magi.

The Bread from Heaven was placed in a manger (a trough for feeding animals). No doubt the Baby Jesus sanctified His surroundings.

“He was born under the law “to ransom those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galations 4:5 He was born into poverty, not privilege, to represent all of us. He was worshipped by the Angels, the Shepherds, and Wise Men.

He was feared by the powers of darkness, King Herod, the Jewish hierarchy, and the Roman Empire. By His death at their hands, and resurrection by the Power of God, He conquered them all, including death itself.

Vivat Jesus!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our esteemed Council Chaplain continues his series on the Eucharist in The Acts of the Apostles. This video is The Eucharist and Apostolic Succession. The Church, from replacing Judas with Mathias, selecting the 7 Deacons, and down through the ages through the working of the Holy Spirit has continuously laid on the hands of the Apostles and Bishops to ordain successors who have the authority to administer the sacraments; especially the Eucharist for the benefit of all the faithful. This is how Jesus remains with us “until the end of the age.”

Apostolic Succession and the Eucharist

LAST MEETINGS

The last Council Business Meeting was held in person and remotely on ZOOM at St John Vianney Church in South Burlington, VT on November 9th at 6:30 PM after dinner, Thanks to Ray Michaud, Dave Bean and Dick Labrecque. There were two warnings. The Council voted to donate $300 to RMH Bingo; and to send the net Tootsie Role collection to the Howard Center specifically intended for people with intellectual disabilities. See the minutes for additional details. 

 The last Officer Meeting was held in person December 7, 2023 at SJV starting at 6:30 PM after pizza and salad. There was no Zoom as the GK and his laptop were excused. The officers discussed the payment of rent to SJV for Bingo. It was determined that rent would be paid quarterly by taking gross receipts, subtracting the average bingo expenses, and paying 30% of the result. For the first three months this comes out to $719.00. Also discussed was the breakfast at ST Jude in January and the upcoming Special People and Council Christmas parties. Keep Christ in Christmas Signs are up at all churches.   

COUNCIL WEBSITE

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

NEXT BUSINESS MEETING

Our next business meeting is December 14, 2023 at 6:30 PM in person and on Zoom from SJV. We will be serving dinner provided by Joanne Hornsby. There are no warnings. Opening prayer will be Vespers. There will be an Exemplification for two new members; Joe Pranys and Fr Jeremias Tigga. 

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

Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239, Passcode: 297697

INTO THE BREACH

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

A second series of 5 videos has been created called The Mission of the Family. 

Cor (Heart) Formation for men will be held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. The third gathering will take place on December 16, 2023. COR Formation is open to all men. I hope to see you there for prayer, formation, and fraternity. Vivat Jesus! For more information check out www.kofc.org/Cor

Our twenty-ninth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on December 1, at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

Next Holy Hour will be on January 5, 2024. Please join us in worship of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the scripture Holy Rosary.

Bingo is back at Saint John Vianney Hall every third Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 9 PM. There is no bingo this month but Bingo will resume on January 18 at 6:30 PM. The goal will be to share profits with the parish and council to support charitable works. This can only succeed with a dedicated staff of volunteers. We need help in sales, set-up, kitchen and clean-up. Doors open at 4:30 PM with first game at 6:30 PM. Volunteers should arrive at 3 PM. Make it a family affair. For every worker bee bring along a player!

Pickleball is retuning to Starksboro on Wednesdays. Please check in with Ted Barrett to see when the game will be available at (802) 458-1351. 

St John Vianney pickleball is also available by appointment by calling Ray Michaud at 233-0145.

The Assembly is looking to grow the Color Corps. If you are interested in becoming a 4th Degree Knight, or if you are already a 4th Degree Knight and wish to join the Color Corp, please contact CCC Mike Bullock at (802) 598-8179 or mtn6@gmavt.net. The Assembly is willing to help defray the cost of the Regalia. 

The next 4th Degree Exemplification is planed for April 2024 in the Rutland area. More to follow.

Age Well is looking for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels.  For information about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Age Well Volunteer Team. 802-662-5249, https://www.agewellvt.org/

AspireNow is also looking for help. Call them at(802) 658-8046 or visit their home page at https://aspire1.org.

Unbound is looking for sponsors for children in South America. For as little as $40/month you can make the life of a poor boy or girl and their families more prosperous. UNBOUND.org

Birthright is always looking for donations of money or items needed by parents. They have a brunch on 6 OCT where we will be cooking! Email: burlingtonvt@birthright.org

There are many opportunities to serve!

Your council conducts monthly Bingo at St. John Vianney Parrish Hall on the third Thursday. We are going to need you all to commit to supporting this every month. The more volunteers, the lighter the load.  

In addition to prayer we have Knights in need of visitation. Leonard and Mary Robear would love a visit at their home. They live at 4196 St George Road in Williston, VT. George Stevens (Assembly 2106) is still at the Burlington Health and Rehab, 300 Pearl St., now in Room 511. Morning visits are best.

Bob Wilkens is at The Residence at Quarry Hill. 465 Quarry Hill Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. Bob is now downstairs in room Room F11 in the Reflections Memory Care section at Quarry Hill. Bev Newman, Ray's widow, is at Harbor Village, Room 306.

Note: if you would like a visitation, please call us!

Check the Save the Date section for other events. 

If none of these interest you, ask us how you can help-we have more ideas. We want to hear your ideas too on how to pay forward our many blessings. 

DECEMBER 2023 

THU DEC 14 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after home-cooked meal) at SJV or on Zoom

(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697) 

SAT DEC 16 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish 

THU DEC 21 No SJV Bingo! Come back and enjoy in JAN 2024.   

JANUARY 2024 

THU JAN 04 at 6:30 PM Council Officer Meeting (After pizza) at SJV or on Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09 (Meeting ID: 840 5336 0051. Passcode: 179347)

FRI JAN 05 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary. 

THU JAN 11 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after home-cooked meal) at SJV or on Zoom

(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697) 

THU JAN 18 at 6:30 PM SJV Bingo! Doors open at 4:30 PM. Light snacks and beverages available. Chance to win $1,000. (Volunteers should arrive at 1500 for set-up, food court, or pop-open ticket sales) 

SAT JAN 20 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish 

SUN JAN 28 0830-1100 Breakfast at St Jude in Hinesburg, VT

 FEBRUARY 2024 

FRI FEB 16 Council Lenten Fish Dry at SJV (More to follow)

Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie Prendergast will share with us highlights of the life and virtue of St. Nicholas (DEC 6) and sing the song O Holy Night.

Please remember the following persons/families/intentions in your prayers.

Donna McSoley, president and founder of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Radio, and her work. James J Bullock, Leonard and Mary Robear, Chris Johnson, Arlene Michaud (Ray’s sister), Gail Couillard, Mary Griswold, Charles Brown’s mother-in-law, Marilyn LaCount, Friend of David Gravelin, Anthony Naples, Andre Ricard (Assembly 1157 Newport), Zak Bigelow, Pope Francis, Mrs. Jackie Crosby, An Anonymous Member in distress, Niko Limnos and Family, Mother-in-law of Ronnie Sweet, Bill Curtin, William Cannon and Family, Michael Gravelin, Mark and Paulette Noyes and Family (esp. Levi age 6), John O’ Brien, Cheryl Allain, Andy Corologos, Claire Myers, Kelly Jackson (daughter of late PGK Jeff Jackson), PFN Bill Ladd, PGK Bernie Hemond, Cher Racine, Dick and Sandy Stevens, Beth-Ann Pendergast, Mariette Nadeau, Jeff and Kay Jarvis, Tom Gravelin, Rick Gravelin, Chuck Schifilliti, Gerry Seney, Robert Gravelin, Keith Marston, Sue Cottrell, (23 year old woman fighting cancer at Dana-Farber), Kevin and Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton, George Stevens, James Read, Gene Tofferi, Mike and Pam Audette, Jeffrey Claude Danis and family,  PGK Ray Miller, Stuart Fath, Wally Rooney, Bob Wilkens, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, one anonymous brother knight, the people of Ukraine and an end to the war, the Families of all of our faithfully departed brothers, friends and relatives, all clergy and religious, victims and families of COVID-19, First Responders, peace in Eastern Europe, that pregnant women will choose life, and for new Members to join the Order.

For all who have died, especially Victoria Ewing (Wife of SK Jim Ewing) and Richard Waite (GK brother-in-law). May they rest in peace. May all the faithfully departed rest in peace and may their families be comforted by the promise of everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Saint John Vianney Council 7525

160A Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, VT 05403

www.kofcvt.org

Copyright 2023