We are still in the season of Easter according to our liturgical calendar, and we continue to pursue holiness in the era after the death and resurrection of Christ. I was listening recently to a sermon by Bishop Robert Barron. From the 4^th week of Lent. It is titled “Face Your Fears”. He acknowledged the well-known scripture John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Bishop Barren asked the listener to look at the scripture immediately preceding what he called “the Gospel in miniature.” John 3: 14-15 states:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

This scripture is fulfilled in the crucifixion. You can look up the relevant Old-Testament passage at Numbers 21: 5-9. In summary, the Lord sent serpents to bite the people because they had spoken against God and Mosses. Many died or got sick. The people repented and asked Moses to intervene. God responded, not by removing the serpents, but by having Moses lift up a bronze serpent on a pole. When the people bitten looked at the serpent (i.e. faced their fears) they recovered and lived. Jesus on the Cross became the visible representation of all that the people fear; “cruelty, deep institutional injustice, denial of friends, betrayal by one in His inner circle, physical suffering and pain, loneliness, psychological pain, abandonment, humiliation, false accusation, and deep spiritual suffering.” Since we are all sinners, then each of us, through sin, has rejected Him, scourged Him, driven the nails into His hands and feet, and pierced His side.

   “And again another Scripture says, ’They shall look on him whom they have pierced.’” John 19:37

When we look upon the crucified Lord, when we face our greatest fears, what we see is the God who descended “all the way down into our disfunction.” From the Cross Jesus forgave our transgressions, healed us, reconciled us to His Father, and offered us everlasting peace and eternal life. Jesus is Risen, but He is forever also on the Cross (and in the Eucharist). What did He say and do after the resurrection?

“….Jesus came and stood among them and said to them ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.”  John 20:19-20.

Like a veteran of war, Jesus displays the scars He earned in battle. The battle against, sin, evil and death. Despite His complete victory, His resurrected body displays the nail holes in His hands and feet, and the gash in His side. That is why I believe we must look upon Jesus on the Cross as represented by a crucifix. If Moses had held aloft a bare pole, without the bronze snake, would the people bitten have lived? If we do not “look on him whom we have pierced”, instead looking upon a bare cross, does the wood, plastic, or metal have the same power to heal us? (In our secular culture of death and indifference to grace, are we certain the proliferation of crosses as jewelry points to Christ?)  

“Even though Jesus is risen, he was raised upon the cross and will remain there in a mysterious way till the end of time so that, contemplating him, people might come to believe.”  - Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa

Vivat Jesus!

Brother Knights, wives, and families,

Blessed Easter! Here is a cut and paste Easter Message from a sermon by St Augustine.

Vivat Jesus!

Fr. Tim Naples

The last Business Meeting was held on March 14 in person and on Zoom. Thirteen members attended, three on Zoom. All ten enjoyed a fine meal of Chicken a la King made by Ray Michaud, with salad by Brad Chenette, and dessert provided by Pete Gadue. There were three Warnings: Super Bingo Game cover was tabled until we know if sponsors have covered all the games. Disbursement of Fish Fry Funds was approved. The slate of Delegates and Alternates to the 126^th State Convention was approved. Minutes were sent to all members.

The last Officer Meeting took place April 4, at 6:30 PM on Zoom only due to a late season snowstorm. There were 10 officers in attendance. We discussed upcoming events and decided to request $20,000 from Morgan Stanley to underwrite our budget for the next several months. The timing of this withdrawal also supports loaning $14,200 (this is a 24-hour loan) in start-up money to the Super Bingo Committee to pay out the games and provide change for the agents selling game cards at the event. In the meantime, we continue to solicit groups to cover games so that more money can be donated to Camp Ta Kum Ta. You will see a Warning for us to contribute as well. The other warning will be the tabled motion to provide dues amnesty for any inactive member to return to an active status.

The next business meeting will be held on April 11 at 6:30 PM in person and on Zoom. We will have two motions relating to dues amnesty and covering a $1,000 game at the Super Bingo. We will have pizza and a home-cooked dessert provided by Mike Bullock at 5:30 PM.

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. 

COUNCIL WEBSITE

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

The planning  committee is meeting every week now. The next meeting is Wednesday at 6 PM. Working on the last minute details, like coffee and the balance of the conference rental fee. 

The Bingo is scheduled for Sunday April 21st, 2024. A lot of work is still underway. We are going to need lot's of help setting up, selling pop-opens and tearing down afterward.

Let Brad Chenette know if you can help. 

Cor (Heart) Formation for men will be held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our seventh gathering will take place on April 20, 2024. 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 thirty-third consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on April 5 at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

Next Holy Hour will be on May 3, 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 5 to 9 PM. The next Bingo is April 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. Ray Michaud is asking folks to train on the cash register, and learn to be callers. Having a deep bench will ensure our success. We need help in sales, set-up, kitchen and clean-up. Doors open at 5 PM with first game at 6:30 PM. Volunteers should arrive at 3 PM. Bring can goods for free game sheets. Make it a family affair. Every worker bee bring along a player!

Pickleball is scheduled in Starksboro on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 PM and St Jude on Fridays from 1-3 PM. While Ted and Kathy are in North Carolina this month, Tammi Walker is in charge. You can email her at tjwalker5@gmail.com. 

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

Calling all Third Degree Members!

This is your chance to become a 4th Patriotic Degree Sir Knight! This SAT in Rutland. Three members of the Degree Exemplification Team tare from this Assembly, but we have no candidates. Let Faithful Navigator Dave Martin know if you can make it ASAP. (802) 881-8646 or facilitiessjv@gmail.com.

1.     Exemplification of the 4^th Degree, SAT April 13 in    Rutland, VT

2.  Transitional Deaconate Ordination for Luan Van Tran on June 1st at 10 AM at St Joseph's Cathedral.

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.

George Stevens is still at the Burlington Health and Rehab, 300 Pearl St., Room 511. Morning visits are best.

Our Worthy Treasurer is not moving after all. Please welcome Rick Gravelin back!

We still have an opening for  Financial Secretary. We really need the help, men. Here is your chance to work in the vineyard to make the world a better place and save more souls. Interested persons should communicate with the GK. 

Gentlemen, we need help working the Super Bingo! Make it a family affair with men working and wives playing. We will need help setting up SAT April 20 from 5 - 8 PM. We will need help during the day on SUN April 21 from 9 AM to 5 PM selling tickets and verifying winners, etc. On SUN April 21 we will need break-down and clean-up help from 5  - 7 PM. 

Please let Brad Chenette know when you are available to help. Call him at  (802) 238-1257 or write to Brad@bradchenette@gmail.com.

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

Archie Myers Scholarships are still available. The father/grandfather of the applicant must be a member of Council 7525 or Assembly 2106. Applications for scholarships are available now. See details at this link: Council 7525

There are many opportunities to serve!

Your council conducts monthly Bingo at St. John Vianney Parrish Hall on the third Thursdays. 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. 

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. 

APRIL 2024 

THU APR 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)

SAT APR 13 11 AM to 9 PM Exemplification of the 4^th Degree at Christ The King Parish in Rutland, VT

THU APR 18 at 6:30 PM SJV Bingo! Doors open at 5 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 APR 20 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

SUN APR 21 at 10 AM Super Bingo for Kids with Cancer (CTKT) at Doubletree in South Burlington. VT. Lots of help needed. Let Brad know what you can do.

FRI-SUN APR 26-28 Annual State Convention at the Stoweflake Inn.

MAY 2024

THU MAY 02 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 MAY 03 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary.

THU MAY 9 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 MAY 16 at 6:30 PM SJV Bingo! Doors open at 5 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 MAY 18 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

SAT May 18 Msgr Thomas J Ball Jesus Open Golf Tournament at West Bolton Country Club.

JUNE 2024

 SAT JUN 01 at 10 AM Transitional Deaconate for Luan Van Tran at St Joseph’s Cathedral. Honor Guard needed.

Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie Prendergast will share with us highlights of the life and virtue of St. Pope Pius V (April 30) and sing the song I Believe.

Ben Fine (son-in-law of Ray Michaud), PGK Ray Miller, Jean Groleau, Dave Martin, General success of Catholic Radio, Mason and Elizabeth Bullock, Richard Labrecque, Leonard and Mary Robear, Chris Johnson, Arlene Michaud (Ray’s sister), Gail Couillard, Marilyn LaCount, Friend of David Gravelin, Anthony Naples, Andre Ricard (Assembly 1157 Newport), Zak Bigelow and family, 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 7), John O’ Brien, Cheryl Allain, Andy Corologos, Claire Myers, Kelly Jackson (daughter of late PGK Jeff Jackson), PGK Bernie Hemond, Dick and Sandy Stevens, Beth-Ann Prendergast, Mariette Nadeau, Jeff and Kay Jarvis, Tom Gravelin, Chuck Schifilliti, Gerry Seney, Robert Gravelin, Keith Marston, Sue Cottrell, (23 year old woman fighting cancer), Kevin and Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton, George Stevens (Assembly 2106), James Read, Gene Tofferi, Mike and Pam Audette, Jeffrey Claude Danis and family, Stuart Fath, Wally Rooney, 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 the Middle East, that pregnant women will choose life, and for new members to join the Order.

For all who have died, especially Betty Usher, the aunt of Mike Bullock. May she and 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 2024