Let us reflect on the Gospel of John 15:1-8 from the last weekend in April. In this scripture we read Jesus describe Himself using the imagery of a vine and its branches. No branch can live apart from the vine, and the one who tends the vine increases its yield by pruning; cutting off or cutting back branches that are not producing fruit. As Jesus states “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.” Bishop Robert Barron in his Sunday Sermon “It’s Time for Some Pruning” suggests that “we live in Christ-He even gives us His Body and Blood to eat and drink.” We can help the Father with His task of pruning by looking at ourselves to identify those “branches” of sin that block the flow of life-giving sap. These sins or habits of sin cause us to whither spiritually, and we risk being cut off entirely from the divine vine and cast into the fire. Bishop Barron names a few of these; “old resentments, soul killing secularism, spiritual sloth, the curse of pornography, avarice and materialism, gossiping.”  We are called to cut these out of our lives. It will be painful. It may be too much for us, but remember it is the Father, not us, who prunes. “Name those things in you that block the life of Christ and turn them over to God in prayer and ask Him to prune them away.”

In the Month of May who else can we ask to intercede for us with Jesus? His loving mother, St Mary. This is her month. If you have not yet made the Holy Rosary devotion a part of your daily prayer regimen, this is a great time to begin.

Vivat Jesus!   

The last business meeting was held on April 11, 2024, at 6:30 PM after pizza and dessert provided by the GK. We had two Warnings: dues amnesty and covering a game for the Super Bingo. Both motions passed. We will be sending letters to inactive members with a once-in-a-lifetime offer to forgive all past dues if they pay this years’ dues and become active again. The Council paid $1,000 to the winner of the Coverall Game.

The last officer meeting was on May 2 at 6:30 PM after pizza and salad. We spent a great deal of time going over the results of the Super Bingo, and the 126^th State Convention. Next year’s bingo will be at the Fairgrounds in Essex Junction, VT on March 30^th, 2025. The big take-a-ways from this year were the importance of soliciting donations early to cover all the games, and the imperative of having enough workers to cover all the requirements. The convention venue was disappointing this year. The Stoweflake showed its age, and the meals were overpriced and, in some cases, unappealing.

The next business meeting will be on Thursday May 9, 2024. That day is also the Feast of the Ascension, a Holy Day of Obligation. Accordingly, we will start the meeting at 7:15 PM. Members are encouraged to attend the 6 PM Mass at St John Vianney prior to the meeting. We will have dinner provided by Ray Bouchard, Dave Martin, and Mike Bullock, and then start the meeting. The Mass will take the place of Vespers. There are no Warnings. We will bring the council up to date on the Bingo and convention details.

The Super Bingo was a huge success. Final numbers are still be determined but it looks like this year will net about $39,000! The Super Bingo committee has conducted a Bingo Post-Mortem and identified the good, the bad and the ugly so next year can be even better. One take-away is that we did not have enough help. We are switching venues for next year to enable us to donate even more money to Camp Ta Kum Ta.

Mark your calendars now so you can help us out next year; next years Bingo will be on Sunday, March 30 at the Essex Fairgrounds.

There will be a contingent going to Camp Ta Kum Ta in the near future to present them with the final check.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our eighth gathering will take place on May 18, 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-fourth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on May 3 at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

Next Holy Hour will be on June 7, 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 6:30 to 9 PM. The next Bingo is May 16 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. Ted and Kathy Barrett are back from North Carolina. Contact Ted or Tammi Walker. You can email Ted at tedbarrett79@gmail.com or Tammi at tjwalker5@gmail.com. 

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

1.    May 11 at 9 AM Our Lady of Fatima Mass/Benediction/Rosay at St. Mark’s Church

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

3. July 15 at 10 AM Burial Ceremony for SK Bill Ladd at Resurrection Park Cemetery

4. July 15 at 1 PM Ordination and Installation of 11^th Bishop of Burlington (Msgr John McDermott) at St. Joseph’s Cathedral

We are 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.

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

I am happy to announce we have a worthy candidate for Financial Secretary. PGK, PFN Ray Michaud has volunteered. Please encourage and congratulate him as we start the process. 

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. 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. They have been married for over 75 years! Leonard recently donated his social baldric, gloves, group photo and 4th degree Sword to the assembly. Leonard and Charles Brown started the Camp Ta Kum Ta Super Bingo about 38 years ago. 

Bev Newman, Ray's widow, is at Harbor Village, Room 306.

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

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. 

MAY 2024

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 1000 Transitional Deaconate for Luan Van Tran at St Joseph’s Cathedral. Honor Guard needed.

 THU JUN 06 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 JUN 07 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary. 

THU JUN 13 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 JUN 15 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish 

THU JUN 20 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) 

JULY 2024

July 15, 1 PM, Ordination, and Installation of the 11^th Bishop of Burlington (Most Reverend John J McDermott) at St Joseph’s Cathedral

Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie Prendergast will share with us highlights of the life and virtue of St. Pope Paul VI (May 29) and sing the song "As I Kneel Before You" in honor of ST Mary. 

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 the faithfully departed, may they 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