Some time ago my confessor suggested that for my penance I should contemplate gratitude. At the time I thought it strange to thank God for my sinful behavior. But as I complied with this request, I came to understand that it was the Grace of God and His Forgiveness that I needed to be grateful for. God has given us life, liberty and the ability to pursue Holiness without any expectation except for our love and gratitude. Indeed, God has no need of us or this universe at all except to provide for us an Eden where we can thrive, experience eternal joy and continuous fellowship with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. I think it can be argued that God created all that exists for our benefit. How has mankind responded to all that God has done for us? Indifference or hostility probably best describe our collective response. If we look at the whole redemption story, we see God reaching out to us with more and more lavish gifts, and those few saints who appreciate those gifts expressing deep gratitude. Gratitude beyond words. A gratitude that demands a change of heart and a willingness to do God’s Will. God’s most lavish gift is the sacrifice of His only beloved Son for our salvation. In our own lives we know that when we receive an unexpected gift from someone who has everything, all we can do in response is to give of ourselves, making a gift, or performing a service. Who we are as living beings, what we can experience, all the people in our lives, all our relationships, and every opportunity is a gift from God. Many people are scandalized by these words of Christ from Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me”. Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters are all gifts from God, too. Everything in this life is perishable. All the people we love will eventually get old or sick or die. Should we hunger for the perishable? Rather should we hunger for the imperishable bread of heaven, Christ our Lord? Should we love and serve and express our gratitude first for the gifts, or the Giver?   

Vivat Jesus!

The Last Business Meeting was held on July 11, 2024. We began at 5:30 PM with a BBQ and award presentation to Irene Russell and Lois Fontaine, two essential support staff for the success of our Super Bingo for Kids with Cancer. We began the meeting and then suspended it for an Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. We welcomed three new members: Dcn John Magnier, Roger Fay, Jr., and Bill Bessette. Our field agent, Dave Giuliani conducted a Founders’ Award presentation on K of C investment, life insurance and retirement planning resources. The business meeting resumed afterward in person and on Zoom. . See the Meeting Minutes for additional details.

The Last Officer Meeting was held on August 1, 2024 in person and on Zoom at 6:30 PM after a meal of pizza and salad. We discussed the upcoming audit, the State Officer Installation on August 25, and our pending budget proposal. The Trustees will meet at 4 PM before the next business meeting to work out the audit. The former District 3 Deputy Tom Gravelin will explore conducting the D3 officer installation at the same location and same date following the Mass and State installation. We decided to Warn the budget to the membership for a vote. We discussed the 10month SJV Bingo summary and determined that we would contribute $100/Qtr to the Assembly to support patriotic programs.

The Next Business Meeting will be held in person and on Zoom on August 8 at 6:30 PM after pizza and salad. There will be one Warning for our budget. We also plan to discuss conducting a raffle for flood relief in Vermont. 

Council Bank Balance: $17,971.11 as of 07/29/2024

The Super Bingo check was presented by Super Bingo Chairman and PGK Tom Gravelin on July 22 at Camp Ta Kum Ta in the amount of $36,000. See photo in this Newsletter.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our eleventh gathering will take place on August 17, 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-seventh consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on August 2, at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

The Silver Rose was present. We prayed the Silver Rose Program including the Holy Rosary, Glorious Mysteries and the Litany of St Mary for the cause of Life.

The Next Holy Hour will be on SEP 6, 2024. 

Planned for every third Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 9 PM, unexpected events can dictate an alternate date. The next Bingo is August 15, a Holy Day of Obligation. Be sure to attend a Mass before reporting for duty. The Bingo provides funds for the Council, Assembly and parish. The Bingo is paying off the council loan used to pay for the bingo equipment and start-up supplies. This can only succeed with a dedicated staff of volunteers. Your help is vital. Having a deep bench will ensure our success. We need help in sales, set-up, kitchen and clean-up. Doors open at 5:30 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. Contact Ted Barrett 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.

If you always wanted to be a council officer, this is your chance. Let the Trustees know of your interest or seek office on Thursday prior to the election.

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 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. 4196 ST George Road (Rt 2A), Williston, VT 

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

SK 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. 

AUGUST 

THU AUG 08 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after Dinner) at SJV or on Zoom (GK will be excused)

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

THU AUG 15 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 4:30 PM for set-up, food court, or pop-open ticket sales) 

THU AUG 15 Council Audit due to Supreme 

SAT AUG 17 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish 

SAT AUG 24 at 3 PM Parish BBQ at St Jude Round Table Parish 

SEPTEMBER 

THU SEP 05 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 SEP 06 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary. 

THU SEP 12 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after Dinner) at SJV or on Zoom (GK will be excused)

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

THU SEP 19 at 6:30 PM SJV Bingo! Doors open at 5:30 PM. Light snacks and beverages available. Chance to win $1,000. (Volunteers should arrive at 4:30 PM for set-up, food court, or pop-open ticket sales) 

SAT SEP 21 at 10 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

Our Worthy Lecturer Bernie Prendergast will share with us details about the life and virtue of St Pope Pius X, and sing the song Bless this Church.

Mike and Pam Audete, Toni Hill, Bishop John McDermott, Timothy O'Neill, Fr. Jeremias Tigga, Ben Fine (son-in-law of Ray Michaud), PGK Ray Miller,  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, William Cannon and Family, Michael Gravelin, Mark and Paulette Noyes and Family (esp. Levi age 7), John O’ Brien, Cheryl Allain, 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,  Jeffrey Claude Danis and family, Stuart Fath, Wally Rooney, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, one anonymous brother knight, the people of Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and an end to the wars. All clergy and religious. All victims and families of COVID-19, and flooding. First Responders, police, and firefighters. For a just solution in the Middle East, that pregnant women will choose life, and for new members to join the Order. 

For all the faithfully departed and their grieving families, especially Raymond “Michael” Viens, (brother of Paulette Noyes), Ellen Clarinda Fay (mother of Roger Fay, Jr.), Jeanne Groleau, (wife of SK Joe Groleau) and Andrew Corologos (Bingo volunteer for 30 Years), and Bill Curtin (Uncle of Kay Jarvis and past roommate of Don Sutton). May they rest in peace and may all the families of the deceased 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