During Advent we celebrate the unplanned and unexpected pregnancy of a young woman named Mary, betrothed to a man named Joseph. We praise her decision to accept God’s will in this matter at a time when public knowledge of the pregnancy posed a threat to the life of both baby and mother. As we prepare this Advent for the arrival of the Son of God Incarnate, let us consider the following. Science tells us that the odds of anyone coming into existence are about a million billion trillion to one. That’s a very small chance. Furthermore, the chance that there would be a second “you” is zero. (Not even identical twins are the same person) Each of us is both extremely rare and unique. We also know that life begins at conception. Even more amazing is that only God can create life. Your existence is only possible because the egg and sperm were both alive when they met each other. Science has not been able to “create” life in a test tube or anywhere else. All they have done is manipulate life already living. That is because the life-giving spirit/soul originates from the “breath” of God. Yet despite these truths, we live in an age where society tolerates human sacrifice-the killing of our unborn (or elderly), not for a bountiful harvest, or prosperity, but simply for preference’ sake. Imagine those millions who will never be born were one-of-a-kind and once in time. We read in the Old Testament that there were many “mountains and valleys” that kept the chosen people from God’s Fellowship. God promised through the prophets to fill in the valleys and level the mountains to make a straight and level highway to Him. Jesus is that highway. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Light.” The New Testament is the fulfillment of that promise to make straight a path back to God. God may chase us and make the path easy (the burden light)-but we must still agree and prepare. We must eliminate the mountains and valleys of sin within us that prevent us from giving God permission to save us. This Advent, I encourage you to pray, especially the Holy Rosary, meditate on the Scriptures, make a good confession, give alms and worship God before the Blessed Sacrament and during the Mass. Pray for the unborn. Pray for repentance and reconciliation for all those who participated in their deaths. Pray that mothers will choose life. Grant that none of us will conflate “legality” with “morality”. Pray that all of us will approach the throne of grace through Jesus with humility and a contrite heart.

Merry Christmas and Vivat Jesus!

Mike

The Last Business Meeting was held on NOV 14 at SJV and on Zoom. There were 16 members in attendance. Those present enjoyed a meal of Dave Martins’ chili with corn bread and dessert provided by Steve Shover. We had one Warning-to assign the proceeds of a very generous donation from the Newman Family of $1500. The Council voted to approve the officer’s recommendation of a one-time Newman Family Memorial Scholarship. The next Exemplification will take place on DEC 12 during the next business meeting.

The Last Officer Meeting was held in person and on Zoom on December 5 at 6:30 PM after pizza dinner. There were 14 in attendance, including 6 online. We discussed the Special People’s Party and decided we needed to arrive at 11 AM to help set-up. After set-up we will move the SJV creche into position. WFN Mike Audette will play Santa this year. For our council Christmas Party, we are looking for potluck. Dave Martin will coordinate the meals. Bring a wrapped gift with a value not to exceed $25. Mike will coordinate with Fr Zuccaro on the Keep Christ in Christmas signage. Jay Benson and Roger Fay will take care of the crèche and signage at St Catherine of Siena. Charles Brown will provide a list of widows to Bernie Prendergast to send Mass Cards for Christmas.   

The Next Business Meeting will take place in person and on Zoom Thursday, December 12^th at 6:30. There will be Hispanic Shepherd’s Pie (Ray Michaud) served with salad (Tom Gravelin) and dessert (Mike Bullock) at 5:30 PM. The meeting will be suspended for the Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Dcn Patrick Leduc will present a homily on Advent, and we will vote on a Warning to add Great-Grandchildren to the list of eligible students for the Archie Myers Scholarship Award.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our fifteenth gathering will take place on December 21, 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 forty-first consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on December 6, 2024 at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

We prayed the Sorrowful Scripture Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

The Next Holy Hour will be on January 3, 2025. 

There is no Bingo this month!

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 January 16, 2025. 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 by 4:30 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.

There is no Assembly meeting in December, 2024. 

The next Assembly Meeting will take place at approximately 7:30 PM on January 9th following the Council Meeting. 

There is always a way to make a contribution. Last month Echoes of Grace was an excellent opportunity to work with high school students and learn a lot more about the lives and contributions of the Saints. Also a safe way to get a little spooked out on All Hallowed Eve. 

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 other opportunities to pray and serve!

In addition to monthly Bingo on third Thursdays, we have monthly Holy Hour on First Fridays, and Cor Formation on third Saturdays.

On December 15 we host our annual Christmas Party for members of our community with intellectual disabilities.  Provide an entre or dessert and join the fun! 

Our Council Christmas Party and Yankee Swap is also Sunday, DEC 15 at 6 PM. Join us for fellowship and bread.

In addition to prayer we have Knights in need of visitation. Leonard Robear is now a widower living at Burlington Health and Rehab where George Stevens is also a resident. Last time Leonard was in Room 408.  George is in room 511. The best time to visit is late afternoons.

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 2024

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

THU DEC 12 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after dinner) at SJV or on Zoom (Exemplification of Chairty, Unity, and Fraternity)

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

SUN DEC 15 1 to 3 PM Annual Special People’s Party at SJV Hall. Help needed. 

SUN DEC 15 6 to 8 PM Annual Council 7525 Christmas Party and Gift Exchange at ST John Vianney parish Hall 

SAT DEC 21 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish 

JANUARY 2025

THU JAN 02 at 6:30 PM Council Officer Meeting (After pizza) at SJV or on Zoomhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09 (Meeting ID: 840 5336 0051. Passcode: 179347)

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

THU JAN 9 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after dinner) at SJV or on Zoom (Exemplification of Chairty, Unity, and Fraternity) (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697)

THU JAN 9 at 7:30 PM Assembly 2106 Business Meeting at SJV or on Zoom 

THU JAN 16 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 JAN 18 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

Our Worthy Lecturer Bernie Prendergast was unable to attend the Business Meeting last month, so the schedule remains the same this month. He will tell us about the faith and virtue of St Albert the Great (NOV 15), and sing the song Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above

Some of you have been very busy recruiting new members. For that reason we will conduct an Exemplification of Charity, Fraternity, and Unity, during our December 12 Business Meeting. Please welcome our new members when you see them and invite them to a meeting or event. Remind them to pursue the Knight in Shining Armor Award. Our newest members are Dcn Luis Gonzalo, Mike Pasqual, and Jim Clark. Going forward, let us be mindful of using CARE to recruit and retain new members. This can be done anytime you meet a Catholic Gentleman.

Edward Zuccaro (Hospice-Father of Rev James Zuccaro), Candice Bullock (wife of GK), Wyatt Jean (grandson of GK), Rhey (Age Well), Joan Lajeunesse, Marlene and Barbara O’Connor (recently widowed friends of Charles and Karen Brown, Paul Bouchard (father of Ray Bouchard), SK Ali Nasab, Jimmy Monroe, cousin of GK with Melanoma, Robert Morris, nephew of GK,  Jacobi Roulette, 9 Mo old Great-Grandson of Mike Audette, PGK Louis Lauzon of St Marks, Nathan Cookson, Kenneth Limoge, SK Joe Groleau (in hospital), a friend of Fr. Naple's whose daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia, Mike and Pam Audette, 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 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, hurricanes (especially Helene and Milton) 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 Bill and Mike O’Connor. May they rest in peace and may their families and 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