I think many of us might admit that when we were dating, we were always looking for an effective “pick-up” line to break the ice. Something clever and catchy that would intrigue a prospective lady into giving us some attention. Sometimes it worked, but most times it was a dismal failure. Eventually we learned that sincerity and a little vulnerability made us attractive to the fairer gender. At this point in our lives, we may be wondering if there is a “pick-up” line of sorts to be employed to attract non-believers or Nones into considering a relationship with Jesus of Nazareth. Some of us may be tempted to come up with something clever and place great importance on the words we might use. Again, sincerity of heart is the key to success along with a dose of Faith and enthusiasm. Certainly, we would not be at a loss for words if describing a favorite recipe, restaurant, game, book or movie to a friend or even a stranger. This past Saturday we had the opportunity to listen, read and contemplate the Gospel according to John 1:35-42. In this scripture we read the Apostle Andrew, after being introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist, “found his own brother Simon and told him ‘We have found the Messiah.’” I know evangelization requires a great deal of courage, and the help of the Holy Spirit, but I suggest that the personalization of this exclamation may be just what you need to break the ice. When the Spirit prompts you say, “I found the Messiah”. What could be truer or more sincere and vulnerable than that. Then just be yourself and offer to introduce them to Christ.   

I want to share with you an interesting insight on the Epiphany that I heard last week in Bishop Robert Barren’s Sunday Sermon. The Epiphany recounts the travels and motivations of the “wise men from the East” who followed a star to the house of the “King of the Jews”. Bishop Barren posits that these men were likely scientists, particularly astronomers who made careful observations of the heavens and tried to determine their meaning and patterns. His conclusion is that this scripture does much to dispel the false notion that science and religion are incompatible. Indeed, we can surmise that all scientific endeavors ultimately lead to the creator God.  

        “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.”    - Werner Heisenburg, German Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1932

The Last Business Meeting took place on DEC 12, 2024, at 6:30 PM. We enjoyed Hispanic Shepard's Pie made by Ray Michaud, Salad by Tom Gravelin and dessert by Mike Bullock at 5:30 PM. We interrupted the meeting to conduct the Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity and initiated two new members, Michael Pasqual and Jim Clark. Steve Shover presented the discourse on Unity ILO the excused Charlie Brown. During the meeting we passed a motion to add “great-grandson” and “great-granddaughter” to the list of eligible students for the Archie Myers Scholarship. We also dropped the requirement that the post-secondary educational venue be “accredited” based on testimony from Dcn Patrick Leduc who works with student finances.

The Last Officer Meeting took place on January 2 at 6:30 PM. A total of 11 attended, including 3 on Zoom. Eight of us enjoyed Zachary’s lasagna and salad, and brownies made by Alice Benson before the meeting. We spent a lot of time discussing the fish fry initiative; whether we should invest in the necessary equipment and offer fish dinners every Friday during Lent. In the end it was observed that we would not be able to sustain the manpower required on a consistent basis to make it a success. Even with a benefactor willing to cover the $5k start-up costs, the initiative was unanimously tabled by a Motion from the floor. Ted is going to look at a fund-drive for people with Intellectual Disabilities in the Spring. At that time, we can vote on whether some of the funds should be allocated to the Special People’s Party (those expenses are now close to $1k). Officers are asked to arrive at 4 PM next Thursday to remove the crèche at St John Vianney. The Assembly will meet briefly next week after the Council Meeting. The Trustees will meet at 4 PM on FEB 6 to work on the Council Audit and discuss nominees for State Knight and Family of the Year.

The Next Business Meeting will be on JAN 9 at 6:30 PM. Joe Pranys is planning to cook dinner for those arriving early. It will be a bowtie pasta dish with sausage. He will bring bread and butter. Dave martin will bring salad, and Mike Bullock will make a dessert. There are no Warnings for the meeting. There will be a meeting of Assembly 2106 following the council meeting.

Council Checking Account Balance

$15,159.97 as of 12/31/24

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

We prayed the Joyful Scripture Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

The Next Holy Hour will be on February 7, 2025. 

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.

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

Upcoming Color Corps events include the following:

Wake and Funeral for Theresa McAvinney, wife of PSD Dan Mcavinney. Wake is January 10, 12-2 PM and 6-8 PM at Curtis Britch & Bouffard Funeral Service 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby, VT. The funeral is January 11 at 11 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish 130 Pleasant St, Troy, VT.

There is an Exemplification of the 4th Degree on January 18 at Our Lady of the Angels in Randolph, VT. Third Degree members are eligible. You just need to fill out a Form 4 and submit it. For more info reach out to Assembly Color Corps Commander Mike Bullock. 

There is always a way to make a contribution. Last month the Special People's Party was a great opportunity to pay your blessings forward. 

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.

Our Biggest Annual Event, The Super Bingo for Kids with Cancer is coming up fast on Sunday, March 30 at the Fairgrounds in Essex Junction, VT. We need a lot of help to maximize the funds available to these special needy kids. The Superbingo Planning Committee begins with their first meeting on Monday, JN 16 at 6 PM at Zachary's Pizza on Williston Road in South Burlington, VT.  

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 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. 

JANUARY 2025

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

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

FEBRUARY 2025

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

THU FEB 13 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after dinner) at SJV or on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697)

SAT FEB 15 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

THU FEB 20 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)

MARCH 2025

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

THU MAR 13 at 6 :30 PM Council Business Meeting (after dinner) at SJV or on Zoom  (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697)

SAT MAR 15 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

THU MAR 20 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)

SUN MAR 30 10 AM to 5 PM Super Bingo for Kids with Cancer at the Fairgrounds in Essex Junction, VT. (Supports Camp Ta Kum Ta)

Some of you have been very busy recruiting new members. Keep it up. 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.

Our Worthy Lecturer Bernie Prendergast will speak about St Elizabeth Ann Seton (JAN 4) and sing the song One Day at a Time.

The schools and food shelfs where SK Charlie Brown and Brother Brad Chenette distributed Coats for Kids were very grateful. They liked getting the coats early-before the snow flies so needy kids did not have to get cold before getting a coat. Many like North End Food Pantry on North Avenue thanked us verbally. 

Lois Fontaine, all victims in New Orleans, Barbara Chenette (mother of Brad Chenette), Fr. Naples, Tom F., Edward Zuccaro (Hospice-Father of Rev James Zuccaro), Candice Bullock (wife of GK), Wyatt Jean (grandson of GK), Marlene and Barbara O’Connor (recently widowed friends of Charles and Karen Brown, SK Ali Nasab, Jacobi Roulette, 11 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 Jimmy Monroe, (cousin of GK), Ann Gardner (mother of Marie Cookson), Al Danis, (Uncle of Jeffrey Claude Danis), Theresa McAvinney (wife of PSD Dan McAvinney), Rhey Plumley, Rosario V. Cannizzaro, and Steve Milizia. 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 2025