I am sure most of you are familiar with the long-running TV show called Hoarders. It is a program that exposes the devastating impact of the disease characterized by the victim being unable to part with anything-no matter how trivial-until they are literally buried alive in refuse and unable to function or habitat their home. It can lead to jail, loss of health and family. Some of us have relatives who have this disease. That may afford us an ability to empathize with these sufferers. Others may judge them harshly and/or thank God that they themselves have been spared. There is no quick cure. It takes determination, therapy, and re-training, and involves suffering and frequent relapses. Victims experience an emotional roller-coaster.

I tend to believe that most of us are hoarders ourselves. We may not fill our homes to the brim until whole rooms are off limits, but we do tend to accumulate an unnecessary and harmful excess of “stuff”, noisy distractions, activities, entertainments, vices and sins that fill up our hearts and minds choking out space for the Grace of God. Lent is the season for us to begin cleaning out everything that keeps us from being able to focus on God’s love for us. We need to make room for the Love of God in our lives and in our hearts and minds. We can get complacent, believing from Lent to Lent that we have done a thorough job of house cleaning just by giving up a cherished habit or two. Is that a true conversion? Do we “check the block” so to speak without getting any closer to being the people God intends us to be. What did Jesus do? He spent 40 days in the desert fasting from food and all distractions. He focused totally on discerning God’s will.  

We are called to become more like Christ. We must “crucify” our worldly desires and die to self if we expect to rise with Him. We must go deeper with prayer to recognize how big a problem we have, with fasting from all the distractions of this world, with almsgiving to see and support “the other”. Inward change is the most lasting- “rend your hearts, not your garments.”₁ Avoid superficiality “this people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”₂

This Lent let’s take a deep dive into our disfunction and sweep our hearts and minds clean from every societal “noise”, distraction, habit, or attitude that keeps us from being friends with Jesus. Perhaps imagine us in a desert. But remember we must replace all that clutter with the Grace of God. We must fill our newly liberated minds, hearts and being with the love of God. If not, then we are only providing a clean space until the next assault by the devil to claim us. (see MATT 12: 43-45) The devil has boasted that he can possess us just by increasing the noise of this world to keep us from hearing the Word of Salvation.₃ Silence is where we can hear the soft whisper of God’s commands. This lent I would add “silent meditation” to the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let us listen to life everlasting.   

1.    1.Joel 2:13

2.    2. Matt 15:8

3 C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters

The Last Business Meeting took place on February 13 in person and on Zoom. There were 14 brothers in person and three on Zoom for a total of 17. Those present enjoyed Ham and Scalloped potatoes made by the Benson’s with dessert provided by Steve Shover. (Alice Benson joined us for dinner). Dave Bean made an appearance and provided homemade rolls. We had three Warnings. All warnings passed muster as follows: delegates and alternates were chosen for the 127^th State Convention. Mike Bullock and Mike Audette are delegates and Jay Benson and Tom Gravelin are alternates. The Council voted to provide $500 to Ft Naples to spend on the Rice/SJV Peru Trip at his discretion. Finally, The Council approved the re-instatement of making a $100 donation each month to the favorite charity of the Knight and Family of the Month. James Girouard, Jr was the Knight of the month of January, while Charles and Karen Brown were the Family of the Month. Worthy Warden jay Benson showed us the plaques, Past FN photo frame and Crozier Case he made for Bishop John McDermott. We added Jake Pasqual, Patrick Anderson and the Success of the Peru Trip to the prayer list.  Meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

The Last Officer Meeting took place on Zoom only February6th, 2025. Ten officers were in attendance. Missing was the Inside, two trustees, Advocate and the Chaplain. We had a lively discussion. The officers authorized the expenditure of $65 for the State Convention Raffle Basket, and $100 Restaurant Gift Certificates for each of our long-married brothers. (Howard Kalter married for 60 years to Frances Carol, and Dick Stevens married for 65 years to Sandra Stevens.)

We agreed to Warn $250 in support of St Paul’s School, and $600 for a tent rental in support of Dcn Luan Tran’s Ordination Reception.

Super Bingo now has $21,658.27 on hand but is still short donations to cover all the games. The Girl Scouts will have about 15members helping. Next week before our business meeting, we will collate game cards. No donations have been received from other Vermont Councils. GK to send out another donation appeal.

We discussed rolling over scholarship funds in the event we do not have any candidates in a year. Another idea was to use unspent funds to support any needy Catholic Schools. More to follow. We will determine who our longest serving Brother is. We will submit programs for consideration by the State.

The Next Business Meeting will take place in person and on Zoom Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 PM. Those willing to help collate Bingo cards should meet at 5 PM. Dinner will be provided by Ray Bouchard, with dessert by Mike Bullock at 5:30 PM. We will have two Warnings to vote on per the Officer Meeting. The Assembly will also Warn $500 for CTKT. Dcn Bill Glinka is Knight of the Month for FEB for standing in for the traveling Fr Naples. Dcn Bill is also now an Honorary Life Member. Dick and Sandra Stevens are the Family of the Month. The Worthy Lecturer sent out the Mass cards for our widows. He will talk about St Patrick and sing the song Let There Be Peace On Earth.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our seventeenth gathering will take place on March 15, 2025. 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-fourth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on March 7, 2025 at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

We prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries with Scripture of the Holy Rosary. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Icon was present and we said special prayers.

The Next Holy Hour will be on April 4, 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 March 20, 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.

Upcoming Color Corps events include the following:

Upcoming Events for Honor Guard:

TUE APR 15 at 10 AM Chrism Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Burlington

SUN APR 27 at 1100- Maple Parade at St Albans, VT marching with the AspireNow Ultrasound Van

FRI-SUN May 2-4 127th Vermont Knights of Columbus State Convention at Killington

SAT MAY 31 Ordination of Deacon Luan Tran ST Joseph Cathedral

SAT JUN 14 125^th Anniversary of Fourth Degree Exemplification St. John Vianney  

SAT JUN TBA Dairy Parade in Enosburg, VT marching with AspireNow Ultrasound Van

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. If you can help notify Brad Chenette at (802) 238-1257 or bradchenette@gmail.com.   

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. 

March 2025

THU MAR 13 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)

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)

SAT MAR 22 Annual Catholic Men’s Conference Our lady of the Angels, Randolph, VT

SUN MAR 30 10 AM to 6 PM 39^th Annual K of C Charity Bingo for Kids with Cancer at the Essex Fairgrounds Blue Ribbon Pavilion. Help needed-let Brad Chenette know if you can be there.

April 2025

THU APR 03 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 APR 04 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary.

THU APR 10 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 APR 17 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 APR 19 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish (Holy Saturday)

MAY 2025

FRI-SUN May 2-4 127^th State Convention in Killington, VT

SAT May 31 Ordination of Dcn Luan Tran to the Priesthood at St Joseph’s Cathedral

June 2025

SAT JUN 14 125^th Annual Exemplification of the 4^th Degree at St John Vianney Church.

September 2025

WED SEP 24 7-9 PM Chris Stefanick REBOOT at St Francis Xavier Church in Winooski (Find out how to live life to the full as God intended) Real Life Catholic

Brothers, we need just one more member to meet our goal. 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 Patrick (MAR 17) and sing Let There Be Peace On Earth

Sandy Michaud, Richard Labrecque, Cora Bessette (daughter of Bill and Michelle Bessette), WSD Chris Poirier, Nathan Dionne (GK Nephew), George Stevens (Assembly 2106), Jake Pasqual, Patrick Anderson, Bruce O’Neill, Pope Francis, John (Jack) Romanoski, Lois Fontaine, all victims in New Orleans, Barbara Chenette (mother of Brad Chenette), Fr. Naples, Tom F.,  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, 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, 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), Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton, 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 Kevin Limoge, and Charles Shuler. 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