For Lent, I was recently contemplating the sufferings of Christ in earnest, and it occurred to me that they began long before the crucifixion. God sent His only Son to become one of us and bring us home. But our resistance must have been a source of great suffering and disappointment to the Son.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”                               Luke 13:34

Consider the difficulty humanity had in accepting Jesus’ teaching. Even the chosen apostles seemed hopelessly obtuse at times. Jesus was born in obscurity and lived most of His life under the public radar. He was rejected by His own townspeople, and let’s remember all the miraculous escapes when groups tried to arrest Him, throw Him down or stone Him. During His public ministry Jesus was essentially homeless, too.

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.’”                                                       Matt 8:20

But He persevered and “chose the day and the hour” when He would suffer for us. With great and unappreciated love, Christ became all our sins. Thirsting for sinners yet becoming sin at that point God had to turn away. But only for a moment, because the totality of our sins was no match for the totality of the loving obedience of the Son-even unto an ignoble death. And from the agony of the cross Jesus quotes the beginning of the 22^nd Psalm.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

                                              Psalm 22:1 and Matt 27:46

Reading the entire Psalm provides a fresh, hopeful perspective. The Psalm describes the Lord’s situation and sufferings, praises God and most importantly exalts in the deliverance that God “has wrought.”

Most of humanity was unaware of His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Most continued in their sin and the routine of their lives unaware. But thanks to human agency, inspired by the Holy Spirit in those who surrendered their will to the Father-we all have access to the Scriptures and His Sacramental Church. We retain the prerogative to cooperate with Grace or reject the Love of God. What will you choose? Slavery to sin, or freedom in repentance? How do you answer His question “Who do you say that I am?”  Look upon Him “whom we have pierced” on Good Friday. Take a good look at the man, more than a man. Imagine yourself on that cross with the power to stop the suffering at any time and vanquish your enemies. Could you suffer for hours until the salvation of sinful, murderous or indifferent strangers, betrayers and faithless friends was accomplished before giving up your spirit?

After this contemplation, pray that our Easter morning will find us filled with greater gratitude, and joy. Let Easter Sunday be our “New Year’s Day”-a new beginning as a new creation, filled with love for Him, and resolved to follow Him more closely in humility and awe.  

Vivat Jesus!

The Last Business Meeting took place on March 13, 2025, in person and on Zoom. There were 15 in attendance, including two on Zoom. Bingo cards were collated before the meeting and there was a delicious chicken dinner prepared by Denise Bouchard enjoyed by all. There were two Warnings approved. The Council voted to support St Paul’s School in Barton, VT with a $250 donation. The Council voted to pay up to $600 for the tent rental in support of the Ordination Reception for SCN Lam Tran. After the Council meeting the Assembly voted to pay $500 in support of Camp Ta Kum Ta Super Bingo. Dcn Bill Glinka was Knight of the Month, and the Dick Stevens Family was Family of the Month. The Worthy Lecturer talked about St. Patrick and sang the song Let There Be Peace On Earth.

The Last Officer Meeting took place on Zoom only on April 3^rd, 2025. There were ten members in attendance. We went over the schedule of events going forward. The officers decided the council would purchase a $100 lottery ticket from Council 297 in support of their fundraiser to replace the roof of Holy Angels Church. We have decided we cannot offer Council Bingo in April due to the conflict with Holy Thursday and the bingo display being inoperable. In May, the bingo could be held on the fourth Thursday (scheduling conflict with the SJV parish Hall on the third Thursday), if our system is back. The Super Bingo committee made a preliminary report. There were 49 volunteers who set-up, conducted, and/or cleaned up afterward. Donations more than covered the game payouts and it looks like we raised over $40,000 for Camp Ta Kum Ta. The final tally will depend on outstanding donations. A future check presentation will be planned at Camp Ta Kum Ta. Super Bingo post-mortem will take place on WED, April 9, 2025.

The Next Business Meeting will take place in person and on Zoom Thursday, April 08 at 6:30 PM. There will be dinner provided by Fr. Tim Naples at 5:30 PM. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom. There are no Warnings. There will be another Super Bingo Report and a discussion about recognition for the most engaged staff. The Lecturer will speak about St. Catherine of Siena (April 29) and sing One Day at a Time. It’s not too early to consider running for an officer position in your council. Let the trustees know of your interest. The vote will take place at the June Business Meeting.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our eighteenth gathering will take place on April 19, 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-fifth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on April 4, 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 moved to St Jude and is now displayed at Our lady of Mount Carmel.

The Next Holy Hour will be on May 2, 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 May 22 (fourth Thursday) due to a conflict with Holy Thursday this month, and the third Thursday next month. Our display board is currently inoperable and we hope to have it repaired for May.

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

FRI-SAT APR 25-26 Wake, Funeral, and Burial of SK George Stevens in Milton, VT

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.

In addition to prayer we have Knights in need of visitation. Leonard Robear is now a widower living at Burlington Health and Rehab room 408.

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. 

April 2025

THU APR 10 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 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

THU May 01 at 6:30 PM Council Officer Meeting On Zoom only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09 (Meeting ID: 840 5336 0051. Passcode: 179347)

FRI May 02 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary.

Fri May 2 to SUN May 4, 127^th Vermont State Convention, Killington Grand, VT

SUN May 4 2 PM 2025 Cots Walk at Battery Park, Burlington, VT

THU May 08 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 May 17 at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish (Holy Saturday)

SAT May 17 Monsignor Thomas Ball Memorial Golf Tournament West Bolton Golf Club ($100/player-Brad Chenette is putting teams together)

THU May 22 (4^th Thursday) 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)

June 2025

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

August 2025

SUN AUG 03, 12:30, PM Annual St John Vianney Parish Picnic Oakledge Park in South Burlington, VT (Planning meeting April 22 at 1 PM at SJV)

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.

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 Catherine of Siena (APR 29) and sing One Day at a Time.

Kay and Ken Jarvis, David Bean, Sandy Michaud, Richard Labrecque, Cora Bessette (daughter of Bill and Michelle Bessette), WSD Chris Poirier, Nathan Dionne (GK Nephew), 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), SK Ali Nasab, Jacobi Roulette, 1 year 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, 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 Jeffrey Jarvis, and George Stevens (Assembly 2106). 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