I recently watched a video of a discussion between a famous Christian and a famous atheist. The atheist expressed the usual objections to the existence of God, and I thought the Christian missed an opportunity to address them directly. Of all the challenges posed by atheists in support of their position of disbelief, the most persuasive seemed to be the existence of evil and suffering in the world. If there is a God, they argue, how could he allow pain and suffering and evil? Why would he not have the power to create a benign utopia where we all get along and thrive. Why the struggle? In the past, my own struggle consisted of being unable to provide a satisfactory answer.  

It occurred to me that God in fact had created us to thrive in a paradise. God loves us and desires our happiness. God desires our fellowship-our friendship. He created us in the Garden of Eden. There was no evil, no war, no pain, no suffering. God and man were friends who could spend time together. Our main tasks were pro-creation and naming all the creatures God had made. Man and beast got along. Food was readily available as every tree had low hanging fruit ready to consume. Being made in the “image and likeness” of God meant we had a capacity to think, to know, to love and the freedom to decide. God loves us and He wants us to choose to love Him in return. God risked rejection when He gave us free will. In fact, it seems clear that all the creatures God made in His likeness had a quality of self-determination. And we did reject Him, over and over, even though He gave us all we need; and the capacity to resist temptation.  

It was man himself, who basically said “I can do better for myself” to God by disobeying His command to not eat of the fruit on the one tree: the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And what did we discover? The good is everything created by God and all acts done in accordance with His will. Evil is what man does without God and for himself alone. Sin separated us from God because we put ourselves first; we failed to love God and the good God created. This led to our expulsion from the garden.

The wonderful mystery of God’s enduring love for us is that He took the initiative from the fall to restore us to fellowship with Him and return us to the Garden. The evil that man committed was so egregious that God nearly destroyed all of mankind in the flood, having preserved the animals and the righteous family of Noah. Man continued to sin and move away from God. God selected a people to be His people and be a light to all nations; but we rebelled again and again. Without God, the chosen people were conquered and dispersed or enslaved repeatedly.

Having decided not to destroy all mankind in another flood, he did destroy the vile inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ever loving and merciful, He would have spared it too if only 10 righteous people could be found there. Still mankind continued to sin, with death and evil and suffering widespread. God decided to allow the good and the evil to thrive together; both enjoying His many abundant gifts, including sun and rain. We are to be separated at the harvest of souls, after judgment according to our deeds and how much we loved God and others.   

Finally, God sent His Son to retore us to the life He created us for, only to have us put His son to a horrible death. Yet He responded with an offer of peace and friendship, not vengeance. While the Roman and Jewish authorities represented us in refusing a global reconciliation, nevertheless, the Cross, death and resurrection of Christ is a viable path, the only path, to our salvation. Christ expiated our many sins and conquered death. But not just for ourselves. His sacrifice, Church, and the sacraments allow us to save others through prayer and sacrifice; to offer our own sufferings out of love as He did. He set an example. Each of us is called to personal holiness and to pray and suffer for the conversion of sinners.

The next time someone objects to belief in a saving God because there is evil and suffering in the world, kindly remind them that God created us in a paradise and offered us friendship. Through the sin of disobedience, mankind chooses the kind of world we now live in, with evil and the suffering that it causes. The Good News is that we can still get back to the paradise of the Kingdom of Heaven by repentance and belief and the obedience that they compel. If they bristle at the idea of “obedience” point out that obedience to God will give them love, peace, and joy leading to happiness.   

The Last Business Meeting took place on May 8 in person and on Zoom. There were 13 in person and 4 online for a tola of 17 in attendance. Those present enjoyed a chicken casserole dinner prepared by Linda Chenette and served up by her husband Brad. It was very good and many had seconds. We discussed upcoming events, especially the Ordination of Dcn Luan Van Tran on 31 May and the Exemplification of the 4^th Degree on Jun 14. We solicited additional members to attend our June 5 Officer Meeting at Camp Ta Kum Ta. There is a total of 34 RSVPs. There were two Warnings. The Council approved the purchase of a new color printer not to exceed $350. As to the expense of the State Chaplain’s convention hotel expense in the amount of $504.35 the Council passed a motion to return the expense to the State Council for reimbursement. Total monies raised for Camp Ta Kum Ta is $42,589.09. We will retain $2,054.15 to help cover the cost of a new sound system at the Essex Fairgrounds.

The Last Officer Meeting was held in person only on June 5 at Camp Ta Kum Ta. The camp hosted for us a BBQ at 5 PM and we presented them with a “check” for $42,589.09 and a live check for $30,000. The difference was the money retained to help improve the sound system at the fairgrounds for next year, and the money received directly by the camp through registrations on their website. At about 6:30 PM, while the officers conducted a meeting, the other guests were treated to a tour of the camp. There were 30 guests, with 11 officers in attendance. We discussed the upcoming election of officers for the next erm, the proposed budget for next year, and the disposition of the Archie Myers Scholarship Fund that was not awarded this year. The idea is to donate the funds to a struggling Catholic School. We plan to solicit a school recommendation from Fr. Tim. Morgan Stanley was at $467,875,65 and the council checking account balance was $10,045.43. The officers decided to pay out funds obligated in the budget but not yet paid before June 30.

The Next Business Meeting will be in-person and on Zoom Thursday, June 12 at 6:30 PM. AT 5 PM we will grill hamburgers and hotdogs on Fr. Tim's grill and Steve will provide potato salad. Charles will bring a dessert. There will be three Warnings: Officer elections, budget and scholarship money. In the future we will announce the date and time for the officer installation ceremony.

Cor (Heart) Formation for men is held every third SAT at Saint John Vianney Parish beginning at 10 AM. Our twentieth gathering will take place on June 21, 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-seventh consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on June 6, 2025 at 3 PM at Saint John Vianney. 

We prayed the Mysteries of Light with Scripture of the Holy Rosary.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Icon was last seen at OLMC for Mass with Bishop McDermott this past Sunday. It is going to St Joseph's Cathedral next. Parishioners reported many graces received from prayers before the Icon.

The Next Holy Hour will be on July 11, 2025 due to Independence Day. 

The Silver Rose will be here beginning on August 1st.

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:

Elections: Attention Sir Knights! Consider being an officer in the Assembly!

SAT JUN 14 125^th Anniversary of Fourth Degree Exemplification St. John Vianney   (Our Assembly is hosting at St John Vianney-support our team!)

SUN JUN 22 Corpus Christi Honor Guard Competition Participate in a Eucharistic Procession that weekend and film for 2-3 minutes for presentation NLT July 3 to the office of the Supreme Master. 

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. Richard Labrecque is benefiting from home hospice and would like a visit. He lives at 10 Eagle Crest, Unit 102 Williston, VT 05495 (Located North of Blair Park). 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. 

June 2025

THU JUN 12 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 JUN 14 125^th Annual Exemplification of the 4^th Degree at St John Vianney Church.

THU JUN 19 (3^rd 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)

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

SAT-SUN JUN 28-29 Donation drive for Intellectual Disabilities (AKA Tootsie Roll Drive) at all of the weekend Masses at St John Vianney Church

July 2025

THU JUL 3 at 6:30 PM Council Officer Meeting Zoom only

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09 (Meeting ID: 840 5336 0051. Passcode: 179347)

FRI JUL 4 at 3 PM Holy Hour at SJV. Come early and lead a decade of the scripture Holy Rosary.

THU JUL 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)

SUN July 13, 1200, St Catherine of Siena Chicken BBQ at Shelburne Town Beach (Need help with set-up and tear down)

SAT JUL 19^th at 10-11:30 AM COR Formation for Men at St John Vianney Parish

August 2025

SUN AUG 03, 12:30, PM Annual St John Vianney Parish Picnic Oakledge Park in South Burlington, VT (Next Planning meeting MAY 27^th at 6:30 PM)

SAT AUG 23, 5:30 PM St Jude Parish BBQ (Need help with set-up, cooking, and clean-up)

SUN AUG 24, 10:30 AM State Council Annual Retreat and Picnic at Isle La Motte

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 welcome a new member on June 14. Please make Joe Donegan feel welcome. This should meet our quota and should qualify us for the Star Council Award.  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 Thomas More (JUN 22) and sing the song Let There Be Peace On Earth.

Rob Morris (GK Nephew in hospital), Gail Ponto (broken ankle), newest Vermont Priest Rev Father Joseph Luan Van Tran, William (Bill) Bessette and Family, Terri Lavalee and Family, Pope Leo XIV, Chris Barrett (Ted’s brother), Amy Rushford, Kay and Ken Jarvis, David Bean, Sandy Michaud, Richard Labrecque, WSD Chris Poirier, Patrick Anderson, Bruce O’Neill, John (Jack) Romanoski, Lois Fontaine, Barbara Chenette (mother of Brad Chenette), Fr. Naples, Tom F., 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, 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 8), John O' Brien, Cheryl Allain, Claire Myers, Kelly Jackson (daughter of late PGK Jeff Jackson), 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, and flooding. First Responders, police, and firefighters. For a just solution in the Middle East. That pregnant women will choose life. For new members to join the Order.

For the repose of the soul of Kelly Ann Forman Kranz, the beloved sister of Rev Patrick Forman, and all the faithfully departed and their grieving families. 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 2025