“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16)
During the past month our Council members and their families have shared the experience of several losses. For some, death meant the end of long-suffering, while for others death was like a thief stealing our loved ones away from us unexpectedly. Gratefully, our Catholic Faith empowers us to see these same events as victories. Our Lord promised that just as he conquered death once for all, so to, we have nothing to fear in death. Faith is the antidote to fear. “Life is not ended, but only changed.” Our loved ones await us with anticipation of a wonderful reunion in the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” John 5: 24
Therefore, we may say with confidence that those who have left this life are more alive than ever in the Kingdom. Each of us can look forward to our time of reconciliation when we will be united to Christ for all time. Those who go before us are still living, but in a place our senses cannot perceive. What is our enduring link to them? The Eucharist. Those who hope to spend eternity in the presence of the Lord with the faithfully departed in the next life, are willing to invest in that future by spending time with the Blessed Sacrament in this life. A Holy Hour is a great way to focus on our relationship with Jesus and visit with him. Your Council has a standing reservation for Holy Hour with Scripture Rosary every 1st Friday from 3 to 4 PM at SJV. Many parishes have Holy Hours multiple times a week. They are not difficult to find for those who seek. Remember, when you seek the Lord, one place you are sure to find Him is in His Father’s House. Another good place to look for Him is in your neighbor. Our next Holy Hour will feature the Silver Rose.
Your council continues to do good works in the name of Christ. We have delivered a wheelchair; the remains of our brother Patrick will soon rest in a columbarium at Resurrection Park, and we helped with an event at the Pines where residents will enjoy a Rosary, Mass, and BBQ. We support our grieving families through our presence and prayers. Our Family of the Month is typical of the exemplary families of Knights who serve together every day for the benefit of us all.
There will be other opportunities to serve in the coming days and weeks. We will need help with the SJV Parish Picnic and the restoration of the SJV storage shed looms large. Many hands make light work. We have two openings for officer positions. If you are still a 1st Degree Knight, please attend the next exemplification and you can take on greater responsibility. Our 4th Degree is looking for good men to join the Honor/Color Guard.
Blessings,
Mike
KNIGHTS IN ACTION
LAST MEETING
The last Council Business Meeting was held in person and remotely on ZOOM 9 June at 7 PM. Meeting was called to order by Grand Knight Mike Bullock. Minutes were sent to all members for approval. This was the last meeting attended by Worthy SD Steve Shover in his official capacity. The last Officer Meeting was held in person and on ZOOM on 7 July at 6:30 PM. Voluntary donations reduced the cost of pizza prior to both Meetings.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Our Treasurer, Rick Gravelin, reports the most recent checking balance is $32,629.41. There is a budget proposal being warned in this Newsletter.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT
The WFS reported the Morgan Stanley investment account balance at $371,966.07 as of July 12.
COUNCIL WEBSITE
The Website Development Team continues to work to make our website more user friendly. kofcvt.org.
NEXT BUSINESS MEETING
Our next business meeting is 14 July at 7 PM in person and on ZOOM. Our pizza and salad will be at 6 PM. At 6:30 we will present the Archie Myers Scholarship winners with their checks.
Shall the Council vote to approve the 2022-2023 Budget as proposed by the Trustees and Budget Committee? If so will the Council authorize the Trustees to have the budget deficit made up with a deduction from the Morgan Stanley Investment Account? (Proposed budget is $15,934 irrespective of any net annual dues collected) Checking balance is $10,574 after payment of final 2021-2022 obligations. Difference of $5,360 to be deducted from the MS Account. MS balance at time of proposal was $377,401 with $20,000 obligated to the Vermont Catholic Donor Advised Fund.
Help Wanted
Last month we elected a full slate of officers, but we now have two openings. Our Outside Guard, Cullen Bullard died unexpectedly and our Advocate, Tom Buzzell has decided to step down to focus more on job and family. If anyone is interested, please let me know.
Advocate - The advocate acts as council parliamentarian. He should be knowledgeable in Robert's Rules of Order and Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting (#1937). He may seek legal assistance from the state advocate, should issues arise. The advocate should be able to take on additional responsibilities as the council deems necessary. Traditionally the Advocate in Council 7525 solicited and processed scholarship applications.
Inside/Outside Guards - The inside and outside guards carry out tasks given to them by the grand knight and follow the warden's orders. They are responsible for checking membership cards and allowing entrance to meetings. Councils should consider appointing additional inside and outside guards, especially among promising freshmen, as this provides early leadership opportunities.
The dog in the photo was trained to identify life after earthquakes. His posture and the fact of staying fixed as seen in the image is the posture that tells the rescuer that there is life in that place. And look at nothing more and nothing less where and in front of who is placed: in front of Jesus as the Eucharistic bread in the tabernacle, the living God among us.
“On the evening of the last day of his October 1995 visit to the United States, John Paul II was scheduled to greet the seminarians at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. It had been a very full day that began with a Mass at Oriole Park in Camden Yards, a parade through downtown streets, a visit to the Basilica of the Assumption, the first cathedral in the country, lunch at a local soup kitchen run by Catholic Charities; a prayer service at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in North Baltimore; and finally a quick stop at Saint Mary’s Seminary.
The schedule was tight so the plan was simply to greet the seminarians while they stood outside on the steps. But the Pope made his way through their ranks and into the building. His plan was to first make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
When his wishes were made known, security flew into action. They swept the building paying close attention to the chapel where the Pope would be praying. For this purpose highly trained dogs were used to detect any person who might be present.
The dogs are trained to locate survivors in collapsed buildings after earthquakes and other disasters. These highly intelligent and eager dogs quickly went through the halls, offices and classrooms and were then sent to the chapel. They went up and down the aisle, past the pews and finally into the side chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
Upon reaching the tabernacle, the dogs sniffed, whined, pointed, and refused to leave, their attention riveted on the tabernacle, until called by their handlers. They were convinced that they discovered someone there.
We Catholics know they were right — they found a real, living Person in the tabernacle!”
Article taken from Fr. Arthur Byrne, Garabandal Journal
HOLY HOUR
Our eleventh consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on 1 July 2022 from 3 - 4 PM. There were seven Brothers present. Next Holy Hour will be 5 AUG at 3 PM at SJV and will feature the Silver Rose.
Pickle Ball is here!
The Council now has a Pickleball Set at St John Vianney and at St Jude. If you want to get a game together, Call Ray Michaud (233-0145) at SJV, or Ted Barrett (458-1351) at St. Jude to schedule.
LOUIS J TRONO ASSEMBLY 2106
Here is the schedule of events that require a Color Guard. Let us know if you can make any of these opportunities.
1. Brother Ray Newman burial: July 29 at 1030 St George Cemetery
2. Installation of State Officers at St Joseph Cathedral on 31 July at 1000 with Mass and a catered luncheon.
OPPORTUNITIES
Age Well is looking for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels. For information about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Age Well Volunteer Team by calling 802-662-5249 or via email: volunteer@agewellvt.org
SAVE THE DATE!
14 July at 6 PM Pizza at SJV
14 July 6:30 PM Presentation of Archie Myers Scholarship checks to Andrew Gervia and Eric Guezek-Nasab. Outside if the weather is nice.
Please pray for the following people who are ill or in distress and their families;
Mariette Nadeau, a resident of the Pines who fell and broke bones that required surgery, Jeff and Kay Jarvis, Tom Gravelin, Rick Gravelin, Joan Foley, Chuck Schifilliti, Gerry Seney, the people of Ukraine and an end to the war, Sue Cottrell, Family of the late Cullen Bullard, Family of the late Bob Audette, Family of the late Claude Bourgea, Family of the late Lindsay Benoit, Family of the late Yvonne Gravelin, Family of the late Christopher Haley. Family of the late Bruce Favreau, Family of the late Frank Cross, Family of the late DCN Chris Keough, Family of the late Ray Newman, Family of the late Lennie Roberge, Robert (Bob) Gravelin, Keith Marston, Gary Howe and Family, Family of the late Paul Pouliot, Parker Yvonne Lyon (Granddaughter of Tom Gravelin) and mom and dad Ellen and Garrett, sister Clara Lynn, The Family of the late Patricia Stevens, Amy and her mother (22 year old woman fighting cancer at Dana-Farber), Kevin and Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton (relative of DD3), George Stevens, James Read, Richard Waite, Robert Morris, Gene Tofferi, Mike and Pam Audette, Joe Myers and Family, Jeffrey Claude Danis and family, Tom Westropp, Andrew Bolognani, PSD/PGK Don Sutton, Ray Miller, Stuart Fath, David Bullock (chemo), Harold Ponto, Wally Rooney, Bob Wilkens, Gerry Malavenda, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, all clergy and religious, victims and families of COVID-19, First Responders, peace in Eastern Europe, the defeat of Article 22, the "Personal Reproductive Autonomy Amendment" in Vermont, and for new Members to join the Order.
WORTHY LECTURER
Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie will enlighten us about the life and virtue of St. Thomas and sing the song One Little Candle.
INTO THE BREACH
This wonderful series can be found at this link: https://www.kofc.org/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html
JULY 2022 BIRTHDAY WISHES
2 Robert Dollmatsch, 3 James Benson, 8 Robert Fiorenza, Joshua Mc Donald, 9 Stanley Gumienny, 10 Ken Jarvis, 12 Charles Brown, Bruce O’Neill, Stephen Shover, 20 Kevin Benedict
LAST RITES
Please pray for all of the victims who have died in the Ukraine War and for our dear departed as follows:
Mr. Claude Bourgea, Age 86, on June 4th (burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries/bfp038640)
Ms Patricia Stevens, Age 60, on June 13th (burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries/bfp038927)
Mr. James Hemond, age 72, on June 25 (burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries/bfp038864)
Rev Donald Ravey, age 87, on June 27 (findagrave.com/memorial/216443592/donald-james-ravey)
Mr Cullen Bullard, age 84, on June 29 (gregorycremation.com)
PGK Joseph Robert (Bob) Audette, age 84, on July 2 (burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries/bfp038940)
May they rest in peace. May all of the faithfully departed rest in peace, Amen. And may the families be comforted by the promised resurrection.
Saint John Vianney Council 7525
PO Box 9214, South Burlington, Vt 05403 Copyright 2021
