Worthy Officers, Brothers, and Sir Knights,

Have you ever wished you had greater joy in your life? Do you feel unappreciated? Would you like to receive some affirmation for a change? Are you weighed down by guilt, or disappointment in your behavior? Do you wonder if God really loves you? Do you wonder if anyone loves you? Do you feel powerless to change? Do you believe the false assertion that “I’m OK, you’re OK?” Would you like to renew your friendship with God, through Christ?

What you need is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. From the very fall of Adam and Eve, God has sought to reconcile us to Himself by the forgiveness of sin. Free will requires that we respond willfully to God’s invitation to conversion and seek this sacrament. We begin by examining our conscience; renouncing, and taking personal responsibility for, the sinful thoughts, actions, or omissions we can recall. Then we must confess our sins to a priest who has been empowered by the Holy Spirit with God’s own exclusive power to forgive sins.

We confess out of a fear of punishment (imperfect contrition) or a love of God (perfect contrition). We are given a penance, or a way to expiate our sins, and mitigate the consequences of sin.  Most importantly, we receive the forgiveness of our sins from Christ Himself, as represented by the priest or bishop. In effect, we receive affirmation of our worth in the eyes and heart of God, the Prodigal Father.

“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with Him in intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament.” -1468 Catechism of the Catholic Church.

When receiving absolution in the sacrament, we can feel the love of Christ; a love that motivated Him to lay down His life for us on the cross. At that moment we can be certain that we are loved by God and His Church; accepted into His fellowship in the Kingdom. At that moment we are truly “ok” and ready to serve God and Church in accordance with His Holy Will.

One Precept of the Church is that we “confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.” Throughout the ages, however, the Church and the Saints have encouraged frequent confession.

Most of us have a favorite priest that we like to confess to; even more of us have a priest we avoid. It is true we can go to any priest for confessions, but do not avoid confession just because of your preferences. Since God has the authority to forgive sin, He can delegate that authority to those ordained. 

It can be daunting and scary but find strength in this quote of Jesus to St. Faustina “When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul.”   

Vivat Jesus!

LAST MEETINGS

The last Council Business Meeting was held in person and remotely on ZOOM at St John Vianney Church in South Burlington, VT on 13 July 2023 at 6:30 PM after grilled cheeseburgers, hotdogs and Jay Benson Beans, Steve Shover Potato salad and cake by Dave Martin. We discussed the budget, Bingo Initiative and support for upcoming events. See the Minutes for additional details.   

The last Officer Meeting was held in person and on ZOOM on 3 August at SJV beginning 6:30 PM after pizza and salad. The officers discussed upcoming projects like the return of Bingo at St John Vianney, the budget, and moving our stone to the front of the church. Also discussed upcoming Tootsie Roll drive beginning at SJV 12-13 AUG23. Ted Barrett assigned Masses. We could use additional help.  

                                     COUNCIL WEBSITE

The Website Development Team continues to work to make our website more user friendly. https://kofcvt.org/

NEXT BUSINESS MEETING

Our next business meeting is 10 August at 6:30 PM in person and on Zoom from SJV. We will be serving fried chicken curtesy of Rick Gravelin, and special dessert prepared by Dick Labrecque. Opening prayer will be Vespers.  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09

Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239, Passcode: 297697

INTO THE BREACH

This wonderful series can be found at this link: https://www.kofc.org/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html

Our twenty-fifth consecutive First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on 4 August at 1500 with the Silver Rose at Saint John Vianney.  

Next Holy Hour will be on 1 September at 1500 with the St Joseph Icon. 

Please join us in worship of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the scripture Holy Rosary.

If you are interested in playing pickleball, please check in with Ted Barrett to see when and where the game will be available at (802) 458-1351. 

St John Vianney pickleball is also available by appointment by calling Ray Michaud at 233-0145.

The Assembly is looking to grow the Color Corps. If you are interested in becoming a 4th Degree Knight, or if you are already a 4th Degree Knight and wish to join the Color Corp, please contact CCC Mike Bullock at (802) 598-8179 or mtn6@gmavt.net. The Assembly is willing to help defray the cost of the Regalia. 

Upcoming events for the Color Corp:

27 AUG 1215 Mass and State and DD Installation of Officers. Assemble at 1130 Isle La Motte.

24 SEP 1000 Farewell Mass for Bishop Christopher Coyne. Assemble at 0930 at St Joseph Cathedral. 

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. Email: burlingtonVT@birthright.org.

There are many opportunities to serve!

Your council will soon bring back monthly Bingo at St. John Vianney Parrish Hall. We are going to need you all to commit to supporting this every month. The more volunteers, the lighter the load.  

In addition to prayer we have Knights in need of visitation. Don Sutton is still at Villa Rehab on 7 Forest Hill Drive in ST. Albans, VT. He is in Room 9. He is sad and lonely. You can call (802) 524-3498, hit 0 and they can ring his room. His direct number is (802) 527-2714. His former roommate, Bill Curtin, is now on the third floor. Don loves to play cribbage. George Stevens is still at the Burlington Health and Rehab, 300 Pearl St., now in Room 518. I'm told George is wide awake in the early morning. Bob Wilkens is back at Harbor Village, Allen Road, Room 301. At Harbor View you can also visit Bev Newman, Ray's widow in Room 306.

Note: if you would like a visitation, please call us!

We will need help at the 19 August Special Needs Persons Summer Party-New this year!

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. 

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

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

10 1830 AUG 23, THU Council Business Meeting (after home-cooked meal) at SJV or on Zoom

(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697)

12-13 PM-AM AUG 23, SAT-SUN Collection at SJV for Special Needs (Tootsie Roll Drive) Ted Barrett will assign Masses to volunteers. 

15 AUG 2023 Council Audit Due to Supreme Done thanks to the Trustees, Financial Secretary and Treasurer!

19 1300-1500 AUG 23, SAT Special Needs Beach Boys Summer Party 

27 AUG 23 SUN State and District Deputy Installation and Pilgrimage to St Anne’s Shrine in Isle La Motte. Begins with Mass at 12:15 followed by a picnic. (Honor Guard Required) RSVP required at https://ubipetrusvt.com/shrine2023/

07 1830 SEP 23, THU Council Officer Meeting (After pizza) at SJV or on Zoom

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

 08 1500 SEP 23, FRI Holy Hour with St Joseph Icon at SJV10 1830 AUG

 14 1830 SEP 23, THU Council Business Meeting (after home-cooked meal) at SJV or on Zoom

(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4eTMzUT09) (Meeting ID: 846 4758 2239. Passcode: 297697)

23 1800 SEP 23, SAT Right-To-Life Dinner at SJV (buy, cook, serve, and clean-up?)

24 1000 SEP SUN Farewell Mass for Bishop Christopher Coyne at St. Joseph Cathedral. (Honor Guard required)

7 0900 OCT 23 SAT Birthright Brunch Fundraiser at SJV. RSVP to Board President Judith Kanya at (802) 999-2439.

7 1830 OCT 23 SAT 2023 Anchor Award Banquet for Msgr. Peter Routhier at Delta Hotel South Burlington, VT. RSVP required at https://forms.office.com/r/8uVxEB97XT

4 NOV 23 SAT Day of Prayer for Clergy. Our HOLY HOUR time at SJV is 1000-1100.

Our Worthy Lecturer will talk to us about Saint Dominic (feast day AUG 8) and sing the song Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Please keep the following persons/families/intentions in your prayers.

Diane DiCicco (wife of PSD Dominic DiCicco), Anthony Naples, Andre Ricard (Assembly 1157 Newport), Zak Bigelow, Pope Francis, Mrs. Jackie Crosby, An Anonymous Member in distress, Niko Limnos and Family, Mother-in-law of Ronnie Sweet, Bill Curtin, William Cannon and Family, Michael Gravelin, Mark and Paulette Noyes and Family (esp. Levi age 6), John O’ Brien, Cheryl Allain, Andy Corologos, Claire Myers and Carol Alfred (cancer),  Kelly Jackson (daughter of late PGK Jeff Jackson), PFN Bill Ladd, PGK Bernie Hemond, Marilyn LeCount, Cher Racine, Dick and Sandy Stevens, Beth-Ann Prendergast, Mariette Nadeau, Jeff and Kay Jarvis, Tom Gravelin, Rick Gravelin, Chuck Schifilliti, Gerry Seney, Robert Gravelin, Keith Marston, Sue Cottrell, Gary Howe and Family, (23 year old woman fighting cancer at Dana-Farber), Kevin and Chad Limoge, Vickie Linton, George Stevens, James Read, Richard Waite, Gene Tofferi, Mike and Pam Audette, Jeffrey Claude Danis and family,  PSD/PGK Don Sutton, PGK Ray Miller, Stuart Fath, Harold Ponto, Wally Rooney, Bob Wilkens, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, one anonymous brother knight, the people of Ukraine and an end to the war, the Families of all of our faithfully departed brothers, friends and relatives, all clergy and religious, victims and families of COVID-19, First Responders, peace in Eastern Europe, that pregnant women will choose life, and for new Members to join the Order.

For all who have died, especially Katie Hartnett and David Bove. We pray also for all the victims who have died in the Ukraine War. May they rest in peace. Please also remember flood victims in VT and across the region. May all the faithfully departed rest in peace and may their families 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 2023