Worthy Officers, Brothers, and Sir Knights,

Wow. 2022 is already here! Despite the long difficult year that 2021 was, we have an opportunity in our Lord to strive for excellence again in 2022. We are still grieving over the loss of "normality" in the face of Covid-19, but if Jesus is your constant companion, then whether you are struggling, ill, happy, sad, or grieving, the joy of your redemption will sustain you. Keep praying, for that is how we remain close to our Savior, His Mother St. Mary, St Joseph, and all the Saints. We are never alone on this journey back to our Heavenly Home. Bearing witness is another noble way to demonstrate your love for Christ. January 22 is the Right to Life March in Montpelier. I think that is a good and very public way to show your solidarity with Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life.   

The Vermont Catholic Community Foundation has established a Knights of Columbus Catholic Ministries Advisory Fund. The attached letter from Bishop Christopher J. Coyne explains the purpose and needs that the fund is established to address. I read this letter at the last Council Business Meeting on December 9^th, 2021. This appeal is directed at all Vermont K of C Councils. Before our Business Meeting on January 13^th, Bishop Coyne is going to ask us for a substantial contribution from our charitable portfolio. That WARNING can be found in this Newsletter. (Please note: Bishop Coyne/Ellen Kane will speak at 6:30 PM-pizza at 5:30. Meeting at 7 PM)

I was invited to attend a meeting of the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation Board at their Virtual Annual Meeting on December 15.  In the opening video there was a photo of Sir Knights with the caption “Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund.”

What I found most interesting is that the Foundation has the same principles that our fund is based on; namely as follows,

              1. The fund is invested in a socially responsible way; investments are acceptable to Catholics.

              2. The fund is professionally managed. Ours is managed by Steve Gentile at Morgan Stanley.  

              3. The goal is stable income now and in perpetuity to support the council and meet charitable needs in Faith, Family, Community and Life.  

              4. We will not touch the principal investment.  Balanced between equity and fixed investments.

              5. We have placed the Catholic Church first through evangelization, our parishes, and our community needy in accordance with the Christ Our Hope Campaign.

Our goals and our strategy are in parallel with the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation. It is a blessing that we can participate in this initiative and respond to this one-time appeal while maintaining our commitments to the principles that we have in common.  

As you are aware, we are in year four of our five-year plan to grow the fund enough to attain principles 3 and 4 above. At the officer meeting on January 6, 2022, your officers voted to warn the sum of $100,000 as a pledge to the Knights of Columbus Catholic Ministries Advisory Fund. I concur with this recommendation. There was a great deal of discussion. Our Chaplain has written a thoughtful letter in support of this initiative for your consideration. 

There will be representation on this Fund from the Knights of Columbus consisting of a rotating roster of Vermont District Deputies. For our Council this will mean starting over with our original principal investment intact; but future budgets will be closely linked to our investment returns year-to-year. I urge you to pray for guidance and keep an open mind about this as you listen to Bishop Coyne’s appeal on the 13^th.  

Blessings,

Mike

Michael Bullock

Grant Knight

Saint John Vianney Council

South Burlington, VT

Dear Brothers in Christ,

            Bishop Coyne is making a personal appeal for the Knights of Columbus councils in Vermont to begin a long-term charitable program through donations to a donor advised fund in the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation. This fund, a Knights of Columbus Catholic Ministries Fund is being established. In my office as State Chaplain, I wish to summarize my perspective. My support for this project, a small “campaign” as it were, is not only because of my incardination in the Diocese of Burlington. I also believe that an opportunity for spiritual unity and spiritual graces is before us.

In my eight years as State Chaplain there have been many discussions about how to “do more” in our unified charitable efforts on the state level. You may recall that our current charity assessment was a new attempt to keep state charitable donations afloat, the greatest of which has been an annual gift (of $3000) to the diocesan bishop. Our statewide charitable gifts and grants have been meager, although still notably more than “nil.” I support the creating and bolstering of the Knights of Columbus Catholic Ministries Fund. It would be a worthy cause, and timely, given that Bishop Coyne is leading us through the first ever Capital Campaign in Vermont: the Christ Our Hope, joint Diocesan-Parish campaign. Thus, we can make the Knights' donor advised fund a worthy successor to meager statewide charitable goals, and to the charity assessments.

While the goals of this fund can only be reached with great generosity, Bishop Coyne is only asking councils to donate a portion of their funds to this unified effort. And, while this ask is obviously much more than the small annual charity assessments on councils, it should not leave any council without the means to do charitable works, or to grow their outreach through increased membership and fraternal support. This appeal should be a welcomed occasion for councils to look at their overall health and fervor. As the local chaplain of council 7525 I know the council does take seriously our own local charitable goals; the great generosity for these I know will continue, both to your joy and to your credit.

I thank you myself for your fraternal support, for your contemplation of this appeal, and above all for your charity in Christ, which strengthens the whole Body of the Lord’s People.

Sincerely, in Christ, with Mary,

Fr. Timothy Naples, State Chaplain 

LAST MEETING

The last Council Business Meeting was held in person and remotely on ZOOM 9 December at 7 PM. Meeting was called to order by Grand Knight Mike Bullock. Minutes were sent to all members for approval. The last Officer Meeting was held in person at SJV and on ZOOM 6 January at 6:30 PM. Both meetings were preceded by pizza and salad. Voluntary donations offset most of the costs. 

TREASURER'S REPORT

Our Treasurer, Rick Gravelin, reported the checking account balance of $19,944.55 with the last Assemble deposit credited to the Council Account in error. The treasurer will straighten this out with the bank ASAP.   

FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT

The WFS reported the Morgan Stanley investment account balance at $521,460.12. So far we have received $660 for Council Dues and $170 for Assembly dues. Last bill paid was for $406.56 for 2nd half Fraternal Year per Capita.

  COUNCIL WEBSITE

The Website Development Team is meeting with the GK and Webmaster on Monday 10 JAN22 at 6:30 PM on Zoom. If you have issues with the website, please be patient. kofcvt.org.  

NEXT BUSINESS MEETING

Our next business meeting is 13 January 2022 at 7 PM in person and on ZOOM. Note we will have Very Reverend Bishop Christopher Coyne and Ms. Ellen Kane, the Director of the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation speak to us promptly at 6:30 PM. Our pizza and salad will be at 5:30. Please let us know if you plan to attend the dinner so we can get enough pizza. 

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

EXEMPLIFICATION

There are two exemplifications being offered on 18 January 2022. One is in Burlington, and the other is in Milton. Here are the details.

Council 279 is planning on an Exemplification at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, the 18^th in the Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Joseph’s. They have 3 candidates, and all will be present if all goes well. I wanted to extend an invitation to your councils if you had any candidates. We are planning on running this ceremony live.

Milton Council degree team is hosting an exemplification Tuesday January 18, 2022, at 7 PM.  Registration starts at 7 PM followed by the exemplification around 7:30 PM. All are invited to attend and please bring rosaries and pins for your candidates, if not available we will provide them.  Please let either GK Pete Lavallee (802-893-7926) or Ed Malila (802-879-0929 know if you are attending and the number of candidates.  We will likely be requiring masks and social distancing that evening. 

 Membership Drive

There is a membership drive scheduled for the weekend of 15-16 JAN 22 at our Churches. Please volunteer to tell parishioners at the Masses why you joined the Knights, or better yet, why you stay in the Knights. We will discuss the coverage needs at the next business meeting.

HOLY HOUR

Our fifth First-Friday Council Holy Hour took place on 7 January 2022 from 3 - 4 PM. There were five Brothers present. During the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, members of the Council led parishioners through the St Joseph Icon Rosary Joyful Mysteries. Next Holy Hour will be 4 FEB at 3 PM at SJV.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Our Worthy Warden, Jay Benson, has Christmas Cards for sale! These beautiful cards have the "Keep Christ in Christmas" message. As we have already paid for them, your purchase is fully vested in our charitable budget. They are on sale for $5/box. You can beat the rush for next year. 

LOUIS J TRONO ASSEMBLY 2106

The Assembly had no report at the time this Newsletter went to print.   

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

13 JAN 22 Council Business Meeting with Bishop Coyne/Ellen Kane after pizza (Bishop Coyne/Ellen Kane at 6:30 PM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84647582239?pwd=bHF1Y3lsM0I5eFVIbHhONmR4e       TMzUT09)

15-16 JAN Membership Drive at Council Parishes.

18 JAN 5:30 PM Exemplification hosted by Council 279 in Burlington. All new members and 1st Degrees are welcome to attend. Participating councils asked to supply Rosaries and Pins. Location is the Chapel at Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Burlington, VT.

18 JAN 7 PM Exemplification hosted by Council 10417 in Milton. All new members and 1st Degree Members welcome. Participating councils asked to supply Rosaries and Pins. Location is Milton, VT

22 JAN 0900 March for Life in Montpelier begins with the Rosary @ St Augustine’s Church 16 Bare Street, Montpelier

         0930 Mass at St Augustine's

         10:45 March from St Augustine's to State House

         11:30 Photo at State House

         Noon-Luncheon at Capital Plaza Hotel            

         Present check to RTL Education Fund?  

31 JAN 2022 Form 1728 Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity due to Supreme. 

3 FEB 1830 Officer Meeting at SJV after Pizza

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84053360051?pwd=VUoveHR3WktLVGplbk1MRkU1QVJqQT09

 10 FEB 1900 Business Meeting after pizza

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

13-15 MAY 22 State Convention at Jay Peak

14 MAY Monsignor Thomas Ball Memorial Golf Tournament (West Bolton Country Club)

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Please pray for the following people who are ill or in distress and their families;

Gary Howe and Family, Family of the late Paul Pouliot, Christopher Haley (homeless veteran), Parker Yvonne Lyon (Granddaughter of Tom Gravelin) and mom and dad Ellen and Garrett, sister Clara Lynn, Patricia Brown, 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 & Bev Newman, Ray Miller, Stuart Fath, David Bullock (radiation), Yvonne Gravelin, Harold Ponto, Wally Rooney, PGK Bob Audette, Bob Wilkens, Gerry Malavenda, Ed and Theresa Curtiss, all clergy and religious, victims and families of COVID-19, First Responders, and for new Members to join the Order.

WORTHY LECTURER

Our Worthy Lecturer, Bernie is planning to tell us about Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and sing the song Prayer to Saint Francis.  

INTO THE BREACH

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

JANUARY 2022 BIRTHDAY WISHES

1 Peter Dwyer, 4 Richard Gaulin, 7 Brad Chenette, 10 Rev James Zuccaro, 13 Craig Macy, 14 Leonard Robear, 17 Robert Wolbach, 20 Leonard Giles, 25 Robert Brunette, 29 Tim Kaczmarek, 30 Gerald Gover

LAST RITES

Eternal rest, peace, and an everlasting vision of the face of God to all of our deceased brothers and friends and their families.