Grand Knight’s Blog
January, 2024
Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . doors open at 7:00
Place: St. Matthias Parish Hall
Activities and News Since Last Meeting
· March for Life
We are supporting Fr. Steven’s excursion with students to Washington D.C. for the March for Life on January 19, 2024. We have a donation page up on the Website and a dedicated QR Code which has been published in the parish bulletin an is posted in the vestibule at the church.
As of today, we have only raised $275 on our website, which is disappointing. If you wish to donate to the program, you can use our website www.kofc81.org or use the QR code below. And don’t be afraid to cut and paste this into an email to your friends.
If you are interested in marching with the Knights, here is the schedule of events and the details for meeting up with brother Knights:
Click here to learn more about the March for Life.
· Fr. McGivney Statute Unveiled
A new statue of Blessed Michael McGivney was unveiled and dedicated Dec. 8 in the Hall of American Saints at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., with Cardinal Christophe Pierre and our Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori presiding. The statue will promote our founder’s mission of unity and charity with the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who visit the shrine annually. With his beatification, our Order is gaining prominence. Onward to sainthood!
· Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
We had very good participation at St. Mike’s and I.C., including an award ceremony after Mass. Here’s the winners at St. Mike’s
And we received this nice note from Fr. Steven:
“Dear Brother Knights, On behalf of the Immaculate Conception parish, I would like to wish a holy Christmas to you and your loved ones. Thank you for all the work did you do to Support our parishes and each other. A special thanks for the Christmas art contest initiative. Due to the collective work, we had over 40 signs given to us. They are all at the entrance of the parish. God bless you all, Fr Steven”
Thanks to our members who spearheaded the program at the two parishes, including judging; and to Steven Hanley and Bob LeBlanc, the religious Ed. Coordinators, for their help at the two parishes.
· It’s Dues Season
Remember, if you haven’t paid your annual dues, you can do so online at our website, www.kofc81.org , just click on “Members” and there’s a link.
· Guest Speaker
State Membership Director, Mike Bello, was scheduled to attend tonight to briefly speak about membership initiatives in general. In addition, Mike is also a candidate for State Warden for the upcoming 2024 State Convention. Unfortunately, something came up and he has rescheduled for next month.
· Seminarian Support
We received a request form Cecilia Melo the I.C. director of Religious Ed. For support of Marcello Ferrari a seminarian who will be ordained in May of 2025. We presently support another seminarian and we will discuss this at the meeting.
Programs and Upcoming Events
· State Board Meeting
Council #81 will host the State Officer’s meeting on Jan.29th at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Matthias parish hall. If you are interested in attending, it’s open to the membership. It will give you a good inside look at what goes on at the State level. And if you are interested in helping out (setting up tables, chairs, clean up, etc.) please let the webmaster know. (webmaster@kofcmarlboro.org)
· Fourth Degree
On December 20, Deacon Chuck Rossignol, GK Brendan Butler and DGK Kevin Armstrong attended the McSweeney Assembly of 4th Degree Knights and were introduced to the Assembly. Scott Snyder and Mike Tremblay were on hand. Congrats to our newest 4th Degree Knights.
Any 4th degree knights attending the January 18th meeting, please let contact person Mike Tremblay know by 1/15 to submit the head count. Email webmaster@kofcmarlboro.org
· Our Upcoming Programming
Basketball Free Throw Challenge is planned for January or February. Neil Cronin is Program Manager. He will be looking for helpers such as scorers, registration table, prizes, etc.
· Blue Mass
Fr. Giombetti was pleased to hear of the Blue Mass project, and we are targeting the first or second Sunday in May, 2024. More news later.
Other News and Meeting Agenda Items
· Chaplain
We are still in need of an official Chaplain, who must be a priest according to Supreme Bylaws. We have two new priests in our jurisdiction, so if any of you are close, chat them up and see if there is any interest. Remind them, we only have meetings 10 months of the year; we have a Deacon who can fill in; and they can always alternate between or among the three parishes. We have invited Fr. John Carmichael the new vicar at St. Matthias to tonight’s meeting, so perhaps we can solve this problem tonight!
· 12 months of free membership
Tell any of your friends or neighbors interested in joining, use the QR code below to join online and use the promo code “BlessedMcGivney” for 12 months of free membership.
· Prayers / Intentions:
Claire Fallon is in the hospital. Please keep her and son Craig in your prayers.
Please keep these friends in your prayers.
· Other business?
If you have an item to add to the next meeting agenda, please let me know.
· News?
If you have any news to report, email GrandKnight@kofcmarlboro.org.
If you have news that should go in the monthly Grand Knigth’s Blog, just email GrandKnight@kofcmarlboro.org or Webmaster@ofcmarlboro.org and put “BLOG” in the subject line.
· Happy New Year!
The Officers of Council #81 wish all of our Knights and your families a Happy and Blessed New Year.
See you all tonight.
Vivat Jesus.
Brendan Butler
Grand Knight