FATHER EDWARD FOX COUNCIL 6747 &

FATHER JAMES BURGE ASSEMBLY 2707 NEWS

"Know that the

greatest

service that

man can offer

to God is to

help convert

souls."

• St. Rose of

Lima

In This Issue

• Faithful Navigator’s

Message

• Sacred Heart of Jesus

• VT Football Raffle

• 40 Cans or $40 Update

• Save the Date

• 2017/2018 Officers

• Memorial Day

• Knights Helping Knights

• Prayer for the Sick

• May 20th Degrees

• SJNA Graduation

• Photos

Faithful Navigators Message Worthy Sir Knights,

Peace be with you! Let me first give Thanks & Praise to my Heavenly

Father; Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and the intercession of Our Lady of

Guadalupe for my successful kidney transplant surgery and continued

recovery. My new kidney is waking up and the recovery thus far is going

well. Please continue to keep me in your prayer intentions.

I am honored to serve as your Faithful Navigator for another fraternal

year. I congratulate each of the officer-elects and look forward to working

with them in defense of our church and our values. We are patriotically

proud and will not be afraid. As we close out this fraternal year, I

challenge each Sir Knight to recruit at least one new member to join our

ranks in the 2017-2018 fraternal year. Our next exemplification is on

Veterans Day, November 11th in Portsmouth. This will truly be a special

occasion.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, tells us that “It is in the company of Jesus that

you work for the glory of God.” My brother Sir Knights our church and

nation needs us more than ever to be beacons of light and hope. We have

a responsibility to hold unwaveringly to what is right and honorable,

working to keep God in the civic arena, serving the life of the Church, and

defending laws that recognize the sanctity of life and true religious liberty.

As we conclude this fraternal year, Thank You to all the officers and Sir

Knights that were supportive in our success. Pray the Rosary and keep our

Republic in your prayer intentions.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me

an undivided heart to revere your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord

my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your steadfast love toward me."

Psalm 86:11-13

Claude Steele, Ed. S

Faithful Navigator 2707

2016-2017 Fraternal Year, Issue 12 June 2017

Father James Burge

Assembly Officers 2016 – 2017

Navigator SK Claude Steele

Friar SK Rev. Fr. Charles

Ssebalamu

Comptroller SK Adam Cassol

Captain SK Nelson Carey

Admiral SK Clarence Rose

Purser SK Donald Melia

Pilot SK Humberto

Rodriguez

Scribe SK Arnold Bohanan

Inner Sentinel SK Edward Schack

Outer Sentinel SK Frank

Gwazdauskas

1 Year Trustee SK Edward

Yadlowsky

2 Year Trustee SK Nelson Carey

3 Year Trustee SK Arnold

Bohanan

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God our Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. We praise and thank you for your protection during the hurricane season. We ask again to guide us through a new year, free of any earthquakes, floods, natural disasters, and all acts of terrorism. Bless our families, and bring peace to all nations. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most popular Catholic devotions. Although the devotion was known in previous centuries, in 1673 Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, showing her a vision of the now famous image of his Sacred Heart surrounded by flames. He said to her, “My Heart is so full of love for men that It can no longer contain the flames of Its burning love. I must discover to men the treasures of My Heart and save them from perdition." She was given the special mission to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart throughout the Church. Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary many promises associated with this devotion, and requested a feast day in honor of his Sacred Heart to be instituted on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi. In 1856 the feast of the Sacred Heart was spread to the Universal Church, and in 1899 Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated all mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, calling it “the great act” of his pontificate.

Father Fox Council Officers

2016—2017

Chaplin :

Fr. Anthony Senyah

Grand Knight:

SK Tommy Susano

Deputy Grand Knight:

Bill Murray

Chancellor:

Joseph Mukuni

Recorder:

Samuel Swindell

Treasurer:

SK Claude Steele

Financial Secretary:

SK Nelson Carey

Advocate:

Robert Bolger

Warden:

Carl Dietrich

Inside Guard:

SK Peter Gwazdauskas

Outside Guard:

John Mukuni

Trustee 3rd Year:

SK Frank Gwazdauskas

Trustee 2nd Year:

Timothy Leake

Trustee 1st Year:

Gregory Blaz

Save the Date

June 10, 2017 Navigators Organizational Meeting @ Fredericksburg

June 14, 2017 Rosary & Council Business Meeting 7:00 pm

June 17, 2017 Pre-Organizational Meeting @ Glen Allen, VA

June 24, 2017 Raffle Sales @ Kroger Main Street Blacksburg

June 28, 2017 Assembly 2707 Installation of Officers 6:30 pm

Annual Fundraiser Raffle

It’s that time again for our Virginia Tech Football 2017 Season Tickets Fundraiser Raffle. There will be 2 Drawings for Two Season Passes. Tickets are $5 per chance; $10 for three chances; $25 for ten chances. Payments can be made payable to: Knights of Columbus. Tickets will be sold at the Kroger Mall; St. Mary’s, Holy Spirit; Kroger Christiansburg; and Steppin’ Out during May, June, July, and August. The drawing will be held at our Annual Steak Fry on August 27, 2017.

40 Cans or $40 Update

For the past 3 years, Father Fox Council 6747 has held a 40 Cans or $40

for Lent drive at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Blacksburg. This annual

food drive is part of our Food for Families Project. St. Mary’s has been a

generous supporter.

2015 | $733 and 379 lbs. of can goods

2016 | $715 and 378 lbs. of can goods

2017 | $934 and 1282 lbs. of can goods

The Knights of Columbus Food for Families Project was started in 2012 and to date the order-wide effort has raised $8.5 million and 14.7 million pounds of food for local food pantries, community food banks and soup kitchens.

Teddy Bear Project 2017 Update

Father James Burge Assembly 2707, as part of our Teddy Bear Project on May 24, 2017 presented representatives from the Christiansburg and Radford Police Departments with 25 Teddy Bears each to be shared with child victims of violence. Sir Knight Frank Gwazdauskas also delivered 25 bears to the Blacksburg Police Department on behalf of the Assembly. This is the second year of the project to provide support for children that Police Officers may encounter in difficult situations.

Pictured: Knights Helping Knights! Hot Dog Fund-raiser in support of the Fisher House Foundation @ St. John Neuman Academy May 23, 2017

Pictured: Teddy Bears for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford Police Departments in support of children in crises. Father James Burge Assembly 2707 Teddy Bear Project 2017

Pictured: Virginia Father Bader Scholarship recipient Haley Noel Rusnak with District Deputy Claude Steele , Grand Knight Tommy Susano and Rusnak Family. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church Christiansburg, Virginia

Pictured: Virginia Father Bader Scholarship recipient Haley Noel Rusnak and District Deputy Claude Steele at Holy Spirit Catholic Church Christiansburg, Virginia

2017- 2018 Fraternal Officers

Officers-Elect 2017-2018 Father Edward Fox Council 6747

Office Officer

Chaplain Rev. Anthony Senyah

Grand Knight William Murray

Deputy Grand Knight John Mukuni

Financial Secretary Nelson Carey (Supreme Knight Appointment)

Chancellor Joseph Mukuni

Recorder Sam Swindell

Treasurer Claude Steele

Advocate Clay Woody

Warden Emigdio Penaloza

Inside Guard Peter Gwazdauskas

Outside Guard Bert Rodriguez

Trustee 3rd

Year Frank Gwazdauskas

Trustee 2nd

Year Tim Leake

Trustee 1st Year Tommy Susano

Officers-Elect 2017-2018 Father James Burge Assembly 2707

Office Officer

Faithful Navigator Claude Steele

Faithful Comptroller Adam Cassol

Faithful Friar Rev. Charles Ssebalamu

Faithful Captain Nelson Carey

Faithful Admiral Humberto Rodriguez

Faithful Purser Donald Melia

Faithful Pilot Clarence Rose

Faithful Scribe Arnold Bohannan Sr.

Inner Sentinel Francis Gwazdauskas

Outer Sentinel Mark Hawley

One Year Trustee Arnold Bohannan Sr.

Two Year Trustee Francis Gwazdauskas

Three Year Trustee Nelson Carey

KNOW YOUR HISTORY:

Memorial Day, an American federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many celebrated Memorial Day 2017 as if a happy occasion like the 4

th of July, or President’s Day, or even Thanksgiving. A long weekend at the beach or on the golf course

and firing up the grill. But Memorial Day is a solemn day of observance. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. But did you know? Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,0000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated. Not all of our American History are accurately taught in history classes or in the history books.

Raffle Sale Update

Brother Knights,

The following Brothers participated in the first public event for our V T Raffle Sale at the Blacksburg Mall Kroger: Jim Armstrong, Frank Gwazdauskas, Asa Weber, George Burroughs, Joe Mukuni, John Mukuni, Adam Cassol & Nelson Carey. The event brought in $315.00. A well-deserved THANK YOU to those Brother Knights that stepped up. Our next public event for the raffle sales is Saturday June 24th at The Blacksburg Main Street Kroger, just an early heads-up for all to plan schedules. Again, thanks for the turn out.

Nelson Carey, FS

Knights Helping Knights 2017 Update

The Father Fox Council collaborated with the Saint John Neumann Academy 8th grade for a Hot Dog sale on

Tuesday, May 23, 2017. The hot dog sale supported the Fisher House Foundation. Fisher Houses provide military families housing close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease, or injury. https://www.fisherhouse.org/. Fisher House Foundation has been ranked a Four-Star Charity for 12 consec-utive years. The Knights of Columbus provided the hot dogs (courtesy of Brother Michael Marcelle) and buns and grilled as well. Special Thanks to Grand Knight Tommy Susano and Brother Phil Araman, Vince Magnini, Bill Murray, and Michael Marcenelle for the dogs. Job well done!

Formation and Knighthood Degrees Update

On May 20, 2017 a Formation and Knighthood degree were held at Roanoke Council 562. 13 Knights learned the principle of Unity and 35 Knights continued their journey to Knighthood and learned the principle of Fraternity. Congratulations to Brothers Joseph Ernst (2

nd&3

rd); Carl Howell (3

rd); Chris Mishoe (2

nd&3

rd);

and Emigdio Penaloza (2nd

&3rd

) of Father Fox Council. We hope you pray-fully consider the 4th Degree. The

next Exemplification will be on November 11, 2017 in Portsmouth, Virginia. For more information on the Father James Burge Assembly 2707 contact Faithful Navigator Claude Steele: ccsnyc1305@gmail.com or any Sir Knight.

SJNA Graduation 2017 Update

St. John Neumann Academy held its Graduation Mass & Ceremonies on May 26, 2017 at St. Mary’s. Congratulations to the 8 graduates as they embark on the next phases of their educational journeys. Father James Burge Assembly 2707 provided an Honor Guard. Special Thanks to Sir Knight Donald Melia, CCC; Sir Knight Tommy Susano; and Sir Knight Frank Gwazdauskas. Well done!

Virginia State Council 117th Annual Meeting Highlights (May4-7) Williamsburg, Virginia

• Father Edward Fox Council 6747 Best Small Council Newsletter 2017

• Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Age 11-14 Group 1st Place Virginia State Council awarded to Demi Magnini. (Student at St. John Neumann Academy and daughter of Brother Vincent Magnini.

• Virginia’s Father Bader Scholarship honoring the memory of Fr. Michael J. Bader awarded to Haley Noel Rusnak. This was a $1000 scholarship. Haley Noel is the daughter of Brother Robert Rusnak and will be attending the University of Dayton in the fall.

• Supreme Incentive Distribution $85.00 for 2nd Place % Growth Richmond Diocese

Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney: The Father McGivney Guild promotes the cause for canonization of our founder: Father Michael J. McGivney. The goal of the Guild is to spread the good word about his holiness of life, to encourage devotion to his memory, and to seek his intercession before the throne of God. The Guild serves as a clearinghouse for information about Father McGivney, his life and works, and any favors attributed to his intercession. Father McGivney is a unique model for today’s Catholic and today’s Catholic priest because of his attention to the social ills and injustices of his day and his collaboration with the laity. He was zealous for the life of union with God through prayer and the sacraments, and he would have been right at home in today’s world. He was then and would be today an eager apostle for the Gospel of life, and a determined foe of the culture of death. There is no cost to join the Guild, but donations are welcome. For more information about the Guild or to donate go to: www.fathermcgivney.org

Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney: God, our Father, protector of the poor and de-fender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Chris-tian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and build-ing up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

Immaculate Mother. Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. Health of the Sick, your anointed heavenly

hands healed Juan Bernardino and brought us the River of Light, of Life, and of Health. Into your

heavenly hands I commend my faith, my hope and all my sufferings, please unite them to the Passion

of your Son, Jesus Christ, that they may serve as instruments of my salvation and the salvation of all

my brothers and sisters. From this moment on I accept all that the Sacred Heart of your Son may wish

to send me. I desire to complete in my life what is lacking to His Redeeming Passion.

Oh Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. I trust that you will give me the strength and all that I need to

live with spiritual health and if it serves God’s glory and my true well being, you will give me my

physical health also. Amen.

When we pray for others, we lift them up to God, seeking God’s grace and blessing in their individual situations. When we ask others to pray for us, we honor them with our trust. Please keep the following in Prayer: Pope Francis, Father Charles Breindel, Father Remi, Sir Knight Claude Steele, Sir Knight Dennis Jones, Sir Knight Pete Gwazdauskas, Sir Knight Ray Hoyt, Martha Hoyt, Evelyn Melia, Cheryl Knost, Judith Araman, Mathias Baker, Seminarian David Arellano, Veterans, Our Service Men & Women, Support for Persecuted Christians, Carl Howell, Sir Knight PSD William DeBerry, Sir Knight David Wyble Sr.; PGK Ray Tardiff, Jim Glover, Manchester victims, Coptic Christian victims, Syrian Refugees, and Trevor Provencher.

Pictured: Grand Knight Tommy Susano; New Third Degree Knights Brothers: Penaloza, Mishoe, and Ernst. Grand Knight-Elect William Murray. (Not pictured Brother Carl Howell). At Formation/Knighthood Degree May 20, 2017 Roanoke Council 562.

Pictured: Holy Rosary Catholic Church Choir from Richmond, Virginia. At Virginia State Council 117th Annual Meeting Memorial Mass May 6, 2017 Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center Williamsburg, Virginia

Pictured: Honor Guard for St. John Neumann Academy 2017 Graduation. At St Mary’s Blacksburg May 26, 2017

Pictured: Honor Guard for St. John Neumann Academy 2017 Graduation. At St Mary’s Blacksburg May 26, 2017

Pictured: Presentation of Colors at 117th Virginia State Council Annual Meeting Convention Banquet May 6, 2017 Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center Williamsburg, Virginia

Pictured: Most Reverend Michael F. Burbridge, Bishop of Arlington at the 117th Annual State Convention Banquet. May 6, 2017 Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center Williamsburg, Virginia

Pictured: From 117th Virginia State Council Annual Meeting. Photo of a commission painting of Pope Francis gifted to the State Council and State Deputy in memory of Thomas Joel Gaven from Council 2473.

Contact Us

Would You Like More Information? If you have any questions, please contact: Grand Knight SK Tommy Susano 540.250.5977 tlsusano@aol.com

Financial Secretary SK Nelson Carey: ngnpccarey@aol.com Faithful Navigator SK Claude Steele 540.505.9662 ccsnyc1305@gmail.com

Faithful Comptroller SK Adam Cassol ajcassol@hotmail.com Www.Kofc6747.org Like us on Facebook: VAKofC6747 KofC6747@gmail.com

Pictured: Sargeant T.A. Sarver of Blacksburg Police Department with Sir Knight Frank Gwazdauskas being presented teddy bears for the 2017 Teddy Bear Project. Father James Burge Assembly 2707 provides teddy bears to the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford Police Departments for children in crises.