Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest
Council: 10019 - LEWISTON
Project Description:
In the fall of 2024, thirty eight eighth grade students at Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn, Maine, wrote an essay for the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. The theme this year was “What are the two most important virtues for an elected leader to possess, and why? How can you determine if the leader has these virtues?”
Essays were scored on 3 factors: content 35pts, grammar 30pts and style 35pts, making a possible score of 100pts. Five judges made up of a Dominican Sister, 2 retired professional women and 2 Sir Knights judged each essay.
Approximately 15 to 20 hours were spent scoring all the essays.
We award the top three place winners with a certificate and monetary prizes of $75, $50 and $25 respectively.
Cross the Street Ministry
Council: 10019 - LEWISTON
Project Description:
Holy Family Council members participate in the “Cross The Street Ministry” every Tuesday morning. The program was started by our pastor about a year ago. You may have seen the beautiful van parked by the street with a picture of the Pope on one side and Saint Mother Therese on the other side. There are so many homeless people in Lewiston that have to sleep and live outdoors 24/7. They have very little to survive on. Presently this ministry is going out to help anyone 5 days a week. Our Council has adopted Tuesdays as our day for support. Two members have qualified as drivers of the “Pope Mobile”. We park at the edge of Kenedy Park. We pass out sandwiches, gloves, stockings, hats, snack packs, hot coffee, and multiple other items as we get them. We park at the upper end of Kennedy Park and serve anyone that comes.
The pictures show the van (known to the locals as “The Pope Mobile”) in action. The gentleman to the left is Joe Levasseur handing out snacks and water. Inside van is Bob Dumond and Bob Roberge. Outside right is Dave Gervais handing out sandwiches. Recipients are always grateful and give their thanks and Blessings.
I honestly don’t know how anyone can survive in the cold weather we get here in Maine. May God help them all!
Note: This is a weekly event so total hours and manpower is also ongoing.
Shrine of La Salette Bus Trip
Council: 10019 - LEWISTON
Project Description:
On December 12, 2024, 51 souls bordered a bus driven by our Sister-in-Christ, Pam Vaillancourt. Destination was The Shrine of La Salette in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
This was the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. All were given a handmade chaplet and a special prayer sheet for to pray to our Lady.
After the chaplet prayer, a couple chance drawings were made with prizes donated by the Holy Family Knights of Columbus.
At La Salette, there was a museum with over 1500 Nativity sets from all over the world. It was incredible! There were 2 masses celebrated. At the 4pm mass, Father Divine and Father Samy co-celebrated with the local priest. At 5pm, a lighting of the lifesize creche was conducted while prayers and a song were sung. At the end of the song, a family with 6 children “hit the switch” and instantly lit millions of Christmas lights all over the property. Another amazing sight! The group was then treated to a family style meal of French meat pie and a full turkey dinner.
A special thanks to Ray Laplume, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Wilson and Mr. & Mrs. Bob Roberge for organizing this wonderful trip. And a special thank you to our driver, Pam, for getting us there and back safely.
25th Annual Catholic Men's Retreat - Christ the King Weekend
Council: 2851 - LIMESTONE
Project Description:
Two brother Knights from our Council (PSD/Program Director and a member of the Retreat Team for 25 years and a Past FS) help plan and facilitate the annual retreat. Being held on Christ the King weekend, the theme: Jesus Christ and the Eucharist. (Which is also the State Deputy’s theme for his 1st year of tenure.) The Team is made up of 8 brother Knights from Districts 1 and 2 and includes a couple of priests. The team met for 5 evenings in Caribou and Frenchville to plan and select speakers for the weekend. Our brother Knight cares for the budget and all administrative responsibilities (agendas, honoree certificate, team list, etc.) The other is a musician and selected all the music that would be played during the weekend. The Honoree for this retreat was Father Alex Antony Maria Doss, a mission priest from India who has served our 2 districts for 10 years and will be leaving in June 2025.
Christmas Basket Program
Council: 2851 - LIMESTONE
Project Description:
This was the 54th annual Christmas Basket Program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Limestone Rotary. Applications are placed around town and at the Food Pantry. Boxes are put together with a ham, bread, milk, assorted canned and fresh fruits & vegetables, candy canes, potatoes and a pie. 5 brother Knights, 8 Rotary members, 3 boy scouts and 4 parents assisted with the project. Applicants drove to the church to pick up their boxes. Those without transportation had their boxes delivered to them. 83 boxes were packed to assist families from 1 – 7 members.
Christmas Festival
Council: 101 - PORTLAND
Project Description:
This was a parish wide initiative to bring community and faith together. There are many facets to this event. Friday evening 5-8 there was a choice of hot pork pie or chicken pie supper offered for those attending followed by songs from the school children from St. Brigid’s School. The children were led by the music teacher singing Christmas songs for those in attendance. The festival of trees as happening where folks can take raffles on decorated and gifted trees.
On Saturday the event was held from 9-9 pm. The day began with a faith sharing event with Fr. Paul Sullivan (pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish) and Santa. 25 children attending learning lessons about the birth of Christ during a time of much emphasis is plague by material giving. Knights helped in the kitchen preparing a free pancake breakfast after the faith sharing. Knights also kept the hot dogs and pizza moving in the kitchen for lunch.
Saturday evening was a live auction, drinks and merriment as the evening concluded with hors d’ouerves and a multitude of raffle drawings. Over $19,000 was raised during this major fund-raiser for Our Lady of Hope Parish.
Light Up for Christ - Nativity
Council: 2851 - LIMESTONE
Project Description:
Two brother Knights installed the creche and statues of Mary and Joseph in the creche at the front steps of the Church. On Tuesday, 3 December, 4 brother Knights got together, and one Brother (PSD & Council Program Director) recited a “Light Up for Christ” prayer. At the end of the prayer, the nativity was lit. Each day after until the Epiphany, the Creche was lit from 3 PM until 11 PM.
Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest
Council: 13861 - SANFORD
Project Description:
The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council #13861 sponsored a Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest for the St. Thomas School students. St. Thomas School is a local Catholic Parochial School in Sanford. The essay contest was open to sixth thru eighth graders.
Grand Knight John Chandonnet met with the St. Thomas School Principal Angela Madigan to finalize the contest details. The council also furnished the prizes for the contest.
The students were asked to write an essay of 500-750 words on the topic: What are the two most important virtues for an elected leader to possess, and why? How can you determine if the leader has these virtues?
34 sixth, seventh and eighth graders submitted essays. The students were given until Friday, December 13th to turn in their essays.
St. Thomas School Sixth Grade Teacher Tiffani Bourque judged the essays. The top three winners in the annual Knights of Columbus Essay Contest were chosen. The 1st Place winner received a $100 Walmart gift card, the 2nd Place winner received a $50 Walmart gift card and the 3rd Place winner received a $25 gift card. Each participant received a certificate.
Christmas for a Needy Family
Council: 2537 - OLD TOWN
Project Description:
The Deputy Grand Knight of our Council Duane Brasslett was made aware of a young twenty something man, his wife, and 18 month old child that would not have Christmas due to lack of money. The man worked as did his wife, but it was only enough to cover rent and food. The Council donated $300 and two members each gave an additional $100 each to give this family presents for Christmas. DGK Brasslett contacted the man’s mother who was overwhelmed by the generosity. She had limited means and helped as she could, but not for Christmas. The Council bought gifts and clothing for the child and gift cards for the man and his wife. These presents were given as a surprise to the young couple a few days before Christmas. They were grateful and emotional that someone would take the time to help them out.
We find that these little gestures help people get through their times of hard luck. We hope that the family had a great Christmas and one day will be able to pay it forward.
Keep Christ in Christmas Contest
Council: 13861 - SANFORD
Project Description:
The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council #13861 sponsored a Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest for the St. Thomas School students. St. Thomas School is a local Catholic Parochial School in Sanford. The poster contest was open to all students.
Grand Knight John Chandonnet met with the St. Thomas School Principal Angela Madigan to finalize the contest details. The council also furnished the poster paper, along with the prizes, for the contest.
92 students submitted posters. There were nine divisions: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8. The students were given until Friday, December 13th to turn in their posters.
Grand Knight John Chandonnet judged the posters on Friday, December 13, 2024 to determine the winner and runner-up in each division.
The winners of each division received a $50 Walmart gift card; and the runners-up received a $25 Walmart gift card. Each participant received a certificate.
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