Formation and Knighhood Degree Exemplifications

04/23/2019

Council: 114 - BANGOR

Project Description:

On March 31, 2019, Pine Cone Council #114 hosted exemplifications of the Formation Degree and the Knighthood Degree of the Knights of Columbus. The event was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Brewer. The Formation Degree ceremonial was conducted in coordination with Maine District 5 while the Knighthood Degree was conducted in coordination with the Maine State Council. Council member Russell Brimmer coordinated the ceremonies, with assistance from Grand Knight Keith Forbes, who oversaw the entire effort, and Brother John Newcomb, who prepared a wonderful meal and supervised a crew of three brothers. District Deputy Jon Jozefowicz, a member of Council 114, worked closely with Brother Brimmer on the Formation Degree, while Maine Ceremonials Director Norm Bisson provided invaluable assistance for the Knighthood Degree. Not only did Brother Norm provide direction regarding the setup of the day’s event, he supervised the on-site arrangement of the hall for the maximum effectiveness of the ceremony. Three other council members assisted with various logistic functions throughout the day. Following arrival and check-in, the Formation Degree commenced at 10:00 am, with 12 candidates receiving the honors of this degree. Following an opportunity for fellowship, all attendees sat down to a scrumptious meal consisting of rice pilaf, sweet and sour chicken, dinner rolls and cake. Spirits remained high as the candidates adjourned again to the antechamber. They were joined by two other members, each of whom had previously become second degree members of our order. The Knighthood Degree commenced at approximately 12:15 pm for the class of 14, with Russell Brimmer as the Conferring Officer and State Secretary John Deetjen, Jr. as the Presenter of the Fraternal Charge. Pine Cone Council was pleased that among those observing the two degrees were several state Knights of Columbus officers. In addition to Brother Deetjen, they were: State Deputy Mark Bourgoin, State Treasurer Jon Harvey (also a member of Council 114) and State Advocate Michael Giroux. We were also honored to have our council chaplain, Rev. Frank J. Murray, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, joining us for the Knighthood Degree ceremony. Fr. Murray is a strong supporter of the Knights of Columbus and he joined us following a full morning of saying Masses around the parish. The degree ceremonies were extremely effective, by all accounts. Members of the team and officers of the council received many words of praise for degrees, both on that day and in the weeks since. Many candidates and observers alike reported that they were moved by the solemnity of the events and by the heartfelt presentations of the degree officials. The day was well worth the effort, and Pine Cone Council was pleased to have been able to assist in this small way toward the continuation and strength of the Knights of Columbus.