DC National March For Life Bus Transportation, Volunteer Needed

Brothers,

Pre-pandemic, our K of C District initiated a bus stop for transportation to the D.C. March for Life at St. Bridget Church (in front of the Middle School) in addition to our traditional pick-up point at the Columbian Center.  We are back in action for the 2023 March for Life!

While the Dobbs decision puts much of the legislative burden on the states, there remains the threat of federal legislation in an attempt to codify Roe.  Moreover, this is the year to give thanks to God that Roe was finally overruled after literally decades of Marches and other pro-life efforts. So, attendance at the National March for Life is still a powerful witness in our continuing efforts to change hearts and minds on this most critical issue for our nation.  As you can see from the funds included in the latest federal budget for “reproductive health”, we still have much work to do.

I’m on the Columbian Center bus to help that bus captain with keeping up with the St. Bridget folks.  There is not much to it, just making sure we have everybody on board at the pick-up points. Over the years, I think it is safe to say we have never left anybody on the Mall!

In any event, if you are planning to attend the March for Life and are going to be on the bus that picks up at St. Bridget, I would like to get a volunteer to help out that bus captain if possible.  Please let me know at your earliest convenience and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or @ (804) 519-0696.

A Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas to all!

Fraternally,

Mike K.

Mary’s Choice Baby Bottle Campaign

Brothers,

As you may be aware, Mary’s Choice is in the midst of a baby bottle campaign to raise funds for their ministry of providing housing and other assistance to women in needy circumstances who are choosing life for their babies. You may also be aware of the national Knights of Columbus effort to donate an additional $100 for every $500 raised by local councils in support of the pregnancy centers in their area, up to $2,000 ( so, $400 is the most we could garner from Supreme). 

To that end, we have set up our Shopify site for you to make your donation to this effort.  We will then aggregate the funds and make a (hopefully significant)donation on behalf of our Council to Mary’s Choice on Epiphany Sunday.  Here is the link:

https://knights-of-columbus-council-5476.myshopify.com/

And, here is a link with information on Supreme’s ASAP Program:

https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/life/aid-suppport-after-pregnancy.html.  It is my understanding that we have already made a significant donation to Mary’s Choice in 2022, but this donation will be made by our Council in 2023. I hope we can make one application to Supreme for their maximum additional contribution, and I’ll work with Ron to get you an update on that possibility. 

Thanks for your prayerful consideration.  Let’s help families choose life!

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Joyful Holiday Season to you and yours. 

Fraternally,

Mike K. 

Job Well Done!

Esteemed Clergy, Worthy State Deputy, Worthy District Deputy, Officers of the Richmond Assembly 4^th Degree,  and Fellow Brother Knights of the 5476,

One more bit of coverage out today (and I expect the last, but who knows?) about the Christmas at the Capitol event.

Sharing because I am not sure if this will make the local Richmond edition of the Catholic Virginian, as this story was written for the Arlington paper.

I do like that this article gave due to some of our Fellow Knights from other councils, who also contributed in making the day happen, and were not yet previously mentioned.  Father O’Reilly was quoted in the article,  as well as our very own parishioner Shirley Jaeger. 

https://catholicvirginian.org/news/local/local-knights-of-columbus-help-keep-christ-in-christmas/

One last time to say, well done St. Bridget’s Clergy, State/District Dignitaries, Fellow Brother Knights of the 5476 (and beyond),  parishioners, and all families who attended! 

Merry Christmas to you all!

Doug Lynch

609-977-8953

Council 5476 had Christmas at the Virginia State Capitol

This unprecedented event Lead by the Knights of Columbus Council 5476 was held on December 9th, 2022, and displayed the Nativity of Christ on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol. Doug Lynch, Grand Knights for Council 5476, got the ball rolling on this with support from our parish members, Brother knights, and the National Knights of Columbus. Fr. James O’Reilly , Parochial Vicar St. Bridget Catholic Church, presided over the ceremony. Their prayer is to build on their success and have a Nativity display annually.

December 2022 Food Drive Success!

Hello Brothers,

Many thanks for volunteering at the food drive yesterday!  Our parishioners were very generous – contributing a full trailer of food and over $600 in financial contributions! 

And, you were very generous with your time and effort!  Brothers assisting were Steve Sedlock, Mike Kozak, Augie Keller, Chris Howell, Don Felitto, VJ Petillo, John Bruckner, Ron Paquette, Mike Martin and Dan Geary.  Very special thanks to Brother Dan for the use of his trailer again for this food drive!  Brother Sean brought his children Jack and Lila to help – wonderful!

Thanks, too, to Brothers Jay Pierotti and GK Doug Lynch for the donuts and coffee!

For your calendars, our next food drive will be Saturday, January 28^th. 

Until then, wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Council 5476 – St Bridget December Food Drive

Hello Saint Bridget Friends and Parishioners,

Just a quick reminder of the Food Drive tomorrow, Saturday, December 17^th.

Thank you for your wonderful support – YOU make these food drives so successful each month!   The Food Drive this month will benefit the food pantry at the food pantry at St. Peter Catholic Church.  

Would you please help remind others of the Food Drive? 

Many thanks!! 

 Ways to help:

1. Buy food and/or gift cards to contribute at the food drive
2. Send the attached PDF to your family and friends
3. Forward this email with your message to others with the image of the flyer (below)
4. Ask your contacts to send the flyer or image on to others

Thank you very much for helping get the word out!  Let’s make this the biggest food drive yet!

Volunteer Work to Support St John Catholic Church

Hello All,

A team of Knights of Columbus Brothers came together to help our St. Bridget School to donate its cafeteria tables and chairs (being replaced) to St. John Catholic Church in Highland Springs.

Special thanks to the following brothers that helped:

• Frank Russo
• Ron Campbell
• Dana Costin
• Frank DeVenoge
• Mark Sweeney
• Also pictured her is Randy Hinman of St. John Church. 

Special thanks to the Diocese of Richmond for lending its box truck to allow this to happen, arranged with Andrew Waring, a parishioner. 

Special, special thanks to St. Bridget School Principal Allie Strollo who reached out with this good idea to find a good use for the tables and chairs.

We had a road trip to see St. John with the first delivery and were glad to make the connection with St. Bridget Church.

A total of 10 tables (seats 120) and north of 150 chairs were donated. 

Thank you, Brothers!

Saint Bridget 2022 Santa Breakfast Photos

Fun for Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Annual Saints & Sinners Luncheon at St Bridget Catholic Church

Hello Friends and Parishioners,

The Saints and Sinners Annual Christmas Luncheon is just a short time away!  It will be on Thursday, Dec. 15^th at 11:30 am in the Parish Commons.  Will you please help pass this announcement on to our parishioners that you think would enjoy a nice Christmas time together?  Many thanks for your help to spread the word!!  And of course you are welcome, too!

Allen Bean, our Minister of Music, and Dan Harms, Director of Communications, lead us in Christmas carols and songs!  Come prepared to sing and enjoy some festive fellowship and a delicious lunch prepared by our Kitchenettes!   We hope that you will be attending as it will be a wonderful time ahead of the busy Christmas celebration!

Please RSVP by Dec. 11th to John McCulla at jkmcculla@comcast.net or 804-306-2488 or sign up on the Community Bulletin Board in the Commons.  A contribution of $5 is requested for lunch.

Wear your red and green and bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share!  Also, please contribute a few canned goods for the Food Drive for the Food Pantry at St. Peter Church.

See you at the Luncheon!  (We may have some little visitors!)

December Food Drive Council 5476

Hello Brothers,

Many thanks to all Brothers that helped at our Food Drive in October!!  And, many thanks to Brother Greg Stivers for the use of his trailer!

Our next Food Drive is Saturday, December 17^th.^.   This is coming up soon, as we advanced the date by a week to make sure we could have a Food Drive before Christmas.

Please plan to assist at the Food Drive.  The signup chart is listed below – let me know for which shift you can volunteer.  And thanks to Brother Dan Geary for donating use of his trailer!!

Also, please help promote the upcoming Food Drive with your parish families and friends and others in the parish?  A pdf is attached and also embedded below.

Ways to help:

1. Volunteer to help during the Food Drive
2. Buy food and/or gift cards to contribute at the food drive
3. Send the attached PDF to your family and friends
4. Forward this email with your message to others with the image of the flyer (below)
5. Ask your contacts to send the flyer or image on to others

Thank you, men!!  Let’s make this one of the largest Food Drives yet!!!