Jul 14

Welcome Fr. Thomas

And…Happy Birthday! The latest addition to our little council just happens to be our pastor too! Fr. Thomas Arackal is a 4th degree Knight and, upon transferring him over, we realized that his birthday was on Monday. A quick email out to the brothers and it was set: we’d invite him for a special meeting and surprise him with cake and goodies.

As the pictures attest, it was a fantastic turnout, given that less than 24-hours notice was given. We’re sure Fr. Thomas will build on the legacy of Charity, Unity and Fraternity that his predecessors helped guide our council with.

Bird’s eye view of the Knights that showed up
Cake cutting is always a nice thing…
GK Dennis doing this thing…

Jul 08

Goodbye Fr. Au…

Our wonderful pastor Fr. Au has left us. After just a year at St. Joseph’s he had been called to service at the parish of Canadian Martyrs in Richmond. The knights in that council will surely welcome him as we did. Our final sendoff would be loading up his U-Haul truck…boy does he have lots of stuff! Fortunately, we had a good number of ladies and other volunteers who showed up to help the Knights get this one last thing done for Fr. Au. Goodbye!

Brothers Joseph, Rolly and Sam hard at work.
GK Dennis led by example
Brother Guillermo and brother Joseph heaving a sigh of relief that it was all done!

Jun 29

Welcome Brother Guillermo!

Brothers, let us all welcome the latest addition to our merry council of brothers! Brother Guillermo Prieto took his 1st Degree on a sweltering Saturday morning at St. Joseph’s the Worker parish in Richmond.

Not only did brother Guillermo have, as his first degree team, the entire State Council Executive, he was also privileged to have with him, our Worthy State Chaplain, Bishop Ken Kowanowski, who is theUkrainian Eparch as well as the Honoree for the degree!

Brothers Sam and Worthy GK Dennis was also in attendance to support brother Guillermo together with newly minted District Deputy #28, Mark Pan.

Congratulations brother Guillermo!

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Jun 21

Annual GK BBQ

The annual GK BBQ was held last night (Sat 20th June) at GK Mark’s house. Worthy DD Herb showed up and since we had the entire incoming Executive for next year, we held the Installation of Officers right on the deck, with wives, family and other Knights. 

Congratulations to incoming GK Dennis and newly minted DGK Ernie on getting a full complement of officers for the upcoming year! May God bless our council for 2015-2016 and let it be another banner year for Council 9846. 

   
 

Jun 05

Marian Procession – 2015

The tradition at St. Joseph’s is to have the annual Marian Procession right after the First Holy Communion mass. It seems we’re always blessed with good weather then! This year was no different, with a great many little children having the experience of walking in procession and praying the Rosary with our Blessed Mother through the streets of Port Moody.

As usual, Council 9846 assisted the Legion of Mary with logistics, manpower and the Honour Guard. The Honour Guard members were Sir Knights Larry Forseille, John Suter, Zeus Custodio and Colour Commander and GK Mark Pan. Carrying the float with our Blessed Mother was Sir Knight Joseph Johnston, Deputy GK Rommel Nocos, Recorder Rome Saratan and GK-elect Dennis Kwan. As the float was borrowed from St. Patrick’s Maple Ridge, the statue of Our Blessed Mother did not fit perfectly and was wobbling on the base, hence brother Bonaventure Sevi held it from the lee side of the float the entire time.

Thanks also to brother Jet Valmonte, who led the Rosary (as he always does!) from his handy portable speaker and brother Rolly Magisisi, who’s always on hand to keep the procession participants safe in his bright orange vest by directing traffic. This year, due to an administration error, the Port Moody Police didn’t show up. They sent us their apologies and assured us that they will be there for us next year.

The entire procession was lead by the Flag Bearers, who were made up of some of the latest additions to our Council…brothers Alan Holden, Patrick Grant and Ernie Alcala (who is DGK elect) as well as PGK John Kai. Other Knights in attendance were brothers Patrick Arce, whose daughter received First Holy Communion, and brother John Rochard.

And of course, last but not least, many thanks to our Financial Secretary brother Sam, who’s always on hand to take pictures. If one does not see Brother Sam, its only because he’s the one behind the camera.

Thank you brother Knights for taking the extra time away from your Sunday to be with your brothers in celebrating with Our Blessed Mother. Hail Mary, Full of Grace!

Verticality – the ultimate prayer position
Brothers getting a handle of the weight of the float
Brother Rolly directing traffic
Brothers Ernie, John, Alan and Patrick leading the procession
Fr. Au leading the First Holy Communicants on their journey
Brother Jet leading the Rosary
The float starts to get much heavier
One can see brother Bonaventure in the leeward side of the float holding on the statue to ensure it doesn’t fall!
SK’s Larry and John
A group picture with the First Holy Communicants and Fr. Au.
Settling our Blessed Mother back down on the altar
Fr. Au took a few pictures with his brother Knights! Thank you for leading us Fr. Au!
Sk Joe with Fr. Au.

May 22

March for Life 2015

This year 3,000 plus people attended the March for Life at Victoria. I’m beginning to think the only limiting factor here is BC Ferries and the cost. In Ottawa, over 25,000 people marched to the legislature. In other populous parts of North America, I understand that there were over 300,000 people marching in solidarity for life!

This year, councils from all over BC and Yukon were in attendance, together with State Deputy elect Brother Arcie Lim, State Advocate Ming Lau and Past State Deputies Dan O’Hara and Michael Yeo. We also had priests like our very own Fr. Richard Au, Fr. Tranh from All Saints and Fr. Matthew To from St. Patrick’s in Maple Ridge. There were dozens of others priests that I did not personally meet and talk to. Brother Rolly and myself were in the same bus with the Fr. Au and Fr. Tranh and it was a bus-ful of prayerful people!

Here are some pictures. Perhaps you too can take the time off from your busy schedule next year, to march with us in solidarity….for LIFE!

May 22

New 2nd Degree Members!

Thursday May 21st, our council welcomed 3 brothers into the 2nd degree of our Order. The lesson of unity was made clear to Brothers Alan, Hener and Patrick; and to welcome them into the 2nd degree, Brothers Richard, Ernie, Rome, Rommel and Samuel showed up to be with them. Kudos brothers and see you at our next gathering!

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May 17

Mulch, mulch and more mulch…

Many of you may have noticed the huge pile of mulch in the parking area…well, we were just waiting for a nice day to move it around the church. And thanks to brothers Edmund, John Kai, John Rochard, Rome and the newest member of our council, brother Alan…already in the thick of it! 

  

May 15

New 1st Degree Member!

Brothers, let us welcome brother Alan Holden, our latest 1st degree brother. If you see him in church, please shake his hand and welcome him to the council. Brother Alan is a recent immigrant from Ireland and would definitely welcome any friends that he can make in his new homeland of Canada.

Thank you to brothers Rome, Rommel and Sam who attended his 1st degree with him.

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May 08

500 carnations dressed up by Knights!

The task seemed unsurmountable, wrap and dress up 600+ stems of Carnations for presentation tomorrow for all the mothers of St. Joseph. But with the help of brother knights Joe, Sam, Dennis, Rome, Ernie, Patrick and GK Mark together with family members we finished the task!
Here’s what 600 flowers look like …it’s a LOT more than you think! The majority of these Flowers were donated by Gordon Wong of Wing Wong’s Nursery in honour of the good works of one of St Joseph’s parishioner, Lena. The remaining flowers were donated by Vinetta and her friend Esther. The mothers of St. Josephs thank you for your generous contribution!