Check out what's happening in our council...
 
Business meetings are held twice a month, the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, at 7:30 PM, with the prayer of "The Rosary of the Virgin Mary" starting at 7:00, prior to the meetings.

Our council hosts a large number of council activities throughout the year.  Annual activities include:  
     
     KofC Council 9002 Business Connection.  An idea of helping one of our own, a Knight who has a business to advertise to the Parish, or a Knight who is in need of a good employee to help in the growth of the business.  A business is chosen each Knight Surge issue to promote and will be highlighted in the newsletter and on this web site. Click here to view the present business.   

     The March For Life, the Pro-Life Cause, and our belief in the Solemnity of Life.  
Our Council sponsors the parish journey to Washington, D.C. on January 22nd of every year to witness our faith during the "March For Life".  We consider it to be a part of our evangelization and martyrdom to join with those of the same beliefs in the March.  Those who oppose our views rail against us for our beliefs in defending the innocent unborn from our country's flawed laws. The "Columbia" magazine, published by the Knights of Columbus, contains a very pertinent article that should be read by every Knight, and every member of the Catholic community. To read, click on Columbia.  
                                              
     KOVAR    In 1971 the Knights of Columbus in the jurisdiction of Virginia sought a means to accomplish the Order's charitable work on behalf of the mentally retarded.  Our Council has followed this challenge through the years and with the generous help of our Knights volunteers, have raised many dollars towards this goal. The Council's KOVAR chairman has written a brief history in the planning of an activity of this magnitude, click here and become informed.
                                                            
     Memorial Mass and Breakfast    November is the month the Catholic church remembers those who have gone before us to meet our Lord.  While we know that they are in the hands of our God, we take time to ask the Lord to pour his abundant mercy on them, and unite them with Him in all of His glory in heaven.  During the month of November, we Knights also take special note of our own departed family.  We commemorate them for their lives and we ask God to let them rest in His holy peace.  We set aside the first Sunday in November as our special day for this purpose.  The 9:00 AM Mass at St. John Bosco Catholic Church is dedicated to their memory.  We continue to celebrate them with a Knights and friends breakfast at one of the larger restaurants in the town.  Most importantly, we ask, come to support those who have lost loved ones, as well as to remember our departed Knights and family members.
     
     Sunday Coffee & Donut Social    During the school season, the Council helps sponsor the coffee & donut social after Mass on Sunday mornings.  This includes the 8:00 AM, as well as the 10:30 AM Mass.  Knights and their wives, KC Ladies, and other ministries in the church, help serve refreshments in an atmosphere of God's love.  We feel it is good for the parish community, the children, and for the recruitment of new members.  Stop in Hanley Hall after Mass, and enjoy a good cup of coffee, juice, and a donut, as well as meeting good, Christ loving people.
  
     "Knight Surge" Newsletter    In one of the first newsletters of Council 9002, almost twenty years ago, the Charter Chaplain, Father Sylvester Catallo, Pastor of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, wrote, 
 "S - U - R - G - E...then is the word.  It means 'rise'...'spring up'.  And we certainly mean to 'rise' to the occasion of Church and State interests...Diocesan and Parish needs, Communal and Personal challenges.  These may be idealistic words, too.  Forgive us if our aims seem so unreachable...If only we would allow the Holy Spirit to 'spring up' in our personality, we would then see a well of good springing from this Source to which EACH Knight and prospective candidate must take himself.  THIS IS 'Knight - Surging!' "   His words then, are still very real today, each Knight must strive to fulfill this effort.  Thus, the "Knight Surge" newsletter received its name and continues today to spread the efforts of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 9002.  To view the latest version of the Knight Surge News, click on the issue below... 
                                           
                                                Winter 2007/2008 Edition 

To view this newsletter, you will need Adobe Reader...download Adobe Reader free  

                                                                   
     Lenten Soup Suppers    On Fridays during Lent, the Council furnishes soup and bread for the suppers.  Organizations in the Church community are responsible for one of the six Fridays during the Lenten period.  The organizations that have stepped forward to serve the parish are:  Knights of the council, Saint Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, Junior Legion of Mary, Cursillo Community, and the KC Ladies.  Each group generously comes forward and sets up the Hanley Hall, prepares and serves the food, and then cleans up afterward. 
  
     Chicken Sales     The Council has contracted with one of the area's premier food producers to set up barbeque cookers and cook as many as 400 chickens.  The Council volunteers, wrap each cooked chicken half in foil, pack them in coolers, and within a matter of a couple hours, are sold out and have gone home.  Cooking usually begins about 7:00 AM and rarely does the Saturday morning last beyond noon.  There are three to four Chicken Sales during the summer months, and is a major fund raiser for the Council.
                                        
     Shenandoah County Fair Booth and Raffle     When the Shenandoah County Fair comes to town at the end of August, the Council, after many hours of behind the scenes planning, rents a booth in one of the show buildings.  The booth is set up by Knights volunteers who bring tables, chairs, decorations, lighting fixtures, and good cheer.  Yearly, a black powder rifle, and a Civil War era framed print are raffled off.  The ticket sales begin long before the Fair comes in, and sales proceed with gusto during the evening hours of the Fair.  The booth is manned by Knights and wives, and members of the KC Ladies.  The winning tickets are drawn on the last evening of the Fair, usually with a large crowd anxiously looking on.   
     
     Youth Activities     We, the Knights of Council 9002 are especially proud of the young people of St. John Bosco Catholic Church.  We take pride in presenting gifts of love, and a Catechism to each of the newly Confirmed Youth of the parish.  The children who make their first communion, receive a rosary.  We pray for our youth for they are the leaders of our future.  We were gratified that so many of them were able to travel to Canada in 2002 for the World Youth Days, and to be with Pope John Paul II, while he was on his pilgrimage.  We annually choose a Youth Minister from our Council who sacrifices his own personal time to be with the young, helping to guide and shape their religious life.  Our Council annually selects a male and female YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARD which is presented at one of the Council activities.  

     Seminarian Assistance     The Council annually presents monetary assistance to a Seminarian in one of the local colleges.  The funds are used by the students to purchase supplies and books, which have been reported enabling them to spend more time on studies.  We donate with the hope that they might not have to work to earn the resources. 
  
     Valentine Social     For our Brother Knights, marriage is a commitment.  There is no better gift that a Knight can give his spouse than to renew their wedding vows in the presence of Jesus Christ on Valentines Day.  The Valentine Social begins at 7:00 PM in the St. John Bosco Catholic Church with the wives.  A Rosary is prayed, and then the renewal of wedding vows.  The evening then continues in Hanley Hall, next door, with dinner.  Each family brings a covered dish, refreshments, and deserts to share for a loving, fun filled evening. The church youth group provides baby sitting for the kids, and snacks for them are provided by the Council.  
     
     Parish Breakfast     The Council sponsors its annual Parish Breakfast early in December in Hanley Hall.  It is served buffet style with the cooking accomplished by volunteer Knights on Sunday morning.  The breakfast is served all morning after the 8:00 AM Mass and ending about noon.  There are usually over 200 parishioners served with a freewill offering accepted.  The KC Ladies group, always graces the hall and offers handmade crafts and baked goods, the proceeds of which are used for their fundraisers.  

     Pancake Breakfast     Two Pancake Breakfasts are held each year for the Parish.  Volunteers from the Council flip the flapjacks and turn the bacon, sausage, and home fries for all Mass attendees on Sunday.  The usual crowd adds up to about 240 people, even some walk-ins from the Massanutten Military Academy, dressed in their Sunday best,  have graced our presence with their immense appetites.  A good will offering is accepted.        
       
     Parish Picnic     At the end of the summer, what better way to relax and visit with Christ loving folks than to have an annual picnic.  It is held in one of the town, or county parks located nearby, and everyone from the parish is invited.  The Council furnishes the hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and fixings.  The cooking is done by the Knights volunteers and all of the parish members bring covered dishes, salads, and deserts.  Knights plan ahead and have games arranged for the kids.  All that is prayed for is a sunny day, but even if it isn't, the parks always have a pavilion to keep the spirits "high and dry".     

     Christmas Card Sales     During Advent, the Council sponsors its "Keep Christ In Christmas" Christmas Card Sale.  It is held in conjunction with the Coffee Ministry, which is held in Knights Hall after all the Masses on Sunday morning.  The cards are in keeping with the "Keep Christ In Christmas" Advent theme and are a good money saver for the parishioners.
 
     Christmas Social     Before Christmas, often on a Council meeting night, the Knights entertain the wives at the Christmas Social.  The event is also an open house for prospective members and their wives.  It is held in Hanley Hall and features good food, drink, music, and shoulder rubbing with some of the best folks around, Knights.  It is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas with friends who share in the love of Christ.  

      Appreciation Supper     The Council holds the annual Appreciation Supper/Awards Dinner in grateful acknowledgement for all of the hard work that Brother Knights and their wives and families have accomplished throughout the year.  It is held in Hanley Hall on a Tuesday evening, a meeting night, and is always well attended by members and their families, and also by the District Deputy and wife.  While the food provided by the Council is good, many of the dishes brought by the members and wives, is out of this world.  The evening is filled with good food, awards, and lots of fun.  

This listing of activities is by no means the complete list, there are other activities which are equally enjoyed by members and families of the Council, and the list is not in any semblance of order according to importance.  All fellowship of the Council members, families, parish members, youth of the parish, and visitors, is of equally high importance, and cannot be rated in a "top ten list".
  
For our members who love to travel, visit the Mass Schedule Page, and the Eucharistic Adoration Page,  be in the know about Mass Celebration hours, and locations where you can enjoy the peace of the presence of Jesus, no matter where in the United States you might be. 

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