Updates

Our July meeting will be on July 11th as the regular meeting would normally fall on the 4th of July holiday.

Our Memorial Mass is still scheduled for July 14th at the 10 am Mass at St Francis.

Passing of a fellow Knight

I received the news today of the passing of Willard Reynolds.

Willard was our honored Inside Guard for many years and an active member of Council 55. Many times he would be collecting tickets at various events when he was no longer able to help with more strenuous activities, and was always at our quarterly and Memorial Masses.

Here is information on the services:

https://www.cookfuneralhomect.com/notices/Willard-Reynolds

Because the calling hours are Thursday night, our Grand Knight has asked all who can, be present.

Our regular meeting might start a few minutes late.

A call has gone out to the 4th degree, if you have not been notified, please contact Armand Roy armandroy047@gmail.com

Knights News Council #55 week of 2/24 to 3/2

Mardi Gras - We are cooking pancakes again this year.  The Date is March 5 and we need people to start cooking early this year.  If you are able to come to St Peter/St Francis school from between 2:30 and 3:30pm , please confirm to this e-mail as soon as possible.  The event itself goes from 6pm to about 9 but the peak time for cooking pancakes is from around 4 - 6.    We know many people are working and cannot get there until 5, if you can make it we still need your help.

First Friday is this coming weekend.  Our coverage is from 2am - 3am Saturday morning.  If you have not signed up and are interested, please reply to this email.

Next Business Meeting is March 7 at 7:30 pm at Sacred Heart Hall.  If you are a new online member and do not have a membership card or printout of membership, please contact me before the meeting.

Two Hearts annual dinner will be March 31.  This conflicts with the McGivney dinner which is also March 31.  More information to follow.

The annual parish men's retreat is March 8 - 10.  More information in the bulletin.

If you know someone who is interested in joining the Knights and needs a First Degree Ceremony, please forward their name.

Nothing certain but change

Just as we were celebrating Father Carlos' 30th anniversary of Ordination, we have to say goodbye.  There was a going away celebration on February 16th at St Peter/St Francis School.

Now we await the arrival of our newest priest - Father Maricio Garlvis.

Please welcome him to our Parish when he arrives.

Pancake Breakfast

Our Pancake Breakfast will be on Sunday, April 11 at St Peter Hall.

Tickets will be sent out to all members and will be on sale the prior 2 weeks after all the Masses.

Please save some time to assist in selling.  We need 3 people per each Mass to make this happen.

Congratulation to Father Carlos

On December 1, St John Paul the Great Parish had a celebration for Fr Carlos on the anniversary of his 30th Ordination to the priesthood.  When you see him please extend congratulations.

If you were not able to go to Father John's farewell party

Hello dear parish family,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our Pastor, Fr. John has been reassigned to St. Katharine Drexel Parish in New Britain.

Under canon law, there are two options for a bishop to appoint priests. Under one option, if there is no term specified, a pastor is appointed, theoretically, for life, unless the pastor would agree to move or unless there is a good reason given by the bishop that he must move. The other option a bishop has is to appoint a pastor to a specific term of office, which the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has set at six years. Typically, each pastor is appointed for six years, with the understanding that his term could be renewed for another six years and, perhaps, beyond. This serves many purposes. It gives a pastor the opportunity to become deeply rooted in a parish so that he can do his ministry. In 2017 Fr. John happily agreed to a six year term, however, a priest is ordained for the church, and Fr. John is obedient in honoring the decision of Arch Bishop Blair's vision that his gifts and talents are needed in New Britain and therefore he will be reassigned as Pastor of the combined parishes that make up St. Katharine Drexel as of August 21, 2018.

We thank him for all that he has done for our community and for all the sacrifices that he has made by answering the call to the priesthood.

If you cannot make it to his farewell party...

Please feel free to drop him a note of thanks and well wishes...
Rev. John Granato
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
1010 Slater Road
New Britain, CT 06053-1658

In the peace of Christ,
Marlene Carrier, Bulletin Editor
St. John Paul the Great Parish
(860)482-4433 Ext 24