MESSAGE  FROM  GRAND  KNIGHT  CAMERON  SYMONDS:
Brother Knights,

As we discussed at our last meeting, I believe it is critical, in the current contentious political climate, that we all pray for our nation as we approach Election Day on November 3rd. Therefore, I ask all of you to please join me in a novena these nine days prior to election. In the attachment, you will find a daily reflection, many from our Founding Fathers, regarding religion in our society followed by the prayer that Our Lady provided as “Our Lady of All Nations.” For those of you who may not be familiar with this prayer or Our Lady’s apparition behind it, I have provided a brief background.

Let us all pray that the nation finds tranquility and peace, regardless of who wins the election. It is our duty as patriotic Catholics and Brothers to support and defend our great nation - the United States of America - One Nation Under God!

Many thanks to our Worthy Lecturer Jack O'Brien for his assistance with the novena.

Vivat Jesus!
Cameron Symonds, GK
George C. Shields Council 420
https://kofc.org/joinus

Congratulations to all the new council officers of the George C. Shields Council # 420 that were elected into office and installed on Monday 9/14/20 especially the new Grand Knight Cameron Symonds.  A big Thank You to Fr. Mike McManus for joining us on Monday as Acting Chaplain and for allowing us to use St. Mary's Church to conduct this special ceremony.  Thank you as well to outgoing Grand Knight Christopher Herrick for two wonderful years of your great leadership.  Thank You to District Deputy Charlie Spath and District Warden Jim Lane for conducting the ceremony on behalf of the State Office.  You can find the list of new council officers on the About Us tab of this website: kofc420.org/about-us 

Congratulations to our Brothers in Council # 420 who completed their 4th (Patriot) Degree on Sunday over in Foxboro, MA.   Left to right in the left photo below are: SIR Scott Handren, Treasurer and SIR Christopher Lindstrom, DGK and SIR Cameron Symonds, GK.   In the photo on the right DD SIR Charles Spath joined them for the photo and cheered them on throughout the ceremony.   Congrats one and all !!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLESSED FATHER MICHAEL J. McGIVNEY

Fr. McGivney was born August 12, 1852, in Waterbury, CT.  Happy 168th birthday to our founding Father!

Did you know........Fr. McGivney was the oldest of 13 children.  His miracle is the youngest of 13 and shares his name, Michael McGivney Schachle.

The very first Knights of Columbus Council #1, the San Salvador Council's Charter is dated May 15.  Fr. McGivney's miracle was a baby born on May 15.    It's no coincidence, it truly is a miracle.  Help celebrate Fr. McGivney's birthday and his miracle by checking out the video link below explaining the miracle attributed to him:

         https://youtu.be/NwodMNxWS1I

Vivat Jesus!
Cameron Symonds, GK

Wonderful News !  Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Fr. Michael J. McGivney Wednesday, paving the way for the beatification of the founder of the Knights of Columbus.
During a May 26 meeting with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the pope authorized the congregation to issue a decree recognizing the miracle.
Below is a video of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson on Fox and Friends on 5/28/20 placing a focus on  this great news.

​As the new 2020-2021 KofC Fraternal Year begins, we would like to congratulate Cameron Symonds on being elected to the role of Grand Knight for the George C. Shields Council 420 and to the rest of his leadership team, the list which is posted on the “About Us” tab on this website.  As well, we would like to sincerely thank outgoing GK Christopher Herrick for all his wonderful efforts and hard work for our council and St. Mary’s Parish as a whole.  Here are some of the thoughts Chris sent out to council members yesterday:

“Today is my last day as the Grand Knight of Council #420. It has been and honor and privilege to be able to serve you all as the leader of our Council. Please know how much I appreciated all of your extra efforts, support, and friendship during my two terms as Grand Knight!

During these difficult times caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, I am truly inspired by the work you all have done to support our church and the community. You all have heroically answered the call to step up during this time of crisis to help those in need. Where there was a need, there was a Knight! And words cannot express my gratitude for your faith-filled service.
 
I want to congratulate Cameron Symonds (and the new leadership team) taking office tomorrow. Cameron was a wonderful Deputy Grand Knight and will make a great Grand Knight. I am excited for the year ahead under his leadership. It should be a wonderful year full of new and exciting programs and activities.  Many thanks to all of our out-going officers for all their hard work and dedication to the Council, especially Mike Heavey for his 10+ years of service as our Council’s Treasurer.
 
KNIGHT OF THE YEAR & FAMILY OF THE YEAR
 
Congratulations to Charlie Spath for being named the Knight of the Year for Council #420. Also, special congratulations go out to Brian Healy and his wonderful Family on being named Family of the Year for Knights of Columbus Council #420. Both Charlie and Brian work so hard for the Knights of Columbus and I have really appreciated their hard work, support, and friendship over the years! Congratulations guys these awards are well deserved and long overdue!!!
 
In closing, thanks again for all you do for the Knights of Columbus. Each and every one of you should be very proud of what we as a Council accomplished this year. You all make the difference and help build the Kingdom of God here on Earth. You are an incredible group of guys and I was honored to be your Grand Knight for a time and will continue to serve the Council in any way I can moving forward.
 
May God Bless you all!!!      Vivat Jesus!
 
Chris Herrick, GK”

Tuesday evening nine members from the George C. Shields Council # 420 gathered at St. Mary's Cemetery to spruce up the area around the Crucifixion Monument in advance of this coming weekend's Memorial Day celebration.  A special thank you goes out to the following Brother Knights for all their help:  Bob Kasiski (Chairman of this Event) Bruce Gaumond, Cameron Symonds, Rich Pasakarnis, Chris Lindstrom, Frank Di Taranto, Brandon DeLuca, Mark Giambanco and Charlie Spath.  Also helping with the cause were Brandon's wife Kelly DeLuca and Mark's son Kyle Giambanco, a Sophomore at Wentworth Institute of Technology.  Can't you just see the smiles on all their faces.  LOL    Job Well Done !

On Saturday the George C. Shields Council # 420 formed a procession of over a dozens cars with their families and conducted a drive-by celebration at the Heavey home to recognize, congratulate and celebrate the fact that Martha and Cathryn Heavey both completed their individual degrees at St. Anselm College.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic they were unable to attend a formal graduation at the college so we wanted to make sure they knew we recognized and celebrated with them this wonderful achievement.  Both Martha and Cathryn received Nursing Degrees and are now studying for the State Nursing Boards. Job Well Done Martha and Cathryn !!!  Thank You F.S. Bruce Gaumond and his wife Katie for coordinating this celebration for them.