On June 14, 2026, Council 16255 was proud to host an Exemplification Ceremony for nine Knights of Columbus. Seven new Knights joined our council, and two joined Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council.
The new Knights exemplified into Council 16255 were:
Fr. Thommy Abraham
Nicholas Pagliari
Christopher Bailey
Demetrius Cagampan
Jonathan Rizzo
Kristian Diaz
Anthony Da Silva Sr.
Fr. Memo opened the ceremony by leading everyone in prayer as we welcomed these men into a new life of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity within our brotherhood.
As our Grand Knight administered the pledge to our new brothers, the Knights gathered in attendance raised their hands as well, renewing their own commitment to the principles of our Order.
It was a joyful and inspiring event, filled with smiles, laughter, brotherhood, and faith.
May this Exemplification remind every Knight of Council 16255 that our pledge is not a one-time promise, but a daily call to live Charity, Unity, and Fraternity in our parish, our families, and our community.
This weekend, May 30-31, 2026, the Knights of Columbus Council 16255 at St. Joseph Parish in Vacaville held a fundraiser upcoming July 11th Vocations Dinner to support our seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood. Our goal was ambitious: sell 600 homemade empanadas over the course of five Masses.
Edith and I were responsible for ordering, picking up, transporting, and setting up the empanadas for sale. Fresh batches were scheduled to arrive before each Mass so that parishioners would receive them hot and fresh. Our Brother Knights and their families generously volunteered after each Mass, helping to organize the sales, greet parishioners, package orders, and keep everything running smoothly.
As we packed up after the Saturday evening Mass, our excitement had faded. We looked at table after table of unsold empanadas. Less than half of what we had available had been sold, and we knew that hundreds more were arriving the next morning. We exchanged worried glances and quietly wondered, “What are we going to do with all this food?”
Many of us were discouraged. We had worked hard to prepare for this fundraiser, and it seemed possible that we had simply ordered too much.
Then Sunday morning arrived.
Before we had even finished setting up after the 8:00 AM Mass, parishioners began lining up. One tray disappeared, then another, and then another. People kept coming. Soon we were sold out, with parishioners still asking if there were any empanadas left.
The same thing happened after the 10:00 AM Mass.
And again after the Noon Mass.
And once more after the 5:00 PM Mass.
What had seemed impossible the night before became a blessing beyond anything we had imagined.
What made the day even more beautiful was watching Brother Knights, their wives, children, and families working side by side. Some were selling empanadas, others were carrying boxes, restocking tables, greeting parishioners, or helping with cleanup. What began as a simple fundraiser became a visible expression of faith, charity, fraternity, and unity.
The generosity of the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish was truly overwhelming. Time and again, people stepped forward not only to purchase empanadas but also to support the young men who have answered God’s call to serve His Church as priests.
Looking back, it is hard not to see the hand of God in what happened. Just when we began to worry, the Holy Spirit reminded us that this work was never really ours alone. The Holy Spirit desires holy priests for Christ’s Church and continues to inspire faithful Catholics to support vocations.
By the end of the weekend, every empanada had been sold. The Knights of Columbus raised a substantial amount of money to help support our seminarians in their formation for the priesthood.
The lesson for me was simple: never doubt the Holy Spirit.
When God’s people come together in faith and place their work in His hands, He can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine. What began as a night of uncertainty ended as a celebration of faith, generosity, and hope for the future priests who will one day serve His Church.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
We are proud to announce another successful food drive collection by our Knights of Columbus Council 16255! Our recent collection resulted in our best collection yet – an impressive 118 pounds of food donations that were delivered to St. Mary’s Food Locker.
Our Community Impact
To date, Council 16255 has made a significant difference in our community through:
233 pounds of food collected and donated
$500 in monetary donations to support St. Mary’s Food Locker
Consistent support from our dedicated brother Knights
A Testament to Brotherhood
This outstanding achievement reflects the generous spirit and commitment of all our brother Knights. Each donation, whether large or small, contributes to supporting families in our community who need it most.
As we often say – “It’s what Knights do!” – and Council 16255 continues to exemplify the charitable mission that defines our organization.
Thank you to all our brother Knights for your continued support and generosity. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Council 16255 – Serving Our Community with Pride/isolated-segment.html
On Saturday morning, September 13th St. Joseph the Protector Council 16255 hosted a Rosary for the Silver Rose as a Pro-Life celebration to Our Lady Of Guadalupe. Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We shared the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe to promote respect for life by participating in this meaningful pilgrimage. The Silver Rose program demonstrates the unity between Knights of Columbus in Canada, the United States and Mexico, through a series of prayer services promoting the dignity of all human life and honoring Our Lady.
The Rosary and Mass was well attended with Fr. Abraham presiding and with Fourth Degree helping us with this special celebration.
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ of St. Joseph the Protector Council 16255,
On Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 8:15 AM, St. Joseph Parish has the honor of hosting the Knights of Columbus Silver Rose. The program honors Our Lady of Guadalupe and promotes a pro-life message as part of the Knights of Columbus’s Faith in Action requirements.
This is planned as a short prayer service before and after the Saturday Morning Holy Mass at 8:15 AM.
The message of Our Lady of Guadalupe promotes respect for life by participating in this meaningful pilgrimage. The Silver Rose program demonstrates the unity between Knights of Columbus in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, through a series of prayer services promoting the dignity of all human life and honoring Our Lady.
Thank you Dennis Tremethick who has arranged all of this for our Council and Parish! Please see video link below, as well as attached documents for this prayer service.
We’re excited to congratulate Brother Tim Discar for his outstanding work in the Fishers of Men Banner Challenge. Thanks to Tim’s dedication, our Council has earned a blessed Father Michael McGivney poster with our Council name on it.
The Achievement
The Fishers of Men Banner Challenge ran from March 1st through June 30th, focusing on membership recruitment and outreach. Tim’s efforts during this period earned our Council this special recognition that will be a valuable asset for future events and recruiting activities.
Why This Matters
The blessed Father Michael McGivney poster honors the founder of the Knights of Columbus and will serve as an inspiring tool at parish events, community gatherings, and recruitment drives. Having our Council name on this blessed poster makes it uniquely ours and helps us share our story with potential new members.
Thank You, Tim
Tim’s commitment to the Fishers of Men Challenge has strengthened our Council and given us a wonderful tool for future growth. His work embodies the Knights of Columbus spirit of service and brotherhood.
Thank you, Tim, for your dedication and for earning our Council this meaningful recognition. We look forward to proudly displaying our Father Michael McGivney poster at upcoming events!
St. Joseph the Protector Council 16255 Gains a New Knight
We are excited to welcome our newest Brother Knight, Peter “Pete” Lennox, to Council 16255!
Third Degree Ceremony
On June 24th, 2025, Brother Pete was sworn in as a Third Degree Knight alongside candidates from our Davis Council. The ceremony took place in the Knight’s Room at St. Joseph’s Parish, conducted by our dedicated Exemplification Team.
Ready to Serve
Brother Pete joins us with enthusiasm and a heart for service. He’s eager to provide hands-on community services and participate in our almsgiving efforts, embodying the true spirit of knighthood.
Thank You
We extend our gratitude to the St. Joseph the Protector Council 16255 Exemplification Team for their excellent work in conducting this meaningful ceremony.
Moving Forward
As Brother Pete begins his journey as a Knight of Columbus, we look forward to working alongside him in our charitable endeavors and community service projects. His fresh perspective and commitment to service will strengthen our council’s mission.
Vivat Jesus!
Welcome to the brotherhood, Brother Pete!
We wish everyone a blessed week and look forward to seeing Brother Pete at our upcoming council activities.
Following a successful Founder’s Month Church Membership Drive in March 2025, Knights of Columbus Council No. 16255 proudly welcomed a new group of men committed to faith, fraternity, and service. These candidates came forward after meaningful conversations and discernment, expressing their shared desire to build a Catholic family-friendly environment and serve the Vacaville community through charitable action.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, our Council held a special Exemplification Ceremony at St. Joseph’s Parish, officially welcoming the following new brothers into the Knights of Columbus:
Br. Miguel Marquez Acosta
Br. Raul Sanchez Hurtado
Br. Juan Vallejos Jr.
Br. Christopher Caparas
Br. Christopher Hoeft
Br. Joseph Bisson
Br. Emmanuel Enriquez
The ceremony took place in Room PCMR 1 at St. Joseph’s, with refreshments served beforehand, fostering fellowship among candidates, current members, and their families. The event was a true reflection of our Council’s spirit—marked by prayer, fraternity, and a strong commitment to the ideals of charity, unity, and patriotism.
Special thanks go out to the Exemplification Team, who arrived early to prepare the space and lead the proceedings with reverence and enthusiasm. Their dedication ensured that each candidate experienced a warm and meaningful welcome into the Order.
As our Council continues to grow, so does our ability to serve. Let us keep these new Knights in prayer as they begin their journey in the Order, and may we all be reminded of the calling we share to lead lives of service and faith.
The Knights of Columbus Council 16255 and Sunday Sacristans joined forces last Friday to serve a delicious Lenten Soup Dinner to 40 parishioners following Stations of the Cross. The event, which came together in just one week, showcased the community’s spirit of service and fellowship during this holy season.
A Community Effort
What began as a simple suggestion by Deacon Scott the previous weekend quickly blossomed into a parish-wide collaboration. The Knights of Columbus, Sacristans, Faith Formation students, and RCIA candidates worked together to prepare and serve seven different varieties of homemade soup, accompanied by fresh bread, rolls, butter, and fruit for dessert.
“I appreciate all of the team effort on such short notice,” said Brother James Hunter, who helped coordinate the event. “In just one week, we were able to organize enough volunteers to bring together various parish groups to make this dinner a success.”
Continuing Through Lent
The Lenten Soup Dinner will continue each Friday throughout the remainder of Lent, immediately following Stations of the Cross. Parishioners are encouraged to participate in the full evening of prayer and fellowship:
Adoration in the Chapel
Benediction at 5:45 PM
Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM (except on Good Friday)
Soup dinner immediately following
How to Participate
The Knights of Columbus are using SignUp Genius to help organize volunteers and soup donations. Parishioners are invited to share their best soup recipes by signing up at the link below:
“I encourage all Knights to get out and participate in this fun event,” Brother Hunter added. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our parish community while observing the Lenten season together.”
