Early in the morning on December 17, 2023, Ladies and Knights from Council 16255 quietly began to assemble for the Breakfast with Santa event in the St. Joseph Parish Gym. Brother Alex Knobloch led the setup team, locating the items we’d need for the day. With the help of children from the St. Joseph Confirmation classes, everyone helped to create a beautiful setting for St. Joseph Parishioners. Brother Matt Berger bought the food and Br. Ralph Cadriel withdrew the change for the cash box. Unfortunately, neither could make it due to illness.

Brother Brian Perley reprised his role, and Santa, Lady Raquel Cadriel, made a beautiful Mrs. Claus. Lady Donna Couture assisted as children of all ages received their Picture with Santa. With many out sick, we had a skeleton crew on deck for this event, but everything ran like clockwork.

Lady Rosa and Brother Derrick Bell ran the kitchen, with Brother Danny Couture helping to cook. Brother Jimmy Peerson organized the Confirmation Kids and led the Serving Team. Jimmy Spalding and the Grand Knight sold tickets and collected food donations. Lady Kim and Brother Tim Discar and Brother Gerry LeDoux helped with the recruiting table and ticket sales. The Parishioners told us they had a great time and enjoyed having Breakfast with Santa.

Merry Christmas!

Here are some photos from Breakfast with Santa:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qTYe3ZaWpXz16X1p6

On December 13, 2023, Ladies, Brother Knights and their families gather for the Council 16255 Pre-Christmas Potluck Celebration. Everyone brought delicious food and treats to share. Fr. Joshy started the festivities with a Blessing of the food and a rousing Thank You to the Knights of Columbus. Everyone enjoyed food and fellowship. We announced that Brother Ron Torda was winning a 5-year battle with cancer to everyone’s applause. The evening ended with the White Elephant gift exchange using a well-received Left-Right story from our Grand Knight. It was a wonderful event enjoyed by all.

Here are some photos of the Joyous Event.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NTjLTK1ttEcw6DTL9

Brother Knights and Lovely Ladies of Knight’s Council 16255 responded to St. Joseph Parish’s need to set up Christmas Trees in the Parish. We received our directions from Gail Grimm and set to work. The trees went up quickly. But we discovered that one of the large trees had a broken connection. Jumping into action, the Knights ran to the nearest store and purchased lights for the needy tree. Knights and Ladies saved the day. The Christmas Trees looked perfect on the Altar. Come to Mass and check it out.

On a rainy Saturday morning on November 18, 2023, at 9 AM, Council Knights led the retrieval of US Flags planted on Veteran’s Day to honor our military members interred at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetary. Teams of children and their parents from the St. Joseph RCIA and Confirmation classes respectfully picked up the flags. The Grand Knight Dennis Tremethick and PGK Robert Bailey drove through the cemetery, gathered the flags in their cars, and took them to the Knight’s Room at St. Joseph Parish to clean, pack, and store the flags for next year.

Brother Danny and Lady Donna Couture brought coffee and donuts to the Knight’s Room and prepared the room with the GK’s Lady Edith for the flag cleaning and packing event.

At 9:20 AM, the RCIA and Confirmation kids and parents arrived with the flags. Brother Knights Danny and Robert, Jimmy (Jet) Spalding, and Alan Novak jumped in and led the efforts with Ladies Edith and Donna. Everyone worked effectively and efficiently.

At 10 AM, the Knight’s crew packed the final bundle of US Flags, and everyone was released to go home. The event lasted for One Hour from start to finish. Thank you, Knights, RCIA/Confirmation Kids, and parents, for your outstanding support to honor our Military Veterans.

Praise the Lord!!
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, Veterans Day. Knights from Vacaville Councils 16255 from St. Joseph and 4901 from St. Mary. They gathered with their families, the US Air Force, and members of the Crossroads Christian church to honor our veterans interred at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery. Everyone had fun enjoying the sun while honoring our Military Veterans by placing flags on their graves. Thank you. Everybody who participated.
God bless you all.

Sometimes, our brother Knights can’t solve a problem, but we can always find a way to make things better for others. Pictured here is Lady Tracy Spaulding standing at the lower podium at St. Joseph Parish during the noon Mass on November 5, 2023. She is interpreting the Holy Mass in American Sign Language (ASL) for Martha Koetz, a parishioner who needs this service.

Lady Tracy is married to our Council 16255 Brother Jimmy Spaulding. During the Oktoberfest on October 22nd, Brother Robert Bailey informed me that Ms. Martha Koetz sought an ASL interpreter to help her at Mass. She recently moved to Vacaville and was eager to find help. Immediately, we connected her with Lady Tracy, a professional ASL practitioner.

Lady Tracy befriended Martha and contacted the St. Joseph Parish Office to make official arrangements to allow ASL interpretation during Sunday Mass. This is the first Mass she’s interpreted, with many more in the future. Thank you, and God Bless You.

On October 22nd, Council 16255 Knights of Columbus hosted the St. Joseph Parish OKTOBERFEST. Parishioners donated to buy a Bratwurst or Hotdog meal. Proceeds were earmarked for the Catholic Relief Services to help combat Child Human Trafficking. Parishioners delighted in the live music from “The Faves.” They feasted on sausages, pretzels, and Mac&Cheese, played Cornhole, and had a wonderful time. The second major event hosted by Council 16255 for the Columbian Year 2023-2024 was a resounding success that pulled in a record number of donations for our cause.

Saint Joseph Parish in Vacaville kicked off a new Fatih Formation year (2023-2024) as the Knights from
Council 16255 to serve God, spreading his Word and Love through Faith Formation class instruction. On
September 29, Knights and their families participated in a Faith and Team-Building Saturday Retreat as
Catechists and youth leaders for St. Joseph’s Parents and their children. The retreat explored what it
means to be in the Church and how that commitment and practice of virtuous living continue to
evolve—the weekend included a review of our spiritual journey as Faith Formation Students begin the
new year of Faith Formation, including classes and instruction on First Holy Communion, the tenets of
the Catholic Faith, and preparation for Confirmation. Parents and students explored their faith with
other youth and supportive adults during the Saturday event.

Participants and Catechists discovered love and acceptance as the authentic “church experience,” God’s
enduring love. Groups of students and Parents participated in hands-on workshops regarding the Holy
Mass and Scripture reflection and learned more about the beauty of the Mass and its basis in God’s
Love. This event was one of many opportunities for parents and children to bond with each other, their
adult leaders, and participating Knights.

On July 27, 2023, on behalf of St. Joseph Parish and Knights of Columbus, Council 16255, Grand Knight Dennis Tremethick and 1 Year Trustee Tom Smith presented a combined total of $1,200.00 to the Executive Director, Isaac Bartsch of Alpha Clinics in Vacaville. Alpha Clinics provides care to families before, during, and after pregnancy and at no cost to the families. The donation resulted from the KofC BBQ fundraiser on July 9th and additional funds from an anonymous donor and the Knights of Columbus ASAP (AID & SUPPORT AFTER PREGNANCY) program.

Supporting the family as part of our council’s Faith in Action programming, our brother Knights (Mario Zappia, Trent Heckathorn, Jay Salazar, Mike Cuellar, and Alex Knobloch) volunteered at the Notre Dame School Back-to-School BBQ on August 18th. We grilled over 400 hot dogs and manned the drink station for this annual event. Looking forward to many more opportunities to strengthen our relationship with our parish school!