Brothers,
I know many of you have been following the news concerning the spreading of the Corona virus globally and here in the Bay Area. Taking this and other factors into consideration, I have made the decision to cancel Saturday’s Exemplification in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of you and your family members along with our Ceremony team and support team.
I know you were all looking forward to this wonderful event and I did not make this decision lightly.
For those attending from outside of St. Joan please pass this on to your attendees as I do not have every attendee’s email address
At this time, I do not know when another Combined Exemplification will be scheduled in our district.
Please pray for those who have contracted this virus and that they may enjoy a speedy recovery!
https://www.kofc9206.org/resources/Documents/COVID-19-Interim-Guidance-for-Social-Distancing.pdf
Vivat Jesus!
GK Mike Harkleroad
St. Joan of Arc Council 9206
San Ramon, CA
A Guide to Confession
PREPARING FOR RECONCILIATION
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we encounter Jesus Christ, who after rising from the dead breathed the Holy Spirit on his Apostles — the first priests — and gave them the power to forgive sins in his name (Jn 20:23). The Heart of Christ burns with love for us and he wants us to experience his immense and unfathomable mercy by confessing our sins and receiving his forgiveness. This Sacrament gives us the consolation of God’s pardon and strengthens our relationship with Christ and his Church.
PRAYER TO OUR LADY BEFORE CONFESSION
Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, your Son died on a cross for me. Help me to confess my sins humbly and with trust in the mercy of God, that I may receive his pardon and peace.
RECOGNIZING SIN AND GROWING IN HOLINESS
As followers of Jesus, we need to examine our lives and recognize our sinful thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions so that we can bring them to God for forgiveness. Such an examination of conscience should be done regularly, always with trust in God’s mercy and love and in the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We all sin, but we do not all acknowledge our sins. It takes honesty and courage to reflect upon our refusals of God’s grace and our rejections of his law of love. Contemporary society is often blind to the reality of sin and sometimes even presents sinful behaviors or lifestyles as positive goods to be sought and desired. In his encyclical Reconciliation and Penance (1984), Pope John Paul II suggests that the defining sin of modern times is the “loss of the sense of sin” and reminds us of St. John’s warning: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn 1:8). Sin is the deliberate violation of God’s law. Although sin promises illusory goods or happiness, it results in harm to the sinner, who is always the primary victim of sin. The Church teaches that there are two kinds of sin: mortal and venial. Mortal sin is a deliberate and free choice of something known to be seriously wrong that destroys our friendship with God and separates us from him (cf.1 Jn 5:16-17).All of All of the following three conditions must be met for a sin to be mortal:(1) it must be something serious; (2) it must be done with sufficient knowledge of its gravity; and (3) it must be done with sufficient freedom of the will. Venial sin is a minor offense against God’s law that hurts our relationship with God but does not destroy it. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the ordinary way to have our sins forgiven. It is an encounter with the mercy of the living God, who meets us where we are in our weakness and our sins, and it powerfully deepens our psychological and spiritual growth. The source of many graces, it should be celebrated regularly and whenever the need is felt. Monthly confession is a healthy and effective means of growing closer to God and leading a balanced, Christ-centered lifestyle.
CONTRITION
We need contrition, or sorrow for our sins, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and contrition must include a firm purpose to amend our life and avoid the near occasions of sin — that is, the situations, persons, places, and things that lead us to sin. Sorrow for sin is very different from sadness or self-hatred. As we draw closer to God, our sense of sin and sorrow for sin become deeper, just as do our joy, peace of heart, and purity of conscience.
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION
· Pray to the Holy Spirit for self-knowledge and trust in the mercy of God. Examine your conscience, be truly sorry for your sins, and resolve to change your life.
· Go to the priest and begin with the Sign of the Cross. Welcoming you, the priest will say: “May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy,” or similar words taken from Scripture. You answer: “Amen.” Then say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ weeks/ months/years since my last confession.”
· Confess your sins openly and candidly. Tell the priest of all mortal sins and the number of times each was committed, and then you may confess some of your venial sins. (Although it is not strictly necessary to confess venial sins, the Church recommends that you do.) If you do not know whether a sin is mortal or venial, ask the priest. If you have no mortal sins, confess venial sins you have committed since your last confession; you may also mention some mortal sin from your past life for which you are particularly sorry, indicating that it has already been confessed.
· Then listen to the priest for whatever counsel he may judge appropriate. If you have any question about the faith, how to grow in holiness, or whether something is a sin, feel free to ask him. Then the priest will assign you a penance.
· Pray the Act of Contrition when the priest tells you.
· Listen as the priest absolves you of your sins and enjoy the fact that God has truly freed you from all your sins. If you forget to confess a mortal sin, you are still forgiven, but must mention it the next time you go to confession.
· Do the penance the priest assigns you
If you are anxious or unsure of what to do, take this guide with you or tell the priest and he will make it easier for you.
AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
· Do I seek to love God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength (Dt 6:5)? Do I put anything or anyone above God? Do I pray daily?
· Have I had any involvement with the occult, witchcraft, Wicca, Ouija boards, séances, tarot cards, new age crystals, fortune telling, or the like? Have I put faith in horoscopes?
· Have I received Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin?
· Have I abused the Sacrament of Penance by lying to the priest or deliberately not confessing a mortal sin?
· Have I denied a truth of the faith out of concern for the respect or opinion of others?
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
· Have I used God’s holy name irreverently?
· Have I blasphemed God, the Church, Mary, the saints, or sacred places or things?
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
· Do I try to keep Sunday as a day of prayer, rest, and relaxation, avoiding unnecessary work?
· Have I deliberately come late or left early from are still forgiven, but must mention it the next time you go to confession.
· Do the penance the priest assigns you. If you are anxious or unsure of what to do, take this guide with you or tell the priest and he will make it easier for you. Mass without a good reason?
4. Honor your father and your mother.
· Do I honor and respect my parents?
· Have I deliberately hurt my parents?
· Do I treat my children with love and respect?
· Do I support and care for the well-being of all family members?
· Have I neglected family duties?
· Do I honor and obey my lawful superiors?
5. You shall not kill.
· Have I deliberately harmed anyone?
· Have I had an abortion or encouraged an abortion?
· Have I attempted suicide or seriously considered it?
· Have I abused drugs or alcohol?
· Have I led anyone to sin through bad example or through direct encouragement?
6. You shall not commit adultery.
For the married
· Am I faithful to my spouse in thought and action?
· Have I used artificial contraception, or been sterilized?
· Was I married outside the Church without proper permission of the Church?
For the unmarried
· Have I engaged in sexual activity with anyone of either sex?
For all
· Have I deliberately viewed pornographic magazines, videos or internet websites?
· Have I masturbated?
· Have I used impure language or told impure jokes?
· Do I dress modestly?
7. You shall not steal.
· Have I stolen or accepted stolen goods?
· Have I deliberately destroyed the property of others?
· Have I cheated anyone of what I owe?
· Do I gamble excessively?
· Do I share what I have with the poor and the Church according to my means?
· Have I pirated materials: videos, music, and software?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
· Have I lied? Have I sworn falsely?
· Have I plagiarized or been academically dishonest?
· Have I gossiped? Have I revealed secrets or confidential information without good reason?
· Have I ruined the good name of others by spreading lies or maliciously revealing their faults and sins?
9. You shall not desire your neighbor’s wife.
· Have I deliberately and consciously permitted sexual thoughts about anyone besides my spouse?
· Do I guard my imagination and senses?
· Have I watched shows, plays, pictures or movies that contain impure scenes with the deliberate intention of being aroused by them? Am I responsible about what I read?
10. You shall not desire your neighbor’s goods.
· Am I envious of the possessions, abilities, talents, beauty, or success of others?
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
· Do I love my neighbor? Is there anyone whom I do not love or refuse to love? Have I wished harm or misfortune on anyone?
· Do I forgive from my heart those who have hurt me? Do I harbor hatred or grudges? Do I pray for my enemies?
· Have I ridiculed or humiliated others?
· Do I seek to help others in need?
· Do I love myself as God loves me? Do I care for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?
· Do I forgive myself for my sins after bringing them to God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Precepts of the Church
· Have I deliberately missed Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of obligation without a serious reason?
· Do I go to confession at least once a year when I have serious sins to confess?
· Do I receive Holy Communion, at least once during Eastertime?
· Do I take part in the major feasts celebrating Our Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints?
· Do I abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent (for ages 14 and over) and fast on one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (for ages 18-59)? Do I fast for one hour before Holy Communion (water and medicine allowed)?
· Do I contribute to support the material needs of the Church?
Knights of Columbus Council 9206
February 2020 Newsletter
Matters of Faith:
Next Officer Meeting:
The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family. This year the first 25 days of February fall during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remaining days of February are the beginning of Lent. The liturgical color changes to purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart.
Thursday, February 27th, 2020
Starting: 7:00 PM
St. Joan Parish Office Conference Room
The Holy Father's Intentions:
Next Council Meeting:
Listen to the Migrants’ Cries: We pray that the cries of our migrant brothers and sisters, victims of criminal trafficking, may be heard and considered.
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020
Starting: 6:30 PM
St. Joan Multipurpose Room
Council News:
The West Coast Walk for Life Was Great, Grand, and Everything in Between!
It was an amazing show of Pro-Life passion and energy in San Francisco that day! People from all walks of life came together in support of a single goal. There were people from many churches from Protestant, to Orthodox, to Catholic. There were young people all over high-fiving participants. There were priests and religious everywhere in their habits. It was truly an occasion to behold. If you have never been to a Walk for Life, you need to go next year!
Crab Feed! Crab Feed! Crab Feed!
The Knights at 9206 have definitely been busy this month! The Crab Feed, our biggest event of the year, was upon us and the Knights absolutely rose up to the challenge and delivered! So many Knights contributed to the event to make it a success! We are truly blessed to have Brother Larry Carilli as a member of our council to help us organize this event! We even made a mind boggling $6000 on our cake auction! For those who don’t believe it, we Live Streamed the event which you can watch on our Facebook Page: @KofC9206
Knight of the Month for February 2020 goes to… John Vitz!
This is awarded to Brother John Vitz for his frequent and invaluable participation in our Knights of Columbus events. He is heavily involved in 40 Days for Life and the Walk for Life. He valiantly leads his brothers in the Holy Rosary and great company all around. Thank you Brother John!
Coats For Kids a Tremendous Success!
Brother Aaron Bryant organized a Coats for Kids drive this past winter and we had no shortage of coats and jackets donated. The tiny containers we put out could barely contain the generosity of our Parish. Well done!
Rosary Crusade for Lent
Brother David Tomcik will be leading this year’s Rosary Crusade. This year, however, there will be a twist! We will gather on Sundays of Lent in the back of the St Joan of Arc Church after the 9 am Mass to pray the rosary publically as a group. This recitation of the Rosary will be a great opportunity to bond as brothers and as an outward expression of our faith. Please keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius by Brother Mike Glazzy in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Events (Click the links for more Info)
February 22
Oakland Chapter Meeting
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3713195)
February 28-29
24 Hours for the Lord
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3749119)
March 1
Knights Pray the Rosary, Week 1
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3713212)
March 14
2nd/3rd Degree Exemplification
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3713202)
January 2020 Newsletter
The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, which was celebrated on January 3. The first twelve days of January fall during the liturgical season known as Christmas which is represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity and innocence (absolute or restored). The remaining days of January are the beginning of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.
Thursday, Jan 30th, 2020
Prayer intention for evangelization - Promotion of World Peace: We pray that Christians, followers of other religions, and all people of goodwill may promote peace and justice in the world.
Tuesday, Feb 4th, 2020
West Coast Walk for Life on Jan 25
Brother Vic David encourages Knights and their families to participate at the Walk for Life on Saturday, January 25th. We will meet at St. Joan of Arc Statue at 9:30 AM and then drive to or carpool to West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. We will recite the Rosary, led by Bro John Vitz, on the train into San Francisco.
Congratulations Brothers Richard Nidever and Dennis Irving!
On January 18th, 2020, Brothers Richard Nidever and Dennis Irving completed their exemplification and became 3rd Degree Knights. We are very proud to have such fine Catholic gentlemen as part of our council. We are thankful for all that you have done for us and we look forward to all that you will do!
Knight of the Month for January 2020 goes to… Chris Cole!
This is awarded to Brother Chris Cole for his lead role in obtaining business sponsors and gift donors for this year’s Crab Feed as well as his key role as “auctioneer”, assisted by his wife Amy, at our Christmas Party. Thank you for your hard work!
Family of the Month for January 2020 goes to… The Carilli Family!
The award for Family of the Month was presented to Larry and Debbie Carilli for their outstanding leadership and sustained support of the Council’s annual Crab Feed! Thank you for your hard work!
Crab Feed Announcements
Brother Larry Carilli advised we sold out all 400 seats for this event and have 80 people on the waiting list. Doors will open at 5:30 PM, Saturday 8th. We need more Knights to sign up to help. Mike Valentine needs help tending the bar and selling raffle tickets. We also need more raffle prizes, which Brothers Chris Cole and Tom Calderon are organizing. We are striving for 40 table sponsors and would like to secure additional Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsors. Every person who brings in a sponsor or purchases a sponsorship will be invited to Larry’s famous Elite Dinner. Brother Ron Susa needs someone to run the “Spin-the-Wheel” station. The gym will be set up for the Crab Feed on February 7th.
Decorating will take place 5-6:30 PM followed by table set-up Bro. Mike Glazzy will put out a “Sign-up genius” for volunteers.
Free Throw Competition
We are very grateful for all the Knights that showed up to help the Free Throw Competition this year, despite the important football game featuring the 49ers. This kids had a lot of fun and everything ran smoothly because of your help!
Brother David Tomcik will be leading this year’s Rosary Crusade. This year, however, there will be a twist! We will gather on Fridays of Lent in the St Joan of Arc Eucharistic Chapel at 6:30 pm to pray the rosary as a group. This recitation of the Rosary will be a great opportunity to bond as brothers and as an outward expression of our faith. Please keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius by Brother Mike Glazzy in the coming weeks.
January 25
Knights @ The Annual San Francisco Walk for Life
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3670805)
February 8
Annual Crab and Pasta Feed
(https://www.knightscrabfeed.org)
February 28
December 2019 Newsletter
The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season known as of Advent and are represented by the liturgical color purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart. The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical color changes to white or gold — a symbol of joy, purity and innocence.
Thursday, Jan 2nd 2020
The Future of the Very Young: That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.
Tuesday, Jan 7th, 2020
Knights of Columbus Christmas Party a Hit!
On December 14, 2019, the Knights of Columbus hosted our annual Christmas Party. This Christmas party contained great food, friends, and fun, from seeing Father Ray play the accordion to a visit by St. Nicholas. Many thanks to all those involved who put in their time to make sure the event ran smoothly. Congratulations to DGK Roberto Piccioni for organizing such a successful event!
Welcome New Knights!
The 9206 council proudly welcomed our new brothers Dennis Flicker, Dennis Irving, Bill Hurley, and Ronald Grady. Congratulations brothers on receiving the First Degree. We wish you continued success, and thank you for answering the call to become a Knight.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It probably goes without saying, but on December 25th, 2019, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!
December 24
Knights Choir @ Christmas Eve Mass
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3670771)
January 4
Knights Choir @ Feast of the Epiphany
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3670772)
January 11
2020 Basketball Free Throw Contest
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3670776)
St. Joan of Arc - San Ramon--Council #9206
2020 Basketball
Free Throw Contest
WHEN: Saturday - January 11, 2020
WHERE: St. Joan of Arc Gymnasium
REGISTRATION: 4:00 – 4:15 PM
FREE THROW COMPETITION: 4:15 – 5:30 PM
AWARDS PRESENTATION: 5:30 PM
SIGN-UPS: Register on the day of the event/Copy of Birth Certificate will be required for winners to move to next round
The competition will be the best out of 15 Free-Throws, and there will be six age groups for both boys and girls (9-10-11-12-13-14).
Winners for each group will have the chance to represent St. Joan’s at the Knights of Columbus District, Regional (Chapter) and State competitions.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, please contact
Steven Rettig sprettig.esq@gmail.com
We would like to thank all of you for keeping Father Ray Zielezienski in your prayers and thoughts.
Several people have requested information regarding Father Ray's status after his surgery to remove his kidney. His niece, Diane Van Aken, has set up an information site on CaringBridge.org to allow his friends and family to follow his journey during his recovery. Unfortunately Father Ray was admitted to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ on Thanksgiving day due to complications causing him pain in his leg. Diane has requested that we keep him in our prayers and has encouraged us to join CaringBridge.org so we can obtain updates on his condition and to send him messages of encouragement.
Thank you again for your prayers and positive thoughts for Father Ray Zielezienski.
November 2019 Newsletter
The month of November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory, whose feast was celebrated on November 2. The entire month of November falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time.
Thursday, Nov 21st
St. Joan Parish Office Conference Rom
Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East: That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.
No December Meeting
Knights of Columbus 9206 Facebook Page Hits 400 Followers
As of November 14th, 2019, our Facebook page has hit 400 followers. This represents a near quadrupling of our follower-base on social media. Those following the page are individuals from all over the world and as far as Liberia in west Africa. All these people are cheering us on in our efforts to be Catholic Gentlemen and we should not let them down! Stay photogenic!
The Knight of the Month for October 2019 is Mark Morelli
Mark Morelli has been our Membership Director for quite a while. His service to us has brought in many new recruits and his talents as a salesman has brought us much-needed revenue during fundraisers. Thank you, Mark!
The Family of the Month for October 2019 is Steve and Peg Wilcox
I could list everything these two have ever done for our council but that would make this newsletter longer than the Lord of the Rings. These two have always been there when we need help with fundraising and volunteer work. They are very active in the parish and our council and we will always be grateful for the work they do for us. It is a blessing to have you!
Knights of Columbus 9206 is the Recipient of the Columbian Award
Brothers, this award is for all of you. You all worked so hard to make this award a reality. Shout out to our current Grand Knight Mike Harkleroad and our Past Grand Knight Ruben Pola for their exceptional leadership in the past Columbian year. We couldn’t have done it without you guys!
A Successful Recruitment Weekend
In our recruitment drive at the end of October, we managed to recruit five new knights to our council. We generated a lot of interest as many men who attended mass put their names on the list to become Knights. Shout out to Father Ray Sacca for his ringing endorsement of the Knights and everything we do and stand for. Another shout out goes to Mark Morelli, out Membership Director, for planning this recruitment weekend and manning the tables after every mass that weekend. Thank you to all Knights that showed up to help out as well!
Upcoming Christmas Party Announcement
Our annual Christmas party is coming up fast! There will be a potluck, drinks, games, a gift exchange, and live music! Feel free to bring guests and keep an eye out for the Sign-Up Genius. Contact our DGK, Roberto Piccioni at roberto_piccioni@yahoo.com for more questions!
December 14
Christmas Party
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3469813)
December 16
Simbang Gabi Dinner
(https://www.kofc9206.org/event-3606211)
Our next recruitment weekend is almost here. We’re calling on your help to recruit new Catholic gentlemen as members to our fraternal organization. We will have tables set up after each mass on the weekend of October 26th & 27th outside both vestibules of the church. We will need four volunteers after each mass--two outside each vestibule. Please sign up below to help. Make sure to wear your 9206 polo shirt and badge. Thank you for your support!
For those not working the tables I ask that you wear you K of C Shirts while attending mass to show support for our recruiting efforts.
God bless,
October 2019 Newsletter
Overview:
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. October falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time.
Thursday, Oct 24th
The Holy Father's Intentions
A Missionary “Spring” in the Church: That the breath of the Holy Spirit engenders a new missionary “spring” in the church.
Tuesday, Nov 5th
October 2019 News:
GK Harkleroad presented a $1,000 check to Mike Ditaranto of the Boys & Girls Club of Contra Costa County. Mr. Ditaranto thanked council members and praised the philanthropic activities of the Knights of Columbus.
GK Harkleroad also presented a check for $5,500 to Fr. Ray plus a brand-new gas BBQ for use at parish events. Fr. Ray thanked council members for our consistent and frequent support of the parish through our various activities and fundraisers.
This month's Knight of the Month award goes to Vic David. Vic has been a very active member of our council over the years. He is most known for his support of the pro-life cause by organizing our council's presence at the March for Life and 40 Days for Life. He is a member of the Golf Tournament committee which raises tens of thousands of dollars every year for charity.
This month's Family of the Month Award belongs to Julio Ayalo and his wife Emily Ayalo. They have both been very active members of the council and the parish. Their contributions are too numerous to count. Thank you so much and congratulations!
October 26-27
Membership Recruitment Drive (http://kofc9206.org/event-3591801)
October 26
NorCal Special Olympics Flag Football
(http://kofc9206.org/event-3591804)
