2024 archive

The annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Pop Donations for Citizens With Disabilities raised more than $8,000 again this year.

SJPII Council 16492 donated the money to three local organizations and the K of C wheelchair program. Each year Council 16492 members don the familiar yellow vests and solicit money to give to area organizations serving the citizens who need our help.

This year, we gave $2,000 to each of: L’Arche; Camp I Am Special; and Bit of Faith Ranch – three organizations who focus their attention on assisting with a variety of services throughout the area including folks from our parish.

Each year we strive to raise money by asking parish members from SJPII and Our Lady Star of The Sea to drop their money into our containers.

More than 25 Knights and family members participated in the Special Olympics Swim Meet for the St. Johns County SO swim team July 20 in St. Augustine. Members, wives and children of Knights kept time, welcomed the athletes and cheered them on to the finish. Look for more in the Oct. 1 issue of the Council 16492 Newsletter.

Father Rafael prayed over the proposed site of the new church recently and promised the Knights would have a dedicated room on the new campus.

Brother Rich Delgado, right, is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work while Deputy Grand Knight last fraternal year. Brother Rich filled in admirably while GK Pete Falcone was incapacitated. Thanks Rich.

Father Rafael accepted the $45,000 check from the Knights’ Golf Outing proceeds to go toward the building fund.

Left to right, GK Pete Falcone, Father Rafael and Outing Director Mike Spigelmire. Council 16492 has contributed $105,000 in three years for the new church. The check was presented at the July 9 Council meeting.

June 3rd, 2023, began as a normal Saturday.
In the afternoon, a mother and daughter were together enjoying ice cream at a local ice cream
shop in Ponte Vedra. As the two were getting ready to leave, the angry former boyfriend of the
daughter appeared and without warning, began stabbing the daughter.
The mother attempted to save her daughter but she too was attacked. A young man came to
their defense and he was also stabbed. Responding to the call, St. Johns County Sheriff Deputy
Donald Russell quickly assessed the situation and began lifesaving efforts to the daughter and
her mother.
The suspect had attempted suicide. His injuries were not life threatening. Because of Deputy
Sheriff Russell’s quick thinking, and remembering his military experience in combat, he was able
to prevent the loss of life to both the mother and her daughter.
The citizen who came to the rescue also received injuries and along with the two other victims
were taken to nearby medical facilities where they were treated. The daughter sustained life
threatening injuries which resulted in her being paralyzed from the chest down. She is now
recovering from that ordeal. The suspect is serving a life sentence for attempted murder.
On June 24th

, 2024, Deputy Russell was awarded the first Patriotic Award from the Knights of
Columbus Mother of Mercy Assembly, #3771, Ponte Vedra. Faithful Captain Steve Miller
presented Deputy Russell with the award along with a St. Michael the Arc Angel Rosary and a
check for $250.

St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick is a member of the Assembly.

Deputy Russell is presented the award by Faithful Captain Steve Miller; Pictured left to right are
Sheriffs Captain Jeremy Russell, Commander of the Northeast Field Office; Faithful Captain
Steve Miller; Deputy Donald Russell and Sergeant John Floyd, who nominated Deputy Russell
for the award.

In keeping with our mission of Charity, the SJPII Council 16492 annually gives money to Port In The Storm Homeless Youth Center. This year, we were able to give $2,000 to help the organization assist teenagers who need shelter and training. Grand Knight Pete Falcone is pictured with staff members, left to right, Emma Hanson, Carmen Otero, Lindy Deyto and Brett Harwood.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County received a $1,000 donation from Council 16492 for their work in building homes for the needy. They have invited our Council to tour their new project at Volusia Woods which will be made up of 36 homes when it is completed. From left to right are, Tom Torretta, Development Director; Pete Falcone, Grand Knight; and Malinda Everson, Executive Director.

The SJPII Knights of Columbus support Food For Families with their monthly Food Drive collected at masses the first weekend of the month. In addition, Council 16492 also contributes $2,000 to the Food Pantry in St. Augustine. In the past 12 months, more than $13,000 worth of food has been donated through parishioners’ kindness. Thank you to all those who helped. Left to right are Pete Falcone, Council 16492 Grand Knight; Will Bennett, Catholic Charities Administrative Manager and Tara Provini, CC Regional Director.

Grand Knight Pete Falcone presents Monsignor Mike Morgan with the annual $4,000 check for church maintenance and upkeep. Each year, as our way of saying thanks for letting us use the church facilities, Council 16492 donates that amount. Thank you to Father Mike, Kim and the entire staff and volunteer group for assisting us in our mission of charity.

Pickleball check-in. Another great Pickleball Veritas tournament run by John Essegian and his team the weekend of April 26-April 28 at the Yards. In the fall, we hope Treaty Park renovations will be completed and we will return to our usual venue. Among the many who helped are, left to right: Brothers Dennis Alderson, Joe De Blase, Steve Miller, John Berry, Ed Sullivan and Paul Posluszny. Thanks to all who filled the volunteer slots.