Category: Our Lady of Divine Mercy Assembly 3771 4th Degree Knights

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.

Members of Assembly 3771 visited with Five Star Veterans Center leadership on Feb. 8th after lunch which was provided for the staff and clients by the Knights.

From left are, Sir Knight Mike O’Brien who is the Director of Development at Five Star; Father Ron Carmarda, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, priest for the dioceses of St. Augustine and retired Naval Chaplain; Sir Knight Pete Falcone; Sir Knight Tom Ballweg; Colonel (ret.) Len Loving, CEO of Five Star; and Sir Knights John Berry and Joe Cruz.

Sir Knight Tom Ballweg visited with members of the Five Star Veterans Center on Feb. 8. Assembly 3771 purchased lunch from Mission BBQ for the staff and clients to honor their service and support the center’s rehabilitation programs.

Congratulations and welcome to our newest seven Sir Knights: Andy Van Ohlen, Thomas Reif, James Plum, Peter Falcone, Robert Capone and Robert Biggs, Joseph Shannon.  Attached are pictures.  
They were exemplified on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at St John Paul II Catholic Church via a live streamed ceremony led by Florida District Master John J O’Toole from a studio in Pompano Beach, FL.  A portion of the exemplification was performed by Assembly 3771 members.
Please extend your congratulations to these Catholic American Citizens and gentlemen.

Men’s Retreat at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche! December 11, 2021 starting at 9:00 AM.
The Knights of Columbus are Sponsoring a Men’s Retreat at The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios in St Augustine! Please join us for a day of personal and spiritual exploration and take the time for renewal and reflection. We will have full access to the Pilgrim Center and the Rustic Altar with Father Richard Pagano leading us. We will also include a Walking Tour and Stations of the Cross. 

Only Cost Is For Lunch

Agenda:9:00 AM – 9:30 AM       Coffee, donuts, and bagels
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM     Discussion
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM   Reflection
11:30 AM – 12:00 AM   Mass
12:00 AM – 1:00 PM    Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM      Group Discussion
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM     Closing
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM      Tour and Stations of the Cross

Please Click Here To Sign Up

On Saturday, July 24,2021 the Operation Salute- Back to School Bash was held to honor and give back to active military families by providing backpacks and school supplies to school age children at five First Coast Y.M.C.A branches.  This is a Y.M.C.A of Florida’s First Coast initiative with various community partners.  This year, Knights of Columbus Assembly Mother of Divine Mercy, Assembly 3771 partnered with a $1,000 donation (Specialist – First Class level).

690 backpacks were distributed. 590 were distributed over the five locations and 100 were distributed to the USO to give to selected active duty members’ children. 40 backpacks were distributed at the St. Augustine Y.M.C.A.   Our donation represented 10% of the 690 backpacks distributed.  Due to the uptick in COVID- 19 cases, the event was changed from an indoor event to a drive thru event like last year.

40 Staff members worked the event.  56 volunteers helped sort, stuff and distribute the backpacks.  Vystar Bank had a vendor table.   Our Assembly had representation at the St. Augustine Y.M.C.A. helping distribute the backpacks and T- shirts. 

As a sponsor Assembly 3771 received recognition on banners, posters, T- shirts, printed and internet promotional material. This was a worthwhile experience/ event the Assembly should consider continuing to sponsor as well as involving other Assemblies and Councils in the Jacksonville, Florida area.

Distribution of backpacks event is the final step in the 2021 Operation Salute – Back-to-School-Bash.  Assembly 3771 donated $1,000 to be a sponsor of the event.  This was the largest donation made by Assembly 3771 demonstrating our Patriotic commitment to those who serve our country.

A special thank you to Faithful Pilot Robert A. Foss who spear headed this Patriotic, Civic and Community event despite many changes precipitated by COVID-19 surges.

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St John Paul II, Knights of Columbus, Mother of Divine Mercy Assembly 3771 congratulates 12 new members who have advanced to the Fourth Degree – the Patriotic Degree.  It’s an Honor!

The Knights from St John Paul II Council 16492 exemplified are Thomas Wallace, James Thomas, Bo Samargya, Robert Mollica. Emerson Lotzia, John Kuhn, Joseph Glas, Jeffrey Freeman, Robert Farris, Ronald Everlove, Pepe Castells, Dominick Albano.

The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and generating a love of country as proud Catholic citizens.  The ceremony reminds the initiates and Sir Knights to promote, by example, the highest standard of citizenship that is so necessary for the preservation of our democratic government.  https://www.nocateeknights.com/patriotic-4th-degree/

Officiating at the Exemplification Ceremony were Florida District Master John J. O’Toole, District Marshal Dan McIntyre, Faithful Navigator Terrence Mahoney, Assembly 3008, and many others.  The Exemplification ceremony was held at San Juan del Rio Parish Family Center on June 19. 2021

www.nocateeknights.com

Worthy Master John J. O’Toole,

Worthy Executive Assistant to the Master John O’Malley,

ASM 3771 To be a Patriot Entry form is submitted for your consideration. (Click For More Information)

As everywhere COVID considerations have severely limited in-person activities. After much consideration, the Assembly 3771 members chose a project administered by the YMCA Florida’s First Coast.  Its purpose is to Serve and Strengthen Military Families; named “Operation Salute: Back-to-School-Bash 2021.”  The YMCA assures us that 100% of the $1,000 sponsorship donation from Assembly 3771 is used for this Project’s express purpose.

To get this to you as soon as I possibly can, I’m submitting the entry form and supporting materials via email.  If you need me to mail it, let me know.

If other information is desired, please let me know.

God Bless

Vivat Jesus!

Respectfully submitted,

Faithful Comptroller 

Tom Ballweg

Mother of Divine Mercy Assembly No. 3771