KofC Mother of Divine Mercy Assembly 3771 at St John Paul II Parish
The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to encourage active Catholic citizenship and foster the spirit of patriotism in members and the community at large. We are Religiously Devoted and Patriotically Proud. The Patriotic Rosary precedes the regular business meetings at 6:30 PM
All 110 Fourth Degree Sir Knights are members of Council 16492 and fill the majority of council leadership roles. Fourth Degree members have chosen to increase their focus on Patriotism through specific projects honoring veterans, first responders, and the US flag.
Interested in becoming a Patriotic Fourth degree Sir Knight? Contact Faithful Navigator Michael Worthey michaelwaynew@yahoo.com 319-270-5152.
4th Degree Exemplification & New Sir Knights
There was Patriotic Fourth Degree Exemplification on August 26 at Assumption Catholic Church in Jacksonville. There were more than 100 candidates from NE Florida that were exemplified.
Assembly 3771 had nine (9) new Sir Knights in attendance and then were voted into our assembly.
Please welcome to Assembly 3771 our newest Sir Knights
- John Berry
- Robert Pepper
- Gary Rotella
- Terence Higdon
- Alan Schultz
- Joseph Pitisci
- John Preli
- Alexander Christine
- James Paulkert
Color Corps
The Color Corps is an elective division of the Patriotic Degree whose distinctive presence in parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and Catholic functions is a visible reminder of our service to the Church and community.
The distinctive uniform and ceremonial sword symbolize Christian Knighthood and are worn to signify reverence to Church, Eucharist, country and freedom.
Color Corp members have been very busy this past quarter by participating in the following events:
- Independence Day Masses July 1 & 2
- Saint James Feast Day July 25
- Color Corp Training July 29
- 4th Degree Exemplification on Aug 26
- Patriots Day Mass Sept 22
- Grand Knights Tribute Dinner Sept 22
Color Corp is planning to support a weekend mass before the major Patriotic Holidays, Veterans Day Nov 11 in Remembrance and service. This is expected to include formal presentation of Colors (US and Church Flags) and Patriotic Music.
Color Corps Growth: Assembly 3771 has a goal of seven additional Sir Knights with uniform for FY23-24. Sir Knights are urged to purchase a Fourth-Degree uniform which costs $449. A $250 incentive rebate is available for 4th Degree Color Corp uniform and/or sword package by submitting their paid receipts to Faithful Comptroller Thomas Reif thr@reif-industries.com and requesting the rebate.
Patriotic Projects
We are Patriotically proud, active Catholic American Citizens. We encourage personal responsibility in Civic Affairs and honor Veterans and first responders for their service and sacrifice.
BBQ at Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans Nursing Home in St Augustine
Following our previous successful BBQ at Lassen Veterans Nursing Home we are in the early stages of planning to do this again. This event was well received and uplifting to all participant and we will apply the learnings from our previous engagement and incorporate them into making our next event even more uplifting and successful.
Most Lassen Veterans nursing home residents are likely to pass in in 1-2 years. Your visit is a corporal work of mercy. Our purpose in visiting is to lift their spirits.
We do that by socializing one-on-one about subjects they bring up, show you care about him. Let him know you will keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
The residents may remember the BBQ. What’s far more important is how the residents and staff feel about our first visit. This opens the door for periodic social visit to the residents.
Patriotic Music at Mass on Patriotic Holidays. (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and 9/11, Day of Remembrance) at weekend Masses before the holiday.
What might this look like? Patriotic music (recorded or sung) could be played for 5-min. before Mass. A Patriotic hymn would be sung when Celebrant enters. The Color Guard would present Colors (selected weekend Masses only). Sing God Bless America as the closing hymn. Additionally we purchased Red, White and Blue bunting for St John Paul II to use for decorations during patriotic themed masses
Daily mass on the actual holiday date could add Patriotic Rosary after Mass while omitting presentation of Colors.
Work in progress. ALL Knights invited to participate.
Honor Veterans: First Coast Air Honor Flight
Assembly 3771 sponsors a veteran and a guardian to accompany the veteran who makes the trip to the national veterans’ memorial sites in Washington, D.C.
It’s a full day event starting very early in the morning. The Veterans with their guardian (for the day) fly into BWI and bus to veterans’ monuments (WW2, Korean, Vietnam). Then they head to Arlington Cemetery to the Women’s armed forces memorial. Then sit front row at the Changing of the Guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then fly back to Jacksonville late that evening. We are awaiting final word regarding the Assembly’s nominee.
Background Info: Honor Flight May 2022 video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP7TDZqj5m0 This is a long video. You can fast forward through parts and get a good idea of the event. Flight FAQ https://firstcoasthonorflight.org/faq
Patriotic Rosary for the Conversion of our Country
This is a special intention Rosary for our Country, our Leaders and all its souls. We are praying it before each regular business meeting at 6:30 PM.
Football Mania Charity Sweepstakes Fundraiser
Assembly 3771 raised money to fund our Patriotic and Civic Projects and Activities, and contribute to the Light-to-the-Nation’s Capital Campaign netting about $7,500 from August 2023.
This year’s football season is only in the 2nd week of game plan and thus far we have had four (4) winning tickets. More to follow on this topic as the season proceeds.
| Mother of Divine Mercy Assembly 3771 2022-2023 Officers | |||
| Officer Positions | Name | Telephone #’s | |
| Faithful Navigator | Michael W Worthey | 319-270-5152 (R) | michaelwaynew@yahoo.com |
| 319-270-5152 (C) | |||
| Faithful Comptroller | Thomas H Reif | 352-213-3359 (C) | thr@reif-industries.com |
| Comptroller | |||
| Faithful Friar | Rev Richard J Pagano | 904-330-0153 (B) | pastorsoffice@nocateecatholic.com |
| Faithful Captain | Steve Miller | 904-810-0737 | DALEJR_FAN_EIGHT@YAHOO.COM |
| 904-547-0475 | |||
| Faithful Admiral | Thomas G Ballweg | 904-373-0411 (R) | panther765@aol.com |
| 706-830-8485 (C) | |||
| Faithful Purser | James P Rispoli | 904-203-1524 (R) | JIMRISPOLI11@GMAIL.COM |
| 860-966-2515 (C) | |||
| Faithful Pilot | Tim Lyons | timL1@pm.me | |
| Faithful Scribe | Gary Clark | clarkgw697@gmail.com | |
| Inner Sentinel | Dominick Palleschi | 954-801-7558 (R) | DOMPALLESCHI01@AOL.COM |
| 954-801-7558 (C) | |||
| Outer Sentinel | Dan Simas | 760 809-3384 | SAGRES96@YAHOO.COM |
| One Year Trustee | John J Scalamandre | 904-429-9808 (R) | HUMMINGBIRD1020@ICLOUD.COM |
| 570-350-1020 (C) | |||
| Two Year Trustee | James Plum | 904-834-7916 | MADISONPLUM@YAHOO.COM |
| 3 Year Trustee | Vincent Dlugos | 904 553-4325 (R) | SIRKNIGHT10852@GMAIL.COM |
| 904-553-4325 (C) | |||
| Color Corps Commander | Kenneth B Robinson | 513-886-1798 (C) | KBROBINSON!@me.com |
