Sanford, Maine - Knights of Columbus Council #13861 in Sanford was awarded the distinction of Star Council, the international organization's top honor for local councils.

As you read this, the diocese has a new priest. Fr. Alex Boucher has completed his yes to the call to the priesthood and has been anointed to serve his fellow Christians. We celebrate and give thanks that our parish will have the privilege of welcoming and continuing the formation of young Fr. Boucher.

Over the past few months much of the news we have been paying attention to has something to do with justice. This has mostly been precipitated as we witness acts of violence against our brothers and sisters. We cannot help but cry out for justice as we witness those in power taking advantage of those who have none. We cannot help but cry out for justice when the “haves” get more and the “have nots” become even more poor. We cannot help but cry out for justice when our brothers and sisters are victims of hate, discrimination, or violence because of some aspect of their humanity that they had no choice in making.

The St. Thomas Council named the family of Michael and Laura Alexandre as Family of the Month for July.

Grand Knight Terry Sylvanus was selected as 3rd Degree Knight of the Year for his contributions to the St. Thomas Council, as he led the council to a Star Council award. Terry, a Knight since 2018, had previously served as District Warden and Deputy Grand Knight. Terry is in his second term as Grand Knight. This past year, Terry Sylvanus has led the St. Thomas Council to a Star Council award.

Our August Knight of the Month joined us in March 2020. He immediately took his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree Exemplification at our First in the State Exemplification.

While I often set out to offer a bit of wisdom in these ponderings, there are times when I am simply moved to write about something I have seen or heard. Other times I try to offer some teaching that, in the end, offers us hope or reminds us of the abundance of God’s love available to each of us. But this week I thought I would share my opinion with you. Keep in mind that this is just an opinion…there is no science to back up my words. What I present here is just one man’s humble opinion. Put another way, ignoring the coin shortage, let me offer my two cents worth.

This week, at the end of a confession, a man asked me a question. Although I could not see the man, I could tell that his question was cloaked in the weighty garments of despair. His question was one that has been on my mind and I suspect on the minds of most of us these days. He simply asked; with all that is going on in this world what is the point of even trying? While the question was simple the sentiments were anything but. Without faith I would not have been able to offer any answer.

It would be way out of line for me to even guess how God thinks. My limited intellectual skills do not come even close to the smallest thought that God has. Be that as it may, I have lately found myself wondering what God thinks about all that is going on in our world these days. Most especially what does God think about our reaction to COVID-19? What does God think about all the violence and discrimination that seems to be so rampant in our world? What does God think about the division and the seemingly constant bickering that is going on between even people in the same families? What does God think about all the fear, all the sadness, all the anxiety and depression that is such a large part of our lives these days?

This past weekend I traveled to Reading, Pennsylvania to preside at the wedding of a former UMaine student. Not only was he a former student, but Jon also played on the hockey team. Most impressive was that when he first arrived at UMaine and when his brother arrived two years later one of the first places they became familiar with was the Newman Center for Sunday night Mass. For their entire time at UMaine, Jon and Steven were regulars at the Newman Center. So much so that I not only got to know these fine young men but am pleased to call their whole extended family my friends.

Is it just me or are people angrier these days? It seems that no matter where one turns, in movies, on the news, in the stores, even at church people seem to be afflicted with a lack of patience and short fuses. It is almost as if there is an epidemic of anger that is growing with the pandemic of COVID-19.

The St. Thomas Council paid tribute to Father Jack Dickinson for his service at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish and St. Matthew Parish. Grand Knight Terry Sylvanus presented Father Jack with a check in the amount of $500. It may be noteworthy to mention that when a priest relocates, he must cover his moving expenses.

The July 9th Council meeting was the first in-person meeting held since the March 12th meeting. Consequently there was a lot of catching up to do as far as handing out Family of the Month and Knight of the month awards, where none of these awards were handed out since March 12th.

The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council #13861 conducted an installation ceremony at its July 9th Council meeting.

The St. Thomas Council named the family of Ray and Claire Sargent as Family of the Month for June.

The St. Thomas Council, Knights of Columbus, proudly presents Frank and Jean Pease as our Family of the Month for May.

The St. Thomas Knights of Columbus honors the family of Jim and Anne-Marie Sanger as our choice for Family of the Year 2020.

The St. Thomas council, 13861, named the family of Kevin and Cathy Neely as Family of the Month for April 2020.

Our Knight of the Month Fred Daniels joined the K of C in 1993 in Massachusetts. When transferring into our council he assured me he is a Knight of Action and would be as involved as he could.

David Murphy, a Brother Knight for eleven years, gives of his time in many ways in spite of the demands of his career.