Donation to SPRED Program
Pictured L to R: Bob Roberge, Dylan Labrecque, Irene Chamberlain and Bruce Labrecque - Grand Knight
Each year, Knights of Columbus hold a "TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE" and collect donations to help a local progam. This year, as in last year, the Holy Family Council 10019 of Lewiston, Maine, has chosen the SPRED program as the recipient of our share of the funds. Our total donation made to SPRED this year was $1300. On December 15th, Bruce Labrecque, our Council Grand Knight, hands over the check to Irene Chamberlain, treasurer of SPRED while Bob Roberge - Council Treasurer and Dylan Labrecque look on.
SPRED: Special Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
Dedicated to meeting the spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters with disabilities, and welcoming them into the life of the Church.Saint Joseph SPRED logo
SPRED is a symbol-using catechetical program for persons with physical, mental or emotional challenges. The SPRED program also serves as a resource for helping parishes create and nurture caring Church communities where people of all abilities can participate.
SPRED meets at 6:00 pm every other Wednesday evening at Sacred Heart Church Hall at 8 Sacred Heart Place in Auburn. New friends from areas nearby are always welcome.
Catholic Citizenship Essay Winners
2024-25
Left to Right: Bob Dumond Essay Chairman Holy Family Knights of Columbus, Lewiston, Nathan Thomas, Arianna Wasnea-Floyd - Winner, Sarah Michaud
In the fall of 2024, thirty eight eighth grade students at Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn, Maine, wrote an essay for the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. The theme this year was "What are the two most important virtues for an elected leader to posess , and why? How can you determine if the leader has these virtues?"
Essays were scored on 3 factors: content 35pts, grammar 30pts and style 35pts, making a possible score of 100pts. Five judges made up of a Dominican Sister, 2 retired professional women and 2 Sir Knights judged each essay. Approximately 15 to 20 hours were spent scoring all the essays.
We award the top three place winners with a certificate and monetary prizes of $75, $50 and $25 respectively.
On December 06, 2024, Knights attended the weekly mass at Saint Dom’s and after the mass we did the presentation to the students in front of the whole school body. The results were kept secret until then although the parents of the winning students knew and were invited to attend.
All the teachers and staff were there. Also in attendance were Father Divine Fossoh and photographer Bob Roberge. After the presentation, pictures were taken and placed on our website.
I will always remember the letter I received from one of the student’s grandmother who attended the presentation:
“I am so proud of my granddaughter. Her essay was inspiring and enlightening. I found it interesting to learn what goes on in their thoughts and am happy that these essayists had the platform to express themselves. Thank you for offering this opportunity. As a faith community, we really need to heed the advice of our future generation.”
Most sincerely,
Barbara Daigle
Mrs. Daigle has perfectly expressed the reason why
we, as Knights and judges do this every year.
CROSS THE STREET MINISTRY
Holy Family Council members participate in the “Cross The Street Ministry” every Tuesday morning. You may have seen the beautiful van parked by the street with a picture of the Pope on one side and Saint Mother Therese on the other side. We pass out sandwiches, gloves, stockings, hats, snack packs, coffee, and multiple other items as we get them. We park at the upper end of Kennedy Park and serve anyone that comes.
Above left picture shows the van (known to the locals as “The Pope Mobile”) in action. The gentleman to the left is Joe Levasseur handing out snacks and water. Inside van is Bob Dumond and Bob Roberge. Outside right is Dave Gervais handing out sandwiches. Recipients are always grateful and give their thanks and Blessings.