Jan. 25, 2017

Norfolk - Knights of Columbus Msgr. F. J. Connors Council 11544 of Norfolk partnered with the Adult Faith Enrichment joint committee of the Parish of the Visitation and St. Raymond’s and of St. Andrew’s Church in Norwood to promote the practice of the daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Four daily Masses each week incorporate the appropriate morning or evening prayer, taken from the book Shorter Christian Prayer.

With Christmas and New Year’s Day both falling on Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family was celebrated this year on Friday, Dec. 30. This presented a unique opportunity to tie the practice of the Divine Office with a celebration of this feast, according to Dr. Charles Robinson, Council 11544’s treasurer and former New York State Secretary, and other members of the faith committee.

The service also complied with the Knights’ Supreme Council’s initiative to promote devotion to the Holy Family.
Fellow Knights on the committee were Msgr. John R. Murphy, Norwood Council 2309’s chaplain; Father Andrew Amyot,  11544’s chaplain; Deacon Lawrence Connelly, 11544’s founding and Past Grand Knight;  and Phillip Regan, 2309’s Deputy Grand Knight.

Carol Gonthier, Visitation’s director of religious education and wife of 11544’s PGK Gil Gonthier, was also on the committee, as were others from the joint parishes.

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council via the NY State Council had given the Knights in the Ogdensburg Diocese an ornately framed Icon of the Holy Family that was a sketch of a 17th century painting by Giovanni Balestra Salvi of Sassoferrato.

Over a two-year period, this icon has been travelling around to parishes within the diocese. 

Dr. Robinson was able to secure the icon for local display during the Solemn Vespers service on the Holy Family feast day.

Msgr. Murphy led the  service, assisted by Father Amyot and Deacon John Levison.

Knight Lukas Gruber of Potsdam Council 340 was the organist and Ellie Prashaw, daughter of 2309’s DGK Phil Regan, served as cantor. Over 40 parishioners were in attendance.

Council 11544 sponsored a wine and cheese reception that followed in the Fr. Andrew Amyot Parish Hall. 
“I was truly pleased with the number of parishioners who took part when we shared Solemn Vespers on the Feast of the Holy Family,” Msgr. Murphy said. “This was a rich experience of prayer for all of us who took part, and I certainly benefited from it personally.  Our Adult Enrichment Committee has done something very positive for our people in encouraging that we pray the Liturgy of the Hours in common. 

“The support of the Knights was critical here, and our prayer was enriched by the presence of the lovely Holy Family icon,” he said. “Hopefully Solemn Vespers will become a part of our tradition in Norwood, Norfolk, and Raymondville in both the Christmas and Easter seasons."

The Norfolk Council Knights of Columbus helped promote the daily practice of the Divine Office and supported a solemn Evening Vespers Service on the Feast of the Holy Family Dec. 30. Those who participated  included servers, pictured from left, Shannon and Cortney McDonald, of Norwood, and Stephanie Bock and Stephen Wagstaff of Norfolk. In back are Father Andrew Amyot, Deacon John Levison, and Msgr. John R. Murphy. They are shown with the Icon of the Holy Family provided by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council.