Message from the State Council

Virginia State - Knights of Columbus

First "Consider Your Call Event" Held at Fr. Widmer Council #7877

On Saturday evening, January 24th, the Virginia State Council's program "Consider Your Call" promoting vocations in both the Arlington & Richmond Diocese came to fruition. The first event was sponsored by Fr. Widmer Council #7877 in Stafford. At a quarterly state meeting, Kelly Mortensen, State Deputy introduced the program and then an explanation was given by Fr. Bashista, vicar of vocations of the Arlington Diocese. This program is designed to bring young men to a dinner meeting where they can start to discern their vocation in life.

At Fr. Widmer Council, Fr. Bashista explained that there are many vocations to ponder and the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life and marriage were only some options. Fr. Bashista explained the program for vocations, the scholarship program & also introduced two seminarians who also relayed to the attendees their own personal 'call' to the priesthood program. The Grand Knight then spoke of his vocation to marriage and what it meant to him, his wife and their soon to be 6 children. At the end of the presentations & discussions, a brief question and answer period was held. Afterwards the DVD "Fishers of Men" was shown to all.

The evening was both structured but relaxed and all of the young men who had signed up to attend the event stayed afterwards to speak to all of the principles. There was a sort of 'pious electricity' in the room. This program can only bring great things to fine young men, however they discern.

Deacon Bill Pivarnik answers questions regarding the Deaconate program.

Left to Right: Fr. Brian Bashista, GK Shon Ramsel, Seminarian Ed Bresnahan, Seminarian Jason Burchell. End the evening with Q & A's.

Virginia State Council Vocations Program Featured on National Radio Show

During a 1/13/09 interview on XM Radio's The Catholic Channel, Father Brian Bashista, Vicar of Vocations for the Arlington Diocese, praised the Virginia Knights of Columbus and our Consider Your Call vocations program. The interviewer, also a Catholic priest, stated that the Knights are dedicated to vocations, and Father Bashista agreed saying that we are on the "front lines" working hard for the Church.

Through the Consider Your Call vocations program, Brother Knights identify and invite men who they believe might be called to serve God and their word as a priest to information sessions about the priestly vocation.

At the January state meeting, State Deputy Kelly Mortensen strongly encouraged councils to make this program successful by inviting Catholic men to the upcoming sessions. For more information about the Consider Your Call program and meeting schedule, contact Virginia State Council Vocations Director Rich Aleksy, PSD, at rswa@att.net.