2026 archive

National Eucharist Pilgrimage Volunteer Opportunities, May 22-25

Many volunteers are needed for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

The Diocese of St. Augustine is hosting the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) – One Nation Under God – at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, St. Augustine, FL.

Please see the PDF advertisement below for the entire Memorial Day weekend schedule of events.

There are two signup locations.

The first one is located at this NEP Website . It is asking that you commit to a date (May 22, 23, 24, or 25) and or a specific event (NEP 2026 Concert, NEP 2026 Hospitality, NEP 2026 Other). They are looking for about 70 volunteers a day.

NEP Registration Website

The second sign-up sheet (click here for the website) is for the First Florida Council 611, National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Procession. The procession will be from the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche to the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine. This will be on Sunday, May 24, 4-7 PM EDT. They are looking for six Eucharistic Canopy Bearers and 20 Eucharistic Procession Knights (not carrying the canopy – not sure if you need to be part of the Color Corps or not)

First Florida Council 611 Registration Website
DOSA-NEP-Shrine-Event-Flyer-for-Memorial-Day-Weekend

Council 16492 Donations

Each year, this council donates to a multitude of charities. Please take some time to learn about these organizations and the good they do for our community.

Charity-Donation-March-2026

Please click the button below to see all of the Thank You notes received.

Thank You Notes Received
Catholic Days at the Capitol – Precious Ones Donation – Feb. 9, 2026.
$3000 was presented to the Bishop for the Precious Ones campaign.
Pictured below are our Bishop, Eric Pohlmeier, with Grand Knight, John Berry, and Knight, John Preli.
The ladies pictured are:
Maureen Shilkunas (picture right of John Berry) who is the Director for the Office of Human Life and Dignity for the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Rhonda Rose (picture left of John Preli) who is the Assistant Superintendent of the Catholic Schools for the Diocese of St. Augustine
Camp I Am Special – website: https://www.ccbjax.org/camp-i-am-special
For over 40 years, Camp I Am Special has helped children and adults with intellectual and developmental differences within our Diocese. Hosted at Marywood Retreat Center, the camp provides a traditional summer experience, complete with swimming, fishing, and hayrides, tailored to each camper’s unique needs. Furthermore, they train local teen volunteers on the 1-on-1 “Buddy” initiative to care for special needs children, fostering a bond within the community. On behalf of our Council, on March 8, 2026, Brother Joe Pitisci presented our $2000 donation to the Camp.
Habitat for Humanity – website: https://habitatstjohns.org/

Habitat for Humanity builds, repairs and finances safe, affordable homes around the world, working alongside the individuals and families who buy them. Locally, Habitat aims to complete nearly 30 homes in the Volusia neighborhood to combat the local housing crisis. Our Council supports Habitat annually, and on March 9, 2026, Brother Bob Cowhey delivered our $1000 donation.
HUGS St. Johns – website: https://www.stjohnshugs.org/
Brother Bob Cowhey delivered a $700 donation from our Council to HUGS St. Johns on March 6, 2026 as part of the Knights’ “Coats for Kids” program. HUGS is a local, all-volunteer organization dedicated to meeting the basic needs of the nearly 800 students identified as homeless in St. Johns County. Beyond clothing, HUGS provides emergency food bags and school-based pantries, acting as a critical bridge between the community’s generosity and our youngest neighbors in crisis.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – website: https://www.svdpsa.com/
On February 23, 2026, on behalf of our Council, Brother Al Lucenti presented a $1000 donation to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Operating through local parishes in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, they provide emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and medicine. Their unique home visits model ensures that neighbors in need are met with dignity and spiritual support in addition to material aid. Our Council is proud to walk alongside the SVdP Food Pantries and Thrift Stores, which turn community donations into a lifeline for families in crisis.
Bit of Faith Ranch – website: https://www.bitoffaithranch.org/
On February 16, 2026, Brother Bob Cowhey presented our Council’s $2000 donation to Bit of Faith Ranch, a local non-profit dedicated to serving individuals with autism and related disabilities. Through adaptive horseback riding and inclusive recreation, the ranch provides a safe environment where children and adolescents can build confidence and connection. We are proud to highlight their mission as they continue to provide a support to the special needs community of St. Johns
L’Arche Jacksonville – website: https://www.larchejacksonville.org/
On February 27, 2026, Brother Joe Pitisci presented a $2000 donation from our Council to L’Arche Jacksonville. L’Arche is a community of family-style homes where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work, and pray together. By sharing daily meals, chores, celebrations, and fellowship at Blanchart Community Center, L’Arche creates a place where everyone is valued.

Virtual Fraternal Benefits Seminar – June 8

Our Worthy District Deputy is advertising two opportunities to attend online presentations by Brother Sonny Sangemino, Regional Agency Consultant and General Agent for the K of C in the US and Canada. These presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7pm EDT and Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7pm EDT. Of course we have our own Field Agent, Joe Spinelli, but this is an opportunity to hear from a financial advisor with 28 years serving our Order, and you might pick up some detail you didn’t catch from Joe. See the information below for registration details.

Click to Register (same as the QR code below)
Virtual-FBE-June-8th-Poster

Seniors vs. Crime & Human Trafficking Brief – November 2025

This was a briefing given to the parish in November 6, 2025. Thank you to Brother John Preli for providing this information.

Theme: “Parishioners in Action: Protect Yourself so You can help Protect Others”

Two dynamic presentations were hosted by Knights of Columbus and Respect Life Ministry.

  • BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Human trafficking has put Florida at the forefront of a social and moral crisis as our state is in the top three for calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Guest speaker Ruby Peters, Catholic Charities Bureau of the Diocese of St. Augustine, will educate attendees to identify: What it is, Who is most at risk, How victims (including children) are manipulated and drawn into “The Life”, What you can do to break the cycle.
Link to Human Trafficking Diocese’s Website
Click to view to the Diocese’s Human Trafficking YouTube Video
  • HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUDS AND SCAMS: Florida is ranked second in the nation for senior fraud by FBI. In 2023, seniors were defrauded by nearly $300 million from scams. Many of these scams now involve Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency. Yvonne Herrington, Seniors vs Crime St. Johns (a Special Project of the Florida Attorney General) and Detective David Elliot, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office will educate attendees to identify: Tactics scammers use to deceive you, How well-known scams work, How to Protect Yourself, What to do if you are scammed
Click to view the training PDF