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Deputy GK Mickey Dillow, Brother Vinny De Rosa, GK Elect Jerry Hicks

On June 24, 2006, Seminarian Vincent De Rosa visited St. John’s at the invitation of the Knights of Columbus. Brother De Rosa assisted Fr Ray at 5:45 mass and stepped up to the lectern to introduce himself and describe how he came to discern his calling to the priesthood. His impromptu remarks turned into a beautiful homily!

Vinny described how, at a very young age, he recognized that all the joy in his life came through the sacraments. And who brings the sacraments to the people? Priests, of course. He knew then that he had to be one.

Following mass, the Knights held a pizza party/reception for Vinny in the school cafeteria and presented him with a copy of Parish Priest, the story of Fr Michael J. McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882.

Vinny’s involvement with the Knights goes back to his college days, when he was instrumental in establishing a KofC council at George Washington University and was their first Grand Knight! St. John Francis Regis Council #7914 has been sponsoring Vinny for the past couple of years. Vinny writes to us from his studies in Rome and his travels throughout Europe, and we read his letters at our monthly meetings. Vinny is home for the summer, stationed at St. Patrick’s in Norbeck, MD (near Rockville).

He is originally from Long Island NY, but he says he is pursuing his vocation in the Archdiocese of Washington because he loves this area – its beauty, its people and its priests. We had a wonderful visit with this fine young man and will continue to pray for him, and he for us, as he progresses toward his ordination in the spring of 2008.