Father Jack Gentleman Memorial Scholarship Fund

For the past eleven years Masconomo Council 1232 Knights of Columbus awarded scholarships to deserving seniors graduating from MERHS. Last year it doubled the amount granted and renamed the program in honor of the much loved pastor of Sacred Heart Manchester-by the Sea and St. John’s Essex, the late Rev. John Gentleman. The program is now known as The Father Jack Gentleman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Knights’ fundraising letter reads in part:

“Last year Father Jack Gentleman was taken from us all too soon and without warning. All in all, he was a good man, a very good man.
We had come to know him well as our pastor, our mentor, our guide through life’s journey, and our trusted friend and good shepherd. Through his patient understanding, ever present wit and good humor, he won our admiration, respect and love.

That was especially true of the youth of Sacred Heart and St. John’s for whom he had a special affection. He loved them as salt and light and saw them as the future of the Church and our world. He saw in our youth the promise to do much good for our parish community and the universe God has given us.
It is that singular characteristic of Father Jack that Masconomo Council 1232 Knights of Columbus wished to honor as it renamed its annual scholarship program awarded to graduating students of Manchester Essex Regional High School, the Father Jack Gentlemen Memorial Scholarship fund.

We urge that all parishioners of Sacred Heart, Manchester and Saint John’s, Essex contribute as generously as possible to this year’s scholarship fund in Father Jack’s memory as a tangible means of keeping his love for young people in this Cape Ann community alive.”

Raffle tickets to support the Father Jack Memorial Scholarship Fund will be sold in April and May into June for a cash prize drawing June 5th –first prize, $500; second prize, $300; and third prize $200.

Raffle tickets may be obtained from Grand Knight Tom Finn (978-505-0317), Chris Shea, Seven Central, or any member of Masconomo Council 1232 Knights of Columbus.