On February 1st John F Kennedy council 5460 held it's 23rd annual Polish Dinner Charity Fundraiser. We served over 420 dinners. Pictured is Grand Knight Steve Rakowski and chairman Wally Papciak along with Brother Gary of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Kim from ALS Of Michigan.
The Capuchins received $6325 and ALS received $5000 proceeds from the dinner.
If you ever stop in to St. Maria Goretti, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, you will almost surely run into one or more of these "dedicated for the good" K of C #3860 volunteers. They stock, organize, seek donations, distribute, and whatever else may be necessary.
Hats off to you gentlemen ( and to their wives who also volunteer their time).
Congratulations Robert (Bob) Salter on being selected as Dearborn O'Kelley Council #3860's Knight of the Month.
Msgr. Kromenaker Council 2251 in St. Clair hosted a District 118 Exemplification on February 19 with two new members added to our Order. Congratulations to Dalton Smith, who joined Our Lady on the River Council 856, and Larry Rekowski who joined Au Lac Council 10724.
Thank you to the Council 2251 Degree Team and District Deputy Matt Hoxsie for installing the new members.
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ASAP Incentive Update!
We are nearly halfway through the Join ASAP-Council Incentive, and we have only 1 Council that is qualified. We have 5 Councils that just need to complete and participate in the ASAP program to qualify! See the list below and strive for winning an additional $250 for your favorite Pregnancy Aid center!
You can do it!
The 2026 Annual State Convention of the Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 20th, May 21st, and May 22nd, 2026.
DELEGATE REGISTRATION FORMS: By now your council should have identified their delegates. The Delegate Registration Form must be completed electronically. If you have mailed the “old” Form to the State Office, it will not be processed. All Grand Knights received instructions from the State Office on January 5th via USPS on how to register for the State Convention. This must be submitted no later than March 15, 2026. When entering the information, if you have only one delegate, enter “NONE” in lieu of the first and last name of your delegates and/or alternates. If you are having trouble completing the registration form online, please contact your District Deputy for assistance.
HOTEL REGISTRATION FORMS: As soon as your Delegate Registration Form is submitted, Hotel Registration Forms are sent to the delegates electronically to the email address reflected on the Delegate Registration Form. The fillable PDF form needs to be completed and returned via email to c.wasmund@mikofc.org no later than March 31, 2026. It is essential that you include your email address on the form as it will be used for future communications, i.e., hotel reservation form, confirmation of hotel assignment, deposit requirements, etc. When your Hotel Registration Form is received, you will receive a quick email confirming receipt. If you DO NOT receive the confirmation, please contact Cliff Wasmund at 734.634.7989. Contacting the hotels directly to make your reservation will result in higher prices. We have negotiated convention prices along with our block of rooms with the hotels, therefore, complete your hotel registration form and send it to Clifford for processing.
Council Chaplain registrations are not being handled electronically. Letters with registration forms for the Council Chaplains were mailed to the councils via USPS mail two weeks ago. The forms should be completed and returned via email to Clifford Wasmund at c.wasmund@mikofc.org .
HOTEL UPDATES: Due to us processing everything electronically, we are not having delays with the USPS as in past years. Hotels are filling up fast so do not delay completing your paperwork. Hotels on the Island are only holding our block of rooms until April 15th. Any rooms not filled by a Knight by that date will be released to the general public.
An update on the Island House Hotel – We have received notification that they are now unable to provide us rooms as they overextended themselves with schools coming in for tours the same time as our convention. Their Pontiac Lodge is available. If you selected the Island House on your form, Susan Wasmund has reached out to you to reselect a substitute.
Grand Hotel - Councils who meet or exceed their membership quotas by the end of March (per Supreme’s report) will qualify to stay at the Grand Hotel. This information was communicated at the Leadership and Diocesan meetings.
For those staying at the Grand Hotel (not delegates) – You will be receiving a link to book your room. If you sign up for the famous Grand Hotel buffet, the price is $49 per person and not $98 as the website reflects. The hotel is unable to adjust the website but will monitor to ensure you are charged the correct amount.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: People are excited about this year’s convention, and we are receiving quite a few questions about times, costs, dress attire, etc. We are going to start early in this communication! Gentlemen, you will receive a copy of the agenda as time gets closer but let us try to ease some of the angsts right now:
What time does the convention start? The convention starts with the Opening Mass in the Theatre of the Grand Hotel at 3:50PM on Wednesday, May 22nd.
Is there a cost to walk to the front porch of the Grand Hotel if you are staying at a hotel in town? No. Because we are holding the convention at the hotel and have 100% occupancy, there is no charge to approach the hotel, walk the front porch or enjoy the Grand Hotel.
What is the dress attire for the convention? Business casual is acceptable, no jeans, shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, or sandals. A nice pair of khaki slacks and council shirt is preferred.
What is the dress attire for the State Deputy’s Banquet on Thursday evening? The dress attire for the banquet is “dressy.” If you are a District Deputy, State Director, etc. white dinner jackets are appropriate. Suits are also appropriate for men. Ladies will be wearing dresses (long, tee-length or cocktail dress) or dressy slacks and a top. Men – if you have a jewel of office – bring it and wear it. If you are staying at a hotel downtown and plan to attend the State Deputy’s Banquet on Thursday evening, May 23, 2026 – tickets for the meal will be available for purchase at the Grand Hotel front desk during the convention. The price of the tickets is $90.00 per person, but this is a 5-course dinner at the Grand Hotel. If you have not attended the banquet in the past, it is a “must do” while at the convention.
If we stay at another hotel, how do we attend the State Deputy’s Banquet on Thursday night? Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Front Registration Desk of the hotel on Wednesday or Thursday. They will not be available at the restaurant at the time of the banquet. If you plan on attending, you also will communicate your attendance to your District Deputy so he can ensure seating for you with his District.
Is there transportation from the hotels in town to The Grand Hotel? Yes, there are taxis (horse drawn) that will be available to get you back and forth if you do not want to take the walk. All taxis have a charge, including the Grand Hotel taxi. The taxi service has been advised of our convention, and the hotels will be collaborating with their guests to schedule transportation, if needed.
If you are Honor Guard in the 4th Degree, please bring your uniform, sword, and plan to fall out for the three Masses during the convention along with the Living Rosary held on Thursday late morning. If you are interested in being part of the State Deputy Banquet “escorts”,” please let your Marshal know at the Living Rosary.
Any questions regarding the State Convention should be directed to the State Office and all room accommodation questions should go directly to Clifford Wasmund, Administrative Secretary to the State Deputy at (734) 634-7989 or c.wasmund@mikofc.org. As in the past, rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis and ADA rooms are limited at all hotels, including the Grand Hotel.
Charlevoix Council 7172 teamed up with St. Mary's School in Charlevoix to host the 1st Annual Sportsmen's Dinner for Catholic Education!! The event was held on February 7th at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. Council members helped with various tasks during the event, and the Council underwrote the costs of the guns for the gun raffle, which raised $16,000 by itself!! State Warden Joel Kendzorski and Lady Janmarie were in attendance along District Deputy 208 Andrew Mayer and Lady Melissa. A great time was had by all, and plans are underway to make this an annual event!!
Petoskey Council 923 held their 77th Annual Polish Sausage Supper on January 25th. There was a sold-out crowd of 500 people, and many of the State Board members and Directors were in attendance. A great time was had by all!! It was a great evening of food, fellowship, and raffles/auctions that raised just under $50,000 for the various charities and organizations that the Council supports!!
District 208 recently held an exemplification hosted by Charlevoix Council 7172. Charlevoix welcomed 3 new members into their council, and a 4th member completed the 2nd and 3rd degrees. Council 7172 has reached their quota for the year!! Petoskey Council 923 welcomed 5 new members into their council. The ceremony was led by 7172 Chaplain Fr. Peter Wigton and DD 208 Andrew Mayer and a dinner was held after the ceremony.
Congratulations to all of our new brothers!!
