Late District Deputy Dan Nowakowski honored with Star District!
On Thursday, November 20, State Secretary Charlie McCuen, DD101 Ed Perkins, State Chief of Staff Paul Palka, State Sacristan John Hundiak and I travelled to St. Hubert Council 11658 in Harrison Township to present a Star District Award for the 2024 -2025 Fraternal Year for District 101.
The Award was presented to Sue Nowakowski, the wife of the Late DD Dan Nowakowski, who passed away in September.
Included in the presentation photo is GK11658 Shane Drury.
Eternal rest grant unto Brother Dan, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Thanks for the great exemplification for the Knights of Columbus Charity, Unity, and Fraternity (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degree) event on Christ the King Sunday.
Thanks Father Tyler and District Deputy 509 Steve for making this event special!
Welcome to Paul Tobey and Rob Horning, our newest knights at St Mary Pinckney Council 11761.
Thanks exemplification team Gerard, Mick, Todd, Brian, and Joe.
Congratulations to Council 16199 and DIstrict 310 for achieving these honors!!!!
Here is the Council of the Month for October in the Grand Rapids Diocese presentation. Cathedral of St. Andrew Council 16199 and Grand Knight Mark Bordner by SDRR Marty Brown.
Presentation of 2024-2025 Star Council and KC tablecloth to Cathedral of St. Andrew Council 16199 by District Deputy Ike Yskes.
Presentation of 2024-2025 Star District to District Deputy Ike Yskes by SDRR Marty Brown.
On Thursday, November 13th the Dr. Thomas A Dooley Council 5492 out of Livonia Michigan continues its tradition of honoring their veterans during the pledge of allegiance their Council meaning in honor of Veterans Day.
Please take a moment and watch this video regarding how our Fraternal Benefits help carry on Fr. McGivney's legacy of care for our Brothers, Ladies, and families:
When Brad Wolf chose to strengthen his family’s future through life insurance with the Knights of Columbus, he could not have foreseen how soon it would be needed. At his sudden passing, that decision became a lifeline—allowing his wife, Dena, and their daughter, Riley, to remain in their home, free from the fear of financial hardship. In their story, the vision of Blessed Michael McGivney comes alive once more: that no widow or orphan should be left without protection, and that love and faith can endure even in the face of loss. Learn more at https://kofc.org/faa -- Become a Knight today: http://kofc.org/join Subscribe now to keep up with the Knights! http://bit.ly/SubscribeKnightsOfColumbus Stay connected on social media: / knightsofcolumbus / kofc / kofc_official Visit us at: http://www.kofc.org
Congratulations to Council 8117 on achieving Star Council and to DIstrict 311 for achieving Star District!
Presentation of 2024-2025 Star Council to Bishop Kevin Britt Council 8117 Grand Knight Joe Szyperski, Membership Director Ted Wright by District Deputy Scott Hamilton.
Pictured 2024-2025 Star District Scott Hamilton, 2024-2025 Star Council Grand Knight Joe Szyperski and SDRR Marty Brown.
Congraulations to Worthy District Deputy Joe Trackx on being awarded Star District for District 307 in the Grand Rapids region! (Pictured above, Worthy DD Joe receives a Star District award from Worthy SDRR Marty Brown on behalf of the District.)
Pro-Life Update from Upper Downriver Right to Life
During Advent we Catholic Christians prepare and await the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ as we remember his humble birth in the stable at Bethlehem.
Upper Downriver Right to Life continues to work to reach out to the community with the news that each child is created in the image and likeness of God. Each person has inherent dignity. Each human life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. Euthanasia or assisted suicide is as much a violation of the human person as is abortion. The Knights of Columbus uphold these teachings that are explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and shared through articles in Columbia magazine. It is our duty to better understand these teachings of Christ so that we can share them in our daily encounters with family, friends and co-workers.
The Catholic Church offers forgiveness and spiritual healing through sacramental confession when we fail to follow God's law. For expectant mothers in need, Right to Life of Michigan offers assistance so that mothers can embrace the choice of life at RTL.org or call or text 800-712-HELP.
Christmas cards and ornaments featuring the Holy Family are available at the Right to Life Resource Center, 2010 Eureka in Wyandotte. Call for times 734-282-6100. Let's celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas that begin on December 25! Let the Light of Christ shine in this secular world. Keep your Christmas lights burning through Epiphany.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday will be celebrated on January 25, 2026. Please plan to come to the Holy Hour at noon at Our Lady of the Scapular. It will be led by Deacon Richard Bloomfield, a member of 1802 and the Fourth Degree Van Antwerp Assembly. Luminary candles will be available then to light in remembrance of the millions of victims of abortion. Luminaries will also be available at the Right to Life Resource Center.
The day began with 450 coats ready for distribution and a dedicated team of about 20 volunteers, including SDRR Marty Brown, SCD Larry Herman, DPD Grand Rapids-N Randy Kinsey, and numerous GK officers and council members from across the Diocese of Grand Rapids. A special highlight was the energetic help from the Vandewater family—Margaret and her children, Patrick, Ezra, Ruth, and Luke. All four kids, being bilingual, were invaluable in connecting with families.
Thanks to the overwhelming turnout, the coat drive wrapped up early—by 11:15 AM on Saturday, November 15—with every coat finding a new home well before the scheduled noon closing time. With so many hands on deck, cleanup was quick, and the team was packed up and out by 11:30 AM.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a child light up with a new coat, and this event perfectly captured the Knights of Columbus’s spirit of charity and brotherhood. Another year, another heartwarming success!
Presentation of 2024-2025 Star Council to Bishop Kevin Britt Council 8117 Grand Knight Joe Szyperski, Membership Director Ted Wright by District Deputy Scott Hamilton.
