89th Exemplification for Michigan District 2

By: Joseph Yekulis - Mon, Oct 7, 2024 11:13 AM


This past weekend, we had the honor of celebrating the 89th Fourth Degree Exemplification for MI District 2 of the Knights of Columbus in Charlotte, MI. A total of 28 new members were inducted into MI District 2 this fall, and they enjoyed a banquet alongside 145 members and their ladies at St. Mary Parish on October 5th.
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Class Photo
 
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Lady Denise's Ladies Program which featured the Blue Star Service Dogs for Veterans
 
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The Sir Knights from Cardinal O'Hara Assembly in Ann Arbor
 
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A tribute award being presented to Degree Team Member Gaylend Meeks by State Deputy Barry Borsenik
 
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Class Honoree Fr. Dwight Ezop
 
It was a truly memorable and inspiring evening, filled with camaraderie and celebration of our newest Sir Knights.
 
Fraternally,
Joe Yekulis MFD MI2

2024 State Special Olympics Soccer Games

By: District Deputy 114 - Sun, Oct 6, 2024 6:06 PM


On Saturday, September 28th, the Michigan State Special Olympic Soccer Games were held in Canton. The rainy day did not keep the athletes from participating in fun-filled contests. Over twenty Knights were on hand to prepare over 800 grilled chicken and Impossible Burger sandwiches for the athletes and volunteers.
1Many thanks to all the brother Knights who helped, from Councils 16169, 6549, 3959, 3860,11811, and 11658. Among those on hand were State Special Olympic Director, Robbie Waclawski, District Deputy #114 Dan Timmerman, State Retention Director Dick Shelt, AOD Membership Directors Hans Hansen and Don Garon, and Council 16169 Grand Knight Steve Sarlitto. We also recruited 3 new members. What a day!
 
Vivat Jesus,
Dan Timmerman - District Deputy
District # 114

2024 State Soccer Challenge Championship

By: Larry Herman - Sat, Oct 5, 2024 7:50 PM


The State Championship Soccer Challenge took place on October 5th at St John Vianney Church in Wyoming, MI. God blessed us with a beautiful day, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the low 70's.  Congratulations to all participants and the winners!
 
Winners
Girls Age 9: Kelsey Gong (Saginaw Diocese)
Boys Age 9: Cole Kaberle (Gaylord Diocese)
Girls Age 10: Harper Champagne (Saginaw Diocese)
Boys Age 10: Gavin DePlanche (AOD Diocese) (not pictured)
Girls Age 11: Ayla Kramer (Gaylord Diocese)
Boys Age 11: Liam Ashby (Grand Rapids Diocese)
Girls Age 12: Miya Talaga-Martinez (Gaylord Diocese)
Boys Age 12: Collin Verdusco (Saginaw Diocese)
Girls Age 13: Elliott Covelle (Grand Rapids)
 
Many thanks to our State and Diocesan leaders for their help:
 
State Advocate Dan Fuller
State Community Director Larry Herman
SDRR Ray Gehlmann
SDRR Marty Brown
DPD Mark and Mary Hebert
DPD Randy Kindey
DPD Tonino Michienzi
DPD Joe and Debbie Brenner
 
Below is a photo of the winners along with our State Advocate Dan Fuller and State Community Director Larry Herman.
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National Do Something Nice Day

By: Gary Kolbicz - Thu, Oct 3, 2024 9:17 AM


OCTOBER 5th IS NATIONAL DO SOMETHING NICE DAY
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Make your friends and family smile this October 5th on National "Do Something Nice Day". This day encourages us to perform acts of kindness for strangers or loved ones — or both! It’s easy to become so caught up in our own stresses and struggles that we forget to show kindness to others. This day is a great reminder that doing good deeds makes the world better — and might even help you better manage your own troubles in the process.
 
National Do Something Nice Day Activities:
 
1. Volunteer
Get involved in a local organization in your community. If you’re having trouble deciding how or where to volunteer, consider what your strongest skills are and how you can use them to help others. If you’re great at construction, lend a hand to Habitat For Humanity. If you’re a web developer, offer your coding skills to a charitable organization that needs a website revamp or teach local kids some programming basics. In most communities, there are local soup kitchens or homeless shelters that can always use the help of kind, compassionate people.
 
2. Assist a stranger
Extend a small gesture of kindness to let a stranger know you care. Pay the bill of the person behind you in line at the coffee shop. If you see someone crying alone in public, offer them a tissue or — if the situation calls for it — some other kind of assistance. If someone thanks you for your good deed, ask them to pay it forward by helping someone else who needs it when the time is right. No matter what, keep spreading goodwill!
 
3. Call someone just to tell them you care
Call someone you care about out of the blue, just to let them know how much they mean to you. It just might make their day! If you know someone who is going through a hard time in life, gently check in with them and let them know they're on your mind. If you can swing it, send them a bouquet or drop off a homemade meal. Your personalized attention can make a world of difference.
 
In short: BE the reason someone is smiling!

Be Catholic Vote Catholic

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Sep 28, 2024 1:48 PM


As Catholics and members of the Knights of Columbus, we are called to participate in elections by evaluating candidates with a conscience formed by the truths of faith. The Michigan Catholic Conference has several resources available to help us make election decisions that are consistent with the teachings of the faith.

 

Please review the information available from the Michigan Catholic Conference by clicking here

 

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St Robert joint Exemplification

By: District Deputy 315 - Wed, Sep 25, 2024 2:44 PM


Congratulations to Grand Rapids councils #389 (St Jude), #8117, (Bishop Britt of St Robert Newminster), and 315495 (St Alphonsus) on their welcoming three new Knights on Tuesday, September 24th!
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Pictured are the new Brother Knights (center) along with their respective Grand Knights: Jarryd Mello and Colin Farley (St Jude); Joel Dodich and Joe Szyperski (St Robert); along with Mark Szczytko and Rod Cronin (St Alphonsus). Also attending the exemplification: Dan Thelen, Field Agent; Dale Korsen, 4th Degree and Master of District 4; along with District Deputies Scott Hamilton and Jack Sablan. Member representatives from all three councils were also in attendance.
 
A special thanks to all who attended in support of the new Knights and especially the St Roberts Exemplification Team of George Christopher, Ted Wright, Ron Carolotti, and Gene Gutting.
 
On behalf of Scott Hamilton and myself, thanks everyone!
 
Scott Hamilton (DD311) and Jack Sablan (DD315)

Grand Rapids 2024 Soccer Challenge

By: Randy Kinsey - Wed, Sep 25, 2024 2:31 PM


GRAND RAPIDS DIOCESAN SOCCER CHALLENGE

By Randy Kinsey, Diocesan Program Director - Grand Rapids/North
 
The Grand Rapids Diocesan Soccer Challenge was held on Saturday, September 21st at Sacred Heart in Grand Rapids, sponsored by Sacred Heart of Jesus Council #13641.
 
Congratulations to the Winners!
 
Boys
Age 10, Brendan Hull, #8117, District 311
Age 11, Liam Ashby,  #13641, District 313
Age 12, Carson Morehouse, #7487, District 313
 
Girls
Age 9, Astrid Kennedy, #13641, District 313
Age 10, Julia Rogovich, #13641, District 313
Age 13, Elliot Covelle, #8117, District 311
 
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Sincere thanks to GK Jackson Bargenquast, FS Jason Bargenquast, and PGK Mike Menardie of the host council for doing an outstanding job hosting and supporting the event. Thanks also to SDRR Marty Brown, DD Bob Wassick, DD Rich Olszewski, DD Fred Kraemer, DD Greg Grzegorski, and DD Sam Chansler for helping out with registration, judging, scoring and rebounding balls, making this a truly "Diocesan" and successful event!

 

Detroit Archdiocesan Soccer Challenge 2024 Winners

By: Joseph Brenner - Mon, Sep 23, 2024 4:09 PM


The Detroit Archdiocesan Soccer Challenge was held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, hosted by Councils 5436 and 15967 at Everest Collegiate High School & Academy in Clarkston. The winners were:
 
Gavin DePlanche – Council 3956 (not pictured)
 
Andrew Piechocki – Council 3959
 
Jack Tenorio – Council 16169
 
 
God Bless to all who helped!!!
 
Joseph Brenner, Ronald DePestel, James Kelly, and Bill Corey
Archdiocesan Program Directors
 
 
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Gaylord Diocese Soccer Challenge

By: Patrick Oliver - Mon, Sep 23, 2024 3:34 PM


The Regional Soccer Challenge competition took place on September 21st in the Gaylord Diocese, sponsored by Cadillac Council #1224. We extend our gratitude to the council for their generous support of the event.
 

WINNERS

Girls

Age 9 – Matilda Schwerdt

Age 10- Ivy Danford

Age 11 – Ayla Kramer

Age 12 – Miya Talaga-Martinez

 

Boys

Age 9 – Cole Kaberle

Age 10 – Alexander Peacock

 
Congratulations to all participants for their hard work, sportsmanship, and dedication. Let's support the winners as they advance to the State Championship Finals on Saturday, October 5th at St. John Vianney Church in Wyoming, MI.
 
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