By: Ken Warzybok - Thu, Jan 9, 2025 11:28 AM

Brother Knights and Ladies,

 

You will remember that we published an article in December 2024 urging each Knight throughout Michigan to perform "Just One More" act of charity leading up to Christmas. The concept behind this initiative was to emulate Jesus, who always has room in His heart for "Just One More," and to follow His example.

 

A heartwarming story unfolded about a week before Christmas, when Brother Gary Cornellier of Father John Howard Council 8500 in Highland had a conversation with a local veteran named Justin. Justin, a single father to a seven-year-old girl named Scarlett, was facing financial difficulties. Brother Gary asked Justin to compile a list of things that he and Scarlett needed. This list was then shared with members of the Men's Club at Church of the Holy Spirit in Highland as well as with the Brother Knights of John Howard Council 8500 in Highland, Fulton J. Sheen Council 7444 in Milford, and individuals from neighboring communities.

 

On Christmas Eve, following the 10pm Mass, Justin and Scarlett received a generous donation of hats, gloves, boots, a coat, various clothing items, books, interactive toys like play sand, along with many other items that would bring joy to a seven-year-old girl on Christmas morning. Scarlett was overjoyed, and Justin was deeply touched by the outpouring of God's love demonstrated by all those involved.

 

Justin was so moved, he wrote a note to all those who helped give Scarlett a CHRISTmas she will never forget!

 

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the impact we have every time we come together as Knights to help those in need. Let us joyfully continue to follow the example set by Jesus in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

 

VIVAT JESUS!

By: Ken Warzybok - Wed, Jun 19, 2024 4:17 AM

The Homework House, located in the heart of Avalon Village, serves as a safe haven for children in the community. After six years of hard work and dedication, this project has finally come to fruition. The Homework House provides a welcoming environment where children can gather after school to enjoy a warm meal, receive assistance with their homework, acquire valuable life skills, and much more.

Thanks to the generosity of the "Knights Bikes" program at Fr. John Howard Council #8500, the Homework House now boasts a brand new bicycle rack. This addition not only enhances the facilities of the Homework House but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for the children in the community.

Under the leadership of Mama Shu, the Homework House in Highland Park stands as a beacon of hope for the neighborhood's children. It serves as an oasis where they can thrive and grow, while also acting as a cornerstone for the entire community.

By: Ken Warzybok - Mon, May 13, 2024 1:43 PM

On Saturday May 11th, Council #8500 Membership Director Gary Cornellier organized a heartwarming event called "Christmas in May." The deserving recipients of this event were Paul and Kay Young.  Kay has dutifully served as the parish secretary for the Church of the Holy Spirit in Highland for many years.

The main objective of the day was to tackle some tree maintenance tasks, which included cutting, heavy-duty brush hauling, and trimming.  These tasks had become too challenging for Paul, a skilled master gardener, to handle on his own.  Thanks to the collective efforts of many volunteers, the work was completed swiftly and efficiently.

Many hands make quick work!

The majority of the volunteers were Brother Knights from Fr. John Howard Knights of Columbus Council #8500 in Highland. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful event.  Your dedication and generosity truly made a difference in the lives of Paul and Kay Young.

VIVAT JESUS!

Gary Cornellier

Council #8500 Membership Director

Highland, MI

By: Ken Warzybok - Wed, Aug 9, 2023 9:31 AM

If you have any questions regarding Knights Bikes, or if you know someone who needs a bicycle, please contact Gary Cornellier, Membership Director for Council #8500 and the Founder/Director of the Knights Bikes program: commonsenseconsulting@comcast.net

By: Ken Warzybok - Thu, Jun 29, 2023 8:10 AM

At 7am on Tuesday, there was a knock at my door. A father-type and his son. They spoke very little English.  From what I could tell, they were from Afghanistan and lived in a small two-bedroom house with their six kids and no air conditioning. The reason for their visit was because the Pastor of their church had given them eight bicycles and were told to bring them to me.

So they unloaded the bikes, and when done, asked what I do with them. I explained the Knights Bikes program and they blessed me for doing it. All this time, his son had his eye on a black Schwinn. The dad pulled out some cash and asked how much for the bike; his son had a long way to school and needed a bicycle. I told him that they brought me eight bikes, so the least I could do was to give them one for his son.

As they loaded up the bike, I could see tears in his son’s eyes. He gave me a big hug and said thank you. Great how it all works out.

God bless you all!

-       Max Cornellier

S

Since 2014, Father John W. Howard Council 8500 in Highland has sponsored Knight’s Bikes to provide bicycles to children and adults in need. The program repairs and refurbished unwanted bicycles and purchases new bicycles to provide them to others. The program distributes more than 125 bicycles each year.

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Jun 4, 2023 8:52 AM

The weekend of May 27/28, the Knights bikes program of Council #8500 delivered 15 free bikes to Bishop Kenneth L Tate of The Body of Christ Church in Detroit. Bishop Kenneth Tate is an anchor in the community in many different ways, including a food drive he runs almost every Friday throughout the year. You can listen to Bishop Tate from Tuesday to Friday mornings on WMUZ FM, radio from 4 AM to 5 AM. We have supported Bishop Tate for many years, and plan on continuing to do so in the future. To God be the glory we have  given away 1192 bikes as of today!

If you know of anyone who needs a bike, or if you have a bike to donate, please let us know.

Thank you Gary Cornellier  Fr, John Howard Council #8500 Highland Michigan.

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, May 3, 2023 9:15 AM

Fellow Parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish in Highland, Tom and Laura Abraham needed some home repairs. They allowed several of our Knights to come over and help out. The Holy Spirit truly showed up and many important tasks were taken care of by a very energetic crew.

I would like to thank Knights of Columbus Father John Howard Council #8500 members, Dave Sisson, Ken Glover, Christopher Porter, Tom Abraham, Maxwell Cornellier and a solid, thank you to Payment Pounders LLC, owner, Ryan Kresge, and his nine-year-old son Bryce, who donated all the materials and labor to safely correct the front porch situation. I certainly know Bryce out-worked me but more importantly his energetic, smiling face was welcomed by Tom and Laura. Last, but not least Laura Abraham, who was the supervisor and Denise Godin, who kept everybody in line. It was like Christmas in April!

If I have forgotten anyone. I’m getting a little old and I apologize.

Gary Cornellier Fr. John Howard Council #8500 Highland, Michigan

By: Lawrence Grabowski - Thu, Apr 13, 2023 3:42 PM

Gary Cornellier, a member of Fr. John Howard Council #8500 in Highland, MI looks on as Malika, a staff member at the Homework House in Highland Park, tries out a new bike donated by the council’s Knight’s Bike initiative.

Malika will use the bicycle to travel to work at the Homework House, which provides children in the Detroit suburb with a safe place to study.

Knight’s Bikes has distributed new and refurbished bicycles to children and adults in need since 2014. The program now gives away more than 125 bicycles each year.

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Mar 13, 2023 6:15 PM

Since 2014, Father John W. Howard Council 8500 in Highland has sponsored Knight’s Bikes to provide bicycles to children and adults in need. The program repairs and refurbished unwanted bicycles and purchases new bicycles to provide them to others. The program distributes more than 125 bicycles each year