By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Nov 7, 2022 5:43 PM

Posted For: Council #16223

St. Mary Magdalene Council #16223 conducted a drive for baby items at their parish. It was very successful.

In addition to many boxes of diapers and wipes a ton of clothes were donated. There also over $600 in cash donated to contribute to HELP Pregnancy Aid in Grand Rapids.

Shown on the right are some of the items collected.
A group from the council and parish presented the items to HELP and then were able to tour the facility with the Executive Director Paula Veneklase.

From left to right: Rich Sweers, Paula Veneklase, Doug Didion, Mike Soresi, Elaine Hernaez and GK Dave Eickholt.

GK #16223 Dave Eickholt

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Nov 2, 2022 11:05 AM

Posted For: Council #7341

On Friday evening October 28 Bishop Allen J. Babcock hosted it’s annual Trunks for Treats for the parishoners of Holy Family and the community of Caledonia. Cars with decorated trunks were lined up in a cordened off area of the church parking lot. The costumed children went from car to car to Trick or Treat in this safe environment.

The council provided cider, chips, hotdogs, brats and burgers to over 160 kids and their parents at no charge.

A contest for the best costume for each age group was conducted with the winners provided with a gift card.

In addition the council photographer set up a display for everyone to pose for a photo.

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Nov 1, 2022 4:22 PM

Posted For: Council #9131

The Jackson area Knights of Columbus Councils have donated nearly $15,000 to defeat Proposal 3 on the November ballot.

Of particular note, Council # 9131 St Joseph Oratory held a benefit dinner and draw down raffle for Jackson Right to Life that raised $11,000.

This is what Jackson Right to Life posted on their Facebook Page - “THANK YOU KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #9131!

The benefit dinner and draw down raffle was so much fun and raised $11,000 which we donated to the efforts to defeat Proposal 3!  Jerry & Dee Schell, and their amazing team of volunteers were instrumental and worked hard to make this happen.  God's people are so good to Jackson Right to Life!”

Other Jackson Councils donations to fight Proposal 3:

Queen of the Miraculous Medal #609– $500 to Protect Life Michigan

St John the Evangelist #8392 - $1000 plus a member match to Protect Life Michigan

St Joseph #9131 - $475 to Protect Life Michigan

St Mary Star of the Sea #9301 - $1000 to Protect Life Michigan

In addition to financial donations, council members have acted as door knockers and callers in the information campaign against Proposal 3

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Oct 25, 2022 10:52 AM

Posted For: Council #7487

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen Council 7487 in Jenison presented a check to HELP Pregnancy Aid in the amount of $2,000.00. The money was raised at a recent can drive at Holy Redeemer Parish and will be used in the Expanding Our Possibilities capital campaign.

 Pictured is HELP’s Executive Director Paula Venenklase graciously receiving the check from Grand Knight Paul Kwiarkowski and Deputy Grand Knight Tonino Michienzi. Also thanking the council is Amy Kelly, Development Director for HELP.

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Oct 19, 2022 8:16 AM

Posted For: Council #12258

St. Isadore Council #12258 in Grand Rapids will be hosting a fundraising event to raise funds for the HELP Pregnacy Aid Expanding Our Possibilies Capital Campaign. Come to St.Isadore church, 628 Diamond GR 49503, for a great breakfast while helping to support the growth of HELP.

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Oct 3, 2022 5:50 PM

Posted For: Council #6694

Swartz Creek Council # 6694 recently conducted a “Reverse Collection” as a means to obtain baby items and cash contributions for a local Pregnancy Resource Center, Heartbeat of Greater Flint.  Following communion at each of the weekend masses on September 10^th / 11^th our brothers distributed collection baskets containing slips of paper indicating various items of need as presented to us by the Pregnancy Resource Center.  Those interested in participating were encouraged to take one or more of these slips and the following weekend, September 17^th / 18^th, bring the item or items with them when returning to church.  We had a playpen set up in which the items could be placed and a Knight standing by to help direct if needed.  All of this was explained in pulpit and bulletin announcements the week prior to implementation.

Historically, we had used the “Reverse Collections” with great success to obtain food for our local food pantry.  As such, we thought it might be effective in support of Pregnancy Resource Centers as well, and the result proved that to be true.  The response from the parishioners of St. Mary Queen of Angels Swartz Creek was overwhelming with contributions of baby products and money exceeding $2650 in value!  We are blessed with a generous, caring, and supportive parish family; a group of individuals who are genuinely interested in our shared concern for mothers and babies who are in need, not solely during the pregnancy but beyond as well.  We are extremely grateful, for we recognize that they are the reason for our incredible success with program initiatives such as this. 

 The items collected were inventoried and then delivered to Heartbeat of Greater Flint on Wednesday, September 26^th.  Pictured are Past Grand Knights Ken Lixey, Bob Kranz, and Jim Drummond with current Grand Knight / ASAP Program Director, Mike Trundle as they present the items to Heartbeat of Greater Flint.  Additional picture is of most of the items that were generously donated for this cause.

Vivat Jesus!

Mike Trundle, Grand Knight

By: Joseph Brenner - Sun, Oct 2, 2022 7:29 PM

Posted For: Council #5436

The Detroit Archdiocesan Soccer Challenge Final was held at Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford on a clear and cool Saturday, October 1^st, 2022.  It was hosted by District 113, Pope St. John XXIII Council 5436 of Waterford, and St. Daniel Council 15967, of Clarkston.

Winners were:

• ·         Gabby Ortiz (G-11), runner up Abigal McKay
• ·         Matthew Jarvis (B-9) runner up Samuel Kohn
• ·         Austin Treharne (B-11)

Brother Knights assisting were:

Paul Thorn SDRR, Joe Brenner DPD, Hans Hanson DPD, Tom Kendziorski DD113, Bill King GK15967, Dan Campbell PGK3959, John Greaves

Joseph Brenner Detroit Archdiocesan Program Director East

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By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Oct 1, 2022 10:59 PM

Posted For: Council #13641

Join us for a seminar on Voting with a Catholic Conscience

REGISTER HERE

By: District Deputy 513 - Mon, Sep 12, 2022 10:33 AM

Posted For: District #

Jackson District #513 Blue Mass for First Responders September 11, 2022

Jackson area Knights of Columbus Michigan District #513, under the direction of District Deputy Ben Dandrow, organized a Blue Mass on Sunday September 11, 2022. The District is comprised of five councils representing the following churches: Queen of the Miraculous Medal #609, St John the Evangelist #8392, St. Stanislaus Kostka Chapel #8858, St Joseph Oratory #9131, and St Mary Star of the Sea #9301.  The concelebrated Mass was held at St Mary Star of the Sea Church located in Jackson, MI at 10:00 am. 

A Blue Mass is to honor, thank, and pray for the safety of all First Responders, Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Responders, the men and women who lay their lives on the line daily to protect the Jackson community. It was appropriate we did this on the 21st Anniversary of the 9/11 attack on this country when 412 emergency workers lost their lives that day. 2000 more have died from injury or illness contracted during the recovery efforts.  All Jackson area Public Safety departments were invited and more than 50 responders and their families attended the Mass, many who were not Catholic.  At the Mass, Fr Tim Nelson, Pastor of St Mary’s, read the names of those who fell in the line of duty serving the community. Many who attended were on duty as witnessed by the three fire trucks and police and sheriff vehicles parked outside the church.

The Jackson area Knights of Columbus, who continue to pray for the safety of our first responders, would like to thank Fr Tim Nelson Pastor and Fr Tyler Arens Parochial Vicar for hosting and concelebrating the Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea and St Mary’s Council #9301 for their support and help in making the Blue Mass a success. 

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Sep 9, 2022 7:52 PM

Posted For: Council #16223

The Knights of Columbus Council 16223 of St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Grand Rapids is celebrating life.  The council has started a new program of giving K of C Baptismal Blankets to the new babies of the Parish, welcoming the beautiful children to our faith.  The Knights also give a certificate of love to each of the children.