Congratulations to our District #101 Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Winners.
Age 5-7 Division: Carly Peterson - Council #11689
Age 8-10 Division: Kaelyn Ytem - Council #744
Age 11-14 Division: Reese Farah - Council #744
Thanks to all of the councils who participated.
Dan Nowakowski District Deputy #101
Each year, the Order of the Knights of Columbus encourages today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith through the Catholic Citizen Essay Contest.
St Francis of Assisi Council #4401 in Farmington Hills asked the 8th graders at Our Lady of Sorrows school to participate in this year’s competition by writing an essay “to explain how young Catholics can evangelize our faith to families and friends who have turned away from religion and encourage them to return to the Church and embrace the sacraments”
The essays produced many great ideas. Here are just a few…
• I can lead by example by being a kind, loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, and prayerful person.
• I can practice my faith by praying during everyday situations. For example, we are always carpooling ... We always say our prayers in the car and what we are thankful for no matter who is in the car with us. .This helps show our faith ...
• I can encourage others to participate in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist to encounter the powerful grace and love of God.
• I can share resources such as books, videos, and websites, so that people can learn more about the Catholic faith.
During a school Mass, all participants were awarded a pocket rosary coin, with the top 3 being awarded a certificate and cash prize.
Pictured are all essay participants along with Grand Knight Pablo Martinez.
The winning essay has been forwarded to the State for consideration in the State contest.
Congratulations to all the students for your faithful participation!
District Deputy #112 Gary Mallia
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, Sacred Heart Grosse Ile Council #13475 participated in a Right to Life event hosted by Hope Assembly of God church in Taylor, Mi. With the assistance of Southern Downriver Right to Life of Michigan, the Knights had a manned table display, speaking to others of differing Christian denominations, handing out brochures & Columbia magazines, explaining the K of C Ultrasound Initiative and the Knights pro-life standing. Our Michigan State Representative, Jim DeSana, who, besides being pro-life, is also a brother knight, showed his support by spending time at our table while speaking with others at the event. The surprise of the evening was the number of people who spoke with us who were not aware that the K of C was a pro-life organization.
Bay City Council #414 has a very close relationship with Area 9 Special Olympics. Area 9 held their board meeting at our council hall on Wednesday January,18 2023. During that meeting our council presented a check for $6,000.00.
Jeff Seifferly Immediate Past Grand Knight and current 3yr Trustee, Brad Covaleski Grand Knight and District Deputy #705, Alan Leppek Deputy Grand Knight, and Janelle Miller Area 9 Special Olympics Director.
Jeff and Alan have been Co-Chairing the MI Drive the past couple years and are responsible for the success of our drives. I personally have been involved with Area 9 Special Olympics since 2004. My son is an athlete. I've volunteered, coached, and still currently reside on Area 9's board. Some of our Knights and Ladies Auxiliary members are Special Olympics athletes. We have had several of our Knights participate in Area 9 fundraisers such as the Water Warriors ride and help volunteer for sports such as Cross-Country Skiing, Cycling, Flag Football, and more. Area 9 has been our #1 charity for the MI "Tootsie Roll" drive for at least the past 10 years. Jeff also DJs and has volunteered to DJ several of Area 9's Christmas parties including this past holiday as well as DJ and MC their local Polar Plunge prior to Covid and has hosted several Trivia Fundraisers for Area 9's Unified Champion Schools division. Area 9 athletes and their volunteers/board members have also helped us with our MI "Tootsie Roll" Drive. In my 11+ years in the Knights, I have not witnessed a stronger bond between a Special Olympics Area and a Knights of Columbus council. I am very honored and blessed to be part of this special relationship. You truly witness Holy Moments with our interaction - not just with the athletes but with the Knights as well. The financial support is great but to be there to help an athlete; there is no greater joy and spiritual reward to see that athlete cross that finish line. Their smile and excitement on their accomplishment washes over you and humbles you. God's power and love is all around us and those few moments with the athletes opens your eyes to see what God is capable of.
District Deputy #705, Brad Covaleski
On Monday January 16,2023 Swartz Creek Council #6694 donated over 50 winter coats to "Helping Hands Ukraine."
This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Rochester, MI, that provides items of need to both the Ukrainian soldiers and the children who have lost their parents and now reside in Ukrainian orphanages. Our council learned of this organization through a fellow St. Mary Queen of Angels parishioner who believed in their cause and reached out to see if we had any coats remaining from our recent "Coats for Kids" program that we might consider donating.
Pictured (L-R): GK Mike Trundle, Joe Niedzwiecki, PGK Jim Drummond, PGK Bob Kranz, PGK Wayne DeShano, DGK Lance Wildman, Luci Kent (parishioner), Iliana (Helping Hands Ukraine), and their dog Archie.
When learning of the great work this organization does, our council was in full support and believed it would be a wonderful use for the coats we still had on hand. As such, representatives of "Helping Hands Ukraine," Oleg and Iliana, met with us this date to accept the coats donated on behalf of our council. They were most appreciative and very grateful for our interest and support.
For more information on "Helping Hands Ukraine," please visit - www.helpinghandsua.org.
The Christmas celebration goes on at Council 7341.
The after-dinner program consisted of presenting the January Knight of the Month and Family of the Month awards.
Below in the pic on the left; r to l Knight of the Month Doug Fedewa and his wife Joanne, Family Director Gary Merritt and GK Jeff Hernandez. The Pic on the right; l to r; GK Jeff, Family of the Month Brett and Brooke Vasicek and Gary
Knights of Columbus St. Therese Of Lisieux Council #11957 in Shelby Twp. hosted a pancake breakfast after morning Masses on Sunday, Dec. 11th.
Santa made a surprise visit at each breakfast to say "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and presented each child with a small gift and candy cane.
Merry Christmas to the parishioners of St. Therese of Lisieux from Council #11957!
Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Kohler #15204 St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy. In Westland. ·
This year we had great participation in our Keeping Christ in Christmas poster contest! We had a few absences from class today, but here is a picture of our three winners and then a photo of all the students who participated in the program! Great work on keeping Christ at the center of our lives this Advent season!
St. Pope John XXIII Council #5436 (Our Lady of the Lakes Parish) in Waterford, MI.
Archdiocesan Program Director and FDD Joe Brenner along with Brother Knight John Greaves made a special delivery to Mother and Unborn Baby Care (MAUBC) in Southfield to deliver all the gifts generously donated by Our Lady of the Lakes parishioners.
It was "Taco Tuesday" on Tuesday December 13th. Members from Msgr. Jerome MacEachin (aka Fr. Mac) Council #7816 in E. L:ansing served up late night tacos for Michigan State University students during finals week at St. John Student Center on campus.
