Knights helping Parishioners move in Ira Township!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 3:54 PM

Members of the Au Lac Council Knights of Columbus in Ira Township helped two different parishioners prepare to move to new homes on September 20th! Here's a photo of one group who helped one of the two parishioners.

Thank you Brothers for your service!

 

St. Catherine of Siena Council 6980 welcomes new Brother!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 3:46 PM

Council 6980 in Kalamazoo District 406 held an Exemplification Ceremony on Sunday, September 21st 2025 in the Trinity Chapel at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Portage.  We are excited to welcome one new Brother Knight, Brandon Owen to St. Mary’s Kalamazoo Council 9962, and Dick McNally is now a Third Degree Knight of St. Catherine’s Council 6980!  Congratulations Brothers!

 

Pictured above – St. Catherine of Siena Council 6980 Degree Team Members Steve Borchert and Dan Kloosterman,  St. Catherine of Siena Council 6980 Chaplain Fr. Joesph Abraham, New Brother Knight Brandon Owen, Third Degree Brother Knight Dick McNally, Degree Team Members Frank Unger and Joe Comiskey, District Deputy 406 John Byrnes.  Not pictured, Kalamazoo SDRR Nick Zafer.

 

Living Rosary at the State Capitol - More Pictures and Video

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 12:38 PM

Here are more pictures and videos from the Living Rosary held at the Michigan State Capitol on September 13th.

It was a good event and we hope to see everyone there again next year!

Please click below for video's of each of the Keynote Addresses:

 

 

Council 7586 holds Polish Heritage Festival in South Lyon!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 12:01 PM

 

“Thank you to all volunteers and participants in making this weekend successful. In teamwork, we truly shined as a council and parish! “ stated Grand Knight Bob Donehue about the 4 th Annual Polish Heritage Festival at St. Joseph Parish in South Lyon, Michigan

 

District 118 Exemplifies Three Members!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 11:46 AM

L-R Front Row: Ed Gates; Brian Torey; Lou Magic
L-R Back Row: Detroit East Program Director Ron DePestel; District Deputy 118 & State Public Relations Director Matt Hoxsie; AB Council DGK Dave Nummer; Supreme Field Agent Don Wesley;
Au Lac Degree Team: PGK Pat Bohr; SK Jim Ruemenapp; WFN Dave Szczepanski; SK Cliff Becker; PGK Mark Savoie.

 

 

Au Lac Council 10724 in Anchorville hosted the District 118 Exemplification at Immaculatge Conception Parish on September 16th.

 

Congratulations to new Brothers Ed Gates (joining Au Lac Council 10724), Brian Torey  (joining Anchor Bay Council 5981), and Lou Magic (joining Anchor Bay Council 5981).

 

 

Council 15967 conducts Strategic Review and supports Vocations at Guest House

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 11:28 AM

Last winter, the leadership of Council 15967 at St. Daniel, Clarkston, met to review the

charitable organizations they support and to consider new ones with input from members.

One outcome was the decision to support Guest House in Lake Orion, which provides

treatment, education, and care for Catholic clergy, religious, and seminarians struggling with

addictions and behavioral health challenges. With a high success rate, Guest House helps them

return to a healthy, thriving ministry.

 

Grand Knight Greg Ebejer recently organized a visit for all councils in District 113 to meet Guest

House staff, learn about their impactful work, and tour the facility.

 

Thank you, Council 15967, for your leadership in supporting vocations.

 

Chris Scheuer, District Deputy 113

 

Grand Knight Greg Ebejer of Council 15967 presents a donation to the Guest House CEO, joined by District 113 councils from Lake Orion, Waterford, and Ortonville.

 

Brother Knight named “Hometown Hero” in Cheboygan

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 11:13 AM

On September 15th, the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee honored 94 year old Raymond Zbieracz as the community’s “Hometown Hero.”  He served in the National Guard, and is a 60 year member of the Knights of Columbus. He still volunteers weekly at Council 791’s Bingo night as well as the Tootsie Roll drive. Ray, an accomplished woodworker, continues to craft wooden toys and ornaments as door prizes for council events and gifts to children and families in need. 

Fr. Thomas R. Carey Council 4764 celebrates its founding!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 11:00 AM

Lake Orion Knights of Columbus Celebrate Council Founding

On September 12th, the Fr. Thomas R. Carey Knights of Columbus Council 4764 celebrated 65 years serving the Lake Orion community and its Catholic parishes. Over 130 members, spouses, and honored guests filled the ballroom at Canterbury Castle for dinner and dancing. Special guests included Fr. John Leo Phalen, who served from 1990-2003 as pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Lake Orion; Fr. Jim Kean, the current pastor who gave the invocation; Benedictine Monastery religious; and Dominican Sisters. Grand Knight Al Hassinger received proclamations from State Representative Josh Schriver and Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, thanking the Council members for their charitable works and service to the community.

 

Dan Fuller, State Advocate, congratulated the Fr. Thomas R. Carey Council for their achievements, highlighted by the recent donation of a new ultrasound unit to the Oxford Pregnancy Center, the 100th such donation by the Michigan K of C, and the Council’s 2024 Faith in Action Life Award at the state convention for its “Dads for Life” program.

 

Council 4764 formed April 12, 1959, when sixty-four St. Joseph parishioners became charter members. The council was named for Fr. Thomas R. Carey, a priest who visited the Orion area during the 1920s to celebrate Mass.

 

 

 

Catholic School Athletics - Keep the Tradition Going

By: Michael A. Kozakiewicz - Sun, Sep 21, 2025 10:32 AM

 

 

Tradition. Many families have different events that happen throughout the year. That goes for the Knights of Columbus also. Each Council has their own traditions of events as do the state Council. One of them is the annual prep Bowl. Which has really gone down.
 
This year’s Prep Bowl on Oct. 25th at Ford Field will be the 53rd Prep Bowl dating back to 1972 and, in particular, a recognition of the efforts of then-CHSL director Walt Bazylewicz and Knights of Columbus member, Julian Joseph, to make it happen.
 
The challenge facing Bazylewicz was a financial report described as “low funds, big debts” to pay for the league’s programs. He approached Joseph, of the Allen Park Fr. Saylor Council and an officer on local, state and international boards, about K of C sponsorship.
 
Their discussions resulted in a K of C commitment for annual support of the Prep Bowl as well as the volleyball and track and field championships.
 
For many years councils from the Diocese of Detroit Lansing and all around the state came and supported this great event. Grand Knights, council officers and most state and area directors were recognized on the field by having their names called. They also bought many tickets for the games and handed it out to the local schools because many of them have never been to the SilverDome or Ford Field before. Nowadays we're lucky if we get a few Council officers representing their local councils, not many district deputies or and area directors. What happened to that tradition? It's sad to see the representation that we get from all the leadership throughout the state for the Knights of Columbus. We need to make this event strong again. We need your support by showing up and being proud to represent your Council, your state and the emblem of the Knights of Columbus.  
 
Below you will find links to the official letter about the Prep Bowl and also the ticket order form. Think about buying tickets for your local schools and donating them. It would be a good recruiting opportunity. Also attached is the ad form, to support the yearly ad book.  Any questions feel free to contact me..  
 

--

Michael Kozakiewicz
Chief of Fraternal Activities