John Burch Talks About Religious Freedom at the 2024 Summer Organizational Meeting
By: Ed Strach -
Mon, Jul 15, 2024 4:59 PM
Guest Speaker John Bursch delivered a compelling presentation on Religious Freedom at the Michigan State Council's 2024 Summer Organizational Meeting.
As the Vice President of Appellate Advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the world's largest public-interest law firm dedicated to defending religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, marriage and family, and the right to life, John Bursch brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, John is a devoted husband and father of five. He is also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, a three-time past president of the Grand Rapids Legatus Chapter, and a valued member of the Pro-Life Partners Foundation Advisory Board.
His insights and expertise on the topic of Religious Freedom were both enlightening and thought-provoking, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting these fundamental rights in our society.
To watch the video, click here
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
By: Mandy Borsenik -
Fri, Jul 12, 2024 5:30 AM
Greetings from the Ladies of the Michigan Knights of Columbus!
At the Ladies Meeting this past weekend, I personally introduced a new initiative I hope our ladies, and yourselves, will embrace. It is called:
It is exactly what the words mean: “Do something good that will make a difference in this world.”
I want to emphasize the power of individual actions and responsibility in bringing about desired changes in our world. Some examples are:
Shop for the elderly
Make a casserole for a meal for someone
If you have a bountiful garden, share with people
Help stock your parishes food pantry, etc.
The ladies will revisit this initiative each time we meet over the next two years. I cannot wait to hear what great and positive actions you have done.
Thank you!
Mandy Borsenik
Wife of State Deputy Barry Borsenik
2024 State Leadership Installation
By: Cliff Wasmund -
Fri, Jul 12, 2024 5:26 AM
Dear Brother Knights,
Thanks to the efforts of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order, which has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal organization, is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, we will observe the installation of our new State Deputy, Barry M. Borsenik, the other state officers, state chaplain, diocesan chaplains, district deputies, state directors, and regional directors from across the state of Michigan. The Installation Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption located at 615 Hoyt Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan, at 4:00 pm. This will be followed by a reception and banquet beginning at 6:00 pm at the Horizons Conference Center located at 6200 State Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48603.
We are extending an invitation to your membership to attend this important occasion. Tickets are $65.00, which includes dinner, an open bar and entertainment. Tables seat eight people. Please send your check, made payable to Michigan Knights of Columbus, to Sue Thorn, 768 Lockmoore Court, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 no later than August 6, 2024.To access the fillable RSVP form, click here.
A block of hotel rooms at a special Knights of Columbus price is available at the Four Points by Sheraton located at 4960 Town Center Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48604. We ask that you present this information to your membership during your July meeting and consider sending representatives.
If you are traveling from outside the Saginaw area and would like to stay overnight, the Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw located at 4690 Towne Center Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48604 has been identified as the host hotel. Special Knights of Columbus rates are available if reservations are made no later than August 6, 2024. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (989) 790-5050.
For more information, please contact me at (734) 634-7989.
We hope you will join us in witnessing the installation of our newly elected officers and join us for the festivities afterwards.
Fraternally yours,
Clifford F. Wasmund
Administrative Secretary to the State Deputy
From our new State Program Director
By: Matthew Wierzgac -
Mon, Jul 8, 2024 8:25 PM
My Brother Knights,
I hope you had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day Holiday! A new fraternal year has officially begun, and we have some new faces and some changes to leadership. My name is Matt Wierzgac, and I am your new State Program Director. I am very excited and ready to serve!
I want to thank our past State Program Director, Paul Palka, for his exceptional performance and service these last four years in that position. His service and dedication to the Knights of Columbus is both amazing and inspiring! I have some big shoes to fill.
Our State Deputy has tagged the next couple years with the acronym SOAR. Each letter has a meaning.
Service = What Life is About
Optimism = The Faith that leads us to achievement
Aspire = To accomplish great deeds
Responsibility = To do your duty
Come SOAR with us!
Just a friendly reminder that the forms 185 and 365 were due on July 1st. If you haven’t submitted these yet, please do so as soon as possible. They are very important to kick starting your council to success! If you have any questions or need assistance with these, please contact your District Deputy. They are a great resource for guidance and assistance.
A great program for our youth this summer is our Soccer Challenge. It isn’t difficult to do, and your Diocesan Program Director can provide guidance. More information and resources is available on the supreme website. You can order the guides, posters, and scoresheets there, or even download and print them on your own. If this is something your council is interested in doing, please consider scheduling this event in the July/Early August timeframe. Winners will advance to the district/diocesan level competition. For more information, look at the supreme website, or contact your diocesan program director.
In the coming weeks, I will cover many other programs of the Faith in Action Programs available to you to achieve the Columbian Award.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact me at m.wierzgac@mikofc.org.
Again, I am excited to serve as your new State Program Director and look forward to helping you succeed!
God Bless and Vivat Jesus!
Matt Wierzgac
Michigan State Program Director
Michigan's 94th Ultrasound Dedication
By: Ed Strach -
Fri, Jul 5, 2024 7:27 AM
On Monday July 1, 2024, the 94th Ultrasound machine in Michigan was dedicated and blessed in Grand Rapids.
Welcome State Chaplain Father Andrew LaFambroise
By: Ken Warzybok -
Mon, Jul 1, 2024 6:49 AM
It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new State Chaplain, Father Andrew S. LaFramboise!
Father LaFramboise is a dedicated priest within the Diocese of Saginaw, MI, currently serving as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Reese and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar. In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Andrew also fulfills the role of Vocation Director for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Father LaFramboise's journey to priesthood began at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, where he received his MDIV and STB before being ordained in 2014. Father Andrew's commitment to furthering his theological education led him to obtain a Licentiate in Sacred Theology of Marriage and Family (STL) in 2019 from the prestigious Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America.
Father LaFramboise's leadership and spiritual guidance will greatly benefit our Order and the Knights and Ladies throughout Michigan!
