By: Kenneth Unterbrink - Wed, Jul 24, 2024 7:01 AM

Michigan Knights of Columbus

Seminarian Tuition Assistance Assessment

As voted and unanimously approved by the delegates at the State Convention.

$3.00 per member, per Fraternal Year

*Offset the tuition cost on Michigan seminarians

*The funds donated by each diocese will stay with the seminarians of the diocese.

*Each council Financial Secretary will receive the Official Billing in July.

*The Grand Knight should bring the Seminarian Tuition Assistance Assessment to the membership for approval.

*Support all the seminarians in Michigan through your convention Delegate approval.

Charity is a duty. Support those charities that adhere to the Teaching of the Catholic Faith.

Please continue to support seminarians with the RSVP program, the Michigan K of C Endowed Scholarship Fund, and all other diocese seminarian funds. The ask is for our future priests.  Vivat Jesus!

PS: If your council needs a visit, you are just down the road.

Kenneth Unterbrink, PSD & SHMS State Director

k.unterbrink@mikofc.org

By: Cliff Wasmund - Sun, Jul 21, 2024 6:08 PM

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

By: Dean Hayward - Sun, Jul 21, 2024 10:37 AM

Viva Jesus!

As leaders within our councils, it is crucial that we are all fully prepared to excel in our roles. For those who were unable to attend the recent in-person training session, we are pleased to announce several catch-up training opportunities. Please note that each session can accommodate up to 90 participants, so be sure to secure your spot early.

Catch-Up Training Details:

Michigan Knights of Columbus Program & Membership Catch-up Training

·  Date: Monday, July 29

·  Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm (America/New York)

·  Google Meet Link: Video call link

·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

Michigan Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Catch-up Training

·  Date: Tuesday, July 30

·  Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm (America/New York)

·  Google Meet Link: Video call link

·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

Michigan Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Catch-up Training

·  Date: Monday, August 5

·  Time: 8:00pm – 9:30pm (America/New York)

·  Google Meet Link: Video call link

·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

Michigan Knights of Columbus Program & Membership Catch-up Training

·  Date: Wednesday, August 7

·  Time: 8:00pm – 9:30pm (America/New York)

·  Google Meet Link: Video call link

·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

Michigan Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Catch-up Training

                  ·   Date: Saturday, August 10

                  ·  Time: 9:00am – 10:30am (America/New York)

                  ·   Google Meet Link: Video call link

                  ·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

Michigan Knights of Columbus Program & Membership Catch-up Training

                  ·  Date: Saturday, August 10

                  ·  Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm (America/New York)

                  ·  Google Meet Link: Video call link

                  ·  Add to Calendar: Google Calendar Entry

If you cannot make these training sessions, please avail yourself of the online materials from Supreme. The latest training from Supreme for Financial Secretaries and Grand Knights can be found at: Officer Training Archives.

For questions, please contact Dean Hayward at d.hayward@mikofc.org  or Joe Langhauser at j.langhauser@mikof.org 

This training is designed to ensure that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their duties effectively. Your participation is vital to the continued success and growth of our council.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication. We look forward to seeing you there.

Fraternally,

By: Douglas Kokot - Sun, Jul 21, 2024 6:21 AM

Douglas Kokot

State Membership Director

Michigan Knights of Columbus

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Jul 20, 2024 3:22 PM

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.

Click here to watch the video

By: Mandy Borsenik - Fri, Jul 12, 2024 5:30 AM

By: Douglas Kokot - Tue, Jul 9, 2024 5:18 PM

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 1^st.  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

By: Ken Warzybok - Sat, Jul 6, 2024 7:57 AM

The Father McGivney Guild is thrilled to announce the release of a newly published book on Blessed Michael McGivney in the popular format of a graphic novel/comic book:

"A Father's Heart: The Story of Blessed Michael McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus."

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel serves as a captivating tool to promote the Sainthood Cause of Father Michael McGivney and to engage with young families and potential new members.

Brian Caulfield, from the Executive Office of the Supreme Knight and Vice Postulator for the Cause of Blessed Michael McGivney, is collaborating with the International Catholic Publishing House Éditions du Signe to ensure the success of this program as a recruiting and fundraising tool for our councils.

Through a special bulk rate (minimum 100 copies), your council can feature two introductory pages dedicated to recounting the history of your council, as well as the current narrative of your faith and charitable endeavors. These books can then be sold to Knights and parishioners to raise funds for further good works.

To learn more about this innovative project or to request sample pages of the graphic novel, please contact the Father McGivney Guild at guild@kofc.org.

This unique opportunity will be presented at the upcoming Diocesan and District meetings. Order your copies today by clicking here.

Don't miss out on this incredible chance to share your council's story and support a great cause!