Brothers and Sisters,
Take me out to the ballpark...on Saturday August 17th!
Click here for the order form for tickets.
On June 15th, the Michigan Knights of Columbus, as part of the Special Olympics Initiative, proudly hosted the blessing and naming ceremony of the Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Division Senior League Baseball Field in honor of the esteemed founder of the Knights of Columbus, Blessed Michael J. McGivney.
Through the dedicated efforts of forty-two Knights of Columbus councils across Metro Detroit, a remarkable sum of over $62,000.00 was raised during our annual MI Drives to support the development of this field. Since 2006, a total of over $227,000.00 has been generously donated to the league through previous MI Drives. It has been stated that, "No one is more deserving of the honor of naming this field than the Knights of Columbus."
This newly inaugurated, all-inclusive field for these deserving young athletes will now and forever be known as the Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney Field!
In addition to our Worthy State Secretary-elect, Charles McCuen and Lady Pamela, the esteemed guest speaker at the event was Robbie Waclawski, the Director of Civic Partnership and State Sponsorship for Special Olympics of Michigan. Director Waclawski also holds the distinguished title of Director of Special Olympics for the Michigan Knights of Columbus State Council.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and participated in this event, as well as to those who generously contributed to make this momentous occasion possible...
...and a VERY special thank you goes out to the athletes whose joy and sportsmanship will forever be associated with the name of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney!
VIVAT JESUS!
In 2018 (with 8 children and one on the way), the Ampe family were made aware of special needs children in Ukraine that needed homes, lots of love, and medical attention. They discussed the situation with their children who all agreed to adopt a Downs Syndrome child. They started the adoption process and flew to Ukraine to meet (and bring home) their 10th child (Cazimir). When they got there, they stumbled upon Henrik (another child with Downs Syndrome). They had a quick family meeting (via face-time) and the children asked their parents to please “Don’t leave Henrik behind. Bring him home.” Joe and Tiffany have stayed in touch with the families of Casimir and Henrik so they remain connected to their children and, just as important, Casimir and Henrik stay connected with their birth parents.
Then, in 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and the war began. Joe and Tiffany (with their connection to Ukraine) could not sit by and do nothing. They began raising money and collecting food and medical supplies to take to Ukraine. They worked with their parish and the Knights of Columbus. They reached out beyond Joe’s local council (689) to the entire district and raised over $200,000 for Ukraine. Joe made 2 additional trips to Ukraine to deliver all food and medical supplies raised. The people he met were so grateful and were overwhelmed by the generosity of the Marquette Diocese and the Knights of Columbus (led and inspired by Joe and Tiffany and the entire Ampe family).
Joe and Tiffany have built a wonderful family firmly rooted in their Catholic faith. The Ampe family (along with the Knights in Marquette) have demonstrated their commitment to provide Ukraine with the love, food, medical supplies and money they need to survive.
