International Community Award Winner Council 10992

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Aug 14, 2019 7:30 PM

Int Comm winner 18-19 10992


In 2007, Knights from Holy Family Council 10992 began sponsoring a small event welcoming local high school students with special needs to their own “prom.” The first event hosted 12 students and continued to grow much larger in the years to come. The prom is now held twice a year at Sparta High School and all students with special needs can attend at no charge. The bi-annual event now attracts 1,600 guests with special needs from across Michigan. As many as 200 volunteers, most of whom are members of Council 10992, assist with the months of planning, preparation and execution for each event, including: volunteering for check-in, buffet service, developing themes and decorating, event security and clean-up, waiting tables, and serving as trained medical staff. The council also ensures that every attendee receives the full prom treatment: contracting a limousine service to offer free rides and working with local hair and makeup stylists and formal-wear vendors to provide free services. 

Faith in Action: Community Helping Hands

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Aug 12, 2019 7:30 PM

Helping Hands


 Higher Purpose


 Put your faith into action and help those less fortunate in your


 community. In the model of Knights of Columbus founder,


 Venerable Michael McGivney, councils will lead efforts to assist


 those most in need. Guidelines for this program are broad and


 can include forming partnerships with local aid organizations or


 independently planning unique activities.


 Overview


 The Helping Hands program is designed to recognize the


 important work many councils already do to care for the most


 disadvantaged members of our communities – the homeless, the


 addicted, the elderly who may feel isolated and abandoned, and


 many others. Through this program, councils will aid the needy


 through the activities they feel best suit their community, such as


 serving at or running a soup kitchen, repairing the facilities of a


 local service organization or something entirely unique. The


 requirements for this program are very broad in order to allow


 councils to serve their community in whatever way is most


 needed.


 Required Program


  A council must conduct this required program in the Community


 category to be eligible to receive the Columbian Award.tion Stepses


 For tips from Supreme click Action Steps   


 for items you need click Resources

Michigan Family of the Year 2018

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Jul 30, 2019 7:30 PM

Fam Yr 18 1


Deacon Pat & Peggy McDonald Family


Pat is a Graduate from Catholic Central High School  in 1954 and Magna Cum Laude from University of Detroit Law School  in 1961 a masters Degree from Georgetown Law in 1962. He Served as Captain in the US Airforce 1962 to 1965. Peggy graduated from Convent of Sacred Heart High School in 1955 and a BA from University Detroit in 1959. They were Married om August 10, 1963 at St. Clare of Montefalco, Gross Pointe Park Mi.


They have Eight Children Daughter Marianne & husband Michael their children Peter Andrew and Timothy,  Son Mike & wife Marysol their children Patrick Conor Rohan and Mary, Daughter Colleen & husband Robb their children Brian Cecelia Maggie and Benjamin Son Patrick & wife Kathleen their children John Henry Timothy and MiMi. Son Tim & wife Kim their children Juni and Wyatt Daughter Molly & Husband Seth Son Tom & wife Elicette their children Christopher and Anthony and Daughter Maureen.


With Peggy's blessing Pat entered the newly Permanent Diaconate program initiated by Pope Pius VI in 1968 and was ordained by Cardinal Dearden on June 24,1972 at St Marys in Redford. Then they Settled down in Brighton at St Patrick Church and joined the Knights of Columbus as a charter member of Council 7304.









 Fam Yr 18 2

 Both Pat & Peggy have been very involved in Community, Family and Parish life, these are just some of the organizations they have been involved with. Detroit Public Schools, Guest House, St Vincent DePaul, catholic College Night, Keep Christ in Christmas, there are many more


 


Pat and Peggy continue to be models of a good Catholic Married Couple. They attend daily Mass together Peggy is an extra ordinary Minister they serve the homebound at Brighton Center for Recovery. I could continue there is so much more but I would again like to congratulate the whole Family on being a gift from God to all of us.


Thank You and God Bless.

 


 

Michigan KC 57th Ultrasound

By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Jul 20, 2019 7:30 PM

57th ultrasound


Wednesday July 17, 2019 marked the dedication of the 57th Ultrasound Machine in Michigan which took place at Pregnancy Center of Lapeer. Lou Parsch, Grand Knight from Council #4556 provided the opening prayer while Fr. Noel from Sacred Heart parish in Imlay City blessed the Ultrasound machine.  In attendance, District Deputy Walter Sierakowski Jr. representing sponsoring Council #1987, Council #4556 GK Lou Parsch, Council #9568 GK Drew Edwards, Lapeer Pregnancy Center Executive Director Erika Hale, Board Co-Chairman Chuck Herpolsheimer along with Lapeer Center staff and Brother Knights from the neighboring Councils. Others in attendance MI State Council State Secretary Walter Winkle Jr., and MI K of C Pro Life Chair Couple Tim & Cindy Donovan.


Sponsoring Council: Fr. Goentges Council #1987 along with the help of neighboring Councils #9568 in North Branch, & #4556 in Imlay City.


Board Co-Chairman Chuck Herpolsheimer communicated the importance of this Ultrasound Machine while thanking the Knights of Columbus for their generosity and commitment to Protecting the Unborn. Executive Director Erika Hale also expressed her thanks to the K of C recognizing the great work that's being done in opening the hearts and minds of those facing difficult decisions. Fr. Noel concluded the ceremony by providing us with our inspirational closing prayer.


Many thanks to all who participated and donated that may not be mentioned, please know that without all of you none of this would be possible.


And last but far from least, let us not forget Supreme Council Knights of Columbus for their matching funds program which has surpassed its original goal of 1,000 Life Saving Ultrasound Machines Order wide.


To view a listing of the clinics with a KC donated ultrasound click HERE.


God bless, Tim & Cindy Donovan Pro Life Chair Couple                                                


Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus   

Pinewood Open

By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Jul 13, 2019 7:30 PM



 Great fun program to help your council raise funds.


Michigan State Council Service Program Award Winner 2016


Supreme Council Program Recognition 2016


The Knights of Columbus Pinewood Open is intended to be an event for the whole family! You may enter as many cars as you like. As it is an "Open", anyone may enter cars, boys, girls, young or old. We use the size, weight and height rules of the scouts, however, you may make your car out of any material, 3D print it, carve an organic car, use your imagination! The Michigan State Council suggests all proceeds go towards Coats for Kids. To increase fundraising, in addition to car entry fees, consider produc-ing a race day program with local business ads, and have awards like "Best Super Hero Theme", "Best Big 10 School Entry" and "Most Creative Design" that entrants and spectators vote on with cash donations, the most cash donated for a specific car wins!


 


Go to : sites.google.com/site/pinewood788 for a sample flyer, registration form and rules. Need a track? Go to : pinecar.woodlandscenics.com/images/ws_new/track.pdf.


Need a timer? Go to : derbymagic.com to order a 3 lane 32 foot kit, ET timer and Derby Magic Race Manager Software.


Start Planning Your Race Today!


For any additional information please contact:


Michael Wegener - State Development Dir. - wegener@mikofc.org, 517-331-3959

St. John the Evangelist Caretakers Program

By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Jul 13, 2019 7:30 PM

Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus introduced a new Program Award Category at the Summer Organizational meeting.


Care Takers award pic


 The Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus St. John the Evangelist Caretakers Program is designed to recognize and appreciate the tireless care given by families to their special dependants.



  • Councils may begin application for the Award of a worthy family by clicking here to download the form.

  • Applications would be judged the same as the Program Awards.

  • Award is a special St. John the Evangelist rosary, blessed at the convention and used on the lawn during the Living Rosary.

  • Award would be presented on Friday during the Open Session Awards Presentations.


Begin consideration of a worthy family and watch this website for future information.

Special Olympics Partners with Knights of Columbus

By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Jul 6, 2019 7:30 PM

S-O Summer 19


To say we were blessed during the month of May is an understatement:




  • The Michigan Knights of Columbus once again earned Supremes top spot for our commitment to Special Olympics (8th year in a row!).



  • Over 30 Color Guard members attended the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games.



  • We now have a Brother Knight / Special Olympics Athlete serving as K of C Assistant Director for Special Olympics - Willy Winkle!



I would like to thank everyone for their support. Special Olympics Michigan is but one of MANY causes that the Michigan Knights of Columbus supports. You are all part of something bigger than yourself, and the impact you are making is immeasurable. On behalf of our 23,000+ athletes - Thank you and God Bless!


Vivat Jesus! Robbie Waclawski, GK #1297 / Special Olympics Michigan


To view the summer Special Olympics summer newsletter click HERE.