By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Dec 23, 2020 2:56 PM

Two of the selections of Catholics of the Year 2020 are Fr. McGivney an our Supreme Knight.

Meet Our Sunday Visitor’s 2020 Catholics of the Year

Here is the article written by our Supreme Chaplain from Our Catholic Visitors website.

A deep faith and commitment to charity link the Knights of Columbus’ past and present leaders

By Archbishop William E. Lori

As Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, I have worked closely with Supreme Knight Carl Anderson for more than 15 years. Repeatedly, I have witnessed in him the qualities of mind and heart that have made him a visionary and effective leader of the world’s largest lay Catholic organization. Chief among these are the depth of faith in Jesus Christ, his love of the Church, his missionary spirit, his commitment to charity, his strength of character, and his ability to lead a large and complex fraternal organization. Looking back on the Supreme Knight’s tenure, I can say without any hesitation that he has brilliantly exemplified the luminous virtues so evident in the life of the recently beatified Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights.

Like Father McGivney, Supreme Knight Anderson firmly anchors life and work in his encounter with Christ in faith and prayer. His profound respect for human life and his commitment to charity flow from his faith in the Incarnate Son of God who fully reveals the inviolable dignity of each person. As was true of Father McGivney, Supreme Knight Anderson’s every initiative aims at furthering the Church’s mission to evangelize, sanctify and serve. In the spirit of Father McGivney, Supreme Knight Anderson has extended Knights of Columbus charities to the marginalized, whether it is persecuted Christians in the Middle East or young people in the inner city in need of a warm coat. Following in Father McGivney’s footsteps, Supreme Knight Anderson has worked tirelessly to promote family life and to ensure that the Knights of Columbus helps Catholic men to live their faith as good husbands and fathers.

As the Church gives thanks for the beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney, so, too, let us give thanks to God for the wonderful example and leadership of Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. Both of these distinguished Knights are well-deserving of being named among Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholics of the Year for the indelible mark each made on the Church this past year.

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore is Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Dec 21, 2020 2:10 PM

Each year the March for Life has a tradition of recognizing a remarkable person through the Pro-Life Legacy Award – a person who has dedicated his or her life to building a culture of life. This award, presented during the Rose Dinner, is gifted to longstanding heroes of the pro-life movement. 

March for Life is delighted to announce that the 2021 Pro-Life Legacy awardee is Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson is a former Professor and Dean of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, and current Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Anderson has dedicated his career to furthering the pro-life cause through policy, education, and through his tireless pro-life work with the Knights of Columbus.
Carl Anderson has accomplished enormous milestones in our collective work to make abortion unthinkable, he is a true pro-life warrior, and is highly deserving of this year’s Pro-Life Legacy Award. It is thanks in large part to the work of Mr. Anderson that the movement has made many advances that can be celebrated today.
 I hope you will join us in honoring Mr. Anderson at the Virtual Rose Dinner Gala!

Jeanne Mancini President March for Life

Register for our Virtual Rose Dinner Gala to watch the award presentation, including remarks from Mr. Anderson!

By: Robert Smith - Mon, Dec 21, 2020 8:30 AM

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Dec 14, 2020 10:22 AM

Taking Action for Life – Pregnancy Center Support

By: Gary Kolbicz - Mon, Dec 14, 2020 10:00 AM

To view the latest Mich. Columbian edition click on Logo below.

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 13, 2020 1:13 PM

Well over 6,700 coats were distributed in Michigan by the State and local councils this year.

As you can see from the pics those that receive the winter wear are vary appreciative.

Anyone involved will agree that the need is great.

One lady in Flint said she walked 10 blocks in the cold with her kids to get them a coat.

One girl when asked how she liked her coat by responding; “I hope it gets cold so I can wear it.”

Councils can participate by donating money to the State Council which allows more coats to be distributed at these events. It’s a great way for councils that don’t have the resources or the ability to distribute locally to help fund the state events. And of course, earn a credit towards the Columbian award. As we approach the end of the events any donations will be saved and used for the distribution in 2021. To donate write your council check to the Michigan State Council, memo: Coats for Kids and mail to State Secretary Chris Kolomjec - 378 Fisher Rd Gross Point Farms 48230.

By: Garret Kelenske - Sat, Dec 12, 2020 12:25 PM

Worthy State Leadership and my Brother Knights, I thought I would share with you the results of the First Quarter and the Month of October results for the Family of the Month Participation. These numbers are according to what Supreme is receiving from the Great Jurisdiction of Michigan. I think that these numbers speak for themselves.

Diocese                     First quarter            October

Detroit                        12.56%                       13.77%

Gaylord                      3.42%                         2.56%

Grand Rapids           10.56%                      16.67%

Kalamazoo                2.94%                        2.94%

Lansing                     8.68%                         12.33%

Marquette                  0.00%                        0.00%

Saginaw                    10.57%                      12.27%

I am also including the October Council Participation List and Winners that I received from Supreme. 

If your Council is not on this list then chances are you did not fill out the proper form and submit it.

The form can be found on the State web site. Click on Resources go to Family Supreme Resources, then click on the sub title Family Faith in Action and it will take you to the Family programs. Form 10668 . Please take the time to do this very simple program, it is a great way to promote the Knights of Columbus and recruit new members.

Rise up and Answer the Call!

State Family Director Garret A. Kelenske

By: Karl Knittel - Thu, Dec 3, 2020 7:49 AM

Karl Knittel Promotions

Are your KC shirts beginning to show some wear and need replacement? It’s been a while since we have met together and had the opportunity to purchase from me in person. You are now able to purchase items virtually, or online anyway. They also make great Christmas presents.

 Rise Up And Answer the Call!  By displaying the Knights of Columbus on your apparel. 

Get the order form HERE.

E-mail a copy of the order above to: k.knittle@mikofc.org

Or Mail to Karl Knittle 1505 N. Meadowlark Jenison, MI 49428

Write check to Michigan State Council memo: shirts.

Credit Card purchase contact: Karl Knittel 616-836-2203

By: Garret Kelenske - Tue, Dec 1, 2020 1:35 PM

My Brother Knights and Families did you know that in the Family Program   section you can find the easiest program that the Knights of Columbus offer to our parishes? This program is called the Consecration to the Holy Family. The program is designed to be done on the Feast day of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This year that date falls on Sunday December 27, 2020. I know that this gives you all some time to get permission from Father to do this program. With the busy Christmas schedule, it may be difficult to get this prayer program done, but remember this program could also be done on one of the Marian Feast days or any other appropriate family-oriented Feast Day.

As I said this program is so simple, all the Council has to do is order the prayer card, get permission from Father. Pass out the prayer card which by the way is optional. Ask Father to do the prayer after the final Blessing. If Father is extremely busy you could ask the Deacon or a member of the Council to recite the prayer with the parish. I do not think it gets easier than that.

My Brothers the information for this program can be found in the Resources section of the State website. When you get there click on Family Supreme Programs and you will find all the information that you need. This is the time when we need to consecrate our Families to the Holy Family, with all of the issues in the world and all of the chaos I cannot think of a more appropriate program to strengthen our Families.

Consecration to the Holy Family Link

My Brother Knights and Families I hope this article finds you all basking in the glow of the recent Thanksgiving Day festivities. Now that we have all enjoyed the holiday it is time to refocus and get moving again on our programs. I do not like to promote the Keep Christ in Christmas Programs before Halloween and Thanksgiving we get enough of that from the stores, but the time is here. Did you know that Supreme has rolled multiple programs together in this area? Not only do we have the traditional poster contest and card sales, but we also have a wonderful Advent programs called Journey to the Inn. By the time you are reading this Advent has begun, but that’s not a problem for this program. The booklet is set up to be a one-day ceremony, because of the current health crisis we are in, this program can be done with social distancing and outside. I know sometimes the weather doesn’t always cooperate at this time of the year but properly dressed it should not be a problem.  As with many of our programs there is room for creativity and substitution. An example would be to ask the Deacon or Grand Knight to do the part of the Chaplain if he is unavailable.

    There are also other programs that are available that can be very rewarding. Perhaps a Parish Wreath Blessing that could be done after Mass in the parking lot. Council Family households getting together on zoom and all lighting their trees and saying some prayers.  More information on these programs can be found on our State website, look under Resources in the Family section and click on the Supreme Program heading. Please get creative, the possibilities are endless, but you have to become motivated to do them. This year I am asking my Brother Knights and their Families to make a special effort to Keep Christ in Christmas. God Bless all of you and From the Kelenske Family Merry Christmas.

Supreme Family Programs Link

Your Brother in Christ

Garret A. Kelenske State Family Director

Rise up and Answer the Call!

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 1, 2020 1:30 PM