By: John Hundiak - Thu, Nov 5, 2020 6:04 PM

The State Special Olympics Organization Team has opened up the Virtual 2020 Ties & Tennies Gala with free access to Knights.  This is a fun event where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Special Olympics as well as bid on one of the fantastic fundraisers.  Information is listed below.  Viewing the virtual event is free for Knights! Please join us!

The Special Olympics Michigan Ties & Tennies Gala is virtual this year, and you are invited to join the party from home: ← CLICK THE LOGO TO REGISTER TO VIEW THE LIVE-STREAM GALA PRESENTATION

REGISTER TO VIEW THE LIVE-STREAM GALA PRESENTATION:
* THIS Friday, Nov. 6th
* 7pm - Photo Montage Welcome | 7:30pm - Program Begins

BID IN THE AUCTION:
* Bidding is open NOW, and closes Sunday, Nov. 8th at 7pm
* Won items will be shipped or dropped-off to you

ENTER THE BOOZE-WAGON RAFFLE:- HERE
* Raffle for Wagon full of various liquor (photo in purchase link below)
* $20 per ticket, available for purchase at: SOMI Wagon of Cheer

* Winner drawn on SOMI Gala Facebook

MAKE A DONATION, SUPPORT AN ATHLETE!
* Fund-a-need for our "Return to Play" plan:
* SOMI Fund-a-Need

Thank you for your support of Special Olympics Michigan!  If you watch the Gala at your own home watch-party, please share those on Facebook / Instagram and tag @SOMIgala.

John Hundiak, State Special Olympics Director, Michigan Knights of Columbus
Robbie Waclawski, Special Gifts Manager, Special Olympics Michigan

Any questions / comments about the Ties & Tennies Gala can be directed to
the SOMI Fundraising Team at: 313-444-0690 (call or text)

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Nov 2, 2020 9:32 AM

Father Lam Le Grand Rapids Diocesan Chaplain, State Deputy Walter Winkle and Grand Rapids Bishop David Walkowiak with the reliquary containing a second class relic form Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

Father Le hosted a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday November 1 at his parish, Saint John Paul II in Cedar Springs, in honor of the Beatification of Father McGivney The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Walkowiak and attended by the State Board and their wives along with many State and Diocesan Directors, District Deputies and many knights and their families.

Hopefully you were able to attend one of the many Thanksgiving Masses offered around the State celebrating Father McGivney’s new title as Blessed.

You may view the replay of the Thanksgiving Mass from Saint Mary’s in New Haven Ct. here.

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:36 PM

Time to Stand Up and Take Action – Your Vote Counts! As Catholics and citizens, members of the Knights of Columbus should vote and encourage members of their families, parishes, and communities to vote. This is the time to Stand Up and Take Action by exercising your right to vote.

Here is the Supreme link that offers resources for the upcoming election.

Also, Michigan Catholic Conference has produced a publication titled “The Issues, The Candidates, and Your Vote 2020." This publication offers Catholics issues to consider before voting. These issues include: Human Life and Dignity, Religious Liberty, Preferential Option for the Poor, Education, Children and Families, Health Care, Restorative Justice, Immigrants and Refugees and Care for Creation.

You can find this publication at this link: 

Vivat Jesus,

Ed Strach Life Director

Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:34 PM

If you were unable to attend this virtual event which features keynote speaker, Sarah Huckabee Sanders with host and musical guest Matthew West, it is available for on-demand viewing until Tuesday, November 3rd. To watch and support this year’s virtual event, ‘We Are Not Giving Up On Life” go to https://rtl.org/event KofC-Respect-Life  Virtual Event to register and watch this video through Nov. 3. Thank you as we Take Action to Continue Building a Culture of Life! Ed & Lynn Strach Pro-Life Couple Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Joseph Yekulis - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:31 PM

St. Louis Center Announces its “Virtual” 33rd Annual Fall Auction Saturday November 7th

Following their successful “Virtual” St. Louis Center 60^th Anniversary fundraising event on Thursday October 22^nd, the online fun continues with the 33^rd Annual Fall Auction on the evening of Saturday November 7, 2020 starting at 7:00 p.m. This event which is usually conducted during a formal dinner at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – Chelsea, will forgo the meal because of this year’s COVID19 pandemic, and it will be an online auction instead. There will be no cost to participate, and plenty of items will be up for grabs to help St. Louis Center continue to support its 70 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It can be found on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/stlouiscenter/.

As usual, this fast paced exciting auction will feature Chelsea’s own Joseph Merkel from Merkel’s Auction Specialists, Inc., who has held several virtual auctions for other non-profits suffering through this years’ pandemic. Some of the more unique items for bid include:

-          A week for four at La Cappella, a picturesque villa in Calvari, Italy, located in the northern province of Liguria near the Mediterranean, and valued at $5,000.

-          A “Thanksgiving Bounty” of vegetables from Tantre Farms, a turkey, duck and chicken from Old Brick Farm, LLC, a pie from Grand Traverse Pie Co., and a Whimsical Cow painted by local artist Lindsey Dahl; all valued at $375.00.

-          A “Canadian Fishing Paradise” with 3 days/3 nights at Loch Island Lodge in Wabatongushi, Ontario, post COVID, valued at $1600.00.

-          A one week stay at Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa in Cancun, Mexico valued at $5,000.

-          A pastel of the Chelsea Clock Tower & Welfare Building at Sunset by Sue Craig valued at $500.

These are just a few of the 16 major items that will be up for bid, along with a chance to bid on Star items called “Comforts of Home,” to provide bedding, linens, furniture, microwaves and entertainment media needed in the new Cottage Homes to be opened soon in St. Louis Guanella Village.

To view the remaining auction items up for bid, please visit the St. Louis Center Auction webpage at the following location, https://stlouiscenter.org/news-events/fundraising-events/fall-auction/.

 For more information about St. Louis Center, please visit www.stlouiscenter.org, or call 734-475-8430. St. Louis Center is a residential care facility for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities celebrating its 60^th Anniversary this year.

Joseph Yekulis  Public Relations Director STLC

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Oct 26, 2020 1:17 PM

To continue Building a Culture of Life an interview took place with Christen Pollo, Executive Director at Protect Life MI – Pro Life Students.

This is the next in the Rise Up and Answer the Call for Life series with focuses on Building a Culture of Life.

Protect Life MI - our vision

our vision is to form a generation of pro-life leaders dedicated to ending abortion in their lifetime.

Protect Life MI - our mission

Protect Life Michigan (PLMI) promotes a culture of life on college campuses in Michigan. Our mission is to end abortion by (1) recruiting and training students for pro-life leadership, (2) educating youth on life issues and pregnancy resources, and (3) networking students within their communities to strengthen their impact

This interview with Christen focused on the following topics:

·         What is Protect Life MI – Pro Life Students

·         Why is Protect Life MI and its activities important at this time

·         What benefit or assistance can the Knights of Columbus be at this time for Protect Life MI

·         Best way to stay in touch with Protect Life MI

It is our hope you find this interview insightful as we Continue to Build a Culture of Life – from Conception to Natural Death.

To view this interview, click on the picture below ↓

Ed and Lynn Strach, Pro Life Couple, Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Oct 26, 2020 1:00 PM

Fr. McGivney 5 minute Documentary narrated by Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight. Online Events – kofc.org Beatification Novena link

PRAYER VIGIL FOR PRIESTS Friday, October 30 at 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. ET at Saint Mary’s Church New Haven, CT  BEATIFICATION MASS Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m. ET at St. Joseph’s Cathedral  Hartford, CT  MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR BEATIFICATION Sunday, November 1 at 12 p.m. ET at Saint Mary’s Church New Haven, CT

Masses honoring Fr McGivney in Michigan;

ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

v  St John Neuman Canton Sat Oct 31 4:30 PM

·         44800 Warren Rd. Canton 48187 State Chaplain Fr. Paul Ballien

v  National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Friday October 30 7 PM

·         2100 12 Mi. Rd. Royal Oak 48073 Video of Fr. McGivney after Mass

v  Our Lady of the Lakes Sat Oct 31 5 PM

·         5481 Dixie Hwy, Waterford Twp. 48329

 GAYLORD 

GRAND RAPIDS

v  St. John Paul II Cedar Springs Sun Nov 1 @ 5 PM

·         3110 17 Rd. Cedar Springs 49319 Diocesan Chaplain Fr. Lam Le & Bishop David Walkowiak

v  Our Lady of Sorrows Grand Rapids Sat Oct 31 @ 4 PM

·         101 Hall St. S.E. Grand Rapids 49507

v  Christ the King Howard City Sun Nov 1 @ 11 AM     

·         9596 N. Reed Rd. Howard City 49329

v  St. Michael the Archangel Remus Sun Nov 1 @ 5 PM     

·         8929 50^th Ave. Remus 49340

v  St. Philip Neri Reed City Fri Oct. 30 @ 9 AM

·         831 S. Chestnut Reed City 49677 

KALAMAZOO

v St. Joseph White Pigeon Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         16603 US 12 White Pigeon 49099

v  Holy Angels Coldwater Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         402 S Nottawa St Sturgis 49091

v  St Charles Borromeo Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         150 Taylor St Coldwater 49036

v  St. Joseph Kalamazoo Sat Oct 31 10AM–KC Adoration Thurs Oct 29 6PM, Vespers Fri Oct 30 6PM

·         936 Lake St Kalamazoo 49001

LANSING

           v  St. Michael Parish Grand Ledge Sat Oct 31 @ 5 PM

·         345 Edwards St Grand Ledge 48837

 MARQUETTE

 SAGINAW

Please help me compile the list by emailing me Masses in your Diocese that are being dedicated to Fr. McGivney’s Beatification. g.merritt@mikofc.org

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Oct 24, 2020 8:52 AM

Taking Action in Building a Culture of Life 

As a show of Unity councils in the Archdiocese of Detroit (AoD) South Area joined forces and raised funds once again to help in the placing of the 67^th Ultrasound, this time at Family Life Services in Ypsilanti. This was the 2^nd Ultrasound obtained by the AoD South Area, and Monroe Council #1266 led 15 other councils (listed below) to Build a Culture of Life with this Ultrasound for Family Life Services.

On Octorber 15^th Monroe Council #1266 with Grand Knight Joseph Vitale and Financial Secretary Shawn Piedmonte, assisted in the dedication ceremony for this life saving machine at Family Life Services. Money was raised through an art auction and support by 15 other councils and District Deputy, Charlie Rozum.

Pictured above (top left) is Yari Cherney, Executive Director, Family Life Services who gave a special thanks to the Knights of Columbus for this life saving instrument and giving a brief history of Family Life Services. In particular was Ms. Cheney’s comments that the present Family Life Services building was once occupied by Planned Parenthood.

The check presentation was given by District Deputy, Mark Elias and Shawn Piedmonte, Monroe Council #1266 to Family Life Services, Yari Cherney.

The lead and supporting councils include:

The ribbon cutting was grasiously done by David and Tina Heilman, fundraiser chairs for the fundraiser and Shawn Piedmonte both from Monroe Council #1266. Deacon Tracy Esper, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Monroe presided over the opening and closing prayers including the blessing of the Ultrasound shown below.

As we continue to Build a Culture of Life through the pathways of Prayer, Taking Action, Standing Up and Giving, let our councils and families give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for our actions. The AoD South Area is still raising funds for a 3rd ultrasound. If your council is interested in helping in this endeavor, please let us know.

    Ed & Lynn Strach Pro-Life Chair Couple

    Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Charles E. McCuen - Thu, Oct 22, 2020 1:39 AM

We once again want to thank you for the awesome job you did on part one of the” Cans for Seminarians” Challenge. Raising 30,000 + dollars by taking cans back certainly shows your dedication and love for our Brothers as they drive forward towards the goal of their chosen vocation! Hip hip hooray to all our 64,000 members and their families for keeping the dream alive!

So, with that being said, It’s now time for Part 2 of our Cans for Seminarians Challenge!

Part 2 is a District vs District Competition with a Winner Take All complete with bragging rights and a cool trophy to display for your Districts Achievement! That’s right, your Councils showed what they as individuals could do now it’s time to have you, the District Deputies to come alive and lead your Councils to Victory! The rules for this are pretty simple, the District that brings in the most funds wins, and there is only one winning District in the State! The second rule is that all the funds from this round are to be collected and used exclusively for the” Seminarian Endowment Fund”, this a hard-fast rule for all Diocesan Areas. So, you ask what’s in in for us other than the bragging rights for an awesome District and a very cool trophy designed especially for this program? The prize of course!

After much thought at what could motivate your Districts to pull this off, the answer was “time” The winning District will enjoy an Exclusive Catered Dinner in your District hosted by the State Deputy and the entire Board of Officers and their wives. Your dinner guests will include, you and your wife, the Council Grand Knights and their wives, your Financial Secretaries and their wives and your Program Directors [who should be tracking your progress] and their wives and because it’s a Statewide Contest the Diocesan Chaplain from your Area will also be invited to join your evening’s festivities and maybe some Seminarians to fill out the guest list and there could be special guest to be announced! Your evening will include Hospitality with some lively conversation, a beautiful catered dinner and some after dinner glow to conclude the evening. Sounds nice huh!

The kickoff date is November 1, 2020 and will run until May 7th, 2021. The winner will be announced at the State Convention during the Awards Ceremony and will be presented with the Trophy by the State Deputy Walter Winkle and your total shared then. Checks for part 2 should be sent to the State Secretary Chris Kolomjec with Cans for Seminarians in the memo line. Just as in Part one I will track the Districts as they report their totals. So let’s rev up those can return machines and make some magic happen, as we have said “If every member and their family just takes back 10.00 worth of returnables and donated that money to our Endowment Fund we could raise 640,000 Dollars” and that would do a lot of good for a lot of good men!

Vivat Jesus - Charlie Mc Cuen II State Advocate

By: Dan Fuller - Tue, Oct 20, 2020 9:33 PM

Dan Fuller Jr State Membership Director 248-761-2244

My Worthy Brother Knights, We have received great news from our Supreme Council regarding online or e-membership. The code to honor Fr. Michael J. McGivney is back!  So, from this point until December 31st please communicate and promote the free online membership code of MCGIVNEY2020

I suggest that you promote this in your parish bulletins, parish websites, and Pulpit announcements.  This will also be useful with our college age catholic men, so promote it with them too.

Michigan Knights used the free code in August at a record setting pace, let's use this renewed free membership code to set records in October, November and December.  I believe that with the Beatification of Fr. McGivney and the support from our Supreme Council with this free membership code, these are very EXCITING times.

·  Use the virtual and online tools to grow our Order

·  Build your recruiting Ambassador Team

·  Best growth technique is to "Ask"

Blessed Fr. Michael J McGivney - Pray for us...

http://kofc.org/un/joinus/en/index.html