Presentation of Grand Rapids Diocese Council of the Month for December to St. Christopher the Martyr Council #13653 of Howard City.
Pictured lft to rt -
SDRR Marty Brown, Father James Vanderlaan and Grand Knight Brian Fountain.
Presentation was done at their Council meeting February 1, 2023.
The Honor Guard of the 4th Degree was well represented at the opening ceremonies of the Michigan Special Olympics Winter Games at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Michigan State Council Winners
The goal of the Knights of Columbus Essay Contest is to give students the opportunity to define the importance of religious freedom, and to strengthen the bond between the Knights of Columbus and their local schools.
Five students were named State champions of the 2022-2023 Knight of Columbus Essay Contest in grades 8 through 12. All Catholic students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 attending public, private or parochial schools were eligible to participate.
Each contestant wrote their essays on the theme of: How young Catholics can evangelize our Faith.
The winners are:
Grade 8: Laura Janisse representing Council 6593 - Roscommon
Read the essay HERE
Grade 9: Nethanya Fonseka representing Council 2950 - Utica
Read the essay HERE
Grade 10: Kenzie Fedewa representing Council 2168 - Portland
Read the essay HERE
Grade 11: Hannah Weller representing Council 2168 - Portland
Read the essay HERE
Grade 12: Cozette Brown representing Council 2168 - Portland
Read the essay HERE
Each of the winners were awarded their Certificate of Achievement as well as a gift card. More importantly, the winner’s essays have been sent on to the international competition by Supreme.
Join me in congratulating these outstanding students and all the students that participated in the Essay Contest across the State.
State Community Director
It’s no too early to start planning or the Palm Sunday MI Drive.
You may find the form to order tootsie rolls HERE.
The Michigan Knights of Columbus continued our support to Defend Life by supporting the Roe v. Wade Memorial March on Saturday, January 28th at the State Capitol.
As cohosts for this event hundreds participated in an uplifting memorial lead by Protect Life MI. Speeches by Trevor and Christen Pollo, Emilia Vriesman and Scott Klusendorf provided encouragement to all in attendance that our prolife efforts must continue.
Ed Strach State Life Director
Deposits have gone down a bit this week but that may be because of the weather??
State Raffle update as of 1/27 = $251,215.00
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We are ahead of last year at the same time +$57,093.00 Great Job by All! State Executive Secretary |
We still have to the drawing date on April 13 to sell & get your tickets to the State Office.
Don't forget to have them available at your fish dinners and all other events.
A new feature on the State website is a collection of Certificates and Awards. Some are from Supreme, some old and a few new, just for Michigan. What is special about our collection is that all are “fillable”. Just open, type in the information, print, have it signed by the Grand Knight and it is ready to present.
Go to MiKofC.org, select “Resources”, scroll down to the forms block on the right and click on “Certificates and Awards”. There are currently 24 items posted with more to come.
If you have any problems, questions or suggestions please contact me at: t.marcetti@mikofc.org
Fraternally,
Tom Marcetti, Sr. PSD
Join us as the Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus co-hosts the Roe v. Wade Memorial March at the State Capitol on Saturday, January 28th from 1-2 P.M..
For further information and to register click on the picture below.
State Life Director
Michigan Knights of Columbus
St. Joseph’s Icon arrived at Council #414 in Bay City Michigan on October 29th just in time for All Saints/All Souls Days.
The pilgrimage started the weekend prior (October 29th/30th) at Corpus Christi parish. The picture on the left is at St. Joseph and Our Holy Mother at Corpus Christi Parish. A fact sheet on the icon was provided to all parishioners as an insert in the church bulletin and prayer cards were provided. The fact sheet provided information on the Knights of Columbus Icon Program and information on the Icon of St. Joseph.
The next stop on the pilgrimage was St. James Church for an All Saints Day Mass with the entire All Saints Elementary/Middle/High School. Prior to the Mass, Dr. Dan Osborn, Saginaw Diocesan Theologian gave a short introduction to icons and a brief explanation of the symbols in the St. Joseph icon. Father Jose Cabrera then held Mass and talked about the importance of St. Joseph among the Saints and how we become saints. In the center pic is Dr. Dan Osborn, Diocesan Theologian.
Thursday night was our Prayer Service honoring St. Joseph at St. James Church. Father Cabrera presided and provided a homily on the dreams of St. Joseph which you may view at this link; (https://youtu.be/r5mmrLoFmtI). It was a beautiful service! On the rt is pictured Fr. Jose Cabrera and Charlie Bauer, KC Council #414 Icon Program Coordinator.
After the Prayer Service the pilgrimage continued to Our Lady of Peace Church. St. Joseph was made a prominent part of the weekend Masses and the fact sheets and prayer cards were again provided to all interested. Pictured on the left, from lft to rt, Brad Covaleski, DD #705 and GK 414; Deacon Ken Kochany; Fr. John Sarge; and Terry Doyle, PGK #414 and current Faith Program Director.
St. Joseph then travelled to Bay City Council #414, our council, and was placed next to our Holy Mother at the council hall, pictured in the center. After the Monday Hamburger Night, all were invited to participate in a Litany to St. Joseph. Fact sheets and prayer cards were again provided to all interested. Before embarking on the final leg of the journey, a Litany to St. Joseph was held by the Ladies Auxiliary of Council #414 prior to their monthly meeting.
Joseph’s final journey through the Council #414 Pilgrimage ended at St. Boniface Church to celebrate a memorial mass for all Bay City area Council and Ladies Auxiliary members from councils #414, #4102, #2986, #12423 and assembly #491 who passed this last year. At the St. Boniface Memorial Mass is the picture on the rt. Father Jose Cabrera presided and provided a homily honoring Bleney which may be viewed at this link;
The Highlight of the Diocesan Winter meetings this year was the presence of the bishops of the respective dioceses.
They were more than open to address the Districts and Councils leadership in attendance at these meetings.
Bringing a Faith and Family First theme to his address in Grand Rapids, Bishop David J. Walkowiak made numerous points of the importance of the intimacy of our families and close friends.
He emphasized our Supreme Knights message that the Knights of Columbus Order helps to make Catholic men stronger in their faith.
He reminded us that while we are the vanguard of growing the faith and we are the leaders of the family of faith. We lead by example and by unifying our efforts while using the Sacraments.
He closed his remarks by asking that we all pray for the spread of the faith.
State Deputy Chris Kolomjec was very grateful to all the Bishops for bringing their message directly to us.
