By: Paul Kelsey - Mon, Jan 2, 2023 12:07 PM

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EVANGELIZATION AND FAITH FORMATION

Happy New Year!

A Catholic man, by nature of his baptism and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, is called to be holy and to share in the evangelistic mission of the church. We hear this call clearly when Jesus says in the Gospel to "be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48) and "go therefore and make disciples of all Nations". (Mt. 28:19)

As we begin 2023, remember that each council should provide men with the opportunity to grow and be formed in their fraternal life to fulfill this call.

In his last Spiritual Testament, the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI states " Jesus Christ is truly the way, the truth and the life, and the church with all her insufficiencies is truly her body."

During this next week, let us remember him in our daily prayer life.

Paul Kelsey

State EFF Director 

By: Jim Escott - Fri, Dec 30, 2022 10:09 AM

I'll talk more about this at the Diocesan meetings in January, but I wanted to ensure you all knew that, as of today, we reached 50% of our membership quota for this fraternal year.

Gentlemen, Congratulations

As you all go off and celebrate the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, I want you to realize and understand something very special happened here in Michigan in December.

Lots of people watched what we did, what you did, and were amazed.

Florida and Virginia started December several significant percentage points ahead of and are now sitting there several percentage points behind us wondering what happened.  What did Michigan do?

This was a team effort.  We would not have made it without all of your ideas, hard work, and just plain inviting men to join.

I thank God for all of you.  I am blessed and humbled to be able to work with you and share in your accomplishment.

Three final thoughts...

Be proud of what you did (what we did).  It was (and is) very special.

Enjoy your holiday, your family and friends.

Reflect on what happened here in December and think about how we make these things standard practices.  Let's not make December 2022 a fluke, a one time thing.  Let's make this the start of the new era in Michigan.

 Jim Escott State Membership Director

By: Kevin Rowley - Fri, Dec 30, 2022 9:30 AM

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022 Executive Secretary, Larry Grabowski, Michigan Columbian Editor, Gary Kolbicz,  State Raffle Directors,  Kevin Rowley and Mike Haughey gathered at the State Office to conduct the first of four $250.00 Early Bird, seller incentive drawings.  

At 1:00 pm, with all tickets processed and up to date, Gary Kolbicz gave the barrel a final spin and State Raffle Director, Mike Haughey reached into the barrel and pulled the winning ticket! 

The $250.00 Winner - Brother Knight, Richard Marecki of Warren, Michigan.  

Congratulations Brother Knight, Richard Marecki and thank you for supporting our Michigan Knights of Columbus, State Charity Raffle !

With the first Early Bird Drawing Completed, you still have three remaining chances to win $250.00.   Remaining drawings will be held on January 28, 2023, February 28, 2023 and March 28, 2023.   So don’t delay, sell your book of 12 tickets and mail them in with your check and your Early Bird Raffle Ticket today!

Council’s Benefit 

To date, through your efforts, we have collectively raised over $40,000.00 for local councils, through the sale of State Charity Raffle tickets.  Remember, $1.00 of every ticket you sell goes directly to your Local Knights of Columbus Council.  (One sold book equals a $12.00 donation to your Council on your behalf)

A little Trivia

Did you know the bar code on the bottom of your ticket stubs are unique to you.  The bar code contains your Council number and membership number.   This allows us the ability to track ticket sales by member and Council. 

A sincere thank you to everyone for your participation and strong support of our Michigan Knights of Columbus Charity Raffle. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Mike Haughey & Kevin Rowley

State Raffle Directors Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus 

By: Gary Kolbicz - Thu, Dec 29, 2022 1:50 PM

My Brother Knights & Families, Vivat Jesus. Happy New Year to you all. The members of the Michigan State Board and their wives hope that you and your families had a very blessed Christmas and holiday season.

Christopher A. Kolomjec State Deputy

The January 2023 Michigan Columbian Digital Edition can be found by clicking on the logo below. 

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 27, 2022 1:17 PM

Merry  Christmas

from

The  Knights  of  Columbus

Michigan  State  Board

Wishing  you  and  yours

A  very  blessed

New  Year!

By: Paul Kelsey - Tue, Dec 27, 2022 1:16 PM

The new evangelization challenges us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with "Competing Cultures" in our cities and neighborhoods.  "If I'm a man, I'm called to pass on the faith" says Father Mike Schmitz. "If I'm a man I am called to live the faith." stepping into the breach, adds Ryan Young in Knightcast  episode 3, “means getting out of our comfort zone”.

GOSPEL-Luke 2: 1-14

In those days a decree went out from Cesar Augustus that the while whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So, all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the City of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed who was with child.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a Manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were Shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the lord appeared to them, and the glory of the lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them,

Do not be afraid; for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

The Gospel of the Lord, thanks be to God!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Paul Kelsey

State EFF Director 

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 27, 2022 1:13 PM

An Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity was held on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Fr. William F. Welch Council #11756 at St. Mary Parish in Port Huron.  

Welcomed into the Order   were Anthony Ward and   Jaden Trice, who are in the   picture.  Welcome to the Order   Anthony and Jaden!  David E. Kelley II, DD #103

 And then on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, another exemplification was held in District #103. This one at Msgr. E.J. McCormick Council #521 at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Stephen Church, in Port Huron. 

 Welcomed into the Order were Daniel Ferguson, Benjamin LaBeau, Colin LaBeau, and Nathan Barden.  All four are under the age of 21.

 Included in the picture with the new Knights are their dad's, who were all part of the Exemplification Staff: Darrin Feruson, Mike LaBeau, and Ethan Barden.

Welcome to the Order Daniel, Ben, Colin, and Nathan!

David E. Kelley II DD #103

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Dec 23, 2022 10:24 AM

Our Supreme Council has been creating Keep Christ in Christmas videos for the media to share the true message of Christmas with the general public.

You may view the 30 second version by clicking on the picture below.

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Dec 23, 2022 10:20 AM

Swartz Creek Council #6694 held their “Coats for Kids” program on December 14th and 15th, distributing an unprecedented 164 coats to area children in need. Another successful program thanks to the support of many Brother Knights and their families.

Pictured (L-R) are PGK Bob Kranz, PGK and Council “Coats for Kids” Chairman Wayne DeShano, Miles Eaton and his grandfather Brother Knight Joe Niedzwiecki.

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 20, 2022 8:16 AM

An Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity was held on Sunday, December 11th at Holy Family church in Grand Blanc. The Exemplification Team of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council #6742 in Grand Blanc welcomed two new Brothers into the Order; one for their council and another for Swartz Creek Council #6694. Council #6742 Grand Knight, Tom Hasselbach, served as the presiding officer.

Vivat Jesus!

Mike Trundle,

Grand Knight, Swartz Creek Council #6694