Marty Brown Region 3 SDRR presents a check of $3,000.00 to Paula Vaneklase Director and Amy Kelly Development Coordinator of HELP Pregnancy Aid from St. Vincent DePaul Council #4404 in Conklin, Marty’s home council.
The funds were raised with various council programs and will be designated for the Expanding Our Possibilities capital campaign.
Webcast Thursday, July 14
Brothers and Families,
I have BIG news to share. Right now, Planned Parenthood and its well-funded political allies are working on a multifaceted approach to silence the pro-life movement in Michigan.
We are partnering with Protect Life Michigan to host an important online event, where you'll have the opportunity to seize this historic opportunity to END the death grip the abortion industry has on our state.
You may view the You Tube replay HERE
DETAILS:
During our time together at this FREE webcast, you'll discover...
...you'll experience a convicting time with other pro-life Michiganders to put a stop to Planned Parenthood's radical abortion agenda!
As Knights of Columbus, we must have the courage to defend life and support our pro-life partners. You and your council’s efforts are needed at this critical time. Join us on this webcast to stay informed and focus our time and talents to defend life.
If you have a computer or mobile device and an Internet connection, you can easily join us.
Ed Strach Life Director
Michigan State Council
Knights of Columbus
The State Summer Leadership Conference was held at Treetops Convention Center in Gaylord from Friday July 1 to Sunday July 3, 2022.
The conference began with Mass on Friday afternoon at the Cathedral of Gaylord, St. Mary of Mount Carmel. We were honored to have Bishop Walsh celebrate the Mass for us.
For the first year District Deputies the conference began on Thursday June 30 with workshops to get them up to speed. Along with our State Directors, sessions were hosted by Supreme Regional Training Consultant Jon Olson and Supreme Regional Growth Director, our own PSD William Chasse.
The workshops continued on Friday and Saturday morning to explain the State and Supreme expectations of the councils of our jurisdiction.
For the Masses and sessions in the main room our Mother Mary was always recognized in the form as a statuette of Our Lady of the Assumption.
Before dinner on Saturday, we had the pleasure of Mass in the center celebrated our State Chaplain Fr. Logan were he stressed the defense of our faith and morals by our modern day knights the Knights of Columbus.
Of course, the conference was not all work. Saturday evening there was time to relax and take advantage of a Polynesian themed Luau with our families.
A blind auction put together by the State wives raised over $2400.00 for charity.
The State Deputy Chris Kolomjec closed the conference with an address after breakfast to the Knights, wives, and family emphasizing our commitment to Faith and Family to assist in growing our Catholic Church.
Eugene E. Poupard has the distinction of being one of the oldest Brothers in our order.
Eugene has been a member of the 4th Degree Raisin River Assembly #0488, since February 1st, 1961. A graduate of the class of 1940 at Monroe High School. While serving the United States Army during World War II he was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze star. He and his wife Alice were married for 73 years until she passed away on March 26, 2019. Together they were parents of 12 children who blessed them with 36 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
There were approximately 250 family and friends in attendance at a party in his honor hosted by his family at the Knights of Columbus Hall of Council #1266 on June 25th, 2022.
To quote Eugene, “I am thankful for the life that I have, and I thank the Good Lord daily to be so fortunate.”
Julian Rios
Grand Knight: Monroe Council #1266
JOIN US as Detroit welcomes the single largest unified sporting event next month: The 2022 Unified Cup presented by Toyota!
Over 20 teams representing up to 24 nations will take the field from July 31st - August 6th in unified soccer competition.
 |
BE A FAN! Stan |
The Real Estate One Charitable Foundation is sponsoring the "Fans in the Stands" experience, which allows groups to sign-up to be the local fans cheering-on the international teams participating in the Unified Cup.
What types of groups can sign up?
Corporate teams, sports organizations, civic groups, church/youth groups, families, friend groups; ALL are welcome to sign-up for "Fans in the Stands!"
What is the process?
Have your "Group Leader" sign-up using the link below to select which time slot your group would like to attend. We will send you a message from fans@somi.org with a spreadsheet that you can use for signing up your entire group. We will email parking instructions and info to all attendees approximately one week before the event.
When and where can we be "Fans in the Stands"?
Time slots for FREE attendance are available at the Corner Ballpark (Detroit - Corktown) and Schoolcraft College (Livonia) on the following dates:
· Monday, August 1 (group stage)
· Tuesday, August 2 (group stage)
· Thursday, August 4 (semi-finals)
· Friday, August 5 (Div. 2 & 3 finals)
What is the process? WeFANS IN THE STANDS: SIGN-UP
50% OFF
Special Offer: Buy your spectator tickets to attend the Division 1 finals at Keyworth Stadium on Saturday, August 6th for half-off using the following code for our "first fans" to sign up!
Discount code: FIRSTFANS
 |
Archbishop William E. Lori |
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade is "tremendously important" for the nation and the cause of life, but it's not "a day simply for celebration," said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
"As happy as we may be over this decision," Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said, "I think it is also important for us to recognize our need, our obligation to redouble our efforts to help women in difficult pregnancies."
The archbishop made the comments in an interview via Zoom shortly after the court handed down its ruling June 24.
In addition, the U.S. bishops in 2020 launched a new initiative called "Walking with Moms in Need," which aims to engage every Catholic parish "in providing a safety net to ensure that pregnant and parenting moms have the resources, love and support they need to nurture the lives of their children."
You may read the entire article from CNS on Detroit Catholic - HERE
 |
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly |
My Brother Knights:
After nearly 50 years, the wrong decision that was made in Roe v. Wade has been set right. The Supreme Court’s historic decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’ Health Organization overturning both Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, is a watershed moment in the movement that generations of Knights of Columbus have worked and prayed for. Indeed, it is one of the most significant advancements in human rights in our nation’s history.
We are grateful and encouraged by the Court’s finding that abortion is not a “constitutional right.” But we must not think that today is a day to declare victory. Instead, I call upon every member of the Knights of Columbus to redouble their personal efforts to build up the Culture of Life that St. John Paul II described in his prophetic encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae.
With Roe reversed, federal advocacy to protect unborn life is still necessary, but the decision opens wide the doors for states to consider their own abortion laws as well. Many states have laws that immediately protect unborn human life. Others have taken regrettable steps to make themselves “sanctuaries” for abortion-on-demand. Pregnancy resources centers will become even more vital as they reach out to serve pregnant women, new mothers and their children.
In the months and years ahead, Knights should work to support — or start — marches for life in every state. Another critical action we can all take is to increase our support for pregnancy resource centers in our communities. To that end, the Supreme Council has announced a $5 million campaign to support new mothers and their children through a new program: ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy). These pregnancy centers and maternity homes are now the front lines of the pro-life movement, and Knights should continue to stand and serve with them. You can support this effort by making a donation today.
Even before the Dobbs decision was officially released, we saw numerous instances of violence and vandalism targeted at pregnancy resource centers and Catholic churches across the country. Let us find our response in the words Pope Francis addressed to the 2021 Supreme Convention, which called on us to be men “committed to building up rather than tearing down, promoting healing and reconciliation in place of hatred and recrimination, and inviting all to undertake the ‘journey of fraternity’ that can lead to a world ever more in accord with God’s saving plan for our human family.”
Finally, we must continue to pray and fast for the end of abortion. How fitting it is that the Dobbs decision arrived on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us pray in thanksgiving for this decision, and continue to implore the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe as we work to build a Culture of Life in which every human life, made in the image and likeness of God, is welcomed in life and protected in law.
Fraternally,
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight
To honor our outgoing State Chaplain Paul Ballien, a dinner roast with him as the target, and with the State Deputy’s approval, was held the evening of Wednesday June 22 in Sterling Hts.
 |
State Chaplain Fr. Paul Ballien
|
We should take this time “to celebrate that our many years of hard work in fighting for life has achieved a victory in striking down Roe v. Wade. While we should give praise to God for that, there is still more work to be done in the states to ensure that babies in the womb are protected. Thank you to all the Knights that have helped promote the pro-life cause and let us all keep up those efforts!
God Bless!
The following is a statement of Archbishop Vigneron with the support of our State Deputy Walter Winkle
June 24, 2022 – Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us."
 |
 |
Brother Knights,
Yesterday's Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was a historic moment for the Defense of Life. While we took time to celebrate and thank God for this decision, we must be vigilant in our efforts to stand with our pro-life pregnancy centers to ensure they can continue their mission to serve women during and after pregnancy.
There have been several instances of pro-life pregnancy centers being vandalized and defaced. We have been advised by the Supreme Council to ensure the safety of our members by refraining from acting as "security guards" for pro-life pregnancy centers. Your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty is greatly appreciated. However, our members are not trained as security guards and your safety is paramount and our focus is on your well-being.
We as members and families of the Knights of Columbus should also continue in our support of these centers through our prayers, talents and generosity. Over the next several months we will be sharing with you new initiatives from the Knights of Columbus and United State Catholic Conference of Bishops that will require our focus and support.
Thank You for Rising Up and Answering the Call for Life!
State Deputy Walter Winkle
State Life Director Ed Strach
Our State Deputy Walter Winkle had the pleasure of joing with many members and their wives in honoring the Priest, Deacons and Religious of the Grand Rapids Diocese at the annual Diocesan Priest, Clergy and Religious Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday evening June 21.
This year’s event was hosted by Bishop Haas Council # 4362 in Wyoming at the KC Banquet Center. The emcee was PGK and FDD Ken Skonecki who thanked all for coming and introduced Rev. Fr. Theodore J. Kozlowski, council Chaplain of Bishop Haas who opened the evening with the invocation and grace.
Honor Guard members from assemblies around the Diocese presented the colors and led all in the Pledge of Allegience.
Council 4362 donated $5,000.00 to the Bishop’s discretionary fund. The check was presented to Msgr. William Duncan, Vicar General of the Diocese and Pastor of St. Sebastian in Byron Center by Grand Knight Dave Erdmans and Financial Secretary Tony Arbanas along with the State Deputy.
In the State Deputys’ address he thanked all for attending to show honor to our Clergy’s commitment to their vocation. He expressed his gratitude for the support of our Knights by our priests and gave an update of the Jurisdictions status.
Grand Rapids Diocesan Chaplain Fr. Mark Bauer spoke of a man’s resposibilty to his faith and family as a Knight of Columbus and closed the evening with prayer.
