By: Ed Strach - Fri, Nov 19, 2021 7:47 AM

It’s a Community Effort

Did you know, Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center

• Was founded in 1986 and the only pregnancy resource center in Hillsdale county

• Has given away over 2,500 items since January, including 1,157 diapers and 1,023 baby clothes

• Served 84 unique clients and taught 233 parenting lessons in 2021

Special thanks to St. Peter the Apostle Council #7832 in Blissfield and the Hillsdale community at large for their support in the placement of this Ultrasound.

Thank you for Rising Up and Answering the Call for Life!.

Ed Strach, State Life Director

By: Ed Strach - Thu, Nov 18, 2021 7:49 AM

By: Gary Merritt - Sat, Nov 13, 2021 3:53 PM

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Nov 12, 2021 11:06 AM

Keep Christ in Christmas

   My Brother Knights and Families, time is running out to get our Keep Christ in Christmas programs going. With the beginning of Advent on Sunday the 28^th of November the Christmas Season will begin. So, if your Council hasn’t started planning you are way behind. When I mention Keep Christ in Christmas what comes to mind? Is it the Christmas Card sales or the Poster contest? Well, there are so many other events that our Councils can do. Here are a few ideas that might be something that your Council or Parish has not done before.

    The Journey to the Inn program, Franciscan missionaries in the 16th century found that simple reenactments of the story of Christ’s birth could touch the hearts of those they encountered. The Spanish missionaries referred to these ceremonies as Las Posadas — meaning “the inns” or “the shelters” — as they emphasized Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Our Savior’s birth. The tradition of the Posada helps us to remember the first Christmas in a way that unites people of faith throughout the American continent. This event brings together people of many cultures and shows how faith and the celebration of Christmas transcend any differences we may have. You may order or download the booklet, #9898, from the Supreme website The program may be modified to fit your Parish and Council needs.

    Spread the Light of Christ each Advent by lighting and blessing a Christmas tree at your parish or another approved public location. As part of the tree lighting event, you may also ask your pastor to preside over the dedication and blessing of your church’s crèche. You could also ask your Council members to set up their own crèche in their yard. Another idea is to ask your membership to set up a time on zoom or other platform to conduct a tree lighting in their own homes all at once with some prayers, getting even the members who may be homebound to participate.

   Submit a Keep Christ in Christmas advertisement to your church bulletin or local newspaper maybe buy a spot on your local television or radio station. Try a yard sign sale with your card sales. There are many ways to do something that is different this year. I would like to remind you that while Breakfast with Santa is a wonderful program, it does not satisfy the requirements for the Keep Christ in Christmas community program. If you hold a breakfast with Saint Nicholas program that will work. I hope that this has maybe stirred up some new ideas for you to try.

In closing from my family to all of yours have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Garret A. Kelenske State Family Director

By: Gary Merritt - Thu, Nov 11, 2021 3:10 PM

An article from Supreme worthy of revisiting. 

by Charles Lindberg11/8/2019

ARLINGTON, Va. — Hollywood tries to get historic events right, but there’s nothing like talking to someone who experienced it first hand, said Grand Knight John Rovinski Jr. of Edward Douglass White Council 2473 in Arlington, Va. Rovinski was one of dozens of volunteers ⁠— entire families, scouting troops, parish members and Knights ⁠— on hand to honor nearly 300 veterans at the council’s Honor Flight Dinner Nov. 2, 2019.

“There’s nothing like that first person account of a historical event. You read about things like Pearl Harbor or the Battle of the Bulge in history books. These people were part of these events and they can tell you firsthand about their experience,” Rovinski said. “It’s really something to listen and talk to them.”

The council has served more than 16,000 participants of the Honor Flight Veterans Network since 2012. The Honor Flight Veterans Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring United States military veterans by bringing them to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C., at no cost to the veterans.

The Knights host the veterans visiting D.C., welcoming them to their council meeting place and serving serving them a meal.

“We reach out and see how we can serve them,” Rovinski said. “Sometimes the meal is donated, sometimes we pay for it, sometimes a business donates it. Volunteers come in to help, we get color guards from military, and volunteers from everywhere from scout troops to biker groups. Anyone is welcome to help pay tribute to these brave men and woman who gave us so much.”

Two groups came in for the latest Honor Flight Dinner, and the council adjusted to accommodate both groups in two shifts.

Hundreds of volunteers were on hand at the council meeting place when the veterans arrived to cheer these men and women who served in the Armed Forces and to welcome them. After being greeted, the veterans were treated to dinner. Dinner included a speaking program with James Byrne, deputy secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs..

In his address, Byrne spoke of the Department of Veterans Affairs commitment, as well as his personal commitment, to ensuring that veterans get the support they need.

Also addressing the attendees was Robert Szerszynski, the Knights of Columbus state deputy for Virginia. He thanked the Honor Flight Network and members of Council 2473.

 “To date, over 20,000 veterans have been where you are now. I thank the members of this council for their dedication and support to this worthwhile event,” State Deputy Szerszynski said.

Stepping up to honor and serve veterans is part of what the Knights do and is natural for the council, Rovinski said. “We do whatever it takes to make these veterans comfortable. To make them feel welcome and valued. It’s what we do as Knights.”

Since its beginnings the Knights of Columbus have honored and served veterans around the world. This includes annually working with the Archdiocese for the Military Services in sending thousands of military personnel to a Marian apparition site in France through the Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage.

By: Joseph Yekulis - Thu, Nov 11, 2021 2:55 PM

Leaders of Michigan Fourth Degree District 2 visited the Fisher House next to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital on Wednesday November 10th to deliver the check from Operation Patriotism. The $1500 that was donated to Fisher House Michigan will be matched as a result of a pledge drive currently underway and will now be worth $3,000 for this home away from home for Military Families whose loved ones are being treated at the Ann Arbor VA hospital.

Pictured (L to R) are Pride Director Michael Babuik, House Manager April LaRock, District Master Joe Yekulis, Development Chief Stephen Sparr, and VAVS Director John Yanok. The money will be used to provide fresh food for the many families who stay at Fisher House throughout the year. 

Thank you,  Joe Yekulis, MFD MI2

By: Ed Strach - Tue, Nov 9, 2021 5:45 PM

Standing Up for Life in Michigan           

What Your Council Needs to Do To Prepare For March for Life Marches & Rallies

Contact Local Resources - Right to Life of Michigan Affiliates - Link 

Review Supreme Knights of Columbus Resources - Link

 March for Life  

Key Next Council Steps

· Commit to a local or national March or Rally

· Review Supreme March for Life Resources and

   local Right to Life affiliate information

· Stay involved with parish and community events

Quote from Jeanne Mancini, March for Life

As March for Life president Jeanne Mancini said about the Knights of Columbus’ participation, without the K of C “there would be no March for Life.” And no weather, no pandemic, no circumstance has stopped the Knights from taking a stand for life.

By: Ken Warzybok - Sat, Nov 6, 2021 12:02 PM

Michigan Knights of Columbus honored with Special Olympics Legacy Award

11/5/2021 - At Ford Field for the Special Olympics Michigan TIES & TENNIES Fundraising Gala, the Knights of Columbus were honored with the Legacy Award. This is the highest honor awarded by Special Olympics Michigan to a fraternal group for making a monumental impact in the lives of all Special Olympics Athletes while advancing the overall Mission of Special Olympics Michigan.

The K of C has a long history with Special Olympics, working alongside the movement since 1968. For over 50 years, Brother Knights have volunteered at Michigan events, cheering on the athletes as both fans and volunteers. Local councils have donated more than a million dollars to their community based Special Olympics programs, and have provided over $800k to guarantee the highest quality at the State-level Tournaments.

This was a black-tie optional event where guests wore tennis shoes in solidarity with the Special Olympic athletes.

On behalf of the Michigan State Council, State Secretary Christopher Kolomjec presented Special Olympics Michigan with a $20,000 donation. Joining him on-stage were State Chaplain Fr Paul Ballien, State Treasurer Barry Borsenik, State Advocate Charlie McCuen, and State Warden James Kraus.

Ken Warzybok

Archdiocesan Program Director/Region #4 South

By: Ed Strach - Fri, Nov 5, 2021 7:56 PM

LIFE OUTREACH CENTER

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Nov 5, 2021 10:46 AM

There are still upcoming dates for the Michigan Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids distribution.   Please share this information so no Child goes without a Coat this year.  If you are interested in helping the day of the event please contact Paul Palka at p.palka@mikofc.org or 586-980-7910.

Fr. George S. Artman Council # 5280, 751 South M-18, Gladwin MI. 48524                 Saturday November 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM

St. Damian of Molokai Parish 120 Lewis St, Pontiac, MI 48342                                   Saturday November 13^th from 10am – 1pm

St. Andre Bessette Parish  4250 W. Jefferson Ave Ecorse Mi 48209

       Saturday November 13 10 AM to 1 PM       

Notre Dame Council #3021 located at 3144 S. Wayne Rd. Wayne Mi 48184 

       Tuesday November 30 6 PM to 9 PM