By: Paul J. Palka - Wed, Nov 9, 2022 8:13 AM

The  Challenger Baseball program. started in 2006 when we began a fundraising campaign to build the first adaptive Little League field in Michigan.  On August 8, 2008, the field was completed, a blessing ceremony by the Knights was held and then we began play.  Through the years, the Knights of Columbus donations have helped us maintain the beautiful field so that we may provide a safe and structured environment for our special needs players to play Little League Baseball.  The donations also helped us purchase uniforms and equipment. 

In 2014 Little League Baseball lifted the age limit for Challenger players.  We are now registering over 100 players over the age of 18.  Little League Baseball requires them to play on a larger field for their safety.  In 2018 I started another field building campaign to build the new adaptive Senior League field in the same park as our current field.  Unfortunately, the pandemic stopped most of our fundraising efforts, but, even during the pandemic, some Knights of Columbus councils continued to donate.

In 2021, I spoke to Ken Dumas, who spear headed the 2006 campaign about rallying the councils once again to help raise funds to build the new Senior League adaptive field.  We worked together contacting the councils that previously donated.  I was also provided with John Hundiak’s, the previous State Special Olympics Director, contact information.  I found out that the Knights were going to campaign to possibly raise up to $75,000.00. 

As I look back on the many years that the Knights of Columbus members have given their gallant efforts and precious time raising funds for Challenger Baseball, I knew I had to name the new field after your founder, Father Michael McGivney!

As of today, the 2022 fundraising efforts which include Palm Sunday and monies from general funds of some councils totals $15,000.00.

I am hoping that more councils will rally together and give to this worthy cause so that we may raise the remaining funds to build the new field and honor Father McGivney.

Thank you for your help and God Bless!

Marilyn Wittstock - 586-292-4509

CVLL Challenger Baseball District Six Asst. District Administrator

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Nov 9, 2022 8:12 AM

On Thursday November 3, Diocesan councils honored local clergy with their annual appreciation dinner at St. Augustine in Kalamazoo. Prior to the celebration, Bishop Paul Bradley celebrated a Mass offered for all the deceased clergy of the Kalamazoo Diocese.

State Chaplain Fr. Aidan Logan opened the dinner with prayer.

Following dinner, State Deputy Christopher Kolomjec addressed the clergy stating, “The Knights have your back," accompanied by special remarks from Bishop Paul Bradley.

The evening celebration concluded with the clergy singing Salve Regina and a closing prayer by Fr Robert Creagan, Kalamazoo Diocesan Chaplain, and Master of Ceremonies.

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Nov 7, 2022 7:20 PM

Let’s Fight Like Heaven to Defeat Proposal 3!

Pray– Whatever you ask for in prayer, Believe. Mark 11:24

· Lead a Novena for Life

· Attend Adoration with the intent to pray for Life

Educate—Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 1 Corrinthians 10:31

· Stayed informed through Citizens to Support MI Women and Children website

· Share the details of the proposals with family, friends and neighbors

Engage—The Lord is on my side, I will not be afraid. Psalm 118:6

· Get the word out and vote!

· Donate, donate, donate! Mail checks to State Secretary Barry Borsenik to ensure State Council matching funds up to $225,000!

Click the logo below to watch this powerful I didn’t kNOw video  

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Nov 7, 2022 8:00 AM

Voting with a Catholic conscience

Our council, Sacred Heart of Jesus 13641 in Grand Rapids, sponsored a free seminar at Aquinas College titled Voting with a Catholic Conscience on Tuesday, October 18th. 

Featured Speakers include Fr. Ronnie Floyd, Genevieve Marnon and Fr. Robert Sirico and all did a great job presenting voting information from a Catholic perspective.
If you were not able to attend, you can watch the video here on YouTube. 
Please get out and vote!
Thank you for your support,
Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus

Jason Bargenquast Sacred Heart of Jesus, Grand Rapids

Grand Knight Council #13641   269-217-7485

By: Ed Strach - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:28 PM

This will be my the last article prior to the general election on Tuesday, November 8th. Let's make sure we do everything we can to get this message out to defeat Propostion 3!

Ed Strach State Life Director

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:27 PM

Which laws would Proposal 3 invalidate? Michigan lawyers break down consequences, beginning with the first two words, 'every individual,' Prop 3's intentional ambiguity is highly concerning, legal experts say

Proposal 3, or the “Reproductive Freedom for All” constitutional amendment, seeks to amend Michigan’s constitution to allow “unregulated abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy” and upend dozens of laws protecting women, minors, health care providers and victims of abortion, Archbishop Allen H Vigneron wrote in a letter dated Sept. 17.

While those in favor of Proposal 3 have argued the proposal is simply a return to Roe v. Wade and have denied claims that the proposal would overrule parental consent for minors seeking abortions, those opposed have pointed to the broad language as cause for concern and as problematic to Michigan's legal landscape.

The proposal begins with the words “every individual,” a phrase that doesn’t limit the class of people who hold the right by their age, John Bursch, JD, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom and former Michigan solicitor general (2011-13), told Detroit Catholic.

“(The pro side) says, ‘Well, the state had the ability to allow parents to be informed and give consent under Roe v. Wade, (and) this wouldn’t be any different.’ Well, that is because Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey were judge-made rules; this is a constitutional provision that gives the right to every individual,” Bursch explained. “You can’t modify that by legislation. The phrase ‘every individual’ does not appear anywhere in the current Michigan and federal constitutions. It is unique to Proposal 3.”

Bursch said when rights are given in other constitutional provisions, they frequently come with age limitations.

“One of the examples the proponents of Proposal 3 bring up is voting," Bursch said. "You have a right to vote notwithstanding race or sex, but yet states limit it to those who are 18 years or older. That’s because the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution specifically says the right to vote is for those 18 years or older. In order to give people below that age the right to vote, we’d have to amend the constitution. But (in Proposal 3), they wrote the provision to give everyone the right (to abortion) without age limitation.”

You read the entire article by GABRIELLA PATTI in Detroit Catholic HERE.

By: Ed Strach - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:26 PM

Let’s Continue to Fight Like Heaven to Defeat Proposal 3!

Our councils and members throughout the state are doing a fantastic job in all efforts to Defeat Proposal 3. As the general election approaches we must continue to Fight Like Heaven to defeat this proposal. At the forefront of these efforts are continued prayers for that will help guide and motivate us.

Bishops of Michigan Request Support

Let’s support our bishops request that strongly encourages us to Vote NO on Proposal 3. The letter from all Michigan bishops ends with the following “Let us come together to protect human life and promote the dignity of women and children by voting NO on Proposal 3. Please encourage others to do so as well.”   

Read the complete letter here.

Special State Council Matching Funds Available

The financial demands to Defeat Proposal 3 are unapparelled. The State Council has once again taken on this challenge by leading an effort to donate up to $225,000 of matching funding to Defeat Proposal 3. Through donations from our councils, assemblies and members to make an immediate donation up to $225,000 will provide the coalition a total of $450,000 to ensure advertising funds are available during these final weeks toward the general election. Please note, these matching funds will also be made available for Knight of Columbus business owners.

To ensure matching funds are made by the State Council send your donation to:

Barry Borsenik

State Secretary

9673 Downing Rd.

Birch Run, MI 48415

Make checks payable to: Citizens to Protect MI Women and Children

Memo Line: Defeat Proposal 3

Read Barb Listing, President Right to Life Michigan letter to Knight of Columbus members and families request for support. Click HERE.

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:25 PM

In a new letter sent to 236,000 households in the state, Bishops warn of consequences of 'Reproductive Freedom' amendment.

They warn this  is “the most extreme proposal concerning abortion this state or country has ever seen.” Read the letter HERE

“As citizens and pastors in Michigan, we call your attention to an immense threat to the dignity of human life on this November’s ballot,” the bishops said in a joint statement released through the Michigan Catholic Conference and mailed to households Oct. 10. “We urge you to vote no.”

You may read this entire article by Michael Stechschulte in Detroit Catholic HERE.

By: James Highfield - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:14 PM

St. Mary’s Visitation-Fr. A. Weber Council #17232 in Byron Center received the October Council of the month award for the Kalamazoo Diocese. The council has 80% of their membership goals and approved a form 100 at their meeting to make Star.

Left to right is District Deputy Joe Harnish, Grand Knight Benjamin Schaendorf, and SDRR Jim Highfield.

By: Richard Shelt - Fri, Nov 4, 2022 12:06 PM

At the Council meeting of St. Francis of Assisi Council # 4401 of Farmington Hills, SDRR Richard Shelt had the pleasure presenting the Star Council to award to Don Garon DMD, Jim Filbert IPGK, and Gary Mallia DD # 112.

There were about 45 brothers in attendance at their council meeting.