Brother Knights of Munising Council # 2804 held an Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity on Wednesday August 9th inducting one new member into the Order.
Munising Council # 2804 exemplification, left to right. Staff Wally Vollenweider, GK Romaldo Nevarez, Joe St. Martin. Candidate & new brother Knight Don Pray. Staff Jim Corriveau, Sonny Vardon. Fr. Michael Ocran and DD #605 Harold Flagstadt.
Blessed Father Michael McGivney Feast Day – August 13
The official Feast Day in the Catholic Church of Blessed Father Michael McGivney is August 13. Patron and founder of the Knights of Columbus. The feast is celebrated annually across the universal Catholic Church. Bl. Fr. McGivney was born on August 12, 1852 and passed away on August 14, 1890 (aged 38). His feast day is celebrated on the 13th because it falls between these two dates. Bl. Fr. McGivney was Beatified on October 31, 2020 at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin (on behalf of Pope Francis). This Cathedral is the Diocese Seat for the Bl. Fr. McGivney’s shrine that also was the final parish church he served at during his life as a Priest and also where he founded the Knights (Church of Saint Mary in New Haven, Connecticut).
You can learn more about Bl. Fr. McGivney here.
Blessed Michael McGivney's Story
The eldest son of an immigrant Irish family in Connecticut, young Michael left school at 13 to work in a brass factory making spoons. At 16 he began studies for the priesthood in Quebec but was obliged to leave to help support the family when his father died. Michael completed his education in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained for the diocese of Hartford in 1877.
Assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, Fr. McGivney was very active in parish and civic affairs, serving as director of public plays and fairs. He volunteered to become the guardian of Alfred Downes, a minor whose father had died leaving a large family in poverty. This situation as well as his own family's circumstances and that of other immigrants impressed on Fr. McGivney the need for lay Catholic men to establish a mutual aid society to provide financial assistance for their families if the primary wage earner died. Protestant fraternal groups already provided this type of life insurance protection for their members.
In 1882, Fr. McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus among a small group of St. Mary's parishioners to promote charity, unity, and fraternity, assisting widows and orphans. Because of the Knights' emphasis on serving Church, community and family, the organization grew and did not remain strictly parish-based. Patriotism was added as a founding principle in 1900.
Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890 and was buried in Thomaston, Connecticut. Later his body was moved back to St. Mary’s in New Haven where it remains today. He was beatified in 2020.
Reflection
Michael Joseph McGivney was a genuine pastor who, in the words of Pope Francis, was unafraid to share “the smell of his sheep.” He promoted families whose members were strong in their faith expressed through generous following of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In a decree read at the beatification Mass, Pope Francis praised Fr. McGivney’s “zeal and the proclamation of the Gospel and generous concern for his brothers and sisters.” These “made him an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.”
The Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney Prayer
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor.
Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church.
Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast.
We humbly ask that you glorify your Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will.
Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present;
(here make your request)…………
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Join Bishop Gruss on a charity ride across the Diocese to raise money for Think Adoption Not Abortion, an organization which encourages adoption through billboard advertisements.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Begins in Saginaw and ends in Chesaning
Detailed Schedule
8 a.m. - Mass with Bishop Gruss at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw
9 a.m. - Bishop Gruss to pray a blessing over participants and their motorcycles (all times listed below are estimates)
11 a.m. - Break at Knights of Columbus (Council #1546), 1038 S. Van Dyke Rd., Bad Axe
12:40 p.m. - Lunch at Knights of Columbus (Council #414), 225 S. Linn St., Bay City
3 p.m. - Break at Knights of Columbus (Council #1297), 302 S. Kinney Ave., Mount Pleasant
Cost is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. Proceeds go to Think Adoption Not Abortion. Those who wish to participate by car may follow the line of motorcycles.
For additional information or to register, contact Kirk Dupuie at (989) 280-2141 or kdupuie@yahoo.com.
The first week of August, 24 teams from throughout the world gathered in Detroit to compete in the Special Olympics Unified Cup Soccer Tournament. On Friday, August 5th, temperatures climbed into the 90s and thunderstorms fortunately passed us by as the teams battled it out on the pitch.
It was even hotter on the sideline as 17 volunteers from 6 councils in the Michigan jurisdiction gathered around 2 large grills to prepare and serve over 750 meals to the teams and coaches. The team prepared bagged meals that included a choice of chicken sandwiches, hamburgers and veggie burgers. The volunteers worked efficiently to serve all of the meals in only a couple of hours. Everyone was satisfied at the end of the event knowing that we had done our best to serve the Special Olympics community.
Brian Zahn - District Deputy#114
Michigan Knights of Columbus
Each year the Knights of Columbus with the Detroit Archdiocesan Vocations League sponsor a Memorial Mass held at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. It is a very moving event and the name of every Brother who is being memorialized on a plaque is read aloud and also printed in the program. The Mass is attended by the State Officers, Fourth Degree Color Corps and all brother Knights and their families who wish to attend. This is followed by a brunch where we get to meet some of the current seminarians and future priests.
This year’s Mass is going to be held on Sunday November 6, 2022
Time: 10 am, please be seated by 9:45
Location: Sacred Heart Seminary 2701 Chicago Blvd. Detroit, 48206
Enter on Linwood south of Chicago.
If you wish to memorialize a Knight from your family or Council fill out the plaque application that can be found on the State Website HERE.
or contact Mike Cousins: m.cousins@mikofc.org 586-610-6497
The 140th Supreme Convention, hosted this week in Nashville, Tenn., kicked off last night with a welcome concert and the Supreme Knight’s Award Session at the historic Grand Ole Opry House. Learn more about some of the award winners below. Visit kofc.org/convention and follow K of C social media for daily updates, live video, and photo galleries.
Several Catholic media outlets are currently broadcasting major events of the 140th Supreme Convention — including the Opening Business Session and Annual Report of the Supreme Knight, which begins at 1 p.m. Central Time. WATCH NOW
The Family That Serves Together
Austin and Tracey Sewell and their eight children were named International Family of the Year in recognition of their joyful witness of Catholic family life and their exemplary service to the Church and their community. They are active parishioners of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Douglasville, Ga., and frequently participate in charitable events organized by St. John Paul II Council 10821. Austin is currently deputy grand knight, and his two oldest sons are also members of the council. WATCH HERE
International Program Award Winners
A transformative men’s apostolate, a welcome center for refugees, food for hundreds of struggling military families, and a renovation to help mothers and children: Four Knights of Columbus councils were honored for these outstanding programs in service to faith, family, community and life.
WATCH HERE
A Priest After Father McGivney’s Heart
Father Matthew Keller, a priest of the Diocese of Gallup, was honored with the inaugural Blessed Michael McGivney Medal — a new award to recognize exemplary Knights of Columbus chaplains. In his many years as a chaplain, including 15 years as state chaplain, Father Keller helped the Knights of Columbus in New Mexico grow in numbers and in faith. At the same time, he found creative ways to serve and evangelize the people of his diocese, the poorest in the United States. WATCH HERE
Introduction to a Novena to Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney
Blessed Michael McGivney, a model parish priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus, was recognized as a “saint” in his day by the people closest to him. When he was named “Blessed” by Pope Francis on October 31, 2020, the Church declared what many had long believed — the holy soul of Father McGivney lives today to intercede for us before the throne of God.
Over the years, thousands of favors have been attributed to Father McGivney’s intercession, as Knights, their families and Catholics throughout the world pray to him in times of need. He is known especially for favors related to employment and finances, reconciling family members, overcoming addiction, recovering from serious illness, as well as conversion and return to the Church. Coinciding with issues Father McGivney dealt with as a parish priest on earth, these favors show his ongoing care and concern for those who call upon him in faith.
In a spirit of total trust in God, we invoke Blessed McGivney’s intercession during this novena, for our own intentions and for the needs of others, knowing that he needs one more miracle to be considered for canonization, sainthood in the Catholic Church. We pray, most of all, that through the holy witness of Father McGivney, many will be brought closer to God and that we ourselves may renew our love of God and neighbor.
Let us open our hearts as we pray over these nine days.
Find the dailey Prayers HERE.
Coats for Kids
I have been getting a lot of questions about the annual Coats for Kids program. There are a few different ways to participate in this worthwhile program.
First, a council may purchase coats through Supreme (Knightsgear). The website offers choices of coats in size and gender. The coats are the same price as last year and we have been assured that the delivery problems experienced last year will not happen this year. The coats may be ordered at any time but before October 1 is highly recommended. The goal for Michigan is to have all coats distributed by early November. If your council donates 1 case of coats, you may take one credit point towards the Columbian Award. If you council donates 6 cases of coats, 2 credits can be claimed. Do not forget to file your 10784 for this project.
Secondly, if your council can not afford a full case of coats, the council may send a donation to the State Council (minimum donation of $50.00 is suggested). That donation will be pooled together with other council donations to order coats for distribution at one of the State wide distribution centers. You may also claim 1 credit towards your Columbian Award.
Lastly, for those councils that can manage/oversee a distribution center can order coats through the State Council and take advantage of the Boxing Day Coats for Kids special pricing. This is a 1 for 1 match. Order 6 cases and the State will receive 12 cases in your name. Order 12 cases and get 24 cases! What is needed to participate is a firm commitment on how many cases your council/district will order. This commitment must be received no later than August 31, 2022. Payment for the committed order must be received no later than September 15, 2022. All commitments and payments are to be sent to:
John Hundiak
State Community Director
2439 Westwood Drive
Rochester Hills, MI 48306
Checks are made payable to ‘Michigan State Council’ with ‘Coats for Kids’ on the memo line.
Any questions, please contact me at j.hundiak@mikofc.org or 248-420-0135.
"Reproductive Freedom For All" amendment finance update
Last week, we wrapped up the "Between a Woman and Her..." campaign. Our previous campaigns can be found on our Facebook, Twitter, or our blog.
Next week, we will be launching a new educational campaign called "Back Alley Abortions For All." Since the anything-goes abortion amendment is referred to as the "Reproductive Freedom for All" amendment, we figured it could also be called "Back Alley Abortions for All": anyone and everyone could perform abortions on women if the amendment passes. Be on the lookout for that campaign.
In the meantime, here's an update.
There's been little to no activity since the anything-goes RFFA coalition submitted their signatures two weeks ago on July 11th. They submitted more than 750,000 signatures to the Bureau of Elections, which is now tasked with having to count and validate the signatures in order for the amendment to be on the November ballot.
The RFFA coalition released its financial report this past week, which is publicly accessible on the state campaign finance website. Spoiler alert, promoting unlimited and unrestricted abortion is not cheap.
They spent $6,254,116.80 to collect signatures—not including overhead expenses. This went towards the paid circulators who were reportedly making up to $24 an hour. Most of the signatures collected were done by paid circulators that came from a company in California.
The coalition also received a large number of contributors. National pro-abortion groups headquartered in New York and Washington, D.C., donated collectively $3.8 million. Most of that was from the ACLU. Their coalition had more than 16,000 donors for the amendment. Among the larger donors were Cisco executive Dug Song, Steelcase executive Kate Wolters, and Indiana mall heiress Deborah Simon, who each donated $250,000. Other note-worthy donors were Martha and Cynthia Ford, Denise Ilitch, and Jennifer Gilbert, wife of Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert.
Overall, the RFFA coalition received $9.6 million in cash donations and $1 million in in-kind donations. That's a lot of money spent on signatures, and probably a lot more will be coming in to promote their amendment.
We need your help. We can certainly defeat the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Ford Family, the Ilitch Family, Dan Gilbert, and executives from other large corporations and foundations because the wording of this amendment is so historically bad. However, we must have the ability to cut through confusion and extremely well-funded denials of the radical nature of this amendment, and we can only do that with your generous effort and financial support.
Gentlemen;
I hope all is well with you and that you learned something about yourself positively or negatively about your personal Faith knowledge with the Catholic quiz last week. As the State Deputy has stated we've got to understand, to be able to explain to our children and grandchildren, and our neighbors and our wives.......about the body and blood of Jesus what is the truth.
As stated in the Diocesan meetings of last week we will use many sources to educate ourselves. Several options are writings, videos, workshops, courses etc. For this week's column I have chosen for his explanation of THE TRUE PRESENCE a column from Fr. Joe Krupp published in Faith Magazine Lansing edition for a basic helpful understanding that I believe is a good beginning. Fr. Joe has a widespread audience under the heading "Quantum Catechesis" I hope this offering brings a small amount of clarity to the subject It is linked HERE.
Also, July 29th is the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany: please spend a few minutes reading this article as well and contemplating on its meaning.
July 29 — Saints. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany
While July 29 is the traditional feast of St. Martha, Pope Francis recently revised the calendar to include sibling saints Mary and Lazarus. So, we can still honor Martha in a special way on this day, but we also are reminded of the house at Bethany and all the siblings that Jesus loved there.
St. Martha is the beloved saint from Scripture who was anxious and worried about many things. Jesus loved her dearly for her hospitality and concern for Him. She famously cooked a meal for Jesus on more than one occasion. She was the hostess who fed the God of Hosts. After the death of Lazarus, she summons her sister Mary to the side of Christ with these words,
“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” (Jn 11:28)
This is a great reminder to all of us of the Real Presence calling to us from each Catholic church we pass.
These two saints teach us so much about the way we should lavish Jesus with love. The wisdom of St. Martha is a wonderful daily reminder:
“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
Saints of July, as we seek and savor your words of wisdom, pray for us!
Paul L Kelsey State Director of Catechesis
