By: Robert Smith - Mon, Dec 21, 2020 8:30 AM

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Dec 14, 2020 10:22 AM

Taking Action for Life – Pregnancy Center Support

By: Gary Kolbicz - Mon, Dec 14, 2020 10:00 AM

To view the latest Mich. Columbian edition click on Logo below.

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 13, 2020 1:13 PM

Well over 6,700 coats were distributed in Michigan by the State and local councils this year.

As you can see from the pics those that receive the winter wear are vary appreciative.

Anyone involved will agree that the need is great.

One lady in Flint said she walked 10 blocks in the cold with her kids to get them a coat.

One girl when asked how she liked her coat by responding; “I hope it gets cold so I can wear it.”

Councils can participate by donating money to the State Council which allows more coats to be distributed at these events. It’s a great way for councils that don’t have the resources or the ability to distribute locally to help fund the state events. And of course, earn a credit towards the Columbian award. As we approach the end of the events any donations will be saved and used for the distribution in 2021. To donate write your council check to the Michigan State Council, memo: Coats for Kids and mail to State Secretary Chris Kolomjec - 378 Fisher Rd Gross Point Farms 48230.

By: Garret Kelenske - Sat, Dec 12, 2020 12:25 PM

Worthy State Leadership and my Brother Knights, I thought I would share with you the results of the First Quarter and the Month of October results for the Family of the Month Participation. These numbers are according to what Supreme is receiving from the Great Jurisdiction of Michigan. I think that these numbers speak for themselves.

Diocese                     First quarter            October

Detroit                        12.56%                       13.77%

Gaylord                      3.42%                         2.56%

Grand Rapids           10.56%                      16.67%

Kalamazoo                2.94%                        2.94%

Lansing                     8.68%                         12.33%

Marquette                  0.00%                        0.00%

Saginaw                    10.57%                      12.27%

I am also including the October Council Participation List and Winners that I received from Supreme. 

If your Council is not on this list then chances are you did not fill out the proper form and submit it.

The form can be found on the State web site. Click on Resources go to Family Supreme Resources, then click on the sub title Family Faith in Action and it will take you to the Family programs. Form 10668 . Please take the time to do this very simple program, it is a great way to promote the Knights of Columbus and recruit new members.

Rise up and Answer the Call!

State Family Director Garret A. Kelenske

By: Karl Knittel - Thu, Dec 3, 2020 7:49 AM

Karl Knittel Promotions

Are your KC shirts beginning to show some wear and need replacement? It’s been a while since we have met together and had the opportunity to purchase from me in person. You are now able to purchase items virtually, or online anyway. They also make great Christmas presents.

 Rise Up And Answer the Call!  By displaying the Knights of Columbus on your apparel. 

Get the order form HERE.

E-mail a copy of the order above to: k.knittle@mikofc.org

Or Mail to Karl Knittle 1505 N. Meadowlark Jenison, MI 49428

Write check to Michigan State Council memo: shirts.

Credit Card purchase contact: Karl Knittel 616-836-2203

By: Garret Kelenske - Tue, Dec 1, 2020 1:35 PM

My Brother Knights and Families did you know that in the Family Program   section you can find the easiest program that the Knights of Columbus offer to our parishes? This program is called the Consecration to the Holy Family. The program is designed to be done on the Feast day of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This year that date falls on Sunday December 27, 2020. I know that this gives you all some time to get permission from Father to do this program. With the busy Christmas schedule, it may be difficult to get this prayer program done, but remember this program could also be done on one of the Marian Feast days or any other appropriate family-oriented Feast Day.

As I said this program is so simple, all the Council has to do is order the prayer card, get permission from Father. Pass out the prayer card which by the way is optional. Ask Father to do the prayer after the final Blessing. If Father is extremely busy you could ask the Deacon or a member of the Council to recite the prayer with the parish. I do not think it gets easier than that.

My Brothers the information for this program can be found in the Resources section of the State website. When you get there click on Family Supreme Programs and you will find all the information that you need. This is the time when we need to consecrate our Families to the Holy Family, with all of the issues in the world and all of the chaos I cannot think of a more appropriate program to strengthen our Families.

Consecration to the Holy Family Link

My Brother Knights and Families I hope this article finds you all basking in the glow of the recent Thanksgiving Day festivities. Now that we have all enjoyed the holiday it is time to refocus and get moving again on our programs. I do not like to promote the Keep Christ in Christmas Programs before Halloween and Thanksgiving we get enough of that from the stores, but the time is here. Did you know that Supreme has rolled multiple programs together in this area? Not only do we have the traditional poster contest and card sales, but we also have a wonderful Advent programs called Journey to the Inn. By the time you are reading this Advent has begun, but that’s not a problem for this program. The booklet is set up to be a one-day ceremony, because of the current health crisis we are in, this program can be done with social distancing and outside. I know sometimes the weather doesn’t always cooperate at this time of the year but properly dressed it should not be a problem.  As with many of our programs there is room for creativity and substitution. An example would be to ask the Deacon or Grand Knight to do the part of the Chaplain if he is unavailable.

    There are also other programs that are available that can be very rewarding. Perhaps a Parish Wreath Blessing that could be done after Mass in the parking lot. Council Family households getting together on zoom and all lighting their trees and saying some prayers.  More information on these programs can be found on our State website, look under Resources in the Family section and click on the Supreme Program heading. Please get creative, the possibilities are endless, but you have to become motivated to do them. This year I am asking my Brother Knights and their Families to make a special effort to Keep Christ in Christmas. God Bless all of you and From the Kelenske Family Merry Christmas.

Supreme Family Programs Link

Your Brother in Christ

Garret A. Kelenske State Family Director

Rise up and Answer the Call!

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 1, 2020 1:30 PM

By: Don Wesley - Tue, Dec 1, 2020 1:16 PM

Tom Hegna Thinking about retirement? Award-winning author, speaker and economist – Tom Hegna – will be joining agents from The Borrelli, Huard & Wesley Agencies to present a free webinar for members and guests. Tom has been dubbed by many as “The Retirement Income Expert” and will be sharing his 7 steps to a secure retirement.

To view a short you tube video describing the event click HERE.

You may register for the Dec 2, 2020 - 07:00 PM Zoom event HERE.

Don M. Wesley FICF, LACP
Knights of Columbus Insurance
General Agent-Southeast Michigan
2 Crocker Blvd., Suite 301
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Office:  888-393-7539
Fax:      586-591-6500
E-Mail: don.wesley@kofc.org

By: Dan Fuller - Sat, Nov 28, 2020 5:14 PM

Greetings to all my Brothers that make up the Michigan State Council of   the Knights of Columbus.  Yes, if you are a Knight in Michigan, you are   not only a Knight in your home council, but you are very important to     the  charitable strength of the Michigan State K of C Council and our   Supreme Council.  Therefore, the strength of your home council is   equally important.  Charity is our corner stone and during the holidays it   is needed more than any other time of year.  Membership grows your   charitable strength and is why we should all care for the strength of our   council’s membership.

You may think that all we care about is numbers and you are correct.  We care about how many coats we can provide needy children, how many ultrasound machines and gifts of material items that can be provided to crisis pregnancy centers, how many funds we can generate during our Tootsie Roll or MI Drives to support our Intellectually Impaired brothers and sisters and how many families we can protect through our fraternal benefits.  These are the most important numbers, and they count very very much.

Our Goal is 100% membership engagement and growth by all the councils in Michigan.  Every Council and Every District must be engaged in strengthening their membership and inviting men to join us. 

So here are the key membership numbers as of November 28, 2020

·         616 new Brother Knights have joined us this year, we need to bring in 1554 more

·         28.4% of our State’s membership goal has been met, we are roughly 15% off the pace of our goal

·         Michigan is 24^th in the Oder for membership growth, we should always try to be 1^st

·         Michigan in 6^th place of the Division 1 States, trailing Ontario, Illinois, Texas, New York and Ohio (all these States are struggling with the pandemic too)

·         36 Districts have not added new members, so only 64% of Districts are engaged in recruiting men for our Order

·         295 Councils have not added new members, so only 30% of Councils are engaged and growing membership

Thank you for reading this message and I know we can all support each other in meeting these important growth goals. 

To RECRUIT a candidate in to our Order means to Reach out to ME, Engage ME as a friend, Communicate with ME early and often, Relate to MY perspective, Understand MY availability and offer ME choices, Include MY family and yours, and Thank ME regularly and ask ME to invite a friend.  This is from the Delta Church Drive training by Jon Olson.  Let’s embrace the meaning of RECRUIT to bring in new Brother Knights to strengthen our councils in Michigan.

I encourage all my Brother Knights to offer the gift of Knighthood this Advent & Christmas Season. This maybe the best gift you can give.  Give him the gift that often strengthens his Faith, grows his effect on Charity, offers the feeling of Unity to his catholic community, Fraternally links him and his family to the largest catholic lay organization in the world, and helps him to protect his family with our Benefits.

Offer this gift of membership to your family, friends and work colleagues during this Advent & Christmas season. Your gift to him could truly change his life and it is FREE.  Just direct him to kofc.org/joinus and he will be a Knight before Christmas.          Free E-membership through December 31^st 2020 promo code MCGIVNEY2020.

A reminder to all District Deputies, our Supreme Council wants to give you $250 for membership growth before December 31^st.  All you need is for your District to add 12 new Brother Knights before the end of December.  See the details on our State website https://mikofc.org/resources/Membership-Incentives

The time frame for this incentive is October 1^st through December 31^st, so all you need to do is make 12 men Knights before Christmas.  Please let me know how I can help you succeed in this membership incentive.

God bless you all.  Blessed Fr. McGivney pray for us.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan Fuller SMD

Rise Up And Answer The Call!