By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Dec 26, 2018 3:30 AM

 A Higher Purpose

Stimulate and support the development of strong and vibrant families. Local councils will establish a committee to recognize a deserving Family of the Month and Family of the Year with potential for recognition on the international level.

 Overview

Each month, the council Family of the Month committee selects one parish family that models Christian family values and visibly lives them every day. Once a year, each participating council also selects one of the previous twelve Family of the Month winners to represent the council/parish as the potential international Family of the Year. The Knights of Columbus Family of the Year is chosen by the Supreme Council and recognized each year at the annual Supreme Convention.

To view a list of participating councils click here. This list from Suprme shows 22 Michigan councils credited for the program this November. If your council does choose a family but does not submit the form your council is not credited. The chosen family also is denied the opportunity to be in the drawing at Supreme for one of the hundred family awards distributed monthly.

If your council does not particpate in the program it is missing the opportunity to recognize a derserving family. To find out more information on the program and it's action steps click here.

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Dec 25, 2018 3:30 AM

To promote the activities of our local councils around the State, various council programs will be posted here.

Send your stories of worthy council programs along with pics to g.merritt@mikofc.org.

St. Monica’s Fr. Adolph Nadrach Council # 12998  Kalamazoo

St. Monica’s Fr. Adolph Nadrach Council # 12998, District #44 presented a scholarship award of $1,000 to Alyssa Aiello prior to their June 19^th council meeting.  This is the second year for awarding scholarships to high school seniors who are members of St Monica Parish.  Alyssa will attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

Brother Pete Abraham, Larry Aliello,  Chaplain Fr Larry Farrell,  Alyssa Aiello, Amy Aiello, Brother Ed Robinson, Michael Aiello, Brother Tony Cipich

St. Pius X Council #3848

St. Pius X Council #3848, in Warren, recently celebrated its 65th Anniversary.  Festivities began with a Corporate Communion Mass at St. Martin de Porres Parish, with Pastor/Council Chaplain, Fr. Nick Zukowski presiding.

After Mass, a dinner, opened to the parish, was hosted by the council.  125 people were in attendance to celebrate the council's founding.  Among the State Dignitaries in attendance were:  Michigan State Deputy William Chasse, State Secretary Walter Winkle, Jr, State Treasurer Christopher Kolomjec, Sr. and their wives.

Bishop Britt Council 8117 Ada

District 44 of Kalamazoo

Bishop Kevin M. Britt Council #13526 Belmont

The Bishop Kevin M. Britt Council #13526 in Belmont hosted the 2019 Grand Rapids Diocesan Free Throw competition. This is the eleventh year the council has hosted the event. Over 80 young athletes participated in the event with winners advancing to the State tournament. Winners were awarded trophies and runners up were also awarded special recognition. All participants received certificates.

Albert Doerr Council 7869 Remus

In early December members of Albert Doerr council distributed eighty coats to children of three elementary schools in the Remus area. One little Girl came in from the playground only wearing a hoodie sweatshirt that had a broken zipper and she appeared very cold. A teacher and one of our Knights fitted the girl with a new coat and she smiled. She did not thank the teacher nor the Knight but she crossed her arms and looked up and said; "Thank you Jesus"! It’s these small things we make possible which make our efforts worthwhile. Don Roarty, GK

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 16, 2018 3:30 AM

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.          Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.        O God, who sees how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever, Amen.            O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still      more wonderfully restored it, grant, we pray, that we may share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.                  O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

To view the recent Michigan Columbian News click on the logo below;

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

Wednesday December 5th, 2018 marked the dedication of the 53rd Ultrasound Machine in Michigan.

Fr. Dave Buersmeyer provided the opening prayer and blessing the Ultrasound machine which took place at Mother & Unborn Baby Care in Southfield. Sponsoring Council: Fr Dolan Council #3170 which included an anonymous donor.

In attendance, District Deputy John Snyder, Council #3170 GK Gariepy, Mother & Unborn Baby Care Executive Director Nancy Peterson, Mother & Unborn Baby Care Director of Client Services Christina Marchetti along with Board Chairman Jack McGrath, staff and Brother Knights from Fr. Dolan Council #3170.

Others in attendance and pictured are Bishop Gallagher Assembly #0482 Ernie Gargaro, Detroit Archdiocesan Program Director Mike Fontana, MI K of C Pro Life Chair Couple Tim & Cindy Donovan, and MI K of C State Warden Charles McCuen III.

Board Chairman Jack McGrath communicated the importance of this Ultrasound Machine while thanking the Knights of Columbus for their generosity and commitment to Protecting the Unborn. Executive Director Nancy Peterson also communicated her thanks to the K of C along with our State Warden Charles McCuen III recognizing the great work that's being done at these Pregnancy Centers opening the hearts and minds of those facing difficult decisions.

Fr. Dave Buersmeyer concluded the ceremony by providing us with an inspirational closing prayer.

Many thanks to all who participated and donated that may not be mentioned, please know that without all of you none of this would be possible.

And last but far from least, let us not forget Supreme Council Knights of Columbus for their matching funds program which has reached its original goal of 1,000 Life Saving Ultrasound Machines Order wide.

You may find a list of facilities that have received an ultrasound through the Knights of Columbus program in Michigan here.

God bless,

Tim & Cindy Donovan Pro Life Chair Couple MI Knights of Columbus

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

 MARCH FOR LIFE 2019 BUS CANCELLED!

 December 29, 2018

Reverend Fathers, Religious, Brother Knights, Ladies,

Per State Deputy William Chasse; Unfortunately, due to the lack of response received by our deadline of December 27, 2018 for reserving a seat on our chartered bus we have been forced to cancel this year's bus trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

However, for those of you that still plan to attend via your own transportation please be assured that your reservation at the hotel is secured.

For those of you that planned on attending by riding the bus and are unable to provide your own transportation please contact the hotel to cancel your room reservation at 301-589-5200.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone and we appreciate your understanding.

lf you need any assistance please feel free to contact me at 517 -214-5120 or t.donovan@mikofc.org.

 Tim and Cindy Donovan State Pro-Life Chair Couple

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

At the Michigan K C Winter Organizational meeting  at The Crown Plaza Hotel in Lansing Frank & Michelle Breen on behalf of the U.P. Knights presented Tim & Cindy Donovan, MI. Pro Life Chair Couple a check for $516.00 to be given to Right to Life of Michigan.

Michelle was discussing the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Silver Rose to her students at St Mary's Catholic Elementary school in Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan's Upper Peninsula when Frank was bringing the Silver Rose to the church through the Knights of Columbus. One Rose, One Life was Michelle's art theme painting a baby in the center of a rose to decorate and honor a former student for exceptional grades and moral standing.

This is where Michelle also got the idea to make rose pins to raise money from donations to give to the Michigan Right to Life. One Rose = One Life. This was an idea that came about through designing Michelle's art curriculum and tying the Silver Rose ceremony Frank was having with the Knights.

This is a true example of how people can make a difference in our combined efforts of Protecting the Sanctity of Human Life.

God bless & Merry Christmas! Tim & Cindy Donovan

Pro Life Chair Couple MI Knights of Columbus

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, Dec 9, 2018 3:30 AM

By: Gary Merritt - Thu, Dec 6, 2018 3:30 AM

Friday November 30^th through Saturday December 1^st the Michigan State Winter Leadership Conference was held at the Crown Plaza west in Lansing, Michigan. There was a lot of information given to the State and Diocesan Directors as well as the District Deputies. This information will be communicated to the leadership of the local councils at their district meetings.

To everyone’s delight all our Diocesan Chaplains along with the State Chaplain were in attendance. The State Deputy thanked them for finding time in their busy schedules to be with us.

The State Deputy Bill Chasse stressed the necessity of communication which was the theme of the Winter Leadership Conference in his opening and closing addresses. He reminded all that communication needs to go both from the top down and from the Directors, DDs and the membership up.

The three Amigos; State Program Director Bill Leveque, State Membership Director Jim Kraus and SRGD Joe Ramirez Sr. worked with the leadership team to put together a great program for the weekend.

FSD, PSD Tom Wegener gave us an update of Holy Cross and Monsignor Todd Lajiness along with State Operations Director John Rademacher presented the reason for and the current status of the Sacred Heart Endowment Fund.

Supreme Council Insurance General Agent Brian Barlow gave a presentation on our Supreme Fraternal Benefits while SRGD Joe Ramirez Sr. passed greetings from our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and informed us of the news from Supreme.

PSD Michigan Charities Director Bill Walsh reported on the status and importance of the Ten for Charity Program.

State Membership Director Jim Krause and State Program Director Bill Leveque presented the updates on the State Action plan and fielded questions from the District Deputies.

The State Raffle team of Gary DeCarlo and Kevin Rowley reported on the 2019 Joint Fundraising Raffle. A big stir was heard in the crowd when the grand prize of a trip to the 2020 Superbowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was announced.  “Did We Tell You / We Love You, Today?”

Saturday morning was spent in four fantastic workshops with much more information for the DDs to communicate to their councils. The workshops were presented by: 1. GR Membership Director Marty Brown and State Training Director Jim Escott. 2. Detroit Membership Director Paul Palka and Gaylord Program Director Larry Herman. 3. Detroit Program Director R. Terry Carl and Lansing Regional Director Ed Strach. 4. State Chaplain Fr. Paul Erickson and Mike DiCosola.

State First Lady Marybeth Chasse reported on the generosity of our Knights in Michigan with gifts donated to Holy Cross amounting to over 2,200 sweatshirts, 500 gift baskets, $11,000 in gift cards along with 280 hats and scarfs and 150 bedsheets.  These will be distributed throughout the Holy Cross system as Christmas gifts.

Of course, as an annual tradition the event ended with the State Chaplain, State Officers and their wives leading all in several Christmas Carols.