By: Dan Fuller - Thu, Nov 12, 2020 8:02 AM

In Michigan, the Fall season brings us many celebrated traditions with family and friends.  We gather together at hunting camps and around Thanksgiving tables to share stories with friends and family.  This year we as Knights have new stories to share; the story of our founder Blessed Fr. McGivney and free membership in the Knights of Columbus.

Here is the ammunition you can use for Membership Season

·  Know your story, "Why did you become a Knight and what does it mean to you."

·  Tell Blessed Fr. McGivney's story

·  Invite your family and friend to be e-members at kofc.org/joinus using free promo code MCGIVNEY2020

·  "Leave No Neighbor Behind" programs that help our communities during this pandemic 

·  Be proud and loud, invite every catholic gentleman that you know

Membership growth incentives are what we can put in our game bags or buck poles 

·  Oct1 - Dec 31st Supreme sponsored competition vs Division 1 States - IL, NY, OH, TX, ONT, FL, PA, (Michigan needs to win this time)

·  Council Quick Start recognition at the State Chaplain Tribute Banquet in February

·  Ambassador Club recognition for personally recruiting 2 to 12 new members this year

·  Blessed Fr. McGivney Medallion for 5 new members

·  State Deputy will buy your Council Dinner for the top membership growth

·  State Deputy will buy your Chaplain a KofC Stole and Chasuble

·  https://mikofc.org/resources/Membership-Incentives 

It is membership season, for my Brothers headed to deer camp with friends and family and for those Brothers that are celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family, I leave you with this prayer from a novena to St. Hubert.

 Happy Hunting and Blessed Fr. McGivney, Pray for us.

Daniel C Fuller Jr. State Membership Director 248-761-2244

"Rise up and answer the call"

By: Greg Brunson - Wed, Nov 11, 2020 4:01 PM

Brother Knights

Despite the Covid19 situation, our State is doing surprisingly well with vocational support through the RSVP Program.  Let me begin by recognizing three districts in Michigan who have already reached 100% council participation with RSVP!

Ø  District 504, Lansing Diocese – District Deputy Richard Perry

v  6694 Swartz Creek

v  6742 Grand Blanc

v  7418 Fenton

v  8489 Flushing

Ø  District 509, Lansing Diocese – District Deputy John Yanok

v  7304 Brighton

v  7891 Brighton

v  11761 Pinckney

v  12295 Brighton

Ø  District 121, Detroit Diocese – District Deputy Jason Myers

v  2950 Utica

v  11957 Shelby Township

v  13983 Shelby Township

Well done!   Additionally, District 509 in Lansing has achieved 100% council participation three years in a row.     These three districts are good examples of how important support for vocations is and how necessary the RSVP program is for our future Priests.    I would be remiss if I did not mention Council 2950 in Utica - which leads the entire state in vocations support year after year, and for many years.  The St Lawrence Council along with seven or eight other councils in the state have for many years led Michigan in this effort.  Now is the time for many of our smaller councils to become engaged with RSVP and lend a hand in vocational support, statewide.

For the councils in the state who have not been involved with RSVP in the past three years, I will be attending a council meeting of yours in the weeks and months ahead.   I have already visited many of your meetings already either in person or by ZOOM.  Just last evening for example I visited a council to talk about RSVP and had a very productive meeting with those brother knights.  That council is very typical of many who have supported seminarians in the past but stopped when the man they supported became ordained.  Does this sound like your council?

We can do better, and we will do better – my goal is to have every council in Michigan supporting a seminarian or postulate.   The good news is we are already showing signs of getting there!   For the current year in Michigan we have: 18 Councils and 2 Assemblies who are supporting a seminarian with RSVP, Councils who have not done so in at least three years, or ever.

That is fabulous news and a good place to be.

Lastly when you submit your form 2863 for refund, make sure you also complete a form 10784 since it is a Faith In Action program - then send it along with your 2863.  Remember also to send copies of both forms to forms@mikofc.org – as always with any Faith In Action program.

Greg Brunson State Faith/Vocaions Director

Rise Up and Answer the Call!

By: John Hundiak - Thu, Nov 5, 2020 6:04 PM

The State Special Olympics Organization Team has opened up the Virtual 2020 Ties & Tennies Gala with free access to Knights.  This is a fun event where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Special Olympics as well as bid on one of the fantastic fundraisers.  Information is listed below.  Viewing the virtual event is free for Knights! Please join us!

The Special Olympics Michigan Ties & Tennies Gala is virtual this year, and you are invited to join the party from home: ← CLICK THE LOGO TO REGISTER TO VIEW THE LIVE-STREAM GALA PRESENTATION

REGISTER TO VIEW THE LIVE-STREAM GALA PRESENTATION:
* THIS Friday, Nov. 6th
* 7pm - Photo Montage Welcome | 7:30pm - Program Begins

BID IN THE AUCTION:
* Bidding is open NOW, and closes Sunday, Nov. 8th at 7pm
* Won items will be shipped or dropped-off to you

ENTER THE BOOZE-WAGON RAFFLE:- HERE
* Raffle for Wagon full of various liquor (photo in purchase link below)
* $20 per ticket, available for purchase at: SOMI Wagon of Cheer

* Winner drawn on SOMI Gala Facebook

MAKE A DONATION, SUPPORT AN ATHLETE!
* Fund-a-need for our "Return to Play" plan:
* SOMI Fund-a-Need

Thank you for your support of Special Olympics Michigan!  If you watch the Gala at your own home watch-party, please share those on Facebook / Instagram and tag @SOMIgala.

John Hundiak, State Special Olympics Director, Michigan Knights of Columbus
Robbie Waclawski, Special Gifts Manager, Special Olympics Michigan

Any questions / comments about the Ties & Tennies Gala can be directed to
the SOMI Fundraising Team at: 313-444-0690 (call or text)

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Nov 2, 2020 9:32 AM

Father Lam Le Grand Rapids Diocesan Chaplain, State Deputy Walter Winkle and Grand Rapids Bishop David Walkowiak with the reliquary containing a second class relic form Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

Father Le hosted a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday November 1 at his parish, Saint John Paul II in Cedar Springs, in honor of the Beatification of Father McGivney The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Walkowiak and attended by the State Board and their wives along with many State and Diocesan Directors, District Deputies and many knights and their families.

Hopefully you were able to attend one of the many Thanksgiving Masses offered around the State celebrating Father McGivney’s new title as Blessed.

You may view the replay of the Thanksgiving Mass from Saint Mary’s in New Haven Ct. here.

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:36 PM

Time to Stand Up and Take Action – Your Vote Counts! As Catholics and citizens, members of the Knights of Columbus should vote and encourage members of their families, parishes, and communities to vote. This is the time to Stand Up and Take Action by exercising your right to vote.

Here is the Supreme link that offers resources for the upcoming election.

Also, Michigan Catholic Conference has produced a publication titled “The Issues, The Candidates, and Your Vote 2020." This publication offers Catholics issues to consider before voting. These issues include: Human Life and Dignity, Religious Liberty, Preferential Option for the Poor, Education, Children and Families, Health Care, Restorative Justice, Immigrants and Refugees and Care for Creation.

You can find this publication at this link: 

Vivat Jesus,

Ed Strach Life Director

Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:34 PM

If you were unable to attend this virtual event which features keynote speaker, Sarah Huckabee Sanders with host and musical guest Matthew West, it is available for on-demand viewing until Tuesday, November 3rd. To watch and support this year’s virtual event, ‘We Are Not Giving Up On Life” go to https://rtl.org/event KofC-Respect-Life  Virtual Event to register and watch this video through Nov. 3. Thank you as we Take Action to Continue Building a Culture of Life! Ed & Lynn Strach Pro-Life Couple Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Joseph Yekulis - Sun, Nov 1, 2020 1:31 PM

St. Louis Center Announces its “Virtual” 33rd Annual Fall Auction Saturday November 7th

Following their successful “Virtual” St. Louis Center 60^th Anniversary fundraising event on Thursday October 22^nd, the online fun continues with the 33^rd Annual Fall Auction on the evening of Saturday November 7, 2020 starting at 7:00 p.m. This event which is usually conducted during a formal dinner at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – Chelsea, will forgo the meal because of this year’s COVID19 pandemic, and it will be an online auction instead. There will be no cost to participate, and plenty of items will be up for grabs to help St. Louis Center continue to support its 70 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It can be found on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/stlouiscenter/.

As usual, this fast paced exciting auction will feature Chelsea’s own Joseph Merkel from Merkel’s Auction Specialists, Inc., who has held several virtual auctions for other non-profits suffering through this years’ pandemic. Some of the more unique items for bid include:

-          A week for four at La Cappella, a picturesque villa in Calvari, Italy, located in the northern province of Liguria near the Mediterranean, and valued at $5,000.

-          A “Thanksgiving Bounty” of vegetables from Tantre Farms, a turkey, duck and chicken from Old Brick Farm, LLC, a pie from Grand Traverse Pie Co., and a Whimsical Cow painted by local artist Lindsey Dahl; all valued at $375.00.

-          A “Canadian Fishing Paradise” with 3 days/3 nights at Loch Island Lodge in Wabatongushi, Ontario, post COVID, valued at $1600.00.

-          A one week stay at Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa in Cancun, Mexico valued at $5,000.

-          A pastel of the Chelsea Clock Tower & Welfare Building at Sunset by Sue Craig valued at $500.

These are just a few of the 16 major items that will be up for bid, along with a chance to bid on Star items called “Comforts of Home,” to provide bedding, linens, furniture, microwaves and entertainment media needed in the new Cottage Homes to be opened soon in St. Louis Guanella Village.

To view the remaining auction items up for bid, please visit the St. Louis Center Auction webpage at the following location, https://stlouiscenter.org/news-events/fundraising-events/fall-auction/.

 For more information about St. Louis Center, please visit www.stlouiscenter.org, or call 734-475-8430. St. Louis Center is a residential care facility for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities celebrating its 60^th Anniversary this year.

Joseph Yekulis  Public Relations Director STLC

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Oct 26, 2020 1:17 PM

To continue Building a Culture of Life an interview took place with Christen Pollo, Executive Director at Protect Life MI – Pro Life Students.

This is the next in the Rise Up and Answer the Call for Life series with focuses on Building a Culture of Life.

Protect Life MI - our vision

our vision is to form a generation of pro-life leaders dedicated to ending abortion in their lifetime.

Protect Life MI - our mission

Protect Life Michigan (PLMI) promotes a culture of life on college campuses in Michigan. Our mission is to end abortion by (1) recruiting and training students for pro-life leadership, (2) educating youth on life issues and pregnancy resources, and (3) networking students within their communities to strengthen their impact

This interview with Christen focused on the following topics:

·         What is Protect Life MI – Pro Life Students

·         Why is Protect Life MI and its activities important at this time

·         What benefit or assistance can the Knights of Columbus be at this time for Protect Life MI

·         Best way to stay in touch with Protect Life MI

It is our hope you find this interview insightful as we Continue to Build a Culture of Life – from Conception to Natural Death.

To view this interview, click on the picture below ↓

Ed and Lynn Strach, Pro Life Couple, Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Oct 26, 2020 1:00 PM

Fr. McGivney 5 minute Documentary narrated by Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight. Online Events – kofc.org Beatification Novena link

PRAYER VIGIL FOR PRIESTS Friday, October 30 at 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. ET at Saint Mary’s Church New Haven, CT  BEATIFICATION MASS Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m. ET at St. Joseph’s Cathedral  Hartford, CT  MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR BEATIFICATION Sunday, November 1 at 12 p.m. ET at Saint Mary’s Church New Haven, CT

Masses honoring Fr McGivney in Michigan;

ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

v  St John Neuman Canton Sat Oct 31 4:30 PM

·         44800 Warren Rd. Canton 48187 State Chaplain Fr. Paul Ballien

v  National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Friday October 30 7 PM

·         2100 12 Mi. Rd. Royal Oak 48073 Video of Fr. McGivney after Mass

v  Our Lady of the Lakes Sat Oct 31 5 PM

·         5481 Dixie Hwy, Waterford Twp. 48329

 GAYLORD 

GRAND RAPIDS

v  St. John Paul II Cedar Springs Sun Nov 1 @ 5 PM

·         3110 17 Rd. Cedar Springs 49319 Diocesan Chaplain Fr. Lam Le & Bishop David Walkowiak

v  Our Lady of Sorrows Grand Rapids Sat Oct 31 @ 4 PM

·         101 Hall St. S.E. Grand Rapids 49507

v  Christ the King Howard City Sun Nov 1 @ 11 AM     

·         9596 N. Reed Rd. Howard City 49329

v  St. Michael the Archangel Remus Sun Nov 1 @ 5 PM     

·         8929 50^th Ave. Remus 49340

v  St. Philip Neri Reed City Fri Oct. 30 @ 9 AM

·         831 S. Chestnut Reed City 49677 

KALAMAZOO

v St. Joseph White Pigeon Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         16603 US 12 White Pigeon 49099

v  Holy Angels Coldwater Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         402 S Nottawa St Sturgis 49091

v  St Charles Borromeo Canonization prayer at all weekend Masses

·         150 Taylor St Coldwater 49036

v  St. Joseph Kalamazoo Sat Oct 31 10AM–KC Adoration Thurs Oct 29 6PM, Vespers Fri Oct 30 6PM

·         936 Lake St Kalamazoo 49001

LANSING

           v  St. Michael Parish Grand Ledge Sat Oct 31 @ 5 PM

·         345 Edwards St Grand Ledge 48837

 MARQUETTE

 SAGINAW

Please help me compile the list by emailing me Masses in your Diocese that are being dedicated to Fr. McGivney’s Beatification. g.merritt@mikofc.org

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Oct 24, 2020 8:52 AM

Taking Action in Building a Culture of Life 

As a show of Unity councils in the Archdiocese of Detroit (AoD) South Area joined forces and raised funds once again to help in the placing of the 67^th Ultrasound, this time at Family Life Services in Ypsilanti. This was the 2^nd Ultrasound obtained by the AoD South Area, and Monroe Council #1266 led 15 other councils (listed below) to Build a Culture of Life with this Ultrasound for Family Life Services.

On Octorber 15^th Monroe Council #1266 with Grand Knight Joseph Vitale and Financial Secretary Shawn Piedmonte, assisted in the dedication ceremony for this life saving machine at Family Life Services. Money was raised through an art auction and support by 15 other councils and District Deputy, Charlie Rozum.

Pictured above (top left) is Yari Cherney, Executive Director, Family Life Services who gave a special thanks to the Knights of Columbus for this life saving instrument and giving a brief history of Family Life Services. In particular was Ms. Cheney’s comments that the present Family Life Services building was once occupied by Planned Parenthood.

The check presentation was given by District Deputy, Mark Elias and Shawn Piedmonte, Monroe Council #1266 to Family Life Services, Yari Cherney.

The lead and supporting councils include:

The ribbon cutting was grasiously done by David and Tina Heilman, fundraiser chairs for the fundraiser and Shawn Piedmonte both from Monroe Council #1266. Deacon Tracy Esper, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Monroe presided over the opening and closing prayers including the blessing of the Ultrasound shown below.

As we continue to Build a Culture of Life through the pathways of Prayer, Taking Action, Standing Up and Giving, let our councils and families give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for our actions. The AoD South Area is still raising funds for a 3rd ultrasound. If your council is interested in helping in this endeavor, please let us know.

    Ed & Lynn Strach Pro-Life Chair Couple

    Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus