RSVP Report

By: Greg Brunson - Mon, Jan 25, 2021 10:07 AM

Brother Knights, 

The last year has been very challenging for us all as councils and assemblies were highly restricted in fund raising opportunities due to COVID19 lockdowns and quarantines.  Despite that, the Michigan jurisdiction finished surprisingly well in vocational support with RSVP!   So many councils really did ‘Rise Up and Answered the Call’.

For 2020, the Bishop Joseph H. Albers Council 4090 in Davison took top honors and led the entire state with a tremendous effort.  Well done!

Take note of the leadership board:  the councils listed for 2020 were there because of their commitment to support vocations.  Because of their leadership it makes it possible for the Michigan Knights of Columbus to be a leader in the entire country.  Michigan is known for having very strong vocations support which comes from not only councils listed on the leadership board, but many others as well.  To that, it is important to recognize that for 2020 there were 20 Councils and 3 Fourth Degree Assemblies who participated with RSVP for the first time in at least three years.   Their support is essential to the program.  We all know how important the Refund Vocations Support Program is to our seminarians and religious in formation.   Thank you so much to the 23 Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators who answered that call!

Support for Vocations is perhaps the most important thing we do as Knights of Columbus.  With all our charitable works we do, all the lives we defend in all it’s stages, the many community programs we are engaged in, support for our Priests, Seminarians, and Religious is perhaps the most significant thing we do.  The RSVP program is one way we do just that.

The following four Districts achieved 100% participation in RSVP for 2020.  Outstanding!

This is not a contest, rather it illustrates commitment to vocations.  As Knights get more involved in vocations efforts, they find new meaning in their own vocations as Catholic laymen and members of the order.  They also learn more about the importance of teamwork, for the best vocations` programs are those planned and carried out by a team.   A team requires a leader and for vocations – the Vocations Chairman should be that person.  His job is to call others together, inspire them to share prayers, ideas and plans, and then reach out beyond the group.  The model is Jesus` work with the Apostles.  Successful groups need not be large, but they must be committed.

Rise Up and Answer the Call

These two Brother Knights answered the call…

Past Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart and President John F. Kennedy

Michigan State Knights of Columbus

RSVP Leadership Board 2020

TOP 10 Councils in Michigan

for RSVP support 

Honorable MentionHonorable Mention

It is important to make note of The St. Lawrence Council 2950 - who led this state in RSVP support for many years.   This council has done more RSVP support per year than many states! – one council outperforming entire states.    It is too bad we do not have an award for this because this council certainly deserves one, as does Council 4090 for taking the top spot this year.  Being #1 for RSVP in the Michigan jurisdiction means a great deal.

State Faith Director Greg Brunson     810-824-9533