My Brother Knights,

 

As we await the arrival of 2026, I have been reflecting on the last year.  It has been an honor to witness the amazing accomplishments of our Knights throughout the State of Michigan.  There are so many good things happening!  Membership has slowed recently but we are still on a good pace.  There is a growing interest by younger men to strengthen their faith and be more engaged in the Church.  COR activities are being embraced by many councils, resulting in meaningful adult male faith formation.  Many councils have already made good progress toward the Star Council Award with great execution and reporting of their diverse programs.  We continue to install more ultrasound machines and support pregnancy centers through the ASAP program.  Knights and their families from around the state have gathered to support important events like the Michigan March for Life and for fraternal events like the Detroit Tigers outing.  Many knights including Color Corps members have participated in Special Olympics athletic events and fundraisers.  Michigan was even recognized at the Supreme Convention with an international award in the Life category.  We have fed the hungry, put thousands of coats on kids and donated tens of thousands to support vocations.  Our state leadership team has done a great job to provide training and mentorship, giving councils and council officers the tools they need to be successful.  Mandy and I have personally experienced true Charity in the thousands of occasions you have reached out to offer prayer, encouragement and support.  This is a great fraternity!    

 

For the past six months I have asked you to ASPIRE to do just "a little bit more" and many of you have, improving your councils, districts, dioceses and the State.  Now as we turn into the last six months of the fraternal year I ask you to focus on the RESPONSIBILITY we have as Knights of Columbus, especially as Knights of Columbus leaders.  We are called as Catholics, to evangelize.  We have many opportunities to do this through our vocation as Knights!  We can bring men and their families closer to God through the programs we offer and the resources we have to share.  Our insurance benefits help them protect their families and invest in their future financial security.  Our efforts lead to real conversion by welcoming others to join us.  Take that responsibility seriously.

 

My hope for the New Year is that you will have the courage to invite more Catholic men to join our order.  It is a surprisingly low percentage of registered parishioners who are KofC members.  It may not seem that way as you look around your church but many of those we need to invite, are not regularly attending Mass.  These are the men that can really benefit from membership.  Extend the invitation.  Online membership makes it quick and easy.  Let's start 2026 with a surge of membership growth.  We can have a record year of membership intake if we don't wait for the end to try and get it done.

 

Mandy and I wish you and your family a happy New Year and all the blessings you deserve; maybe even a few you don't.  I hope to see many of you soon at the upcoming diocesan meetings.

 

Peace be with you!