By: Nick Zafer - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 3:59 PM

Council 6980 in Kalamazoo District 406 held an Exemplification Ceremony on Sunday, October 18^th 2026 in the Trinity Chapel at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Portage.  We are excited to welcome two new Brother Knights to Council 6980 – Christopher Manegold and Kenneth Westgate, and one new Brother Knight to St. Mary Council 9962 – Ricardo Teutli!

Pictured above - Left to Right:  Council 9962 Members Howard Deneah and Jeff Cypher; Council 6980 Degree Team Member Dominick DiCesare; Council 6980 New Brother Knight Christopher Manegold; Council 6980 Degree Team Members Jeff Phelan and Dan Kloosterman; Council 9962 New Brother Knight Ricardo Teutli; Council 6980 Degree Team Member Joe Comiskey; Council 6980 New Brother Knight Kenneth Westgate; St. Catherine of Siena Pastor Fr. Mark Vyverman; Council 6980 Degree Team Members Justin Stamm and Steve Borchert; Kalamazoo SDDR Nick Zafer.  Not pictured – Council 6980 Grand Knight and Worthy Photographer Joe Magalski!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 3:36 PM

“A Day with the Saints”: Veneration of More Than 100 First-Class Relics on All Saints Day at Sweetest Heart of Mary

DETROIT — On the Solemnity of All Saints, Sunday, November 1, 2026, Mother of Divine Mercy Parish invites the faithful to “A Day with the Saints,” a special exposition of more than 100 first-class relics at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church.

The day begins with Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. and continues with the exposition of the relics until 3:00 p.m. at 4440 Russell Street in Detroit. The collection includes relics of the True Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Twelve Apostles, St. Carlo Acutis, and many other saints. The parish also possesses relics connected to the life of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, including the Holy Manger, the Flagellation Pillar, and a portion of the veil of the Blessed Mother.

Sweetest Heart of Mary, one of the churches of Mother of Divine Mercy Parish, maintains a substantial collection of first-class relics. Previous expositions at the parish have allowed the faithful to pray before the relics, touch devotional items to the reliquaries, and deepen their sense of the Communion of Saints. As one priest serving the parish has noted in the past, the relics are “little pieces of heaven here on earth,” linking the Church on earth with the saints in glory.

All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. This year it falls on a Sunday, so Catholics fulfill the obligation by attending Mass. The exposition offers a concrete opportunity to honor the saints, ask for their intercession, and be inspired by their witness of holiness.

Brother Knights and their families are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public. For questions, contact the parish at (313) 831-6659 or visit motherofdivinemercy.org/relics.

Event details at a glance

* Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026 (Solemnity of All Saints)

* Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by exposition)

* Location: Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, 4440 Russell Street, Detroit, MI

* Phone: (313) 831-6659

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 3:19 PM

Vince Lombardi: A Fourth Degree Knight Whose Faith Shaped a Championship Legacy

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Decades after his death, Vince Lombardi remains one of the most celebrated coaches in NFL history. What is less widely known is that the man who led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls, and whose name is on the Super Bowl trophy, was also a devoted Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus whose Catholic faith was the foundation of his life and leadership.

According to the Knights of Columbus, Lombardi joined Msgr. Basche Council 4505 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and later became a Fourth Degree Knight. In an excerpt published by the Order from The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History, Lombardi is described as “a man with strong Catholic faith and an unparalleled coaching career.” He believed faith was important in every life, considered daily Mass and Communion the source of his strength, and often led his Catholic players to Mass.

Born Vincent Thomas Lombardi on June 11, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian immigrant parents, Lombardi grew up in a devout Catholic household. He served as an altar boy and, as a teenager, entered Cathedral Preparatory Seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. Football ultimately drew him away from that path, but his faith remained central. He attended Fordham University, a Jesuit institution, where he played on the famed “Seven Blocks of Granite” line and received a formation that emphasized human dignity, discipline, and the pursuit of the common good.

After coaching stops that included St. Cecilia High School in New Jersey, Fordham, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the New York Giants, Lombardi arrived in Green Bay in 1959 to lead a struggling Packers franchise. Within two years he guided the team to consecutive NFL titles, followed by a third championship and victories in Super Bowls I and II. His overall coaching record stood at 105 wins, 36 losses, and six ties. He died in 1970 at age 57; thousands attended his funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Lombardi’s faith was not confined to Sunday. Biographical accounts and contemporary recollections describe him as a daily communicant who attended Mass at St. Willebrord Catholic Church in Green Bay, a short walk from the Packers’ offices. He is widely remembered for telling his players that the three most important things in life were God, family, and the Green Bay Packers—in that order. His commitment to treating every person with dignity also shaped his approach to race. He refused to tolerate prejudice among his players and made it clear that local businesses that refused service to any of his players because of skin color would be boycotted by the entire team. Players who displayed prejudice risked being dropped from the roster.

In this, Lombardi lived out principles that have long been central to the Knights of Columbus: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism grounded in the equal dignity of every person. The Order has highlighted him as one of the notable Knights whose life and work brought distinction to the organization.

Today, councils in New Jersey and Green Bay bear his name, and his example continues to resonate with Knights who seek to live their faith in the public square—whether on a football field, in a workplace, or in service to their communities. Lombardi’s story is a reminder that excellence in one’s vocation and fidelity to one’s Catholic faith are not separate pursuits but two sides of the same calling.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 3:06 PM

Kirt Trumbia Named Knight of the Month for October

Dearborn O’Kelley Council #3680 has named Kirt Trumbia as its Knight of the Month for October 2026.

Trumbia has a long history of stepping up to serve whenever needed. He coached girls soccer at St. Sebastian while his daughters attended the school, then continued coaching them in track at both Divine Child and St. Frances Cabrini high schools. He also served on several committees for the St. Sebastian festival, assisting with finances and security cameras, and took on the large task of festival set-up and tear-down.

In addition, Trumbia served on the building committee for the council’s hall on Park Street and currently serves as an usher at St. Maria Goretti. Married for 37 years and the father of two daughters, he recently accepted the role of Financial Secretary for the council.

Council members are proud to recognize his continued dedication and service.

Vivat Jesus!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 2:53 PM

Dearborn O’Kelley Council Provides Virgin Mary Statues to St. Anselm School

Dearborn O’Kelley Council #3860 recently purchased 14 statues of the Virgin Mary—one for each classroom at St. Anselm Catholic Grade School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Before the statues were distributed to the classrooms, Fr. Hans Flondor blessed them. The gift reflects the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting Catholic education and fostering faith among the students and staff of the parish school.

Vivat Jesus!

By: Thomas Kendziorski - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 2:35 PM

District 113 --- DD Chris Scheuer --- conducted another Exemplification ceremonial on October 15th at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Waterford, MI. 

Pope St. John XXIII Council #5436 brought in 5 new members, while St. Daniel Council #15967 added 1 more to its membership roster.  Pictured immediately in the center of the front row, L-R, our new members include: Michael Kowaczyk, Joseph Falzon, Esq., Gregory Mozarwsky, Dr. Blake Beauchamp, and Edward Osberger.  Not pictured is Jonathan Angelosanto. 

A hearty Vivat Jesus to our newly-minted Brother Knights! 

Also in attendance for this event:  SDDR East Tom Kendziorski, GK5436 Bob Mancino, GK15967 Daniel Orth, and taking the photo was EFF East-West Michael Mandziuk.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 2:30 PM

State Deputy Visits Fr. Robert F. Neuman Council 2291 in Merrill

State Deputy Charles E. McCuen III recently attended a meeting of Fr. Robert F. Neuman Council No. 2291 in Merrill, Michigan, where he shared ideas and encouragement with Grand Knight Justin and the members.

McCuen thanked the council for the opportunity to visit and emphasized that the Michigan Knights are one big team. He noted that the State Council stands ready to support local councils in any way needed to help them succeed. District Deputy Dick Gilles, along with the Saginaw Membership and Program team of Brad Covaleski and Greg Petrimouix, are available and willing to assist.

The State Deputy highlighted the council’s game night idea as a strong starting point to bring more people into the hall and build community. While growth may be gradual at first, he observed that “slow and steady wins the race.”

McCuen expressed his anticipation for the council’s continued progress over the next two years under his leadership as State Deputy.

Vivat Jesus!

By: Charles E. McCuen - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 1:42 PM

Well the first quarter has come to a close and while we were strong competitors out of the gate, we let our guard down in the final seconds and our competitors slipped by us. We have spent precise time training our special teams with ATGD Alain Cayer and we are now prepared to take on the world in the second quarter. So let's get in the game and push for the win at half-time! 

GOOOOO MICHIGAN

By: John Bursch - Sun, Oct 18, 2026 10:54 AM

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sat, Oct 17, 2026 8:06 AM

Se lanza nuevo grupo de Facebook para los Caballeros de Colón Hispanos de Michigan y sus familias

El Consejo Estatal de Michigan se complace en anunciar el lanzamiento de un nuevo grupo de Facebook creado especialmente para nuestros Hermanos Caballeros de habla hispana y sus familias en todo el estado.

El grupo, titulado Caballeros de Colón Hispanos de Michigan, será un espacio acogedor donde los miembros hispanos y sus familias podrán compartir las buenas obras, actividades, recaudaciones de fondos y eventos de sus Consejos, Asambleas y Parroquias en Michigan.

El Hermano Caballero Armando Figueroa, nuestro Director Estatal de Alcance Hispano, será el moderador del grupo. Bajo su liderazgo, los miembros podrán esperar una gran variedad de contenido emocionante diseñado especialmente para nuestros Hermanos Hispanos y sus familias en las próximas semanas y meses.

Invitamos a todos los Caballeros de habla hispana y a sus familias a unirse a nosotros y ayudar a convertir este grupo en un centro vibrante de fe, fraternidad y servicio.

Únete al grupo hoy:

Caballeros de Colón Hispanos de Michigan

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1453450713349442