By: Nick Zafer - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:47 PM

Exemplification Held on Sunday, June 21st 2026 for Kalamazoo Diocese District 406 at Council 6980, St. Catherine of Siena Church, Portage

Council 6980 in Kalamazoo Diocese District 406 held an Exemplification Ceremony on Sunday, June 21^st 2026 in the Trinity Chapel at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Portage.  We are excited to welcome three new Brother Knights to St. Augustine Council 15439 in Kalamazoo – Fr. Arul Shyju, Gavin Smith, and Matthew Powers, and one new Brother Knight to St. Catherine of Siena Council 6980 in Portage – Ricky Carlson!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:43 PM

Members of Au Lac Council 10724 in Ira Township did landscaping work for a parishioner in need on June 23rd. Six brother Knights and one wife worked a total of 35 hours to complete the job. The council donated $504 to pay for the materials needed. The yard looks beautiful and the parishioner was ecstatic! Thank you brothers for your generous service!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:38 PM

Pictured are Grand Knight Luke John Hawrylo and District Deputy Dan Cross of Swartz Creek Council 6694 presenting a check in the amount of $1788 to David Spillane of the Swartz Creek Fine Arts Association (SCFAA). This donation represents the proceeds from last year’s "Bob Smeets Coney Night."

For thirty-nine years, the Swartz Creek Council has been holding a Coney Night in support of the SCFAA's Summer Concert Series. The event started under the leadership of PGK Bob Smeets, who passed tragically in an automobile accident years ago. The event has held his name ever since, the "Bob Smeets Coney Night," and has become a popular event within the local community. Under the guidance of program director Tom Roke, the initiative continues its mission to raise money to help offset the cost of the performing bands, thereby keeping the concerts free for the community to enjoy.

Beyond that, it is a wonderful way to build fraternity, enjoy time with our neighbors, and be present within the community. Since its inception, the council has raised nearly $27,000 in support of this program. The next Coney Night is scheduled for August 4, 2026—come on out to Swartz Creek and join us! Vivat Jesus!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:29 PM

Lake Orion Knights Celebrate Dads

The LO Knights held their annual Father’s Day “Dads for Life” event this year by taking family

photos of a number of parish families after masses at St Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion.

The “Dads for Life” keepsake photos are intended to celebrate the importance of the father’s

role in the family, the church, & the community. The digital pictures are emailed to the families

at no charge. As a side benefit, the Knights have also found this event to be a good recruiting

opportunity for potential future Knights.

By: Larry Herman - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:23 PM

2026–2027 Coats for Kids Supreme Match Program

June 16, 2026

Dear Grand Knight and Community Director,

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 fraternal year, the Knights of Columbus renew our

commitment to serving children and families in need across Michigan. I am pleased to

announce that councils once again have an important opportunity to expand their outreach

through the Coats for Kids Supreme Match Program.

The State Council has secured a 520-case match from Supreme. For each case purchased by a

council, a matching case may help place twice as many coats with children who need them

most.

Because matching cases are limited, each diocese will receive an allocation based on the

percentage distributed in 2024–2025. Within each diocesan allocation, matching cases will be

awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Detroit — 38% Gaylord — 3% Grand Rapids — 28%

Kalamazoo — 9% Lansing — 13% Marquette — 4%

Saginaw — 5%

To qualify, councils must submit requests by mail beginning July 1, 2026. Eligibility will be

determined strictly by the postmark date.

Demand is expected to be strong, so I encourage every Grand Knight and Community Director

to plan now by confirming local needs, organizing fundraising, and preparing materials in

advance.

Last year, councils across Michigan set a new standard for service. With the same leadership

and commitment, we can extend that impact even further this year.

Coats for Kids is a visible expression of our faith in action. Through the Supreme Match

Program, your council can serve more children through local schools, parishes, shelters, and

families.

Next Steps

 Confirm local needs with schools, parishes, shelters, and community partners.

 Budget and prepare your request now so it can be mailed on July 1, 2026.

 Lead early and decisively so more children across Michigan receive a coat this winter.

For questions, please email me at l.herman@mikofc.org or call or text 231-357-5621. For calls,

please contact me after 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or on weekends. If I am unavailable,

please leave a voicemail.

Fraternally,

Larry J. Herman, FDM

State Community Director

By: Michael A. Kozakiewicz - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:14 PM

Click here for the ticket order form:   Lions Ticket Order Form

By: John Bursch - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:07 PM

By: John Bursch - Sun, Jun 21, 2026 6:13 AM

Dad Talk - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

By: Thomas Kendziorski - Fri, Jun 19, 2026 11:24 AM

Pope St. John XXIII council #5436 (Waterford - Our Lady of the Lakes) conducted its final scheduled exemplification of the fraternal year.  Brother John Hingst became the 17trh new member in a council with a quota of 15! 

Pictured left-to-right are: PGK John Buchanan, GK-elect Bob Mancino, John Hingst, DD113/PGK Chris Scheuer, and PGK/FDD Tom Kendziorski.  

By: Thomas Kendziorski - Fri, Jun 19, 2026 11:19 AM

Pope Saint John XXIII Council #5436 (Waterford - Our Lady of the Lakes parish) distributed all of its 2026 MI Drive checks this week.  Shown here at the Ortonville, Michigan - based therapeutic horseback riding charity known as "Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles (a.k.a., O.A.T.S.) are MI Drive Chairman Tom Kendziorski, GK-elect Bob Mancino, "Chester" the horse, and O.A.T.S. President Kendra Rogers. 

This year, each of the council's nine charities received $1,499.88 totalling $13,499!  Adding that amount to #5436's twenty-percent state council contribution to the Special Olympics of $3,375, resulted in a 2026 MI Drive campaign that distributed an all-time council record of $16,874!