By: Larry Herman - Sun, May 10, 2026 8:44 AM

**Michigan Knights of Columbus Launch the 2026 Summer Soccer Challenge – Faith, Family, and Fútbol!**  

This summer, Knights of Columbus councils across Michigan have an exciting opportunity to unite their parishes and communities through the power of soccer while growing our Order and celebrating youth athleticism. The **2026 Summer Soccer Challenge** combines international soccer watch parties with a fun, competitive youth penalty kick event designed for boys and girls ages 9–14.  

### What is the 2026 Summer Soccer Challenge?  

It’s a youth penalty kick accuracy competition where participants take **15 shots** at a specially marked goal:  

- **Ages 9–11**: Shooting from 10 yards  

- **Ages 12–14**: Shooting from 12 yards  

**Scoring Grid**:  

- Upper corners = 20 points  

- Lower corners = 10 points  

- Center = 5 points  

Councils are encouraged to host watch parties for major summer soccer matches, create a festive atmosphere, and run the penalty kick competition as a highlight event. All materials needed are available through the Knights of Columbus, including the **Soccer Challenge Playbook (#4576)** and **Entry/Score Sheets (#11964)**.  

### Great Incentives for Participating Councils  

Councils that **exemplify at least 3 new members** between **June 1 and July 31** *and* host a 2026 Summer Soccer Challenge event will receive a **special edition t-shirt** for **two members of their choice**.  

State champions in each age and gender category will also be recognized and awarded special Soccer Challenge t-shirts. This is a fantastic way to reward your council’s hard work, attract new members, and make a positive impact on local youth.  

### How Your Council Can Get Involved  

1. Talk to your pastor and develop a plan.  

2. Reserve a venue and test all equipment (projector, Wi-Fi, streaming, etc.).  

3. Decide on food — council-provided or family potluck.  

4. Gather necessary supplies: soccer balls, Playbook, Entry Forms, and Membership Enrollment Forms.  

5. Promote the event to the parish and community.  

6. Host the watch party and penalty kick competition while running a membership drive during the event.  

7. Submit your **Entry/Score Sheet (#11964)** to fraternalmission@kofc.org by **July 31** for credit and potential awards.  

**Volunteer roles** are simple and family-friendly: registration, scorers, and ball retrievers.  

### Let’s Make This Summer Memorable  

The 2026 Summer Soccer Challenge is more than just a game — it’s an opportunity to live our principles of **Faith, Family, and Fraternity** while building stronger communities and welcoming new Knights.  

Michigan councils: Now is the time to step up, gather your fellow Knights, parishioners, and families, and show what we can do together on and off the field!  

For more information and resources, contact your State Council or visit the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council resources. Questions? Reach out to your local council leadership today.  

**Let’s kick off an unforgettable summer of soccer, fellowship, and membership growth!**  

*Knights of Columbus – Michigan*  

*Faith • Family • Fraternity*  

Click on the Flyer Below for more information:

2026 Summer Soccer Challenge

By: Joseph Langhauser - Sun, May 10, 2026 8:33 AM

The 2026–2027 Michigan Knights of Columbus Training Decks are now available on the Michigan Knights of Columbus website under the Training tab. Resources are available for Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Membership Directors, Program Directors, and COR Directors.

Your State Deputy Regional Representative (SDRR) is scheduling in-person training sessions across the state. These sessions are open to all council members and are strongly encouraged for both newly elected officers and those looking to deepen their understanding of their role.

Current Upcoming Training Opportunities:

Detroit-West Archdiocesan Council Officers Training
 Saturday, May 16, 2026
 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
 Our Lady of Victory
133 Orchard Dr, Northville, MI

Detroit-West Archdiocesan Council Officers Training
 Saturday, June 13, 2026
 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
 St. John Neumann
44800 Warren Rd, Canton, MI

Detroit-West Archdiocesan Council Officers Training
 Monday, June 22, 2026
 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (EDT)
 Our Lady of the Woods
21892 Gudith Rd, Woodhaven, MI

Plan now to attend a session that fits your schedule—strengthen your leadership, support your council, and help build a stronger future for the Order.

Questions or concern contact one of the State Training Directors Joseph Langhauser j.langhauser@mikofc.org or Dean Hayward d.hayward@mikofc.org

By: Ed Strach - Sun, May 10, 2026 8:27 AM

By: Ed Strach - Sun, May 10, 2026 8:20 AM

Our District Deputies have committed to 100% of active council participation in the Aid & Support After Pregnancy program (known as ASAP100). If a council has yet to submit an ASAP Grant Application or make an additional donation, this is your opportunity to donate at the State Convention.

Remember, a $500 donation through the ASAP Grant Application process will be eligible for an additional $100 donation from the Supreme Council. Councils can still make donations through the ASAP Grant Application process if donations are less than $500. 

ASAP donations received at the State Convention will be directed to Heart of Christ Clinic, past receipt of the discontinued Supreme “Pass the Hat” State Convention incentive. Matching funds from the State or Supreme Councils will not apply. 

Let's plan to meet the ASAP100 Michigan commitment! Checks should be made out to: Michigan State Council. Memo: ASAP100/Council # and can be dropped off at the State Convention during registration.

Note from our State Deputy Barry Borsenik endorsing this message, The goal is 100! No Excuses.

By: John Bursch - Sun, May 10, 2026 8:06 AM

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, May 3, 2026 9:31 AM

We have about three weeks to go before the K of C State Convention and our Charity Raffle! If you

are thinking about donating a raffle basket but need some ideas, here are a couple of links to articles

that will help with the brainstorming process!

Think Outside of the Basket - Gray Matters Foundation

170+ Themed Raffle Basket Ideas for Fundraisers

Some things to keep in mind for your raffle donation:

1. Keep the value between $100 and $500

2. Remember that you and whoever wins your basket will be carrying/transporting it to and from

the Grand Hotel. Please be mindful of size and weight of basket and plan accordingly.

3. Do not include non-shelf-stable foods that may spoil.

4. Gift cards and lottery tickets are items that should be copied/printed for the basket itself, with

the actual cards brought separately for safekeeping by the raffle staff.

When you know what you will be bringing for the raffle, here is the link for the donation form:

Raffle Donation Form

https://forms.gle/pcpkNag32JTvp6Tm7

LADIES! Please consider spending a couple of hours as a volunteer with the raffle! You can sell

tickets, arrange raffle baskets, even help on the day of the drawing! Prior experience is not necessary

and you will be shown what to do.

Raffle Volunteer Sign Up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AFA72BA2F8CF8-62172588-2026

If you don’t, go back to the sign up and check that your name is there. It may not have registered your sign

up.

For questions or additional information, contact:

Kara Fuller, Raffle Chairperson

248-894-7082

k.fuller@mikofc.org

By: Michael Cousins - Sun, May 3, 2026 9:29 AM

Please click here to download the flyer for the outing to share with your Councils, Friends, and Family and help support Seminarians and Postulates:

K of C DAVL Golf Outing

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, May 3, 2026 9:18 AM

Congratulations to Andrew Tiedt on being named the Au Lac Council Youth of the Month for May!  Andrew is the son of Tom and Vickie Tiedt, an IC alumnus and will be graduating from De La Salle High School where he’s played multiple sports including football, soccer and lacrosse.  He’s recently won District Champion in his section for DECA (Distributive Education Club of America).  After graduation this May, Andrew will begin working for an electrical company locally in their apprenticeship program while taking classes at MCC with the goal of one day owning his own electrical company.  Andrew is currently employed by Immaculate Conception School, working in the Maintenance Department since 2024.  Andrew attends Mass each week with his family and enjoys helping others. We thank Andrew for sharing his faith through service to his school, parish and community!

 

Mark F. Kehoe

Grand Knight

Au Lac Council 10724

 

By: Ed Strach - Sun, May 3, 2026 9:15 AM

Our district deputies have committed to 100% of active council participation in the Aid & Support After Pregnancy program (known as ASAP100). If a council has yet to submit an ASAP Grant Application or make an additional donation, this is your opportunity to donate at the State Convention.

Remember, a $500 donation through the ASAP Grant Application process will be eligible for an additional $100 donation from the Supreme Council. Councils can still make donations through the ASAP Grant Application process if donations are less than $500. 

ASAP donations received at the State Convention will be directed to Heart of Christ Clinic, past receipt of the discontinued Supreme “Pass the Hat” State Convention incentive. Matching funds from the State or Supreme Councils will not apply. 

Let's plan to meet the ASAP100 Michigan commitment! Checks should be made out to: Michigan State Council. Memo: ASAP100/Council # and can be dropped off at the State Convention during registration.

Note from our State Deputy Barry Borsenik endorsing this message, The goal is 100! No Excuses.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, May 3, 2026 9:12 AM

District 114 held an open house on April 24 at Council 8284. We had four prospects in attendance, all four joined online. Three were then exemplified. One was exemplified for Council 16169, and two were exemplified for Council 8284.