2024 State Soccer Challenge Championship

By: Larry Herman - Sat, Oct 5, 2024 7:50 PM


The State Championship Soccer Challenge took place on October 5th at St John Vianney Church in Wyoming, MI. God blessed us with a beautiful day, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the low 70's.  Congratulations to all participants and the winners!
 
Winners
Girls Age 9: Kelsey Gong (Saginaw Diocese)
Boys Age 9: Cole Kaberle (Gaylord Diocese)
Girls Age 10: Harper Champagne (Saginaw Diocese)
Boys Age 10: Gavin DePlanche (AOD Diocese) (not pictured)
Girls Age 11: Ayla Kramer (Gaylord Diocese)
Boys Age 11: Liam Ashby (Grand Rapids Diocese)
Girls Age 12: Miya Talaga-Martinez (Gaylord Diocese)
Boys Age 12: Collin Verdusco (Saginaw Diocese)
Girls Age 13: Elliott Covelle (Grand Rapids)
 
Many thanks to our State and Diocesan leaders for their help:
 
State Advocate Dan Fuller
State Community Director Larry Herman
SDRR Ray Gehlmann
SDRR Marty Brown
DPD Mark and Mary Hebert
DPD Randy Kindey
DPD Tonino Michienzi
DPD Joe and Debbie Brenner
 
Below is a photo of the winners along with our State Advocate Dan Fuller and State Community Director Larry Herman.
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National Do Something Nice Day

By: Gary Kolbicz - Thu, Oct 3, 2024 9:17 AM


OCTOBER 5th IS NATIONAL DO SOMETHING NICE DAY
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Make your friends and family smile this October 5th on National "Do Something Nice Day". This day encourages us to perform acts of kindness for strangers or loved ones — or both! It’s easy to become so caught up in our own stresses and struggles that we forget to show kindness to others. This day is a great reminder that doing good deeds makes the world better — and might even help you better manage your own troubles in the process.
 
National Do Something Nice Day Activities:
 
1. Volunteer
Get involved in a local organization in your community. If you’re having trouble deciding how or where to volunteer, consider what your strongest skills are and how you can use them to help others. If you’re great at construction, lend a hand to Habitat For Humanity. If you’re a web developer, offer your coding skills to a charitable organization that needs a website revamp or teach local kids some programming basics. In most communities, there are local soup kitchens or homeless shelters that can always use the help of kind, compassionate people.
 
2. Assist a stranger
Extend a small gesture of kindness to let a stranger know you care. Pay the bill of the person behind you in line at the coffee shop. If you see someone crying alone in public, offer them a tissue or — if the situation calls for it — some other kind of assistance. If someone thanks you for your good deed, ask them to pay it forward by helping someone else who needs it when the time is right. No matter what, keep spreading goodwill!
 
3. Call someone just to tell them you care
Call someone you care about out of the blue, just to let them know how much they mean to you. It just might make their day! If you know someone who is going through a hard time in life, gently check in with them and let them know they're on your mind. If you can swing it, send them a bouquet or drop off a homemade meal. Your personalized attention can make a world of difference.
 
In short: BE the reason someone is smiling!

Be Catholic Vote Catholic

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Sep 28, 2024 1:48 PM


As Catholics and members of the Knights of Columbus, we are called to participate in elections by evaluating candidates with a conscience formed by the truths of faith. The Michigan Catholic Conference has several resources available to help us make election decisions that are consistent with the teachings of the faith.

 

Please review the information available from the Michigan Catholic Conference by clicking here

 

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St Robert joint Exemplification

By: District Deputy 315 - Wed, Sep 25, 2024 2:44 PM


Congratulations to Grand Rapids councils #389 (St Jude), #8117, (Bishop Britt of St Robert Newminster), and 315495 (St Alphonsus) on their welcoming three new Knights on Tuesday, September 24th!
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Pictured are the new Brother Knights (center) along with their respective Grand Knights: Jarryd Mello and Colin Farley (St Jude); Joel Dodich and Joe Szyperski (St Robert); along with Mark Szczytko and Rod Cronin (St Alphonsus). Also attending the exemplification: Dan Thelen, Field Agent; Dale Korsen, 4th Degree and Master of District 4; along with District Deputies Scott Hamilton and Jack Sablan. Member representatives from all three councils were also in attendance.
 
A special thanks to all who attended in support of the new Knights and especially the St Roberts Exemplification Team of George Christopher, Ted Wright, Ron Carolotti, and Gene Gutting.
 
On behalf of Scott Hamilton and myself, thanks everyone!
 
Scott Hamilton (DD311) and Jack Sablan (DD315)

Grand Rapids 2024 Soccer Challenge

By: Randy Kinsey - Wed, Sep 25, 2024 2:31 PM


GRAND RAPIDS DIOCESAN SOCCER CHALLENGE

By Randy Kinsey, Diocesan Program Director - Grand Rapids/North
 
The Grand Rapids Diocesan Soccer Challenge was held on Saturday, September 21st at Sacred Heart in Grand Rapids, sponsored by Sacred Heart of Jesus Council #13641.
 
Congratulations to the Winners!
 
Boys
Age 10, Brendan Hull, #8117, District 311
Age 11, Liam Ashby,  #13641, District 313
Age 12, Carson Morehouse, #7487, District 313
 
Girls
Age 9, Astrid Kennedy, #13641, District 313
Age 10, Julia Rogovich, #13641, District 313
Age 13, Elliot Covelle, #8117, District 311
 
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Sincere thanks to GK Jackson Bargenquast, FS Jason Bargenquast, and PGK Mike Menardie of the host council for doing an outstanding job hosting and supporting the event. Thanks also to SDRR Marty Brown, DD Bob Wassick, DD Rich Olszewski, DD Fred Kraemer, DD Greg Grzegorski, and DD Sam Chansler for helping out with registration, judging, scoring and rebounding balls, making this a truly "Diocesan" and successful event!

 

Detroit Archdiocesan Soccer Challenge 2024 Winners

By: Joseph Brenner - Mon, Sep 23, 2024 4:09 PM


The Detroit Archdiocesan Soccer Challenge was held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, hosted by Councils 5436 and 15967 at Everest Collegiate High School & Academy in Clarkston. The winners were:
 
Gavin DePlanche – Council 3956 (not pictured)
 
Andrew Piechocki – Council 3959
 
Jack Tenorio – Council 16169
 
 
God Bless to all who helped!!!
 
Joseph Brenner, Ronald DePestel, James Kelly, and Bill Corey
Archdiocesan Program Directors
 
 
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Gaylord Diocese Soccer Challenge

By: Patrick Oliver - Mon, Sep 23, 2024 3:34 PM


The Regional Soccer Challenge competition took place on September 21st in the Gaylord Diocese, sponsored by Cadillac Council #1224. We extend our gratitude to the council for their generous support of the event.
 

WINNERS

Girls

Age 9 – Matilda Schwerdt

Age 10- Ivy Danford

Age 11 – Ayla Kramer

Age 12 – Miya Talaga-Martinez

 

Boys

Age 9 – Cole Kaberle

Age 10 – Alexander Peacock

 
Congratulations to all participants for their hard work, sportsmanship, and dedication. Let's support the winners as they advance to the State Championship Finals on Saturday, October 5th at St. John Vianney Church in Wyoming, MI.
 
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Community News Update Sept 22 2024

By: Larry Herman - Sun, Sep 22, 2024 9:07 PM


COMMUNITY NEWS UPDATE

Fall is here and it is time to make sure that children around the State of Michigan have warm coats. Yes, the Coats for Kids program is well underway and the response from councils statewide has been nothing short of phenomenal! Councils have risen to Fr. McGivney’s call to care for widows and orphans. As of this writing, councils have submitted checks totaling over $107,000 for the program. Every diocese has contributed to this event. Distributions sites are being set up and the goal is to get all the coats on the backs of kids by the end of October. This is a marvelous example of Charity, the Order’s first and foremost principle. Congratulations to everyone who has participated in showing the world what the Knights are all about.

 

There is news about the Casey Bear Program. The Bears are back in stock and I am working on fulfilling the orders that I currently have. Please send check and order forms to the address on the order form.  The order form can be found by clicking here

 

Don’t forget these key dates for this Fraternal Year; everyone is invited:

 

*State Soccer Championship Finals

Saturday October 5, 2024

Registration: 12pm, Competition: 1pm

St John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Avenue SW, Wyoming, MI 49509

 

*State Essay Contest Forms Submission

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Email copy to Larry Herman at l.herman@mikofc.org

 

*State Spelling Bee Championship Finals

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Registration: 12pm, Competition 1pm

Fr. Van Rooy Council 2470, 1021 Woodside Avenue, Essexville, MI 48732

 

*State Free Throw Championship Finals

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Registration: 12pm, Competition: 1pm

Sacred Heart Parish Gym, 319 E. Illinois St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858

 

Be Blessed and stay warm!

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Larry Herman

State Community Director

Fall is the Season of Change and Membership

By: Ken Warzybok - Sun, Sep 22, 2024 9:53 AM


 
September 22nd marks the arrival of Autumn 2024, bringing with it cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice at every corner!
 
As the season of change, Fall is the perfect opportunity to bring a positive shift into your life. The Knights of Columbus offer a welcoming space for Catholic men seeking to make a positive impact. Membership in our Order will enhance your life in ways you cannot imagine.
 
Our Michigan Bishops are strongly encouraging every Catholic man to prayerfully consider joining the ranks of the Knights of Columbus.
 
Make this Fall your opportunity to be part of a larger, purpose-driven community! Join the Knights of Columbus today at kofc.org/joinus and become a vital force in our charitable mission!
 
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