From our State Faith Director - "Outside the Church There is No Salvation"

By: Robert Bagley - Sun, Jan 18, 2026 9:25 AM

“𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙨 𝙉𝙤 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣”

(𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙀𝙘𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙢 𝙉𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙨)

 

This is an unchanging Catholic doctrine, often misunderstood.

 

It does not mean:

 

All non-Catholics are automatically damned

God is bound by sacraments

 

It does mean:

 

All salvation comes from Christ

Christ’s saving grace flows through His Church

 

The Church is the ordinary instrument of salvation

 

𝙑𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙄𝙄 𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙢

 

Vatican II clarified—not denied—this doctrine.

 

It taught that:

 

Those who are invincibly ignorant of the Gospel

Who did not knowingly reject Christ

Who sincerely seek God and strive to do His will MAY be saved — by Christ — not by their false religion.

 

Their salvation, if it occurs, is still:

Through Christ

Through grace

Through the Church invisibly

 

This is not “all religions are equal.”

 

This is God’s mercy despite human ignorance.

 

 

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙊𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙏𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

 

In the Old Testament:

There was one Ark

Outside the Ark = death

Inside the Ark = salvation

 

In the New Testament:

The Ark is the Catholic Church

Christ is the door

Baptism is the entrance

 

But notice this crucial truth:

Being Inside Does Not Guarantee Salvation

People could jump out of the Ark

People inside could still rebel

 

Likewise, Catholics can fall into mortal sin.

Apostasy and grave sin lead to loss of salvation.

 

The Church is the instrument, not a magic guarantee.

 

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙄𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨

 

Indifferentism:

Kills evangelization

Destroys martyrdom

Makes doctrine irrelevant

Leads ultimately to atheism

 

If religion does not matter, then truth does not matter.

 

If truth does not matter, then God does not matter.

 

 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁

 

Catholicism does not say:

 

“We are saved because we are Catholics.”

 

It says:

 

“We are saved by Christ, through His Church, by obedience to God’s will.”

 

All religions are not the same.

All gods are not the same.

All paths do not lead to heaven.

 

There is one Savior, one truth, one Church.

 

“𝘕𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵.” (𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘸 7:14)

 

That is not intolerance.

That is the Gospel.

Star Council Award - Vanderbilt Council 16092

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Jan 18, 2026 9:17 AM

 
District Deputy Roger Markham awarded the Star Council Award to Grand Knight Don Claeys at the end of Mass on Sunday, January 11. Parish Pastor and former Diocesan Chaplain Fr. Matthew Wigton was on hand for the ceremony, which was also attended by the Color Corps of Gaylord Assembly 1718 led by Commander Michael Rola. 
 
 
 
 
Roger L. Markham, District Deputy
Michigan District 201
Knights of Columbus

January Dearborn O'Kelley Council #3860 Knight of the Month.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Jan 18, 2026 9:10 AM

Giorgio Bertucci is O'Kelley Council #3860 January Knight of the Month. Giorgio is very active, and does not shy away when it comes to volunteering in any capacity. He is a 3 year Trustee for O'Kelley, a Trustee with the Msgr Schulte Assembly, and is very active with the Assembly's Color Corps. Congratulations Brother Knight!

 

MEDIA ADVISORY from USCCB: National Prayer Vigil for Life on January 22

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Jan 18, 2026 8:57 AM

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: National Prayer Vigil for Life on January 22

 

 

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, gives Communion to Massgoers at the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Jan. 23, 2025, the evening before the annual the March for Life. (OSV News photo/Mihoko Owada)

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON – Catholics across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 22 to Friday, January 23, 2026, to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life.

 

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is hosted each January by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America’s Office of Campus Ministry. The vigil has always taken place on the eve of the March for Life, which marks the date of the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

 

The Opening Mass will take place in the Great Upper Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. at 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 22. The principal celebrant and homilist for the Opening Mass will be Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. 

 

Following the Opening Mass, a 7:00 PM National Holy Hour for Life will take place in the Crypt Church (lower level) of the Basilica, which will include Recitation of the Rosary and Benediction. Bishop James T. Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland, will be the presider for the holy hour. The vigil concludes at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 23 with the Closing Mass celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., archbishop emeritus of Boston. The full event schedule and additional details may be found on the Basilica’s event page at https://www.nationalshrine.org/event/2026-national-prayer-vigil-for-life/.

 

The live television broadcasts on January 22 for the 5:00 PM Opening Mass and the January 23 Closing Mass at 8:00 AM will be provided by the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)
and will be available via live-stream on the Basilica’s website at www.nationalshrine.org/mass.  For more information about on-site attendance at the Basilica for the National Prayer Vigil for Life, please visit the information page on the Basilica’s website.

 

Overnight seminarian-led holy hours will also be taking place from January 22-23 from 9:00 PM – 8:00 AM. For more information about the overnight holy hours and the accompanying livestream, please visit the USCCB’s website.

 

### 
 
Media Contact:

USCCB Public Affairs

202-541-3200  

 

View this release on the USCCB website.

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

By: John Bursch - Sun, Jan 18, 2026 8:52 AM

 
When John the Baptist sees Jesus, he cries out, "Behold, the Lamb of God." What does he mean by that? We'll explore that comment - and how Paul calls us to be holy - in today's Dad Talk. Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
 
Spotify - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/psklaIHa1Zb
 
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-talk-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-cycle-a/id1795067269?i=1000745585748
 
Riverside - https://riverside.com/shared/exported-clip/a4464e84d5812db10de3

Ultrasound Dedication and Blessing Ceremony for Positive Options - Allegan - Jan 9, 2026

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Jan 11, 2026 8:37 AM

 
Yesterday's Ultrasound Dedication and Blessing Ceremony for Positive Options - Allegan went well.  We estimated that 30 people attended.  Bishop Lohse's prayers, blessing, and comments were excellent.  
 
The Positive Options staff were awesome to work with, especially the Allegan Director, Christina Madison.  They took care of many details for the ceremony including the food which included a cake with both of our logos on it and borrowing large scissors from the Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon butting..  They had some of their staff and volunteers present to give tours of their building before and after the ceremony.  They hooked up the ultrasound machine to a large TV, showed videos of a couple of actual ultrasounds at 9 to 10 weeks, and had their sonographer explain what we were seeing.
 
The local Allegan paper had a reporter cover the event.  Positive Options will send me a copy of the article once it is published.
 
Thanks to our Worthy State Secretary Charlie McCuen (and his wife Pam) for making the long drive from Roseville and making some comments.  Thanks also to Worthy State Faith Director Bob Bagley for attending.
 
The three councils that provided funds are:
  • 6980  St. Catherine of Siena (in Portage)
  • 2515  Allegan 
  • 13633  St. Ann (in Augusta)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Harbor Springs Council donates $1200 to Char-EM ISD Programs!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Jan 11, 2026 8:24 AM

Each year for the past several years, the Knights of Columbus in Harbor Springs has donated proceeds from its annual Tootsie Roll fundraiser drive to Char-Em ISD's special education programs. These funds help provide special opportunities for our students with disabilities. Pictured are ISD staff members and students at Taylor School accepting this year's check, for $1,200, from David Henning, of the Knights of Columbus.

Pictured next to Henning at right is Lauren Ringle, Char-Em ISD Director of Special Education, and at left, Scott Koziol, Char-Em ISD Superintendent and Kristi Long, Char-Em ISD Principal - North, along with teachers and staff who support students prek-adult at Taylor School.

 

 

 

St. Mary of the Hills Council 13950 celebrated 20th Anniversary!

By: Paul Thorn - Sun, Jan 11, 2026 8:19 AM

 
 
 
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, St. Mary of the Hills Council 13950 celebrated our 20th Anniversary.  
 
The day began with a Corporate Communion during the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  After the Mass, a luncheon was held in the parish Fr. Strain Gymnasium
 
Close to 100 people attended the luncheon.  Attendees included  Founding Pastor Fr. Stanley Ulman  which included about 75  members, their ladies State Secretary Charles McCuen III and Lady Pamela, District Deputy John Carry and Lady Sharon, District Deputy Sam Buckley and Lady Denise, Assistant General Agent Patrick Arndt, about 60 members and their families.  Also present were 7 Widows of our deceased members.  DD Buckley is also a Past Grand Knight of 13950.  
 
Founding Grand Knight and Financial Secretary were John Hundiak and Paul Thorn.
 
Congratulations on 20 years and thanks to all who attended. 
 

Fr. John R. Day Council #2659 in Howell welcomes two new members!

By: Timothy J. Donovan - Sun, Jan 11, 2026 8:13 AM

Fr. John R. Day Council #2659 in Howell conducted an exemplification of two new members, Father & son. This brings our new member intake for this Fraternal year at twelve with our quota being eight. Many thanks to everyone who made this possible.