By: Jon Olson - Thu, Jan 28, 2021 6:32 PM

 Brothers,

 Here are the upcoming training sessions I have scheduled for the months of February and March.

 The RSVP link will let you pick which date for that presentation

 Supreme Regional Training Director Jon Olson

Delta Drive

Dates: Tues. 2/22/21 at 8PM EST

            Wed 3/9/21 at 6PM EST

Presentation will cover The Prospect landing page and interaction with the prospect. Come learn how to adapt the Delta drive Method to your council's next event

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5225935198970840847

Council Growth

Dates: Wed 2/24/21 at 9PM EST

            Mon 3/8/21 at 7PM EST

            Tues 3/16/21 at 9PM EDT

The presentation will help Fraternal leaders resolve to leave councils, parish, and community better than how they found it. Leaders should also learn how to develop a simple, specific, year-round plan in place for growing council membership, that involves participation from the whole council. Attendees should commit to work with their pastor(s), field agent, and DD to accomplish their goals. Leaders should understand the importance of hosting regular ceremonials, incorporating recruitment into every event, and running membership drives

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2443777155535353868

Enhancing Member Experience

Dates: Mon2/15/21 at 7PM EST

            Mon 3/1/21 at 7PM EST

            Mon 3/22/21 at 7PM EDT

We will cover in this training understand what’s meant by the terms membership experience and membership engagement and how the two terms are related.

Complete the Council Engagement Assessment to assess their council’s strengths and weaknesses with regards to member engagement. Understand that member engagement is the council’s responsibility. Successful council engagement leads to members having positive opinions about their membership.

Learn the five steps in the engagement cycle and how they relate to one another, ultimately leading a member to go through them again. Discover tools that will help address deficiencies in your council’s current member engagement as based on your councils engagement score. Understand that retention issues result when a council has failed to engage a member and show the value of his membership. These issues can be overcome by discovering where this breakdown occurred.

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5746747468787826448

You are your programs

Dates: Tues 2/16/21 at 8PM EST

            Wed 3/3/21 at 8PM EST

            Wed 3/24/21 at 8PM EDT

We will cover in this training understanding the council’s perception by fellow parishioners, particularly that of inactive members and future potential members.

Construct a council mission statement that reflects the council’s vision and goals.  Understand the Faith in Action program model and its four categories – Faith, Family, Community and Life. Identify the council’s flagship program(s). Access the council’s current program regimen and identify the current strengths and weaknesses among its program calendar. Develop a calendar for the next 6-12 months that responds to the council’s mission statement and addresses some of the council’s strengths and weaknesses identified above. Understand the Program Director’s role in leading the council’s programming efforts.

Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7809145409472604432

By: Walter Winkle - Thu, Jan 28, 2021 7:00 AM

Congratulations Mary Queen of Peace Council 2199 for 100 years of service to the city of Hart, MI and surronding communities.

 Pictured is State Deputy Walter  Winkle  presenting  the   Supreme   plaque   recognizing the 100 years to GK   Walter Carrier and PGK Nathan Kroon.

By: Gary Merritt - Wed, Jan 27, 2021 7:30 AM

Join Us in Lansing on January 27

 Every year, many Right to Life of Michigan affiliates host events on or around Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. These include marches, vigils, memorial services, etc. to call attention to the value of every human life and mourn the ongoing loss of so many lives to abortion. Some affiliates organize bus trips to the national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Unfortunately, pandemic restrictions and closures are making trips to the March for Life so much harder. Mundane questions like, where do tireless red eye travelers visit to stay warm or go to the bathroom the morning of the March become serious logistical problems. Pro-lifers don't have an army of government employees living in Virginia who can make the easy commute to attend rallies, we have to come from all over the country.

So, this year, we wanted to give Michiganders a more doable option to publicly speak out for unborn children. Every year, Ingham County Right to Life holds a rally at the Capitol, generally with just local residents attending. This year, we want to encourage everyone in the state to attend.

Right to Life of Michigan and Protect Life Michigan (which works with prolife college groups) are co-sponsoring Ingham County Right to Life's event, making it a march and memorial at the Capitol on Wednesday, January 27, at 1 p.m.

More details will be released in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, please let all of your prolife friends and family know. It's scheduled to avoid other local affiliate events (which you should attend!) and the few bus trips to the national March for Life still scheduled.

Let's remind Governor Gretchen Whitmer that her support for abortion-on-demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy will never, ever be acceptable.

Click here for more information → Protect Life MI | Michigan Memorial & March

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Jan 25, 2021 11:11 AM

On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court declared itself the ultimate power, with authority to give life or take it away by its own sheer will.   The Declaration of Independence proclaims Life as a self-evident, unalienable right. It asserts the purpose of government of is to secure the Right to Life (and other rights), and can only do so through the consent of the people.   For decades in America, abortion was illegal in every state code of laws, and before that the common law. Only some states had shamefully legalized it in the 1960s and 1970s—through a real political process—and some of those states were beginning to have second thoughts when the sheer mass of deaths became clear. Michigan's first formal code of statutory laws banned abortion, and the people affirmed our abortion ban in November 1972 by a public vote.   Did that matter? Our laws? Public opinion? The U.S. Constitution? The role and duty and oath of federal judges? Nope, not a lick. There were 7 Supreme Court justices who wanted abortion, so they cheated and gave all 50 states a new law—delivered as if from on high and unquestionable by the people. Through two Supreme Court decisions on January 22, 1973—Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton—they legalized abortion for any reason and throughout the entire span of pregnancy. No mercy for the unborn.   We haven't let a day go by since then without using our prolife voice against this great injustice. Tomorrow is your opportunity to help make the voice of the unborn heard. What will you do?   Attend our rally in Lansing on January 27. With the National March for Life cancelled, this is your best opportunity to make a public witness. Give people resources to learn more about Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, through social media, e-mail, in-person, etc. Our website has great resources. This YouTube video gives people a way to make sense of the 60 million lives lost to abortion. Share the posts of our social media profiles tomorrow. Say something about it to someone who doesn't agree or doesn't know. Attend a local prolife event. Some of our local Right to Life of Michigan affiliates have events scheduled on Friday or later to mark the date. Are you connected to your local affiliate? Will you use your voice more than once a year?   Some of you aren't shy at all about being vocally prolife. Others may be shy, fearing for your job, or how some of your family or friends may respond. Some don't want to be "that guy." We understand, but tomorrow, 2,300 children will die. Their lives will be willfully taken because a government refuses to do their most basic duty. In some states the taxpayers will be paying the abortionists to take those lives.   The unborn don't have any voice yet. Be their voice. Don't let their death sentence on January 22, 1973 go unremarked or unchallenged as just a normal day in America.   There may be a cost to using your prolife voice, but the cost of not using it is far, far higher.   Repealing Hyde is a Planned Parenthood Cash Grab  The main argument abortion supporters have for   getting rid of the Hyde Amendment and forcing the prolife half of the   country to pay for abortions with their tax dollars is that it’s unfair that   poor women have to pay for abortions.                                             Think about this for a second: the abortion industry is hypocritical for   complaining about poor women having to pay for abortions, because   the abortion industry is the one taking their money!   Full story   No Constitutional Right to Mail Abortions  In last weekend's episode of LifeBeat, we discussed a U.S.   Supreme  Court decision on federal regulations of the abortion pill. A   federal court had decided that ignoring FDA regulations and sending   abortion pills through the mail was in the U.S. Constitution   somewhere. By a vote of 6-3, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed.       We also discuss the many prolife happenings in July, and the story     of a Canadian hospice that wasn't allowed to opt out of killing their   own patients.LifeBeat

By: Charles E. McCuen - Mon, Jan 25, 2021 11:09 AM

By: Greg Brunson - Mon, Jan 25, 2021 10:07 AM

Brother Knights, 

The last year has been very challenging for us all as councils and assemblies were highly restricted in fund raising opportunities due to COVID19 lockdowns and quarantines.  Despite that, the Michigan jurisdiction finished surprisingly well in vocational support with RSVP!   So many councils really did ‘Rise Up and Answered the Call’.

For 2020, the Bishop Joseph H. Albers Council 4090 in Davison took top honors and led the entire state with a tremendous effort.  Well done!

Take note of the leadership board:  the councils listed for 2020 were there because of their commitment to support vocations.  Because of their leadership it makes it possible for the Michigan Knights of Columbus to be a leader in the entire country.  Michigan is known for having very strong vocations support which comes from not only councils listed on the leadership board, but many others as well.  To that, it is important to recognize that for 2020 there were 20 Councils and 3 Fourth Degree Assemblies who participated with RSVP for the first time in at least three years.   Their support is essential to the program.  We all know how important the Refund Vocations Support Program is to our seminarians and religious in formation.   Thank you so much to the 23 Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators who answered that call!

Support for Vocations is perhaps the most important thing we do as Knights of Columbus.  With all our charitable works we do, all the lives we defend in all it’s stages, the many community programs we are engaged in, support for our Priests, Seminarians, and Religious is perhaps the most significant thing we do.  The RSVP program is one way we do just that.

The following four Districts achieved 100% participation in RSVP for 2020.  Outstanding!

This is not a contest, rather it illustrates commitment to vocations.  As Knights get more involved in vocations efforts, they find new meaning in their own vocations as Catholic laymen and members of the order.  They also learn more about the importance of teamwork, for the best vocations` programs are those planned and carried out by a team.   A team requires a leader and for vocations – the Vocations Chairman should be that person.  His job is to call others together, inspire them to share prayers, ideas and plans, and then reach out beyond the group.  The model is Jesus` work with the Apostles.  Successful groups need not be large, but they must be committed.

Rise Up and Answer the Call

These two Brother Knights answered the call…

Past Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart and President John F. Kennedy

Michigan State Knights of Columbus

RSVP Leadership Board 2020

TOP 10 Councils in Michigan

for RSVP support 

Honorable MentionHonorable Mention

It is important to make note of The St. Lawrence Council 2950 - who led this state in RSVP support for many years.   This council has done more RSVP support per year than many states! – one council outperforming entire states.    It is too bad we do not have an award for this because this council certainly deserves one, as does Council 4090 for taking the top spot this year.  Being #1 for RSVP in the Michigan jurisdiction means a great deal.

State Faith Director Greg Brunson     810-824-9533

By: Gary Merritt - Thu, Jan 21, 2021 5:04 PM

PRAY TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE!

JANUARY 21-29, 2021

·     The annual, pro-life novena, 9 Days for Life, starts today, Thursday, January 21! You can sign up to receive the novena by email or text message, or find the novena online. Available in both English and Spanish. 

9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. 

By: Paul J. Palka - Thu, Jan 21, 2021 2:01 PM

Brother Knights,

While the March for Life in Washington, D.C. and many other in-person pro-life events across the country have been curtailed, there are still opportunities to advocate for life.

Virtual March for Life Events
Councils may earn two (2) program credits towards the Columbian Award through the March for Life program by organizing 25 participants in any of the events listed below (or similar state/local events). One (1) program credit is earned for less than 25 participants (members and non-members). Councils can measure participation by hosting a virtual watch party and counting participants (for example) or by promoting an event and asking members to inform the council of their individual/family’s participation.

.Capitol Hill 101 Training

Thurs. Jan. 28^th
9:00am ET, 12:00pm ET, 5:00pm ET
This one-hour online training sessions will give participants the opportunity to learn how to make their voices heard by elected officials.

Virtual March for Life
Fri. Jan. 29^th
11:00am to 12:00pm ET: Pre-rally show and Matthew West concert
12:00pm-1:00pm ET: March and Rally coverage
A full guide to the virtual broadcast and schedule can be found here.

Virtual March for Life Rose Dinner (Ticket costs $25)
Fri. Jan. 29^th
7:00pm-8:00pm ET

Virtual Prayer Events (Novena for Life)
Councils can earn 1 program credit towards the Columbian Award through the Novena for Life program by organizing any amount of council participation in any of the following prayer events (or similar state/local events). Councils can measure participation by hosting a virtual prayer event and counting participants (for example) or by asking members to inform the council of their individual/family participation.

Virtual National Prayer Vigil
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Thurs., Jan. 28^th
8:00pm-11:00p ET
Rosary, Mass, and Holy Hour Fri., Jan. 29^th 8:00am-9:00am ET

Closing Mass. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori is the celebrant and homilist for this Mass.

Virtual Diocesan Prayer Events
Dioceses will host live-streamed prayer events and offer Mass leading up to the Jan. 29th, March for Life in Washington, D.C. and other state marches across the country including:

Thurs., Jan. 21 - Fri., Jan. 29
Live-streamed Masses or prayer events during the USCCB 9 Days for Life novena.

Thurs., Jan. 28 - Fri., Jan. 29

Live-streamed diocesan Holy Hours in concert with the virtual National Prayer Vigil for Life.

  To receive program credit, please submit your council’s participation through the online Fraternal Programs Report Form #10784 (after the event) and the online Columbian Award Application #SP-7 (by June 30^th).

For more information and guidance on how to promote and run your own virtual event, please review the Remote Programming Supplement resource. 

State Program Director Paul Palka

By: Ed Strach - Mon, Jan 18, 2021 11:14 AM

Our participation and promotion of Right to Life is more important than ever.

For details of each march click  HERE.

Rise Up and Answer the Call!

             Iosco County RTL March for Life

            Sunday January 17, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m., East Tawas, MI

             Sanilac County RTL March for Life

            Sunday January 17, 2021 @ 2 p.m., Sandusky, MI

            Roscommon/Crawford RTL March for Life

            Friday January 22, 2021 @ 3:00 p.m., Roscommon, MI

            Hillsdale RTL Rose Handout

            January 22 & 23, 2021 Hillsdale, MI

            Bay County RTL Together Strong Life Unites

            Friday January 22, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m., Bay City, MI

            Ogemaw County RTL March for Life

            Saturday January 23, 2021 @ 11:00 am, West Branch, MI

            Holland RTL March for Life

            Saturday January 23, 2021 @ 11:00 am, Holland, MI

           Tri-Cities RTL Memorial Service for the Unborn "By our Love" Grand Haven, MI

           Saturday January 23, 2021

            Upper Downriver RTL March for Life

            Sunday January 24, 2021 @ 12:00 pm, Wyandotte, MI

            St. Clair County RTL March for Life

            Sunday January 24, 2021 @ 1:00 pm, Port Huron, MI

            Grand Rapids RTL Memorial Procession for the Unborn

            Sunday January 24, 2021 @ 1:30 pm, Grand Rapids, MI  

           Midland County RTL March for Life

            Sunday January 24, 2021 @ 2:00 PM, Midland, MI

            Kalamazoo RTL Prayer for Life Rally

            Sunday January 24, 2021 @ 4:00 pm, Kalamazoo, MI

          Michigan’s Roe v. Wade Memorial & March Lansing 

           Wednesday January 27, 2021 @ 1:00 PM, Lansing, MI

         Prayer Vigil for Life RTL Grosse Point/Harper Woods 

           January 30, 2021 @ 10:00 am, Eastpointe, MI

         Saginaw RTL Memorial for the Unborn

          January 31, 2021 @ 2:30 pm, Saginaw, MI

To View a detail listing of these events click HERE

By: Garret Kelenske - Sun, Jan 17, 2021 2:30 PM

Keep Christ in Christmas Diocesan and District winners are past due. If you want your contestants to be considered for the State level competition, please contact State Family Director Garret Kelenske immediately. 

  Worthies we had the best month this year (December) in   participation with 11.46% of the Councils participating and a   second quarter of 10.11% overall. There is still room for   improvement, but we are   heading in the right direction. The   diocese of Grand Rapids led the way with 18.33% followed   closelyby   the diocese of Lansing at 17.81%. 

  Family of the Month Changes

The online Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) has been updated to accurately report more programs, including Family of the Month. Going forward, we are asking all councils to submit their Family of the Month entries each month through this online form. Please watch this training video on submitting the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) online and share it with your district deputies and council leaders. There are specific instructions on submitting Family of the Month entries in the video. I know that this will be a transition process for councils, and I am happy to help that process in any way I can. I understand a copy will be sent to the person filling out the form 10784, Please forward a copy to Gary Kolbicz at g.kolbicz@mikofc.org to be recognized in the State Columbian. Please send a copy to forms@mikofc.org and to the State Family Director g.kelenske@mikofc.org

  Thank you to all the Councils participating in this easy and worthwhile program. It is a great recruiting tool and a wonderful way to recognize a Family in your Council or Parish. If your Council has not been participating in this program here is an opportunity to get a member active that perhaps has been sitting on the sidelines.

Garret A. Kelenske State Family Director