By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 11, 2026 9:57 AM

Centenarian Joe Vogel Joins Our Lady of White Lake Council 12985

Michigan Knights of Columbus welcomed one of its newest — and oldest — brothers last month when 100-year-old Joe Vogel joined Our Lady of White Lake Council 12985 in White Lake.

Joe celebrated his 100th birthday on September 8, 2026. Just twelve days later, on September 20, he became a member of the Order, standing alongside Grand Knight Don Richards in the parish church to mark the occasion.

In an age when many are slowing down, Joe’s decision to join the Knights is a powerful witness to lifelong faith, fraternity, and service. Council 12985 is proud to count him among its ranks, and the Michigan State Council joins in congratulating Brother Joe on both his milestone birthday and his entry into the Order.

Vivat Jesus Brother Joe!

By: Joseph Yekulis - Sun, Oct 11, 2026 9:44 AM

Lansing Lugnuts Support Vocations/RSVP Program

Lansing Lugnuts Support Vocations/RSVP Program

October 7, 2026

On the evening of Friday August 7, 2026, the Catholic Community in the Lansing Diocese filled Jackson Field

in downtown Lansing for the annual Knights Family Night to Support Vocations baseball game. The event is

sponsored by Dean Transportation and hosted by the Lansing Lugnuts. The Lugnuts defeated the Lake County

Captains in an exciting game by the score of 13-2, and State Deputy Charles McCuen was present to throw out

the first pitch.

Most importantly, the game provided the K of C council with the highest ticket sales per capita with a special

reward of $1,000 to share with one deserving seminarian and one new postulant who will each receive a $500

check from the winning council. That winning council was St. Therese of Lisieux Council #10907 in Lansing.

On Monday September 28, 2026, State Vocations/RSVP Director Joe Yekulis and Lansing Lugnuts Liaison SK

Cliff Farr surprised Grand Knight Stephen Schultz and his council members with a check presentation of $1000

at their monthly meeting. Seminarian Eugene Cousino from the Lansing Diocese is studying at Sacred Heart

Seminary in Detroit and will receive a check for $500, and new postulant Sr. Santina Masters of the Dominican

Sisters of Mary in Ann Arbor will receive a check for $500; both as part of the RSVP Program of the Knights of

Columbus. RSVP is an acronym that stands for Refund Support Vocations Program.

Special thanks to the Lansing Lugnuts’ Baseball Team and Dean Transportation for their continuing support of

vocations, and congratulations to St. Therese Council #10907 for their hard work in selling tickets for this

annual event.

Joseph J. Yekulis

Michigan Knights of Columbus

State Vocations Director

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 11, 2026 9:37 AM

Why We Are Called the Knights of Columbus: A Historical Perspective

On Columbus Day, the Michigan Knights of Columbus pause to reflect on the name that has defined our Order since its founding. Blessed Michael J. McGivney, a young Irish-American priest serving as assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, established the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. The organization was created to strengthen Catholic men in their faith, unite them in fraternity, provide mutual financial support for the widows and children of deceased members, and offer an alternative to secret societies whose principles conflicted with Church teaching.

Father McGivney originally proposed the name “Sons of Columbus.” After discussion among the founding members—mostly Irish-American laymen—the group adopted “Knights of Columbus.” James T. Mullen, who became the first Supreme Knight, suggested the change to better convey the ritualistic character of the new society and the ideals of chivalry: honor, defense of the vulnerable, service, and virtue.

The choice of Christopher Columbus as patron was deliberate and meaningful in the late 19th century. At a time of strong anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant nativism, Catholics—particularly Irish and other European immigrants—were often viewed with suspicion and treated as outsiders. By taking Columbus, a Catholic Genoese navigator sailing for Catholic Spain and widely celebrated as the discoverer of the New World, the founders asserted that Catholics were not aliens in America. Rather, a Catholic had played a foundational role in the opening of the Americas to European civilization. As one early member observed, the name conveyed that Catholics “were not aliens” but had participated in the very foundation of the new civilization.

Columbus also served as a unifying symbol among Catholic ethnic groups. The Irish founders of the Order chose an Italian explorer to help bridge differences with other immigrant communities. In an era of renewed interest in Columbus ahead of the 400th anniversary of his 1492 voyage, American Catholics already held him in high regard as a “pious, zealous, faithful Catholic” and enterprising navigator. Naming the Order after him linked Catholic identity with American patriotism and demonstrated that loyalty to the Church and loyalty to the country were fully compatible.

The principles of Charity and Unity guided the Order from the start; Fraternity and Patriotism were later formally added. Today, more than 140 years later, the Michigan Knights of Columbus continue that mission—serving our Church, our communities, our families, and our country. On this Columbus Day, we honor Blessed McGivney’s vision and the historical truth that Catholics have long been part of the American story.

By: Paul Thorn - Sun, Oct 11, 2026 9:24 AM

On September 25th, members of the Knights of Columbus St. John Neumann Council #16169, joined by Brother Knights from Councils 1274, 13950, 8284, 3292, 3959, and 6549, volunteered at the Special Olympics State Soccer Games at Independence Park in Canton, Michigan. Their mission was simple: keep everyone well fed so the athletes could focus their energy on the games.

 

Brother Knights worked the grills throughout the day, preparing and serving 700 sandwiches, including hot chicken sandwiches and veggie burgers. Others assembled meals, restocked snacks and side dishes, transported and managed the grills, and kept the serving line moving smoothly.

 

Athletes stopped by between matches, coaches grabbed a quick meal, families came in from the sidelines, and referees who kept the games running were served and thanked for their time.

 

A Special Olympics event takes tremendous behind-the-scenes effort. By handling food service, the Knights removed one important task from the organizers’ list and let everyone stay focused on what mattered most—the athletes.

 

And the athletes certainly delivered. They played hard, celebrated goals, encouraged their teammates, and demonstrated the determination, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship that make Special Olympics such a wonderful event.

 

The council extends its sincere thanks to Knights of Columbus State Special Olympics Director Paul Thorn, Assistant Director for Special Olympics Robbie Waclawski, and all the Brother Knights who generously volunteered their time and talents. We also thank the Special Olympics organizers, volunteers, and everyone else who helped make this memorable day possible.

 

Most of all, we thank the athletes for allowing us to be part of their special day. It was our privilege to serve you, and we look forward to doing it again!

 

 

**Credit for this article is attributed to Brother Knight John Faunce of Council 3292

 

By: John Bursch - Sun, Oct 11, 2026 8:57 AM

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 4, 2026 3:55 PM

Msgr McCormick Council 521 helps to equip Kimball Township Firefighters Against Hidden Electrical Danger

Kimball Township Fire Department has four new high-voltage detectors, thanks to Msgr. E. J. McCormick Council 521 in Port Huron and Marshall E. Campbell.

The department announced the gift on its social media pages and thanked both donors for equipment that warns firefighters of hidden electrical dangers and live power lines before they can cause electrocution.

Downed lines, damaged service equipment, and energized debris are routine hazards on the fireground. A non-contact detector gives crews an audible and visual warning before they approach a wire, panel, or piece of apparatus that may still be live. Four units mean more than one company can carry that protection on a working incident.

Council 521, which serves the Port Huron area, partnered with Marshall E. Campbell, an electrical equipment supplier, to put the detectors in the hands of the neighboring department. Members of the council joined Kimball Township firefighters at the station for the presentation, posed in front of Engine 1, and left the tools with the people who will use them.

The gift is a straight expression of the Order’s first principle. Charity here is not a check mailed from a distance. It is local Knights standing with the paid-on-call firefighters who answer the same streets their families live on.

Kimball Township Fire Department protects lives and property in St. Clair County from fire, hazardous materials, and medical emergencies. Council 521 continues a long record of community support in the Blue Water area, from parish life to local charities.

The Michigan State Council thanks Council 521, Marshall E. Campbell, and the firefighters of Kimball Township. Equipment that keeps a brother or sister from an electrical injury is charity that lasts longer than the photo.

Learn more about the council at www.kofc521.org and about the equipment partner at www.mecampbell.com.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 4, 2026 3:41 PM

On October 3^rd, the Knights of Columbus Council 7780 in Grosse Pointe Woods hosted an appreciation event for the AoD Seminarians at Sacred Heart. Partnering with the historic Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Seminarians enjoyed a complimentary dinner with soft drinks and a few hours of bowling at the club’s private alley. They were be able to come together outside of their classes to socialize, relax, and recharge. And we were able to thank them for their commitment to our Church’s future.

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 4, 2026 3:31 PM

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 4, 2026 3:25 PM

Charlevoix Council #7172 held its 1st Annual Golf Outing on September 24th at Dunmaglas Golf Club. 72 golfers took part on a warm, sunny day to help raise funds for the many worthy causes that the council supports. State Deputy Charlie McCuen, State Advocate Joel Kendzorski, Vice Supreme Master/PSD Walter Winkle, and District Deputy Andrew Mayer joined in the fun. A delicious dinner and basket raffle followed the outing where golfers had a chance to win many great prizes donated by local businesses. Attendees also heard from Council Grand Knight Don Jasurda, who gave a brief overview of the Knights. Jasurda ended his comments by recognizing SD McCuen and VSM Winkle, who helped the council resurrect a few years ago after going through some rough times. 

Council leaders are already planning for next year's event!!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sun, Oct 4, 2026 3:16 PM