The day began with 450 coats ready for distribution and a dedicated team of about 20 volunteers, including SDRR Marty Brown, SCD Larry Herman, DPD Grand Rapids-N Randy Kinsey, and numerous GK officers and council members from across the Diocese of Grand Rapids. A special highlight was the energetic help from the Vandewater family—Margaret and her children, Patrick, Ezra, Ruth, and Luke. All four kids, being bilingual, were invaluable in connecting with families.
Thanks to the overwhelming turnout, the coat drive wrapped up early—by 11:15 AM on Saturday, November 15—with every coat finding a new home well before the scheduled noon closing time. With so many hands on deck, cleanup was quick, and the team was packed up and out by 11:30 AM.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a child light up with a new coat, and this event perfectly captured the Knights of Columbus’s spirit of charity and brotherhood. Another year, another heartwarming success!
This weekend, we close our Church year with an important Solemnity. But do you know why Pope Pius XI instituted it? If so, then you can appreciate why we need this Feast – and today’s readings – more than ever. Learn all about it in today’s Dad Talk. Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
Congratulations to Landon Tokarski on being named as the Au Lac Council Youth of the Month for November! Landon is the son of David and Dominica Tokarski and a 7th grade student at Anchor Bay Middle School South. He plays football as a tight end and defensive end and plays on the basketball team. Landon made the commitment to deepen his faith and grow closer to God by completing OCIA and receiving his sacraments. Since then, he’s joined the Youth Ministry group and attended various pilgrimages. He can be found volunteering at events after Mass in the parish hall. We thank Landon for sharing his faith through service to his parish and community!
Special Olympics Michigan has finished the construction / renovation of the new Unified Sport and Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids. This is a one of a kind facility that you will not find anywhere else in the country. We are being offered an opportunity for both individual Knights and for local councils to make a small contribution to support this amazing facility and put your name(s) on a Brick or Paver outside the main entrance. See attached for details, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
On Saturday November 8, 2025 several councils in the Flint area held a Coat giveaway at Catholic Charities Center for Hope in Flint. With combined contributions to purchase coats from the Supreme Council and coats collected or purchased by individual councils 308 children’s coats 47 adult coats were given away. All leftover coats were distributed to local parish outreaches and schools. A very special thanks to all councils and our brother Knights who joined us for this annual event and Catholic Charities for their support.
Rick Perry Lansing Diocesan Program Director- North
As we near the end of our Church year, the readings shift to discussing the Four Last Things: Final Tribulation, Return of Christ, Judgment, and Resurrection. We'll discuss the Final Tribulation (today's Gospel reading) and the Last Judgment (today's first reading) in today's Dad Talk. Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
