Fr Francis Pierz Council 15021 welcomes SEVEN new Brothers to the Order

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sat, Jun 6, 2026 6:39 PM

 
Fr. Francis Pierz Council #15021 of Harbor Springs held an exemplification on June 2nd after the 5:30 Mass at Holy Childhood of Jesus Parish and welcomed 7 new brothers into the order!! The Council has met and exceeded their quota for the year!! The ceremony was led by Andrew Mayer-DD 208 and was assisted by Council leadership and Council Chaplain Fr. Joe Graff. The Diocese of Gaylord Chaplain Fr. Mitchel Roman, who is also the pastor of Holy Childhood, was in attendance and provided remarks at the end of the ceremony along with Diocesan Membership Director Joe Zayaz. 
 
The new members are:
Bruce Mayrand, Steve Keller, Kevin Weed, Curtis Downing, Carl Bellman, Peter Kobs, and Daniel Mullins.
 
Congratulations and welcome to the Order!!
 
 
 

Brother Knight awarded Shining Armor for recruiting SIX new Brothers!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Sat, Jun 6, 2026 6:34 PM

Grand Knight Paul Sujdak from Council 6549, St Maximilian Kolbe, awarded Membership Director Anthony Coak  a Shining Armor Award at the June meeting.

 

Anthony recruited 6 new members from the OCIA group as they completed all their requirements.His efforts helped the Council achieve Star.

 

New Buffalo Council #14366 Achieves Quadruple Star Council Award!

By: Nick Zafer - Sat, Jun 6, 2026 6:22 PM

The Michigan Knights of Columbus State Council is thrilled to celebrate an outstanding achievement by New Buffalo Council #14366 in District 402!

 

Under the dedicated leadership of Worthy Grand Knight Jeff Zochalski and Worthy District Deputy Cliff Asch, and with the steadfast support of Council Chaplain Fr. Basker (Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in New Buffalo), the council has reached 400% of its annual membership quota from Supreme for the 2025-26 Fraternal Year.

 

Through the committed efforts of the entire council, 20 new Knights have joined the Order this fraternal year. This remarkable growth has earned Council 14366 the prestigious Quadruple Star Council Award — a Supreme Council honor recognizing councils that far exceed their membership goals while fulfilling the other key fraternal program requirements.

 

The Council posted a Year-to-Date net gain of 20 members against a quota of just 5 (400%), bringing their total membership to 67. These new Brother Knights are already strengthening the council and advancing its mission of faith, family, fraternity, and community service in New Buffalo and beyond.

 

On behalf of State Deputy Barry Borsenik and the State Board, we extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Grand Knight Jeff Zochalski, District Deputy Cliff Asch, Fr. Basker, and every member of Council 14366 for their hard work and dedication. Your example inspires councils across Michigan!

 

Vivat Jesus!

 

FOLLOW ROCHESTER COUNCIL 5452’S ASAP CELEBRATION OF 38 “BLESSED MOTHERS”

By: Ed Strach - Sat, Jun 6, 2026 6:10 PM

 

What if… what if, you could deliver an ASAP program which provided more than $24,000 in benefits to pregnancy resource centers and the mothers they serve?  What if you could provide more than $300 worth of baby merchandise (layettes, cribs, strollers, playpens, etc.) to each of 38 mothers, AND provide $12,000 funding to each of 5 different pregnancy centers?  What if, you could also provide a great dinner for those mothers, their families, and your parishioners in a program featuring motherhood in scripture and a testimonial about an incredible and determined mother who raised her sons out of Detroit’s notorious public housing projects to become highly successful business leaders.  And what if you could also do all of that at zero cost to your council budget!  Would you do it?  Why would you not do it?  Would you like to know how to do it?  Fr. Baumgartner Council 5452 in Rochester did all of the above in May of this year in a project entitled “A Blessed Mothers Celebration of Motherhood,” and they wish to pass on the template for how to repeat it in your council.

 

 

This program was the brainchild of one insuppressible Knight, who was entertained with skepticism but allowed to charge ahead.  The program gained momentum of its own and became wildly successful.  It is amazing what the Holy Spirit will do when you unleash Him.  Allow the Spirit to work through your council as well.  Contact Council 5452 Grand Knight Glen Steyer at glen.c.steyer@gmail.com or the program author, Deputy Grand Knight Bill Pilchak, at wpilchak@gmail.com to request information.

 

 

 

Faith, Fellowship, and a 16-16 Tie: The 3rd Annual and Bats for Vocations

By: Larry Herman - Sat, Jun 6, 2026 5:43 PM

 

 

TRAVERSE CITY — Sunshine, smiles, and a spirited community spirit filled Turtle

Creek Stadium on May 24, as the Diocese of Gaylord gathered for the 3rd annual Bats

for Vocations softball game.

 

The free-will donation event brought together hundreds of attendees and raised

approximately $5,000 to support diocesan vocations.

The afternoon opened with a vibrant Pentecost procession. Seminarian Jake Belanger

led the procession just weeks ahead of his June 6 Ordination to the Transitional

Diaconate.

 

The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Color Guard provided a grand welcome. Notable

guests included:

 Ray Gehlmann, Visiting Color Corps Commander (Diocese of Saginaw)

 Ken Unterbrink, Past State Deputy

 

The highly anticipated game featured the Bishop, Priests, and Seminarians facing off

against talented Catholic school students from across the diocese. Both teams brought

immense energy, resulting in a thrilling 16-16 tie.

The real victory, however, was the community's incredible generosity in supporting the

future priests and deacons of the diocese.

 

 

 

Council 3798 in Paw Paw welcomes Special Olympians!

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 1, 2026 7:43 PM

Council 3798 in Paw Paw welcomed the Special Olympians from Area 17 (SW Michigan) to breakfast on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the K of C hall in Paw Paw. Over 100 athletes and their chaperones stopped by on their way to Mt. Pleasant where they will compete with athletes from across the state of Michigan. The athletes were treated to a pancake, egg and Sausage breakfast. All were satisfied and with full stomachs traveled happily on their way to the competition.

 

Swartz Creek Council 6694 Hosts Event in Support of Sisters

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 1, 2026 7:34 PM

On May 16th, Swartz Creek Council 6694 hosted SOS: Support Our Sisters, an initiative of the Knights of Columbus RSVP Program. The fundraising dinner was held to support novices and postulants from two religious communities as they continue their formation. More than 150 parishioners attended and enjoyed the company of several sisters, who graciously shared information about their communities and their personal journeys of discernment. It was a faith‑filled and fruitful evening, made possible through the generous time and talents of the many parishioners and brother Knights who assisted in planning and carrying out the event.
 
Pictured are 16 Sisters of Life and three Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, joined by, from left, Michigan State Advocate Dan Fuller Jr., Diocese of Lansing Director of Vocations and Consecrated Life Dawn Hausmann, Father Tony Smela, Father Louis Ekka, and Swartz Creek Council 6694 Grand Knight Luke John Hawrylo.
 

Fatima Rosary Rally at St Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo, MI

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 1, 2026 7:24 PM

 
In June, 2020; St Augustine parishioners Cindy and Mike Vennix started praying the Fatima Rosary Rally weekly on the front steps of St Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo, MI.  Mike is a member of St Augustine Council #15439.   In January, 2021, they changed it to once a month, on the 2nd Saturday of the month.  At that time, they also contacted St Catherine of Siena Council #6980, who then became involved.  In addition to the Rosary, the Fatima Rosary Rally contains prayers, songs, and litanies.  The Knights from both councils lead the Rosary portion of the rally.  
 

Joe Magalski

St. Catherine of Siena Council 6980, Grand Knight

Two Councils One Corporate Communion

By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 1, 2026 7:07 PM

 

Members and their families from Au Lac Council 10724 and Anchor Bay Council 5981 attended a joint-Council Corporate Communion Mass on Sunday, May 31st at Immaculate Conception Church in Ira Township. A special Thank you! also to the K of C Color Corps members from Our Lady on the Lake Assembly 2804 who were present at Mass in full regalia.

 

Approximately 80 people attended Mass to pray for the deceased members of both councils. Afterwards they enjoyed a social gathering in the parish hall. It was a beautiful celebration on a beautiful day! Councils 10724 and 5981 are Blessed to have such a good relationship with a Priest such as Fr. Joe Esper who supports both Councils at the parish.