On Sunday , March 15th, St. Francis Council #4401 conducted an exemplification on Charity , Unity, and Fraternity.
Five men for St. Francis Council, and two men for Holy Family Council # 11811 became Third Degree Brother Knights.
Front Row: New Membership: Dr. Michael McGrath 4401), Tom Busard (11811), Tom Martilotti(4401), Jesus Franco (11811), Patrick Levandowski (4401), Nicholas Kovach (4401), Christopher Young (4401)
Back Row: Exemplification Team: Wally Dudan, GK Kyle Redding, Treasurer Mike Evangelista, Deacon Michael Heard, MD George Curran, DD Gary Mallia, DGK Pat Dwyer
This week's Gospel reading includes two powerful messages: suffering often glorifies God, and Jesus has the power to defeat death itself. But along the way, the passage throws a few curveballs, such as the curious fact that Jesus "remained for two days in the place where he was" after learning that his friend Lazarus was ill. In today's Dad Talk, we'll dive deeply into the details and also unravel why the prophet Ezekiel is talking about the Lord opening graves in the first reading. Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
Upcoming Webinar: "Investing with Integrity" – Align Your Investments with Your Catholic Faith
Michigan Knights of Columbus members are invited to join an informative online webinar on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET, titled "Investing with Integrity."
Hosted by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KOCAA), this live session will explore how Knights can pursue their financial goals while ensuring their investments reflect the teachings of our Catholic faith. In today's world, many investment options include companies or practices that conflict with core Catholic values—such as those supporting abortion, pornography, or other activities contrary to Church doctrine. KOCAA offers a faithful alternative.
Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors specializes in faith-based investing solutions that align with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) guidelines. With a portfolio exceeding $29.5 billion, KOCAA delivers competitive performance alongside "value with values," allowing individuals, families, and organizations to grow their assets without compromising their principles. Their approach integrates Catholic moral screening to support causes and companies that uphold life, dignity, and faith.
During the webinar, key members of the KOCAA team will share insights on these investment options, demonstrating how you can achieve financial growth while staying true to your beliefs as a Knight and Catholic.
This is a valuable opportunity for Michigan Knights—whether you're planning for retirement, family needs, or council funds—to learn how to invest with integrity.
Generosity is at the heart of our Catholic faith. Without a Donor-Advised Fund, you could be missing an opportunity to make the most of your charitable giving.
You’re invited to an educational webinar about Donor-Advised Funds offered by Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund (KCCF) on March 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Join Dennis J. Gerber, Jr., president and CEO of KCCF, and Joshua Gideon, chief of strategy for KCCF, as they explore how you can enjoy the benefits of a Donor-Advised Fund while aligning your generosity with your faith with KCCF’s offering of Catholic-compliant investment strategies through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors.
Hear how a Donor-Advised Fund is like a charitable wallet and a great tool to build a legacy of generosity in your family. They will explain how, through a Donor-Advised Fund, you can have your contributions potentially grow tax-free, and when you’re ready, you can send grants to your favorite charities.
The attached picture is the presentation of Star Council by Kevin Hagadorn, DD127, to Dennis Thomas, GK, Tony Damico, DGK, and Jonathan Johnson, FS, of Bishop Murphy Council 3257. This is the 6th consecutive year that the council has earned Star Council.
By: Thomas Kendziorski -
Mon, Mar 16, 2026 10:45 PM
Pope Saint John XXIII Council #5436 serves the Our Lady of the Lakes parish located in Waterford, MI. It recently awarded four (4) $2,000 college student scholarships. This the second year of an annual community program of Council #5436. The announcements of the availability of these scholarships have been running in the "Northwest Oakland Lakes Family of Parishes" church bulletins for the past three months. This program is superbly coordinated by PGK, PFN SK Jerry Humphreys, along with his committee of four additional brother Knights.
Pictured L-R are: Cameron Tong, Elizabeth Phillips, Thomas Herrington, and SK Jerry Humpreys. Not pictured is another awardee, Luke Jasinski, who became a Brother Knight at 18 years of age this past December!
On Thursday, March 12th Our Lady Of victory Council # 14427 conducted an exemplification on Charity , Unity, amd Fraternity. Four men became Brother Knights that evening. Pictured from left to right are:
Front Row: Paul Keuber (GK) , Michael Cygan, Mike Behm, Tom Daigneau, Paul Bartkowiak, Gary Mallia (DD), Marc Sierra
Back Row: Rick Bennett (PGK, MD), Dave Pilarz, , Mark Tochman.
With these new members, the Council has met all the requirements for the Double Star Council Award.
Please join me in congratulating our new Brother Knights.
The 2026 Annual State Convention of the Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 20th, May 21st, and May 22nd, 2026.
DELEGATE REGISTRATION FORMS: All Form 4’s should now have been submitted as the deadline was today - March 15, 2026.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:The majority of the delegates have submitted their hotel registration forms. Everyone who has submitted room reservations will receive an email from s.wasmund@mikofc.org with notification of the hotel they are assigned to and the next steps in providing your hotel deposit and the cancellation fee of the hotel.
To qualify for the Grand Hotel as a delegate, it was communicated that councils needed to reach 100% or more by the end of March 2026. Please note that the qualifier is your membership for the 2025-2026 fraternal year and NOT 2024-2025 or Star Council. We have six hotels in town that are full. If you have not submitted your hotel registration form yet, please contact Susan Wasmund at 586.907.2423 and she can advise you on which hotels still have availability. Thank you to all the councils who submitted their room reservations forms. If you DO NOT receive the confirmation, please contact Cliff Wasmund at 734.634.7989. Contacting the hotels directly to make your reservation will result in higher prices. We have negotiated convention prices along with our block of rooms with the hotels, therefore, complete your hotel registration form and send it to Clifford for processing. Council Chaplain registration forms should be completed and returned via email to Clifford Wasmund at c.wasmund@mikofc.org. You should NOT send your Hotel Registration Forms to the State Office as they are not processing the hotel requests.
HOTEL UPDATES: Due to us processing everything electronically, we are not having delays with the USPS as in past years. Hotels are filling up fast and the following hotels are already filled so please do not select it as one of your options:
Chippewa Hotel
Cottage Inn
Harbour View Inn
Hotel Iroquois
Lake View Hotel
Windermere Hotel
Island House (not participating this year)
Do not delay completing your paperwork. Hotels on the Island are only holding our block of rooms until April 15th. Any rooms not filled by a Knight by that date will be released to the general public.
COST RESPONSIBILITY: We continue to receive several questions about who pays the deposits on the rooms for your hotels as delegates and Council Chaplains. If you are a delegate this is a conversation you need to have with our Grand Knight. We (the MI Knights of Columbus or the Convention Committee) do not cover your deposits, nor do we pay the cancellation fees if you must cancel. These are your responsibilities. Please make sure you have this discussion with your Grand Knight and/or Financial Secretary as each council manages it differently.
The cost for Council Chaplains is also the responsibility of the Councils and not the State Office or Convention Committee.
QUESTIONS: Any questions regarding room accommodation questions should go directly to Clifford Wasmund, Administrative Secretary to the State Deputy at (734) 634-7989 or c.wasmund@mikofc.org and not the State Office. As in the past, rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis and ADA rooms are limited at all hotels, including the Grand Hotel.
The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest was a huge success this year, with councils from every diocese participating! We received hundreds of submissions and judging was very tough, but in the end we are pleased to announce the following winners:
1. Kindergarten – Leo Opasik Soave – Council 16169 2. Grades 1-2 – Kristina Amanda Garcia – Council 7304 3. Grades 3-4 – Gerard Rea – Council 11761 4. Grades 5-6 – Nora Feldpauseh – Council 1171 5. Grades 7-8 – Winner Elayna McDonald – Council 10724
First and Second-Place Winners were forwarded to Supreme for the final level of the contest. Thank you to all who participated!
