By: Greg Brunson - Mon, Apr 4, 2022 4:37 PM

Over the last year our State Chaplain Fr Paul Ballien has held a number of Men’s Retreats based on the “Into The Breach” video series and “Guadalupe The Miracle And The Message”.  Since then, additional retreats have begun to take place in other Dioceses across Michigan such as Grand Rapids and all across the U.P.

I happened to attend the first in a series of retreats that Fr Corey Litzner was hosting.  It was at St Michael Parish in Marquette and when I arrived early (and I was terrified that nobody would show up), I met District Deputy Jim Butorac and Grand Knight of Council 1541, Bruce Coron, boiling enough hot dogs to feed an entire U.S. Army Regiment!   I asked them if they will have enough hot dogs and Jim told me they were expecting 60.  As it turned out the room was full, most of the hot dogs were gone, all the pizza was gone, and the retreat went very well.  I was taken back by the outstanding attendance, so was Fr Corey!   Rumor has it there were a couple of men who filled out form 100s’.   Since then, the retreats in Sault Saint Marie, Houghton, and Ironwood have all had very good attendance, especially in Houghton.   The weather however interfered with the Newberry retreat - it was postponed due to a nasty ice storm rolling across the state that evening (to be rescheduled).

On March 25^th, the UP Catholic had a nice article about Fr Corey’s retreats – click the logo below and go to page 5.

Fr Corey has traveled from Sault Saint Marie to Ironwood – from one end of the U.P. to the other because he agreed to be the Diocesan Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.   This is commitment to our order.  We all, some 60 thousand of us in Michigan, do the good works of our order by using those gifts the Lord has given to each of us.  Our Diocesan Chaplains and brother knights who happen to be Priests, do their part by helping us all grow spiritually.  We are blessed to have them among us.

BOTTOM LINE men:  when you hear about upcoming Men’s Retreats hosted by one of our Diocesan Chaplains, make it a point to attend.   It would be terrific to see large turnouts across the State like we saw from our Brother Knights north of the bridge.

By: John Hundiak - Mon, Apr 4, 2022 3:55 PM

Let’s Play Ball!

Spring baseball fever has already started.  Many Little League Teams have already started their competitions.  Our area is blessed with the Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Division.  It has been operating for 29 years!

This division is a program for mentally or physically disabled youth to enjoy the sport of Baseball.  Hott Field in Macomb County provides an environment that is adaptable and usable by those players with mental or physical disabilities.  Over the years, this league has grown significantly and now there is a great need for a Senior League baseball field for mentally or physical disabilities.  This field will be part of the existing Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Baseball and will be designed as a “Special Needs Accessible Filed”. 

Much work has already been done on the field (located on Harper Rd in Clinton Twp).  Many generous donations have been received from local municipalities and corporations.  However, to complete the field by this summer, we need to raise $75,000 to cover the construction costs.

Here is the challenge from Challenger Field: If the Knights of Columbus can raise the $75,000 needed, then the name of the field will be ‘McGivney Field’!  This will stand out in the community and demonstrate the dedication that the Knights have towards God’s needy children.

I am asking that all councils consider donating at least part of their Spring 2022 MI Drive monies to this worthy cause. This donation can also be considered a Special Olympics donation on your 10784s.  To make a donation from your Council or MI Drive monies, make checks payable to:

Checks can be sent to:

Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Baseball

Memo line: McGivney Field

Marilyn Wittsock

c/o CVLLCB

57249 Junction Court KC Special Olympics

Washington, MI 48094

Once we meet this challenge and the field is ready for dedication, all Knights and families from around the State will be invited to the inaugural game.

Brothers, this is an extraordinary opportunity to put our Faith in Action and help those in need.  Please prayerfully consider your Council’s participation in this worthy cause.

Rise Up And Answer The Call!

John Hundiak

State Special Olympics Director

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Apr 3, 2022 3:51 PM

Live streaming for the Respect Life Annual Benefit Dinner at 7:00pm on April 5^th:

Link HERE

 Brother Knights and Families,

The 44^th Annual Right to Life MI Respect Life Dinner is only a few days away! This is to provide our council members outside the Southeastern Michigan area the opportunity to join us live for this at http://www.respectlifemi.org/

We look forward to having you as a virtual guest for this event and thank you for Rising Up an Answering the Call for Life!

Ed & Lynn Strach

Pro-Life Chair Couple

734-476-6296

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Apr 3, 2022 6:46 AM

From Michigan Catholic Conference & Supported by the Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

A petition drive (Reproductive Freedom for All) has started, sponsored by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, to get a constitutional amendment for an unlimited right to abortion on the November ballot.

This amendment would repeal dozens of state laws, including our state’s ban on tax-funded abortions, the partial-birth abortion ban, and fundamentally alter the parent-child relationship by preventing parents from having input on their children’s health.

The petition drive is also an attempt to invalidate the state's long-standing ban on abortion, which is poised to become effective again, if or when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Now, more than ever, your help is needed to stand up for the unborn and speak up for the dignity of human life at all stages. This amendment is opposed by the Michigan Catholic Conference, the official voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan on public policy. 

Help spread the word about why people should NOT sign the Reproductive Freedom for All Petition. 

For more information, visit supportMIwomenandchildren.org 

By: Ed Strach - Thu, Mar 31, 2022 9:38 AM

Wonderful news! As part of the Flint Ultrasound initiatives, the 78^th Ultrasound dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 9^th. Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint will be hosting an open house between noon and 3 p.m. with the Ultrasound dedication ceremony beginning at 1p.m. Details are below.

Saturday, April 9^th at 1:00 PM

Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint

5131 W. Bristol Road, Flint 48507 

734-646-8206

 Lead council: St. John the Evangelist Council #7418

Grand Knight: Craig Hering    

Lead: Michael Archambault, Advocate

 Thank you for Rising Up and Answering the Call for Life!

Ed Strach, Life Director

By: John Hundiak - Wed, Mar 30, 2022 9:05 AM

Jersey Mike’s will donate all sales on Wed. Mar. 30, 2022

to Special Olympics

Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, asks customers to eat a sub this March to help local athletes across the U.S. attend the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, June 5-12, in Orlando, Florida.

For the first time in the 12-year history of the company’s March Month of Giving fund raising campaign, Jersey Mike’s owners and operators nationwide will support a single cause. Throughout March, customers can make donations through Jersey Mike’s mobile app or in-store. As added incentive, special deals will be announced each week on Twitter and through Jersey Mike’s email club.

The fundraiser culminates with Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, March 30, when local Jersey Mike’s restaurants will give 100 percent of the day’s sales – not just profit – to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games and the local state Programs attending the USA Games.

Jersey Mike’s is the presenting sponsor of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, and it hopes to raise even more for the non-profit organization than last year’s record-breaking $15 million fundraising campaign. Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving has raised more than $47 million for local charities since it began in 2011.

Jersey Mike’s Michigan locations found HERE  

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Mar 29, 2022 1:38 PM

Knights in Ukraine gather with Cardinal Konrad Krajewski (center), almoner of His Holiness, and Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv in a storage area at the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Lviv, March 9. The seminary has become a distribution point for humanitarian aid to Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion. Photo by Tamino Petelinšek

You may read the entire article, see photos and watch a video on the Supreme website HERE.

Donate here - UKRAINE SOLIDARITY FUND                                                  

By: Patrick Smiggen - Sun, Mar 27, 2022 8:00 PM

The exemplification ceremony held on Sunday March 27th brought in 19 new members to start a new council at St Thomas the Apostle in Grand Rapids. 

Worthy State Deputy Walter Winkle assisted during the exemplification by distributing rosaries and pins while Father Jim Chelich, Pastor of St Thomas, performed the role of chaplain.  The degree team from Bishop Kevin Britt Council #8117 at St. Robert of Newminster Parish in Ada led the exemplification.  A reception followed in the Ministry Center of St. Thomas for new members and their families.

By: Ed Strach - Sun, Mar 27, 2022 9:03 AM

Final Reminder 44^th Annual Respect Life Dinner Tuesday, April 5^th

Registration closes today, Sunday, March 27^th

Don’t miss this chance to join us in an evening of fraternity, entertainment, and prolife messages!

Contact Brad at mailto:bsmith@rtl.org or call at 248-765-8717 to register.

Questions?

For more information contact Brad at bsmith@rtl.org or call 248)-765-8717.

Thank you for Rising Up an Answering the Call for Life!

Ed & Lynn Strach

734-476-6296

Pro-Life Chair Couple Michigan State Council

Knights of Columbus

By: Mike Haughey - Wed, Mar 23, 2022 9:00 AM

The theme for 2022's  Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest was to describe everyday obstacles that you may have experienced or witnessed others experiencing while living a life of authentic faith. Explain how you have overcome these obstacles and how, by doing so, it has helped your faith to continue to grow.  Many fine submissions were received, and the Michigan State winners for 2022 are:

 12th grade winner:             Lucia Schudt             from Macomb

12th grade runner up:         Michael Ricard          from New Baltimore

11th grade winner:              Angelies O'Brien       from Shelby Twp.

11th grade runner up:         Dominic Mancuso     from Macomb

10th grade winner:              Mary Jajawie            from Macomb

10th grade runner up:         Meta Klantzke          from Sterling Heights

  9th grade winner:              Kristyn Eubanks       from Chesterfield

  9th grade runner up:         Abigail Beizes           from St. Clair Shores

  8th grade winner:              Victoria Kakos          from Farmington Hills

  8th grade runner up (tie):  Athena Klisz             from Kentwood

  8th grade runner up (tie):  Sebastian Sesi         from West Bloomfield

The winners have had their submissions sent to our Supreme Council for consideration in the International competition.  

Michael Haughey

State Community Director

586-873-9234