Pro-Life Update from Upper Downriver Right to Life
During Advent we Catholic Christians prepare and await the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ as we remember his humble birth in the stable at Bethlehem.
Upper Downriver Right to Life continues to work to reach out to the community with the news that each child is created in the image and likeness of God. Each person has inherent dignity. Each human life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. Euthanasia or assisted suicide is as much a violation of the human person as is abortion. The Knights of Columbus uphold these teachings that are explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and shared through articles in Columbia magazine. It is our duty to better understand these teachings of Christ so that we can share them in our daily encounters with family, friends and co-workers.
The Catholic Church offers forgiveness and spiritual healing through sacramental confession when we fail to follow God's law. For expectant mothers in need, Right to Life of Michigan offers assistance so that mothers can embrace the choice of life at RTL.org or call or text 800-712-HELP.
Christmas cards and ornaments featuring the Holy Family are available at the Right to Life Resource Center, 2010 Eureka in Wyandotte. Call for times 734-282-6100. Let's celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas that begin on December 25! Let the Light of Christ shine in this secular world. Keep your Christmas lights burning through Epiphany.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday will be celebrated on January 25, 2026. Please plan to come to the Holy Hour at noon at Our Lady of the Scapular. It will be led by Deacon Richard Bloomfield, a member of 1802 and the Fourth Degree Van Antwerp Assembly. Luminary candles will be available then to light in remembrance of the millions of victims of abortion. Luminaries will also be available at the Right to Life Resource Center.
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
