By: Paul Thorn - Tue, Apr 25, 2023 10:55 AM

Fr. Goentges Council 1987 in Lapeer held an Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity on Tuesday April 4th which initiated 6 new members to the Knights of Columbus and welcomed one new transfer member.

Included in the picture from left to right are Rayn Vanderboagart - New Member, Charles House - New Member, Richard Spankie - Grand Knight, Dan Dudzinski - Exempt.Team, Travis Hiddad - New Transfer, Herb Seubert -  Exemp. Team, Joseph Simpson - New Member, Joshua Simpson - New Member, Dan Mausolf - Exemp. Team, Thomas Forrest - New Member, Jacob Simpson - New Member, Patrick O'Kelly - Membership Director.

Congratulations to Council 1987!

Paul Thorn SDRR

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Apr 25, 2023 10:16 AM

St. Louis Center Welcomes Knights of Columbus Councils and their families to a day of thanks, fun, and discovery,

Sunday April 30, 2023

St. Louis Center 16195 W. Old US Hwy. 12 Chelsea, MI 48118

RSVP for this FREE event at: https://stlouiscenter.org/give-here/meet-our-supporters/knights-of-columbus/#openhouse or call Michelle (734)475-8430.

Kennth Unterbrink PSD

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Apr 24, 2023 9:01 AM

Sunday afternoon, April23, the 30th Anniversary DACL Vocations Dinner was held at Zuccaro’s Banquet Center in Chesterfield Twp, MI.

Dinner guests were treated to a Polish Dinner, comments from our State Deputy Chris Kolomjec and a presentation address by our Worthy State Chaplain Father Aidan Logan.

Proceeds from this dinner will be used to supplement funding for Seminarians and Postulants scholarships.

Ken Warzybok

State Facebook Director

By: Kevin Rowley - Sun, Apr 23, 2023 1:49 PM

Congratulations to all the winners of the Michigan State Council Charity Raffle!

You may review the entire list of all 40 winners Here.

Thank you for your help and support, making this raffle a success.

Fraternally, Kevin Rowley & Michael Haughey

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Apr 21, 2023 9:23 PM

Knights of Columbus give $20K to Right to Life of Michigan during annual pro-life dinner

More than 600 people attended the 45th annual Respect Life Benefit Dinner, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Michigan State Council and the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund.

The fundraiser comes at a time when the pro-life movement celebrates the overturning of Roe v. Wade on the federal level but laments the passage of Proposal 3 during the November 2022 elections, which greatly expanded legalized abortion in Michigan.

Christopher Kolomjec, State Deputy for the Michigan Knights of Columbus, speaks alongside Barbara Listing, president of Right to Life of Michigan during the 45th annual Respect Life Benefit Dinner, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Michigan State Council and the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund, on April 19 at the San Marino Club in Troy. (Photos by Daniel Meloy | Detroit Catholic)

Christopher Kolomjec, State Deputy for the Michigan Knights of Columbus, left, is pictured with actress and TV host Joelle Maryn, center, the evening's keynote speaker, and Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who delivered the evening's prayer.

Christopher Kolomjec, State Deputy for the Michigan Knights of Columbus, spoke about the Knights’ salutation “Viva Jesu,” Latin for “Jesus Lives,” a reminder that for all the struggles the pro-life movement faces today, Jesus has won the victory.

“I was thinking about what kinds of remarks I would make tonight, considering where we are in this battle for life,” Kolomjec said. “We’ve had great victories with the fall of Roe v. Wade, but also great disappointments with Proposal 3 here in Michigan. So great hope and great disappointment. But that is what happens in battles, that is what happens in war, and this is just the start of it.”

Kolomjec invoked the steadfast courage of leaders in battle such as Winston Churchill and George Washington, who stared down defeat against overwhelming odds, as examples the Knights and all pro-lifers face in the battle to build a culture of life.

“May society wake up to see what is occurring in all aspects of life, marriage, children, identity, gender, truth,” Kolomjec said. “Battles like the ones we’re fighting do have an ending, eventually, and we trust it will be in our favor. I like to think we are George Washington in Valley Forge when he was told his army had no ammunition and his officers left. That is where we are; we are in Valley Forge.”

The Knights also announced a Michigan March for Life at the state capitol scheduled for Nov. 8 at 11 a.m., as the pro-life cause switches to a state-level issue.

Read the entire article from Detroit Catholic Here.

By: Gary Merritt - Fri, Apr 21, 2023 7:14 AM

Congratulations to the four new Brother Knights who completed the District 118 Exemplification on Thursday April 20 at St. Catherine Church in Algonac!

First row (L-R): Robert Dubay (Council 10724); Adam Paton (Council 856): Brian Kozlowski (Council 2251); William Pierson (Council 10724). Second row (L-R): Ron DePestel (DD118); Jeff Wooten (GK10724); Michael Page (GK856); Dan Granowicz (GK2251). Welcome brothers!

Mark Kehoe Program Director Au Lac Council 10724

By: Richard Shelt - Thu, Apr 20, 2023 10:54 AM

An exemplification of Charity, Unity & Fraternity was held at Monahan Council #2690 in Livonia on Tuesday April 18th. Seven new members were added to the Order.

Pictured left to right. Travis Baker PGK, Richard Shelt SDRR, Tim Neal, Greg Douglas, Tim Casey PGK, Matt Schiffman, Pat Girard PGK degree staff Captain, Mike Maher 2690 GK, Bob Kimble, Mike Banowitz, Trey Bauman, Charlie Rozum DD 129 and David Leonard.

Richard Shelt SDRR

By: Gary Merritt - Thu, Apr 20, 2023 10:34 AM

Knight’s Bikes gives Romulus child injured in hit-and-run a reason to smile again.

When a hit-and-run driver struck 6-year-old Quintrell Zumbro of Romulus on March 1, it traumatized his entire family, but out of that near tragedy came a show of love and act of faith.

Even though Quintrell was hit and left behind by the driver, and his 10-year-old brother, Darius Zumbro, and grandmother witnessed the whole thing, the ordeal moved Gary Cornellier to step in and try to help with the healing process.

Cornellier is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Church of the Holy Spirit Council No. 8500 in Highland, and the founder of Knight’s Bikes.

Cornellier figured the youngster was emotionally impacted by the incident and he knew just how to boost his spirits.

Cornellier said he worked with Romulus police Cpl. Christopher Kososki to coordinate a meeting with the boy and his family.

Cornellier’s plan wasn’t just to donate a bike to Quintrell to put a smile on his face, but also to give one to his brother and several other children in the neighborhood.

Cornellier said this is what Knight’s Bikes does — refurbishes bikes and gives them away to children or anyone in need of transportation.

Read the entire article from The News Herald HERE.

By: Paul Thorn - Wed, Apr 19, 2023 9:24 AM

On Tuesday, April 18, District Deputy #111 John Carry, held a District-wide Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity at St. Mary of the Hills Church in Rochester Hills which was hosted by Council #13950 and their Exemplification Staff.

Six men were welcomed into the Order from Three Councils, John Diederich #13453, Xhilio Triepshi, Kevin Doda & Alfred Doda #10343, Brian Kehoe & Dennis Omera #8659.

The Degree Staff included Council #13950 Chaplain Fr. Stan Ulman, State Community Director John Hundiak, SDRR Paul Thorn and State New Council Director Alex Dominique.  Also in attendance were DD #111 John Carry, GK Council #10343 Mark Gjokaj, GK Council #13454 Charles Burke and GK Council #13950 Bob Szymanski.

Council #8659 now qualifies for Double Star Council while both Councils #10343 and #13453 qualify for Star Council.

Congratulations to the new members and the Councils upon their membership growth.

Paul Thorn, SDRR Detroit E.

By: District Deputy 123 - Wed, Apr 19, 2023 9:21 AM

Congratulations to Fr. John F. Farrell Council #7918 of Emmett for winning the Small Council Award at the 82^nd Annual Tri-District Rally held on Sunday, April 16^th at St. Christopher Parish in Marysville.

Pictured are Host DD #103 David Kelly, Council #7918 Grand Knight Larry Powers and DD #123 John Vermeesch.

The Tri-District Rally is a gathering of the 13 Councils from Districts #103, #118 and #123 that attend Mass each Divine Mercy Sunday. After Mass they enjoy a delicious breakfast and then have some “Friendly” competition among the councils.

Council #7918 of Emmett had the highest percentage of council members attending the Rally to win the Small Council Attendance Traveling Award.  An award for Large Councils which have more than 150 members was also awarded. 

I wish to thank the Stare Officers for attending the Rally along with the Honor Guard from three Assemblies and the many wives of Council Members for attending this event!

District Deputy #123 John Vermeesch