By: Matt Hoxsie - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:29 PM

Lake Orion Knights Celebrate Dads

The LO Knights held their annual Father’s Day “Dads for Life” event this year by taking family

photos of a number of parish families after masses at St Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion.

The “Dads for Life” keepsake photos are intended to celebrate the importance of the father’s

role in the family, the church, & the community. The digital pictures are emailed to the families

at no charge. As a side benefit, the Knights have also found this event to be a good recruiting

opportunity for potential future Knights.

By: Larry Herman - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:23 PM

2026–2027 Coats for Kids Supreme Match Program

June 16, 2026

Dear Grand Knight and Community Director,

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 fraternal year, the Knights of Columbus renew our

commitment to serving children and families in need across Michigan. I am pleased to

announce that councils once again have an important opportunity to expand their outreach

through the Coats for Kids Supreme Match Program.

The State Council has secured a 520-case match from Supreme. For each case purchased by a

council, a matching case may help place twice as many coats with children who need them

most.

Because matching cases are limited, each diocese will receive an allocation based on the

percentage distributed in 2024–2025. Within each diocesan allocation, matching cases will be

awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Detroit — 38% Gaylord — 3% Grand Rapids — 28%

Kalamazoo — 9% Lansing — 13% Marquette — 4%

Saginaw — 5%

To qualify, councils must submit requests by mail beginning July 1, 2026. Eligibility will be

determined strictly by the postmark date.

Demand is expected to be strong, so I encourage every Grand Knight and Community Director

to plan now by confirming local needs, organizing fundraising, and preparing materials in

advance.

Last year, councils across Michigan set a new standard for service. With the same leadership

and commitment, we can extend that impact even further this year.

Coats for Kids is a visible expression of our faith in action. Through the Supreme Match

Program, your council can serve more children through local schools, parishes, shelters, and

families.

Next Steps

 Confirm local needs with schools, parishes, shelters, and community partners.

 Budget and prepare your request now so it can be mailed on July 1, 2026.

 Lead early and decisively so more children across Michigan receive a coat this winter.

For questions, please email me at l.herman@mikofc.org or call or text 231-357-5621. For calls,

please contact me after 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or on weekends. If I am unavailable,

please leave a voicemail.

Fraternally,

Larry J. Herman, FDM

State Community Director

By: Michael A. Kozakiewicz - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:14 PM

Click here for the ticket order form:   Lions Ticket Order Form

By: John Bursch - Mon, Jun 29, 2026 10:07 PM

By: John Bursch - Sun, Jun 21, 2026 6:13 AM

Dad Talk - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

By: Thomas Kendziorski - Fri, Jun 19, 2026 11:24 AM

Pope St. John XXIII council #5436 (Waterford - Our Lady of the Lakes) conducted its final scheduled exemplification of the fraternal year.  Brother John Hingst became the 17trh new member in a council with a quota of 15! 

Pictured left-to-right are: PGK John Buchanan, GK-elect Bob Mancino, John Hingst, DD113/PGK Chris Scheuer, and PGK/FDD Tom Kendziorski.  

By: Thomas Kendziorski - Fri, Jun 19, 2026 11:19 AM

Pope Saint John XXIII Council #5436 (Waterford - Our Lady of the Lakes parish) distributed all of its 2026 MI Drive checks this week.  Shown here at the Ortonville, Michigan - based therapeutic horseback riding charity known as "Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles (a.k.a., O.A.T.S.) are MI Drive Chairman Tom Kendziorski, GK-elect Bob Mancino, "Chester" the horse, and O.A.T.S. President Kendra Rogers. 

This year, each of the council's nine charities received $1,499.88 totalling $13,499!  Adding that amount to #5436's twenty-percent state council contribution to the Special Olympics of $3,375, resulted in a 2026 MI Drive campaign that distributed an all-time council record of $16,874!

By: Larry Herman - Fri, Jun 19, 2026 11:02 AM

Community Programs for 2025 / 2026

The 2025–2026 fraternal year stands as a standout period of success and growth for our jurisdiction. Thanks to the tireless hard work of members and the relentless dedication of local councils across the state, we stepped up to serve, meet community needs, and change lives. Through an incredible combination of charitable fundraising, life-saving initiatives, and youth mentorship, our councils put faith into action on a remarkable scale.

The headline achievement this year belongs entirely to the councils and members who labored to protect vulnerable children and adults. Our jurisdiction officially secured First Place in the Nation for the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program.

Through the collective fundraising power of our local members, we raised a staggering $276,000 to keep children and adults in our communities warm this winter. Highlighting the incredible drive of our councils, we finished 150 cases ahead of the second-place jurisdiction. This monumental effort ensures that thousands of children and adults will face the winter months with dignity and warmth.

Our jurisdiction’s investment in youth programs yielded impressive results at the Supreme level this year. Our local competitors represented our state with elite skill and character, bringing home an incredible haul of international accolades:

* International Soccer Challenge: 1 International Champion

* International Free Throw Championship: 2 International Champions

* Supreme Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest: 3 International Runner-ups

To bring home four international champions and three global runners-up in a single fraternal year is a clear testament to the strength, dedication, and reach of our council-level youth directors and volunteers.

The charity of our members extended deep into healthcare and community comfort. Brother Knights rolled up their sleeves to address blood shortages, donating over 615 pints of blood to local blood banks—a gift of life that will impact up to 1,845 patients in need.

Furthermore, our councils showed great compassion by purchasing 46 cases of Casey Bears. These stuffed animals were distributed throughout the State providing a cuddly source of comfort and a reminder of God's love to children during difficult moments.

Thank You, Brother Knights!

These achievements belong entirely to the individual Knights in the pews and the local councils who sold raffle tickets, organized drives, volunteered at competitions, and made personal sacrifices. Thank you to everyone who answered the call to serve. Let us carry this tremendous momentum forward into the next fraternal year!

Larry J Herman, FDM

State Community Director

By: Matt Hoxsie - Thu, Jun 18, 2026 9:05 PM

On May 27th, Richmond Council 2667 Chaplain Fr. Mark Livingston participated in the Exemplification of Patriotism, becoming a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus!

After the Corpus Christi Walk on June 7th, Richmond Assembly 480 Faithful Navigator Mike Page and fellow Assembly Sir Knights presented Fr. Mark with his 4th Degree certificate and class picture.

Congratulations Fr. Mark!!

By: Garret Kelenske - Wed, Jun 17, 2026 7:11 PM