OFFICAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
AN I B M U L O C MICHIGAN ne. In Service to In Service to O
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Volume 66 No 1 October 2014
From The State Deputy Robert W. Fox My Brother Knights, Ladies and families, Vivat Jesus, I would first like to thank all of you who have given your support and friendship to Sandy and I over the past eight years. Your thoughtfulness and prayers have always kept us inspired. With July comes the start of a new fraternal year, a year that I believe will see growth in our membership and our programs. As it has been said in the past “no one joins the Knights to just go to meetings and pay dues”. We join because of the programs. The question is therefore how we regard our programs. Do we simply see them as something the council has to do because it’s required by the State and Supreme or do we look at them as a form of evangelism? Pope Francis has said that we, as Catholics, need to evangelize, evangelize by our actions. The Knights of Columbus, as we all know, is the largest catholic, family and fraternal organization in the world. We should be proud of that fact and work to bring Christ to the forefront of our actions. Like it or not what we do and say as Knights has direct bearing on how the world perceives the church and the order. I have asked the state directors to bring into our programs a spiritual aspect, a faith foundation, firmly grounded in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as any building needs a firm solid foundation so does the Knights of Columbus. Our faith is our foundation. We need to look at our programs as ways of not only fulfilling Fr. McGivney’s dream but as a way of bringing Christ to those we serve. I don’t expect us to stand on street corners thumping a bible but we do need to bring Christ into our “foundation” and by doing so will inspire other men to look at the Knights as an organization they want to be a part of. With our world in state that it is we need that solid foundation of our faith Membership is our key to service. We need new members to bring fresh ideas to our Order and by bringing our faith to the forefront we will see membership growth in Michigan. I , State Board and our wives look forward to meeting many of you in our travels around this beautiful state and share with you whatever the future brings. God Bless
From The State Chaplain Rev. Ronald D. Hutchinson, KHS Brother Knights and Ladies: Vivat Jesus! I joined the Knights of Columbus almost 25 years ago when I was a seminarian discerning my call to priesthood. During my 20 years as a priest, I have served as a Council Chaplain at two parishes and the Diocesan Chaplain for Grand Rapids for the past ten years. I am humbled and honored to have been asked by our new State Deputy Robert W. Fox and his wife Sandy to serve as the State Chaplain during their term of office. The Knights of Columbus has become a large part of my life and ministry, and in substantial ways a part of my family. I have been blessed to be a part of the Michigan K of C family and I anticipate the coming two years to exceed my past experiences, as well as my expectations. During the past few years I am sure that you have heard the term “New Evangelization”. You may have even asked yourself what “is” or what “is supposed” to be new about Evangelization? Many people see the word “evangelization” and think that it has only to do with foreign lands and peoples. To evangelize can mean to convert or seek to convert (someone) to Christianity or to preach the Christian gospel. In both cases we think of these as activities to be accomplished in some other place and with people who have yet to hear the message of Jesus Christ. But that is exactly what the New Evangelization is not. What is “new” about the New Evangelization is that those who possess the Good News of Jesus Christ are being asked to share it with their friends, continued on page 2
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From The State Chaplain Rev. Ronald D. Hutchinson, KHS family, and co-workers. In other words, we can no longer assume that the Good News has penetrated our community, family, neighborhoods, etc. So many of the people we encounter daily do not really know the message of Jesus Christ and how it can change their lives and how living that message can change the world, and that may even include men and women who call themselves Christians. Our State Deputy and I are committed to making the New Evangelization a reality within the Michigan jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus. As Knights we are called to live the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, but these must be grounded by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our Savior needs to be someone that we know and love intimately. In order for that to be the case, we need to be men of prayer, men willing to grow in our faith, and men whose faith is the foundation of our lives. Then, and only then will we possess the most necessary elements to share that faith with the world around us in word and deed. It is my prayer that the flames of a New Pentecost will light the fire of faith within the Knights of the State of Michigan and provide the grace we need to spread the Gospel of Christ in our families, neighborhoods, communities, and State! Yours in Christ,
Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus Publisher
State Officers Robert W. Fox State Deputy
Rev. Ronald D. Hutchinson State Chaplain
Kenneth B. Unterbrink State Secretary
Antonio G. Vittorini State Treasurer
William H. Chasse State Advocate State Warden
Michael J. Malinowski Immediate Past State Deputy
Thomas M. Wegener, PSD Supreme Director
State Council Office - New Location Lawrence T. Grabowski State Executive Secretary My Brother Knights I am writing you to let everyone know that the Michigan State Council Office after many years of being located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan has been officially moved to Sterling Heights, Michigan as of Friday June 27, 2014. Our new Mailing Address is: Michigan State Council 6025 Wall Street Sterling Heights, MI 48312 We are in process of working with Comcast to get our communications hooked up hopefully by next week. If you need to contact me at the Office I can be reached by cell phone 313-2685001. Our old fax number and office phone no. are no longer working and when our new fax and phone numbers are avail I will inform you of the new numbers. Sorry for this inconvenience. MICHIGAN COLUMBIAN PUBLICATION SCHEDULE COPY DEADLINE MONTH MARCH 1st……………………………........APRIL 2015 JUNE 1st…………………………. ……. .....JULY 2015 SEPTEMBER 1st…………………...............OCTOBER 2014 DECEMBER 1st…………………….............JANUARY 2015 PLEASE SEND ALL COPY MATERIAL TO: GARY M. KOLBICZ 39373 DURAND DRIVE STERLING HEIGHTS, MI. 48310 RES./FAX: 586-939-3886 Editors Note
In order for the Michigan Columbian to achieve it’s goal of cutting costs we need your help. If you have moved or you are in the process of moving it is very important that you inform the financial secretary of your council that you have a new mailing address. The financial secretary will send the changes to the Supreme Office.
Michigan State Council Office 2184 Beech Daly Dearborn Hgts., MI 48127 Office Phone 313-274-3223 Fax 313-274-0704 Email: mikofc@sbcglobal.net Lawrence T. Grabowski Executive Secretary
Editorial Gary M. Kolbicz, Editor g.kolbicz@mikofc.org
Michigan Columbian Publication Schedule
Copy Deadline
Month
March 1st……………April 2013 June 1st………………July 2013 September 1st……….October 2013 December 1st………..January 2013 Please Send All Copy Material To: Gary M. Kolbicz 39373 Durand Drive Sterling Heights, MI. 48310 Phone: 586-939-3886 Home Fax: 586-939-3886 Email – g.kolbicz@mikofc.org Moving? Notify your local council. Send your new address and mailing labet to: Knights of Columbus Membership Records PO Box 1670 New Haven, CT 06507-0901
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Three “Ts” Thomas M. Wegener, PSD Supreme Director My Brother Knights and Ladies, At the end of May we completed a most successful convention. Our accomplishments were celebrated as each council was recognized in all the categories that help make us successful, both programming and membership. Only together, state council and local council, working as a team towards the goals set for us, can we be successful today and through the years to come. Integral to that success is the continuity of leadership for each council. Yet each year some of our councils have trouble presenting a full slate of officers for election. This past state convention we had a spirited campaign for one officer's position. Ask yourself – when was the last time more than one person competed for an officer’s position in your council? After you ask yourself, ask others in your council - why is that? Our councils are generally thought of in high regard by our priests, by our communities, and by our own members. However, do you have officers repeating in their office year after year? Are your meetings attended by only a few non-officers and non-directors? Is there a lack of communication from the officers to the council members? Are your members aware of the great things your council does? This disaffection towards participating in leadership probably took some time to develop and certainly it affects the successful operation of our councils. There is an appeal to be an officer of a success council. There is an appeal to be part of an organization that touches so many lives with our charitable works. There is an appeal to be part of an organization that supports its Bishops and Priests, to be an integral part of the lay leadership for the New Evangelization. In order to increase and maintain that appeal, which will ensure the continued success of our councils, I offer the following ideas that I call the three “Ts” which may help you create that lure and maintain that success. Teach – The Order has provided for a corps of officers to lead the council. If, in 1882, the founding members thought councils could perform with one or two officers, then there would be only one or two officers. Wisely they knew that the successful operation of a council needed several elected and engaged officers. Each officer, with their specific duty, which when performed fully, assists with the successful operation of the council. We, as elected leaders, can teach the officers of the council their duties by first performing our duties well and then allow them to perform the duties of the office to which they were elected. Worthy Grand Knights, broaden the duties and responsibilities of the officers of the council to at least the duties in the Supreme Council By-Laws. Yes this can be messy at first, especially if they haven’t been performing those duties in the past. But if you want more and better qualified men to attain the peak of the pyramid, the base of the pyramid must be broad, strong and experienced. It is time to let the younger men, younger in age and/or experience, to help you help the Order. They bring new ideas,
they bring an excitement to the office, and they bring a commitment to the order. Together, not alone, will we grow the Order, for our council, our district, and our state; making it stronger in numbers to assist with our charitable works, stronger to join our Bishops and Priests to help in the challenges of today and the challenges of tomorrow that are as of yet un-named. Trust – As elected leaders we owe it to our officers and members to perform our duties as our Supreme Knight, State Deputy, District Deputy and their appointees have directed. Their guidance and direction is for the good of the order. When we as local, state, and supreme council work with one goal we can accomplish great things. This starts with you and your officers. There are written and electronic communications from Supreme and State council that are meant to be transmitted from your council to your members. Often these contain messages of action for current issues of the day. They may contain new and important program offerings that a council officer or member may wish to undertake in the name of the council. They may contain progress reports for Supreme and State programs that would be of informational benefit to officers and members. It is important that these be relayed to your officers and members to fully inform them of the Order's actions. Your Council Members have entrusted you and your officers to fulfill the requirements given to you and promised by you at your installation. No member should be surprised by a lack of performance on our officers’ or directors’ part. The Order and its good works’ success rest on your complete and accurate performance of your duties. Likewise it is important that council members attend council meetings to take an active part in the life of your council. Our officers deserve our attendance. Your council deserves your attendance. Your input, verbal or by attendance, is of great benefit to your council. You will learn of the activities of the council, thereby being a true participant of the council. While we each cannot be at every meeting, certainly we can make a few throughout the year to lend our voice and our vote to the issues that face our council. Transparency – An adjunct to Trust is Transparency. As trustees of our council’s welfare, each and every transaction, fraternal or financial, is a part of the life and history of our council. As elected leaders it is our duty to treat each action with the due diligence they deserve, to then carry out the wishes of the council, to record the wishes of the council for the true history of the council. As council members we must be offered and we must expect this information in full, clear and accurate language. Given this information makes us better educated in the life of our council members. Minutes, program reports, budgets, audits, etc. are the milestones in the life of the council. They are the markers that list our achievements, our successes. They let us know of our condition and how we are doing. They also tell us if certain and/ or immediate action needs to be taken. It is with these three “Ts” that foundational strength can be achieved. A strong local council complements its parish and community. A strong state council is made up of its strong local continued on page 11
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From The State Warden Walter Winkle, Jr. As we prepare to start this new fraternal year I would like to first sincerely thank my family and committee for helping me during my campaign for State Office, without your hard work we could not have done this. Karen and I would also like to thank all of you who supported us in this new endeavor of our lives. I am the oldest of 6 children. I have one Brother and four sisters. I grew up on a farm in Columbus MI, living there all but five years. I moved to Richmond when I married Karen. When the children were a little older we moved back to Columbus next door to where I
grew up. After High School My Brother and I worked in our family machine shop for 15 years. I then studied for my Builders license and have been working in our family construction company since 1989. I meet Karen the last month of our senior year, dated for five years and then shared our wedding vows on Friday November 29, 1985. In 1987 we had our daughter Chelsey and in 1989 our two sons Willy and Walter III where born. Karen works at Port Huron Hospital performing CAT Scans. I look forward to working with the new board and all my brother Knights and their families across our state. If there is anything I can do to help your council succeed please contact me. May God Bless all of us in the fraternal year ahead.
State Membership Director Article Douglas D. Kokot The following is from an interview with the Michigan Columbian: How long have you been a Member of the Knights of Columbus? I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for16 years. Who is your Home Council? Bishop Allen J. Babcock Council #7341, Holy Family Parish, Caledonia, MI Have you Held any Council Office? Yes. Chancellor, Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight, Trustee District Warden, three Years Have you been a district deputy, if so for how long Yes. Four Years. Have you been a State or Diocesan Director, if so what position and for how long? Yes. Regional New Council Development Director, six months. State New Council Director, 1.5 years. Have you received any council, state or supreme council awards? Yes. Council Family of the Year Star Council New Council as a District Deputy Star District – three years Golden Knight – two years Material status, children and grandchildren? Married for 33 years Wife Kathy Two children: Jordan – 27 Spencer – 24 Other Info? Small business owner KOALA Ergonomics Consulting Military Service
Retired Sgt. Maj. USMCR 26 years 4th Degree Assembly 2210, Msgr. Thomas O. Martin, six years Is their anything else that you would like to add? Let me start by saying I am honored to be your State Membership Director. I am here to serve you. My goal is to help make you, your council and your diocese as successful as possible. This year, Focus the Flame has be chosen as the tagline because of its symbolic nature. Many connotations can be derived from this metaphor. To me, it is simple: bringing the flame of the Holy Spirit to other Catholic men so that they can bask in the eternal love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through membership in the Knights of Columbus we kindle our love for God in a way that others will want to join with us. In this way, we evangelize our faith through action. The importance of growing our membership should not be viewed as numbers, goals and quotas. Rather it gives every Catholic man the opportunity to grow in their faith, serve their parish, help those in need and have exclusive access our fraternal benefits. An organization’s “voice” is often equated to the number of members that belong to it. Men that decided to add their voices to ours can take pride in all that our Order accomplishes in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. I encourage you to add many “voices” to our great Order so that our mission it heard loud and clear. “We are defenders of the poor, widows, orphans, elderly, unborn, family values and religious freedoms.” Let’s work together to fan the flame of God love and spread it to other Catholic men looking for the warmth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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K of C LADIES “CORNER” Hello LadiesBob and I are both looking forward to the next two years. Please keep us in your prayers as we will keep you and your families in ours. We have had so much positive encouragement from all of you that we can only see good things happening for the State of Michigan. Our Faith is the fabric that binds us together. It is only as strong as we make it and if we nurture it, it will continue to grow and we will be able to share it with those around us. It is through our Faith and the good works that the Knights and their families do that we CAN and WILL make a difference in this world. We have to believe that and make everyone we know believe it. The Knights and their families make an astonishing team and it shows no better than at the annual Holy Cross Children’s Service Raffle at the convention on Mackinac Island. Through the hard work of the raffle committee, headed by Sue Vittorini, wife of the State Advocate, Tony Vittorini, they bring together a team to assemble the items generously donated by caring people, individuals that work tirelessly at the raffle, and the wonderful people that buy all the tickets. Without their support we would not have been able to make $23,490.00. We would also like to thank the Weingartz family, from Weingartz Lawn to Snow, that generously matched the funds we raised. We also would like to thank the Peter Bertsch family, of Earth.Com, who in turn also generously matched the raffle total, bringing the grand total to $70,470.00. We cannot thank all of you enough. God bless. The Summer Meeting at Boyne will be here soon and the theme this year will be a Festival, A festival to celebrate “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, so bring your sombreros, serapes (ponchos) and colorful dresses, and we will have a good time. We will again have the Bath Baskets available for pick up by the wives of the District Deputies. We ask you to fill the baskets with the requested shower items for the HCCS children and residents. The baskets will be collected at the Winter Meeting in December for Christmas distribution at all the facilities across the state. Please remember the 2014 State Leadership Installation that will take place in Grand Rapids with a Mass on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 4PM, at the Basilica of St. Adelberts. Dinner will follow at the Amway Grand Hotel, the host hotel for the event. We look forward to meeting many of you at the various Knights of Columbus events Bob and I will travel to. Warm Regards, God Bless, Sandy, Ellie, Sue, MaryBeth, and Karen
State Program Director Article Gary L. Merritt The following is from an interview with the Michigan Columbian: How long have you been a Member of the Knights of Columbus? I joined the Catholic Church through the RCIA program at Holy Family in Sparta, Mi. At that time I thought all Catholic men were Knights. Of course I shortly realized the difference. Back then there was no council in Sparta, so I didn’t hear much about the order. In 1985 we moved to Holy Family in Caledonia and discovered a Knights presence. I was asked to join by one of the ushers while serving on that committee 27 years ago. Who is your Home Council? I joined the order at the Bishop Allen J, Babcock Council in Caledonia November 1986 and continue to belong to council # 7341. We are a church council celebrating our 35 th anniversary this year. I have met great men and their families as a member of our council and treasure the relationships we have created. Have you Held any Council Office? I have served offices from Advocate through Grand Knight. The past 2 years I have continued to serve as a Trustee. Have you been a district deputy, if so for how long? I was appointed a District Deputy by then State Deputy Kevin McFarland serving for him and succeeding State Deputy Thomas Wegener. It was some of the most enjoyable time in my KC career thus far. Working with the leadership from other councils is
always a learning experience and sometimes challenging, but also very rewarding. I had the pleasure of forming two new councils in the Grand Rapids Diocese during my term which was a great experience. Have you received any council, state or supreme council awards? I was honored by my home council with Knight of the Month several times and Knight of the Year. Mary and I were blessed with Family of the Year a couple of times. During my term serving as Grand Knight our council earned the State Michigan Achievement Awards and Supreme Columbian Awards. While I was District Deputy my district earned Star District and I received the accolades of forming two new councils. Have you been a State or Diocesan Director, if so what position and for how long? After serving as District Deputy for four years I was asked by then State Deputy Bob Moody to serve as Grand Rapids Diocesan Program Director. I have since served in that capacity under State Deputies Tom Marcetti and Mike Malinowski. I have enjoyed working so closely with all the councils and District Deputies in the Grand Rapids Diocese. Marital status, children and grandchildren? I have been married to my wonderful wife Mary for thirty five years. She is the most organized person I know and really keeps me in order. We have three adult children and one grandson. continued on page 17
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MICHIGAN’S STATE OF COLUMBIANISM STATE DEPUTY’S REPORT Michael J. Malinowski May 23, 2014 Your Excellencies; Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids, Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley Bishop of Kalamazoo, Most Reverend Earl Boyea Bishop of Lansing, Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette Diocese, Most Reverend Joseph Cistone Bishop of Saginaw, Most Reverend Francis R. Reiss Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, Most Reverend Donald Hanchon Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, Most Reverend Michael Byrnes Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, Reverend Monsignor Francis Murphy Administrator for the Diocese of Gaylord, Worthy State Chaplain Reverend Father Scott Thibodeau, Worthy Diocesan Chaplains, Worthy Council Chaplains, Worthy State Father Prior, Reverend Monsignors, Reverend Fathers, President of Holy Cross Children’s Services Brother Francis Boylan,csc, Deacons, and Religious, Worthy Deputy Supreme Knight, Worthy Supreme Director, Worthy Former Supreme Director, Worthy Vice-Supreme Master, Worthy State Officers, Worthy Immediate Past State Deputy and Past State Deputies, Worthy Former Vice-Supreme Masters, Worthy District Deputies, Worthy State and Diocesan Directors, Worthy Masters of the Fourth Degree, Worthy Supreme Council General Insurance Agents, Delegates and Guests, VIVAT JESUS. We gather on beautiful and historic Mackinac Island to conduct the important business of the 114th Annual Michigan State Council Convention. We have joined together also to celebrate this outstanding jurisdiction’s achievements of the past year, preparing us to return home to our councils and communities better prepared for a an even greater future as we live out the vision and the dream of our founder, the Venerable Servant of God Fr. Michael J. McGivney. I thank each of you for taking the time to join with us to be a part of the historic events of this weekend, and I ask that you take full participation in the work that lies before us. Our annual meeting opened earlier this day with the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, presiding, joined by our bishops, diocesan chaplains, and many of our council chaplains. Each day of our convention will begin with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 7:30 a.m., petitioning our Lord for his blessings and guidance on all the convention events and in our decision making; I ask that you join us each morning and fill the theatre to an overfill as we did for the opening Mass. It is a great honor for me to preside over the meetings of the 114th Michigan State Convention. It is also a pleasure to be able to present this report on Columbianism in the great state of Michigan to you. Before I begin my report it is with great sorrow that I mention the passing of three great men of the Michigan State Council. Those being Past State Deputy and Former Vice Supreme Master John Matthews, Past State Deputy and Former
Vice Supreme Master James Fedewa, and Former District Deputy Lionel “Rad” Radofski who had served as State Deputy’s Assistant for fourteen State Deputies. These men will be truly missed. This year we have the pleasure of welcoming two new Bishops to our state and our state convention. The Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids, who was ordained and installed Bishop of Grand Rapids on June 18, 2013, and The Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette, who was ordained and installed on February 11, 2014. I want to thank all of our bishops for their support throughout the year and for their presence here this weekend. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our bishops for appointing our state and diocesan chaplains to a two-year term. Rev. Scott Thibodeau, State Chaplain, Rev. J.J. Mech, Archdiocese of Detroit; Rev. Donald Geyman, Diocese of Gaylord: Rev. Ronald Hutchinson, Diocese of Grand Rapids; Rev. Robert Creagan, Diocese of Kalamazoo; Rev. William Turner, Diocese of Lansing; Rev. Benedetto Paris, Diocese of Marquette; Rev. James Bessert, Diocese of Saginaw; and our Squires Father Prior, Rev. Mark Prill. In a very public way the entire State Council thanks Fr. Scott Thibodeau for his spiritual leadership these past two years. We are fortunate that he and his brother chaplains, who also served their local parishes, are able to devote their time to the order and make our gatherings more prayerful. And we would be remiss if we did not thank our council chaplains who serve our local councils with dedication. I ask when you see any of our chaplains that you thank them first for their vocation and then thank them for their dedication to the Knights of Columbus. This fraternal year really started before the last fraternal year was over. In June of 2013 this state board along with Supreme Director Thomas Wegener, PSD was approached by Barbara Listing of Right to Life of Michigan. Because our State Legislature sent a bill to our Governor Rick Snyder attempting to distinguish Michigan as the 24th state to opt out of the mandatory abortion provisions found in the Affordable Care Act, unfortunately our governor vetoed the bill. Right to Life of Michigan was planning to initiate a citizen-driven petition drive. Coming to the Knights of Columbus for help, they were looking for knights to help collect signatures on these petitions. They were also looking for monies to help finance this large endeavor. We were able to rearrange the budget and help financially. But we thought there has to be something more we can do. We decided to put a copy of the petition in every July issue of the Michigan Columbian newsletter, so that every Knights of Columbus family would have a petition. At first it sounded like an easy thing to do, so you would think. We would later find out that because of the way the petition was folded, they could not be inserted by machine. We had to hire students on summer break from school to hand insert over 60,000 petitions. At our July summer leadership meeting we had people from Right to Life of Michigan instruct the leadership on the proper way to have the petitions signed. In four short months we were able to collect over 316,000 signatures and our petitioninitiated legislation took effect March 14, 2014. continued on page 7
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MICHIGAN’S STATE OF COLUMBIANISM STATE DEPUTY’S REPORT Michael J. Malinowski May 23, 2014 This board very quickly realizes the debt of gratitude that is owed to all the past state deputies of Michigan. Their sacrifices over the years have left a solid foundation for this board to build upon. We appreciate the support given by attendance at meetings, your helpful suggestions and offers of help. With the selection of the State Official Family completed, Maureen and I traveled in early June to New Haven, CT, the birth place of our order. There I was presented with the information to help prepare me for my second year as your state deputy. The State Summer Leadership Conference for district deputies and all of our directors was conducted on July 4 th weekend at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. The leadership training was organized by State Membership Director William Leveque, State Program Director David Bergeman, State Training Director Kenneth Krause, and our Supreme Council Membership and Program Consultant PSD Dannie Harris of Kentucky. Supreme Council asked us to recruit One Member Per Council Per Month. One Star Council per District. One New Council per Diocese. One First Degree per District per Month. Tomorrow you will see in the awards program at the banquet which councils were successful. The rest of July included the state officers, membership and program directors traveling to each diocese in Michigan delivering the message and providing the local councils with the tools to assist them in reaching their goals and in having a successful year. The first week of August brings the Supreme Convention. This year the 131th Annual Convention was held in San Antonio, Texas. At the convention each State Deputy was presented with an icon of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Also in August with the help Archdiocese of Detroit, Auxiliary Bishop Most Reverend Francis R. Reiss we were able to conduct a state wide Year of Faith Pilgrimage, with over 200 people from around the state attending. The month of September was busy with the state membership team traveling around the state with our Supreme MPC Dannie Harris and our Supreme Hispanic Growth Director Al Cala as we were conducting membership workshops on “How to conduct a proper church drive” in both English and Spanish. We also learned of the appointment of Bishop Hebda from the Gaylord Diocese to become the Archbishop coadjutor of Newark. He will be missed and we will never get to know if Mackinac Island belongs in the Gaylord Diocese. The Father Louis Hennepin Province, Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree held their annual provincial meeting at the Sterling Inn in Sterling Heights the weekend of October 11 th thru 13th. The Hennepin Province of the Fourth Degree saw a change leadership. Vice Supreme Master George Dann, PSD, of Michigan had finished serving four years as the Vice Supreme Master and the Michigan Jurisdiction wishes to congratulate him on an outstanding four years. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Vice Supreme Master Donald Hall from the State of Ohio. I would also like to thank all the Masters of Michigan: Distric Master Clifford Wasmund, of District #1; District Master George Walrath of District #2; District Master Vern
Miron, of District #3; and District Master Robert Krauseneck of District #4. Your presence along with the Sir Knights of the color corps at the living rosary this weekend and at state functions is greatly appreciated. You will always foster patriotism within our church and country. The Fourth Degree of Hennepin Province has truly made themselves the visible arm of the Knights of Columbus in Michigan. Guest House of Michigan was started in 1956 as a facility to help our clergy suffering from alcoholism, addictions, and other behavioral conditions to receive help in a private atmosphere. Today it provides our clergy, men and women religious, and seminarians the best opportunity for quality recovery. The Michigan State Council along with many local councils and assemblies has supported Guest House since its beginning. This year I was able to accept on your behalf the Bishop Kevin M. Britt award for our long time support of Guest House. In November Maureen and I along with our Supreme Director Thomas Wegener and his wife, Joyce, traveled to Quebec, Canada for the State Deputies’ winter meeting. The majority of the conference was devoted to workshops on growing our order in the second half of the fraternal year. The winter District Deputies’ meeting was scheduled for the first weekend in December. It was held at the Lansing Crowne Plaza Hotel. The winter meeting was an opportunity for us to look back at the first six months of progress of the programs outlined at the beginning of our fraternal year. It was a time for our state membership director and state program director to review with the district deputies the goals for the second half of the year. This meeting is also the time for the great sweatshirt collection. District deputies deliver these gifts from their councils to be presented to Brother Francis Boylan, executive director of Holy Cross Children’s Services. The thousands of sweatshirts along with bath baskets for the girls and also gift cards are sorted and stored until the large truck donated by Steelcase and driven by Gary Merritt is loaded to take these gifts to the Clinton Campus. The gifts that you gave were the only gifts that some of these children will receive for Christmas. Under the direction and organizational skills of State Respect Life Chair Couple Paul and Sue Thorn, the State Board joined on January 21st a busload of Michigan Knights and journeyed to Washington D.C. for the seventh annual Michigan March for Life Bus Tour. Paul and Sue, you serve us well and do us proud not only in this event but in your arrangement of annual Right to Life Banquet, the Baby Bottle Program, and all your pro-life involvement in local organizations that promote our values. Michigan is one of the leaders in the ultra-sound machine project. We now have at least one machine in each diocese. Since the beginning of the program we have purchased 30 of these machines and at this time have 2 more in the process of being completed. As I mentioned in the beginning of this report, I am proud to say that the Knights of Michigan are a people “Of Life and For Life” The State Tribute Banquet was held on February 23rd. A crowd of more the 600 people were in attendance. It began with Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Most Reverend Bishop Donald Hanchon as
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celebrant. We were also able to recognize the grand knights of councils that had attained the Quick Start and Fast Start Awards. This year we also introduced the Supreme Council Field Agents that had 100 per cent of their insurance quotas. We introduced a new membership campaign inviting our wives to help recruit new members. By invitation of our First Lady Maureen, we are asking our wives to invite or recommend someone to join our Order. If this man joins before the end of this fraternal year we will send that lady a beautiful rosary and also place her name in a drawing for a pearl necklace and matching earrings. The State Raffle this year was held on March 15th.. Our chairmen this year was Steve LaMachia, with the help of Larry Grabowski and Gary Kolbicz we were able to have another successful state raffle. We again only did one mailing of tickets and gave out more prizes, all of them cash. There will be a report on the raffle later at this meeting. I wish to thank them for all of their hard work this year. Almost two years ago, with the help of the State Membership and State Program Directors respectively, we began to put together a plan that we thought would help the councils grow, not only in membership, but in the type and quality of programs that the local councils could achieve. In regard to membership, I asked a team of men to help: William Leveque as State Membership Director. Bill has done more than anyone can expect a director to do. He is constantly on the phone or sending e-mails to District Deputies, Directors, Grand Knights, Supreme Council Insurance General Agents and anyone he thinks can help in membership growth. New Council Development Doug Kokot, along with Richard Lambrix and Dan Nowicki as regional directors of new council development have been very busy this year. Our goal was to have a new council in every Diocese for a total of seven. We may not have a new council in every Diocese but, we currently have 5 new councils and 2 maybe 3 by the end of June. Thank you to these men along with the District Deputies and Field Agents that helped reach this goal. Leo Backes returned as council retention director. Because of his hard work we have been able to save three councils that would have otherwise become inactive. These numbers do not show up on any list, but I would like to thank Leo for all of his hard work. Perhaps the most difficult and trying position of any appointments is that of the state membership retention director. Steve Jacek spends countless hours on the phone in contact with members facing potential suspension and with the financial secretaries and district deputies making every effort to save members from leaving our order. In these trying economic times, with many men out of work and not able to pay their dues or leaving our state in search of employment, perhaps there has never been a more challenging time to serve in this position, Steve has tirelessly tried to save each potential suspension and has succeeded in saving many; thank you, Steve, for all your efforts. Thanks to Roundtable Director Dan Remeika for once again accepting this position. His background, leadership, and experience have provided us with much success in providing a Knights of Columbus presence in every possible parish. Also, a thank you to Dan for creating the district deputies and grand knights talking points each month. Our state ceremonials director, Past State Deputy Kenneth Grembowski, is doing an excellent job in coordinating all of our ceremonials. It has taken all of us awhile to adjust to the newly
revised third degree ceremonial. I wish to thank all members of the ceremonial teams in Michigan, the Conferring Officers, Staff Captains and staff members. Whether it is a first, second, or third degree team, we need you to teach the lessons of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. Thank you for all your hard work in teaching these lessons. When I first started meeting with our State Program Director David Bergeman, he said to me, “Men do not join the Knights of Columbus to pay dues and go to meetings. They join because of our programs.” How true is that statement? Michigan is blessed to have an outstanding group of program directors. I wish to thank State Church Director Thomas Schmidt and his wife Suzanne for all of their hard work and efforts in this important position. Tom and Sue always arrive early to make sure all the preparations are ready and the vestments are pressed for all of our liturgies here at the convention as well as other state functions. Tom had just finished up the traveling schedule for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Icon when we received the new icon of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, with new councils and districts a new schedule had to be arranged. And we again have a statewide travel schedule for the Silver Rose as it travels thru Michigan before it is passed to Indiana on its journey back to Mexico. State Vocations Director Ed Strach, has been working with councils wishing to start up desert meals as a way to help offset the cost of their going to the Holy Land. He is trying to set up a vocations committee in each of our dioceses just like the one in the Archdiocese of Detroit. I wish to congratulate the Detroit Archdiocesan Vocations League in having another sold-out fall golf outing and for their hosting the annual memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. The monies they raise will help the RSVP Program. This year the Michigan Jurisdiction ranks second again in the order in support of providing seminarians’ and postulants’ education funds. The Knights of the Lansing Diocese held their annual Vocations Night at the Lansing Lug Nuts baseball game in August. This game not only raises monies for vocations but also gives the knights a chance to treat the seminarians and postulants to a baseball game. I wish to thank Ed for all of his hard work this year. State Council Activities Director David Riley has again revitalized the KC the Teddy Bear program this year with many councils again purchasing these bears (and without wearing the bear costume). This program brings comfort to many. Dave also keeps track of the Knight of the Month program. Thank you, David, for the professional way you handle all the council activity programs. Michael Wegener, our State Community Activities Director, continues to promote the Adopt-A-Highway program, Habitat for Humanity, council-sponsored blood drives, and many other activities for our communities. Thank you, Michael, for the skills and ability that you bring to your directorship. Family Life Director Michael Metiva reports that for the second year we had an increase of councils reporting families of month and also a larger number of councils’ candidates for Family of the Year. Thanks, Mike, for your service. This year State Youth Activities Director Kevin Rowley found out that youth activities go on all year long: starting with the soccer challenge, then the spelling bee, free throw contest, poster contest, and essay contest. It’s even more fun working with their continued on page 9
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The State Director of the Mentally Impaired Program Immediate Past State Deputy Thomas Marcetti, Sr. has done an outstanding job with this program. The Tootsie Roll Drive has now grown into a semiannual drive: once in October and the other on Palm Sunday weekend. More councils are now conducting the drive twice a year. State Director Marcetti has everything in order and we are now doing a turnaround of checks in about two weeks. Thank you, Worthy Past State Deputy, for your help on this project. State Director of Special Olympics. Walter Winkle, Jr. was asked to not only have councils give monies but also their time to the Special Olympics. I have asked that councils have more of an involvement with the Olympics rather than just to write a check. With Walter’s help, Michigan has once again topped all other state jurisdictions in the order with time and money donated to Special Olympics. Tomorrow we will be able to present Special Olympics of Michigan the first-place check. Thank you, Walter, for all your many hours working on this program, and please thank Karen and Willie also. My special thanks to Past State Deputy William Walsh who served us well as a state deputy and continues to serve us as the state director of Michigan charities. Bill is relentless in his pursuit of “Take Five Dollars” from our members and councils to help fund our many Charity requests. Thanks, Bill; you do a great job and it is a pleasure to have you help. Another special thanks to Past State Deputy John R. “Bob” Moody, who is the state director of the McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Through the hard work of Past State Deputy Moody, and the local councils the State Council was able to give the seminary $110,000 dollars last year to fund this Chair held by Doctor Janet Smith. This year it looks like we could hit $120,000. Thank you, Bob, for all of the time and energy that goes into this program. State Director of Special Projects and Athletics, Mark Gaworecki, has a wide variety of projects to take care of. From High School projects like the Prep Bowl, the Statewide Catholic High School Cross Country meet, the Detroit Catholic Schools track and field meet to the Detroit Tigers K of C day, the Westside and Eastside golf outings, and the State Council Bowling tournament. Thank you, Mark, for your many years of dedication to the state council. This year our Supreme Council has added a new Directorship to our programs, State Disaster Coordinator. This is a three year position. I happy to announce the Major Chris Kolomjec, Retired USMC has accepted to take on this new reasonability. We wish Chris good luck as he helps to organize this new position. A very special recognition goes to our State Columbian Squires Circle. The motto for the Squire is ESTO DIGNUS (Be Worthy). These young men truly are the leaders of tomorrow. State Directors of the Squires, Tom Turek and William Corey, and the entire State Board of Squire Officers, have done an outstanding job this year. This year Squire Andrew Davis from Circle #5288 in Chassell has received the highest Award from Supreme Council. Congratulations to Andrew Davis on attaining the Squire of the Body of Christ Award. Many years ago the Michigan State Council thought it should start a program for girls similar to the Columbian Squires. The Knights Daughters was started and has been going and growing ever since. Thank you to State Director Paul Palka and his wife
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Margaret for continuing to keep this valuable and important program going. Holy Cross Children’s Services has been our special charity for 65 years. I wish to thank our regional directors of HCCS: Michael Brennan, Thomas Arehart, Michael Stanchina, and Karl Knittel; because of all of your hard work we are able to care for over 1,000 young people every day through out the State of Michigan. I would like to congratulate Brother Francis Boylan on his 50th Anniversary of becoming a Brother of Holy Cross. Every state deputy needs a group of men with special talents. I wish to thank the following group of gentlemen: Fred Boncher, State Legal Advisor; Don Chadwick, State Auditor; Joseph Yekulis, State Public Relations Director; Dane Jurkovic, State Web Master; Russ Long, State Tech Support Director; Dean Combs, State Deputy’s Assistant: William Gorny, State Deputy’s Assistant in charge of forms: Amer Bahri, State Director of Eastern Rite Outreach; Kenneth Krause, State Training Director. All these men with their special talents make the job of state deputy easier. Thank you to all of you gentlemen. The state office is the heartbeat of the State Council. We are very fortunate to have two very dedicated men running that office: Executive Secretary Larry Grabowski and long-time friend Gary Kolbicz. These two men are magicians. They handle all of our mailings, make every state officer look good and still manage to make that last minute deadline. Both of you are greatly appreciated. To the Grand Knights, council officers and general membership, I salute you and thank you for all your achievements during this past year and for your service to our church, your communities and the order. Every success that was included in this report was the direct result of council action; you and your councils are what is important, you make the difference, and I am confident also that you know that are work is not yet done. I would be remiss if I did not comment of membership recruitment in Michigan. For the fifth straight year, Michigan has had a decrease in membership. At each and every one of our diocesan meetings in July, I mentioned the fact that from July 1, 2003 thru July 1, 2013 Michigan had only increased by one new member. This was due not only to suspensions but deaths also. We have 430 councils in Michigan out of that number, 86 councils have yet to recruit at least one new member this year. You have heard it before from many different people “If you do not recruit new members your council is sure to fail.” I would like to thank you at this time for the support you have given to me and the state leadership during this past year. I have prepared this report to be as concise, as accurate and complete as possible, with the emphasis on being concise. In so doing, if I have missed anyone or anything, I apologize. In conclusion, based on the report I have submitted, it is my opinion as your State Deputy that “The State of Columbianism” in the Michigan Jurisdiction is alive and well with programs, we now need to tells others and ask them to join us. Thank you, Bill, and Dave. Venerable Servant of God, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Pray for Us. Vivat Jesus!
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Helping People with Intellectual Disabilities By Thomas A. Marcetti, Sr. IPSD State Director of MI Programs While none of us perform works of charity for fame and glory, it is always nice to be recognized for a job well done. This year, at the State Convention, St. Lawrence Council #2950 received state awards for the Most Money Collected at $32,905.75 and the Most Money Collected Per Member at $83.31 per member. Prince of Peace Council #15337 received the state award for the Greatest Net Increase at 146%. The following councils are the recipients of the 2014 Diocesan MI awards: Most Money Collected Monsignor J. M. Steffes Council #853 Gaylord Diocese Martin Nelson, Jr. Grand Knight $7,034.37 Bishop Haas Council #4362 Grand Rapids Diocese Dennis Zvirzdinis Grand Knight $11,033.21 St. Margaret’s Council #7796 Kalamazoo Diocese Thomas Massura Grand Knight $5,443.02 Fenton Council #7418 Lansing Diocese Richard Dixon Grand Knight $18,794.43 Bishop Baraga Council #1585 Marquette Diocese Gary Proudfit Grand Knight $4,477.21 Bay City Council #414 Saginaw Diocese Terry Doyle Grand Knight $25,237.60 Most Money Collected Per Member Traverse City St. Francis Council #13958 Gaylord Diocese Larry Herman Grand Knight $56.25 St. Michael's Council #9909 Grand Rapids Diocese Joel Meintsma Grand Knight $59.34 St. Monica’s-Fr. Adolph Nadrach Council #12998 Kalamazoo Diocese Paul Dyszkiewicz Grand Knight $39.45 Good Shepherd Council #8669 Lansing Diocese
Donald Pollard Grand Knight $59.35 Msgr. Oliver J. O'Callaghan Council #649 Marquette Diocese James Hendricks Grand Knight $34.62 Bay City Council #414 Saginaw Diocese Terry Doyle Grand Knight $47.89 Greatest Net Increase Detroit Council #305 Archdiocese of Detroit Gerald Gruska Grand Knight 159% Bay Council #15135 Gaylord Diocese Robert Crocker Grand Knight 69% Fr. Owens Council #11114 Kalamazoo Diocese Eric Stewart Grand Knight 106% St. Joseph Council #8113 Lansing Diocese Jerome Blaszak Grand Knight 75% Bishop Thomas L. Noa Council #7472 Marquette Diocese Robert Beaudoin Grand Knight 118% Servants of the Holy Family Council #2966 Saginaw Diocese Paul Lux Grand Knight 168% Nearly twenty percent of the councils participate in both the fall and spring drive. If your council has not held a fall drive yet, why not try a fall drive and see what happens? In order to make sure your aprons and tootsie rolls will arrive in time for the drive, they need to be ordered by August 29, 2014. Current order forms are available on the state website at: MiKofC.org – Resources –council forms. These forms may be downloaded, filled out on your computer, and then printed out to be mailed in to the company to complete the order. You will receive more detailed information from your District Deputy at your summer district meeting or if you have any questions, please call me at (810) 387-3559. Thank you and God bless all that you will do this year, particularly your work to help people with intellectual disabilities
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Three “Ts” Thomas M. Wegener, PSD Supreme Director councils, working together to advance the Order throughout the state. It is this teamwork that leads to a strong order. Again it starts with you in your local council. Let this be the last year we have an opening in our offices, let this be the last year we do not function as a real team of officers, let this be the last year we aren't in solidarity with our state and supreme council. Let this be the first year, of many to come, that our council's growth is complete with members, programs and leadership.
NEW MAILING ADDRESS Effective July 1, 2014 the Michigan State council has a new mailing address:
MICHIGAN STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 6025 WALL STREET STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48312
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Iron River Council 2300
Sir Knight Mark Stauber Rewards a Donor During The Recent Knights of Columbus, Iron River Council 2300, 39th Annual Tootsie Roll Drive For Those With Intellectual Disabilities. Iron River Council 2300 has consistently, the past several years, received the award for having collected the highest average amount per member in the U.P. Marquette Diocese. Marco helping Grate. Grampa Art Aregoni
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS Vatican City, 27 June 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed Msgr. Steven John Raica as bishop of Gaylord (area 28,932, population 546,000, Catholics 75,100, priests 80, permanent deacons 22, religious 33), U.S.A. The bishop -elect was born in Munising, U.S.A. in 1952, and was ordained a priest in 1978. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Michigan State University, a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit, and a licentiate and doctorate from the Gregorian Pontifical University of Rome. He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including priest of the “Holy Family Parish”, Ovid; co-rector of the St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing; priest of the “St. Mary Parish”, Charlotte; judge of the diocesan tribunal; diocesan consultor; member of the presbyteral council, priest of the “St. Ann Parish”, Bellevue; chaplain of the Olivet College, Olivet; and superior of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Rome. He is currently chancellor of the diocese of Lansing.
Council # 13810 Father Veryser Council # 13810 recently completed a wheelchair accessible ramp for a brother knight. BK Mark Hyzer took the lead with help from PGK Tom Kramarz and his son Greg they constructed this in a weekend.
Score a Touchdown by Earning Star Council Status!
May They Rest In Peace Flint Council 695 Ernest Deitering Richard Therrien Wallace Williams Ralph Bartlett, PGK, PFN Raymond Bissonnette Thomas Kay PGK Robert C. Bammer
Cheboygan Council 791 Ed Belanger Grayling Council 1982 Ed Lauth West Branch Council 2022 Casimir Jenc, PGK Standish Council 2724 Leonard Chaltraw
Detroit Council 2739 Stanley Jamroz, PGK, PFN St. Johns Council 3281 A. J. Thelen, PGK, PFN Beal City Council 3651 George Thielen Portage Council 6980 Chuck Curry PGK, FDD, PFN
Lowell Council 7719 Kasmir Kilyanek
Sanford Council 8043 Robert Marr Ann Arbor Council 8989 Michael Irwin
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Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus Annual State Convention, Mackinac Island May 24, 2014 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE GOOD OF THE ORDER State Deputy, Worthy Supreme Secretary, Worthy Deputy Supreme Knight, Worthy Vice Supreme Master, and My Brother Knights, Vivat Jesus. The Good of the Order committee thanks you for giving us the opportunity to offer our comments and observations about the work of our Order in Michigan. We offer special thanks to the clergy, both here and away, for your service. Pope Francis, quoted in the February issue of Columbia, said, “I believe it is important, indeed urgent, to form ministers capable of closeness, of encounter, who know how to stir the hearts of people, to walk with them, to enter into dialogue with their hopes and dreams.” The committee believes we are witnessing this among the chaplains and religious serving our members. But the task is not theirs alone. As laity, let us reflect on our own obligations. At last year’s Supreme Convention, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “…in our estimation, the Knights of Columbus radiantly exemplify the genuine vocation of the laity in the Body of Christ, His Church.” To this, the committee asks if we are living in a way that allows every Catholic man to see in the Knights of Columbus a place to deepen his faith and draw closer to God. Therefore, the committee recommends that we Knights routinely examine our consciences on how well we are taking up the call to serve the needs of people with enthusiasm. We recently saw the rare canonization of two pope saints. In his homily at the canonization Mass, Pope Francis said Saints John XXIII and John Paul II were not afraid to “look upon the wounds of Jesus” and give witness to the power and mercy of God. This is yet another invitation for us to take up the work of evangelization to help others see, understand and engage the world from the perspective of faith. We are called as Knights to pray for God’s help that we might live the Gospel in our actions. Therefore, the committee recommends that we proactively ask our bishops and priests, particularly our chaplains, to guide us in the new evangelization so that we may be instruments in returning fallen away Catholics and strengthening our current brothers who may have become lax in their practice of our faith. On April 25, the day of their canonization, the banners of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II were hung on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica and the official prayer cards of the two new saints were printed. As translations become available, the committee recommends members use prayer cards of the two new saints to pray for help to be a light to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Again from Cardinal Dolan’s remarks last year, he said, “You have been Protectors of God’s Gifts, especially in defending the sacredness of the gift of life in the womb; the vulnerable gift of life in mentally and physically handicapped children; the gift of marriage, family, and religious freedom; God’s gift of vocation, especially to the priesthood and consecrated life; and God’s gift of the Church, as you are so refreshingly proud of and loyal to
your Catholic religion.” This does not happen in a vacuum. Structure and people are vital to success. Our round table program fills a gap if it is determined that a council within the parish itself is not yet ready to be developed. Since we are as dependent on our fellow Catholics as we are on our Brother Knights, the committee strongly urges each and every local council to be active in our parishes in one of two ways, either in the role of a council within a parish or in the role of a council with a round table to every parish in its area of responsibility. To be active in our parishes as well as in our community, council, family, culture of life and youth areas of responsibility we need programs. We act through our programs. Our Jurisdiction is made up of great people and great programs. The Service Program is not optional. It is vital for the council’s existence. The council will flounder if the focus on service is lacking because no one wants to be part of an organization that has no clear focus. Therefore, the committee recommends councils get back to basics where there has been a lack in any one or more area by using the guidelines for structuring council activity found in the “Surge . . . with Service” program guide. Let me add a word about youth programs in particular. Sometimes an aging council will think it does not have an audience for youth activities. However, it is hard to imagine a geographic area without anything like a CYO, Big Brother/Sister program, scout troop, 4-H club, some athletic activity, or a school that can bring opportunities for youth programs and new growth. Recruitment, retention, and insurance promotion are membership activities. Since retention goes hand in hand with recruitment, the committee repeats its recommendation from last year and asks every council to maintain an outreach program to every member and his family who do not attend membership meetings or social events – keep track of absent members and assign men to report and follow up on their welfare. On insurance promotion, the committee further recognizes that our fraternal benefits program sets our Order apart by providing sound life insurance products to protect our widows and orphans. Our professional field agents are dedicated to serving our members and their families according to the vision of Father Michael J. McGivney. Therefore, the committee asks you to remember our benefits program whenever you discuss our Order. In summary, the committee identified seven actions for the Good of the Order: 1. Examine consciences often on how well we are taking up the call to serve the needs of people 2. Proactively ask our chaplains to guide us in the new evangelization 3. Use the prayer cards of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II to pray for help to be a light to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus 4. Be active in our parishes either in the role of a council within a parish or in the role of a council with a round table to its parishes continued on page 13
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Get back to basics where needed by using the guidelines in the “Surge . . . with Service” program guide 6. Keep track of absent members and their families and as sign men to report and follow up on their welfare 7. Remember our benefits program whenever you discuss our Order Our Supreme Knight once said that we are the spiritual sons of Fr. McGivney, our founder. Look around you today to see men of faith, men of strength, and men of great potential. Indeed, our Order has been blessed with great leadership and strong dedication. We are the volunteers who continue to be held accountable in our respective positions. We take responsibility for what we say. The work of the Order is important enough to have high standards and expected outcomes for the Good of the Order. The needs and cries of the world challenge us to renew our commit-
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ment, to offer membership to every eligible Catholic gentleman, and to bring a renewed Knights of Columbus presence to every Catholic parish and community. We should be extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Knights of Columbus in Michigan and equally proud and excited about where we are headed. Brothers, it has been my privilege to present this report on behalf of the members assigned to this committee. Worthy State Deputy, thank you for the honor to address the 114th State Convention of the Knights of Columbus on Mackinac Island and to present this report to our distinguished brother Knights. We ask that the Good of the Order Report be incorporated into the proceedings of this meeting . With appreciation I ask the committee members to stand and be recognized. Holy Cross Council 2739 in Detroit continued their com-
"MAKE IT RAIN ON THE CHARITIES" Are you always too busy to volunteer for your council’s pancake breakfast fundraiser? Does something always come up when your council has your spaghetti dinner? Do you ever feel that you’re not doing enough to help out as a Knight? What if I were to tell you that you could not only start giving back more to the program, but also help a multitude of charities along the way? In addition, you wouldn’t have to give up your nights or weekends! For every raffle ticket you sell in the State Membership Raffle, your local council receives at least one dollar! The money raised that isn’t given back to the council funds the good works that our state program accomplishes. By selling the tickets that you receive, you’re accomplishing more goals that you even realize. Given the economic climate in Michigan, our raffle ticket sales have dropped nearly 25% in the last several years. Brothers, it’s up to us to fix this. Over the next several months, you will hear much more from me about this program. Each and every one of us need to step up and do what’s right. It's time to get the storm brewing and "MAKE IT RAIN ON THE CHARITIES"
Holy Cross Council 2739 mitment to Clergy Night by hosting 74 nuns from the local archdiocese’s along with sisters from Uganda and Vietnam. The nuns were treated to a catered meal, prizes, bingo and entertainment provided by St. Anne Dance Troop. Also on attendance was State Vocational Director Ed Strach pictured seated in foreground along with Grand knight Jim Szott standing . This was the councils 43rd annual Clergy Night.
Global Wheelchair Mission The gift of a wheelchair can enable children to go to school for the first time, give adults the mobility needed to go to work and provide for their families, or help the elderly get out of the confines of a hospital bed. Prayers of entire families are being answered with the gift of a wheelchair. Since 2003, Knights of Columbus councils have sponsored the delivery of more than 45,000 life-changing wheelchairs to children, teens and adults in Afghanistan, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy Land, Honduras, Mexico, Poland, the Philippines, Rwanda, Canada, the United States and Vietnam. Because wheelchairs are purchased in bulk, they can be obtained at the considerable discount of $150 per wheelchair instead of the individual purchase price of $500 or more. A council can greatly increase its fundraising potential with this program by asking the entire parish to join in a “Wheelchair Sunday” parish drive. Likewise, these events have proven to be very effective with helping to recruit new members into the Knights of Columbus. When conducting your program be prepared to ask qualified parishioners to join the council, and have Membership continued on page 22
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Knights of Columbus Family Week — August 10-17, 2014 During Knights of Columbus Family Week, August 10-17, encourage Knights and their families to choose the Holy Family as their model of interdependence, sharing and showing respect for each other. Celebrate all aspects of the family, which is the foundation of society and of fundamental importance to the Knights of Columbus, by sponsoring council programs that allow families to enjoy each other’s company, to talk and to be active together. Engaged/Married Couples Contact the Supreme Council’s Fraternal Services Department (203-752-4270) to order DVDs from the Marriage: Unique for a Reason series for showing in the parish or council. Invite a speaker to your council or parish to explain Natural Family Planning (NFP) and Natural Procreative Technologies (NaProTechnology). Hold a renewal of marriage vows ceremony and give participating couples “A Covenant Renewed” certificate(#2745, available in English, French and Spanish for 25 cents each). Parents Invite a speaker to discuss issues for parents of different age groups of children and teens Collect baby items or donations to help expectant parents at pregnancy care centers. Grandparents Hold a memorial Mass for deceased Knights, including former council members and our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, who died on Aug. 14. Nursing home staff say that some patients never receive visitors — encourage Knights and family members to visit a convalescent home or veterans’ facility, even if they have to “adopt” a lonely resident as part of their family for the day. Make it a council and family project to repair, paint or clean the home or yard of an elderly person or a person in need. Children Attract prospects to the council by getting their children involved in council activities. Other activities to consider Hold a banquet to honor and present certificates to the “Family of the Month” (#1843) or “Family of the Year” (1843A) recipients. Both certificates are available in English, French and Spanish at a cost of 25 cents each. Sponsor a family retreat, rosary or Mass with children participating as altar servers and family members serving as ushers and lectors. Sponsor a family picnic featuring a cookout, sack race, egg toss, water balloon toss, three-legged race, obstacle course, face painting and other similar activities. Host family sports competitions (tug of war, volleyball, horseshoes, bocce, sailing, swimming, softball, bowling, etc.). Hold a family pizza party and social with music, dancing, and karaoke or a singa-long for younger children. While the kids are having fun, talk to their dads about what the Knights of Columbus means to you and your family. Explain to them what makes you feel good about the Order and what it is about being a Knight that gives you and your family satisfaction. Offer them a membership document (Form 100) and ask them to join. For more Family Week program activity ideas and supplies, visit www.kofc.org/ familyweek. We live in deeds, not years: In thoughts not breaths; in feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heartthrobs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. --David Bailey
Shroud Of Turin Exhibit
Guarding the Shroud at this time were-color corpsmen from Pope-John XXIII Assembly. S.K. Joseph Lenze and S.K. George Roumaya.
The Knights of Columbus from Fr. Daniel A. Lord Council 3959 at St. Michael's Parish in Livonia, along with the Color Corpsmen from Pope John XXII Assembly #1536 and Msg. Schulte Assembly #492 helped host the display of the Shroud Of Turin Exhibit. This exhibit was on display during Holy Week starting with a Palm Sunday discussion on the details of the Shroud presented by Msgr. Todd J. Lajiness, Rector/Presient of the Sacred Heart Major seminary. Msgr. Lajiness is also a Knight of Columbus and served as our State Chaplain. Well over 1000 people, including school children and religious education students, were given the privilege of viewing this extensive display.
Fr. Victor J. Renaud Council # 3292
Pictured in the photo are Sir Knights Frank Pawelak, Curt Schneider, Joseph Lenze, Dennis Lipski, Ken Pietryga and John Tomei.
Fr. Victor J. Renaud Knights of Columbus Council # 3292 - Plymouth - hosted their 19th outdoor station of the cross on Good Friday. The color corps from Pope John XXIII Assembly #1536 led the prayers at every station and stood guard at the 14 stations of the cross. A Knight from Father Renaud, Ron Rathbun, brought this program to the council 19 years ago from the Philippines.
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State Program Director Article Gary L. Merritt As you take on the responsibility of State Program Director what is your vision, ambitions or goals? One of the first things I ask is that you pray for me. Pray for me and our Michigan State Leadership team that we will be up to the task of directing the councils in this Jurisdiction to the success of which they are capable. Pray also that the State of Michigan again is successful not only in programs, but also in membership. As we are all well aware our Jurisdiction has incurred some rough times in membership numbers lately. We can turn the tide through recruitment with our programs. As my predecessor was found of saying, “Men do not join the Knights to go to meetings and pay dues, they join because of our programs.” We attract members by hosting programs that are fun and entertaining. As we recruit new members we need to remind those prospects of how our programs are Faith Based. We are called to feed the hungry. We do that with our Food Drives & support of Food Banks. We are called to clothe the naked. We do that with our Coats for Kids program. We are called to care for widows and orphans. The Venerable Fr. McGivney created the Order to answer that call. We continue through our support of HCCS and with members working locally with various agencies. We are called to visit the sick. Many councils have special committees to visit not only their sick members, but those in local homes & hospitals. We are called to care for those less fortunate. We do that through our MI Tootsie Roll Drive and support of Special Olympics. We are called to evangelize. We do that with sponsorship of the R.C.I.A. classes and through the example of our programs. The list goes on. Michigan has many well established programs in all the categories of Church, Community, Council, Family, Culture of Life and
Youth, but we shouldn’t stop with these. Development of new ideas is one key to success. In our State’s history we have introduced new programs that have become accepted order wide. Our initiative is proven. We need to look for new ideas, especially to attract families and youth. Family programs strengthen ties and Youth programs recruit Dads and future members. Our State Deputy Robert Fox has challenged the program team of myself and the top six to introduce some new ideas. The team of Church Director Tom Schmidt, Council Director Jeff Gapczynski, Community Director Mike Wegener, Family Life Director John Turek, Culture of Life Couple Paul and Sue Thorn and Youth Director Kevin Rowley will have some new ideas for us all this year. But we will not stop there. Remember all programs begin at the council level. If your council has a unique program or a twist that is working well, please contact me or one of the directors. So as we move into the new Fraternal Year we need to kindle the fire we were so graciously given by the Holy Spirit and “Focus the Flame” on our programs so we can relight our veteran members but also attract new men to our order. Our goal should not change, Star council for every council. We set our bar high because we will then strive do our very best. God speed you and your councils onto a great Fraternal Year. PROGRAMS - Sharing the Warmth CHURCH - Shine the Flame of the Holy Spirit COMMUNITY - Warming Others COUNCIL - Growing the Flame CULTURE of LIFE - Protecting the Flame FAMILY - Feeding off the Flame YOUTH - Fueling the Future
An Ethical Responsibilit Kevin M. Patterson – General Agent In March, the Knights of Columbus was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. This is a tremendous honor and achievement that all Knights should be proud of. You are part of a fraternal benefit society that puts integrity above everything. But tremendous though it is, being one of the world’s most ethical companies is not just an achievement; it’s our legacy and our responsibility. We won’t settle for less. We owe it to our founder, to our Church, and to our members. As a business, the Knights of Columbus holds a unique place in the world. For starters, we were founded by a Venerable Servant of God, who, we pray, is on the path to sainthood. How many companies can say that? It is our responsibility to continue the business in the way that Father McGivney intended. He founded this organization so that a caring community of Catholic families could come together and protect widows and orphans from financial devastation upon the death of the bread winner. Our mission remains the same 132 years later. From our founding to the present day, we are and have been an unapologetically Catholic company. For us, this means that we
must conduct our business in accordance with Catholic principles. We have established a strict screening process for our investments, and we refuse to invest in companies that deal in abortions, contraception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, for-profit health care that pays for any of the aforementioned, and pornography. We are an organization by brother Knights, for brother Knights. We don’t worry about stock price, shareholders or corporate takeovers. We don’t obsess over profit margins and golden parachutes. We worry about doing what’s right for our members and their families. After all, we’re brother Knights too. Our Agents are required to sign a Code of Ethics, which is modeled after the Ten Commandments. Among its commandments is “Thou shall present, honestly and accurately, all the facts necessary to enable a member to make an informed decision.” “Our fraternal ties to our members,” it goes on to say, “make it more incumbent on us, in our dealings with them, to assure that their interests are uppermost in our minds as we provide solutions to their financial needs. It all boils down simply to the golden continued on page 18
Families of the Month Alpena Council 529 David & Dixie Hillan Gera;d & Donna Kowalski, Sr. Michael & Mary Jo Murphy Mt. Clements Council 744 Jeff Ashman family Cheboygan Council 791 Peter Rash family Keith Smith family Marine City Council 856 Dan LaVere, family Jim & Patti McPhee Bob & Joyce Thompson Ludington Council 1492 Christopher & Carrie Zeruzal Bad Axe Council 1546 John & Judy Lpiski Ken & Audrey Mazure Fred & Mary Mazure Redford Council 2632 Keith & J0 Ann Kuras Howell Council 2659 Joseph & Marcia Donatti Thaddeus & Helen Zonca Standish Council 2724 Fred & Gail Mosciski Mitch & Elaine Pula Jim & Tracie Mosciski Ron & Pat Rau *cfk Jack & Diane Stodolak *cfk Essexville Council 2740 Patrick & Michelle Van Sumeren Tom & Sue Lenhart Westphalia Council 2890 Robert & Pamela Platte Utica Council 2950 Norman & Wanda Grifka Pinconning Council 2986 Jacob & Florence Gotfryd
Caro Council 3224 Scott & Cristi Smith Warren Council 3257 Michael & Kathi Orlikowski Randy & Dawn Budry Taylor Council 4872 Thomas & Tammy Ramondetta Keith & Deborah Bourlier Livonia Council 5492 Lee & Kathleen Nuttall Dan & Nancy Vecchioni New Baltimore Council 5981 Brian & Debbie Yacks Michael Desmarais family Kenneth & Darlene Krause Boyne City Council 6314 Ed & Marie Kelenske Frank & Connie Shaler Frank & Connie Shaler Roscommon Council 6593 John & Nan Abke Zack & Danielle Gerdes Holland Council 7115 Dave & Sue Strazanac
Algonac Council 7227 Patrick & Rigina Lomasney Theodore & Barbara Hendrick Erie Council 7413 Leonard & Angela Lapointe Peter & Pat Dussean Charles & Julie Close Fenton Council 7418 Charles & Patricia Salerno John & Carol Pegouskie Jenison Council 7487 Bret & Lisa Seelinger Hale Council 7623 David & Rhonda Brindley Ralph & Sandra McParlan Rockford Council 7761 James & Patti Redell
Remus Council 7869 Joseph & Sharon Re Lawrence & Rae Ellem Foy Jim & Beverly Schmitz Bruce & Jean Mullard Durand Council 7955 Dennis & Kathy Schmidt Tom & Connie O’Brien Mark & Julie Dudzik Sanford Council 8043 Robert & Camille Dodick Don & Connie Fortier Clarence & Cathy Ruggles William & Karen Carey Canton Council 8284 Daniel & Marlys Vasean Michael & Cinda Riley Jackson Council 8392 Timothy & Stacey Phelps Lake City Council 8556 Reyes & Ismelda Ortiz Ada Council 8564 Dan & Carol Blundy Fowlerville Council 8605 Ray & Sue Tyle Bob & Mariann Brown Bud & Doreen Scott Montrose Council 8669 William & Cherylynn Stroup Lloyd & Jessica Hillard Cass City Council 8892 Kevin & Laura Kausch Jackson Council 9301 Stephany Kopf, family Michael & Susan Wood Marks family Lansing Council 9711 Mike & Christina Czajka Joseph & Carol Ostrowski
Matt & Mary Ann Pierson Kalamazoo Council 9962 Joe & Mary Myers,Sr. Lansing Council 10542 Donald & Yvonne O’Hara Lansing Council 11099 William & Karen Parker Vivtor & Laurie Torok Clinton Twp. Council 11689 Richard & Lisa Miller Phillip & Elaine Kwasny Shelby Twp. Council 11772 Carl & Betty Grewe Muskegon Council 13035 Fred & Patricia Drzewicki Deacon David &Loretta Kasprzyk Jimmie & Sue Peterson Kenneth & Jean Parker White Lake Council 13319 Jon & Pat Bond Steve & Rita Doss
Howell Council 13450 Paul & Kelly Bokuniewicz Troy Council 13453 Gary & Florence Parent N. Muskegon Council 15337 Don & Ana Elder Brian & Pamela Goodman Michael & Judy Wozny Timothy & Anne Mullane Donald & Katherine Kraus George & Teresa Steward Kevin & Sue Lloyd Brian & Karyn Sullivan Robert & Holly Nolan *cfk– council family of year
An Ethical Responsibilit Kevin M. Patterson – General Agent rule — Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” After all, we are our brother’s keeper. That’s our commitment to you. And that’s our commitment to conducting our business in line with Church teaching and in line with the vision of our holy founder. We are honored that the Ethisphere Institute has acknowledged
that commitment. Discover the benefits of doing business with one of the World’s most ethical companies. Contact your local field agent. Find him by visiting kofc.org/findagent, or by calling 1-800-345-5632.
Food for Families Reimbursement Program Beginning July 1, 2014, the guidelines for qualifying for a reimbursement under the Food for Families Reimbursement Program have changed. For the 2014-2015 fraternal year and going forward, councils and assemblies can qualify for a $100 refund from the Supreme Council for every donation of $500 or 1,000 pounds of food to a food bank, food pantry, soup kitchen or other organization whose primary mission is to feed the hungry and those in need. Columbian Squires circles can qualify for a refund of $20 for every donation of $100 or 200 pounds of food. The maximum annual refund of $500 per council, assembly or circle remains unchanged. Councils, assemblies and circles are encouraged to continue their outreach to hungry people through this program and to consider using their refunds from the Supreme Council to provide additional outreach.
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Knights of Columbus Sets Record for Charity in 2013 6/11/2014 New records set for dollars and hours donated in year marked by traumas During his address at the opening business session of the Organizational Meeting of State Deputies, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced that the Knights of Columbus set alltime records for charitable donations and service hours in 2013 while helping in communities worldwide, including responses to a number of large-scale humanitarian crises. The K of C’s Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity for the year ending Dec. 31, 2013, reports that Knights donated record amounts of money and hours of volunteer service — more than $170 million and more than 70.5 million hours. Contributions increased for the 14th consecutive year, growing by more than $2.3 million to $170,135,754. “Charity has been at the heart of the Knights’ mission for the past 132 years,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said after announcing the figures. “Whether with funds or service, and whether quietly helping someone overcome a personal tragedy or
assisting in the aftermath of a widely known humanitarian disaster, the outpouring of charity by our members produces meaningful results, especially by helping to bring peace of mind to those who find themselves in incredibly difficult situations.” In 2013, Anderson explained, “Knights were part of relief efforts for a number of tragic events, including two enormous natural disasters in the Philippines; tornados in Moore, Oklahoma; floods in Alberta, Canada; the factory explosion in West, Texas; and the Boston Marathon bombing. The year also saw the Knights continue their support for the victims of Superstorm Sandy, and for the people of Newtown, Conn, as they recovered from the school shooting that took the lives of 26 residents, most of whom were young children.” The response to unexpected tragedies was accomplished while the Knights continued their strong support within their communities through initiatives like the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids and Food for Families, programs supporting those with intellectual disabilities, organizing blood drives, and providing funding and volunteer time to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and the Global Wheelchair Mission. The number of volunteer service hours rose in 2013 by 421,071 hours over the 2012 total. At an average value of $22.55 per service hour as estimated by Independent Sector, the value of the Knights’ volunteer service last year was nearly $1.6 billion. Cumulative figures show that during the past decade the Knights of Columbus has donated nearly $1.5 billion to charity and 683 million hours of volunteer service in support of charitable initiatives.
Franciscan University of Steubenville Franciscan University’s graduate commencement was held the morning of May 10. His Excellency Jeffrey Monforton, bishop of Steubenville, received an honorary doctorate of sacred theology honoring his commitment to the Diocese of Steubenville and his unwavering friendship with Franciscan University. In his speech, Bishop Monforton asked the graduates to ponder the definition of a Christian attitude and to serve as ambassadors of Christ. He discussed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s assertion that education is integral
to the Church’s mission in proclaiming the good news. Each aspect of learning “reverberates within the ecclesial life of faith,” Bishop Monforton explained, and he cautioned the graduates against hiding their faith under a “bushel basket.” “Franciscan University cannot keep the truth up on a hill. We must get out to the people of God,” he urged. “We should be aware constantly that to teach, to lead, to serve is nothing more than an act of love,” Bishop Monforton stressed, invoking the words of St. Teresa
of Ávila, who reminded the faithful that God does not simply want deeds, but the love that prompts them. Bishop Monforton was installed as the fifth bishop of Steubenville in September 2012, following service as rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and as pastor of St. Andrew’s Parish in Rochester. He previously served the Archdiocese of Detroit in several pastoral and administrative positions, also serving as personal priest secretary to Adam Cardinal Maida.
Father McGivney Documentary Now Available A documentary on the life of the young Connecticut priest who founded the Knights of Columbus is now for sale on Amazon.com. Father Michael McGivney, produced by the Supreme Council, chronicles the life of the founder of the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. Through archival footage and dramatic recreations, the gripping one-hour film gives an account of Father McGivney’s early life in a poor immigrant family, his efforts as young priest to serve his parishioners and to launch the Knights, and his untimely death from pneumonia at age 38. From defending the persecuted Church to protecting widows and orphans, the documentary celebrates the triumphs and tribulations of a man who may one day become the first canonized American-born parish priest. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI declared Father McGivney “venerable” in recognition of his “heroic virtue,” thus moving forward the cause for canonization.
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Anchor Bay Knights held a successful food drive by passing out empty fifty pound onion bags after Masses on the first Sunday of Lent and collecting them two weekends later at the parish food pantry. Over 400 bags were dropped off with an average of 21 lbs. Over 8400 lbs. of food was collected, $17,000 worth of food. Daniel Lord Council # 3959 Award given to GK Othmar Lenze, Daniel Lord Council # 3959, Livonia, MI for outstanding contribution to red Cross disaster relief/ blood drives.
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Flint Council Heads to Facebook Msgr. Dunigan Council 695, Flint, is now on Facebook, adding the social media platform to choices members have to access Knights of Columbus information. A committee headed by Bro. Knight Matt Olson launched the option in March with a free family council Lenten fish bake dinner in a promotion to attract interest in the site. The page has background information an the Knights of Columbus and news of council happenings for readers. The Facebook page follows opening last year of a council website, which offers access to state and supreme websites. The council also communicates with members through a monthly publication that has been operating for 75 years as well as direct mail and a rosary call list on services for deceased members. Msgr. Dunigan Council 695
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT : Denise Thompson, Donor Management, Gertrude Smith, Red Cross Donor Rep., James Flickema, Red Cross CEO Frank Roche, Red Cross Executive Board,. Othmar Lenze, GK
St. Joseph Parish Dinner Fund Raiser A SUCCESS Just a short note to thank the community who attended the school's main fund raiser April 26th at our council hall. Our fellow Brother Knights once again served a delicious dinner for everyone attending. Our school raised needed funds with silent auction items, “luck of the draw� items, raffled items, 50/50 drawings, and also a live auction of items made by the St. Joseph school children. It was a fun night!
Change is the end result of all true learning. --Leo Buscaglia
Thomas Edelen, Sr. deputy grand knight of Msgr. Dunigan Council 695, Flint, (right) hands Kieth (cq) Rumbold of a flint emergency medical service one of 15 Knights of Columbus Teddy Bears the council donated to the ambulance company to be given to injured or sick children transported by the service. Rumbold, operations director for STAT EMS, said in a thank-you letter "While we all hope there will never be a reason for a child to need an ambulance, the unfortunate reality of life is that some children will." Photo by George Jaksa
Next Copy Deadline September 1, 2013
St Paul of Tarsus Council #11689 The St Paul of Tarsus Council #11689, Clinton Township proudly donated $1000 to the St Paul of Tarsus Church food pantry ministry in February. The funds were raised through a weekend baked goods sale held at the Church. The food pantry provides much needed items to families in Macomb County, The Council held it's annual pot luck dinner and open house in March. The Council also used the open house meeting to confer various awards as follows: Michigan Shining Armor Awards were given to; Dave Asaro, Joe Bono, Leon Eggers, Jeff Gapczynski, Phil Kwasny, George Loewen and Carl Sziisz. Family of the Month for March Phil Bonnette Family Knight of the Month Fr. Ron Essman Family of the Year Phil Bonnette Family Knight of the Year; Jeff Gapczynski And finally, special recognition awards were given to Angelo Garavaglia and George Mejaly for Life Time achievement and to John Sweeney for his service as the past editor of the Council's monthly newsletter Queen of Holy Rosary Council 3830 in Berkley presented a screening of the Knights of Columbus documentary Francis: The Pope from the New World for council members, young people, parishioners and friends at Our Lady of La Salette Church. Following the screening, Knights served light refreshments. OGEMAW COUNCIL 2022 Our council's first highway clean up of the year was well attended. Co-chairman Albert Miles and Tom Schmitt were assisted by the following members: Joe Izworski, Richard Noble, Paul Edie, Jim Wood, Tom Sauve, Kern Burden, Dick Ehinger, Pete Wandoff, John Mitchell, Jim Gabourie, Dale Wangler, and Mark Dantzer. The next scheduled clean up will be on Monday, July 14th
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Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Knights of Columbus Celebrate 50 Years The Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Knights of Columbus Council #5492 continued its yearlong 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration with a Pasta Dinner on Sunday, February 9th. The event coincided with the Council's original Charter on February 9, 1964, exactly 50 years ago. Stanisz Family The occasion was a fund-raiser to support the Stanisz Family Scholarship Fund, that was started as a memorial to the late Brother Knight Richard Stanisz, who was instrumental in relocating our council to St. Colette Parish in Livonia. Since it’s inception, the Scholarship Fund has provided over $16,000 to worthy Knight Mark Stanisz serving Dora high school seniors. Plummer To make the celebration unique, the cost for the All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Dinner was rolled back to 1964 prices, only $3 per person! Over 500 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner while music from the 1964 “Keener 13 Top Song Chart” played in the background. We express special thanks to Mrs. Del Stanisz, wife of the late Richard Stanisz, for soliciting many donations to make the fundraiser a success. Several “special” guests were in attendance: Metro “Mac” Sokolik was recognized as a Charter Charter member founding member of the Council, Carmella Sgroi, Metro (Mac) Sokolik the widow of charter member Joseph Sgroi, Brother enjoying dinner. Knight John Grima, who brought his family of 35 to join us, and several of our past Scholarship winners and their families. We look forward to our next big dinner/dance event on September 20 th to close out our Jubilee year.
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS VETERANS COMMITTEE RECOGNITION AWARD Bill Kuypers and Don Morris, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree members of St. Paul on the Lake Assembly #2696, were awarded Certificates of Volunteer Recognition from Governor Rick Snyder for their service to Michigan veterans and L-R– Bill Kuypers, Don Morris their families. Bill and Don donated 400 hours of volunteer service and in addition procured 79 wheelchairs for Veterans Hospital in Detroit. Remember our hospitalized veterans by donating and placing your coins in the container “Coins for Veterans” in back of the church.
St. Francis Council #4401 On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippine Islands with winds in excess of 185 miles per hour. The extreme winds and following storm surge and resulting devastation took the lives of over 6,200 while injuring 30,000. Currently there are 2000 people who have been reported missing. The Philippine people are a Christian based people with great faith in God. The leadership team of St. Francis Council #4401 based in Farmington Hills met with their Chaplin, Pastor Father Mark Brauer and together they presented an appeal to the parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows after each service on the weekend of February 2. The result was donations in excess of $11 ,000 in contributions, 500 Hymnals along with Degree Team Exemplifications robes and first degree member packages. Grand Knight Marc Wilkins, Deputy Grand Knight Joe Hejka, Chancellor Fred Arganoza, Trustee Arnel Nablo and Guard Dennis Ramos and Ernesto Carulla were the team that was responsible for planning Council # 689 and implementing this charitable initiative. The funds were forwarded to the Knights of Columbus Supreme in care of the Philippian Disaster Relief Fund. St. In the past five years Skip Lemire and Francis Council is a very productive Council in Farmington Barry Kurcz have made monthly visits to Hills Michigan with membership of approximately 280 nursing homes in our area. We have been Knights and growing. Their exemplification of our first very successful, The photo is of Skip pillar of charitable works is an ongoing commitment and Lemire visiting a veteran at Jacob etti vet speaks highly to the passion of this council and its memberHome in Marquette. In their visits the ship. usually bring their “mascot” a battery operated parrot named “Puddles”. The bird sings and talks & repeats what he hears. VIP AWARD
Next Copy Deadline September 1, 2014
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Michigan K of C bowler just keeps rolling along By George Jaksa At 95, Marcel "Randy" Ranville of Msgr. Dunigan Council 695 in Flint, Michigan, may be the oldest active member of a Knights of Columbus bowling Marcel "Randy" Ranville prepares to bowl at Colonial league. lanes in Flushing, Michigan, a Flint suburb. "I would believe he is now," said George lechy, secretary of the Michigan State Bowling Association, speaking of Ranville's Michigan achievement. "I would think he is," observed Chuck Lindberg, director of corporate communications for the Supreme Office, with an Orderwide observation. Both Lechy and Lindberg said the Order does not keep track of bowlers' ages so they cannot say if Ranville is the oldest but he certainly is among the oldest, if not the oldest, still bowling in a Kof C league. Ranville has been bowling in the local K of Cleague since 1946 when he was discharged from the U.S.Army after World War II. He hasn't missed a year and completed his most recent in April 2014 without missing any games over the 30-week season. Actually, Ranville started bowling in another league in 1941 but had to give it up the same year when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve as a flight engineer on B24 bombers. Ranville said the once-a-week bowling league was about all the spare time he had in addition to be father of nine children and a six-day-week milk delivery man for a former Flint-based dairy company. For a time, Ranville, who joined the Order and Council 695 in March 1939, was a member of an all-Ranville bowling team in the Flint Kof C league. It included his brother, DeVere, now deceased, and sons Paul, Tim and Mark, the latter two are still members of Council 695. Mark was the only remaining member of the team, called "Marcel's Marauders," and carried a team high 204-season average when forced to drop out in October with two herniated discs. He hopes an operation will get him back in action for the 2014-15 season. "I want to bowl with Dad as long as he's bowling," said Mark. But, his dad isn't making any promises. "I can't say ahead of time if I will be back," said Marcel Ranville, who turned 95 on May 29, about a month after the 2013-14 season
ended. "I am just thankful that I am able to do it now." "Marcel's Marauders," part of a 10team league, now includes Marcel's son-in law, former District Deputy Brother Knight Ranville (second from left) poses Dennis Owens, with other members of "Marcel's Marauders" in the and Abel GuerFlint Area Knights of Columbus Bowling league. Others (from left) are Dennis Owens, Abel Guerrero rero, who just completed and Tom O'Brien. A substitute bowled for Dick Pyrett who was absent when this photo was taken. (June 2014) a term as president of the State K of C Bowling Association. Other team members are Tom O'Brien and Dick Pyrett. It’s amazing," Owens said of Ranville's longevity. "He's an inspiration to the whole league. He gets a couple of strikes in a row and the whole league comes down to congratulate him." Like on April 2, when Ranville started slowly at 111, climbed to 168 and finished the night with a 201, far above his 135 average. "It was my best by far," said Ranville. "I felt pretty good about it. The lanes were oily early in the evening but they dried out later and that helped." "He hasn't had a 200-game in years," exclaimed son Mark when he heard of his dad's achievement. "He must be sky-high." In his prime, 200-games were more common for Ranville who said he carried a 190-season average for a time. Now he jokes that his teammates keep him on the team for his 80-pin handicap. Not only is Ranville, who has been a widower since his wife, Ruth Ellen, died in 2001, committed to bowling but he also is a devoted Catholic. He attends daily Mass at his home parish, Holy Family, Grand Blanc, and leads the Rosary after weekday morning Masses and again before the 7 p.m. Tuesday Mass. "He's an inspiration," said Father Kenneth Coughlin, Holy Family pastor of Ranville's 30-years' attending daily Mass. "He loves the lord, the Blessed Mother and is very devoted to the Rosary." III can't believe I will be 95 next month," said Ranville during an April interview. lilt's been a wonderful life and I've enjoyed the companionship."III can't believe I will be 95 next month," said Ranville during an April interview. lilt's been a wonderful life and I've enjoyed the companionship. "I can't believe I will be 95 next month," said Ranville during an April interview. It's been a wonderful life and I've enjoyed the companionship."
Global Wheelchair Mission Applications (Form 100s) on hand for them to complete. For more information, visit American Wheelchair Mission’s website at amwheelchair.org and the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation at cdnwheelchair.ca. Donations can be sent to the Wheelchair Mission in the U.S. at:
American Wheelchair Mission, 2600 E. Seltice Way #A172, Post Falls, ID 83854. For Canada, donations may be sent to: Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, P.O. Box 75038, RPO White Rock, Surrey, BC V4A 0B1.
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Process for Sainthood Father Michael J. McGivney was given the title “Venerable Servant of God” by the Holy See in March 2008. The bestowal of the title “Venerable” marks another important step on the journey to beatification and canonization. It signals that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has carefully considered the positio on Father McGivney’s life and virtue, and after consulting with historical experts and theologians, has judged it to be valid and convincing. Once the members of the congregation make a positive judgment on the positio, the matter is referred to the Holy Father for his approval. His positive response makes possible the issuance of a “decree of heroic virtue” and the bestowal of the title “Venerable.” A decree of heroic virtue indicates a pastoral judgment on the part of the Church. For the good of the Christian people, the Church recognizes that Father McGivney was a man who went beyond what is required of a good Christian. His life was one of outstanding virtue, in which he “heroically” practiced charity, humility and prudence. Father McGivney went above and beyond the ordinary call to Christian perfection, much as a martyr lays down his or her life for Christ and for the Gospel. Father McGivney’s “martyrdom” was the daily giving of his life in fidelity to the duties of a typical parish priest, in an extraordinary and selfless manner. When we recall all that he undertook in spite of his youth, inexperience and his lifelong battle with poor health, his heroism is unmistakable. Toward the Heart of God
What comes next? A reported miracle must be presented to the congregation in Rome and judged favorably if there is to be a beatification, with the bestowal of the title “Blessed” Medical and theological experts must carefully examine the evidence in order to pass judgment on the case. If judged positively by the members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, that judgment will be passed to Pope Benedict XVI, who alone makes the decision about beatifications and canonizations. It is for this reason that Reports of Favors attributed to the intercession of a candidate for canonization are so important. For Father McGivney, a healing through his intercession was reported early in the process, but in 2011 the Vatican Congregation judged it to not be miraculous in nature. Gratefully, there are other reports of miraculous events. Another possible miracle was reported in January 2012 and is currently under investigation. The technical aspects of a cause for canonization are fascinating but can sometimes distract us from the essential focus: the glory of God made manifest in the holiness of one of his servants. A cause for canonization is not meant to lead us into the intricacies of Church norms but into the heart of God and his call to holiness of life. Father McGivney’s cause, in particular, is a summons to ordinary Catholics to embrace the mystery of Christ in its fullness so each of us will see where we are called to heroic virtue. Father McGivney was an apostle of lay spirituality, and his message is intensified each time the Church recognizes his outstanding life and virtue.
Pope’s Message to Fathers Teach your children well, always be by their side By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service On March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of the universal church and Jesus’ earthly father, Pope Francis urged all dads in the world to stick by their children’s side, teaching them, guiding them and loving them. “I ask that you have the grace to be very close to your children, letting them grow, but being by their side. They need you, your presence, to be there, your love!” the pope told fathers present in St. Peter’s Square. Despite a massive citywide transport strike in Rome, more than 80,000 people made their way to the square for the pope’s weekly audience March 19. The pope dedicated his catechesis to the role and example of St. Joseph. March 19 also marks the celebration of Father’s Day in Italy, as well as the first anniversary of the formal inauguration of Pope Francis’ ministry as bishop of Rome and pope. St. Joseph’s “great mission is to be a guardian,” the pope said. The saint is a model for all educators, whether they are teachers, catechists, parents, religious or priests, “who are fathers, too, you know!” he said. Like an educator, St. Joseph guided and accompanied Jesus so he could grow in “wisdom and age and grace,” Pope Francis said. This is the same thing all parents must do, and “it would be a serious mistake to think that a father and a mother can’t do anything to teach their children to grow in God’s grace,” he said.
Even though God was Jesus father, St. Joseph lovingly took on the paternal role and taught the young Jesus various skills, the value of work, reverence for the Lord, and fidelity and obedience to God’s will, the pope said. He also had to keep his family safe during the difficult period of their exile to Egypt, he said, which makes the saint a special example for refugees and those facing persecution. In brief remarks to Arab-speaking visitors, especially those from Lebanon and the Holy Land, the pope said St. Joseph “knew how to cross the darkness of doubt, the experience of exile and fleeing from home, without ever losing faith in God and his love.” “Learn from him that only trust in God can turn doubt into certainty, evil into good, total darkness of the night into a radiant dawn,” he said. In his main audience address, the pope gave his heartfelt greetings to all fathers in the square, asking them to show who they were by raising their hands. “Oh, how many dads!” he said. “Best wishes! All the best on your day!” Pope Francis led the crowd in praying the Our Father, urging them to remember God the Father in heaven, but also their own fathers and every father, whether alive or deceased.
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NOTE : FOR GRAND KNIGHTS AND COUNCIL PR CHAIRMAN
In each issue of the Michigan Columbian we print the Current Knights and Families of the Month as designated by the local councils in the State. These men deserve State wide recognition. . We appreciate your help in keeping this information Current. The names of the Family of the Month and those of the deceased members, need to be sent direct to: Gary M. Kolbicz 39373 Durand Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48310. The Names of the Knight of the Month Need to be sent direct to: David A. Riley State Council Activities Director 3202 Strickland Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49017-8739
Knights of the Month Port Huron Council 521 Ricardo Ramales Alpena Council 529 William Kowalski Alen Lazzrowicz, James Wils Battle Creek Council 575 Roger Buch, Bret Cutshall Charles Kincaid Mt. Clemens Council 744 Keith Poek, Gordon Schweiger Brian Felczak, Joe Jaskowski Cheboygan Council 791 Larry Soczek, Robert Kelly Manistee Council 853 Bob Kenney Marine City Council 856 Tom Chopp, David Rose David Schweihofer Cadillac Council 1224 David Cox Joseph Pacella Big Rapids Council 1300 Casmir Wolak, Mike Brejcha Kevin Courtney Ludington Council 1492 Mark Gipson, James Gajeski David Hatch, Randal Wolf James Koss Bad Axe Council 1546 Marvin Smagulinski John Baranski Richard Learman Grayling Council 1982 John Pilon, Steven Seager John Lucey Merrill Council 2291 Derek Fordos, David Grahak Carlos Sanchez, Terry O’Toole Chip Barsenas Ernest Naessens Redford Council 2632 David Maertens Howell Council 2659 Patrick Shanahan Ron Bergman Standish Council 2724 Ken Bottoney
Ken Adrian, Sr. Essexville Council 2740 Scott Danielak Mark Dabrowskioy Al McAv Matt Laleman Gaylord Council 2781 Ernest Bourdage Westphalia Council 2890 Joseph Heckman Adam Schneider William Platte, James Pohl Gerald O’Brien Pinconning Council 2986 Raymond Skrabut Chesaning Council 2943 Carl Wendling, James Amman Vincent Birchmeier Utica Council 2950 Kim Wiegand, Gary Lusk Don Heydens, Jim Ososkie Raymond Campbell Pinconning Council 2986 Walter Gromaski Caro Council 3224 William Putnam Warren Council 3257 Tim Parker, Kevin Hagadorn Trenton Council 3615 Edward Horvath Allen Park Council 3774 Joseph Martinez William Gamble Roseville Council 3797 John Tandeski, John Kelleher Taylor Council 4872 Dominic DaDabbo Terry Cauley, PGK Livonia Council 5492 Gary Markwardt New Baltimore Council 5981 Kevin Wolf, Wayne Miller Michael Desmarais Boyne City Council 6314 Ken Koss, Joe Dilger Roscommon Council 6593 Cliff Wood, Marv Peplinski
Romeo Council 7018 Norman Rumph Anthony Nardozzi Reynold Sagert Holland Council 7115 Jim Hartmann, Andy Rosiak Charles Kohlruss Algonac Council 7227 John Vance, Ronald Gutt Anthony Antkowiak Brighton Council 7304 Don Sucher, Rob Keller Greg Kirchmeier Erie Council 7413 Tom Kleparek, Tom Bellestri Fenton Council 7418 Al Lach, Larry Osterman Kenneth Claxton Jenison Council 7487 Thomas Schmidt Dan Twardokus Donald McCloskey Milan Council 7587 Joseph Siefker, Thomas Fital Hale Council 7623 Eugene Dow Rockford Council 7761 Fr. Michael Hodges Mike Despres Jim Peererboom E. Lansing Council 7816 Don Little, Gary Tucker Remus Council 7869 Earl Mayer, Donald Roarty James Pratt, Norman Jonas Durand Council 7955 Rick Marsich, Robert Lewis Thomas Hutchinson Thomas Gomos Sanford Council 8043 William Fortier Robert Sheets, Rich Prebay Leonard Urbaniak Pewamo Council 8071 Bruce Jandermoa Canton Council 8284 Christopher Wrosch
Eugene Borieo Larry Guastella Jackson Council 8392 Thomas Miskowski David Gier Ronald Sczykutowicz Sand Lake Council 8425 Mike Pinkerton Flushing Council 8489 Tim Richards Lake City Council 8556 David Blaszak Ada Council 8564 Joseph Schab Kerry Fitzpatrick Fowlerville Council 8605 Ralph Maresco, Allen Romain Auburn Hills Council 8659 Ron Nossal, Aderi Pedroso Montrose Council 8669 Darwin Schmidt, Matt Jacobson, Larry Leyrer David LaRock Cass City Council 8892 Larry Hollis, Alex Wiliams Ron Rutkoski Jackson Council 9301 Greg Wilson, Mike Stevens John Pangborn Reese Council 9305 Darryl TaFoya, Dennis Dinnan John Pangborn, Ed Smith Lansing Council 9711 Matt Pierson Kalamazoo Council 9962 Deacon Patrick Hall Ed Keto, Robert Flach Dennis Weber Columbus Council 10501 Dan St. John, Randy Husaynu Lansing Council 10542 Lester Biddle Ann Arbor Council 10963 Rev. Gerald Gawronski Robert Palazzolo Port Huron Council 11756 John Adair
PROSPECTS TO MEMBERS
38th Annual
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Knights of the Month Shelby Twp. Council 11772 Phillip Dillard, Gary Kopp Robert Valcke Gross Pte. Park Council 12479
Lawrence Radgowski Montague Council 12985 Bill Snowdin Stephen Nagengast Kalamazoo Council 12998 Thomas Deem Muskegon Council 13035 Ben Gustafson, Tony Schaub
Thomas Helferich Earl Schaub, Jr. Kevin Urbanawiz White Lake Council 13319 Gary Doyle Kingsley Council 13432 Thomas Waclawski Robert Glass,*cky Howell Council 13450 Edward Zurawski, Tim Fox Troy Council 13453 John Carry, Jr.
Belmont Council 13526 Ed Steffens, Ted Drozd Clio Council 13703 James Gehring White Cloud Council 13939 Thomas Eggleston Leonard Wahr William Lyon Shelby Twp. Council 13983 Richard Bejnar, Roger Quitter Newaygo Council 14206 Joseph Jernigan
N. Muskegon Council 15337 Fr, Anthony Pelak Michael Gagnon Deacon James Schiltz Tom Trzaska, Hugh White Dale Ertzinger, Dale Hilson Tim Boertman, Ruben Ayala *cky– council knight of year
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SHINING ARMOR AWARD Casey Teddy Bear Order Form Council No. _____ Council Name ________________________ Order Qty. _____
Total Order (Number of Bears x $10) ______________
Ship To: Name ____________________________ Address _______________________________ City _______________________ State _____ Zip Code __________ Checks Payable to: Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus Memo: Casey Teddy Bears Send to: David A. Riley State Council Activities Director 3202 Strickland Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49017-8739
YES I wish to enroll in the Guild and to receive the newsletter. Name Address City/State/Country Please list below the names and addresses of any family or friend who might be interested in the Guild’s work. Name Address City/State/Country
Name Address City/State/Country
MONTHLY MASS FOR GUILD MEMBERS Please remember these specific intentions at the monthly Mass for Guild Member. 1. If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the mission of the Guild, checks should be made payable to The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, Ct 06510-3326 GK 4046 10/03
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COUNCIL FUND RAISER
Columbia Magazine
Here is a fund raiser your council can handle. It is a win, win situation. Every year the Michigan K of C Bowling Association holds their Annual Tournament. The Association officers and directors do all of the work in keeping the scores, record keeping and prize money. Every year the tournament is held in a different part of our State. The host council makes their profit from holding activities during the bowling tournament at their council. Other fund raising activities include selling Tee Shirts, bowling jackpots, selling 50/50 tickets, and etc. All that is needed is the required licenses along with your workers. A good suggestion is to inquire with councils who in the past hosted this tournament. The Association, at their Annual meeting selects the host council from those who bid on this project. For more information go to the State K of C Web Site and follow the link for the Bowling Association or check with your financial secretary for the Associations contacts in his K of C State Directory. Gene Gross Association Publicist
Columbia magazine is now available as a paid subscription on the Amazon Kindle Did you receive an Amazon Kindle device for Christmas? If so, you now have the opportunity to experience Columbia magazine in a new and exciting way. Columbia on the Kindle lets you access the official magazine of the Knights of Columbus whenever and wherever you are. You can even read Columbia when you're not connected to a wireless network since the magazine is downloaded completely onto your Kindle device. Columbia is available for $1.99 per issue when you sign up for a monthly subscription or $5.99 for individual issues purchased without a subscription.
MICHIGAN COLUMBIAN PUBLICATION SCHEDULE COPY DEADLINE MONTH MARCH 1st…………………………… APRIL 2013 JUNE 1st…………………………. ……. JULY 2013 SEPTEMBER 1st…………………...OCTOBER 2013 DECEMBER 1st…………………… JANUARY 2013 PLEASE SEND ALL COPY MATERIAL TO: GARY M. KOLBICZ 39373 DURAND DRIVE STERLING HEIGHTS, MI. 48310 RES./FAX: 586-939-3886
Update Contact Information If you are currently a member and your address has changed, or you are in the process of moving go to www.kofc.org, on the home page click on for members in the upper right hand corner of the page, when the for members page pop’s-up scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the Update Contact Information box, follow the instructions, it’s easy and simple .
NEWS WITH A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE YES I wish to enroll in the Guild and to receive the newsletter. Name Address City/State/Country Please list below the names and addresses of any family or friend who might be interested in the Guild’s work. Name Name Address Address City/State/Country City/State/ Country MONTHLY MASS FOR GUILD MEMBERS Please remember these specific intentions at the monthly Mass for Guild Member. 1. If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the mission of the Guild, checks should be made payable to The Father McGivney Guild, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, Ct 065103326
HeadlineBistro.com, the Orders news website is now CatholicPulse.com. Catholic Pulse brings news from around the world together with commentary from the best Catholic minds, analyzing today’s most important issues. It’s a site where you don’t just get the news, you get the Catholic perspective as well. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. --Aristotle
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Next Copy Deadline March 1, 2013
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Family of the Year Jerome (Curly) Messing Family Brother Jerome and his wife Judy have 6 adult children. Cathy (deceased), Tim, Terry, Sue, Kimberly and Kerry. Brother Jerome has held several Director positions in his Council. He has been Trustee, Financial Secretary, (17 yrs), Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight. He also was a Distrect Deputy for 4 ½ years and received Star District all 4 years and the Golden Knight of the Year Trophy. Brother Jerome served on his Townships Fire Dept. and as its Chief for 5 years and is a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. He delivered mail for 32 years and received the 1 Million Mile (without and accident) Plaque. He served as Athletic Director for the Community School and coached several different sports and received the honor of being enshrined in the Michigan High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. Jerome joined the Knights when he was 18 and is a Charter Member (60 yrs) of this Council and is a 4th Degree Knight. Jerome and Judy have been married over 55 years and have 21 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchild. Judy is a member of the Christian Mothers. She is a Eucharistic Minister, helps with funerals, takes care of the church linens and a former Chair of the Pie-a-thon. Daughter Cathy who died of Cancer was married to Ernie and they have 2 sons; Brian and Evan. Son Tim, also a Knight and his wife Teresa have 10 children and are involved in their church activities. Son Terry also a Knight and his wife Carmen have 3 children. Carmen is a Cantor and Choir Director and also a part of that Pie thing. Daughter Sue, is and L.P.N. Daughter Kim and her husband Alger have 3 children. She is a Music Director and plays the Organ and both are active in their church. Their one son, Logan is a member of the Kids Choir and writes and composes music for the choir. Son Kerry and his wife Sarah have 3 children. He is a coach and she is a Teacher and very involved in their parish. I present to you the 2014 State Family of the Year from Ubly, MI The Jerome (Curly) Messing Family KCIC Michigan will kick off the 2014 season with a challenge to every Council in Michigan. Let this be the year that the True message of Christmas is Preached and Heard by all. This First is a day of Honor to Christ. Second, a day for Family, and Third, an Opportunity to Share the Christmas Message. Knights are uniquely positioned to make this happen and you can Leverage your Community Influence to make a difference in a very Positive way. 1/ Find out who the contact person is for the Billboard company that serves your community. Meet with, and find out what their Public Relations program is all about. 2/ Arrange for a KCIC Billboard to be posted for the month of December displaying your Parish name and Council name. 3/ Order the KCIC Billboard poster stock from KCIC Michigan. 4/ Purchase a starter case of Keep Christ in Christmas Cards and sell them after Masses the 4 weeks before Christmas. Profits from the Card sales should come pretty close to paying for your Billboard, and you get to infuse the True message of Christmas into your Community. Your Council will be mailed further information by mid-summer. Plan NOW to engage the Community with the REAL Christmas message, the one that keeps Christ as the focal point of Christmas. Use your influence as Knights of Columbus to stand against the secularization and the dumbing down of our Holy Christmas season. And remember: it is NOT a holiday, it is a Holy Day. SK Ken Watterson KCIC Michigan Bishop Albers Assembly 0496 517.881.0812
WE HAVE MOVED
MICHIGAN STATE COUNCIL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 6025 WALL STREET STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48312
WE HAVE MOVED