By: Ed Strach - Wed, May 15, 2024 6:43 AM

This year's Living Rosary is being held on June 15th, 2024 at 2:00 pm on the East Lawn of the Michigan State Capitol Building in downtown Lansing.

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By: Ken Warzybok - Wed, May 15, 2024 6:32 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

For more information contact:

Ken Dumais

dumaisk59@outlook.com

SPECIAL NEEDS BASEBALL FIELD IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP

TO BE NAMED AFTER THE FOUNDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

On Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at 1:00pm, Knights of Columbus will be hosting a special event to name and bless the Senior League Field of Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Division Senior League Baseball Field. The field, to be known as the "Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney" field will be a totally adaptable special needs baseball field and will be located in Neil Reid Park at 37705 Harper Road, Clinton Township, MI, 48035.

This project was made possible through the efforts of forty-three area Knights of Columbus councils who participated in a Special Olympics Initiative to raise funds for the construction of this unique field. These councils will be honored and escorted onto the field during the event.

Following the blessing and naming of the field, the league members and attendees will celebrate by launching beach balls designed to look like baseballs.  The event will feature a guest singer performing The National Anthem, a 7th inning stretch sung by the athletes of the Senior League, special presentations from local councils, and will conclude with a speech from Robbie Wachlowski, the Special Olympics of Michigan Director of Civic Partnership and State Sponsorship.

The "Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney" field is the first field in the United States to bear the name of the founder of The Knights of Columbus. By bringing attention to this event, we hope to raise awareness about the league and the special needs field, showcasing that children with special needs are children first and share more similarities than differences with children without disabilities.

Together, we can demonstrate to our communities the importance of inclusivity and support for individuals of all abilities!

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic lay organization, providing members and families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families, young people, and those with physical and cognitive challenges.

By: Patrick Oliver - Fri, May 10, 2024 3:00 PM

A Charity, Unity, and Fraternity Exemplification was held at St Mary Cathedral in Gaylord on May 11th following the 5pm Mass.

Seven new members were welcomed to St Mary Council #2781 plus two new members to Grayling Council #1982, including Father Jackuba Philibus, the newest priest to the Gaylord Diocese!

 

Also in attendance was our Worthy State Director of Ceremonials, Gene Murawski!

 

By: Robert Bagley - Wed, May 8, 2024 7:02 AM

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

Each time we make the Sign of the Cross, we renew our profession of faith; express our belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and acknowledge the divine work of creation, salvation, and sanctification. We invoke the Holy Trinity.

Never leave your house without making the sign of the cross. It will be to you a staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Are you ignorant of what the cross has done? It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. Would you then doubt its power?

1. The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church recommends the practice of sanctifying our daily life with sacramentals, chief of which is the Sign of the Cross. Many Catholics don’t know that the Sign of the Cross is sacramental!

When we make the Sign of the Cross before we begin an activity, we elevate whatever it is we are doing. It becomes an opportunity for drawing nearer to God.  Sacramentals are sacred signs that bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects—especially of a spiritual kind—that are obtained through the Church’s intercession and “are extremely powerful in our fight against the evil one.”

Other sacramentals are material, such as the Brown Scapular, Holy Water, liturgical or blessed candles, Holy relics or items such as crucifixes, medals, or rosaries. The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental gesture.

2. The Sign of the Cross should be made intentionally, never casually.

St. John Chrysostom said:

“When you sign yourself, think of all the mysteries contained in the cross. It is not enough to form it with the finger. You must first make it with faith and good will. When you mark your breast, your eyes, and all your members with the sign of the cross, offer yourself as a victim pleasing to God.”

The ritual of making the sign of the cross—if we aren’t careful—can become quick and sloppy. Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, in private or in public, we need to be attentive to what it is we are doing…Whether we are at Mass or in a restaurant it should be large and deliberate. Large because it is a witness to our faith and deliberate because it keeps our mind engaged on what we are doing.

3. The Sign of the Cross is rooted in ancient tradition.

It is clear from circumstances and from early Church fathers that the holy gesture of making the Sign of the Cross had its roots as a prayer in apostolic times.  For instance, Tertullian, who lived from 160 – 240 A.D., said the following about the Sign of the Cross:

“At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign.”  Tertullian, 160 – 240 A.D.

And St. Basil (ca. 329 – 79 A.D) said that the Apostles “taught us to mark with the sign of the cross those who put their hope in the Lord,” that is, those who presented themselves for baptism.

Initially the Sign of the Cross was made with the thumb, usually on the forehead but sometimes on the lips and chest. This small Sign of the Cross was commonly used by the end of the 4th century and is still used today at every Mass and in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Anointing of the Sick. It is also used for marking the forehead with ashes on Ash Wednesday.

By the 6th century, people were using the first two fingers, held together to make a large sign of the Cross touching the forehead, chest, and shoulders. The two fingers symbolized the two natures (divine and human) of Jesus Christ.

The use of three fingers became popular in the 9th century, by which the thumb and first two fingers were held outstretched together to symbolize the Trinity, while the remaining two fingers were bent to signify the two natures of Christ. This form of the large cross is still used today in Eastern churches where the right shoulder is touched before the left.

4. The Sign of the Cross is a blessing.

A priest will make the Sign of the Cross when blessing someone, or a group of people, such as the congregation during Mass or other liturgical celebrations. However, many parents also bless their children with this ancient sign—and this is a good thing to do!

5. The Sign of the Cross is a weapon against the devil.

St. Athanasius wrote that before the coming of Christ, demonic powers used to deceive the pagans into worshipping them and obeying their oracles. “But now,” he observed in the fourth century, “since the divine appearance of the Word (Christ), all this deception has come to an end. For by the Sign of the Cross, if a man will only use it, their deceptions are driven out.” Knowing this, it is appropriate to make the Sign of the Cross whenever we are feeling spiritually attacked. The devil hates this sign, so we wield a spiritual power when we use it.

By: Robert Bagley - Sun, May 5, 2024 4:12 PM

Knights of Columbus Council #8687 celebrated the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadlupe Silver Rose at St. Felipe de Jesus on Thursday, May 2^nd. The Silver Rose was brought to San Felipe de Jesus by Sir Knight Robert Bagley. Parishioners from San Felipe and St. Peter prayed a bi-lingual Rosary prior to a bi-lingual Mass said by Sir Knight Rev. Evelio Rameriz and Sir Knight Deacon Jose Alfaro. The Silver Rose Litany was led by Brother Joe Marble and veneration was conducted for about 100 combined parishioners and Knights of Columbus from Council 8687 and Assembly 2135.  Eighteen Knights of Columbus were present for the event.

Special thanks to SK Rev. Evelio Rameriz, SK Deacon Jose Alfaro, SK Robert Bagley, Brother Joe Marble, Lady Susie, wife of the late Leandro Hernandez, and CeCi Garcia for all of the coordination, Mass, and pictures!

By: Ken Warzybok - Sat, May 4, 2024 6:15 AM

Brother Knights,

 

I am thrilled to announce that a baseball field within the Archdiocese of Detroit is officially being dedicated to our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney. After much hard work and dedication, the Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Division Senior League Baseball Field will be blessed and named in honor of Blessed Michael McGivney on Saturday, June 15th, 2024. The ceremony will take place at 1pm at Neil Reid Park, located at 37705 Harper Road in Clinton Township. We will all meet in the school parking lot at Noon.

 

As this initiative is in partnership with Special Olympics, we are honored to have Robbie Waclawski, the Director of Civic Partnership and State Sponsorship at Special Olympics of Michigan, as our guest speaker. Director Waclawski also serves as the Director of Special Olympics for the Michigan Knights of Columbus State Council.

 

In addition, I am pleased to share that Daniel Downey, a member of St. Jane Francis DeChantel Council 13340 and a league athlete, will be presenting League President Marilyn Wittstock with flowers as a token of appreciation for her dedication to the league. Daniel will be accompanied by his fellow council delegates.

 

I will provide further details as the event gets closer. I look forward to seeing you all at the field for this momentous occasion!

 

Vivat Jesus!

 

Ken Dumais

Knights of Coumbus Council 13950

St. Mary of the Hills

dumaisk59@outlook.com

By: Ken Warzybok - Fri, May 3, 2024 7:54 AM

Fun, Fellowship, and Fundraising...what could be better? Jimmy John's Field is located at 7171 Auburn Rd, Utica, MI 48317

By: Ken Warzybok - Wed, May 1, 2024 12:52 PM

Let us come together for National Police Week to honor the brave men and women who protect us each day. Join us in filling the Cathedral with Brother Knights and their families as we pay tribute to those who serve and protect our communities.

By: Robbie Waclawski - Thu, Apr 25, 2024 8:01 AM

Brother Knights, please consider lending a hand at this year's Special Olympics Summer Games!

By: Ken Warzybok - Wed, Apr 24, 2024 9:44 PM

Brothers, you will be receiving your tickets in the mail soon!