2020 Fall MI Drive

Published on: Sunday, October 11, 2020

Road Clean Up 2020 - Thanks To All

Published on: Monday, October 5, 2020

The Knight's Shield - October 2020

Published on: Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Happy Autumn Everyone!!

I hope this finds that everyone is safe and healthy during these trying times.

Currently, we are planning for the October meeting to be outdoors. If weather is threatening, we will hold it under the canopy. I am going to move the time up 1/2 hour from 7:00 pm to 6:30 pm to give us a little more daylight. We will be voting on the By- Law update and resolution at this meeting. You can also provide feedback by contacting me or any other officer of this council.

Without any change to the State mandate from our Governor’s Executive Order of no more than 10 people at an indoor gathering, we wil have to go to virtual meetings starting in November, as the weather will no longer permit outdoor meetings. I will send out a Zoom invite to attend the meeting a week or so prior, unless something changes.

The Road Clean-up is going to be October 3. See the attached flyer for details.

Regarding the MI Drive this year...after much deliberation and discussion, our council leadership has decided to forego hitting the streets. We are going to do a virtual MI Drive. Stay tuned for more information, as we will all need to participate. We will probably be doing a “Go Fund Me” or something like it. We will need to spread the word virtually to as many people as possible via social media and email to be successful. We will be looking for some volunteers to be at the Masses on Columbus Day weekend to man the tables with jugs so parishioners can donate. We will also have signs prepared with the info for the virtual drive.

We are going to have to cancel the Trunk or Treat event as well because of Covid.

On a positive note, Father McGivney’s Beatification Mass is October 31. In honor of this, listed below are 10 things you probably did not know about him.

1. Not only Catholics, but even Protestants were inspired by Father McGivney’s witness of faith. Alida Harwood, the daughter of a prominent Episcopal minister in New Haven, frequented Mass at St. Mary’s Church where Father McGivney served. When Alida contracted malaria at the age of 25 and lay on her death bed, it was Father McGivney that she asked to see.

2. He was a surprisingly good baseball player. We know that in one game with his seminary team, he scored three runs, contributing to a big victory with a score of 23-6. He paved the way for a long history of baseball planers who would join the Knights.

3. More forward-thinking that Yale? Father McGivney pushed the boundaries as a theater director. At a time when, according to Parish Priest, nearby Yale University was limiting theater to only male actors. Father McGivney welcomed women to perform when he directed his parish’s St. Patrick’s Day play in 1880.

4. He helped young people take charge of their lives and create a better future. Father McGivney saw that many young men were neglecting their religion and turning to alcohol abuse. In response, he founded St. Joseph’s Total Abstinence and Literary Society, a group that helped young men stay strong in the faith and become active in their communities. No doubt, Father McGivney’s experience with this group prepared him when he later founded the Knights of Columbus.

5. His vision for the role of the laity was very unusual for the time. Seventy-seven years ahead of the Second Vatican Council, the idea that a Catholic organization could be led by laymen was quite extraordinary. Yet that was Father McGivney’s vision for the Knights of Columbus.

6. He ministered to inmates. Father McGivney was responsible for ministering to inmates in the city jail. One inmate was 21-year old Chip Smith who, while drunk, shot and killed a police officer. Smith was convicted for first-degree murder and sentenced to be hanged. Father McGivney ministered to him daily and, on the day of Smith’s execution, the priest was filled with sorrow. Just before he died, Smith comforted him: “Father, your saintly ministrations have enabled me to meet death without a tremor. Do not fear for me, I must not break down now.”

7. He was only 38 years old when he died in a 19th century pandemic. And that’s actually not surprising — life expectancy was short for priests in Connecticut during this time in history when the Catholic population was growing in American. Disease was common and the priests were overworked.

8. He’s on the path to sainthood. Father McGivney’s beatification this year is the latest development in his cause for canonization.

9. His belongings were burned when he died. When Father McGivney died, his personal items were burned to prevent the spreading of disease. Only a small number of his writings and belongings remain.

10. He is known to intercede especially in four areas (from Columbia magazine):
• Employment and Finances. Just as parishioners looked to Father McGivney for help when “No Irish need apply” was often included in job postings, so today many receive help when they are laid off or seeking a better job.
• Substance Abuse. In Father McGivney’s day, alcoholism afflicted the immigrant population, and many now find relief from drug or alcohol abuse after praying to him.
• Family Reconciliation. Father McGivney helped Continues to respond to the prayers of families.
• Return to the Faith. Father McGivney founded the Order to keep men from joining anti-Catholic societies. Today, many Catholics receive favors when calling upon him to help their fallen-away children return to Mass.

I pray that you and your families and friends all stay safe during this pandemic.

Vivat Jesus!
Tom Gray

The Knight's Sheild - September 2020

Published on: Monday, August 31, 2020

Autumn is almost upon us. I don’t know about you , but I am ready for some cooler weather. I hope this finds you and your families well!

Currently, we are planning for the September meeting to be outdoors again. Construction is at 98% complete, according to my source. The hall and kitchen are now open for business. The pantry is almost moved in, just a minor amount remains to be moved. We just need final occupancy in order to begin using the pantry and Religious Ed areas. Estimate is a couple of weeks, but you know City Hall… Regardless of occupancy, we are still under orders from the State and the Archdiocese that we are limited to 10 individuals indoors. If weather is threatening, we will hold the meeting under the new awning. We will plan for the bells and the irrigation this time.

We did a rosary for Brother Joe Hopersberger on Monday, August 25. There were 10 Knights in attendance. A special thank you to Phil Mularski for leading and the doing the mysteries. Also, thank you to George Loewen, Art Krygowski, Vince Ursini, Henry Leflere and Mike Hartel for each doing a decade. Also in attendance were Sal Ales, Frank Burda and Ralph Pullis. The family was very appreciative.

We have been asked by the parish to move our monthly general meeting from the 2nd Monday to the 2nd Thursday of the month to accommodate Religious Ed having access to the social hall. Attached is a resolution to do that. Also attached is a draft of the updated By-Laws for the Council. In order to change the night, we have to update the By-Laws. There are also a couple of more items the Council leadership would like to update. Please review these items and be prepared to discuss them at the next membership meeting. You can also send me correspondence if you have any issues or revisions to GK11689@mikofc.org, or call at 586-265-9885.

Vivat Jesus!
Tom Gray

Joseph Earl Hopersberger - NOVEMBER 27, 1946 – AUGUST 19, 2020

Published on: Friday, August 21, 2020

The Knight's Shield - August 2020

Published on: Thursday, July 30, 2020

Happy August all!

I hope everyone is safe and healthy during these trying times. I also hope that everyone is enjoying this hot summer thus far.

We should be on the council camping trip by the time you receive this newsletter.

Currently we are planning for the August meeting to be outdoors again as the last two meetings. We are holding hope that we will be able to access the social hall by then in order to not worry about the weather. Construction is nearing the end, they are tying up loose ends. Target is mid August for occupancy which is the reason we are planning for outdoor general meeting. If weather is threatening we will hold it under the new awning.

Supreme is advocating a new program called "Leave No Neighbor Behind" in response to the pandemic.
1. Support your brother Knights.
2. Support your Parish.
3. Support your community.
4. Feed the hungry.
5. Give blood.

Our state motto for the year is "Rise up and answer the call!". What does "the call" mean to you? To me, it means to be a better man, catholic, father, husband, brother, etc. So what can we do to rise up and answer the call? We can volunteer more of our time and talent for the betterment of society. God knows that the world needs that right now more than ever. Be an advocate for the less fortunate, the marginalized in society.

Be a voice for the unborn who have cannot speak for themselves yet. Be the voice of reason amongst your family, friends, and coworkers, but do so with love and respect. Be a calming presence in a time of turmoil. "The call" can also be to step into some leadership roles, we are looking for some good men to fill some gaps in our council leadership. If you are hearing "the call", let me know and I can find somewhere that you can help keep this council running smoothly.

Vivat Jesus,
Tom Gray

The Knight's Shield - July 2020 Spot Knights

Published on: Thursday, June 25, 2020

First off I want to thank you for your confidence in electing me Grand Knight for this council. I am honored. I can only hope I can live up to the past Grand Knights, as they have set the bar pretty high. I want to thank outgoing Grand Knight, Mike Hartel, for his dedication, hard work, and service to our council. He did a wonderful job and deserves our gratitude! I also want to thank the outgoing officers for their hard work and service to the council. This is a great council, and it would not run as smoothly as it does without the good leadership that we have. Next, a thank you to the incoming officers. I appreciate you offering your time and talents to run our council, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I have one more thank you and that is to the entire council membership. It not only takes great leadership as really nothing would get done without the general membership taking part and participating... so thank you all for all you do!

I hope everyone is safe and healthy during these trying times. Currently we are planning for the July meeting to be outdoors again as was the June meeting. We are holding hope that we will be able to access the social hall by then in order to not worry about the weather. It has been nice to return to the mass, although a little odd with the masks and social distancing. I believe that it is worth it to be receiving the Eucharist again though. It is just not the same watching on TV for me.

My next topic is not so pleasant. I have been made aware of a complaint about our elections this year. There is a perception that some positions were chosen by the officers, and I want to clear this up right away. I will also discuss this at the July general membership meeting and open it up for questions and discussion.

I want everyone to know that this is "our" (meaning everyone's) council. We start off the election process with officer nominations being taken at the April and May general meetings. We did not have those meetings this year due to Covid-19, so we took them via email/phone calls. They were posted on the website and in the newsletter. We also take nominations before we vote at the June meeting. Any member can either nominate any other member or himself for any position. If there are multiple nominations for a position after everyone is qualified as being able and willing to serve, we will hold a vote to determine who is elected to that position. If there is only one candidate they are elected by acclimation after a motion, 2nd, and a vote. This year we were missing a couple of key positions, and we did actively recruit members to fill those positions. Recruiting for positions should in no way be misconstrued as being dishonest or not following the rules. We simply want to keep good men in all positions to insure continuity of this great council. I hope this helps to quell any issues anyone has about our election process and if there are any problems with this please do not hesitate to contact me or bring it up at our next meeting for discussion.

Our 2020-21 board of officers was elected at the June general membership meeting and the results are as follows:

Grand Knight - Tom Gray
Deputy Grand Knight - Phil Mularski
Chancellor - Kevin Kennedy
Recorder - Rob Tusset
Treasurer - Ray Coughlin
Warden - Tony Guido
Inside Guard - Joe Kish
Outside Guard - Vince Ursini
Advocate - Ken Krause
3-Year Trustee - Mike Hartel

I will be working on appointments of some director positions very soon. If you are interested in a leadership position, it is a good step to get your feet wet being a director. Just let me know if you are interested.

Vivat Jesus,
Tom Gray

Outgoing Grand Knight’s Mike Hartel Closing Remarks

We look forward to your support for your elected officers in the new fraternal year which begins on July 1. The council is in good hands with Tom as our new Grand Knight, Phil as the Deputy Grand Knight and many returning and new officers and directors.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support and fraternity you have given Karla and me over the last two years. We had quite a few changes and challenges over the past two years. A new Faith in Action program, transfer to a new District, construction at church and the Covid virus to mention just a few.

I believe that with your participation and support, our council is as strong as ever and will continue to do the good works the Knights of Columbus are known for. Thank you for all that you do and may God Bless each and every one of my Brother Knights and their families!

Vivat Jesus,
Mike Hartel