The Knight Shield - March 2026

One of the busiest fundraising times of the year has arrived!

Thanks to our Fish Fry Czar, Ray Coughlin, Charity Poker Chairman, Don Kosnik and MI Drive Chairman, Jeff Gapczynski, we are in good shape to handle all the events.

The MI Drive (Tootsie Roll Drive) is one of our biggest fundraisers. For the small cost of an hour or two of your time it pays off in big returns. All it takes is standing in front of Kroger or Vince and Joes or one of the other designated spots to collect donations for special needs kids. Almost 100% goes to the kids. The only cost is for the Tootsie Rolls. We got new vests, so we'll look sharp soliciting the donations...plus we got QR codes on our buckets so the younger folks can contribute just by scanning the code.

Bonus benefit, the Ladies of the Knights make wonderful food for the guys. It will be hot and ready for you when you come in from your assigned post. Please consider donating an hour or two for the drive on any day from March 27 to March 29.

Quick review on what our Council accomplished since our last Knights Shield: Pilgrim Icon Sacred Heart of Jesus – We had the Sacred Heart ICON for the week of January 18. It is a beautiful picture of Jesus. The Knights lead two Divine Mercy Chaplets, one during Adoration on Tuesday with the parishioners. The second was with just the Knights on Thursday. Thanks to the Knights who lead and attended the Divine Mercy Chaplets.

Coffee and Donuts – We had another coffee and donuts after the 7:45 am Mass. Thanks again to our chairman Rick Okerhjelm for setting up the Social Hall before the 7:45 Mass.

Scholarship Program – We handed out information packets at all the Masses the weekend of January 31 – February 1. We handed out 9 information packets. This is not bad for the first year of the program.  Brother Knights - If you have a daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, niece, nephew, foster child, or any dependent student living in the household of the Knight who is attending an instate Catholic school your child qualifies for the scholarship! Please consider filling out an application. Forms are available at our website www.spotknights.com.  Thanks again to the Scholarship Committee for their outstanding work getting this program started.

District Free Throw – The District Free Throw Contest was held on January 31. We only had 9 participants — one from St Paul. Our St Paul contestant went on to State! I'll let you know how he did when I get the results. Thank you William Hill for helping out. Thank you Art Krygowski for all your work promoting this event.

Charity Poker – Charity Poker was held Feb 9-12. We did alright. We did close to what we normally make. Thanks to Chairman Don Kosnik for getting all the paperwork filled out and getting the volunteers. Big shout out to the guys who volunteered: Mike Essad (who worked two days), Marv Lehman, Stan Labuda, William Hill, Mike Pasqual, Ray Sobieski, George Loewen and Dan Steele. Couldn't have done it without you guys!

Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest - We had 5 winners in the contest. We awarded two first place winners & two second place winners and one third place winner. Good news, our two first place winners, from second grade and fifth grade, went on to State! We will know later this month if they won at the state level. I'll keep you posted. Thank you Youth Director, Art Krygowski, for coordinating and promoting this contest.

Fish Fry - First fish fry was held Feb 20. It was a success! We started early and sold out early! We had plenty of volunteers before, during and after the fish fry. I can't express enough gratitude for all the additional help. It makes the work load so much easier. We sold our last dinner at 6PM and we had the hall and kitchen cleaned by 7:30 PM, that's a record! Five more to go!

Finally we had a special speaker, Matthew Zinser, from the Mission Ad Gentes group, who will be leading a Lenten program this year. Two of the members are married with children, one with 9 and the other with 10 children! Good Catholics for sure! It will be every Sunday and Wednesday during Lent at 7PM at the Church. Sessions last about an hour. Free babysitting is available. Give it a try.

Upcoming events:

• Fish Fry Every Friday until March 27

• March 12 General Council meeting

• March 14-15 & 21-22 Easter meat sales

• March 21 Corporate Communion

• March 22 Easter Egg Hunt

• March 27,28 & 29 MI Drive

Next Council meeting is Thursday March 12. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Peace and God Bless!

Gary Skarb

Motions passed at the January meeting:

• Approved to purchase table of 10 at Vocations Dinner for $450.

• Approved $100 for purchase of gift certificates to be donated to DAVL Vocations Dinner.

• Approved $250 donation to Macomb Autism Connect.

Capuchin coat collection (January 18, 2026)1200+ coats and garments

 

The Knight Shield - February 2026

It’s been a busy start to the New Year. Our Council has once again stepped up to serve the Parishioners of St Paul.

Christmas Eve Baby Jesus Procession-The tradition continues with the Knights processing the Baby Jesus in church and laying Him in the crèche outside the Church. The women of Faith processed with the Knights and laid the Baby Jesus in the inside crèche.  Fr Jim started this tradition last year and enthusiastically supported the Knights continuing the tradition.  We are blessed to have Fr Jim!

Coffee and Donuts – We knocked off another coffee and donuts after the 7:45 am Mass. Thanks to our chairman Rick Okerhjelm for setting this up.

Christmas Lights – Thanks to all the guys who took down the Christmas lights in the cold and snow. It took only a little over an hour! Good job

Capuchin Coats Collection Part II – Parishioners of St Paul’s came through again! We packed 7 vehicles to take down to the Capuchin distribution Center! Estimated 800 jackets & 300 hoodies, sweaters, gloves, hats & blankets! Amazing! Thanks to all the guys that helped collect coats at all the weekends. Thanks to the guys who packed the vehicles on a cold morning and drove down to the Capuchins Center.

Scholarship Program – The program initialization is completed. A table will be set up at all the weekend Masses on Jan 31 and Feb 1 to distribute information packets and answer any questions. 

Fish Fry – First fish fry is Feb 20. Council had to pay $1,276 to repair the bad thermostats on the ovens.  It’s kind of amazing we got through last year with those ovens.

Finally, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the Archdiocesan restructuring. There are going to be changes on how our Archdiocese and Parishes work. Change is always a challenge; however, I’m confident the Knights will continue to support our Priest and Parish in whatever structure is determined.

Upcoming events:

District Free Throw Jan 31

Charity Poker – Feb 9-12

Fish Fry Feb 20 (First one, can you believe it!)

Next Council meeting is Thursday February 12. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Vivat Jesus!

Gary Skarb

The Knight Shield - January 2026

I hope everyone had a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and I wish you all a Happy New Year! The good work of our Council continues as demonstrated by the following: 

Capuchin Coats Collection – Parishioners of St Paul’s are very generous. We packed 3 vehicles to take down to the Capuchin distribution Center! The Friars were grateful for the coats. The coat racks were empty, and our donations filled them up. Thanks to Dr Rob Amsler and Vince Ursini for heading up this effort, and all the guys who helped collect coats and pack for delivery to the Capuchins. 

Christmas Meat sales and Keep Christ in Christmas signs/ buttons- Sales were down a little this year but not too far off. We made $1,064...not bad. Thanks to Jerry Hund and Ray Coughlin who were at the sales table for all the Masses on both weekends. That’s the first half of the job. Thanks to our “Bag Man” Ted Czarny and his accomplice Sherri Czarny for setting up all the bags and files for distribution. That takes a lot of time and effort. Last, thanks to the guys that hung around the social hall waiting for the delivery truck to arrive so they could separate the orders. You get a couple of pallets of ham & kielbasa and you gotta get that stuff organized!

Christmas Lights Decoration – Once again the guys pitched in to decorate the outside of the Church for the Christmas Season. It was a bit cold but sunny so that helped. Thanks to the inside and outside guys for taking care of business. The Church looks wonderful. 

Cookies with Santa – This is not a Knights function; however, there were Knights assisting. One of the lead coordinators of the event was Knight Vince Ursini and Santa was Knight Phil Mularski. Attendance was down this year...only 33 kids attended, but that didn’t stop the fun. The hall was decorated beautifully and all had a good time. Thanks Vince and Phil.

Exemplification – We had 6 new Knights join our Council at our December 11 exemplification. I wish to welcome Robert Pardue, Luke Pardue, Dennis Kubczak, Chris Rojem and Fred Nienstedt to our Council. They are a great addition to our Council. Next meeting, if you get a chance, welcome them to our Council.

Christmas Party - The Fourth Degree Christmas Party was a success. We had 70 people attend. I thought the food was delicious. The “Sisters Act Out” entertainment was a riot. A lot of good conversation and laughs! Thanks to Worthy Navigator Art Krygowski for putting this together.

Scholarship Program – The program initialization is moving forward. Resolution was read in again at our last Council meeting and a motion was made to establish a scholarship program funded by the St Paul of Tarsus Council using funds raised from the Rosary sales and Charity poker. The Motion passed. The committee members are finalizing the documents and plan to roll this out February 1, 2026.

Upcoming events: 

Christmas December 25 
Christmas Light Removal Jan 4 (Weather permitting) 
Coat Drive for Capuchins Jan 17-18 
Pilgrim ICON – Sacred Heart Jan18-24 
Divine Mercy Chaplet lead by Knights at Adoration Jan 20 
District Free Throw Jan 31

Next Council meeting is Thursday January 8. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Happy New Year! 

Gary Skarb

The Knight Shield - December 2025

Great work of our Council continues!

Trunk or Treat – Unfortunately, I was unable to attend. It was reported to me we had 10 cars passing out candy. The weather was perfect, and we had a bunch of kids participate. I believe we had 200 hot dogs consumed! That tells me we had a lot of kids and parents out there enjoying themselves. Thanks to our Kitchen crew, the Knights and their wives who dressed up, handed out candy & helped with the games.

Memorial Mass – On a more somber note our Council had six Knights who passed away during the last 12 months. The Knights who passed are, Karl Sziisz, Mike Lombardo, Ralph Colosimo, Angelo Garavagila, Hank Kwiatkowski and Thomas Kalkman. It is our Council’s tradition to have a memorial plaque made for each of the fallen Knights. In addition to the plaques a Memorial Mass is celebrated at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. The plaques will be displayed at the Seminary. These Knights will be missed. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks to Jeff Gapczynski who drove me and Kurt Buhlinger to the Seminary for the Mass.

Flag Retirement – Thank you Phil Kwasny for handling the flag retirement. Phil spent the entire weekend at all the Masses collecting flags. Interesting note: Phil has collected over 300 flags over the past three years.

Coats for Kids – Lorri and Ray Coughlin and I delivered 36 coats to Erie Elementary under our Coats for Kids campaign! With cold weather approaching, the staff at Erie were very thankful to get the coats. I am extremely grateful to Lori Coughlin. She purchased all 36 coats. I just showed up for the picture! Thank you Lorri!

Corporate Communion – We had a Corporate Communion November 16 at 11:30am Mass. We had a decent showing...a little lighter than usual. Fr Jim recognized the Knights during his homily for all the service we do for the church. Serving the church and serving Jesus!

Charity Poker- Thanks to Chairman Don Kosnik for taking this over from Mike Hartel. The rookie did pretty good for his first time out! No issues with the licenses and getting all the volunteers. He even knew the State gambling person who visited us to check us out. We passed with flying colors. Looks like we will net over $4,000. Additional thanks to George Loewen, Stan Labuda (they did two days), Vince Ursini, Marv Lehman, Dan Steele and Ray Sobieski for volunteering their time.

Christmas Party - The Fourth Degree Christmas Party is on December 13 after the 4pm Mass. Don’t have to be a Knight...all are welcome ($35 per person; $60 per couple, payable at the door). The evening will contain entertainment by the “Sisters Act Out” comedy group, good food & beverages. Contact Art Krygowski at 586-322-9411 to reserve a spot.

Pilgrim ICON- Council will have the Pilgrim ICON of the Scared Heart of Jesus for the week of January 18, 2026. The Knights will be leading a Divine Mercy Chaplet during Tuesday Adoration on January 20 at 3PM.

Scholarship Program – Resolution was read in to establish a scholarship program funded by the St Paul of Tarsus Council using funds raised from the Rosary sales and Charity poker. The Catholic Education scholarship will be available for high school and elementary education for a family member of our Council or a parish member. Initial budget is $3,000 per year for 3 years. Three scholarships for $1,000 each will be granted each year.

Upcoming events before next general meeting: THANKSGIVING! November 27

Coat Drive for Capuchins November 29 & 30

Ham & Kielbasa sales November 29 & 30

Cookies with Santa December 7 12:45pm

Exemplification December 11 at St Paul of Tarsus at 6 PM (before Council meeting)

Next Council meeting is Thursday December 11. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING & HAVE BLESSED AND MER- RY CHRISTMAS!

Gary Skarb 

The Knight Shield - November 2025

    Great work brother Knights! Our Council got a lot accomplished in October starting with the road cleanup, living rosary, pancake breakfast and we will finish off with Trunk or Treat at the end of the month.

    Road clean up there were 11 knights who helped on a beautiful Fall day. We knocked it off in about an hour. Thank you Chairman Greg Csernai who worked setting this up & thanks to the rest of the road crew Vince Ursini, Don Kosnik, Jim Harla, Art Krygowski, Ray Coughlin, Stan Labuda, Rob Hannigan, Ken Krause, Art Crowe.

    Living Rosary turn out was pretty good. An estimated 72 people showed up and participated. The day started off blustery and cloudy with rain threatening. Mother Mary fixed that...by the time the rosary started, the clouds broke and it was sunny and breezy. Had a surprise guest show up...Tom Pardo, our Church Director, who is recovering from a broken heel. Keep him in your prayers while he goes through his recovery. Special thanks to Phil Mularski, Vince Ursini and Dr Rob Amsler who arrived early to set up the sign, get tables & chairs set up, and got the PA system up & running. Phil & Vince did a great job leading the rosary.

    Pancake Breakfast was a success. We made $1,072! So many people too thank for making this a success...all the people who helped set up, the folks who helped serve, and the kitchen & cleanup crews. Thank you all for your time & help. You may not realize this, but it takes tremendous effort to make this happen. It starts weeks ahead of time from taking inventory, and ordering and picking up food and supplies. A day before, guys are prepping the kitchen & Knights and wives are setting up the hall. On the day of the Breakfast, the Kitchen Crew arrives at 6 am to start food preparation! All the volunteers arrive to help, collect the money, serve food, run 50/50 then clean up afterward. Truly amazing!

    Council agreed to have the Pilgrim ICON of the Scared Heart of Jesus for a week sometime between Jan 11- Feb. Knights will be leading a Divine Mercy Chaplet during Tuesday Adoration. More info to follow

    The Fourth Degree Christmas Party is on December 13 after the 4pm Mass. Don’t have to be a Knight, all are welcome. $35 per person; $60 per couple. Entertainment, singing nuns comedy group, good food & beverages.

    Upcoming events before next general meeting: Trunk or Treat Oct 26; 2pm north parking lot. Memorial Mass Nov 2; 10am Sacred Heart Seminary Flag retirement Nov 8 & 9; Church gathering space.

Next Council meeting is Thursday November 13. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Vivat Jesus ! 

Gary Skarb 

The Knight Shield - October 2025

    Please keep fallen Knight, District Deputy Dan Nowakowski and his family in your prayers. He passed away suddenly...literally 3 weeks after he presided over our officer installation. Dan always supported our Council. In my short time as Grand Knight, Dan was very helpful to me. He will be missed. Rest in peace. There will be a service for him on October 3, 2025, at St Hubert Church, 10am in state, 11am Mass, luncheon to follow.

    Thank you Phil Mularski for handling the Membership Drive the first weekend in September. Your talk generated a lot of interest. Several Knights asked me about transferring into our council, and a father and son spoke to me, took our handouts and said they would join. We got some names and, hopefully we will be holding an exemplification for new Knights!

    Corporate Communion was decently attended considering it was the same day as the church picnic where a lot of the Knights and their wives were helping out. It was nice that Deacon Mark acknowledged the Knights during the Mass intensions. Thanks to the Color Corps for another strong showing. Their presence always makes it special.

    In my opinion, the church picnic was a success. The Knights played a big part in that success. We were everywhere! Thanks to our “Kitchen Crew” Kurt Buhlinger, Jeff Gapczynski, Ken Krause, Tom Gray, Rich & Lisa Miller, Ray & Lorri Coughlin, Ken Grobbel, Stan Labuda, Steve Kargenian, Paul Parker & Dan Steele. Not to forget other Knights who were there helping out or were at our information table; Worthy Field Agent Don Wesley, Mike Essad, Art Krygowski, Phil Mularski and Larry Bukowski.  Thanks to Ken Dudley for taking pictures for our website. Check out all the photos he took on www.spotknights.com . Special recognition to Vince Ursini who was one of the leads on the Picnic Committee. He was all over the place and his efforts paid off. If I missed anyone, my apologies. One last thing, it wasn’t just the day of the picnic, the Knights put in a lot of time and effort with committee meetings, getting and preparing the food, setting up and taking down tables & chairs and cleaning up afterwards. We’ve got a great Council!

Please pray for our country. It seems to me there is a lot of hatred out there. Lord harden not their hearts!

Next Council meeting is Thursday October 9. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Vivat Jesus ! Gary Skarb 

The Knight Shield - September 2025

    Thanks to our District Deputy, Dan Nowakowski, and our District Warden, Ed Perkins, for presiding over our Officer installation at our last Council meeting. Please keep Worthy Dan Nowakowski and his family in your prayers as he is dealing with some challenging health issues.

    We presented the Family of the Month to Janet Valentine. She contributes to the faith life St Paul’s being a sacristan, lecturer, leading the rosary to name a few. She was honored to receive the recognition.

    We made a $1,900 check presentation to Vietnam Vets Chapter 154 from the money collected from our fireworks parking. They greatly appreciated the donation and noted that they will assist any vet. They have a small museum dedicated to the Vietnam Vets at their office on 15 mile road and invited us to visit anytime. Thank you, Ken Krause, for finding a local charity to donate the money collected.

    Steve Kargenian and I met with Fr. Jim & Deacon Mark and presented the $8,000 check from money raised from our fish fries. The money will go to CSA. Fr. Jim expressed his appreciation and support of the Knights.

    Thanks to Phil Kwasny for making the wheelchair drive a success. He worked both weekends & collected 17 wheelchairs! All the chairs were donated to the Clinton Township Fire Department. 

    Council Camping trip on July 31-Aug 2 had good weather and looked like all enjoyed the camping.

    Council Picnic on August 23 had a good turnout & good weather. Based on the feedback I received everyone had a good time. Thanks to all who assisted Kurt in setting up. Thanks Kurt for having the picnic at your place again.

    Our next Corporate Communion is September 14 at the 9:30 Mass. Please arrive by 9:15 am and wear your polo shirts, gray or black.

    The Parish Picnic is on September 14 from 1-5pm. Knights will have an information table set up. We will need a few volunteers to be at the table.  We can discuss further at the next general meeting.

Next Council meeting is Thursday September 11. Meal at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7:30pm.

Vivat Jesus!

Gary Skarb 

Stanley Thomas Singer, Jr. June 29, 1933 - July 28, 2025

 Obituary

  It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Stanley T. Singer, Jr. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the age of 92. He was a beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Opa and friend. Stanley was born June 29, 1933, in Detroit, MI to Stanley and Agnes Singer. He was the oldest of three brothers, Ralph (passed away October 9, 2023) and Joe (Sara). He married Iris on November 12, 1960, and together they shared 64 years of marriage. They raised two sons, Stan (Jill) and Eric (Liz). He has three grandchildren, Meghan, Kaitlin, Henry (Jordan) and a great grandchild, Dean.  

    Stanley enjoyed a full life of traveling abroad with Iris and friends and taking family vacations.  His many hobbies included golfing, hunting, building model trains, and photography.  He was a devout Catholic, attending St. Lawrence in Utica, and a member of the third- and fourth-degree Knights of Columbus for over 60 years. Stan and Iris were also inducted into the Knights of Holy Sepulchre in 2014.  Stanley proudly served in the United States Army and was involved in the Boy Scouts of America for many years.

    He obtained a bachelor’s degree from U of D and held an MBA from Central Michigan University. Stanley worked at Ford Motor Company for 34 years, retiring as the Quality Manager of the Utica trim plant in 1996.

Stanley will be greatly missed. Please join the family in honoring his life at a visitation on Friday, August 8th, 2025, 2-8 pm, with a 7:00 pm Rosary at the Wasik Funeral Home, 49150 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Township. Mass of Christian Burial will begin with Mr. Singer in state at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Rd, Utica on Saturday August 9th, 2025, at 9:30 am followed by a 10 am Funeral mass.

Military honors to follow the mass.

Henry Bruno Kwiatkowski July 18, 1940 - July 10, 2025

 Obituary

Kwiatkowski, Henry Bruno. July 10, 2025. Age 84. Beloved Husband of the late Patricia. Loving Father of the late Jeffrey (Deanna) and David (Michele) Kwiatkowski. Adored Grandfather of Trevor David and Blake R. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Children's. Memorial Gathering 9:30am until the time of the 10:00am Memorial Mass on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at St. Paul of Tarsus Church, 41300 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038. Inurnment Resurrection Cemetery. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com