Exemplification with Father Kiselica. Jim Harla made his 3rd degree.

 

Requiescat in Pace - Pope Benedict XVI

The Knight Shield - January 2023

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

December has been a rough month for this council. We have lost two great Knights, Hank Leflere and Joe Kish.  Both wonderful men and Knights. They will be greatly missed for their kindness and generosity. God speed brother Knights…

We are going to be entering a busy time soon with Lent right around the corner. We are going to be doing fish fries with indoor dining this year. We will need all hands on deck to take on this challenge. Please be prepared to work at least a couple...it is fun and rewarding. Not only is this our biggest fundraiser of the year, it is also a great opportunity to meet and greet people and get them back into the church again.

Here is a little description of new years resolutions and how they started. Maybe we should consider making a resolution with our God to hold us to it?

The ever-popular but rarely successful act of making New Year’s resolutions is a lot older than many might think.  Over 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians made promises to the gods as part of Akitu, a festival that celebrated the new year. The promises often involved things like paying debts or returning borrowed farming equipment. The Babylonians were motivated to actually fulfill these promises because nobody wants to break a promise to a god.  The ancient Romans had a similar practice of making New Year’s promises to Janus, a two-faced god whose name would give us the month of January. Later Christians would view the celebration of the new year as a time to improve oneself spiritually and vow to do better in the following year. Today, resolutions are not the religious act they once were, and most people make promises to themselves rather than a deity.  

From my family to yours, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Vivat Jesus!

Tom Gray

Joseph (Joe) Kenneth Kish - February 22, 1943 - December 13th, 2022

VIEW OBITUARY 

Obituary

On Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, Joseph (Joe) Kenneth Kish passed away at age 79 in Macomb, Michigan. 

Joe was born on February 22, 1943, to Joseph and Elizabeth Kish in East Chicago, Indiana. He was an electrician by trade managing large construction projects throughout his career. For over forty years, Joe dedicated a lot of volunteer hours and work for Shriner's Children. He was a Potentate of Al Aska Shrine in 1993. He then became an associate member of Moslem Shrine in 2000. Joe was a hospital board member of Shriners Children's Ohio for 12 years. He was also co-director of the Detroit Shrine Circus for the past ten years at the Michigan State Fair, LLC. Joe was instrumental behind the scenes to make sure the Shrine Circus was ready for the Labor Day weekend. He helped bring smiles to children of all ages as they viewed the big top circus tent. For the past 15 years he worked side by side with the Circus Chairman to bring Metro Detroit the Winter/Spring Detroit Shrine Circus. Joe's selflessness was evident, and he always put others first in anything that he did/ Through the years. Joe enjoyed playing golf and bowling/ He loved traveling and spending time with his friends and family. Joe will be forever remembered by all who had the privilege to know him. 

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and his mother, Elizabeth.

He is survived by his wife Roselyn, his three children and two stepchildren, Debbie (Steve) Lowde, Michael (Tonya) Kish, Steven Kish, Scott (Bridget) Shideler, and Annabel (Timothy) Hootman; proud grandfather of 6 and great-grandfather of 2; dearest brother of Terry (Sharon) Kish, and Don (Diane) Kish; and sister-in-law Heather Murray.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 7th, 2023, at Lee-Ellena Funeral Home on Romeo Plank, 46530 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb, Michigan 48044. There will be a Shrine walk through at 4:00 PM and Alhambra service at 6:00 PM.

Henry "Hank" Camiel Leflere - November 7, 1944 – December 11, 2022

 VIEW OBITUARY 

The Knight Shield - December 2022

    I can't believe December is upon us already! Christmas will be here in a few short weeks.

    The Trunk or Treat took place after the November newsletter was written, so I will mention that we had around 100 kids.  The weather was beautiful; it was like a summer day. We could use some more trunks in the future, so please consider coming out and handing out some candy. It is fun and the kids really enjoy it.

    Last month we had our first pancake breakfast in almost three years. I personally talked to almost every table and had nothing but positive feedback. People were excited to see this event return. We did have to start over with supplies as many things were expired but we still did make a few bucks.  Most importantly though, we had people in the parish hall sitting down and talking and enjoying a wonderful meal together. We did our Coats for Kids event at Erie Elementary,  and we also added some other coats for another ministry.  We delivered 96 coats for needy children. What a good feeling to help keep kids warm for the winter.

    We also had our Texas Hold’em event and did rather well. A huge thank you to all the Knights who helped with this effort!

    MCREST is coming the week of Thanksgiving, and we are helping out St. John Anglican Church again. It is happening at the writing of this newsletter. The men are not being housed at the church, so it is pretty much just meal deliveries. Thank you to Ray for heading this ministry up again!

    Our Christmas meat sales begin next weekend 11/26-27, 12/3-4, pickup is 12/22. There is a flyer and order form attached if you would like to order.  As we prepare for a busy Christmas season with family and friends let us not forget the true reason for the season. It is the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Below are some Christian meanings behind some Christmas traditions.

Evergreen Trees were the symbol of eternal life. Martin Luther introduced them to the Reformation Church as a picture of our endless life in Christ, by bringing in a tree to his family on Christmas Eve lit with candles (Isaiah 60:13).

Candles are a picture that Christ is the Light of the world (John 8).  

Holly speaks of the thorns in His crown (Matthew 27:29).

Red is a color of Christmas that speaks of Christ's blood and death.

Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus.  Each of them speak to a component of His incarnation: Majesty in life, Bitterest Agony in Death and He as God's Perfect gift to us (Matthew 2).

The Yule Log was a symbol by which all the men in the family would carry a log large enough to burn for 12 days into the house. They were identifying with Christ and His Cross.  The fire was started with a fragment from the previous years [this refers to the eternal existence of Christ before His birth] log. It speaks of warmth, unity, joy and the security of endless life.

Mistletoe was an ancient symbol from the Roman times. It was under mistletoe that old enmities and broken friendships were restored. So Christ was the One who took away the enmity and gave us peace with God (Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1).

Bells are associated with ringing out news. Christ is the good news, the best news of all.

Myself and the entire Gray family wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas!

Vivat Jesus!

Tom Gray

PANCAKE BREAKFAST NOV. 6th - 7:45 / 9:30 am

 

The Knight Shield - November 2022

    November is here! One of my favorite months...Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, hunting season, the

changing colors, the cool air.

    We did our fall road cleanup. We had a dozen or so guys and it went well. Beautiful weather and a light garbage load made it a breeze. We were done in about an hour.  We had our Rosary Rally. It was well attended although pretty cold. What a wonderful way to honor Respect Life month and to show support to defeat Proposal 3. We hosted the St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon, I’m not sure what happened at the 9:30 and 11:30 Masses, but we did the service at 7:45 and 4:00 Masses. The Icon has moved on to St. Peter’s now.

    At the writing of this, the Trunk or Treat is coming up this weekend. I will give a report at our next meeting and mention it next month.

Our pancake breakfast has moved to November 6th. Please plan on helping out with this. These events are really fun to work and it is a good opportunity to show the parish what we do. Also on November 6th is the Memorial Mass for Knights that have passed away this year. We have four being honored. Our next corporate communion is November 20th at the 11:30 Mass. Please consider going to Mass with your brothers and their families.

This November is a very important election for the right to life. I am going to focus on Proposal 3 versus talking about candidates, as I think we all know where they stand. Since Roe V Wade in in 1973 there have been more than 63 million abortions, or murders more appropriately worded. The population of France is 65 million for a little perspective. Today for every 1,000 births there are 195 abortions. The writers of Proposal 3 are masking the truth with words like "reproductive freedom" and calling abortion

"woman’s healthcare" instead of what it really is.  Here is the actual text from the Proposal to amend the

Constitution of Michigan. Please, as you read this, pay attention to what the words are saying and, more importantly,  what they do not say. It is pretty scary.

Article 12, Section 28 Right to Reproductive Freedom

(1) Every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions ab out all matters relating to pregnancy, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care. An individual’s right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, burdened,

nor infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means. Notwithstanding the above, the state may regulate the provision of abortion care after fetal viability, provided that in no circumstance shall the state prohibit an abortion that, in the professional judgement of an attending health care professional, is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual.

(2) The state shall not discriminate in the protection or enforcement of this fundamental right.

(3) The state shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against an individual based on their actual, potential, perceived or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall the state penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against someone for aiding or assisting a pregnant individual in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with their voluntary consent.

(4) For the purposes of this section: A stat interest is “compelling” only if it is for the limited purpose of protecting the health of an individual seeking care, consistent with accepted clinical standards of practice and evidence based medicine, and does not infringe on that individual’s autonomous decision-making. “Fetal viability” means: the point in pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of

an attending health care professional and based on the particular facts of the case, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus’s sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.

(5) This section shall be self-executing. Any provision of this section held invalid shall be severable from the remaining portions of this section.[10]

After my simple mind reads this, I note the following:

• There is no provision for minors to need parental con-sent.
• There is no provision that only a physician can perform an abortion.
• There is no provision that the facilities be inspected or have to answer to any one.
• There is no provision for time or duration of the pregnancy.

This will make MI one of the most lenient states in the country, and put us up there in the world. The verbiage just has no restrictions and is purposely vague.

We are really up against it guys. The K of C MI donated $50k to the effort, and we are being outspent by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood...they have $10 million to $400 thou-sand. We need to spread the word about the lies and omissions in this proposal. With amending the state constitution it would open the door to abortion on demand, meaning no restrictions up to and after birth. So please talk to your friends and family to spread the truth. Also vote your con-science in a few weeks.

Vivat Jesus

Tom Gray

The Knight Shield - October 2022

Happy October everyone! I for one am looking forward to that cooler fall air.

    We had our Corporate Communion at 9:30 mass on September 18th. There was a pretty good turnout and it was very enjoyable attending mass with my brother Knights.  Also on September 18th we helped host a new parishioner welcome lunch. Rick Okerhjelm, Craig Thomson, Ted Czarny helped me with the food and cleaning up afterwards. It was lightly attended but the new parishioners seemed to enjoy it. Also the church was appreciative of us helping out.

    Coming up we have our semi-annual road cleanup on October 1st. We will meet in the North parking lot at 8am. The fall one is usually a little easier and if we get a good turnout we can wrap it up pretty quickly. So come on out and help keep our corner of Clinton Township a little cleaner. Some good conversation is had and it is kind of fun with some of the interesting things we find.

    October 15th we are hosting a Rosary Rally at noon on the church grounds. Tom Pardo is chairing this event. If you would like to attend or help please contact him for any further information.

    Also on October 15th the St. Joseph Pilgrim Icon will arrive at the parish. It is coming after St. Thecla's Saturday mass. It will be displayed on Sunday the 16th at all masses and Saturday the 22nd.

    October 16th will be our first pancake breakfast in a few years. Our council has decided to support MCREST at St.John Anglican church with the proceeds. Please plan on helping out with this. These events are really fun to work and it is a good opportunity to show the parish what we do.

    On October 23rd we are having the Trunk or Treat again.  This is also a really good event that is alot of fun. The kids really enjoy this one so come on out and decorate your trunk and have some fun with them.

    October is the month of the Holy Rosary. As Knights we promised to pray the Rosary as often as we can and carry it with us always. Let us not forget that promise and try to pray it a little more often this month. Please enjoy the below thought from Sister Lucia of Fatima.

    “The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”

Vivat Jesus!

Tom Gray

The Knight Shield - September 2022

    Here we are at the end of another summer and getting ready for school. I hope everyone enjoyed their summer this year and this finds you happy and healthy!

    We had our ice cream social, it was well attended on Saturday as the weather was perfect. Mother nature had other plans for Sunday so we implemented plan B and held it in the social hall. There are photos on our web site and Facebook page for your viewing pleasure.  Click here for Photos

    We also had our camping trip and pot luck at Algonac State Park. The weather was perfect and a good time was had by all. We attended mass at St. Catherine's then had dinner and some good fellowship. There will be photos on the web and Facebook soon from this event as well. Click here for Photos

    Coming up we have Corporate Communion at 9:30 mass on September 18th. Please consider joining us so we can attend mass as a group. 

    I feel compelled to write a bit about the right to life with all that is going on today. With the decision by the supreme court to rightfully put the decision on this issue in the states hands. We are truly living through a life changing time. I never thought that I would see this happen. Not trying to get too political, we really need to vote our conscience this year. Our state has a law on the books that outlaws abortion and one judge decided to put this law on hold. Laws are written by our elected officials on our behalf and to have a judge stay this law is pretty ridiculous. If the law is to be changed it needs to change in the legislature, not by one judge. Judges are to interpret and apply law, not legislate. As Catholics we believe that life is precious and a gift from conception to natural death. Scientifically we know this is true because upon conception there is a unique set of DNA for this new individual. Spiritually we know this because the soul of this new individual is created. This new life is a unique individual and precious to God. This is the reason that we as Catholic Christians are so passionate about protecting life.

Vivat Jesus!

Tom Gray