The Knight Shield - September 2023

    Fall is right around the corner, but what a summer it has been. The Ice Cream Social was terrific, the Council Camping at Algonac was well attended with a special appearance by the "Ladies of the Knights", the Council Picnic at Kurt Buhlinger’s place was a big hit and Shrub and Tree Trimming all got done. 

    In addition to all the fun stuff (I hear some groans from the Shrub & Tree trimming volunteers), two exemplification ceremonies occurred, one in each month of July and August. We welcomed (3) new members into SPOT 11689 K of C Council, (3) new Knights into John F Kennedy Council and (1) new Knight into St Thecla Council. Plus, we have (2) more pending for Council 11689. That’s a great start to the recruiting year and congratulations goes out to our Membership Director Phil Mularski. These words from Grand Knight Tom Torrento from John F Kennedy Council made an impression on me. He told the new Knights that “my decision to join the K of C was the most important thing I’ve done in my life, and it will be yours as well”. What a great attitude. And when I hear the feedback and sincere thanks we received from the (7) local organizations that the MI Drive fund went to, we are all reminded how important our efforts are and that all our hard work pays off.

    The Exemplification Committee chaired by Mike Hartel and George Loewen in the past two months was outstanding. We had several State officers in the August Exemplification that personally thanked me for the great job, but the thanks goes to the members of the Exemplification team. You made our Council look good, thanks Brothers! 

    A recent Journeymen’s session asked the question; Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire (to be used only when you need it)? I’m reminded of the popular Country song “Need a Favor”. The lyrics read “who am I to expect a Savior, if I only talk to God when I need a favor”. Those words hit hard. Sin and prayer are incompatible . . . Pray more, sin less . . . 

    It will be another busy month in September with a Corporate Communion on the 17th and the Pancake Breakfast on the 24th. Rise up Brothers and let’s tackle those challenges as well. 

God bless our Council and God Bless the Knights of Columbus.

Vivat Jesus! 

Vincent Ursini

 

James Henry Hubbard - AUGUST 13, 1929 – JULY 30, 2023

 Obituary of James

The Knight Shield - August 2023

    I love August. Football arrives before the end of the month with men working shoulder to shoulder for a common goal. Sound familiar?

    It’s a good time to talk about one of our founding pillars; Fraternity. The Ice Cream Social was a good example. Several Knights came out to get things set up and share in some comradery. The tent got put up in record time and although the weather was a bit of a struggle on Saturday, Deacon Marc came through with access to the Social Hall. Sunday, the sky was filled with sunshine and warmth. We had fun with Parishioners and fellow Knights alike. Having served roughly 160 constituents over the weekend, the event was a very successful activity. We received compliments and thank you’s from many of those participating in addition to Father Bill (who was a joy to have around). If you haven’t already done so, check out the terrific photos our Worthy Webmaster Ken Dudley posted. It was a satisfying feeling working alongside our brothers (and sisters) to accomplish that goal. Congratulations go out to our chairmen, Ken and Christine Krause.   

    Knights have many opportunities within this Council to join with like-minded friends and family to go to Mass together, eat, socialize, and do the good of the order. But it goes beyond just the fun stuff. Our struggles are not just in the physical. Support for our religious goals is just as important. And YES, we need our fellow man for that as well. Lean on each other for help when needed. Rob Amsler introduced a great new program with Rosary bracelets. And from his personal experience, just transferring a rosary bracelet from your wrist to the wrist of someone in need will help them. I know personally, there is much to learn about our religion, and I open myself to listening to Brothers who are much further down that path than I. It’s a reassurance of the promise that God has made to us.

Looking forward to seeing all in our upcoming Potluck at Mr. Buhlinger’s place and as always . . .

God bless our Council and God Bless the Knights of Columbus

Vivat Jesus !

Vincent Ursini

GRAND KNIGHT VINCE!!!

 

The Knight Shield - July 2023 - Welcome Our New Grand Knight -- VINCE!!!!

    Summer is here and July is the start of our new K of C Fraternal year. It will be a busy one again this year with a new twist. A new Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight.

    First let me say, that I am truly honored to be the Grand Knight of SPOT Council #11689. It truly is a blessing to do this job now. Since I've been with the Knights we've had terrific leadership. Starting with Bruce Arnold and his three terms, I learned a lot from Bruce about negotiation and working with other SPOT groups. Then on to Art Krygowski with his passion for youth programs; Mike Hartel pulling together new social programs like Euchre and of course our latest three term grand knight Tom Gray who negotiated us thru the COVID times and on to normality once again. Tom was the right guy, at the right time for this council. So, I've got some terrific mentors and I’m confident they will bring me up to speed quickly. I’m open to constructive criticism from all of our members, officers or not. I want to listen to your ideas. This Council succeeds with all of us moving in the same direction. Our District Warden Ed Perkins has said that “our Community is better off because of the actions of the Knights of this Council”. And he’s absolutely right.

    A note to our new Deputy Grand Knight, Gary Skarb.  Gary and I have been on similar paths over the years starting out with the Men’s Group under Ken Dombrowski and moving on as officers in the Knights Council. He will be a terrific deputy grand knight and I know we will work well together. I thank him for stepping up and for the Brotherhood for embracing him.

    No one person does this job alone and I know the hard-working folks here in the council we'll continue to make this council successful. I'll work hard to do my part to assist and lead this great council onto continued success with your help Brothers. My passion is for giving young people a reason to come back to church and continue their relationship with Jesus.  And, in being part of the original Parish picnic program, I’d like to look for opportunities to restart that program. Appreciate the vote of confidence and look forward to getting to work even closer with each and every one of you.

God bless our Council and God Bless the

Knights of Columbus.

Vivat Jesus!

Vincent Ursini

A Parting Note from PGK Tom Gray

    As I wrote in my last newsletter article, I am truly thankful for the love and support I and my family have received during my time as Grand Knight. It was a difficult three years. Starting out with Covid, having meetings outside in the parking lot, Zoom meetings, coming up with drive-through fish fries with social distancing, the passing of my son, getting Covid three times surgeries, etc. The way this group responded was just outstanding. When someone is down, you lift them up and pick up the slack to keep things going. I am so grateful for the time I have served this Council. I truly did get a different perspective of the goodness that is in all of you people while leading this group.

    I have had many people come to me with kind words about the job I did as Grand Knight. While I do appreciate them, I do usually try to point out that I really did not do that much. It is this Council that is so great! I won’t go as far as to say that it runs itself...but it is pretty close. Just a little nudge here and there is all that is required. I have grown very close to some of you, and I am very thankful for this experience. It is wonderful to see all the great things that we can do when we, the men and women of this Council, work together toward the common goal of doing good works for others.

I feel truly blessed...and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.

Vivat Jesus!

Tom Gray

Past Grand Knight

From Brother Kurt Buhlinger

 

Tom & Renee Gray

Had a great time at the Knights of Columbus conference on Mackinaw Island. Beautiful weather and wonderful people.

The Knight Shield - June 2023

    June has arrived and summer is right around the corner.  School will be ending soon and graduations and wedding season is here.

    We had our second round of nominations and elections at our May meeting. Below are your officers for the 2023-4 fraternal year. A huge thank you to the outgoing and incoming officers for the gift of their time and talent to lead this great council

    Kurt Buhlinger and I are preparing to represent the council at the state convention on Mackinac Island this week. I will report out on the state of the order at our next meeting.  Speaking of our next meeting on June 8th, it is our pot luck and awards night. We will share in a meal. Then there will be an “abbreviated” meeting just to take care of business.  We will then begin the awards portion. I will be sending out a sign up like last year for the pot luck so keep an eye out for it. If you cannot do the online sign up please do not hesitate to call or email me and I will put you down. Also if you are unable to bring a dish, you are still welcome to come, just let me know so we have a count for the chicken.  

    As my time as Grand Knight is coming to a close, I have had many people approach me with kind words. I do appreciate them; however, I want you all to know it has been my honor and privilege to serve you and this council as part of the leadership team. There is no way one person could do the work required to make this council what it is.  I will speak more on this at the pot luck dinner but for those unable to attend I wanted you all to hear it. This council has become a family to me. I truly believe that is why we call each other Brother Knights. During my three years I had some rough times, and the men and women of this council stepped up and carried on when I couldn’t.  Between our son passing, getting Covid (a few times), surgeries, etc. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you all for the love and support my family has received.

God bless you and all that you do!

Vivat Jesus!
Tom Gray