New Navigator Ben Dandrow is welcomed at the District meeting on March 18th as the newest leader in MI District 2. He became Faithful Navigator on January 1, 2023 for Jackson Area Assembly #2186. L to R: Master Joe Yekulis, FN Ben Dandrow, FM George Walrath, Comptroller Jeff Thomas.
Supreme Civic Awards were presented to the following Assemblies by Master Joe Yekulis. Brian Wemple – Battle Creek, Ron Pioch – Lansing, Mark Studnicka – Hudson, Ben Dandrow – Jackson, and Don Pollard – Flushing
Master Joe Yekulis presents the 21-22 Star Assembly Award to Don Pollard of Flushing Assembly #2211.
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“Twenty members of Cardinal O’Hara Assembly (and one from #2050), came together at St. Louis Center on Saturday March 11 for a Lenten Retreat led by Servants of Charity Fr. Franklin Arokiodoss. It was a great day to be a Sir Knight”
This past Thursday, March 9, 2023, Worthy Comptroller, Tom Kehr and Faithful Admiral James Pitsch from K of C Assembly 2135 delivered three gross of toothpaste and toothbrushes with a $1,000.00 check to the Battle Creek Veterans Administration VAVS for our Veterans who are housed there and for our Homeless Veterans. The money will be used for in-house activities as our Veterans are still in lockdown as COVID continues to affect the operations there. If your Council or Assembly makes a direct donation to our VA Centers in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek or Wyoming, please let me know so that we can be sure to honor your group for your charity to our Veterans. Also please consider joining us with a donation of $250.00 to Operation Patriotism’
Thank you and God bless.
Jim Pitsch
K of C District 2 VAVS Director
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Feb. 25, 2023 was the State Chaplain’s Tribute Banquet for the MI K of C, and on behalf of the MI Patriotic 4th Degree I presented a new sword and baldric to State Chaplain Aiden Logan along with D1 Master Gene Shuchyta. Fr. Logan has been a Chaplain to the Navy, USMC and USAF, and it was an honor to make this presentation in front of the 460 Knights and their wives gathered together at Zuccarro’s in Chesterfield Twp. God bless America!
2022 District 2 Staff Christmas Party Hosted by Joe & Denise Yekulis.
Representatives from MI District 2 present a $1,000 check from Operation Patriotism to support homeless veterans at the New Hope Center in downtown Lansing on Wednesday November 23, 2022. Present were FN Russell Pate from Assembly #3334, District 2 Master Joe Yekulis, Division Director Nancy Oliver from Holy Cross Services, Ron Weingartz – Holy Cross Board, FN Ron Pioch of Assembly #0496, and Sr. Marshal Bill Currie.
The New Hope Center Building looking north from downtown Lansing on Wednesday November 23, 2022
New SK David Censkes of Battle Creek Assembly #505 receives his new sword after purchasing a new uniform on the night of his initiation into the Fourth Degree. Presenting the sword was District Master Joe Yekulis with the help of FN Brian Wemple on November 16, 2022 at St. Philip Parish in Battle Creek.
Faithful Navigator Brian Wemple of Assembly #505 and District 2 Master Joe Yekulis present a $1500 check to Volunteer Services Staff Member Joe Devyak on November 16, 2022 at the VA Hospital in Battle Creek from Operation Patriotism. The donation supports three important VA programs during the Christmas holidays.
District Master Joe Yekulis presented new Sir Knight Dan Burke (holding sword) with his new sword after his wife Wendi purchased a new uniform for him on their way home from the October 15th Exemplification in Michigan Center. The presentation took place after Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Parish on Nov. 10th. (L to R) FN Don Powell, Fr. Paul Erickson, Wendi & Dan Burke, SK Roger Epps, and Lady Denise and Master Joe Yekulis.
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85th Exemplification at Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center Oct 15th, 2022
Additional Pictures: HERE
Executive Director of Fisher House MI spoke at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Opening of Fisher House at Ann Arbor VA Hospital. She will be the guest speaker for the Ladies Program at the October 15th Exemplification.
District Friar Fr. Brian Lenz and Master Joe Yekulis met with the leaders of Westphalia Assembly #1509 for their Officer Installation Ceremony on Wednesday September 21st at the Portland K of C Hall.
“The four 4th Degree K of C Masters of Michigan and their wives came together for a photo at the State Officer’s Installation Reception at the Detroit Yacht Club on Saturday September 10, 2022. (L to R) Dale & Dee Korson MI4, Larry & Jennifer Herman MI3, Joe & Denise Yekulis, MI2, and Mark and Janice Brzezenski MI1.” Congratulations to newly installed Master Korson, covering the Northern Lower Peninsula from Grand Rapids to Saginaw.
The Jackson and Hudson Assemblies gathered together on August 31st at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Michigan Center to celebrate their Officer Installation ceremony and enjoyed a Mass with Fr. David Stawasz from St. Louis Center.
Members of the Buchanan and Benton Harbor Assemblies gathered in Niles, MI for their Officer Installation Ceremony with Master Joe Yekulis presiding and Marshal Karl Kerchief assisting on Tuesday August 23rd.
Lansing, Dewitt Assembly Officer installation 8/24/22
Dewitt Ox Roast Parade 8/20/22
Paw Paw Assembly Officer Installation 8/18/22
Ann Arbor/Howell Assembly Officer installation 8/10/22
2022 Vocations night at Lugnut Stadium in Lansing on August 5th. See Pictures HERE
The first assembly officer installation of the summer took place at the Bronson K of C Hall for Bronson Assembly #500 and Battle Creek Assembly #505 on Tuesday August 2, 2022. Very Rev. Fr. Robert Creagan served as our Kalamazoo Diocesan Friar, and the Installation was managed by District 2 Master Joe Yekulis with the assistance of Travel Marshal Matt Wierzgac.
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July 4th, 2020 at Lugnut Stadium in Lansing, Presenting the Colors.
6/25/2022 District 2 at Faithfest in Dewitt MI, Escorting the Mass Party & Presenting Donation Check for Fireworks.
6/14/2022 Flag Day in Lansing at Assembly 0496 Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at Columbus Hall
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May 14th 2022 Living Rosary on the Steps of the Capitol Building
The four Masters of Michigan and their Ladies gathered together at the Hilton Inn in Bay City, Michigan for the Exemplification of the 4th Degree in MI District 4 on Saturday April 30, 2022. (L to R) Master 4 Keith Woodrum and Lady Marie, Master 3 Larry Herman and Lady Jennifer, Master 2 Joe Yekulis and Lady Denise, and Master 1 Mark Brezenski and Lady Janice.
Congratulations to Pat Stankey, winner of the 4th Degree Quilt Raffle held on Sunday May 1st at the end of 10 a.m. Mass. Pat’s entry was drawn by Fr. Bill Turner, and the quilt was immediately presented to her at her home that morning. Special thanks to all of the St. Mary Parishioners, Office Staff, and Leadership Team Members who supported the raffle, which raised $855 for Michigan District 2 of the 4th Degree and its patriotic work on behalf of Veterans and the Church. Thanks also to Susan Katona, who donated the beautiful handmade patriotic quilt for the cause.
84th Exemplification of the Fourth Degree in MI District 2 at St. Philip Parish and High School in Battle Creek, MI on April 23, 2022
A moment of Silence at Wreath Laying Ceremony, SD Walter Winkle and Class Honoree Very Rev. Robert Creagan
84th Exemplification – 42 Candidates 4/23/22
Priest Exemplification in Portland, MI with one priest and four lay candidates, 4/20/22
84th Exemplification – 61 Women at the Ladies Program 4/23/22
“On Monday March 21st, Assembly #2211 in Flushing, MI gathered 10 honor guards together for a refresher course taught by Sr. Marshal Bill Currie. District Master Joe Yekulis was also in attendance. 
In this photo, members led by their CC Commander process up the aisle at St. Robert Catholic Church in Flushing.”
Members of Flushing CC #2211 practice the “sword salute” for a funeral detail.
“Members of #2211 CC in Flushing gather for a photo on the altar of St. Robert parish with Sr. Marshal Bill Currie (1st row – rt.)”
For Pictures of the March 5th District Bienniel Meeting Click HERE
District 2 Master Joe Yekulis (2nd from left) presents a 2021 Civic Award to FN Paul Koleda (center) at St. Jude Parish on the evening on January 25, 2022 following a Mass with Bishop Boyea. Joining the photo were PFN Jeffrey Archer, State Warden Jim Kraus, and PFN Pat Schneider. The award was for the work of St. Francis Assembly #2982 for the 2021 fraternal year.
District 2 Master Joe Yekulis (center), met with Faithful Navigators Brian Wemple (#505 Battle Creek) and Lou Scohy (#500 Bronson) at the Kalamazoo Diocesan Meeting in Portage, MI on 1/18/22 to promote the upcoming 84th Exemplification of Michigan District 2 on April 23, 2022 in Battle Creek
January 7th Call-out for Fr. Dave Hudgins Viewing at St Joseph Church in Brooklyn Mi.
Following the repatriation ceremony at the Fr. Custer National Cemetery on November 30th, District 2 Master Joe Yekulis and Kalamazoo Diocesan Marshal Karl Kerchief visited the Battle Creek VA Hospital to present staff with their Operation Patriotism check. Mr. Todd M. Greenman, Chief of Community and Volunteer Services, received our donation check of $1500 to support Veteran accounts for Personal Care, Recreation and “Remember-A-Vet” funds. This will be especially helpful as we enter the Christmas season of Advent
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December 2, 2021 MI K of C Fourth Degree Supports Repatriation of WWII Marine Augusta, MI
A WWII Marine who fought in the Battle of the Pacific was brought home to the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan to be interred at his final resting place on Tuesday November 30, 2021. Marine Corps Corporal Andrew Pellerito was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force when it landed in the Tarawa Atoll in the Pacific against heavy Japanese resistance on November 20, 1943. He was killed on the first day of the battle, and his remains were considered non-recoverable. However he was recently identified through DNA testing on August 19, 2021, and returned to Michigan for a full military burial.
Accompanied by approximately 30 family members and friends, ten members of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard of the Michigan Knights of Columbus from three districts in the Father Hennepin Province were present to support the full military service, along with a dozen active duty Marines and ten members of the Ft. Custer Military Honor Guard.
The wife of District 4 Master, Marie Woodrum, was actually a blood relative of Corporal Pellerito
Members of the 4th Degree contingent from Michigan who attended included:
District 1 – Archdiocese of Detroit: Master Mark Brezinski, SK Robert Ciavaglia, SK Gene Suchyta
District 2 – Dioceses of Lansing/Kalamazoo: Master Joseph Yekulis, FM David Buick, Sr. Marshal Bill Currie, Marshal Karl Kerchief
District 4 – Dioceses of Grand Rapids/Saginaw: Master Keith Woodrum, SK Walter Cummings, SK Antonio Rodriguez
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District Master Joe Yekulis visited Lansing on Monday November 15, 2021 to visit the New Hope Community Center at 430 N. Larch St. to deliver the District’s Operation Patriotism donation check. Present for the check presentation were Director Sharon Dade and Holy Cross Board President Ron Weingartz. The Center received a $1,000 check that will be dedicated to the “Veteran’s Only” Room on the second floor of New Hope Center. Director Dade was grateful for the donation and said, “Our veteran’s really appreciate the help of the Knights of Columbus, and look forward to upgrading the furniture in their room.”
Leaders of Michigan District 2 visited the Fisher House next to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital on Wednesday November 10th to deliver the check from Operation Patriotism. The $1500 that was donated to Fisher House Michigan will be matched as a result of a pledge drive currently underway and will now be worth $3,000 for this home away from home for Military Families whose loved ones are being treated at the Ann Arbor VA hospital. Pictured (L to R) are Pride Director Michael Babuik, House Manager April LaRock, District Master Joe Yekulis, Development Chief Stephen Sparr, and VAVS Director John Yanok. The money will be put to use to provide fresh food for the many families who stay at Fisher House throughout the year.
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83rd Exemplification in Dewitt
This picture was taken at the Annual Blue Mass held by Fr. Anthony Strouse at St. Pius in Flint. 10/2021
“The Michigan District 2 Leadership Team met at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Michigan Center on Saturday October 2, 2021 to prepare for the upcoming Exemplification on October 23rd in Dewitt. Pictured are Former Master Phil Arbanas, FN Mark Studnicka of Hudson #1969, District 2 Master Joe Yekulis, State Warden Jim Kraus, FN Don Burtnett of Jackson #2186, and Former Master George Walrath.”
On Monday, September 27, 2021, the Assembly officers from Benton Harbor and Buchanan were installed at the start of their meeting. Pictured are (l to r) FN Tom Erdmann of Benton Harbor, Fr. Bob Creagan (Kalamazoo Diocese), District 2 Master Joe Yekulis, and FN Carl Kent of Buchanan.
State Deputy Walter Winkle, along with FM David Buick (L) and Master Joe Yekulis, presented a check for $7,200.00 to the Faithfest this summer to cover the cost of the evening’s fireworks.
The five Lansing Area Assemblies of Michigan District 2 came together for their Officer Installation Ceremony at St. Gerard Parish on September 1, 2021. The “Leadership Team” included Sr. Marshal Bill Currie, FN James Wyszynski #2815, FN Paul Koleda #2982, FN Lawrence Adams #1509, FM David Buick, Master Joseph Yekulis, FN Ronald Pioch #496, and FN Russell Pate.
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August 21st: Honor Guard presence in the Dewitt Ox Roast Parade
 FN John Sexton, Jr. of Kalamazoo Assembly #2135 at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Gaines on 8/12/21 |
 FN Dale Boone of Kalamazoo Assembly #513 at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Gaines on 8/11/21 |
 FN Frank Hanchuk of Paw Paw Assembly#522 at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Gaines on 8/11/21 |
 FN Chris Porter of Fenton Assembly #2021 at St. Joseph Parish Hall in Gaines on 8/12/21 |
 FN Kelly Donnellon of A2 Cardinal O’Hara Assembly #0489 at Ann Arbor St. Thomas Picnic Grounds 8/11/21 |
 FN Michael Babiuk of Howell Assembly #2050 at Ann Arbor St. Thomas Picnic Grounds 8/11/21 |
The Kalamazoo Honor Guard can take pride in helping Fr. Tom celebrate 8 years of priesthood.
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Council 4090 and Ardon F. Dubie Assembly 523 teamed up with The Young Marines of Lapeer County in the annual Davison Festival of Flags.
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June 15, 2021
Joint Award Night for the two Lansing Assemblies. Sir Knight of the Year was presented to SK Ben King of Assembly 0496 and to SK Bill Currie of Assembly 3334.
June 5th, 2021
Living Rosary at the State Capitol
5/27/21
District 2 Master Joe Yekulis and Lady Denise had the privilege of meeting his eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke, following his presentation Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in East Lansing on Thursday May 27th. Cardinal Burke was in the Lansing Diocese supporting Catholic Healthcare International, and their efforts to build a St. Padre Pio Spiritual Center in Howell. District 2 Fourth Degree Color Corps members supported three Masses at Holy Spirit (5/25), St. Mary Star of the Sea (5/26), and St. Thomas Aquinas (5/27). Thank you to all of the Color Corps members who gave their time for the Cardinal and these three Masses.
5/22/21
Marshal Karl Kerchief and Carl Kent at the Diaconate Ordination in Kalamazoo.
04/30/2021
Award Recipients for 2020
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& Jackson Assembly #2186 was awarded the “To be a Patriot” Award for 2019-2020
01/27/2021
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Members of Lansing Assembly #3334 raised the Colors for the start of the Roe v Wade Memorial service at the State Capitol on Wednesday January 27, 2021. Participants were (L to R) State Deputy Walter Winkle, Sr. Marshal Bill Currie, Dan Reinecke and Ken Balcer. Several hundred people were on hand to pray for the aborted children of Michigan who lost their lives as a result of this landmark Supreme Court decision in 1973.
01/22/2021
Observance of 48 years of legal abortion included nearly 100 vehicles. The witness of an unknown woman who stood in the cold on the side of MLK Jr. Dr. and stopped to pray while the motorcade passed was a beautiful witness and showed the spirit of Pro-Life people.
Thank you to the clergy and legislative leaders who provided beautiful prayer and reflection on this somber day:
Pastor Jim Toth – Skiff Lake Bible Church, Senior Minister Donald Eason – Higby Street Church of Christ, Archpriest Fr. Dusan Koprivica – St. Demetrius Orthodox Church and Very Rev. Timothy MacDonald, pastor of Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church and Vicar General of the Diocese of Lansing.
We are grateful to Congressman Timothy Walberg, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Representative Julie Alexander whose unwavering defense of the sanctity of life we are blessed with.
Thank you to Sgt. Lillie and his crew of the Jackson City Police Department for the escort, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard, Watson Funeral Home, Deacon Carol Franssen, photographer Linda Hass and very special thank you to Matt Dame of Absolute Video Productions for providing the sound system.
Lastly, and certainly not least, thank you to our amazing Pro-Life community who participated and braved the very cold weather to be a witness to LIFE. More Pictures here
01/22/2021
Supporting Bishop Bradley and Fr. Bob Creagan at St. Augustine Cathedral for their RTL Mass.
11/15/2020
Quilt presentation to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital by John and Ruth Yanok and
Livingston Assembly 2050 members FN Mike Babiuk, Compt Roger Epps, and PFN Don Sucher.
11/15/2020
Unite Lansing Michigan Eucharistic Procession: November 15th 2020 Callout
click image to view video