Author: Brian O'Curran

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We tried something new this year. Since all the churches are locked and we have no access to the Sacraments, we had to take matters into our own hands. Divine Mercy Sunday is too big of a deal to allow it to pass us by.

Lead by Deacon Kurt Godfryd, we organized a virtual prayer service to take advantage of the promises offered in connection to this celebration. I’d like to thank Father Chris Alar of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge for giving us the idea. We took the inspiration from this YouTube video posted below.

This is our celebration of the Lord’s promises to St Faustina. Please pray along and receive God’s unfathomable mercy. If you’d like to slides we used in this service, please use the button below.

Download the Prayer Service Here

Fr. Chris Alar’s Message of Hope

Partial Transcript

Even though churches are closed and you cannot go to Confession and receive Holy Communion, you can receive these special graces this Sunday, April 19, Divine Mercy Sunday. And we’re going to tell you how.

Let’s begin by reading what is arguably the most important passage in St. Faustina’s Diary, when Jesus tells St. Faustina:

I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699).

Diary of St Faustine

There it is. Jesus promises that the soul that’s been to Confession and receives Holy Communion will be completely wiped away of the two stains that are on our soul. Those stains are sin and the punishment due to sin. The special grace promised by our Lord for Divine Mercy Sunday is nothing less than the equivalent of a complete renewal of baptismal grace in the soul.

But how can you receive this complete forgiveness of sins and remission of all punishment? After all, churches are closed and Confession and Communion are not available. 

There is, however, still a way to receive this grace. Do these three things on Divine Mercy Sunday with the intention to turn away from sin in your life:

Make an Act of Contrition

Since you are unable to get to Confession, make an Act of Contrition, instead. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is ‘sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again'” (1451).

You thereby will be completely forgiven of all sins, even “mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism, 1452).  

Make a Spiritual Communion

Since churches are closed and you cannot receive Holy Communion, make a Spiritual Communion instead, asking God to come into your heart as if you received Him sacramentally — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. For instance, you can say this:

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament. 
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul. 
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart. 
As though You were already there, 
I embrace You and unite myself to You; 
permit not that I should ever be separated from You. 
Amen. 

Again, do this act of trust with the intent to return to the sacrament of Holy Communion as soon as possible.  

Say a prayer like this:

Lord Jesus Christ, You promised St. Faustina that the soul that has been to Confession [I’m unable, but I made an Act of Contrition] and the soul that receives Holy Communion [I’m unable, but I made a Spiritual Communion] will receive the complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Please, Lord Jesus Christ, give me this grace.

Finally, please remember that this extraordinary promise of Divine Mercy Sunday is for everyone. Tell your non-Catholic friends about it. Everyone can ask Jesus to forgive their sins. Everyone can make a Spiritual Communion. And everyone can ask for this grace to completely wipe their slate clean of not only all sin, but all punishment due to sin. Normally, the punishment is not remitted unless one has absolute perfect contrition. And unlike a plenary indulgence, there is no requirement of having perfect detachment from sin. In other words, as long as we have a desire for this grace and intention to amend our lives, we can be completely cleansed with grace similar to our original Baptism. It is a way to really start over in our spiritual life! 

“I promise you, it will be the most important thing you ever do in your entire life. In fact, it could mean the difference in your salvation. And Jesus told St. Faustina, Divine Mercy is mankind’s last hope of salvation [see Diary, 998]. Please don’t let this grace pass you by.” 

Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, the director of the Association of Marian Helpers

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These are certainly uncharted waters. Please be aware, the organizations at St Clement of Rome are here to help. If you are in need of an emergency item please call the parish office and we will try and assist you. The Parish Office is 1-586-752-9611. Alternatively, you can leave us an email by clicking the button below. We will do our best to help.

EMAIL US

Stay safe. Stay inside. Keep praying your Rosary.

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Many of the “good” we do goes unnoticed. And, that’s alright. We strive to make a difference in the world. Maybe not the world at large but certainly our little world; our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Even then, the moments of recognition or satisfaction are fleeting if ever manifested at all.

This is the saga of the pro-life movement. Our council is certainly directly involved and supports the many efforts dedicated to ending the wholesale slaughter of our children. Ron and Judy Stec have been on the frontlines of the movement for as long as I’ve known them. They’re out talking to people, handing out information, praying with (and for) people as they struggle in the real world with the complications that bearing children always brings.

Judy shared a wonderful encounter she had and the life changing effect of being present for another person. This story unfolded at the Armada Fair last year.

Ron and I were standing behind the tables we had set up at the Armada Fair. We were getting signatures for the petition drive to “End Dismemberment Abortion.” A lady came up. We talked a little and she signed it.  With her, she had a little girl and a little boy in a stroller with her. They started to walk away. 

She turned back to me, leaned forward real close and whispered in my ear… “I have to tell you that it is because of you and the man that is with you that my son sleeping in the stroller here is with me today. I came to the fair for last three years looking for you to tell you this. ‘I was going to have an abortion and because of you and this booth, on that day I decided to have my baby, and here he is.’”

 Her beautiful little boy was asleep.  They’d been at the fair whole day.  I told her she made me happy and very grateful she shared this with me.  I asked her if I could take his picture.  She said “of course”.  She then hugged me and kissed the cheek. I told her, “we always say it would be worth it if we can save only one life”.  

She told me we did! “And here he is,” as she pointed to her son!

Keep going. What you do matters. Thank you Ron and Judy for being such fine examples of God love in the world.

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By now, you may have heard about the Knights changing their admission ceremony. We are pulling down a veil of secrecy surrounding our ceremonies. This is an effort to showcase our core principles and encourage Catholic men to become spiritual leaders in this family, parish and community.

“There is nothing we do that is secret or needs to be secret. We decided this is a way to let other parishioners know, family members know, what the Knights of Columbus is all about. And we think that’s a good thing.”

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson

Why have these changes been made?

The future of our Order depends upon growth. True growth can only be accomplished by providing an inviting entry path that is accessible to prospective members and their families. Efforts to create a combined ceremony focused on 1.) removing the barriers of secrecy and 2.) the commitment of time inhibiting many from joining. It also focuses on presenting the lessons of Charity, Unity and Fraternity in a clear and convincing manner. This new Exemplification is designed to be held in a parish with family and friends seated in the pews. All can now witness – firsthand – the organization their husbands, fathers and brothers are joining; its principles, values, and why they matter. The new Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity stays true to our traditions while addressing the needs of our times.

What Should People Wear?

This is not a casual event.

CANDIDATES: Please wear a suit and tie, but a collared dress shirt with dress pants is also appropriate.

PRESENTERS: The preferred attire is suit and tie with ceremonial baldric. At the very minimum shirt, blazer, and slacks with ceremonial baldric.

COUNCIL OFFICERS: The preferred attire is suit and tie with Medal of Office. Matching, branded Knights of Columbus Council shirts would also be appropriate.

More Info on K of C’s New Ceremonial

It’s the beginning of a new era for the Knights of Columbus: A modern single, public exemplification ceremony can now be used to welcome men to our ranks as full members of the Order. The new ceremony combines the three ceremonies used in the past.

This issue takes an in-depth look at the new exemplification ceremony: what it is, why it’s changed and how you can run one. 

New Ceremony: Rooted in past and tailored for present (Read more here)

 Eight steps for a successful new exemplification (Read more here)

The four items every council needs (Read more here)

 FAQs about the new K of C exemplification (Read more here)

Five questions with new director of ceremonials (Read more here)

Who’s who at the new K of C exemplification (Read more here)

A momentous day for the Knights of Columbus (Read more here)

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Another great time was had by all. Dispute an overcast day, we had a great turn out. Many ministries of the parish came together and pulled off the event of the summer. We had bouncy houses, ice cream trucks, marvellous food and the Knights hosted the Hospitality Suite as usual. Thanks to all.

  • Greg workin’ the room
  • Mem and Mark
  • Daddy War Bucks
  • The Bag Man
  • Hotdogs and Holy Water
  • This is what happens when you let Mark take pictures
  • The Dynamic Duo
  • Fr Jerry
  • The Advance Team
  • Why is Steve sitting on the floor?

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Another banner year for the lovers of Pasta. Thank you everyone, the workers, the diners and the fans. We had plenty of help this year and we also had lots of hungry customers.

  • The power team from the Capuchin Retreat Center.
  • Ron!
  • Dessert Girls
  • Father Mark and his Holy Water
  • There are no small jobs, there are just small people!
  • This is the talent behind all the good food.
  • A stolen kiss.
  • One of the very few perks of being Grand Knight. Joseph Suminski.
  • Jeff Walla
  • The Peach Queen graced us with her presence.
  • Pat
  • Yummy love for sale!
  • Mr Peachy!
  • Looking to join a union? Call Casey!
  • Paul, who parked your truck?!?
  • Our corn connection
  • Roz is going to whack you with an ear of corn!
  • Seriously? What’s wrong with people?!?!?
  • It looks like a full house
  • Me, Jim Burns and Letster Ottenwalder
  • Gabby is was a hero!
A Short Film, The Glory of Pasta

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It’s finally here.  The event of the year, Romeo’s Peach Festival weekend.  We have a lot going on this weekend and – as usual, we can use some help.  We host a pasta dinner this Friday.  There’s a link HERE. Please show up around 3 pm so we can get the place set up and ready for guests.  The sign-up site maxes out at 20 people, we can use more than that.  Just show up and help. Also, if you can bring a dessert that would be great.  As I understand it, peach pies are off the list as are cupcakes.  Drop them off anytime Friday morning in the Social Hall.  Joes looking for a couple of people to help out Thursday morning setting up the Social Hall and doing some cooking. If you can help, call Joe or just show up.

We also run the parking lot during Peachfest.  It takes 6 people minimum per shift to cover all the spots.  This is a big moneymaker for the Council.  Please consider doing a shift or two so the same 10 guys aren’t there all weekend.  There’s a link HERE.

Listen to these cool cats, they know the score….

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Whats a life well-lived? I do believe it’s having 200 friends and family show up for your birthday party. Norm Rumph was surrounded by friends and family yesterday to tell stories, share a memory and break bread. Maybe the best story was figuring out exactly when Norms birthday is and what – if any – his middle name could be. Regardless of his actual birthday, it’s amazing the cross-section of the community that showed up to pay tribute to a man that’s contributed so much. Happy Birthday, Norm. There was a rumor early on in the afternoon that Norm would be leading a “dollar dance” to raise funds for his 100th.

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Last night, July 8th, the State Leadership held the second Detroit Diocesan meeting at St Isidore. It was very well attended. It was mostly business but there was a little fun too. Thanks to the Brothers at St Isidore for hosting us.

  • I get this look from Gary quite a lot.
  • Our fearless leaders
  • Tom, hes always smiling.
  • Knights on Bikes
  • The State Deputy talking about how important the Sacred Heart Endowed Scholarship is for the future of vocations.

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Well, I’m not sure how uber it is really. This month we are going to combine our Planning Meeting and our General Membership Meeting into one.  Both meetings will be on June 13th.  The Planning Session will start at 6:30 pm and the regular meeting will kick off at 7 pm in the Knights Room at St Clement.  We have election results turned in my June 15 so, you can sense our dilemma.

I’d like to get in a Rosary before. Maybe the Rosary A-Team can meet in the Day Chapel at 6 pm? I’ll be there.

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It’s time for the M.I. Drive. This campaign, often referred to as the “Tootsie Roll Drive” is really a “Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities” The nickname is due to the nature of the fundraiser, in which Knights distribute candy bars, very often specially marked Tootsie Rolls in exchange for donations used to support programs geared to improve the Quality of Life for people with Disabilities, in particular, Special Olympics. So please, if you happen to see our Men & Women Members and Volunteers out on Columbus Day Weekend please find it in your hearts to donate.

And that brings me to YOUR part!  We’re looking for a few guys to take 2 hours shifts during the weekend.  If you can help us out and sign up, that would be very wonderful. Please have a look at the spots available – CLICK HERE.

Locations

Almont 4 Corners
Almont Vinckiers
Romeo Marathon 32 Mile and M53
Romeo Post Office
Romeo Sheena’s
Romeo Tractor Supply

What’s that you say? You’d like to donate to this special event directly without all the added bother of finding us around town, please click on the Tootsie Roll below.

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This was our best year ever. The best guess is that we had about 30 people that ventured north to Imlay City. The food was good, the beer was cold and the company, as usual, was excellent. I’d suggest coming along next year. It was a hoot. The good news? We’re getting to the end of Lent. The bad news? You missed a really good time.

No Man Left Behind!
Here’s to our Brothers at Council 4556
  • The Long View
  • Got Raffle Tickets?
  • This was a little after party
  • Solving world hunger
  • Me and Muff
  • The McKinnon’s
  • Mr James Parker
  • It’s an inside joke!
  • Don PGK SSJP
  • Sue and a tab blurry Joe
  • Mark

Knights of Columbus Council 4556 Our Lady Queen of Peace Imlay City Michigan @KofC #UnleashTheGospel @DetArchbishop@DetroitCatholic @CHSL1926#UTGChallenge

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It’s become a yearly tradition to pick one Friday in Lent and descend on our fellow Brothers in Imlay City to support their Fish Fry. This Friday (April 5ht) is that Friday. We’re going to try to get there at 5 pm this year to get a better selection of fish. Below is the slick marketing piece we produced this year.

Another Highly Produced Marketing Piece

Be there or be square! 🙂

$12 Adults, $11 Seniors, $6 Kids ages 6 – 10, Kids under 5 eat free.
Bring a can/box of food and got $1 off your meal.

Where:
Knights of Columbus
Council 4556
Our Lady Queen of Peace
1405 N. Van Dyke Rd
Imlay City, MI 48444
ph: (810) 724-8563 

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A good time was had by all. This event is always well attended and the food was really very good.

Saturday, February 23, 2019
DeCarlo’s Banquet & Convention Center
6015 East 10 Mile Rd. Warren, Michigan 48091

Who in the world thought giving me the ladle was a good idea?
  • Kathy Nardozzi and Brian
  • The Crew
  • Greg and Kathy
  • Mark and Sandi
  • Christine and Alan
  • Knights on Bikes
  • Luke and Russ Morgan
  • My Muff
  • Sister Val
  • Sister Val – My Favorite nun!

Because we were just not ready to call it a night, we had to stop by the Sandbagger and have just one more. Just one.

Detroit Archdiocese, Knights of Columbus, Michigan State Council, State Chaplain, DeCarlo’s Banquet,

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Even though I put this together last year, it’s just as topical as ever. We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan.

Well, how are we doing? We’re a month in. Did you make any goals for yourself? No? Most people don’t. Why? I’m sure there are a variety of reasons. Maybe the most common reason goes something like this, “why bother? After a couple weeks I’m totally off-course.”

Don’t beat yourself up. The first week of February is a fine time to get it together and start over. If you’re looking for diet, relationship, financial or career goals, this isn’t isn’t the right place. However, if you’re a Catholic man of faith and want to up your game this year, you have arrived.

I’ve been binging on Dr. Taylor Marshall for several months. This guy is totally legit. I’d strongly encourage you to get in the flow of his material. He’s putting out a couple very serious podcasts every week. You can follow him on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Podcasts, Facebook, his website or his New Saint Thomas Institute site. Yeah, there’s plenty here. He’ll be in the top five when I finally get around to finishing our Resources page. If you’ve watched, listened and enjoyed to any of the Bishop Robert Barron stuff I’ve been sharing, you’ll definitely be into this. They are on the same intellectual footing.

With that set up, I want to give you a direct link this the YouTube video below. Please watch it. I’ve listened to it several times. It’s very good. I’m going to make reviewing this an every-December event. Most of what follows is summarized from this episode of Dr Marshall’s YouTube channel. What I’m saying is, from this point on, I don’t own the intellectual property of the content that follows, it belongs to Dr Marshall and his respective companies or to the content creators as linked herein.

This is the plan for holiness. This is the plan for us men to become Saints. We’re called to lead in our homes, parish, community, and in our councils; this is how to lead. Follow this plan and be the leader God wants you to become.

Daily

  • Pray the rosary every day. No exceptions. Find the 20 minutes and do it. Dr Marshall has several episodes on the Secrets of Fatima and Akita. Our Blessed Holy Mother has made it abundantly clear, we need to pray the Rosary. Every day.
  • Examination of conscience every day, use the PALE GAS. Don’t forget the daughters as outlined as St Thomas Aquinas. Watch the short video below on how to do this.
  • Pray the Angelus three times a day. Click here for more info.
  • Read the Bible every single day. Use this guide – LINK. Using this guide, you’ll read the Bible in one year. It’s not an impossible task to get through it. Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.

Weekly

  • Go to Mass, but to prepare the night before.  Don’t just show up. Review the readings. I subscribe to the USCB daily readings emails. I also listen every week to Bishop Barron’s Sermon podcast.
  • A weekly examination of conscience before receiving the Blessed Eucharist. Also, get a good missal. Recommended; The Father LaSance Missal – LINK. Follow the same examination of conscience as discussed above.

Monthly

  • Confession at least once a month
  • Eucharistic adoration, First Friday, St Clement calls them Holy Hour and they’re typically on Monday evening. They’re held once a month so, that fit in just perfectly.

Annual

  • A Retreat or pilgrimage. This used to be easy. Every year we took the 8th Grade Catechism kids to Marianhill on Retreat. It always was the weekend before Christmas. The timing was perfect. That retreat no longer is an option. Luckily, there are several options within a couple miles of Romeo. Last year, the Knights started a yearly retreat. That would be a good choice for this upcoming year.

There it is. A plan. An easy to follow plan. A plan for battle. Yes, it’s going to take a little work. Being a Saint always does. As Bishop Barron says, “who’s in heaven? Saints are in heaven. When we get to heaven, we’ll be Saints.” Start now. Take up your rosary and start. There is no more powerful weapon than the rosary. As a Knight, you should have it with you at all times. Take it out of your pocket and use it.

The Church needs men of faith and men of action. In these dark times, stand up and be counted.

And in closing, if you’re looking for gift ideas for me… Dr Marshall has some super sweet swag. I’d look really good drinking coffee out of this V is for Vigano mug. There are also teeshirts.

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It was another record-breaking year.  Santa and his elves took up residence in the social hall most of the day today.   And, as you’ll soon see, it wasn’t only the kids that wanted in on the action.   

Thank you to everyone that showed up to help, thanks to the kids and parents.    If you’d like to use these photos, please do.   Merry Christmas.