Brian O'Curran

MI Drive April 8, 9 and 10

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.

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.

Thank you for all the support over the years. The money we collect goes to fund programs for folks with disabilities at the Romeo Parks and Recreation center. Here’s a link to the current brochure, the Knights are mentioned multiple times.

When you support us, you support the important programs at Romeo Washington Bruce Parks and Recreation.

Aid to Ukraine

Within days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Knights in Poland delivered much-needed supplies

In the early morning hours of March 1, a truck filled with more than $60,000 worth of humanitarian aid collected by Knights in Poland made its way to Lviv in western Ukraine. As part of an Orderwide effort to provide relief to those displaced by the Russian invasion, Polish Knights have also established “mercy huts” at the border to provide food, water, and warmth for refugees, as well as a housing network for those arriving to Poland.

The supplies delivered to Ukraine — including medicine, generators, sleeping bags, warm clothing and other necessities — were collected by K of C councils throughout Poland and brought to regional sites in Radom, Kraków and Tomaszów Lubelski. The items were then shipped and loaded onto a single 18-wheeler — dubbed the “Solidarity Shuttle” — in Tomaszów Lubelski and departed for Lviv Feb. 28. Local Knights in Ukraine received the delivery and coordinated with an “Anti-Crisis Committee,” established by the Archdiocese of Lviv, to distribute the much-needed supplies. Leaders of the Knights of Columbus in Ukraine, including the state deputy, state secretary and a district deputy, are currently serving on the committee.

Here at St Clement, we are doing our part. We will donate all the proceeds from the Lenten Cross Sale to the humanitarian efforts on behalf of the Ukrainian people. Additionally, you may contribute directly via our website.

Donate here

All funds will be directed to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. Ukraine Solidarity Fund. Please help us make a difference to the victims in Ukraine.

Prayer Pilgrimage 2022

Prayer Pilgrimages presents Seven Detroit Area Historic Churches & Shrines Specially Decorated During the Christmas Season. I’ve wanted to go on one of these for a long time. This time, it actually worked out. We ended up with 2 full bus loads of people. It wasn’t exactly a “mass mob” but it was absolutely a good time. If you’d like to be put on the distribution list, contact Michael Semaan, Pilgrimage Coordinator (248) 250-6005, email, website. We’ll be promoting the next one at St Clement. Maybe we can get a full St Clement bus together.

Our first stop was Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, 4440 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207 website, Facebook. This might be the most beautiful testament to God I’ve ever seen. I’m sure this would give the cathedrals of Europe a run for there money. The place was absolutely breathtaking.

Stop # 2, St Joseph Shrine, 1828 Jay St, Detroit, MI 48207 website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. I fell in love with this place a couple years ago. I was on my way downtown for a meeting. I was running slightly ahead of schedule and I thought, “I’m going to just stop and see if I can see inside.” I parked and walked up to the door – fully expecting it to be locked up tight. In my utter amazement, the door opened and I walked into heaven. Up on the altar some people we singing, unamplified, but still easily heard. I sat in one of the last rows for a long time hoping I wouldn’t be noticed. The Canons were singing prayers in a totally empty church, save for me.

Thus began my fascination with St Jospeh. If you’ve never attended the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass there, you should. The place is supernatural. When you go, spend a minute with the St Joseph statue (the first picture.) The first time I really looked at it, I swore St Joseph was looking right at me. Try it, see for yourself.

Stop # 3, St. Hedwig Catholic Church 3245 Junction Ave, Detroit, MI 48210, website, Facebook. One of my favorite shots of the day was the stained glass window depicting our Blessed Mother.

Stop # 4, Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit 1000 St Anne St, Detroit, MI 48216, website, Fac e book, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. Another of the grand cathedrals of Detroit. This place is spectacular. I tried to go in and see it a few weeks ago and was denied. I even went to the parish office and was told it’s not possible. I could come back 7 hours later for Mass if I was so inclined.

They could learn a lesson on welcoming pilgrims from St Jospeh Shrine. Anyway, it was worth the wait. Check out the vending machine in the narthex. It’s not for beverages, it’s for votive candles. What a great idea.

Stop # 5, St Florian Catholic Church, 2626 Poland St, Hamtramck, MI 48212, website, Facebook.

Stop # 6, National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica 2100 Twelve Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

The final stop, #7, Our Lady Of Czestochowa Church, 3100 18 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48314, website, Facebook

Christmas Party 2021 Recap

Another fantastic Ladies Appreciation Party. After taking a year off last year, we are back at it. The food was great, the company was – of course – fantastic. Aside from honoring our wives, we also recognize people who’ve contributed to the cause. This year we singled out some outstanding contributors.

Knight of the year Dan O’Brian
Family of the year Alan And Christine
Lady of the Year Andrea Betka

Thanks to everyone that helped organize for this yearly event.