The following is an excerpt from a message sent to all Knights from Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight.
Brother Knights,
Today (April 21, 2025), we join all Catholics and people of faith around the world as we mourn the death of our Holy Father Pope Francis.
Pope Francis was a powerful witness to charity and fraternity, challenging us to reach out to the margins of society and serve those who are too often forgotten.
He was also a friend to the Knights of Columbus and a champion of our mission. On many occasions, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude for all that the Knights do. He continually encouraged our charitable work and our efforts to promote the dignity of human life in the face of what he often called a “throwaway culture.” He expressed his support, too, for our efforts to challenge each other to become better husbands and better fathers, and to embrace our responsibility to be active participants in the Church’s mission of evangelization.
Pope Francis was also the Pontiff who approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of our Founder, opening the door to Father McGivney’s beatification on October 31, 2020.
Both Pope Francis and Blessed Michael McGivney shared a passion for those on the margins and challenged those around them to stand up and to serve.
As we mourn the loss of Pope Francis and continue our prayers for him and the Church, we renew our commitment to follow his example to serve those most in need.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Vivat Jesus!
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight
The 40 Cans for Lent project has been going very well, and we are down to the last couple of weeks. We extended a couple of weeks because of how well it had been going and how much has been collected so far. It is keeping Brother Al very busy at both Queen of All Saints and St. Mary.
There is an announcement in this week and next week’s bulletin. We will conclude this project on May 9th (Mother’s Day Flower Sale) but I predict people will continue to bring items for a while afterwards. Have to wait and see. People have been very generous, and I feel that will continue.
With that being said, Al, I, and others have been taking advantage of the 7 for 7 sale at Meijers which is going on this week and next. Buy 7 items that are listed in the Ad (and noted on the shelves) and you get them for $1. The one deal that is greatly needed by the Sacred Heart Food Pantry is potatoes. Meijer is selling 5-pound bags (red and yellow) for $1 and to our knowledge there is no limit. Lady Becky and I have been shopping several times for the potatoes and for other $1 items. Many canned goods like soup, broth, spaghetti O’s, and spaghetti sauces along with boxed items such as mac and cheese, Rice a Roni, potato mixes and many other items are included in this sale. My ask is that we as Knights take advantage of this sale and that we spread the word to family and friends as well as other parishioners. The more we get the word out the more we can fill the shelves at the Pantry.
So “Let’s Keep Filling those Bins at Queen of All Saints and St. Mary. One big push for this Lenten season using the examples our Lord Jesus Christ gave us, Caring for the poor and those in need!!! Over 2000 pounds of food items have been collected in March. Wouldn’t it be great to hit 3 tons of Food items!!!
On March 27th, four Knights from our council joined four Knights from the Father Sorin Assembly to form an Honor Guard for the Michigan City city-wide Confirmation Mass.
The mass was held at Queen of All Saints’ church and included Queen of All Saints, Saint Stanislaus Kostka, and Notre Dame parishes celebrated by Bishop McClory, Fr. Kime, Fr. Ciesla and Fr. Keith
On May 9th and 10th we will hold our annual Mothers’ Day flower sale. Featuring Hanging Baskets, Patio Pots, and Flower Flats.
Cash, Check, Cards, and Electronic Payments are accepted.
Message from the Grand Knight
It looks like Spring has finally arrived but since it is Northwest Indiana that can change at any time. Days are getting longer, and we are blessed with more of Gods sunshine to warm us as we move through these beautiful days. Easter has arrived and now we move towards Ascension which commemorates Jesus’ bodily ascension into heaven. It marks the end of His earthly mission and the preparation for the Holy Spirit’s coming.
The 2025 Annual Knights of Columbus Fish Fries has been completed, and it has been another successful year. The Fish Fry Team led by Al Tokoly has done a great job of putting this project together and delivering wonderful meals for all who were able to participate. The 2025 Annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale is just around the corner, May 9th and 10th at the corner of Woodland and Barker across from the Queen of All Saints Church. And then we move into summer with the Port A Pit Chicken sale day, Father’s Day weekend and Cluck and Oink in August. Thanks to everyone who supports the Knights of Columbus 12951, Queen of All Saints and St. Mary’s Church, and Queen of All Saints School along with other community projects.
As I write my last Grand Knight message for 2024-2025, I wanted to say how thankful I am for being able to work with such a wonderful group of Catholic Gentlemen and Ladies. It has been an honor to say the least. I could not ask for a greater group of Knights to partner up with as we continue to move forward with our Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney and his mission to help those in need. His (and ours) mission of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity has only gotten stronger over time and as Knights we will make it even stronger moving forward. The 2024-2025 Election will be taking place soon and I am stepping down as Grand Knight. I have taken on a formation journey that requires much more time and effort and trying to juggle being Grand Knight and continuing to move forward with this formation journey makes it very difficult to give 100% to both endeavors so I am stepping away (for now). With this being said I am asking for your prayers as I continue to move forward with this journey and for the incoming Grand Knight. I am confident that the next Grand Knight will continue the mission of our council serving our parishes, school, and parish communities. Thank you for your support and prayers while serving as Grand Knight and beyond.
I want to thank my wife, Lady Becky, for her support for me and this council. Her tireless efforts, work ethic, and supporting ideas have made my Grand Knight tour much more pleasant and I cannot thank her enough.
If you are or know of any Catholic Gentlemen who attends mass regularly and is of good standing in the church, ask them to join our council. They can sign up online (easiest way) or by application. If you have any questions, please contact any council member. The link below highlights the benefits of being a Knight of Columbus! https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/about-membership/benefits-of-membership.html.
As Knights we are called to “To follow Christ”!
God Bless all of you. Be safe! Vivat Jesus! (Jesus Lives!)
Bruce Garwood, Grand Knight
