The members of the Father Battersby Council provide support for many parish activities including ushers, parish pastoral commissions, youth ministry, lectors, and extraordinary ministers of the eucharist. The council sponsors social activities throughout the year such as events to raise money for RSVP Vocations and Boysville; the annual Mental Impairment Drive (Tootsie Roll Drive) which raises fun
ds that support local organizations for the mentally challenged; a basketball free throw event; and the Catechism Bee. The council continues today what the charter members started in 1980 - to be Catholic charitable gentlemen helping St. It becomes quite obvious that the benefits of our Order have made a difference in the lives of not only our council members, but also in the life of our parish and community. We can look forward to the future with pride as we continue to perform the work begun in 1882 by Knights of Columbus Founder Father Michael J. Our council history:
Two years after Pope John Paul ll was elected pope, Ed Skop a parishioner of St. Joseph Church and past grand knight of Msgr. Hunt Council in Dearborn, Michigan and Felix Trzcienski, District Deputy contacted Father Vogan pastor of St. Joseph Church in South Lyon, Michigan about starting a new council. Through their efforts the council was formed. It was decided that the new council would be named Father Edmund Battersby after the former pastor of St. Joseph Church. Father Battersby served as pastor during the 1960’s. He passed away May 24, 1977 at the age of 52 and is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. On May 14, 1980, Father Battersby Council 7586 was founded with 43 charter members. Their purpose was to help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement; provide an insurance system for widows and children; serve our church, community, families and children through worthwhile programs; and promote closer ties of fraternity among its members. On May 5, 1981 Thomas Clark, state secretary, presented the charter to the council. Shortly after, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed to support the council and parish. Later, the Squires Circle was established for boys 12 to 18 years of age. Today the council has a strong membership of 178 Knights who join together celebrating the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.