This photo (above) includes members of seven Knights of Columbus councils surrounding keynote speaker Steven Mosher (in center with red tie, a member of Ave Maria K of C Council in Florida) at the Downriver Focus on Life dinner, September 18, 2025 from the following Downriver councils: Msgr. Eppenbrock Council #3615, Trenton; K of C Council  #1802, Wyandotte ; Robert H. Jones Council #3078, Lincoln Park; Msgr. Francis J. Van Antwerp Assembly #0475; Sacred Heart K of C Council #13475, Grosse Ile; Bernard P. O’Brien, St. Pius X Council #3956, Southgate

 

The Knights of Columbus were a big part of the Focus on Life Dinner sponsored by Downriver affiliates of Right to Life of Michigan (RTL.org) held September 18 at the Grecian Center in Southgate.  The hall was at capacity with 290 attendees who enjoyed a delicious dinner and heard words of encouragement going forward to influence the culture toward the respect and dignity of human life at all ages and stages.

 

The Image Clear Ultrasound (ICU) mobile unit was parked at the entrance and many attendees took the tour to see how ICU helps expectant mothers to see the humanity of their hidden, moving, unborn child with a free ultrasound.  Most mothers then make the choice of life for their child in the womb.  Many guests also took the opportunity to tour the adjacent St. George Greek Orthodox Church with its interior of richly gold painted icons.

 

The Master of Ceremonies was Taylor’s New Hope Assembly of God Pastor Phillip Nissley.  The Opening prayer and dinner blessing was given by Fr. John Sakellariou, pastor of St. George Greek Orthodox Church.  Following the buffet dinner were introductions of the six Knights of Columbus Councils from Southgate, Lincoln Park, Grosse Ile, Trenton and two from Wyandotte.  Also introduced were State Representatives Rylee Linting (District 27), Jamie Thompson (District 28), James DeSana (District 29) and candidate for Gibraltar City Council Cody Dill.

 

Gabriel Richard High School student Ethan Cunningham addressed the assembly with his state finalist oratory contest speech, “Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” 

 

Then came keynote speaker, Steven Mosher, president of Population Research Institute.  He shared his personal experience as a graduate student in China in 1980 when the one child policy forced abortion on mothers who were nine months pregnant. When he returned to the U.S.A. he found that it was not a communist government supporting abortion, but American tax dollars and government and UN policies.  Since then he has worked with Presidents Reagan, Bush and Trump to stop the deaths of unborn children.  It is President Trump who has stopped funding United Nations programs that advance abortion and sterilization in countries that do not want it.  He appointed Supreme Court justices who ended nationwide abortion on demand. And President Trump has stopped our tax dollars from funding Planned Parenthood (for one year).  Now we must make America a child friendly place again.  He recommends making child birth free so that young married couples can afford to have a family.

 

Steven Mosher received a standing ovation.

 

Brad Smith, representing Right to Life of Michigan (rtl.org) explained that RLM offers a help line for mothers who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or other concerns: 800-712-HELP.  Closing announcements included the nationwide LIFE CHAIN Sunday on October 5 (lifechain.org) and that buses will be available from Downriver locations to the March for Life at the Capitol in Lansing on Thursday, November 6 (downrivertoMiMFL.eventbrite.com).

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The evening closed with prayer.