Membership

Our Mission

Share our Catholic faith by encouraging our members’ participation in Church, Family, Youth, Community, and Council activities for the good of their parish family.

  • Promote the Catholic values of respect for our religious leaders, the sanctity of life, and the importance of family.
  • Encourage other Catholic men to join us in pursuing a Christ centered life in Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

our-father-200Our Founding Father

The Knights of Columbus is an international organization founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 for the support of our families and the Catholic Church.

Our council promotes our founders work by supporting five program areas of Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth.

Five Program Areas

Church

  • Financial Aid to Seminarians
  • Newman Fund supporting college students Vocation Programs
  • Active role as Ushers, Crossbearers, Lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers
  • Participate in Living Rosary and Retreats
  • Provide Honor Guard for the Bishop and at Local Parishes as well as at Funerals for Fourth Degree Members
  • Financial Aid for the Adopt-a-Student Program
  • Support Pro-Life Activities
  • Support the Bishop’s & Priests’ Activities with time, talent, and treasure
  • Provide Financial Aid to Food Pantries and Needy Families
  • Provide Altar Server Recognition

Community

  • Annual Tootsie Roll Drive which supports selected organizations involved with the intellectually disabled
  • Conduct Community and Church Blood Drives
  • Drug Awareness Program
  • Support Disaster Funds
  • Participate in Local Community Functions (parades, etc., upon request)
 Council

  • Knight of the Month & Year Awards
  • Family of the Month & Year Awards
  • Monthly council Newsletter
  • Sponsor various Social Activities
  • Monthly meetings
  • Officer Installation and Dinner
  • State Convention Participant
  • First Degree Induction
  • Major Degree
Family

  • Christmas Party
  • Easter Party
  • Appreciation Dinners for Membership, Participation, and Families
  • Memorial Mass for the Deceased Members and their Families
  • Senior Citizen Activities
  • Senior Olympics
  • Special Olympics
 Youth

  • Youth Scholarships (High School and College)
  • Spelling Bee Contest
  • Essay Contest
  • Basketball Free Throw Contest
  • Religious Medals for Scouts
  • Easter Egg Hunt

who-are-weWho Are We?

The Knights are a fraternal Catholic organization dedicated to Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. We are nearly 2 Million in members and their families who volunteer in service to the Catholic Church, their communities and families and young people.

Who Can Be A Knight?

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus. Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members. Annual dues are $35.00.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus, you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia Catholic magazine. You are also eligible for the Knight’s top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.

First, Second and Third Degree Knights

Initiation degrees are given to candidates to attain different degrees within the Knights of Columbus. These degrees explain our four principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.

A candidate is considered a “Knight” after taking the First Degree, but he is encouraged to advance through the Second and Third Degrees and on to the fourth Degree, whose members promote the virtue of patriotism by serving as honor guards, color corps and promoting respect for country and the flag.

 

forthFourth Degree Knights

Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree.

The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree, is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights’ respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called “assemblies”). Members of the Fourth Degree can serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Any questions, please contact Joe Testolin (630-901-5952) or Jim Leifel (630-812-8288)