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These two articles featured here are excerpts from the official Knights of Columbus
website. They define exactly the nature and purpose of my joining the order. I believe publishing them in their original form will justify its purpose and expose potential recruits to the nature of our fellowship and hopefully join us in our endeavours.


      The Strong Right Arm of the Church

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.
Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney as well as that of millions of other Knights over the past century the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits and service. Currently, there are over 1.6 million Knights of Columbus more than ever before in our Order's history. Together with their families, the Knights are nearly 6 million strong. In addition, from the first local council in New Haven, the Order has grown to more than 12,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Each year, the Order continues this strong growth.

CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, AND PATRIOTISM

Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.

If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, it is likely that there is a local council near you. There you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: Striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings; supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; acting for the good of their country; and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. This is Father McGivney's dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch.

Vivat Jesus!

         
                                                                                   
         


SERVICE PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

GRAND KNIGHT
PROGRAM
 DIRECTOR
MEMBERSHIP
DIRECTOR
CHURCH Director
COMMUNITY
Director
COUNCIL
Director
FAMILY
Director
YOUTH
Director

DIRECTOR
Mario Salvatore

RECRUITMENT
TEAM
Don Stacey
Ben Suva
Campbell MacDonald

RETENTION
COMMITEE
Trustees
GK & DGK

INSURANCE AGENT
Bo Chausse, F.I.C.

SCREENING
MEMBER
Bro. Fred Tofani
Vocations
Pro-Life
Public Relations
Survivor's Assistance
Squires
District only
Parish
Round table
Volunteerism
Memorial
Youth Group
Human Needs
Fraternalism
Education
Athletics
Lay
 Apostolate
Civic Involvement
Cultural
Communica -tions
educational Programs
Parochial Services
Environment
Social
Family of the Month/Year
Youth Welfare
Religious Devotions
Public Safety
Blood Donor
Family Projects
Religious Activities
Christ in Christmas
Health Services
Athletics
Recreation
Social Activities
Decency
Quincentinnial
Bill Sullivan
to be
Appointed
Don Stacey
Temp.
Gerry Guinto
Raymond Baiardo