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
|
|