The Knights of Columbus, the world's largest lay Catholic organization, was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, CT on March 29, 1882. In forming the organization, Father McGivney hoped to help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement while establishing an elementary system of insurance so that the widows and children of members in the group who might die would not find themselves in dire financial straits.
Today, the Knights of Columbus (K of C) is an international Catholic organization with 1.8 million members dedicated to working for the Catholic Church, their communities, and society at large. As one of the most highly rated insurance companies in North America, the K of C has more than $65 billion of life insurance in force and consistently earns the industry's highest independent rankings for fiscal management and ethical business practices.
The Knights have not only remained true to its founding principles of Charity, Unity and Fraternity, but also included Patriotism as the fourth principle by which its members are to be defined. The organization is reowned for its didicated support of both church and country. Its affiliates, known as councils, are largely parish-based and provide regular support to their local church and community.
The Order's charitable efforts and contributions of the councils are significant. In 2011, for example, the Knights donated more than $158 million (exceeding the previous year's total by approximately $3.4 million) and 70 million hours of volunteer service to charitable causes.
On the local level, the Knights of Columbus (6345) of St Augustine of Cantrbury is active in helping out organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. The Knights also get involved with community projects such as: Blood Drives, Food Drives, Collecting and Delivering food to the needy, Perform service at a soup kitchen. The Knights also do fundraisers as well.
The organization has a long history of speaking out on important social issues and continues to be in the forefront today. For example, the sanctity of human life and the defense of religious freedom both at home and away.
The more men involved with the council the more projects can be accomplished.
Our meetings are scheduled on the first and third Tuesdays from September to June.
There is only one scheduled meeting in July and August and that is on the first Tuesday of each month.
Knights material provided by Michael Hart