Knights of Columbus

https://www.kofc.org (National Knights of Columbus Website)

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY MEETINGS:

Assembly 2370 - First Thursday, 7:30 pm in the New Parish Center
Council 9930 - Second Thursday, 7:30 pm in the New Parish Center
First Degree Ceremony/Rehearsal - Third Thursday, 7:30 pm in the New Parish Center

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
(Courtesy of SK Phil Clements)

The Knights of Columbus (KofC) is a Catholic, family, fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael J. McGivney at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, it has grown to become internationally known and respected. Today there are nearly 2 million members throughout the world that provide over 55 million volunteer hours to service and who administer the objectives, goals and activities of this Order. Firmly founded upon the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the KofC is able to accomplish numerous worthy projects while adhering to five main objectives:

• To support the Church

• To build fraternal bonds through social, religious, educational and athletic activities

• To provide comfort and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members and their families

• To reach out to meet community needs through programs of charity and service

• To provide for the financial security of members and their families through the KofC fraternal insurance program.

The KofC headquarters is located in New Haven, Connecticut. The society is governed by the Supreme Council that meets annually to vote on resolutions that set policy. This council is headed by a Supreme Knight. International affairs are administered by an elected board of directors that meets annually and sets policy. State councils are operated by elected state officers who administer the programs and activities under the guidance of a State Deputy. District Deputies represent both the supreme knight and the state deputy in areas known as districts. These districts are made up of several councils at the local level , normally associated with a church.Councils are presided over by a Grand Knight who is elected along with other council officers each year by council members.

Membership in this Order follows a progression of four Degrees that are named for the principles of the organization: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Upon attaining the fourth degree, Patriotism, a member participates in many activities that focus on this principle. At this point the member is a part of what has come to be known as the visual arm of the Order, primarily because members are then entitled to wear the regalia of the order consisting of chapeau, cape and sword over a tux. Also, he becomes a member of an Assembly which has an additional meeting time each month that is for 4th Degree members only. An Assembly is presided over by a Faithful Navigator who is elected along with assembly officers each year by members of the assembly. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP ARE:

1. must be a practical Catholic male, 18 years of age
2. must be accepted by a local council, and
3. must take the First Degree of the Knights of Columbus.
    

THE COSTS INVOLVED:

-  a small one-time initiation fee and nominal annual dues.
 

Educational Trust Fund:

"The Francis P. Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust offers scholarships to the children of members who are killed or permanently and totally disabled by hostile action while serving with the armed forces during a covered period of conflict. In 2004, the Order declared that military conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan would be covered under the trust fund. Also eligible are the children of members who are killed as a result of criminal violence directed against them while performing their duties as full-time law enforcement officers or full-time firefighters. An application must be filed within two years of the member's death or the determination of his total and permanent disability." (COLUMBIA, Knights of Columbus, November, 2016, Vol. 96, No. 11, p. 31)
 

AT ST. PAUL CHONG HASANG WE HAVE:

St. Andrew Kim Council No. 9930

Thomas P. Shields Assembly No. 2370 (Fourth Degree).

For more information or to become a member, please contact the Financial Secretary, Jerry A. Hernandez (254-630-0381 / [email protected]), or the Grand Knight, John Wanken ([email protected]).