Imagine yourself being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, Family, Fraternal and Service Organization. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age or older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.
Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowships promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.
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.
Our four core principles are behind all the good works that we do:
Charity – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 8022 show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to our local “Sharing Hands” food pantry, hosting blood drives to help meet the anticipated and actual transfusion needs of area patients around the Chicagoland area, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.
Unity – None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together and support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference in opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your Brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity – The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/ or disabled members and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
Patriotism – Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the great citizens.
How To Join
If you are a practicing Catholic gentleman and at least 18 years of age, you are welcome to join the Knights of Columbus. You can contact current Grand Knight Sal Costanza at 224-392-3879 / salcostanza@gmail.com.
Activities
Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with our community, supporting our Church and doing charitable and community work while enhancing our faith. Parish activities include