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Some people look at the Knights of Columbus as being a "secret society" however the Knights of Columbus is a group of Catholic men committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. The Knights of Columbus are 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. 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. 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. 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. As the Order has grown, its benevolence has multiplied. The Order continues to break all previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service. In the past decade, the Knights donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and nearly 400 million hours of volunteer service. In 1999 alone, the Knights donated nearly $109 million and 55 million volunteer hours to charitable causes. Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included establishing a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Since its founding, the Knights of Columbus has been in solidarity with the Catholic Church, the Holy Father and the bishops, priests and religious. It is in the thousands of Catholic parishes that the good works of the Knights of Columbus are most manifest. Support for the Catholic Church is a hallmark of Knights of Columbus activity at all levels of the organization. In 1999, the Knights collectively raised and distributed more than $45 million to Church groups and in support of programs at the international, national and local levels. More than 25 million hours of time were donated to the Church by local Knights and families in 1999. The Catholic Information Service of the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1947 to provide free and low-cost Catholic publications for communities and individuals, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. Also offered is a correspondence course in the essentials of the faith, aimed at both converts and interested Catholics. Since its beginning, tens of millions of pamphlets on the Catholic faith have been distributed throughout the world, while thousands of individuals have enrolled in the correspondence course. Support of priestly and religious vocations is a top K of C priority. State and local council vocations committees foster vocations through prayers, donations and other activities. Since 1981, the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) has contributed more than $22.9 million to thousands of seminarians and postulants. The Order's $8 million Vocations Scholarship Fund provides annual $2,500 scholarships to seminarians in theology on the basis of need. The Knights of Columbus is irrevocably committed to life. All of our programs and activities are geared in some way to improve the quality of life, both spiritually and materially, especially among the dispossessed and marginalized of our society. Moreover, wherever life itself is threatened, the Knights stands firm. In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus defends human life from the moment of conception until natural death. To learn more about the Knights of Columbus, visit our website. It will take you to our official website. It is the most comprehensive and eloquent means of sharing the spirit of what The Knights of Columbus really are, what we stand for and what we do in the community. Contact: Bill Ferg - 941-0390
Our Lady of Fatima Council 9775The Knights of Columbus have recently made the following donations:
We wish to acknowledge all the work and dedication of our Members , who through effective teamwork and in the true spirit of giving of their time, skills and abilities have allowed us to give back to our community a total of $7,760 for worthy causes. Besides making financial donations the Knights are involved in many other parish activities including: Eucharist Ministers, lectors, visiting the elderly and sick, donating blood, working with youth, pancake breakfast, social events, etc. If you are interested in learning more about joining the Knights please contact Bill Ferg @ 604-931-0390, Terry Leonard @ 604-517-8851 or Greg Byron @ 604-911-6472.
BRUNCH-BRUNCH-BRUNCH!!!The Knights of Columbus, in an effort to promote community interaction and fellowship, serve a nutritious pancake breakfast with all the trimmings (scrambled eggs - bacon - sausage - toast - fruit - refreshments and of course, pancakes with mmmmm, yummy syrup etc.) at least one a month after the 9:00. AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Very reasonably priced to allow even the budget-minded to relax in the company of friends while at the same time, give mom a break from the hot stove and piling dishes. Enjoy the company of your fellow parishioners. Bring friends, bring family, bring yourself.
Check the "Bulletin" page for the next event!
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St. Basil
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