Knights of Columbus
Founded by Father Michael J McGivney, the Knights of Columbus was chartered on March 29, 1882 in the State of Connecticut. The founder and first officers chose the name "Knights of Columbus" because they felt that as, a Catholic group, it should relate to Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discover of America. This would emphasize that it was Catholics who discovered, explored and colonized the North American continent.
Since the time, the original group has blossomed into an international society of nearly million Catholic men plus their families, in 11,000 councils who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianis,: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. It was the leadership of the Knights of Columbus which finally succeeded in having the words "under God" inserted in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
In 1984, the Order collaborated with the Vatican on the complete restoration if the facade of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In 1999 alone, the Order generated over $128 million and 61 million volunteer hours of service for charitable causes. The Knights also average 5.2 million visits to the sick, give334,000 donations of blood, contribute 50 million hours of community service and 7 million hours of labor for sick or disabled members.
Hundreds of thousands of members have answered the invitation to participate in the Order's fraternal insurance program. The current total of insurance in force is over $34 billion and supports the Order's motto, "Insurance for Brother Knights by Brother Knights."
Memberships in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are not less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments if God and the Precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available form any member of the Knights of Columbus. Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members.
Grand Knight - Michael Pallassino 775-1698
Membership Director - Ray Podeszwa 775-6307
Meetings: Meetings are held every third Monday of the month 7:00pm at SJN Parish Hall except on holidays.
| Month | Day |
Feb '10 |
15 |
| Mar '10 | 15 |
| Apr '10 | 19 |
| May '10 | 17 |