BECOMING A KNIGHT

Questions?  Email Membership@FitzKnights.org

I. What are the Knights of Columbus?

A. The largest Catholic lay organization in the world, committed to making the world a better place for everyone to live.

B. Today, there are more than 1.7 million members in more than 13,000 councils (the local units) such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland, Guatemala, and other countries around the world.

II. When were the Knights of Columbus started?

A. The Knights of Columbus began in the basement of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882.

B. Fr. Michael J. McGivney called together a small group of Catholic lay men and founded a society designed to: (a) unite Catholic men in their faith and (b) provide financial assistance to the widows and orphans of its members.  It grew from there into an organization dedicated to the principles of:

1. Unity as a group of people with similar values and beliefs

2. Charity toward your fellow man in the hopes of building a better world

3. Fraternity toward your Brother Knights

4. Patriotism and loyalty toward your country of birth

III. Where is the council closest to St. Joseph Parish?

A. Bishop James E. Fitzgerald Knights of Columbus Council 14649, which was just formed in November 2008 and currently has over 70 members.

B. Meets in Fitzgerald Hall.  Officers meet the first Tuesday of every month; general business meeting is the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm.

IV. Who can be a Knight of Columbus?

A. The Knights are open to all practical Catholic men over the age of 18.

B. A practical Catholic man is one who is in union with the Holy See (i.e., the Vatican) and who lives up to the Commandments of God (Ten and Greatest Commandments) and the precepts of the Church, which are:

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and the 6 Holy Days of obligation

2. Fast and abstain on the appointed days

3. Confess one’s sins at least once every year

4. Receive the Holy Eucharist during Easter time

5. Contribute to support the Church

6. Observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage

V. Why would I join the Bishop James E. Fitzgerald Knights of Columbus Council 14649?

A. 24 Hour Commitment: 24 Hour Knight

12 hours: Reading the weekly Parish bulletin, the local and state council newsletters, Columbia magazine and Knightline newsletters, and surfing the local, state, and Supreme Council Web sites

4 hours: Attending council business meetings

4 hours: Serving on a council-sponsored Church, community, council, family, or youth project of his choosing, including the annual Tootsie Roll drive

2 hours: Attending, with your family, two council corporate Communions or prayer services

2 hours: Enjoying, with your entire family, a council social function

B. Our council is now at the point of forming the various committees (40 possible) and deciding where our focus will be.

C. Six principal programs:

1. Service to the Church, including vocations, religious devotions, and Christ in Christmas (e.g., magnet sales)

2. Service to the Community, including pro-life (e.g., red envelope campaign) and volunteerism

3. For the good of the Council, including social (e.g., St. Joseph’s Table), blood donors, and athletics

4. For the Family, including survivors’ assistance and family of the month/year

5. For the Youth, including Columbian Squires and athletics (e.g., free throw competition)

6. Membership, including recruitment (e.g., Informational Meetings), admissions, and ceremonials

VI. What do I need to do to join?

A. Complete the new Form 100 Knights of Columbus Membership Document

1. On the form, eligibility for insurance.  Our insurance agent will also reach out to you at some point.  Insurance is an optional benefit to members and pays for materials such as the handouts presented to you.  You need NOT sign up for insurance to become a Knight.

B. Meet briefly with the Admissions Committee, which will inquire of you your interests and expectations (available today for interested persons).

C. Participate in the First Degree Ceremonial.

D. All three steps can be completed at one session.  The next session is Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in Fitzgerald Hall.  The informational session will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the ceremonial should begin around 8:00 p.m.