The Knights of Columbus
Hey there all my cyber friends on DS. A while ago one of my friends on here asked me to do a post on the Knights of Columbus. So tonight is the night to deliver on that.
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest catholic fraternal service organization. That is an impressive statement, as that totals 1.5 million members in 15,000 councils.
So what do the Knights of Columbus do? Parade around in their funny outfits and drink beer? Well, they do the funny outfits (the ones with the swords) for special occasions at church, in parades, and they may drink an occasional beer, but that is only the tip of the ice berg.
Before getting into what they are, let's discuss who the typical Knights of Columbus member is. The typical Knight is (for men only) and is just like you and me. They believe in God and Jesus and they want to help people. They were started in 1882 in New Haven Connecticut by Father Michael McGivney. He needed a group to help the families of church members where the father had died, and from that idea the Knights of Columbus was born.
The three founding principles of the Knights are Charity, unity, and fraternity. The fourth degree (the ones with the swords and funny hats) has a theme of patriotism. Those founding principles are the source of all the work that they do.
So what do they do? The more appropriate way to ask would be what don't they do? On the whole, it totals over 70.5 million man hours, and $170 million that goes directly to charities. Not exactly chump change.
So what type of charities? On the National level a Coats for Kids Campaign is done. In my last year our chapter has been doing fun raising for a local catholic grade school for kids in need, trying to break the cycle of poverty. At one fund raiser I listened to the principle give the most heart warming speech that received a standing ovation, and not a dry eye in the house. The left over food from the events go to a homeless shelter, thus helping even more. We donated 2 boxes of coats, one to the same grade school, and one to Alternatives for Battered Women. In past years I have listened to one of the other Knights tell about making the trip to donate the coats to a different program. These people do not have one of the most basic of possessions, a coat.
At Christmas time we deliver a pointsetta to the wives of deceased Knights members. Our council has even helped an older member move.
We host basketball free throw contests.
For anyone that has heard of Project Rachel, our local council does a fund raising campaign for the very worth while organization, that helps men and women who have had an abortion come to terms with their decision.
These are just the ones that are done in my council Each council chooses and directs their own activities. And each and every one of them is a worth while cause.
Remember the school shooting in New Haven Connecticut? The Knights were there doing usher duty.
It is through many that the Knights of Columbus is allowed to do so much for so many.
This is my Journey of Faith,
Mike
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest catholic fraternal service organization. That is an impressive statement, as that totals 1.5 million members in 15,000 councils.
So what do the Knights of Columbus do? Parade around in their funny outfits and drink beer? Well, they do the funny outfits (the ones with the swords) for special occasions at church, in parades, and they may drink an occasional beer, but that is only the tip of the ice berg.
Before getting into what they are, let's discuss who the typical Knights of Columbus member is. The typical Knight is (for men only) and is just like you and me. They believe in God and Jesus and they want to help people. They were started in 1882 in New Haven Connecticut by Father Michael McGivney. He needed a group to help the families of church members where the father had died, and from that idea the Knights of Columbus was born.
The three founding principles of the Knights are Charity, unity, and fraternity. The fourth degree (the ones with the swords and funny hats) has a theme of patriotism. Those founding principles are the source of all the work that they do.
So what do they do? The more appropriate way to ask would be what don't they do? On the whole, it totals over 70.5 million man hours, and $170 million that goes directly to charities. Not exactly chump change.
So what type of charities? On the National level a Coats for Kids Campaign is done. In my last year our chapter has been doing fun raising for a local catholic grade school for kids in need, trying to break the cycle of poverty. At one fund raiser I listened to the principle give the most heart warming speech that received a standing ovation, and not a dry eye in the house. The left over food from the events go to a homeless shelter, thus helping even more. We donated 2 boxes of coats, one to the same grade school, and one to Alternatives for Battered Women. In past years I have listened to one of the other Knights tell about making the trip to donate the coats to a different program. These people do not have one of the most basic of possessions, a coat.
At Christmas time we deliver a pointsetta to the wives of deceased Knights members. Our council has even helped an older member move.
We host basketball free throw contests.
For anyone that has heard of Project Rachel, our local council does a fund raising campaign for the very worth while organization, that helps men and women who have had an abortion come to terms with their decision.
These are just the ones that are done in my council Each council chooses and directs their own activities. And each and every one of them is a worth while cause.
Remember the school shooting in New Haven Connecticut? The Knights were there doing usher duty.
It is through many that the Knights of Columbus is allowed to do so much for so many.
This is my Journey of Faith,
Mike
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