We want to start by sharing a bit of history about the Knights of Columbus,

 

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 were 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 fellowship is 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 13,000 councils and 1.7 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.

 

We hope to have an ever-changing board of the Knights activities on our display boards in the church basement.

 

Just our council is involved in about 60 different activities each year helping our community, our church and most importantly the people of our community both locally and statewide.

 

From a record-keeping standpoint and to maintain consistency with Supreme (the national lever management) we divide our volunteer efforts into 5 different categories, Family Church, Youth, Community and Council.

 

This past year we volunteered 4, 460 hours and donated $12,600.00. This was all done with approx. 150 active members of St. Bernard’s church.

 

Some of the events we do every years include selling Christmas trees, assisting with many different church functions and parties, assist with family planning, donate to different youth programs and provide word services at Eagle Cliff nursing home just to name a few.

 

A detailed list of the number of hours we donate and money we donate can be obtained from the Grand Knight.