The Knights Are Here!

It would seem the Garfield chapter of the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Mt Virgin is the best kept secret at our parish. It is time to bring some light to this organization and remove some of the secrecy surrounding its origins and its place in our Christian heritage. You only need to ask any one who knows the history of the Order where a catholic man who is looking to find a way to serve his parish and make strong bonds of brotherhood and they would be happy to recommend the Knights.

But I'm getting ahead of myself a bit so let me back up and give you some of the great history that has surrounded this important and vital organization. On March 29, 2007 the Order celebrated its 125th Anniversary. At that time we had the opportunity to honor a priest by the name of Father McGivney who decided to create a new movement for Catholic men. It was a noble effort made by this simple man of God who desperately needed to help poor families in his Connecticut parish. He was so moved by the plight of the poor and the lack of organized activity by men in the surrounding churches that he dedicated himself to create a new Order based on the collective need for Unity and Charity. In fact it would be those two words that would be the driving force to create an Insurance cooperative to help families who suffered the loss of a working spouse. Father McGivney came from a poor family and knew all to well the depth of that desperation following the death of his father. Following many years of struggle and dedication to encourage Christian men not to join secret societies but instead join the Catholic Church's new fraternal Order that Father McGivney was able to install the first officers of San Salvador Council No. 1 in New Haven Connecticut in May of 1882.

Today the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic lay organization, with more than 1.7 million members in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the Philippines and Poland. On average, the Knights donate more than $139 million and over 64 million hours of volunteer time to charity. The Knights watch words which are engraved on the towers of the international headquarters symbolizes the Orders commitment to unity, charity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Here at Our Lady of Mount Virgin church, we are fortunate to have a vital and vibrant Knights Council dedicated to helping our pastor accomplish the work that will strengthen our parish. But it doesn't end there because the Knights of Columbus is a world wide organization filled with opportunities that can expand horizons for all its members. It's a fraternal Order that bridges Christian communication and allows for greater possibilities in developing and forging new relationships. So you just might find yourself in the company of some great Christians who are willing to help secure a better future for you and your family.

If you are a Catholic man and you wish to find out more about our Council then I sincerely recommend that you to come to our table meeting and let us help you take that first big step in becoming a Knight or just ask any Knight of Columbus about how to become a member.

-Gene Briglio