Knights of Columbus – Background
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 was 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.
St. Clements Council #7018 was chartered on December 11, 1977. Raymond Brotebeck served as the first Grand Knight. Parishes associated with the council are St. Clements of Rome located in Romeo. Meetings are the third Thursday of every month @ 7:00 p.m.
If you are interested in joining, please contact our Advocate, Karrie Illner 586-337-4225.
A Few Examples of Activities pertaining to Council 7018
Charity: McRest, Boysville, Special Olympics, Take 5, Morality in Media, Keep Christ in Christmas, Sponsor softball teams, financial gifts to families in distress, wheelchairs, St. Baldrics, Financial gifts to churches, schools and Agape Center, Holiday gifts to children, Gifts to the needy.
Fraternity: Christmas/Ladies Appreciation Night, Fraternal Night, Casino Trips, Free Throw, Poster Contest, Country Breakfasts, Texas Holdem’s, Prep Bowl, Auto show, Golf Outing Sponsor, Peach Festival, Parish picnics, Tootsie Roll Drive for the Mentally Impaired.
Unity: Food drives, Agape Center building refurnish, Bell tower project, Austin Academy Painting Project, Deck building, Deceased members mass, Pasta Dinner, Peach Festival Parking, Seminarian sponsorship, Vocations, Right to Life, Rosaries, Flag Retirement Ceremony.
Member Benefits
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world’s largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and much more family and personal benefits.
4th Degree
Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights’ respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called “assemblies”). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.
Our Assembly is Bishop Walter Schoenherr Assembly # 3057.