KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Bring Spirit of Fellowship to Their Service in Our Community

For 140 years, the Knights of Columbus have provided valuable assistance and support to those in need. Established in 1882 at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., Fr. Michael McGivney began the organization with a mission of charity, unity, and fraternity. There are councils across the world, serving their own communities and parishes in a range of capacities.

John Danks serves as Grand Knight of the council here in our parish community.

“We’re a fraternity that was originally founded to help support widows and orphans, especially during the industrial revolution when so many guys died in the factories and families were left destitute,” he says.

While living in Montana, John noticed the services the Knights provided in his parish community.

“I talked to the guys and they told me it was a worthwhile group,” he says. “I’ve always liked to do work in the parish, and I joined in 2001.”

The Knights of Columbus is an active organization in our own community. The Knights host fish frys during Lent, provide volunteer work when the parishes require repairs and help with requests as needed. They also regularly feed local college students and help with the Wednesday evening youth catechism classes. The Knights also work with other ministries in the parish community.

“We work with the Altar Society when we can, and they help us by supporting our fish frys,” John says. “They provide the baked goods and we do the main meal.”

This spring, John hopes to generate interest in a Special Olympics event. He also wants to organize a clean-up for a local cemetery that has been long neglected. This past Christmas, the men also sought out widows of former Knights to ensure the women had an extra grocery basket and turkey. Some years, the men hand out roses to the women in our parishes on Mother’s Day, although that has not happened since the pandemic began.

“We work with what we’ve got for the number of people, funds available, and whatever the local community finds appropriate,” John says.

The Knights support religious vocations in our community, in particular the men in seminary and diaconate studies.

“They get a monthly check from us,” John says. “Usually we choose one from our diaconate and support him through his entire education. I was very grateful to our group because I have a daughter in the convent and they supported her the same way.”

John appreciates the opportunity to serve through the Knights of Columbus. He enjoys the camaraderie of the other men and acknowledges how the group motivates each other to work hard in our parish community.

“I like the fact that it doesn’t let me sit at home, I have to get out and do something,” he says. “It’s nice to have a regular group of guys to work with.”

The men meet twice a month, once for a planning meeting and for a general participation meeting. All men over the age of 18 are welcome to join. John encourages newcomers to consider joining this ministry. If someone would like to try joining for a year, they may do so without paying dues for the first year.

“My words of advice are, do something,” John says. “Don’t just sit. There’s a lot of work to be done and the Knights are a great way to get involved. We used to be a more ‘secret’ society. Catholics were harassed and we weren’t allowed in a lot of stores in Connecticut where it started — these days, it’s not so secret. We have opened the doors and we would love to have more people involved.”

Men of the three area parishes may contact John Danks at 940-232-6316 for more information on how to join the Knights of Columbus. For general information about the Knights, visit www.kofc.org.