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Meet Our Knights of Columbus: Service and Catholic Brotherhood Within the Parish Community
When Chris Alcorn was coming into the Catholic Church through RCIA at St. Philip Neri in 2005, he was first introduced to members of the local Knights of Columbus. Little did he know at the time the impact this storied Catholic organization would have on his life.
“Before I became Catholic, I actually thought they were just the old guys with the funny hats, and I wasn’t sure what they did,” Chris says. “I was introduced to the Knights during my RCIA class. They were very involved in helping with anything and everything the parish needed and I wanted to be a part of helping.”
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More than 15 years later, Chris is now Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Bishop Denis J. O’Connell Council #12366. The council serves the Fort Mill community and supports the mission of St. Philip Neri Parish. Our Pastor, Fr. Fabio, serves as the chaplain of the council, and monthly meetings are held at the Parish Center.
More than a century ago, a small group of devoted Catholic men came together in the basement of a church in New Haven, Conn., looking for a way to bond with their brethren in faith and to positively impact the community, their parish, and the Church. Led by a young parish priest named Fr. Michael J. McGivney, these Catholic men looked to find ways to give their time, talent, and treasure as active disciples trying to live their faith when they first began formal meetings at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven.
The fledgling men’s ministry founded in 1882 is now the world’s largest fraternal organization with nearly 2 million members. Today, Knights of Columbus Council #12366 is a vital ministry at our parish, serving our parish and the greater Fort Mill community by actively following the four core principles of the organization — Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.
Since its inception in 1999, the local Knights council has actively supported the mission, the ministries, and the parishioners of St. Philip Neri, aiding seminarians,
donating to community charities, supporting local veterans groups, and providing assistance to the needy in the Fort Mill/Rock Hill community. Over the past 20- plus years, Council #12366 has grown from its initial 30 members to more than 130 members today.
Knights of Columbus Council #12366 Grand Knight Chris Alcorn (from left) with St. Philip Neri pastor and council chaplain
Local charitable endeavors spearheaded by Council #12366 include organizing food drives for a local food pantry and assisting with local blood drives. The Knights also generate donations for Camp CARE, which hosts a summer camp and other year-round activities for children with cancer, and Operation HOPE, an organization that supports intellectually challenged children.
From their annual Thanksgiving food drive and Breakfast with St. Nick each December to support the community, to their Lenten Fish Fry Dinners to raise funds for pro-life organizations, our parish Knights are truly living out their calling as stewards through intentional discipleship in the parish and throughout the Fort Mill community.
“It started for me as a way to get more involved in helping the parish, as the Knights were always visible during every church event,” says Chris, who was installed as Grand Knight for Council #12366 on June 1. “I try to practice my faith to support the Knights’ core principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.”
What’s more, Chris has not only grown in his faith through service with the Knights of Columbus. He has also developed lifelong friendships with his fellow Knights, and also has enjoyed having his wife, Valarie, and 12-year-old son, Gavin, involved in council events. They help out with support during the annual Breakfast with St. Nick event and the Lenten Fish Fry Dinners.
“My brother Knights are always there during times of need — it is great to be part of an organization that allows me to get directly involved in helping the church and our local community,” Chris says.
