Knights of Columbus Continue Legacy of Joyful Service

Whether it’s serving up family meals at their annual Lenten Fish Frys, hosting their Pancake Breakfasts, coordinating the Youth Free-Throw Contest, or collecting supplies and funds for those in need, the members of the Knights of Columbus of Bartlesville, Okla., have spent more than 100 years serving our church and community in seemingly endless ways.

“Our organization is founded on the core beliefs of unity, fraternity and charity,” says current Grand Knight James Huettenmueller. “We’re here to help the priests, help the parish, help the Church and help the family. If there is a need we can help fill, then we do.”

The Knights of Columbus enables Catholic laymen to make a lasting difference in their community and world. Working together within the context of Christian brotherhood, they help support local Catholic parishes, provide emergency relief to those in need, advocate for family life, support youth and religious vocations, and work to uphold the sacred dignity of all human life.

In the process, says James, the Knights themselves are supported by a spiritual brotherhood that challenges them to go deeper in the spiritual journey while supporting them during life’s inevitable struggles. It’s this element of spiritual fraternity that makes the organization so rewarding for its members, drawing men and their families more deeply into the life of the Church.

“I think one thing that has really kept me involved is being around other men and working on projects together — being able to discuss things in faith and prayer,” James says. “Having the priests as part of our leadership is also a huge blessing. Fr. John is so supportive and is a Knight himself. He helps keeps us informed on things coming up in the church and what help they need.”

Incorporating men from seven different parishes in Dewey, Nowata, Pawhuska, and Bartlesville, Council 1302 helps give men a greater understanding of their belonging to the universal Church. The council meets the second Tuesday of each month for a council-planning meeting, followed by a general assembly meeting, and then again on the third Tuesday of the month for a council business meeting. These gatherings take place at St. John Before the Latin Gate and are open to anyone interested in joining the Knights.

“We welcome any male who is over 18 years of age and is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church,” James says. “We’d love to give you a call or have a face-to-face conversation with anyone interested in joining. We want to meet you, your family, and share what this ministry is about — share how this can help your family grow.”

Those interested in joining or simply learning more about the Bartlesville Knights of Columbus may fill out the contact form located on the Council 1302 Knight of Columbus website at www.uknight.org/CouncilSite/index.asp?CNO=1302.