Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, the Knights of Columbus was chartered on March 29, 1882 in Connecticut. The St. John Council was chartered as Council 3738 on November 15, 1953. Worldwide over 12,000 Councils with a total of over 1.6 million members have been chartered. The St. John Council of Downers Grove / Westmont has approximately 300 members, and is a member of the Joliet Diocese.

The Knights of Columbus offers you social outlets, athletic and recreational programs, community service, involvement with youth and feeling of belonging that new friendships can provide.

Active in Church ministries, members are urged to serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, religious education instructors, participants in Parish organizations, and provide manpower for Church buildings and grounds projects.

The Knights of Columbus is one of the nation's oldest service organizations and offers programs for its members and their families. Knights are committed to all areas of Church and social involvement: in vocations, human rights, family life, support for law and order, and opportunities for the disadvantaged, especially Mentally Handicapped Citizens in our community.

For more information on becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus, feel free to call the hall, stop by during one of our events, or e-mail one of the officers. We will be more than happy to assist you.

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 many more family and personal benefits.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members. Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application.
If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation in what is known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus, currently more than 1.6 million Catholic men plus their families, provides the opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs. Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their fellow man. Through membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and to assist. Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men - a strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve. Knights of Columbus have a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build for an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.

Please contact Membership Director Sir Knight Bradley Alexander at the council hall for more information.

 
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.

The Ladies Auxiliary's main function is to SUPPORT the men and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at events, cooking for events and providing monetary help. They also generally do help with setting up and beautifying the hall for events.

Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.