Knights of Columbus

Nativity 4919 Knights of Columbus Mission Statement:

Our order is committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. We are devoted to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. Our mission is to engage in charitable works, to serve the Church, to support brother Knights, and to give aid to those in need.

We are men of Faith. We are men of Action.

Why You Should Become a Knight:

In 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney gathered a small group of parishioners in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. His purpose was to establish a group of men, united in their faith, and to provide for Catholic families in times of need. This was the beginning of the Knights of Columbus. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, members of the Knights of Columbus work to overcome the hardships that people face in their parishes and communities. We are a growing organization — nearly 2 million members — and for over 130 years, we have committed to overcome the challenges of the need for food, shelter, warm clothing and financial security, as well as provide aid for widows and orphans in our local communities. Joining your local council of the Knights of Columbus can change your life. As a Knight, you have the opportunity to strengthen your parish, give back to your community, grow in your faith and gain exclusive access to our portfolio of top-quality insurance products to financially protect your family. Councils conduct many programs that support your parish and community. But joining your local council does not mean that you need to sacrifice quality time with your family. In fact, volunteering an hour here or an hour there with your family can make an enormous impact in your life and in the lives of others. If you’re interested in helping those in need in your parish and community, strengthening your parish and familial relationships, growing in your faith, and gaining exclusive access to top-quality insurance protection for you and your family, then joining your local Knights of Columbus council gives you the way to achieve these goals. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

About the Knights:

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 15,342 councils and 1.9 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, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine, and South Korea. Our charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects. From international charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Food for Families, and Coats for Kids projects and other local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless. In 2016, the Knights of Columbus set a new all-time record for the 18th consecutive year. Our charitable donations increased from $175 million in 2015 to a new total of $177,500,673 in 2016. In addition, we achieved our highest level of charitable service in 2016, volunteering more than 75 million hours of service. The number of service hours contributed by Knights rose in 2016 by more than a million over the previous year’s total. “We are answering Pope Francis’ call to go to the peripheries,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said. “We can reach half way around the globe to help those in need and we can reach to our neighbor next door. And we do that every day. That makes us witnesses to the faith.” If you’d like to be a part of an international organization of nearly 2 million Catholic men whose principal work involves helping others in need, we’d like to meet you and invite you to join us.

Benefits of Membership

1. Columbia Magazine - Free subscription to the Order’s award-winning magazine examining issues of concern to Knights, Catholics and families

2. Knights of Columbus Rosary - Blessed by the supreme chaplain, presented during the Admission Degree to each new member

3. Mass of Remembrance - Mass for deceased members and their wives at the birthplace of the Order

4. Insurance - Access to a portfolio of top-quality life insurance, long-term care and annuity products exclusive for members and their families

5. Family Fraternal Benefit - For eligible families: a) pays $1,500 for the child who dies before the age of 61 days; b) pays $750 for the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; c) offers guaranteed-issue insurance - up to $5,000 - to any child under age 18

6. Orphan Benefit - $80 monthly allotment for orphans of eligible families; up to $7,000 in college scholarships available

7. Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit - Accidental death coverage for member and spouse at no cost

8. Widow Benefits - a) continues to be covered under the Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit; b) may purchase life insurance, long-term care insurance or annuities up to one year after insured member’s death; c) receives a free lifetime subscription to Columbia; d) eligible with her children for scholarships, student loans, etc.

9. Scholarships - Scholarship programs for higher education available to members, their spouses and children

10. Leadership Development - Opportunity to build personal leadership skills, public speaking ability, organizational skills, etc.

11. Fourth Degree - Eligibility to join the Patriotic Degree

12. Honorary Life Membership - At age 70 with 25 years of membership

13. Membership Card - Entitles participation in all Catholic, fraternal and social activities in member’s council and also in over 15,000 councils throughout the world

14. Activities - Participation in a variety of programs and activities conducted by your council

PROSPECTIVE MEMBER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the Knights of Columbus?

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal benefit society, with more than 1.9 million members in over a dozen countries. Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney to help provide financial aid to Catholic families, the Knights of Columbus is now one of the largest life insurers in North America. The Knights of Columbus also helps support a multitude of charitable causes; in the last decade, the Order has given more than $1.55 billion to charity.

2. How can I join the Knights of Columbus?

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to males 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics. If you are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus, please complete our online form and a Knight in your area will contact you. 3. I don’t have time to join another organization; why should I join the Knights of Columbus? As a Knight you can choose the projects with which you wish to be involved in within your own community. What is more, the Order is dedicated to family life and the many benefits it offers. From insurance to scholarships to service and social activities and programs, all are open to the whole family.

4. What are the requirements?

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See.

5. What is a practical Catholic?

A practical Catholic accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.

6. Do I have to purchase Insurance to become a member?

No; unlike many fraternal organizations one does not become a member by purchasing insurance. In the Knights of Columbus a man has to be a member before he may avail himself of the insurance benefit. Purchasing insurance is optional, however; the life insurance and long-term care insurance products offered by the Order are not only competitively priced, they are among the most solid and highly rated products available anywhere. Standard & Poor’s and A.M. Best, the leading independent agencies that rate insurance companies, give K of C insurance their highest ratings.

Who do I contact, if I am interested?

Nativity’s K of C Grand Knight: Christopher Hazboun (310) 701-9263 or chazboun@pacbell.net

Links

K of C Supreme Website

Father McGivney Guild

K of C Columbia Magazine

K of C Booklets

Fathers For Good

Catholic Pulse News

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

The Holy See

K of C California State Council

Immaculate Heart Radio

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