Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to all practicing Catholic men in Union with the Holy See who are at least 18 years of age. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and precepts of the Church. Applications (Form 100) are available from any members of the Knights of Columbus.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are first of all practicing 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 stand side by side in defense of those beliefs.

Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interests of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their Church and their fellow man. Through membership, they develop consciousness of their ability to lead and to assist.

Every Knight is happy to propose Catholic men for consideration as members. Upon acceptance, the applicant becomes a member by initiation known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.

Fourth Degree (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Assembly)

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 the local Fourth Degree group called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as a Third Degree in the local council to remain in god standing. St. Elizabeth Ann Season No. 241 was formed and received its charter in 1996. The name honors the first person born in the United States to be recognized as a Saint in the Catholic Church.

Many members of the Fourth Degree, dressed in their colorful regalia, serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus. They also serve as honor guards at a deceased member’s or member of his family’s wake.

Membership Benefits

There are many benefits to membership in the Knights of Columbus. Some of them are:

• The Knights offer scholarships, fellowships and student loans to members and their children.
• They encourage and support men and women studying to serve the Church as priests, sisters and religious through scholarships and direct financial help.
• Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their church, their country and their fellow man.
• The knights of Columbus offers low cost insurance to their members (it is not a requisite for membership) of various types of coverage. Family members are also eligible for insurance coverage. The Insurance Department has top ten ratings among the nation’s insurance companies.
• Full scholarships are available to the children of members killed or permanently disabled as a result of military conflict or as a result of criminal violence while lawfully performing their duties as full-time police and fir personnel.
• Fraternal benefits are provided to qualified members and their families through the Family Fraternal Benefits, Orphan Fraternal Benefit, and Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefits programs.
• Each member receives the Order’s Monthly Magazine “Columbia” as part of his membership.

Activities

In addition to the regularly scheduled business meetings on the second Thursday of each month and a social meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month, the council sponsors a variety of activities throughout the year that appeal to many interests of the membership. There are religious activities such as: A Corporate Communion for members and families on the last Sunday when there are five Sundays in the month, there is a Living Rosary recited and a May Crowning of the Blessed Mother early in May, the council encourages members to attend a retreat. Much help is needed to wage the Mentally Handicapped for financial results that will be helpful. Members and family members in this function.

The fund raising for help to the Right to Life Movement also requires many volunteers. For the youth, a free throw contest is held, as is a poster contest and essay contest. For the family, a tri council family picnic is held for fun, games and sociability.

Being a new council, we are still developing our program with additional activities that will be enjoyed by the members as well as their families.