COUNCIL INFORMATION
Knights of Columbus Mission and Principles
Knights of Columbus Mission
The St. Jude Council of Knights of Columbus (#13172) is part of a worldwide organization, the world’s largest fraternal service organization of Catholic men, founded in 1882. The organization is guided by four core principles:
CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, and PATRIOTISM
These principles foster our good works in the areas of:
FAITH, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, and LIFE
Some examples of our good works include support of:
- St. Jude Research Hospital - Boynton Beach Soup Kitchen
- Boca Helping Hands - Suit Cases Ukrainian War persons,
- 50/50 raffles at parish events - Planning/sponsoring Christmas Party
- Essay contest & scholarships - Special Olympics
- Color Guards for parish & Diocese – St. Jude Usher duties
- Sunday coffee & cake - Food ministry
The organization was founded to allow Catholic men to support the Church, protect families financially, and perform charitable acts for those in need.
Catholic men who are dedicated to the protection of family life as well as
service to their priests, parishes, communities and country.
Members have the opportunity to enjoy fraternal benefits through a unique
insurance program and social events. Knights have a special mission to
protect widowed mothers and children from hardship.
They join in projects and prayer to protect the lives of the unborn and to
help the mentally and physically handicapped. Moreover, the Knights sponsor
intellectual and athletic activities for youth. Examples being: The Essay Contest for Catholic School students in grades 8th through 12th, and for scholarships given to two outstanding St Jude School 8th grade graduates.
General council meetings are held the first Thursday of each month.
CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, and PATRIOTISM
The Knights of Columbus are founded on four key principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. The definition of these principles as follows:
The Four Principles and Their Definitions
- Charity: As the first and fundamental principle, charity means loving your neighbor as yourself. Knights are committed to easing the plight of the less fortunate, which is put into action through countless service activities such as food drives, volunteering at Special Olympics, and supporting mothers who choose life for their babies. The Order emphasizes that faith requires action.
- Unity: The principle of unity highlights that "none of us is as good as all of us". Members stick together and support one another, recognizing that much more can be accomplished as a unified body than individually. This unity was essential for the Order's founders in the face of an often-hostile environment for Catholics.
- Fraternity: The Knights of Columbus was largely founded to provide mutual assistance to the widows and children of members who died prematurely, often in dangerous workplaces. This commitment to brotherhood continues today through a top-rated insurance program and members giving millions of service hours to assist sick and disabled brother Knights and their families.
- Patriotism: Members are proud of their devotion to God and country and believe in standing up for both. Whether in public or private, Knights remind the world that Catholics are among the greatest citizens and support their nations. This principle is the basis of the Fourth Degree of the Order.
These principles also serve as the foundation for the organization's core values of Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, and Respect.
Knights Programs
Click here to view our Council Programs
Knights of Columbus
Catholic Fraternal Men’s Organization: Founded 1882 New Haven CT
1.9M members WW, Year 2017: $186M in Donations and 76M volunteer Hours WW
4 Principles
Charity: Help neighbors in need
Unity: Support one another
Fraternity: Insurance Program supports Knights Families
Patriotism: Devotion to God, Church, and Country
St. Jude Council Historical Program Support:
Contribute to Vatican for Papal designated WW charities
Support Church mission in the Holy Lands
Contribute to the cost of televising Papal WW events
Contribute to further education of Bishops and Priests at Pontifical College in Rome
Contribute to WW Vocations support for seminarians
UltraSound Machines for ProLife Pregnancy Centers
March for Life Support (Culture of Life)
Wheelchairs for Vets
Habitat for Humanity
Scholarship to Catholic High Schools and Seminarian Support
Local Church Support: Example: Communion Vessels, Altar Server Robes, Altar Cloth, Other
Coffee/Donuts Sunday Morning
Fall Festival Raffle for the Church
Divine Mercy Sunday: Local Radio Station program Support to spread the message
Clergy Appreciation awards
Youth: Altar Servers awards. Soccer and Poster Contest, Coats for Kids
Special Olympics
Aid to Seniors
St Jude Children’s Hospital
Boca Helping Hands and Other local charities
Family Support Carpenter Ministry
Christian Refuge Relief Fund
WW Disaster Relief by request of Local churches in Disaster areas
Go to Photo Galleries to see St. Jude Knights in Action
Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney
Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney
Michael Joseph McGivney (August 12, 1852 – August 14, 1890) was an American Catholic priest based in New Haven, Connecticut. He founded the Knights of Columbus at a local parish to serve as a mutual aid and insurance organization, particularly for immigrants and their families.
Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church.
Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.)
Glory Be (Doxology) Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen
Divine Mercy
Our Council supports the mission to spread the word of the Divine Mercy of the Lord as revealed to St. Faustina.
Learn about the work being done to help our children troubled by the pressures of today's world and social media. Also hear radio interviews on Divine Mercy.
In memory of our Brother Peter Bruno