COUNCIL INFORMATION
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council 13405
History of the Knights of Columbus at our Parish
A new Knights of Columbus Council was formed to serve the four Parishes in the South Windsor area in the late 1950's. One of those Parishes was Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The practice of the day was for Councils to purchase a hall and Councils were referred to as 'Round Table Councils'.
In time however, the Knights of Columbus Supreme and State Boards encouraged and issued an objective to follow our founders dream of having an established Council in every Parish.
By the late 1990's Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish had grown to be one of the largest and more active parishes in South Windsor. It was on this basis that plans were put into place for Our Lady of Mount Carmel to form own parish based Council which not only would serve the parish in a more effective way, but would also expand membership by being parish based and focused.
This effort was led by Father Michael Parent, who had recently arrived as our Pastor. Father Mike had been a Knight for many years saw the opportunity to build a Council from within the growing parish. Father Parent had first hand experience of the many advantages of having a Council primarily focused on parish activity.
Our Council received it's Charter on October 20, 2003. This was not easy task, it meant finding 30 charter members which at the time was the minimum requirement to be able to secure a Charter. This drive was led by Father Parent and our Charter Grand Knight was SK Brother Brian Giroux.
We are a 'parish based council' in which we work closely with and for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish by providing funds, resources and volunteer man hours for various projects.
Among the many programs and charities we support include;
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Youth Group
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Home
- Coats for Kids Program
- Catholic Youth Ministries
- Pro Life Causes
- Basketball Free Throw
- Youth bursaries for Catholic education
- Seminarian and Clergy support
- Ontario Special Olympics
- Habitat for Humanity
- Arthritis Society of Ontario
- Net Ministry
- Second Chance Ministry
- Street Help Windsor
Over the years our membership has grown to just over 100 members most of whom are members of our parish.
Our members range in age from the early 20’s to mid 90’s and include students, teachers, professors, doctors, accountants, engineers, sales and marketing professionals, and skilled tradesmen to go along with a number of priests.
We are diverse, bringing our talents together coming from many different backgrounds for the common good of all.
But we have one thing we have in common is that we are Catholic gentlemen trying to make our parish, our community and our country a better place to live!
Our Council is one of over 30 in the Windsor - Essex region. We are part of District 10 and a member of the London West Diocesan Association and the Ontario State which reports to our Supreme Council in New Haven Ct.
We take pride in our accomplishments, including our award winning reputation over the years which includes a number of Star Council Awards which is the highest level achievement a Council can earn.
We are always looking for new members to join us. Our membership is open to all practical Catholic men 18 years of age or older by contacting our Grand Knight, Marc Vallee at - vallee1427@gmail.com