COUNCIL INFORMATION
Knights of Columbus Kirkwood Council 2117 was chartered in 1920 and currently supports three parishes in the immediate Kirkwood area: St Peter, St Gerard Majella and St Raymond/St Elizabeth of Hungary
K OF C HISTORY - Why the Knights of "Columbus"?
CLICK HERE for Why the Knights of "Columbus"?
Article from William J Connell, author and editor of several books, including the Routledge History of Italian Americans and the La Motta Chair in Italian Studies at Seton Hall University presents a thorough analysis of why Columbus was chosen as the patron of our order.
K OF C HISTORY - The Catholic Spirit of Christopher Columbus
CLICK HERE for The Catholic Spirit of Christopher Columbus
Author Ben Broussard explores the deep Catholic spirit of our patron Christopher Columbus.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Knights of Columbus Kirkwood Council #2117 is committed to the core Knights pillar of Charity.
Through the cumulative efforts of 100 years of fundraising along with generous bequests from deceased Brother Knights, our Council is committed to a program of sustained giving of $37,000 annually to a comprehensive list of religious and community based organizations that share our important values.
Following are some of the larger charitable programs that we also commit significant time and effort to accomplish each year:
COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
K of C Council 2117 holds an essay based Scholarship Program for graduating 8th graders who will be attending Catholic High School in the fall. Students from St Peter, St Gerard Majella and St Elizabeth of Hungary are all eligible to compete for one of the 10 awards of $1,000 each that are presented the first Sunday in May. Applications and rules are posted in early April here on the website. For more information, contact program chairman Dan Koskovich.
ST JOSEPHINE BAKHITA (FORMERLY STS TERESA & BRIDGET) FOOD PANTRY
On the second weekend of each month, Council 2117 positions members at each exit door after all the weekend Masses at St Peter Church to "Man-The-Can" to collect cash contributions for the St Josephine Bakhita food pantry, operated in conjunction with the St Louis St Vincent dePaul Society. These cash collections supplement the food donations gathered throughout the month by St Peter's parishioners to support this inner city parish food pantry. Council 2117 supplements collections with the amount needed to assure $2,500 per month is available for pantry food purchases. Every month requires 5-7 members at each Mass to cover all the doors. To volunteer or to get more information, contact event chairs David McCoy.
SUMMER BBQ FUNDRAISER
Each Summer, the Knights hold a large BBQ event at St Peter Church, with proceeds of sponsorships and BBQ sales benefiting Our Lady's Inn and the Fisher House at the St Louis Veterans Administration Hospital.
TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE
Each Fall, the Knights solicit donations from the parishes and in front of Schnucks market with proceeds directly paid to support individuals with developmental disabilities. Funds support the KofC Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and other similar charitable organizations.
WINE TASTING EVENT
Each Fall, the Knights enjoy an evening of fine wine and conversation at Grapevine Wines, with funds raised to support KofC Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and Missouri Special Olympics.
ST RAYMOND/ST ELIZABETH 40 CANS FOR LENT
Each Lenten season, the Knights coordinate a Lenten food drive in support of local food pantry efforts. Leading up to Lent, contact David Renard for information on how you can help.
ROSES FOR BIRTHRIGHT
Each Mothers Day weekend, roses are sold in the vestibule of St Peter Church with funds raised for Birthright St Louis, a confidential support and counseling service provider for pregnant women. To volunteer or to get more information, contact event chair Joe Booth.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT
In addition to specific designated fundraisers, Council 2117 provides support to numerous charitable organizations each year with emphasis on pro-life, at-risk individuals, veterans and evangelization. Links are provided if you are interested in donating to any of these organizations.
OUR LADY'S INN (www.ourladysinn.org)
Providing shelter and support for pregnant women who have chosen life for their babies
ST LOUIS FISHER HOUSE (www.fisherhouseinstl.org)
"Home away from home” for families of veterans and active duty personnel receiving care at the St Louis VA Medical Center.
K OF C DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER - CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL (https://8008.thankyou4caring.org/)
For children with developmental disabilities, finding the appropriate educational and medical resources can significantly impact their future. Thanks to the multi-disciplinary approach to care that the Knights Center provides, many children can receive all of their services in a central location that is convenient and accessible.
CIRCLE OF CONCERN FOOD PANTRY (www.circleofconcern.org)
Feeds the hungry and provides assistance to low-income families in West St Louis County.
CARITAS CONNECTIONS (www.caritasconnections.com)
Faith-based organization dedicated to "connecting those who have with those who need".
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (www.svdpstl.org)
Building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
FATHER BOB'S OUTREACH (www.fatherbobsoutreach.com)
Provides food, utility assistance, funeral expenses for need.
GIVE KIDS A SMILE - ST LOUIS (www.gkas.org)
Provides quality full-service dentistry ​free of charge to children with inadequate access due to financial or geographic reasons
CROSS CATHOLIC OUTREACH (www.crosscatholic.org)
Delivering food, shelter and hope to the poorist of the poor in 28 countries around the world.
BEST BUDDIES - MISSOURI (www.bestbuddies.org/missouri)
Programs to help community understand, accept and include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
JUNE JESSE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (www.junejessee.org)
Provides relief and support to children with devastating medically complex, neurological conditions and their families in the St Louis area.
MISSIONARY OBLATES OF MARY IMMACULATE (www.oblatesusa.org)
Serving poor and needy individuals in the US and more than 60 countries around the world.
COVENANT RADIO (www.ourcatholicradio.org)
The mission of this apostolate is to evangelize the Catholic faith, primarily through radio.
BIRTHRIGHT ST LOUIS (https://birthrightstl.org)
Provides pregnancy support to over 200,000 women in the St Louis area who need someone to listen.
GABIEL'S RETREAT MINISTRIES (https://gabrielsretreat.org/)
Offers retreats that provide women with love and support for them and their families to bring hope and peace in a time of unexpectedness.
RURAL PARISH CLINIC (www.archstl.org/rpc)
Provides primary dental and medical care to uninsured residents in the rural communities of Missouri regardless of faith.
FOCUS (https://focus.org/)
FOCUS is a movement that invites college students and young adults to encounter Christ and grow in their faith.
OUR LITTLE HAVEN (www.ourlittlehaven.org)
Early intervention for children and families; a healing environment for those impacted by abuse, neglect, mental or behavioral health needs.
TEAM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS - TASK STL (www.taskstl.org)
Offering year-round instructional sports programs that provide athletic and social opportunities to kids with all manner of special needs.
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOC OF GREAT ST LOUIS (https://dsagsl.org/)
Benefiting the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families through individual support, information, and public awareness.
EASTERSEALS MIDWEST (www.easterseals.com/midwest)
Supporting 5,000 individuals with disabilities and building a world with equal opportunity for all to realize their goals, dreams, and aspirations.
PARISH SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
As faithful Catholic gentlemen, we stand ready at all times to support our served parishes, pastors and priests with our time, service and funds. In addition to many Knights who serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers in our served parishes, we can be counted on to assist with large parish events where extra manpower is required. Some of the large parish events where we are prominently involved include:
ST PETERFEST BEER BOOTH
Council 2117 supports the largest St Peter parish event of the year (May 31-Jun 1, 2019) by manning a beer booth for both days of the event. Watch for a call for volunteers as the dates approach and for more information contact event coordinator Keith Beardslee.
ST GERARD MAJELLA FALLFEST
Each fall, Council 2117 provides traffic control and parking access for the St Gerard Majella Fallfest. Watch for more information as the event date nears.
COOKING FOR ST PETER MEN'S NIGHTS OF REFLECTION
Each year during Advent and Lent, St Peter Church presents a Men's Night of Reflection with a featured speaker and a discussion to enlighten the liturgical season. The Knights of Columbus sponsor, prepare and serve a meal for all attendees before the presentation begins. To assist in this important function, contact David Renard for more information or to volunteer.
FIFTH SUNDAY
The Knights celebrate Mass together each month that has a fifth Sunday (typically 2-3 times per year). The location of the Mass is selected for variety and interest, often at a church that has specific historical importance.
COYLE HIGH SCHOOL REUNION BARTENDING
Council Knights provide bartending services for the annual Coyle High School reunion. Coyle High School was located in what is now the St Peter parish elementary school. Despite closing in 1960, the reunion is still well attended by many former students who are most appreciative of our service to this event.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
The Knights of Columbus place great importance in being involved and visible citizens in our communities. Following are examples of some of our most significant community support activities:
ST PETER CHURCH BLOOD DRIVES
Typically four times a year a Blood Drive is hosted in the St Peter School gymnasium to provide much needed blood donations to the local Red Cross. Kirkwood Council #2117 is proud to have many Knights who routinely participate in this important community event and we ask all Knights who are healthy and able to consider joining us in this valuable effort.
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY GREENTREE FESTIVAL
Council 2117 is one of six community service and fraternal organizations that mans the three beer and wine booths in the annual Kirkwood Greentree Festival each September. In addition to being a very visible community service opportunity, the Council generates significant funds for our charitable efforts from both tips and a share of the net funds from sales. For more information about volunteering contact coordinator Dave Renard.
FRATERNAL ACTIVITIES
In addition to everything else we do, the Knights of Columbus is also a group of like minded friends that enjoy each others company. Beyond our charity and service work, following is a list of activities we do just for fun:
CHRISTMAS PARTY - Annual holiday kickoff with great food and festive camaraderie
K OF C NIGHT - ST LOUIS CARDINALS GAME - St Louis area Knights enjoy a summer evening of baseball fun
K OF C NIGHT - ST LOUIS BLUES GAME - St Louis area Knights enjoy a winter evening of hockey fun
K OF C HORSESHOE TOURNEY - Statewide tournament where we can test our skills...but mostly have a good time