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 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.
SAINTS TERESA & BRIDGET FOOD PANTRY (MAN-THE-CAN)
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 Saints Teresa & Bridget food pantry. These cash collections supplement the food donations gathered throughout the month by St Peter's parishioners to support this inner city parish food pantry. Every month requires 5-7 members at each Mass. To volunteer or to get more information, contact event chairs David McCoy or John Kleiss.
ST PETER PANCAKE BREAKFASTS
Three times each year, Council 2117 hosts a Pancake Breakfast to raise funds for a specifically named charity for each breakfast. A delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, pastries, orange juice and coffee are served after 7:30am and 9:00am St Peter Sunday Mass. For more information, contact event chairman Tom Foy.
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.
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.
OLD NEWSBOY DAY
Each November, members of Council 2117 join in the long-standing St Louis area community fundraising effort for children's charities. For more information about volunteering contact coordinator Dennis Buchheit.
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, following is a list of activities we do just for fun:
SUMMER FAMILY BBQ - Classic summer BBQ with great food and family fun activities hosted by Council
K OF C NIGHT - ST LOUIS CARDINALS GAME - Join St Louis area Knights for a summer evening of baseball fun
K OF C NIGHT - ST LOUIS BLUES GAME - Join St Louis area Knights for a winter evening of hockey fun
K OF C HORSESHOE TOURNEY - Statewide tournament where we can test our skills...and mostly have a good time