The Knights of Columbus are the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. The Knights of Columbus, founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882, was named in honor of the mariner Christopher Columbus. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practicing Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
From the moment of our founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. We are men of faith and men of action.
In 2023, the Knights of Columbus set a new all-time record with charitable donations increasing to $185 million. In addition, we achieved charitable service of 49 million hours in 2022.
Our charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects. From international charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity to our own Food for Families and Coats for Kids projects and other local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless.
In 2022 newly elected Supreme Knight, Patrick Kelly, launched a program called COR. COR is intended as a cornerstone of his evangelization efforts; it is based on prayer, formation and fraternity and the program includes a variety of elements, including a Bible study for Catholic men and a video series on marriage, family and fatherhood. Patrick Kelly continues to march for life and supports Knights programs to donate ultrasound machines to pregnancy centers. In January 2022 the Knights donated their 1500th ultrasound machine.
If you’d like to be a part of an international organization of more than 2 million Catholic men whose principal work involves helping others in need, we'd like to meet you and invite you to join us. Feel free to contact our current Grand Knight to discuss joining our Council.
Membership/Business meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month and Officers’ Planning/Social meetings are typically held on the third Thursday. Meetings usually begin at 7:30 pm and are held either in person at the Burke Wing of St. Augustine School in Elkridge, Maryland or virtually (meeting venue is announced through the Knights of Columbus CCASTA Flocknote: https://ccasta.flocknote.com/KofC). Occasionally, in-person social meetings may be held outside the St. Augustine campus. Officers are required to attend meetings while members are strongly encouraged to do so. Contact the current Grand Knight for additional details.
Being a Knight at CCASTA is an opportunity to help make the community a better place and continue the teachings of Christ. Whether helping to deliver mulch to raise funds that support the Communities, VBS or school activities, or helping to collect food to help the Little Sisters of the Poor take care of the elderly, you make a difference.
We understand you’re already so busy you can’t imagine fitting in one more thing. You may have a young family and may consider the Knights as something you’d like to do “when the kids get older.” You could make a difference by joining today.
In our council at CCASTA, we have many men who are balancing a long list of home, school, civic, and church activities. As a member of our council, there is no expectation you’ll make every meeting or help at every event. We are grateful for whatever amount of time you can give.
Being a Knight while your kids are young is a great opportunity to set an example of service that will hopefully remain with them all their lives. Your participation now supports many programs your children participate in today!
LINKS:
Maryland State Web Site: www.kofc-md.org/
Supreme Web Site: www.kofc.org/en//index.html
More than 160 Catholic Men Proudly Serving our Parish and our Community
Established 1995