site updated 3-5-08

The Knights of Columbus  

Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. 
The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. 
It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. 
It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.

If you want to join this great organization of Catholic men, you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order;  

Striving in charitable works;

Serving the Church and unified in following its teachings;
Supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; 
Acting for the good of their country; 
  and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. 

This is Father McGivney's dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch. 

Our Profile

The Knights of Columbus is a lay Catholic family fraternal service organization. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to all practical Catholic men in communion with the Holy See, age eighteen and above.

The term practical Catholic implies that a person accepts and abides by the Commandments of God and the precepts and tenets of the Catholic church.

On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more times over the next several months to continue planning, and the new organization --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early February, 1882.

The officers of the new Catholic organization chose the name Knights of Columbus to honor Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America. The word knights is also significant. We are ever mindful of the knightly qualities of spirituality and service to church that is embodied in the Knights of Columbus.

The Order has evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation. By the end of 1897 the Order was thoroughly rooted in New England, along the upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. Within the next eight years it branched out from Quebec to California, and from Florida to Washington.

The Knights of Columbus remains headquartered in New Haven, but is now present with nearly 12,000 Councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several other countries.

One of the primary missions of the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll® drive, which raises funds for charities that support the retarded and handicapped. We also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities.

The Knights of Columbus promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in the event of his death. Here is short list of reasons you may want to join the Knights of Columbus: 
An opportunity to become part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization;
Make a personal contribution to the Church and community through charity and fraternity; 
A sense of "belonging" in an organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together like-minded men joined in a common cause; 
Concerns for your family and retirement years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance; and knowing that the Knights of Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests, and our fellow man

Some of Our Good Works and Family Activities :

For Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish:

      Painted the Rectory
      Refinished the Main Deck in front of the SEAS office
      Installed shelving in the new classroom addition at SEAS
      Refinished the wooden seat by the waterfall area at main church entrance
      Donated a Pancake Breakfast to the SEAS Festival 
      Supplied Cleanup and Security Resources for the SEAS Festival
      Supply Spring and Fall SEAS Grounds Cleanup Activity
      Donated 16 man-hours of Yard Cleanup to the SEAS Silent Auction

For Saint Joseph’s Catholic School:

      Volunteers worked on multiple projects including summertime demolition of restrooms 
      and painting of several classrooms. (that was fun!)

For the Catholic Church:

      Supported two(2) local Seminarians in our Archdiocese
      Sponsored an Alter Server Appreciation Dinner

For the Community:

      We Participate in Tootsie Roll Drives to raise funds for the Developmentally Challenged  and Handicapped every year
      Food Baskets and gifts for needy family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas
      Provided kitchen volunteers every month to the NCC Mission
      Provided Desert for local Serra Club Charter night
      Participating in the CSU Homecoming parade

For the Unborn:

      Distributed roses after Masses to all Mothers on Mothers Day
      Distributed plants after Masses for prayer support of local unwed mothers

For the Youth:

      Awarded two(2) College Scholarships 
      Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest
      Assisted in preparation of Breakfast Burritos for Youth Group Fund Raiser

For our Families:

      Christmas Social
      Halloween Party
      Charter Night Potluck Dinner
      Summertime Family Picnic

Some of our Major Fundraisers: (and we do have fun at our fundraisers)

      Spring Pancake Breakfast at SEAS
      Annual Rummage Sale Event at SEAS
      Fall Pancake Breakfast at SEAS

Contact our Grand Knight, Chris Toploski with any questions at .  Meetings are at 7pm the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month in McGivney Hall.   For more information

 

 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Parrish
Knights of Columbus Council 12145
5450 S. Lemay Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80525