Knights of Columbus
We Are the Knights of Columbus
Chartering of the KnightsThanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
The Knights were formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.
Our Principles
All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:Charity – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.
Unity – None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity – The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
Patriotism – Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
National Activities
Charity has been the first principleFrom 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.
Last year alone, in addition to raising and donating more than $154 million to charitable needs and projects, Knights volunteered more than 70 million hours of their time to charitable causes. We undertake these acts of charity because we see those in need through the eyes of faith. Moreover, in the Knights of Columbus, we approach these acts of charity together. Pope Benedict XVI calls this the “practice of love…as a community.”
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 purely local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless.
Our Local Council … Emer-Quinn Council 3249
As part of the largest Catholic Family Fraternal Organization in the world, the Emer-Quinn Council (KC3249) is proud to serve the “All Saints Catholic Community” having central offices in Stanley, Wisconsin. We call the church families of Holy Family in Stanley, Sacred Heart-St. Joseph in Boyd, and St. Rose of Lima in Cadott our home community. Our local council was established in December 1949.
As Knights of Columbus, we are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. Our Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and 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 universal Order was founded over a century ago and we remain true to them today.
To join this great organization of Catholic men, please speak with a Knight or call one of our K of C officers. We will be glad to answer any question you may have and to assist you on your journey to Knighthood. You will find our 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 decades, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch.
Knights of Columbus — In Service To One. In Service To All!
Our Local Council Officers2020 K of C Officers | ||
Position | Name | Phone Number |
Chaplin | Father Felix | 715-644-5435 ext101 |
Grand Knight | Robert Irwin | 715-289-3586 |
Deputy Grand Knight | Open | 715-289-3586 |
Recorder | Ed Chura | 715-644-5646 |
Financial Secretary | Jerry Dirkes | 715-644-5426 |
Treasurer | Paul Rozwadowski | 715-644-5079 |
Advocate | Bob Pease | 715-644-2557 |
Chancellor | Steve Pilgrim | 715-667-5247 |
Warden | Jerry Heiting | 715-644-4880 |
Inside Guard | Earl Meyer | NA |
Outside Guard | Doug Straszkowski | 715-644-2391 |
Trustee | Truman Felix | 715-644-2613 |
Trustee | Doug Paffel | 715-644-5692 |
Trustee | Russ Pogodzinski | 715-667-3485 |
Field Agent | Jason Bourget | 715-937-7039 |
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