KN I G H T S OF C OLUM B US COUNCIL 11 9 2 7
A Brotherhood of Service and Faith
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he Knights of Columbus is a national brotherhood of Catholic men who live out the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity by serving the Church and local community. The brotherhood is organized into parish councils. Our own Council 11927 was started in 1997 here at St. Monica and has been building a strong fraternal network of men for the past 25 years. “Being a part of the Knights has allowed me to enter into an entire brotherhood of men whose sole purpose is to do good for others,” says Gary Grist, a member of Council 11927. “It is an honor to be associated with a group of men who are willing to give of themselves.” The Knights meet at St. Monica at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month to pray and plan upcoming events and fundraisers. “We offer both manpower and financial assistance for many different ministries and causes,” Gary says. Every year, the Knights raise money through their car wash ticket sales and Puccini Pizza Night fundraiser. Their annual service projects include blood drives and passing out American flags to visitors at the Washington Park Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. They also have a big impact on parish life as many of them volunteer as ushers and traffic controllers. “We also assist in various parish projects such as ground maintenance and mowing crew,”
A group gathers to sing Christmas Carols.
says Chris Iles, another St. Monica Knight. Several years ago, as Gary recollects, the Knights helped a group of volunteers greet women outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic. The volunteers would give the women a bag before they went into the clinic filled with information and resources that encouraged them to choose life. “Shortly after we provided the bags of information, we received a letter from a woman who received one of our bags,” Gary says. “She said that she changed her mind because of the contents within the bag.” The Knights of Columbus not only build up the local community and parish through their generosity and service, but they also have a great impact on each other. The brotherhood is first and foremost concerned with building up men of faith. “I have grown in faith and my personal life,” Gary says. “I have be-
Fr. John speaks at a meeting.
come more caring. Now, I constantly look for ways to share my gifts and talents with others. This growth has been a result of my attempt to mimic my brother Knights.” “Personally, being a Knight has provided me with a sense of belonging,” Chris says. The members of Council 11927 are men of great faith who support one another in prayer and help each other grow closer to Christ. The service they do together is the catalyst that strengthens their brotherly bonds. continued on page 6
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