Our Council was chartered on May 12, 1980 with approximately 50 Knights.
A Council is a local organization of Catholic men having officers and committees that operates under the guidance, bylaws, and basic procedures dictated by the Supreme Council in New Haven, Connecticut. The Council membership is totally within St. Peter’s parish. St. Peter’s will be celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010.
The Knights of Columbus (KOC) practices four basic principles – Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Our activities and fund raisers strengthen the Council and allow us to make contributions to multiple, worthy charities and other memorable causes. The Knights of Columbus also has four levels/degrees that correspond to the four principles previously mentioned. A member progresses through the degrees via an exemplification that provides lessons on that principle. Each participant must be qualified for the degree being offered.
To be a member of the KOC is a commitment to our principles, Catholic doctrine, our charitable work, and respect life (from conception to natural death).
To become a first degree member and join the Council a Catholic gentlemen must be at least 18 years old, a practicing Catholic who attends Mass regularly, understands and follows the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, and passes the scrutiny of the membership process, which includes a visit from the Membership Director to the gentlemen’s residence to meet family members and answer any questions for the family. At that time the candidate completes an application form and provides a check for the amount of dues required (yearly dues are $36.00). Men completing the Rite Of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process can become Knights. Any member of the Council can progress to the highest level of the Council (Grand Knight). We welcome all who qualify to our fraternity.
First degree ceremonies are scheduled prior to monthly meetings of the Council. Following that first degree ceremony the gentleman is formally a member of the KOC. Council meetings are the 3rd Monday of every month. It is expected that each member attend at least 6 meetings per year, keep their dues current, participate in activities and fund raisers, and develop fraternal relationships with the other members of the Council.
You must be a third degree member to be a Council officer. Each officer has a designated responsibility associated with the Council procedures, operations, and bylaws. Fourth degree Knights also participate in a separate Assembly, which has its own officers and activities.
Council activities and fund raisers are administered through five Committees each having a Director. The five Committees are Church, Community, Council, Youth, and Family. A new member is asked to join one of the Committees to facilitate his immediate involvement in the Council.
Wives of the Knights or any lady in the parish can join the Ladies Auxiliary. Although they have separate rules and procedures, they are not bound by the same requirements as Knights. The Ladies help the Knights in activities and fund raisers plus develop their own programs for charitable and other activities. The Auxiliary has monthly meetings on the same night as the Council.
Please contact our Grand Knight, Sherman Collins, at council7584@gmail.com to get any questions answered and / or to start the membership process or email info@stpeterskoc.org.
The KOC has a superb insurance program that is highly rated by all state and national agencies. Members are encouraged to consider the many options available to help and protect their families. However, insurance participation is voluntary.
For Insurance Information:
Steven Wallace
225-247-8632
e-mail: steven.wallace@kofc.org