The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 in the basement of St. Mary's Catholic Church by Father Michael J. McGivney and a handful of Catholic laymen. The aim of the founder and those first members was to set up a parish-based lay organization that offered insurance benefits. In an era when parish and fraternal societies were popular, Father McGivney felt there should be some way to strengthen the religious faith of his flock and provide financial support for families overwhelmed by illness or the death of the breadwinner.
Today we have grown from that one local unit, or council, to nearly 11,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Membership is nearly 1.6 million dues-paying members plus their families - approximately 4.5 million people total - many of whom are actively involved in volunteer service programs for the Catholic Church, their communities, their families, young people and one another.
In 1998, members reported over 55 million hours of volunteer service and $110 million raised and donated to charitable and fraternal projects, including $21 million from the Supreme Council and Knights of Columbus Charities Inc., and $90 million from state and local councils. The monies raised at the state and local levels are expended exclusively for state and local programs.
The early system of fraternal benefits has grown into a top-quality life insurance society, offering a variety of policy plans to members and their families. Both A. M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor's rate K of C insurance "Superior" - A++ and AAA, respectively - their highest designations.
The Knights of Columbus, the world's largest organization of Catholic men and their families, has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been cited by popes, presidents and other world leaders for support of the Church, for programs of evangelization and Catholic education, for civic involvement and aid to those in need.
"Protecting Families for Generations" is a motto that captures the Knights' adherence to the legacy of its founder and fidelity to his vision.
Since it's founding on June 26, 1960, Msgr. Collins Council 5066 of Southbury has been working to fulfill the mission of the Knights Of Columbus on the local level. Business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Sacred Heart Church, and are open to all members of the Knights who have achieved their first degree. Social meetings are held at Sacred Heart on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and are open to any interested parties. It's a good opportunity to meet the members, find out about our work, and see if you would want to join us.
The Fourth Degree Assembly (Irwin J. Cassidy, Assembly # 2263) meets the third Tuesday of each month at Sacred Heart to carry on the work of that degree, which centers on Patriotism. We offer the following food for thought:
Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner,
but whatever they call me I'm your flag, the flag of the United States of
America. Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it
over with you, because it's about me and you. I remember some time ago
people would line up on both sides of the street to watch a parade and
naturally I was leading everyone proudly waving in the breeze. When
your dad saw me coming he immediately removed his hat and placed it
against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart.
Remember? And you! I remember you were standing there straight as
a soldier, you didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute.
Remember your sister? Not to be outdone by you she was saluting the
same way as you, with her right hand over her heart. Remember?
What's happened? I'm still the same old Flag, oh I've added a few
more stars since you were a boy and a lot more blood has been shed
since those parades of long ago. But now, somehow, I don't feel as
proud as I used to feel. When I come down your street you just
stand there with your hands in your pockets. Oh, you may give me
a small glance and then look the other way. I see small children
running around shouting, they don't seem to know who I am. I once
saw a man take his hat off, he looked around and seeing that no one else
had taken off theirs, he quickly put his back on. Is it a sin today to be
patriotic? Have we all forgotten what I stand for and where I've been?
Places like Anzio, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Korea and Vietnam. Take a
look at the Memorial Honor Rolls and see the names of those Patriotic
Americans who gave their lives to keep this Republic free. When you salute
me, you are actually saluting them. Well, it won't be long until I'll be marching
down your street again. When you see me please stand up straight and place
your hand over your heart and then I'll know that you remembered.
I'll salute you by waving back.
Anonymous
Please feel free to contact any member, or stop by during our social meeting for additional information.
for a visit to the Knights Of Columbus Supreme Council web page