By Marte Clemente Nogot, State Deputy, Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus
As Christmas fills our lives with joy and reflection, we’re reminded that the true spirit of the season – giving, forgiveness, and love – should shine brightly everyday, not just during Christmas seasons. As Knights, we regularly invite Catholic men to join our ranks, empowering them to become pillars of strength for the Church and protectors of their families, upholding the faith and serving parishes and clergy with honour.
Here are five reasons why Catholic men choose to become a Knights of Columbus member:
1. The Heartbeat of the Knights of Columbus is service. The Knights of Columbus is one the largest charitable organizations in the world. Through a variety of fundraisers throughout the years, the Knights raise financial support for many charities, including the Special Olympics and the Global Wheelchair Mission. The service aspect of the Knights encompasses the Church, Community, Family, Pro-Life, and Youth.
2. The Knights of Columbus supports the Catholic Church, with the order composed of a fraternity of over two million Catholic men. From the founding of the Knights of Columbus by Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, the Knights have been a foundation of support for the Catholic Church. In recent years, the Knights of Columbus have performed a variety of projects for the Universal Church as well as working with bishops in the United States and here in Canada.
3. The Knights of Columbus is pro-family. The Knights see the family as the core, foundation, and fabric for all society. Although the council meetings are for the members, many councils sponsor activities with the family in mind. It’s a great time to gather together as Catholic Christians and members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Realizing that the youth are an integral part of society, the Knights seek to foster the development of the child from adolescence to adulthood. Asking for intercession of the Holy Family is the centre of prayer for the Knights when it comes to family life.
4. The Knights of Columbus is strongly and devoutly Pro-Life. Following the teachings of the Catholic Church, we believe that life begins at conception and ends in natural death. While the Knights are involved in a plethora of activities locally that foster the pro-life movement, they are also major supporters of the March for Life and the national Prayer for Life Campaign, the Ultrasound Initiative, and the Culture of Life.
5. The Knights of Columbus is faithful to the Catholic Church, obedient to the teachings of the Church, its bishops and priests, and showing fidelity to the See of St. Peter. As faithful Catholics, Knights foster and develop vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and holy matrimony. Standing with the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus also fights for religious liberty, which is being threatened across the globe.
Our goal is to help men, their families, and their parishes come closer to Christ. Our programs and resources provide opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith.
You might think you don’t have time to become a Knight, but the Knights of Columbus do not seek to take your time from you or your family but rather offer you a quality time together by helping others, and by being with people who share your Catholic faith.
I am inviting all Catholic men to join in our free online membership – visit www.kofc.org/joinus to fill the online form and use the Promo Code BLESSEDMCGIVNEY (enter it into the box and click “add”) to join online for free. You will receive an email for you to confirm in order to validate your registration, please hit the confirmation button. Or if you need help, please contact any brother knight in your parish.
Become a Knight today and see how far 24 hours can take you. Our fidelity to Christ is the source of our unity, and we seek him in his Church and the sacraments he’s given us.
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Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.