Thanks 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.

From the moment of our founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. We are Catholic men of faith and men of charitable action. Knights and their families have greater opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that deepen their faith, promote the New Evangelization, and strengthen our parishes.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to 15,342 councils and 1.9 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, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine, and South Korea.

What do these men they call Knights really do?

We do three things: We help people; we change lives; and we save lives.

How do they do that? Through all our programs! Saint John Paul II Council 15996 was chartered in June 2014 to support the mission of Saint Clare’s. Since 2014, we have been active within the parish and our surrounding community, while strengthening the fraternal bonds and building the Domestic Church.

Take a look at what your Knights at Saint Clare’s Catholic Church (Saint John Paul II Council 15996) accomplished:

Charity

Donated to Hurricane Harvey/Irma Victims
Tithed portions of our fundraising to Saint Clare Catholic Church and other charities
Collected food at each monthly business meeting for Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Collected toys/gifts for Saint Clare’s Giving Tree
Donated to the Knights of Columbus Wheelchair Program
Donated to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit through our Pennies for Heaven Program

Fraternity/Unity

Back to School Family BBQ
Weekly Bible Fellowship Program
Rome Braves Game Family Outing
Date Nights
Knights’ Game Nights
Wine & Cheese Social
Christmas Family Party

Parish

Drive the parish truck each week, set-up for mass, assist with ushering and money collection
Sponsored an inflatable slide for the Fall Festival
Rectory Clean-ups
Pro-Life Awareness Program
Assist with parking at Christmas and Easter masses

Community

Hosted/sponsored Pulled Pork BBQ lunch for Habitat for Humanity.
Volunteered at the YMCA Pancakes with Santa: over 3,000 pancakes made!

If you’d like to be a part of an international organization of nearly 2 million Catholic men whose principal work involves helping others in need, we’d like to meet you and invite you to join us.

Visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kofc15996
Visit our Webpage: www.15996.org

Volunteer requirements: Background check and Virtus training if assisting with Parish events.
Contact the Ministry Leader listed at the bottom of this page to volunteer with this ministry