About our Council

In 1982, Fr. Alex Shahun, Parish Priest for St. Charles Parish, approached State Deputy Charles Zak to enquire about the possibility of forming a Knights of Columbus Council in the parish. Brother Urbain Zak suggested that Fr. Alex talk to Brothers Harry Attwell and Joe Rosen of St. Christopher Council 4788 and the St. Charles Men’s Club.

The first meetings took place in the St. Charles Church narthex and later in the hall upstairs. On March 24 1983, with the support of St. Christopher Council 4788, Supreme Council granted the council charter for St. Charles Council 8325.

St. Christopher Council provided an interest-free start-up loan for the council. Grand Knight Tony Ennes from St. Christopher Council converted the loan to a gift. Charter Grand Knight Harry Attwell even financed some Council expenses out of his own pocket for a while.

As the council’s financial situation improved, St. Charles supported Seminarian Shayne Craig and became a voting member of the Catholic Health Association of Alberta. In November 1991, the council applied to work a beer booth at Commonwealth Stadium during Edmonton Eskimo football games, music concerts and other stadium events. The council worked its first beer booth on June 12 1992 during the Genesis music concert.

In July 1992, the council-supported Seminarian was ordained Fr. Shayne Craig and moved to his own Parish in Commox, British Columbia.

To raise funds and support the council charity work, St. Charles Council worked bingos and casinos. The additional funds were very helpful with the building of a new church for the Parish. With the completion of the new Church, the Council was able to host KC events such as Padre Night and the KC State Hockey Tournament in 1996.

Fast forward to the 2010-2015 timeframe. The council no longer works casinos or bingos. The two main fund raising events for the council include working the beer booth at Commonwealth Stadium and the monthly Pancake Breakfasts. The council has completed many more programs and initiatives as summarized below.

• Monthly Pancake breakfasts of delicious eggs, ham and pancakes are open to Church and community
• Family Day events including Sleigh rides, bon-fire, youth activities, snow hill and hot dogs and hot cocoa
• Monthly movie nights in Church activity Centre with Popcorn, snacks and pop provided for youth and parents with cots for kids to sit on
• Lobster dinner with Newfie music and dance and get Screeched in!
• Parking assistance at Christmas and Easter masses
• Knights of Columbus Hockey and Curling council games and provincial tournaments participants and hosting welcomes young men into our council
• Annual K of C Golf tournament is always open to parishioners, visitors and family to join golfing groups (this year after our visit to St Joseph Seminary we extended an invite to seminarians there)
• Pro-Life March provide marshals for parade
• Pro-Life Supper (funding for Pro-Life march)
• Monetary support for Echocardiogram machine for Pregnant mothers to see their baby
• Demonstrations across street from Abortion clinic
• 40 Days of Life help provide on-going prayer during this time for pregnant mothers to choose life for their unborn child
• These activities to provide Voice to the voiceless lead by Joseph Yong fellow Knight
• Mother’s Day roses with all profits topped off by our council and going to the Pregnancy Crisis center
• Basketball Free Throw Competitions for Catholic Junior High-school ages, council and district and levels hosted by our council at St Elizabeth Seton school
• Annual Youth Scholarship for $500 provided to Catholic High School students in our council area fitting scholastic, community and religious involvement criteria
• Monetary support for Alter servers appreciation EG: Bowling night and pizza
• Monetary support for St Charles youth attending World Youth day each year
• Monthly movie nights in Church activity Centre geared to youth; special invite sent to youth group at St Charles has launched our largest turnout!
• Family Day Events provide activities, food and beverage for enjoyment of children and their parents
• Support and help with “Sharing the Journey program”
• Grace Manor ministry where council members bring mass to Grace Manor and Rosedale assisted living centers
• Yearly Grace Manor visits to St Charles Church provided with attended Pancake breakfast
• Support of Clergy by hosting twice the Padre Night (supper) for religious order held at St Charles Activity center
• Visit and tour of St. Joseph Seminary
• St. Charles Way of Cross lead by our council once or twice each Lent season
• Downtown Way of Cross attended by our council members
• Men’s Choir monthly singing at St. Charles church
• Mass help quarterly at our Council meetings by Fr. Ed
• Fr Ed speaking on matters of his choice at our monthly General council meetings
• Support of the Silver Rose run at St Charles church and provide transport to next point on run
• Knights of Columbus recruitment campaigns
• Three of the last five years we have had either one or two day K of C Spring retreat held out at Mulhurst Bay Camp (Pigeon lake) hosted by a local priest or deacon
• Marian Center lunches provide workers to prepare meals
• Mustard Seed suppers provide workers to prepare meals and serve
• Canadian Winter Special Olympics 2012 held in St. Albert staffed for by our Council members over 4 days and Costs covered by our council
• Christmas Hamper deliveries for the Christmas bureau
• Purchase Winter coats for Coats for Kids campaign
• Winter clothing, toques, mitts and scarves for downtown shelters
• Provide wheelchairs to Canadian Wheelchair Canada for those in need that cannot afford
• Fundraising through various activities to provide monies to various charities requesting from the K of C

St. Charles Council is an active and vibrant council with 189 members serving the St. Charles Parish working with Fr. Marc and Fr. JD and all of the Parish groups and schools.