The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.
A question that comes up frequently from prospective members is: why join the Knights of Columbus?
It provides an opportunity to grow in your faith, as a Catholic man, alongside a brotherhood of other Catholic men
It provides an opportunity to get actively involved and serve your parish community, in a variety of different ways, through the many service programs that our Council offers
Finally, it provides an opportunity to make sure that your family is taken care of through our world-class insurance program
As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, and many more family and personal benefits.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men who are at least 18 years old. Blank applications (known as Form 100s) are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus, and also available at the information counter in the vestibule of the Church.
Here is a link to the Knights.net, if you are interested in learning more about joining the Knights of Columbus. It has a lot of information about joining, and it is extremely easy to do so, even as an online member (or E-member) now. If you wish to join as an E-member, here is a link to do so.
What is a practicing Catholic? Also known as being in union with the Holy See, this is someone who actively lives out their faith, is active in their church community, regularly receives the sacraments (including Eucharist through regular weekly attendance at Mass and at least annual reception of Reconciliation during the Easter Season). A practicing Catholic is someone who takes seriously the commitment of living out, through their actions and lifestyle, the Commandments of God and the precepts and teachings of the Church. A practicing Catholic, in short, is someone who is an example to others of what it means to live their faith.
Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.
Our local assembly in the Antelope Valley is known as Assembly #73, Monsignor Charles Kennedy Assembly. Here is a link to the Assembly website.