My name is Fred Bowling, and I am a Knight of Columbus!
I was approached back in the ’90s by a good friend of mine to join the Knights, and I must admit I had almost zero understanding of what the Knights are all about. But, since I had no good way to decline the invitation, I said yes, and started on a 20+ year journey with the Knights.
The Knights of Columbus are a Catholic Men’s Charitable Organization, raising and donating about $175 million a year, and donating thousands of man-hours of service. Our causes include Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Veterans causes, and local charities. The founding principles of the Order are Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. You may be thinking, ‘that’s great Fred, but what’s in it for me?’ One of the many things I learned by being in the Knights is that it is good for growing in your Catholic Faith, thus benefiting your soul, your family, the parish, and the community at large.
The Knights are looking for a few good men! We are looking for practical Catholic men (not PRACTICALLY Catholic men) over the age of 18. Many times, when talking to men between the ages of 20 and 40, we hear that they think they don’t have time to be involved with the Knights, due to commitments to work, family, and any number of other things. I can assure you I felt the same way, but my concerns were unfounded. Our lives are like yours, and we are not looking for a crazy commitment of time. We meet once per month for our regular business meeting. And we also hold one optional social evening each month. As for all the projects you see us involved with, we just ask that a Knight participate in 2 per year. And if you don’t participate, sorry, we won’t kick you out!
But the Knights are not just all work and no play! We have a lot of fun, too. And I am blessed to say that some of the men I have met through the Knights have become my best friends. Ladies, our calendar offers a number of events that are geared towards you, too, and to the family as well. The Knights were founded with the family in mind. The Knights offer their members tremendous Life Insurance and other financial instruments, to protect the family in time of need. In fact, Fr. Michael McGivney started the Knights of Columbus, in 1882, specifically for the protection of the widows and orphans of the Knights.
Pope St. John Paul II called the Knights of Columbus ‘the strong right arm of the Catholic Church’. The Knights of Columbus have grown from several members in one council to 1.9 million members and more than 15,000 councils world-wide. Men, do you want to be part of something bigger than yourself? Are you looking for a band of brothers to help you get through the challenges life throws at you? Something that benefits others as well as yourself? If so, I encourage you to investigate the Knights, and become an active member.
Vivat Jesu!