Category: Testimonials

My wife Debra and I have been parishioners at St. Gertrude since 2014.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the Knights will not be able to share their personal stories before Mass this year so I will do my best to share the meaning of becoming a Knight in written word.  I can personally attest that joining the Knights of Columbus has enabled me to deepen my faith and make me a better man.

I have been a Knight for three years and my only regret is that I did not join sooner.  It was something I always wanted to do but there were always the demands of the job, business travel, and family obligations that prompted me to conclude “maybe next year”.  Three years ago, I realized something was missing and if not now, when?  I stopped by a table to learn more about the Knights of Columbus after Mass.  What I quickly learned was that there was a true brotherhood based on faith, aligned values, support systems, and the flexibility to engage at the level that is right for you. 

Today, I am the Chancellor for Archbishop Elder Council and I have enjoyed the enriching experience of being part of an organization of Catholic men dedicated to building a bridge back to faith and service.  That is the mission of the Knights.  We develop and support:

Faith through weekly Adoration, completing the Five First Saturday’s Marian devotion, and praying the rosary together. 

Family events like our Christmas party, Chili Cookoffs, and making delicious pancakes! 

Communities through soup kitchens, programs for our Veterans, and launching the “Leave No Neighbor Behind” Program with food and blood drives at our Parish. 

Life by installing 4,000 white crosses on the parish lawn, collecting money in baby bottles to donate to Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Center, and our latest ultra-sound initiative. 

If you are searching for a way to put your faith into action during these extraordinary times, please stop by our table after Mass on September 26 and 27 or go to the Knights of Columbus or Elder Council websites to learn more – www.kofc.org or www.elderkofc.org

Thank you and God Bless you and your family.

“Wanted to share some history with you (attached) from my visit in 1984 in Cuba’s GITMO. I found this picture last weekend of myself at the site of Columbus’ April, 30, 1494 landing!”
Vivat Jesus,
Michael E. Voto

My name is Tom Hahn.  With thanks to Fr. Andre-Joseph, a fellow Knight, I’d like to briefly discuss the Knights of Columbus and why practical Catholic men 18 years of age or older should consider joining the order and our local council.   

My personal Catholic journey began 10 years ago when I converted to the faith here at St. Gertrude.  Looking for a way to meet other Catholic men, I joined the Knights of Columbus shortly after coming into the Church.  For the past 2 years, I have had the privilege of leading the local Knights council as Grand Knight. During that time, I’m humbled by the fact that 30 men (including one of Dominican priests, as well as members of last year’s novice class!) made the decision to become a Knight and join our council.  Likewise, here are just some of the husbands and fathers of St. Gertrude Parish that joined include:

• Brother Joe Beinke (wife Paula, and their growing family)
• Brother Charley Laube (wife Michelle and their children)
• Brother Paul Dell’Aira, (wife Micki, and their family)
• Brother Jonathan Ring (President of a Dominican 3rd Order Chapter, wife Jessica, and their five children)
• Brother Bob Becker (wife Pegi)

If you are acquainted with any of these men, I encourage you to ask them about the Knights, why they joined, and what membership in the Knights has meant to them.

If you are not acquainted with them – but are looking for that “something more” (e.g., a fraternal brotherhood where you can work, pray, and socialize with like-minded Catholic men, or an opportunity to be of service to others – to be something or someone bigger than yourself), I invite to contact us and chat with me or with one of my brother Knights.

And wives, if you can’t convince your husband to stop and talk with us, then I encourage you to do so. Sometimes we men need motivation that only wives can provide!

Thank you!

My name is Nick, and I am here to tell you about why I am a Knight within the fraternal order of the Knights of Columbus. I joined the Knights eight years ago at the age of 19 and took my Fourth Degree in 2014. My wife, “Lady Elizabeth”, and I have been married for almost three years, and we have been involved with the Saint Gertrude community in various ways for nearly that entire time.

Father Michael McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to be a source of aid and protection for our neighbors, who, in the words of C.S. Lewis, are “the holiest objects presented to our senses, besides the Blessed Sacrament itself.” Like the worthy Knight protecting the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, we protect our neighbors.

We protect the widow and the orphan, the jobless, the hungry, the poor, the oppressed.

We protect the free practice of our Catholic faith by lobbying for legislation that guarantees the rights of conscience.

We protect the lives of the unborn by prayer and action.

We protect the victims of disaster, like the hurricanes and wildfires that have ravaged parts of our country, by sending supplies, money, and volunteers.

On a more personal note, when my wife and I began to open up to people about our struggle with infertility, my brother Knights immediately lifted us up in prayer and support. Half a dozen of them even approached me individually to share their own struggles with infertility or infant loss, and to assure me of their prayers. They united in prayer once again after our first child was hospitalized at just six weeks of age for a serious infection. I know from these experiences that I can turn to my brother Knights during any time of need. That sense of brotherhood is one of the things I value most about the Knights.

No matter how great or how small your involvement, there is something for you in the Knights of Columbus. I challenge every Catholic man who isn’t a Knight, to learn more about the Knights, and to prayerfully consider joining. You won’t regret it. Please contact us – we’d love to meet you!

My name is Kevin Graham. I would like to invite men 18 years and older to join the Knights of Columbus. I became a member of the Knights 3 years ago partially because of the encouragement of my wife, Debbie. Many of you may know of Debbie’s active Respect Life ministry. We Knights have provided the 4-dimensional Ultrasound machines at Pregnancy Help Centers which is a game changer for Debbie when she councils women in crisis pregnancy situations at the Sharonville Women’s Center.

As Knights, we serve our parish and community while working each day to create a better world through the virtue of charity IN ACTION. If you are looking to live out your faith in the spirit of charity by helping others, our Knights of Columbus council welcomes you to join us.

In this increasingly secular culture, I love being with Catholic men who are committed to practicing our Catholic faith in prayer and IN ACTION. We have a variety of programs in the areas of Faith, Family, Community, and Respect Life. Your degree of involvement in the Knights is flexible to your level of interest and commitment. It can be as much or as little as fits your personal situation. I and my brother Knights will be outside to answer your questions after mass. Men, come join our band of brothers. And wives, it doesn’t hurt if you give your husband a little encouragement.