OUR MISSION
The St. Matthew Council works closely with the parish and the Topeka community to assist in many areas. The Knights, not only locally, but worldwide render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and need members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare and public relief works. The Council promotes fellowship for our members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. We support those in time of need and follow the principles of our church and organization by providing charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. These are the principles the Knights of Columbus was founded upon and we live by daily.
We meet on the First Thursday of every month at St. Matthew Catholic Church Conference Center. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM. Degree Candidates are ask to arrive NLT 6:30 p.m. and be accompanied with their sponsor
The Council was Chartered in November 2001
HISTORY
Late-19th century Connecticut was marked by the growing prevalence of fraternal benefit societies, hostility toward Catholic immigrants and dangerous working conditions in factories that left many families fatherless. Recognizing a vital, practical need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish on Oct. 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization, the goal of which would be to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies whose membership was antithetical to Church teaching, to unite men of Catholic faith and to provide for the families of deceased members. As a symbol that allegiance to their country did not conflict with allegiance to their faith, the organization’s members took as their patron Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America. Thanks to Father McGivney’s persistence, the Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882 and officially assumed corporate status on March 29. In addition to the Order’;s stated benefits, Catholic men were drawn to the Knights because of its emphasis on serving one’s Church, community and family with virtue. Writing in <em>The Columbiad</em> in 1898, a year before he was elected supreme knight, Edward L. Hearn wrote that a Knight should live according to the virtues of loyalty, charity, courtesy and modesty, as well as “self-denial and careful respect for the feelings of others.” Fraternity and patriotism were added to the Knights’ founding principles of charity and unity in 1885 and 1900, respectively.]]>30000http://topekakofc.org/how-to-become-a-member/ Wed, 22 May 2013 02:58:45 +0000http://topekakofc.org/?page_id=32Who are the Knights: The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.7 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.
How to Join:
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus. Contact the Knights to learn more about the organization.
4th Degree:
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. The 4th Degree Council the serves the Topeka St. Matthew Council is Assembly #0286 James W. Gibbons – Topeka . You can find out more details HERE.
Membership Benefits:
As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of Columbia magazine, the world’s largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.]]>32000http://topekakofc.org/members-only-area/ Wed, 22 May 2013 02:59:10 +0000http://topekakofc.org/?page_id=34[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]]]>34000http://topekakofc.org/members-only-area/members-only-area/Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:10 +0000http://topekakofc.org/?page_id=36BLOG as opposed to the blob… <–<— Check me out, I am now working!!!… . Items of Interest for our members