Knights of Columbus
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In Service To One. In Service To All
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.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several memebers in one council to more that 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine and South Korea. We are men of faith and men of action.
In 2016, the Knights of Columbus set a new all-time record for the 18th consecutive year. Our charitable donations increased from $175 million in 2015 to a new total of $177,500,673 in 2016. In addition, we achieved our highest level of charitable service in 2016, volunteering more than 75 million hours of service. We undertake these acts of charity because we see those in need through the eyes of faith. Moreover, in the Knights of Columbus, we approach these acts of charity together. Pope Benedict XVI calls this the "practice of love...as a community."
Our charitable activities encoumpass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects. From international charitable pertnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity, to our own Food for Families and Coats for Kids projects and other purely local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless. Find out more about the Knights of Columbus here. www.kofc.org/un/en/index.html
On April 2, 2015, the Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council 16185 was formed. Thru our combined efforts and selfless giving of our time and talents, we will enrich not only our souls, but the lives of those that we will touch through our many church, community and personal activities, in support of our fellow men.
Membership application can be picked up at the church office. We meet the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM, in the church hall. For more information, contact Michael Lawson at (559) 246-6066 or visit their website at www.kofcholyspirit.org
Grand Knight ~ James Hinojosa
Chaplain ~ Msgr. Patrick McCormick
Deputy Grand Knight ~ Michael Lawson
Financial Secretary/Bulletin Editor ~ Dave Bates
Chancellor ~ Mark Grant
Recorder ~ Ben Romero
Treasurer ~ Carlos Bernardino
Advocate ~ Rod Olguin
Lecturer ~ James H Flanagan
Warden ~ Louis Maldonado
Inside Guard ~ Robert J Smith
Outside Guard ~ Ade Osijo
Trustee 1 year ~ Mike Pappace
Trustee 2 years ~ Joe Lopez
Trustee 3 years ~ Steve Socha
