Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s, fraternal benefit society formed in 1882 by Venerable Michael McGivney, an American priest whose cause for sainthood is being considered by the Catholic Church. The purpose of our local council (John Ivey Smith Council 6600) is to help our parish men grow in their Catholic faith and strengthen their pursuit of God’s will in their lives. Our local council also supports our parish families, our Church, St. Peter Catholic School, JPII Catholic High School, our community, State and Nation through our God given talents.
Founded on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. As stewards of our Order’s legacy, we endeavor to answer His call in solidarity with the priesthood, respecting life, defending of our faith and family and serving our fellow man.
The primary motivation for the Order
was to be a mutual benefit society. As a parish priest
in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could
happen to a family when the breadwinner died and wanted
to provide insurance to care for the widows and orphans
left behind. He himself had to temporarily leave his
seminary studies to care for his family when his father
died. In the late 19th century, Catholics were regularly
excluded from labor unions and other organizations that
provided social services. In addition, Catholics were either
barred from many of the popular fraternal organizations. McGivney wished
to provide them an alternative. He also believed that
Catholicism and fraternalism were not incompatible and
wished to found a society that would encourage men to be
proud of their American-Catholic heritage.
McGivney had originally conceived of the name "Sons of
Columbus" but James T. Mullen, who would become the
first Supreme Knight, successfully suggested that
"Knights of Columbus" would better capture the
ritualistic nature of the new organization. The Order
was founded 10 years before the 400th anniversary of
Columbus' arrival in the New World and in a time of
renewed interest in him. Columbus was a hero to many
American Catholics, and the naming him as patron was
partly an attempt to bridge the division between the
Irish-Catholic founders of the Order and Catholic
immigrants of other nationalities living in Connecticut.
We hope that you have seen us throughout your experiences in our parish. Our members are ushers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, parish council members, Deacons and Priests. We have members who serve the poor through activities such as: St. Vincent DePaul society, cooking and serving meals at the Community Crossroads Center (local homeless shelter) and raise money for special needs children of Pitt County. We also raise money and provide other types of support for St. Peter School and JPII high school. We help fund youth programs and youth organizations within our parish. We have Knights that aid in faith education and development. We make Amazing pancakes and support our parish families. We also support parish activities such as: The Parish picnic, monthly breakfast, many other parish events and many of you have eaten our fish and spaghetti.
We hope you have enjoyed the food and we thank you for your support.
Our men want to make an impact with the little time and treasure they have.
Men such as Leo Trujillo, a member of our Council, carved a wooden statue of the Blessed Mother for John Paul II Catholic High School. Our Council commissioned Leo, a master carver, to make the statue, and Leo donated his time to do so. The presentation of the statue was made after a Mass at the school celebrated by our pastor and Council Chaplain, Father James Magee.
