Who We Are

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families.  Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled, and needy members and their families.  Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief, and public relief works.

 The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society.  The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity, and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

 The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000 councils and 1.6 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam, and Saipan.

 What We Do   TOP OF PAGE

Volunteer Service

As the Order has grown, its benevolence has increased.  The Order continues to break all of its previous records for charitable contributions and volunteer service.  In the past decade, the Knights have raised and donated nearly $1 billion to numerous charitable causes and volunteered nearly 400 million hours of service.  Last year alone, the Knights donated more than $125 million and more than 60 million volunteer hours to charitable causes.

 Church Support

Supporting the Catholic Church has been a hallmark of the Knights of Columbus since its founding in 1882.  From funding the restoration of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to operating an usher ministry at a local parish, the Knights of Columbus serves the Church in countless ways.  Annually, the Order raises and distributes more than $45 million to Church groups in support of programs at the local, national, and international levels.  Local Knights and their families donate more than 25 million hours of volunteer time to the Church each year.

 Vatican Support

The Knights of Columbus provides support for the Catholic Church in many ways, including the funding of many important Vatican projects.

   Restoration of the Facade of St. Peter's Basilica

    Restoration of Atrium of St. Peter's Basilica

     Vicarius Christi Fund

 What We Do Locally  TOP OF PAGE

 The James Joseph McLean, Sr. Council 8551 has provided the following support and services locally for the calendar year 2003:

     Donated $500.00 in financial support for a Seminarian from the Birmingham Diocese.

     Donated $750.00 to St. Cecilia Parish’s holiday food basket program.

     Donated $800.00 to the Knights of Columbus – Alabama State Council’s Annual Drive to Benefit the Mentally Retarded.  80% of which goes to the Walker County Board of Education’s Valley School Early Intervention Program locally.  The remaining 20% is dispersed by the Alabama State Council at its annual convention.

     Donated a hymn board for use by St. Cecilia Parish.

     Funded the expansion of the outdoor cooking facilities at St. Cecilia, which are used primarily for the annual Fall Blast fundraiser and the Knights fund raising events.

     Prepared breakfast for all the mothers of the Parish and their families of the parish on Mother’s Day.

     Funded, supervised, and prepared lunch for the Annual Youth Fishing Trip for all the youth of the Parish and their families at Walker County Lake.

     Donated a brick paver to the new City of Jasper Natatorium in support of their fundraising efforts.

     Maintained the Parish grounds with the exception of the immediate area covered by the church building.

 Overall, the James Joseph McLean, Sr. Council 8551 has donated in excess of 1,886 man-hours and $7,550 in services to our church, community, and youth during the calendar of 2003.

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Last modified: 08/25/06