WHO 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.
In the spring of 1882, a quiet unassuming curate of St. Mary’s Parish in New
Haven, Connecticut banded a small group of men together to help with serious
problems facing Catholics and the Church in the last half of the century:
problems such as anti-Catholicism and ethnic prejudice, unemployment and the
early loss of the breadwinner. To resolve these problems, these ideas
were conceived: to aide in times of sickness or death by means of simple insurance
plans so that families would not face poverty; to strengthen themselves
and each other in their faith; to strengthen families and family life; to be a ptllar
of support for the clergy; and to be in service to the Church and community and to
those in most need.
The young Priest was the Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney and his men became
known AS the Knights of Columbus. The need is still there.
OUR BEGINNIING:
A journey started in I9l3 when two men who always traveled
from South Milwaukee to Racine to attend their Knights of Columbus meeting
discussed forming a Council in South Milwaukee which would be of great value and interest to Catholic men their families in the surrounding area. That
dream turned into reality on November 23, l9I3 when Supreme Board of Directors
granted a charter and South Milwaukee Council ll 09 was established. A
clubhouse was then completed in 1972 providing the Council with a meeting
place and a facility that helps conduct fundraisers for the increasing charities
needing help. The Council is blest to have an active Ladies Auxiliary that was
established in 1969 and continues to be an integral part of the Community to this
day. Council L709 has been a driving force for over 100 years and will continue
to be for many years to come meeting the challenges that will help us grow
stronger.
CHARITY GROUPS WE SUPPORT:
Xaverian Missionaries, St. Anne’s Center, The Honor Flight, St. John Bosco
Youth Roll, Vets Roll, Project Concern Divine Mercy, St. Matthews, Nativity of
The Lord, Military Chaplains Scholarship Fund.
STATE SERVICE PROGRAMS COUNCIL 1709 PARTICIPATES IN:
Tootsie Roll Program helping intellectually challenged, Life Savers for Life aiding prolife, Soccer Penalty Kick, Free Throw Contest, Math and Knowledge Contests.
FAMILY COUNCIL EVENTS:
Corporate Communions three in our local churches and Council Clubhouse, A11
Souls Day Mass, Packer Parties, pot luck dinners, Pancakes with Santa, Adult
Christmas Party, Pancakes with the Easter Bunny, Casino Trip.
COUNCIL FUND RAISERS:
State Charity Raffle, weekly Monday night Bingo, fish fries, Harvest Food Drive, Super
Bowl Party, Ladies’ Auxiliary Craft Fair.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
South Milwaukee Council 1709
GRAND KNIGHT Michael Kaplanek
(4r4) 344-83s6
District Deputy Les Kostera
(4r4) 418 -7 40e
MEMBERSHIP Tony Bloom
(414) 449-1586
LADIES AUXILIARY Diane Fritsch
(4r4) 481-5028
NOT FOR SELF BUT FOR OTHERS
PLEASE JOINE US IN OUR JOURNEY.
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.
We hold many events throughout the year including Church Activities, Youth Activities, Family Activities, Community Service and Council Activities.
HOW DO I 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 Les Kostera, Membership Director, at (414) 418-7409 for more information on becoming a member.
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.
Currently most of our 4th Degree Council members are also members of the St. Josephat’s Basilica 4th Degree Link to Assembly 3210 website in Milwaukee, WI. Contact Mark Anhalt, Faithful Navigator (414)218-9231 for more information.
LADIES AUXILIARY.google.cpm
The Ladies Auxiliary’s main function is to SUPPORT the men and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at events/activities, cooking for events/activities, and providing monetary assistance. They also generally help with setting up and beautifying the hall for events.
The Ladies Auxiliary meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at the KC Clubhouse. Contact Diane Fritsch at (414) 481-5028 for more information.
SQUIRES
Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires’ activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.
We currently do not have a Squires Circle in our Council.
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