Who We Are

The Knight of Columbus are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to mak- ing their community a better place, standing up for what is right and supporting their Church. As the largest Catholic men’s fraternal service organization in the world, with over 1.7 million members, we hold fast to our founding principals of CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNALISM AND PATRIOTISM.

Being a Knight is about camaraderie and it is about being involved in and serving your community; it is about supporting your local Catholic parish and the Church world wide, while enhancing your own faith; it is about evangelization and patriotism and it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.

Supporting the Catholic Church has been a hallmark of the Knights of Columbus since its founding. This support is manifest in countless ways, from funding the restoration of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or donating more than $2 million to the Holy Father’s charities each year to hosting Eucha- ristic & Marian conferences and even paying to up- grade all of the Vatican's television equipment to enhance world wide broadcasts.

Local Council #11044: Locally, we were formed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in 1993 and named after the first pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. M Joseph McDonnell. Our membership has now grown to approximately 200 members and now serves both St. Maria Gorretti and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes. We have received several awards for our dedication and service including: the Star Council award and an award for promoting vocations.

What We Do

We come together on several occasions for prayer, fellowship and service.

On the 1st Monday of every month we meet in the St. John Bosco Room, located in the lower level of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for our business meet- ing. It starts at 6:45 with a Rosary.

Social events include everything from having a table at Symphony on the Prairie to a father / son paint- ball afternoon.

In the fall we provide the parish with an Old Fashioned picnic with loads of games for the kids, excellent food & entertainment for all; and in the spring - Fish Fry dinners for Lent.

Over the years we have engaged in many charitable activities in our parish and in the local community. They include:

• Providing financial support for seminarians & religious sisters, Gibault, KOOL, Pro-Life Committee, Tri-County Schools, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Augustine Home, Trinity Free Clinic, Boy Scouts, and the Gabriel Project.
• Purchasing Bibles for St. Vincent hospital.
• Building the tomb of the Unborn Child at OLMC.
• Leading Divine Mercy Sunday devotions.
• Provided rosaries for those serving in the military and attendees of the Indianapolis Men’s conference.
• Building the Vocations Wall of Fame.
• Running an annual essay contest for youth.
• Providing a free-throw & soccer kick competition for kids.
• Provide ushers and an Honor Guard for the Feast of Corpus Christi and other major feasts.
• Annual cleaning of the parish grounds in preparation to prepare for Easter.
• Providing manpower for our pastor as needed.

Who can join

Any practical Catholic gentleman, 18yrs or older. A practical Catholic is someone in union with the Holy See that practices the precepts of the Church.

What is expected of a Knight: As a Knight you will be expected to practice your Catholic faith and follow the precepts of the Church, pray the Rosary, attend council meetings (when your schedule allows), pray for your brother Knights and participate in at least 1 or 2 projects or activities each year. The projects and activities you wish to be involved in are up to you. You are also encour- aged to make your 2nd and 3rd degree within the first 2 years of membership. The time commitment can be as little or as much as you desire. But, the more you put in, the more you will receive.

Initiation: In order for you membership in the Knights of Columbus to be considered, you must first complete an application form and return it to a council member. You will then be invited to attend a 1st degree ceremonial, either at OLMC or another council. Contact the council membership director, Blake Helgoth, 317.663.3263 for more info.

Dues: $45 annually.

Benefits: As a Knight you will not only have the fellow- ship of brother Knights and the service opportunities provided by your council, but many other benefits as well. The Order is dedicated to family life and the many bene- fits it offers. From the insurance program to scholarships to service and social activities, most are open to the whole family. As a member you will receive Columbia, a monthly Catholic magazine, free accidental death insurance, a membership card that will allow you to visit any Knights of Columbus hall in the world, the option to take advantage of some of the most solid & highly rated Life Insurance and Long- term Care Products available & much more.

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