Who are your Knights of Columbus

The brothers of Council 13860 are 83 men strong. Our Knights represent and support both St Isidore the Farmer and Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Catholic Churches. They are husbands, fathers, brothers and men of faith.

What are the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus was formed in 1882 in response to a need for a lay organization to rally the men of the church behind the concepts of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. Later a fourth degree was added based on patriotism and our love for our country. When the first charter started in New Haven, CT, times were hard for workers and Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney saw that many widows lacked support and he rallied the new knights to support them by providing aid. Since those days, the Knights have grown to 17,000 councils with over 2.1 million members providing support across the world.

What do your Knights do with their time and donations

The Knights of Council 13860 provide many church and civic functions. We answer many requests around the two churches to support individual parishioners in need, for various upgrades and maintenance, and to help with church functions like dinners and breakfasts. Our members support two major local missions, LifeSpring Pregnancy Centers and the Paul Stefan House. Both provide services to women and children in need, and we support them through labor and funding. Our major fundraising is done through the car raffle that we do annually and through dues collection. Some additional fundraising, such as the Life Spring baby bottle campaign and KOVAR, target specific needs. Some other charities that we support are:

Coats for Kids and providing funds for youth groups within the churches

Supporting the intellectually disabled through KOVAR collections at the churches and at businesses

Supporting specified seminarians and postulants in the Arlington Diocese through the Keep Christ in Christmas card sales

I’ll provide updates through the year, but until then Vivat Jesus (Jesus Lives) and men, consider joining and supporting your Knights of Columbus, it’s a great organization and opportunity. Talk to any Knight with any questions you may have.

Jim Schleser, GK, Council 13860

Website for more information and to join: https://www.kofc.org