Yes, I want to join the Knights of Columbus!

The Knights of Columbus began in 1892 when a group of pioneering Catholics, led by Father Michael McGivney, founded a society designed to provide much needed security for widows and orphans of Catholic parishioners. Father McGivney's original idea grew quickly, becoming an order of Catholic men and their families, dedicated to promoting charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Today, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with more than 1.9 million members in over 15,000 local councils in the United States and in other parts of the world. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities to serve the Catholic Church, their communities, their families, and their young people.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family can enjoy many benefits, including an ongoing free monthly subscription to Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family periodical, as well as eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.

At St. John's, the Knights are involved in a number of different parish activities. There is a continuing need for parish men to become active in parish life. If you are a Catholic man at least 18 years of age, the K of C may be just what you have been looking for to help fill this need, and you may always choose to be as active as you are both comfortable and able. Involvement with the Knights offers continued opportunities for fellowship with people who share the same beliefs and recognize the same duty to God, to family, and to our community.

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 His Church. Application forms are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Our council meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month. To obtain more information on the St. John's Council call the parish office at (402)489-1946, or you can email us with your name, address, and phone number, along with the best method (email or phone) and time for us to get back in touch with you. Also, our current Membership Director is Brady Wetzel, and you can email him for more information on joining our council.

 
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, along with a love of and a loyalty to the Knights' respective countries, through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Some members of the Fourth Degree, if they wish, also serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Fourth Degree members of Council 11280 belong to the Bishop Kucera Assembly 595. Their Faithful Navigator is Mark Rezac, and you can email him for more information on joining their assembly.

 
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 10 and 18. 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.

Council 11280 sponsors the Blessed Pope John Paul II Circle 5529. Their adult Squires Counselor is Jeff Berens, and you can email him for more information on joining their circle.