Why did you become a Knight? Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to call to mind how strongly our members of our parish are committed to stewardship - the recognition that we should share God’s gifts to us with others. Council 11028 of the Knights of Columbus is the “right hand of the church” - a “can-do” organization ready to serve our church and community. Most parishioners have been enormously blessed and are looking for a way to “give-back.” Like many Brother Knights, you probably became a Knight as one way to do this. Now a Knight, you will find the opportunities to serve are equal to the time and talent you can make available.

A Knight may progress through four “levels” from an initial First Degree to the highest level, the Fourth Degree. Each degree corresponds to the Order’s four principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. You became a Knight upon taking your First Degree, but how far have you advanced. You are heartily encouraged to advance through whatever degrees you have not attained. Each degree ceremony acknowledges that the candidate has learned the principle associated with the degree. It is important that you fully understand the full meaning of each degree. By doing so, you are likely to have a richer experience in your Knighthood. Our council has established specific goals, accountabilities and associated procedures for each step of the journey. Some apply across degrees, others are degree specific.

First Degree: Charity

The lesson of the 1^st Degree, CHARITY, is that Knights strive to perform charitable works and give aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. Examples of good works of charity by our council include:

Operation Hope: The annual Tootsie Roll drive for those with mental handicaps,

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter food drives for the needy,

Sponsoring a picnic for the students of Baskerville, and

Labor for the Habitat for Humanity house building

Second Degree: Unity

The lesson of the 2^nd Degree, UNITY, is to assure that a Knight becomes fully united with his brothers in the basic understanding of his Catholic faith. Organized Columbians, united behind the individual Knight, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men – a strength which the individual by himself can not achieve. Does he really know: The Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Seven Sacraments, the difference between sanctifying and actual grace, the precepts of the church, Holy Days of Obligation, the Seven Capital Sins, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Mysteries of the Rosary. In other word, as a group of Catholic men, are we all united in our faith and the church? We manifest this deep belief in our faith such activities as:

Providing funding for a Pro-life Billboard,

Organizing and participating in a community Life Chain,

Funding and providing labor for a Memorial to the Born and Unborn, and

Organizing family Masses.

Third Degree: Fraternity

The lesson of the Third Degree, FRATERNITY, makes a Knight aware that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. It brings home the requirement of Love of Neighbor no matter race, national origin or physical ability. It demands our defense of the weak and abused. It binds the Brotherhood of Knights against injustice. It solidifies the bond between the Knights and the bishops and priests of the church. Completion of this degree brings the Knight to full Knighthood. Some activities relating to this degree are:

Sponsoring a picnic for the students at Baskerville,

Recognizing a Knight and Family of the Month,

Organizing Tri-Council picnics, and

Managing parish breakfasts.

Fourth Degree: Patriotism

The lesson of the Fourth Degree, the highest level of membership in the Knights, is that Knights act for the good of their country. They are dedicated to promoting patriotism, i.e. love of God and country, illuminated by Catholic faith. Assemblies have their own officers, meetings and socials. Some activities of Assembly 2107, the assembly consisting of Fourth Degree Knights from, St. Mary’s, Precious Blood and St. Michael’s are:

Placing flags on over 1,000 veteran’s graves,

Participating in, and providing an Honor Guard for, Veterans’ Day programs,

Arranging for the respectful disposition of soiled American flags,

Supporting construction of the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., and

Providing an Honor Guard for Bishop and for special moments, e.g. Memorial Mass.

Our council has established a Degree Committee headed by the Chancellor and consisting of the Membership Chairman; Proposers; the Financial Secretary; the Deputy Grand Knight; the Second and Third Degree Coordinator, the Fourth Degree Coordinator and the Retention Chairman.. Members of this committee have both individual and collective responsibilities as appropriate for specific stages of the journey for each candidate to assure leadership and supervision of the entire degree journey. . It is vital that Proposers, along with the Membership Chairman play a very active and responsible part in communication and leadership as candidates achieve each degree level. The Financial Secretary has the critical responsibility to see that all official documents are in order during the journey.

It is the responsibility of each Knight to seek out members of the Degree Committee as necessary on his journey through Knighthood.

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