St. Columba ParishFounded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, a parish priest, to protect Catholic families, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization. Our council was chartered in 1961 and has about 140 members, from twenty-somethings to a 94-year-old charter member who still comes to meetings.
Meetings
- Council meeting
- Prospects welcome
- Rosary before the meeting
- Executive
Who can join
- Practising Catholic men
- Dues
- Online membership
Contact
- Grand Knight: Michael Brennan
- kofc@stcolumbatoronto.ca
- Membership: Tony DiMarco
What the Knights do here
Raising and giving
The October Charity Dinner & Dance ($60 a ticket, 200 guests) funds the St. Vincent de Paul pantry and Special Olympics Ontario. Coats for Kids each November; the Christmas hamper drive; a $1,000 bursary for a graduating parish student.
Hands and grills
The Knights run the barbecue at the picnic, the pancake breakfasts, the Good Friday Stations outdoors, snow-clearing on Sunday mornings and an annual work day that repaints what the budget cannot reach.
Growing as men
A monthly men's Holy Hour, the Into the Breach video series, a father-son campout in June, and the Knights' insurance and fraternal benefits for members' families.
Joining
Any practising Catholic man aged 18 or older may join. The simplest route is to come to a meeting at 7:00 PM on the second Monday, or to join online at kofc.org and choose Council 12345. New members take the Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity — a thirty-minute ceremony now held at the parish several times a year, to which families are welcome. The Fourth Degree (patriotic) and the Colour Corps, whose members in regalia serve at funerals and Confirmation, are open after a year.
Questions
How much time does it take?
As much or as little as you have. A member who comes to the monthly meeting and helps at two events a year is a full member. Many retired Knights give a morning a week.
Is it a secret society?
No. The ceremonies have been public since 2020, the finances are reported to the parish, and the pastor is the council's chaplain.
Can my wife or daughter take part?
Membership is for men, but almost every event is a family event, and the Knights and the CWL run the bazaar, receptions and dinner together.
What is the insurance program?
The Knights' own life insurance and retirement products, available to members and their families through a field agent; no obligation to buy anything.
Michael Brennan, Grand Knight — kofc@stcolumbatoronto.ca.