Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, fraternity, unity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood.  It is the largest Catholic men’s organization in the world. It was founded in 1882 by the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Ct.  The Order has been called “the strong right arm of the Church,” and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need. The Bishop Edward W O’Rourke Council # 10967 was founded in 1992 in Downs. There you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings.

Any Catholic man 18 years or older who practices the Catholic faith may join the Knights.  Meetings: Fourth Monday of each month,  7:00 p.m. in the basement of St. Mary Church in Downs.

To join the council that meets at St. Mary Church in Downs, contact Grand Knight Tom Kretz at (309) 212-0351 / TEKranch@frontier.com or Financial Secretary Randy McDannold at rmandgm@icloud.com.