Welcome to Father Pierrard Council 4377 of the Knights of Columbus.
The Knights were established in 1882 by Father Michael McGivney who was the curate of St. Mary's Parish in New Haven,
Conn. Father McGivney saw the need for Catholic men to band together to aid one another in times of sickness or death,
by means of a simple insurance plan, so that their wives and children would not face abject poverty. They also needed
to strenghten themselves and each other in the faith, strengthen their families and family life and be strong pillars of support
for their priests and bishops. They also needed to be of service to the church and community by coming to the aid of
those most in need in society.
They called themselves Knights of Columbus - Knights to emphasize chivalry's ideals of charity and support for Church
and state, and Columbus as a reminder that Catholics have been the backbone and bulwark of America's growth and greatness
since the beginning.
Principles of the order are Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
Today the Knights have 5 core areas: Church, community, council, family and youth. Within this framework the state
and local councils decide how best to direct their efforts.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to any practical Catholic man in union with the Holy See who is not less
than 18 years of age.
