Knights of Columbus
Father Owens Council #11114
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Grand Knight – David Riley
Deputy Grand Knight - Ed Lawrence
Treasurer - Steve Lewis
Chancellor – Tony Sembarski
Advocate – Sam Durham
Warden – Jim Lonergan
Inside Guard – Joseph Vogel
Outside Guard – Joseph Ratti
1st Year Trustee – Bob Brunette
2nd Year Trustee – Dave Goff
3rd Year Trustee – Ivan Wilson
Recorder - Dave Goff
Who Can Be a Knight?
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to
- Practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See
- Who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday
A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and Precepts of the Church.
Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.
Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members.
Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application.
All priests and religious brothers having duly made application for membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues.
Application for membership must be made through the council in the community nearest the applicant’s place of residence. Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home
through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their hometown council or at the nearest council on a military base.
If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation in what is known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.
There are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council. The insurance privileges
are available to all members who can qualify, which represents an important advantage of membership. For men in every walk of life the name of the Knights
of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about its tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood.
It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in the service of God and their country.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides the opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers
the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs.
Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to
their Church, their country and their fellowman. Through membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and to assist.
Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men – a strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve.
Knights of Columbus have a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build for an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.
The Patriotic Degree
Another degree open to members in the Knights of Columbus is that of the Fourth (or Patriotic) Degree. On Feb. 22, 1900, the first exemplification of that degree
was held in New York City. The ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order: charity, unity and fraternity. 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 and a love of and loyalty to the Knights’
respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third
Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization.
Links of Interest
Michigan District #2 KofC website
Knights of Columbus Supreme website