Knights of Columbus
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3/22 Knights at the Races
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April 16th Seder Supper
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h.Meetings ** of the Msgr. James Gacquin Council # 12974
are normally held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sandyston, N. J. Upcoming date is Tuesday, March 11th** Check Parish Bulletin for meeting and events sponsored.
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142 years ago, on Feb 6th, 1882,
Fr. Michael McGivney recognized a need in his community
and chose the name "Knights of Columbus" for his new Catholic society.Prior to the meeting, there is time reserved forThis year's 2024 Cookie Challenge winner has been the overall favorite two years in a row.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - beginning at 6:30 p.m.
All men are welcome! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Knight Vince Owens congratulating Gabriel.
On Nov. 3rd, 2024 - the Parish Council and the KOC acknowledged Deidre Burgos, ".... who has served as an inspiration to our parish & community by volunteering and supporting St. Thomas by her generous works".
Over many years, after the current church was erected, she has coordinated the annual parish picnic & coffee hours and pot luck dinners, run our Tricky Tray, and initiated a craft & flea market / bake sale. It is thanks to her efforts that, as one example, we got the A/C for the Fr. Lewis Center.
In order to assure continuation, the fundraising committee is working to assist & expand on her initial efforts - inviting parishioners to share of their time & talents.
On Sept. 22nd, 2024 - Chris Higgins was awarded the KOC "Volunteer of the Month" certificate, for her diligent support of the Council during its recent Sunflower Maze parking fundraiser. She clocked in no less than 40 or more hours of her time to help the Council - the most of any one parish volunteer at that event! More KOC event photos are posted under "Our Parishes" on the "Photos" subpage.
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Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, an assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.
Click here for the Knights of Columbus Supreme website.
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Our Principles
All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:Charity - Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.
Unity – None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that - together - we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually.
So we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that - as a Knight of Columbus - you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity – The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died - often prematurely.
The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
Patriotism – Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens.
We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.