The Knights of Columbus – Liberty, Life, Family
The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic, fraternal, service organization in the world. Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, it was named in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Originally serving as a mutual benefit society to working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, it developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services, including war and disaster relief, actively defending Catholicism in various nations, and promoting Catholic education. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to 15,342 councils and more than 2 million members throughout the world. Their charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects. They support such charities and causes as the Christian Refugee Relief Fund, Disaster Relief, Ultrasound Initiative, the Global Wheelchair Mission and the Habitat for Humanity.
The Knights of Columbus have shown a lasting devotion to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by raising funds for various causes including Special Olympics, through their Disability Drives and other endeavors.
The members of Rev. John F. Welsh Council 3231 are proud to be a part of this worldwide fraternal society serving our Catholic Communities here in Manasquan and Sea Girt, NJ. We are your neighbors – Catholic men banded together through social, charitable and community affairs. We hold dozens of events each year including fundraisers for the families of our overseas military, Alzheimer’s Walk, Mentally Challenged Citizens Collections and more.
We are deeply involved in St. Denis Church in Manasquan, as well as St. Mark Church in Sea Girt. Our members help with everything up to and including counting the Sunday collection. We take our priests to the annual Pride In Our Priests Dinner. Many of our members serve our town as police officers, police reserves and on the borough and school governing bodies.
We are an active organization you and your family can share and grow with!
The Knights of Columbus — In Service to One. In Service to All.