The Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in New Haven CT in 1882 by Fr. Michael J. McGivney in the basement of St. Mary's Church. The order focuses on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. There are more than 1.8 million members in 15,000 councils across the US, Canada, Poland and US territories, with councils at over 260 college campuses. Membership is limited to "practical Catholic" men aged 18 or older.
The Order gives over $100 million directly to charity every year, $1.1 Billion in charitable contributions in the last 10 years, and performed over 68 million man hours of voluntary service. For our support of the Church and local communities, as well as for our philanthropic efforts, and support for the total orthodoxy of the Faith our Order is often referred to as the "strong right arm of the Church."
The Order gives over $100 million directly to charity every year, $1.1 Billion in charitable contributions in the last 10 years, and performed over 68 million man hours of voluntary service. For our support of the Church and local communities, as well as for our philanthropic efforts, and support for the total orthodoxy of the Faith our Order is often referred to as the "strong right arm of the Church."
Council History
At the start of the 2006 school year, then SU junior Stephen Terzolo saw a hole in the ministries offered at Alibrandi. There was very little participation by male Catholics on campus. Seeking to fill that need, Council 14260 was formed. Over the next eight months, Terzolo worked to recruit Catholic men from SU, ESF and Upstate to help start the new council. In March of 2007 our council was recognized by the Supreme Office in New Haven CT, and granted a charter. Terzolo chose to name the council after Mother Marianne Cope, a Franciscan sister raised in Syracuse, NY who worked with lepers in Hawai'i. She was beatified and named blessed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, his first beatification. Her cause for canonization was approved by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints December 6, 2011 and ratified by Pope Benedict XVI December 19th. She will be canonized October 21, 2012. Marianne Cope's feast day is celebrated January 23rd.
Since then our council has grown to become a major force at Alibrandi. We have worked for the betterment of youth's in the Syracuse community by hosting a Youth Day at Alibrandi for local child care centers. We have tutored at local catholic schools and participated in Confirmation retreats hosted at the Alibrandi Center for confirmation candidates in the Syracuse Diocese. We donate funds every fall which help students from Alibrandi to go to New Orleans and help rebuild after Katrina. We also co-sponsor several trips and dinners in conjunction with the SU Newman Association.
One of the service opportunities we've devoted many hours to is the Boyscouts here in Syracuse. Since 2007 members of the council have devoted over 600 hours of service to Troop 229 on the near-west side of Syracuse. The troop was officially recognized in April 2009 and to reward the kids for their hard work and dedication, our council payed for the troop flag. We presented the troop with the flag the same day of their inaugural soap box derby.
Our council has been recognized as a Star Council for Membership by Supreme for the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 Columbian Years; also the winner of the New York State Website Contest for the 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 Columbian Years. In March of 2012 we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of our council's chartering with a Mass and light reception attended by the State Deputy and several other state and local officers.
Since then our council has grown to become a major force at Alibrandi. We have worked for the betterment of youth's in the Syracuse community by hosting a Youth Day at Alibrandi for local child care centers. We have tutored at local catholic schools and participated in Confirmation retreats hosted at the Alibrandi Center for confirmation candidates in the Syracuse Diocese. We donate funds every fall which help students from Alibrandi to go to New Orleans and help rebuild after Katrina. We also co-sponsor several trips and dinners in conjunction with the SU Newman Association.
One of the service opportunities we've devoted many hours to is the Boyscouts here in Syracuse. Since 2007 members of the council have devoted over 600 hours of service to Troop 229 on the near-west side of Syracuse. The troop was officially recognized in April 2009 and to reward the kids for their hard work and dedication, our council payed for the troop flag. We presented the troop with the flag the same day of their inaugural soap box derby.
Our council has been recognized as a Star Council for Membership by Supreme for the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 Columbian Years; also the winner of the New York State Website Contest for the 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 Columbian Years. In March of 2012 we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of our council's chartering with a Mass and light reception attended by the State Deputy and several other state and local officers.