Immaculate Heart of Mary Council # 4463

Thanks to the efforts of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney, 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. 
 
Locally, Immaculate Heart of Mary Council #4463 has contributed to the Dorothy Day House, Real Presence Radio, American Wheelchair Mission, the Ultrasound Initiative, supported the Mission Groups at St. Francis de Sales and St. Joseph’s, supported MCCM students and their activities, and donated over $5,000 to St. Joseph’s School over the past two years.  We are also very supportive of pro-life activities.  We will also have our annual Clergy Appreciation Banquet in February at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, honoring our bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, and nuns. 
 
We look forward to continuing to support all of these causes and many more.  Regardless of the closing of our club downtown, the club was just a venue, not what we stand for or need for our activities.  What we need most are active members.  All Catholic males age 18 and over, and in good standing with the Catholic Church, are eligible for membership.
 
The history of the Knights of Columbus 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.

To learn more about the Knights, call Grand Knight Vern Senger at (701) 793-8880.