Marian Council 9522
Servicing St. Joseph Parish
Manchester Mo.

 

 

“I must give to others not only something that is my own,
  but my very self; I must be personally present in my gift.”

 So wrote Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. His statement identifies the underlying spirit of all our activities as a Council of the Knights of Columbus: the giving of ourselves through volunteer service.

The following list of the principle activities in which our Council is currently engaged reflects the major themes of the Knights of Columbus.  The “Knights” are a Catholic, family-oriented, fraternal service organization. 

CHURCH ACTIVITIES

• Our Council supports vocations through donations to parishioners studying for the priesthood.
• We purchase equipment and fund programs for the parish school.
• We deliver donated food and clothing to outreach centers and shelters.
• Throughout the years we have made possible a number of improvements within the church; such as, the purchase and installation of the Stations of the Cross and the replacement of the kneelers.
• We sponsor the Marian Hour of Prayer.
• Once each quarter, in the St. Joseph School cafeteria, Marian Council hosts Donut Sunday following the 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Masses.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• Possibly our most celebrated undertaking has been the founding, sponsorship, and coordination of the dance party for the developmentally disabled adults in the metropolitan area, Felice Cuores (“Happy Hearts”).   The party takes place monthly from September to May.  The Knights of Columbus Councils from many West County parishes send volunteers to assist in chaperoning the activities.  Since its inception only five years ago, more than ten thousand young adults have enjoyed these evenings of music and fellowship.
• We volunteer at the Soup Kitchen staffed by the Missionaries of Charity at Spring and Cottage Avenues.  We help to prepare and serve meals; we also help with the gardening, landscaping, grass cutting, and building maintenance.  In addition we help mentor representatives from the St. Joseph School 8th Grade service project.
• Our “Handy Helpers” provide simple home repairs or yard work on a no-charge basis for elderly or needy members of our parish.
• Once each quarter –or more frequently if needed – members of our Council pick up scraps of paper, bottles, and other debris on St. Joseph’s Lane and on Sulphur Springs Road from Coventry Lane to Manchester Rd.

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

• Each year in February our fund raising efforts begin with a TRIVIA NIGHT held at the St. Joseph School Gymnasium.
• The Council holds its ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity in late July.
• In October, we launch our Drive for P.D.D., which members of the community recognize as the “Tootsie Roll” Drive.  The purpose of this campaign is to raise funds to assist organizations who work with the mentally and physically handicapped within the metropolitan area.  Among these are Cardinal Glennon Hospital, Lafayette Industries, Howard Park, Willows Way, Woodhaven, and the Academy of St. Louis.
• In March, the Council hosts the Feast of St. Joseph Dinner.  This fund raiser enhances social ties with our fellow parishioners.
• Knights of the Council maintain this website, and publish a monthly newsletter, Knightly News.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES  

• Knights and their families gather for an 11:00 a.m. Mass once each quarter.  The Family Mass is generally followed by a meal at a nearby restaurant.
• Another social gathering is the annual Summer Picnic for our families.
• Marian Council maintains a Support Fund to assist Knights in need.
• The officers of the Council serve as a committee to select as “Knight of the Month” a member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the Knights of Columbus.                               

PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES

• Our Council plays a significant role in the annual Pro-life movement, “Roses for Life” and the related “March for Life,” the actual delivery of the roses to our Missouri Representatives and Senators in Washington, D.C.
• Council members join in organized protests against Planned Parenthood.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

• Members of our Council served as coordinators for the St. Joseph School in the annual Read, Right, and Run Contest.
• Our Knights conduct an annual Essay Contest which is sponsored by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus.  Knights liaise with teachers at St. Joseph School in supplying the topic and the guidelines; finally, Council members evaluate the essays on the basis of established criteria.  Prizes are awarded to the best essays in each grade.
• Marian Council is generous in its donations to Boy Scout and Girl Scout Service Projects.
• Our Youth Committee conducts an annual Free Throw Contest for students in Grades 6-8 who live in the parish.

LADIES AUXILIARY

• Knights from our Council assist our Ladies Auxiliary in their major fund raising events:
  • Autumn Pancake Supper
  • Winter Chili Supper
  • Spring Bunco Night