Did you know that Roman Catholics in the United States of America have stepped forward to serve their community, their neighbors, and their country?  Yes, we, as Catholic Gentlemen have much to be proud of.

In doing a little research on this find, I located a story from August 2, 1776.  It is about a Catholic gentleman from Delaware who was daring enough as a Catholic to step forward and participate in the debate, writing, and signing, our Declaration of Independence.  I found his story in Wikipedia. “Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Delaware, was a Catholic and a signer of our Declaration of Independence. “Charles Carroll III,^[2] was an American politician, planter, and signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration and the longest surviving, dying 56 years after its signing.” Read his story.

Our History

A little over a hundred years later, our young Knights of Columbus order was faced with demonstrating to others that Catholic immigrants were as patriotic as any of their neighbors.  It was difficult then, being Catholic, in the United States of America.

On February 22,1900, men of the Knights of Columbus became the first Knights of the Fourth Degree.  The Supreme Council tells us that ““The fourth principle ‘Patriotism,’ commits our members to the preservation of our Church, our Order and to the many nations where Knights serve …” Wikipedia

Patriotism

Wikipedia further states, “Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to a country or state. This attachment can be a combination of different feelings for things such as the language of one’s homeland, and its ethnic, cultural, political, or historical aspects.”

The last sentence preceding is where we hang our hat when we think of being a patriot.  It is our special feeling that we get as we men of the Knights of Columbus roll up our sleeves and get to work “building church.”  There is more to do than just attend Mass once a week, or attend a monthly Council meeting.  And, we, the Knights of the Patriotic Fourth Degree, share a special mission and bond together to become the cement that solidifies the Knights of Columbus. We, the members of Divine Mercy Assembly, are anywhere and everywhere.  We serve as pillars of our parish and role models for not only the Knights of Columbus but for the men and youth of our parish.  We not only serve in the very visible role of Color Corps, but we also work with elders, families, veterans, and the homebound.  We march in civic parades, lead processions, assist neighboring Assemblies, serve as a Color Corps at Order member funerals, serve at visits by and for our Bishop, and so much more.

You will find us in one or more church ministries, too.

Why you should join us.

We encourage all men of the parish to consider joining the Knights of Columbus and eventually become members of the Patriotic Degree.  The first step is membership in the Knights of Columbus.  It is easy to join the Paul J. Trageser Council 10910 of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.  We accept all Catholic men and men from nearby churches. Sir Knight Bill Jackson can assist you.