Our Council
Holy Redeemer Council 1621 was founded in 1912 in the city of Marshall, MN. The Council works closely with the parishes of Holy Redeemer in Marshall, MN; St. Mary's in Cottonwood, MN and St. Eloi in Ghent, MN. Our members are active participants in their parishes.
We are always looking for new Brother Knights
Brother Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members.
If you want more information about becoming a member, please contact our Grand Knight or any other Brother Knight on the Officers page.
If you want more information about becoming a member, please contact our Grand Knight or any other Brother Knight on the Officers page.
What the Knights are all about
The Knights of Columbus is a lay Catholic family fraternal service organization. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to all practical Catholic men in communion with the Holy See, age eighteen and above. The term practical Catholic implies that a person accepts and abides by the Commandments of God and the precepts and tenets of the Catholic Church.
On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more times over the next several months to continue planning and the new organization --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early February 1882. The officers of the new Catholic organization chose the name Knights of Columbus to honor Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America. The word knights is also significant. We are ever mindful of the knightly qualities of spirituality and service to church that is embodied in the Knights of Columbus. The Order has evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation. By the end of 1897 the Order was thoroughly rooted in New England, along the upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. Within the next eight years it branched out from Quebec to California, and from Florida to Washington. The Knights of Columbus remains headquartered in New Haven,but is now present with nearly 15000 Councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several other countries.
One of the primary missions of the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll® or Measure-Up drive, which raises funds for charities that helps Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. We also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities. The Knights of Columbus promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in the event of his death.
Here is short list of reasons you may want to join the Knights of Columbus:
• An opportunity to become part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization
• A great way to make a personal contribution to the Church and community through charity and fraternity
• Active participation in Council activities serves as a "school of leadership" which will enable you to develop qualities that enhance your strengths and abilities
• A sense of "belonging" in an organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together like-minded men joined in a common cause
• Concerns for your family and your retirement years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance
• A sense of pride, knowing that the Knights of Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests, and our fellow man
On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more times over the next several months to continue planning and the new organization --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early February 1882. The officers of the new Catholic organization chose the name Knights of Columbus to honor Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America. The word knights is also significant. We are ever mindful of the knightly qualities of spirituality and service to church that is embodied in the Knights of Columbus. The Order has evolved into a service organization with a strong family orientation. By the end of 1897 the Order was thoroughly rooted in New England, along the upper Atlantic seaboard and into Canada. Within the next eight years it branched out from Quebec to California, and from Florida to Washington. The Knights of Columbus remains headquartered in New Haven,but is now present with nearly 15000 Councils in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, and several other countries.
One of the primary missions of the Knights of Columbus is to support local charities. The Knights are a familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll® or Measure-Up drive, which raises funds for charities that helps Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. We also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities. The Knights of Columbus promotes family values by providing numerous activities throughout the year that the entire family can participate in. Additionally, the organization provides an opportunity to ensure that a knight's family is provided for in the event of his death.
Here is short list of reasons you may want to join the Knights of Columbus:
• An opportunity to become part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization
• A great way to make a personal contribution to the Church and community through charity and fraternity
• Active participation in Council activities serves as a "school of leadership" which will enable you to develop qualities that enhance your strengths and abilities
• A sense of "belonging" in an organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together like-minded men joined in a common cause
• Concerns for your family and your retirement years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance
• A sense of pride, knowing that the Knights of Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests, and our fellow man
Membership benefits
• Sharing and developing your Catholic Faith, through prayer and service with like-minded men,
• An opportunity to become part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization,
• A great way to make a personal contribution to the Church and community through charity and fraternity,
• A sense of "belonging" in an organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together like-minded men joined in a common cause,
• Concerns for your family and your retirement years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance,
• A sense of pride, knowing that the Knights of Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests, and our fellow man.
• An opportunity to become part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization,
• A great way to make a personal contribution to the Church and community through charity and fraternity,
• A sense of "belonging" in an organization that shares your religious beliefs and brings to together like-minded men joined in a common cause,
• Concerns for your family and your retirement years can be addressed by the Orders optional, low-cost life insurance,
• A sense of pride, knowing that the Knights of Columbus is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our Bishops and Priests, and our fellow man.
Frequently asked questions
1. I don't have time to join another organization; why should I join the Knights of Columbus?
Answer: As a Knight you can choose the projects with which you wish to be involved in within your own community. What is more, the Order is dedicated to family life and the many benefits it offers. From insurance to scholarships to service and social activities and programs, all are open to the whole family.
2. What are the requirements?
Answer: Membership requirements are that he be a practical Catholic gentleman, who is 18 years of age or older.
3. What is a practical Catholic?
Answer: A practical Catholic is one who is in union with the Holy See and who practices the precepts of the Catholic Church.
4. Explain what Degrees are.
Answer: There are four degrees within the Knights of Columbus. Each degree ceremony imparts a lesson on the Order's core virtues of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
5. Do I have to purchase Insurance to become a member?
Answer: No; unlike many fraternal organizations one does not become a member by purchasing insurance. In the Knights of Columbus a man has to be a member before he may avail himself of the insurance benefit. Purchasing insurance is optional, however; the life insurance and long-term care insurance products offered by the Order are not only competitively priced, they are among the most solid and highly rated products available anywhere. Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best, the leading independent agencies that rate insurance companies, give K of C insurance their highest ratings.
Answer: As a Knight you can choose the projects with which you wish to be involved in within your own community. What is more, the Order is dedicated to family life and the many benefits it offers. From insurance to scholarships to service and social activities and programs, all are open to the whole family.
2. What are the requirements?
Answer: Membership requirements are that he be a practical Catholic gentleman, who is 18 years of age or older.
3. What is a practical Catholic?
Answer: A practical Catholic is one who is in union with the Holy See and who practices the precepts of the Catholic Church.
4. Explain what Degrees are.
Answer: There are four degrees within the Knights of Columbus. Each degree ceremony imparts a lesson on the Order's core virtues of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
5. Do I have to purchase Insurance to become a member?
Answer: No; unlike many fraternal organizations one does not become a member by purchasing insurance. In the Knights of Columbus a man has to be a member before he may avail himself of the insurance benefit. Purchasing insurance is optional, however; the life insurance and long-term care insurance products offered by the Order are not only competitively priced, they are among the most solid and highly rated products available anywhere. Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best, the leading independent agencies that rate insurance companies, give K of C insurance their highest ratings.