Knights of Columbus aid services in community at large
Naperville, it seems, is always renewing itself.
New residents move in and send their children to new schools. Familiar storefronts are renovated, and older homes are replaced with bigger, more modern houses.
Sometimes it's hard to remember the community's been here for nearly two centuries.
But on Thursday, one organization will celebrate a full centennial of church and community service.
The Knights of Columbus Naperville Council 1369, serving the Ss. Peter and Paul and St. Thomas the Apostle parishes, marks the 100th anniversary of its founding with a dinner for the city's six Catholic parishes.
A representative of Bishop J. Peter Sartain of the Joliet diocese and state and national Knights of Columbus leaders are expected to join the celebration.
As the council observes the milestone, past Grand Knight and current public relations director Bud Miller tells us a bit more about the Knights of Columbus and its century of service.
Q. What is your mission?
A. To serve and support our members and their families, the Catholic church, the community at large and our country.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal Catholic men's organization originally founded to render financial aid to members and their families and has grown to serve the church and the community at large.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. By supporting various charities and the church with funding and service support.
For the church, we bring our Christian Catholic presence to various public arenas such as parades and other public forums.
We have an annual Breakfast with Santa, held for the kids and families of not only the parish but the public in general. Proceeds go to the general fund for disbursement to a variety of church and community needs.
Our Tootsie Roll drive for the learning disabled of the community is in September of each year. This is the only general fundraiser seen by the community at large. Others are within either the parish community or the council per se.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. The Naperville council serves a wide range of charities across DuPage County. Some of the best known groups we support are: Miseracordia, Little Friends, Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, WDSRA, Special Camps, Seminarians and transportation for the elderly or disabled.
Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?
A. The council was chartered in 1908 and has grown to over 220 members. The order was founded by Fr. McGivney in 1892.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. Aided in the implementation of the pro-life monument at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery and the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Ss. Peter and Paul Church.
Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with the organization?
A. The wide variety of organizations, charities and community groups actively supported by the Knights of Columbus, regardless of religious affiliation or geographic location.
-- Christie Willhite
Get involved
Write: Knights of Columbus, 615 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville, 60540
Visit: http://napervillekofc.org
Talk back
If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured in "Lend a hand," contact Christie Willhite at (630) 955-3536 or cwillhite@dailyherald.com.