Bishop Spalding Council 2761

History of Council 2761
 

Bishop Spalding Council 2761 was chartered July 24, 1935. The first Grand Knight was J. Ray Barrett.

Between 1935 and the early 1940’s the council struggled. At one point eight members gathered at the clubroom of the Tyler Hotel for the fourth consecutive time unable to have a meeting because a quorum was not present. The members persevered and by 1943, Bishop Spalding had a growing membership. The initiation of June 25, 1944 had a class of seventy-two candidates and a banquet with 250 attending. This was truly amazing when records show that eighteen month previously meeting attendance was ten to fifteen men per meeting. By November of 1944 the membership reached 400.

The council publication, The Good Knight reads like a history book. List of members who lost their lives in World War II the death of F.D.R. the announcement of victory in Europe, civic activities such as collections for Infantile Paralysis, The 1945 flood and other important events of the day are to be found in these pages. On November 28, 1943 Supreme Knight Francis Mathews spoke to the knights at the Brown Hotel and according to the Good Knight “The speaker was lavish in his praise of the valor and courage of the American soldiers…. And our binding obligations to them after the war”.

Through these trying times the council continued to conduct initiations, retreats, corporate communions, and social events. It was not unusual for 300 men to attend a corporate communion. In March of 1947, 500 members attended Mass at St. Francis of Rome for the 65^th anniversary of the Order. The High Mass was sung by Father Charles Maloney who was later to become Auxiliary Bishop of Louisville.

In 1949, Bishop Spalding initiated the first Toy Bowl for Catholic grade school football teams. By 1953 the council took over promotion of the annual St. X – Flaget Catholic High School Football Classic, which grew to be one of the largest football rivalries in the state.

In 1950 The Columbia Ladies was organized as the first ladies auxiliary in Kentucky.

The council continued to grow and prosper through the years, at one time hosting a membership of 1600.

Early meetings held at the – Tyler Hotel soon moved to the Cathedral Parish Hall. By September 1945, the council had a new home, the second and third floors of 307 South 5^th Street.  In 1947 the council purchased the former Catholic USO building at 525 South 5^th street.
  
This was the council home until 1960. After temporary quarters at the Watterson Hotel and the medical arts building, a permanent home was found in 1965.The facilities on upper river road with clubhouse, boat docks, park and swimming pool remains the home of the Bishop Spalding Council.

Commitment to the Knights of Columbus founding principles is evident today in the present activities of Bishop Spalding Council. The Kentucky Derby Charity Dinner, Tootsie Roll Drive, First Saturday Devotions, Widows Luncheon, aid to members in need, and other examples of Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism Keep Council 2761 in a leadership role as Kentucky’s largest Knights of Columbus Council.

Last year, Knights of Columbus officers, program directors, committeemen and members volunteered over 50 million hours in community service.

     You're Good!   We're Good!   Together We're Great!  

 

History of "The Knights of Columbus"

On Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. They were Knights of Columbus.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.

Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The Order provides the highest quality insurance, annuity and long-term care products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits.  

 The Supreme Council is the governing body of the Knights of Columbus and is responsible for the development of the organization as a whole. Supreme Council duties include establishing the Order in new regions and setting up regional authorities, defining and advancing its values and goals, undertaking organization-wide initiatives, promoting awareness of the Knights' mission worldwide, and protecting the families of members through its extensive insurance program. Members working in local, or subordinate councils, however, carry on the majority of the Knights' beneficial work.

Degrees of the Order

There are four "Degrees" of Knighthood within the Knights of Columbus. The initiation ceremonies into each of these Degrees (the ceremonies themselves are also called "Degrees") are the only facets of the Order which are not made known to non-members. Each of the Degrees is designed to exemplify one of the four Principals of the Order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The Degrees must be taken in order.

Every applicant must take the First, or Membership, Degree before he can be considered a Member of the Knights of Columbus. Once he has taken his First Degree, he becomes a member in good standing in the Order. To reach full Knighthood, members must also take the Second and Third Degrees, and all members are strongly encouraged to do so. Members must have taken the Third degree to be elected to Council offices or to enter into the Fourth Degree. Once a man has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for a year and has taken his Third Degree, he is eligible to join a Fourth Degree Assembly. The Fourth Degree has its own structure separate from that of the Council. Fourth Degree Assemblies gain their membership from Third Degree members of several Councils within a larger geographic area. The most visible members of the Order are often the Fourth Degree Color Corps, with their colorful capes, chapeaux and sabers.

Interesting Links 

Cathedral of the Assumption       St. Agnes                             St. Albert the Great             St. Aloysius, Pewee Valley          St. Aloysius, Shepherdsville

St. Ambrose, Cecilia                     Annunciation, Shelbyville   Ascension                            St. Athanasius                               St. Augustine, Lebanon

St. Augustine, Louisville                St. Barnabas                       St. Bartholomew                  St. Bernadette                               St. Bernard, Louisville

St. Boniface                                    St. Brigid, Vine Grove        St. Catherine, New Haven  St. Christopher, Radcliff               St. Edward

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton                 Epiphany                              St. Frances of Rome           St. Frances of Assisi                    St. Francis Xavier, Mt W

St. Gabriel the Archangel               St. Gregory, Samuels          St. Helen                               Holy Family                                    Holy Name

Holy Spirit, Louisville                       Holy Trinity                            St. Ignatius, White Mills       St. Ignatius Martyr         Immaculate Conception, LaGrange

St. James, Elizabethtown                St. James, Louisville            St. John Chrysostom            St. John the Apostle, Brandenburg


The Basilica of St. Joseph Proto Cathedral, Bardstown              St. Joseph, Louisville           St. Lawrence                                 St. Leonard

St. Louis Bertrand                              St. Luke                                  St. Margaret Mary                St. Martin de Porres         St. Martin of Tours (Flaherty)

St. Martin of Tours (Louisville)           St. Mary                                  St. Michael                           Most Blessed Sacrament             Our Lady

Our Lady of Lourdes                           Our Lady of Mount Carmel   Our Mother of Sorrows       St. Patrick                                       St. Pius X

St. Rita                                                  St. Stephen Martyr                St. Thomas, Bardstown      St. Thomas More                           St. William

Support
Your Local Parish

Meetings Are Easy!


You show up a little early


Steve takes care of us before and after the meeting


Meeting starts at 7:30


Good things happen during the meetings


Somebody always wins $10


There's even a Door Prize


Enjoy your friends after the meeting

Come out and join the fun!

___________________

Buying life insurance is something that’s easy to put off until tomorrow.  And with the busy lives we all lead, tomorrow can easily become next week, next month, or even next year.  For the sake of those you love, don’t let that happen.  I consider it my fraternal obligation to make sure that every Knights of Columbus member has the opportunity to protect his family with the Order’s top-rated insurance products.  I’ll work with you to put a plan in place that will help your family when that help is most needed.

We all know someone whose health, instantly and seemingly out-of-the-blue, changes.  You may think this can’t happen to you.  Think again.  And keep in mind that no one will ring a bell warning you that your health is about to change.  Medical technology has turned many diseases previously termed “death sentences” into very treatable conditions. What medical advances haven’t changed, however, is that being diagnosed with one of these diseases will dramatically affect your ability to purchase life insurance coverage.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Your Knights of Columbus insurance program is second to none.  Knights of Columbus life insurance represents a safety net for Catholic families that’s unsurpassed, and I’m proud of that.  I’m also concerned.  Why?--because so many of our brother Knights have no life insurance with the Order.  I suspect that, for many of them, tomorrow has become next week, next month or next year.  Don’t be one of them.  Don’t wait for the bell to ring.  It isn’t going to.

Contact your local field agent or myself.  We are here to help and answer any questions you may have. 

                                      Daniel R. Turnwald   

                                           Kentucky General Agent

                                                            859-331-0249

                                                            daniel.turnwald@kofc.org

•  Permanent Plans - Policy lasts as long as you live, premium stays the same.
• Term Plans - Policy ends at end of specified term: renewable or convertible.
   
• Annuities - Provides an income that is guaranteed for life.

   

• Long Term Care - Provides funds for long-term, out-of-hospital care
  
  The Knights of Columbus offers special benefits of membership. Among these are unique programs that exist exclusively for K of C families faced with needs that often fall outside traditional insurance plans. The Family Fraternal Benefits package, available to all our good-standing members and their families, adds value to membership in our organization.

• Guaranteed Life Insurance Benefits for Uninsurable Children

• Death Benefits Available for Stillborn/Miscarried Children  

• Orphan Benefits  

• Member/Spouse Accidental Death Benefits 
  

  
  
  Momentous Milestones
  
  

State Directory Listings
Below

Why Join?

Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference.

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. Come see just what we are all about and take the first steps to enhance your personal life.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men, who are at least 18 years old. A practical Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus starts at the local councils throughout the jurisdiction of this State (as well as throughout the U.S. and Canada, Latin America and the Philippines.) The Order's membership at its local councils help foster the principals of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. These four principals are the driving force behind the many activities within our local and state programs. Each council involves its membership in these programs; some are listed on this Web site to give you a quick insight into the mission of the Knights of Columbus.

 The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

    Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree

• By Thomas P. Smith, Jr.
  
  Executive Vice President
  (Agencies & Marketing)
  
              This past year has been a momentous one for the Knights of Columbus insurance program.  Let me just highlight a few milestones.

•  

  ·         The order issued more life insurance than ever before in its history:  $6.6 billion.

  ·         Our total insurance in force reached a new high of $70 billion.  To put this remarkable number in perspective, consider that at the end of 2003, just five years ago, we stood at $49 billion.

  ·         Our field force grew again, and we finished the year with a net gain of new field agents.  The total number of brother Knights now dedicated to serving you full-time is nearly 1,300.

  ·         Our annuity business saw record growth from 2007 to 2008.  Annuity deposits received grew 72 percent over last year.

  ·         We introduced a completely revamped series of life insurance products beginning in October.  Known as the “800 series”, the products have been re-priced to reflect trends in mortality and include several new enhancements to benefit our policyholders.

  ·         When the 2008 totals are included, we can claim that over the past five years, more than 100,000 members of the Knights of Columbus joined the ranks of our insured members—whether purchasing life insurance, long-term care or a retirement product.

  ·         Our AAA rating from Standard and Poor’s and our A++ rating from A.M. Best were reaffirmed.

  ·         2008 was the eighth consecutive year our issued life insurance increased over the previous year.

   

   

  What does all of this mean to you?  First, it means that you can take great pride in the success your organization is having in fulfilling the vision of Father Michael J. McGivney by caring for the financial security of our members and their families.  Second, in case you haven’t already, this would be a great time to get on the bandwagon and have a discussion with your agent.  You can contact your local field agent, or Daniel Turnwald, Kentucky General Agent.
  
  

  Daniel can be reached at 859-331-0249.