Catholic service groups, fraternities, confraternities, etc

[newcalling]

I was just confirmed in the church this last Sunday, Pentecost, and I am eagerly looking to begin serving. I’m already a member of my parish choir, and I will be asking about the requirements to be an emhc (because of my extreme reverence for the Eucharist and a need for emhc’s in my diocese) including how long they might want me to wait (I was told that it probably won’t be too long because there is such a lack of them in my diocese, especially in my parish.) However, I want to look to joining groups which serve the outside community.

One group into which I have sought is the Knights of Columbus. They are eager for me to join, and they do a lot of community service. However, a lot of my friends (including both Catholics and non-Catholics) have warned me against them, saying that they tend to be too ultra-conservative political or that they are too much like the Freemasons (not sure what exactly they mean by the latter accusation.) I tend to be liberal when it comes to politics, except for a few issues (such as abortion, I’m very pro-life.) I already do some service to my community on my own, but it would be nice to have more organized service. What groups would you recommend I seek out (assuming I can find local chapters of said groups?) I’m interested in a wide range of community service. I used to be Unitarian Universalist (I’ve been with a lot of different religions) and I was a member of their Social Justice committee, and I’d like to have similar opportunities as I had with them (we fed people, visited the sick and elderly, volunteered at homeless shelters and overflow shelters, cleaned up parks and creeks, etc.) If worse comes to worse, I’ll seek to start something for that purpose at my parish, but I’d be interested in finding out what is already out there so that I don’t duplicate the efforts already going in my area. I know you probably won’t know what is local to me (San Luis Obispo county, California) but if you know of Catholic groups which do these things, I can see if they have local chapters. I haven’t discluded the Knights of Columbus entirely, but I still have some investigating to do with them and I want other options if they turn out to be as bad as some of my friends have intimated.

My interest in the Knights isn’t entirely just for service, but also the fraternal connection. So, groups which have a similar connection and regular meetings would be appreciated.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Any time a bishop, a Cardinal or even a Pope, you will see The Knights of Columbus in full regalia in attendance. The Knights have always done wonderful service for the Church and community. Can’t be too bad, those guys and their wives. I advise that you ask your priest and not your friends and use good judgment.

 

[Eddie_Mac]

I was just confirmed in the church this last Sunday, Pentecost, and I am eagerly looking to begin serving. I’m already a member of my parish choir, and I will be asking about the requirements to be an emhc (because of my extreme reverence for the Eucharist and a need for emhc’s in my diocese) including how long they might want me to wait (I was told that it probably won’t be too long because there is such a lack of them in my diocese, especially in my parish.) However, I want to look to joining groups which serve the outside community.

One group into which I have sought is the Knights of Columbus. They are eager for me to join, and they do a lot of community service. However, a lot of my friends (including both Catholics and non-Catholics) have warned me against them, saying that they tend to be too ultra-conservative political or that they are too much like the Freemasons (not sure what exactly they mean by the latter accusation.) I tend to be liberal when it comes to politics, except for a few issues (such as abortion, I’m very pro-life.) I already do some service to my community on my own, but it would be nice to have more organized service. What groups would you recommend I seek out (assuming I can find local chapters of said groups?) I’m interested in a wide range of community service. I used to be Unitarian Universalist (I’ve been with a lot of different religions) and I was a member of their Social Justice committee, and I’d like to have similar opportunities as I had with them (we fed people, visited the sick and elderly, volunteered at homeless shelters and overflow shelters, cleaned up parks and creeks, etc.) If worse comes to worse, I’ll seek to start something for that purpose at my parish, but I’d be interested in finding out what is already out there so that I don’t duplicate the efforts already going in my area. I know you probably won’t know what is local to me (San Luis Obispo county, California) but if you know of Catholic groups which do these things, I can see if they have local chapters. I haven’t discluded the Knights of Columbus entirely, but I still have some investigating to do with them and I want other options if they turn out to be as bad as some of my friends have intimated.

My interest in the Knights isn’t entirely just for service, but also the fraternal connection. So, groups which have a similar connection and regular meetings would be appreciated.

The Knights of Columbus is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. We support the Holy See and the Church. We are one of the main groups in defending the right to life.

The statement that we are like freemasons is totally wrong.

The Knights of Columbus Insurance was named one of the most ethical companies in the WORLD in 2014.

We are a mix politically, just like the church. In my many years of service I have never seen a political discussion. We take great care to not do so because it would dampen our efforts to serve the Church. Of course I can only speak for my experience, but I have belonged to three councils, one in California and two in Texas.

We have a great time serving the Lord and His Church.

Please seriously consider joining.

 

[jaimeleglise]

The knights are great, so is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

 

[Brianmcg321]

I really can’t imagine what a practicing Catholic would have against The Knights of Columbus. Unless the fact that they adhere to the teachings of the Church. Pro-Life is a pretty big one which would default you from any liberal organization.

As for asking non-Catholic friends about the Knights, that’s like asking a man about child birth. They would have no idea how to explain it.

The four pillars of the Knights are:
Charity
Unity
Fraternity
Patriotism

Like I tell my wife “Were just a bunch of guys who raise some money for charities and get together and have some fun”

 

[newcalling]

I really can’t imagine what a practicing Catholic would have against The Knights of Columbus. Unless the fact that they adhere to the teachings of the Church. Pro-Life is a pretty big one which would default you from any liberal organization.

As for asking non-Catholic friends about the Knights, that’s like asking a man about child birth. They would have no idea how to explain it.

The four pillars of the Knights are:
Charity
Unity
Fraternity
Patriotism

Like I tell my wife “Were just a bunch of guys who raise some money for charities and get together and have some fun”

I didn’t ask my non-Catholic friends for their opinions, but they gave their opinions anyway. Often is the way of things. I had posted about my confirmation on Facebook and mentioned that I was looking into the Knights of Columbus and the Secular Franciscan order (the latter I will attend their meetings as a guest, I’ve been invited to do so, until I have been in the church long enough to join) and a few friends, some Catholic and some not, urged me to reconsider joining the Knights of Columbus, and to find a “better” group. I take their opinions for what they are worth; a little but not enough to sway me one way or the other.

Thank you all for some suggestions and for more information about the Knights. I looked at the Knights of Columbus website earlier and I am more interested than I was before. I will continue to look into them. Their representative in my parish said that he will bring me and my friend a membership form this Sunday at mass.