FATHER KRAMER COUNCIL # 2835

CENTER LINE, MICHIGAN

​​​​​Who are the Knights?
The Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.

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. 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.

Membership Benefits
As a member of the Knights of Columbus, you and your family enjoy many benefits, including:

Columbia – 12 free issues annually of the world's largest Catholic family magazine. Catholic family evangelization at its best!

Rosary Program – A Free Knights of Columbus rosary is given to new and readmitted members.

Daily Mass Remembrance – Mass offered daily for deceased members at the Knights’ Altar, St. Mary’s Church, New Haven, Conn.

Insurance Program – Offers member, spouse, and children the opportunity to provide for their security and well-being. Rated AAA (Superior) by Standard & Poor’s and A++ (Superior) by A. M. Best.

Annuity Program – Enables member and spouse to provide for retirement and build an estate through tax-deferred savings.

Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit – Accidental death coverage for member and spouse at no cost. (Details are available)

Orphan Benefit - $80 monthly allotment for orphans of eligible families; up to $7,000 in college scholarships available.

Family Fraternal Benefit – For eligible families: a) Pays $1,500 for the child who dies before the age of 61 days; b) Pays $750 for the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; c) Offers guaranteed-issue life insurance up to $5,000 to any child under age 18.

New Member Plan – Offers a one-time low-cost whole life policy to new members and their spouses upon joining the Order.

Widow Benefits – a) Continues to be covered under the Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit; b) May purchase insurance or annuities up to 90 days after insured member’s death; c) Receives a free lifetime subscription to Columbia; d) Eligible with her children for scholarships, student loans, etc.

Scholarships/Fellowships – Six different college scholarship programs for members and their families; three different graduate fellowship programs; and scholarship programs for seminarians.

Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Fund – Provides full scholarships (tuition, board, expenses) to Catholic colleges for children of member killed or permanently and totally disabled from military service in armed conflict, or from criminal violence while performing duties as full-time law enforcement officer or full-time fireman.

Student Loans – Available to member, spouse, and children, as well as to all pursuing a religious vocation.

Leadership Development – Opportunity to build personal leadership skills through active involvement in the Order’s unique structure, supported by Knightline/Program Supplement; fraternal newsletters mailed to state and local council officers and chairmen.

Fourth Degree – Eligibility of Third Degree members to join the Patriotic Degree, one year after initiation into the Order.

Honorary Life Membership at Age 70 – After 25 years of continuous service, member merits this distinction and no longer need pay dues.

Catholic Information Service – Opportunity for member and family to avail themselves of a variety of literature on Catholic faith and spirituality.

Membership Card – Entitles participation in all Catholic, fraternal, and social activities in member’s council and also in the 10,600 councils throughout the world.

Family Activities – Eligibility for recognition in Orderwide "Family of the Month/Year" program and participation in wide variety of local family events, such as family Communion breakfasts.

Athletic Programs – Participate in annual council, state and international golf, bowling, and softball tournaments; many councils sponsor teams in a variety of sports.

Youth Programs – Opportunities for your children to participate in a variety of youth-oriented programs such as the Columbian Squires or the Knights Daughters, leadership training programs for young men and women under council sponsorship.
 
How To Join
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing 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.

To join our council, please stop in or contact the council to fill out an application and arrange an interview.

You can now join our council through the K of C online membership system.  The URL address is:
http://bit.ly/council2835

4th Degree

Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Our Council is associated with the Monsignor Van Dyke Assembly. To join, please contact the Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Robert Clubb at the Council.

About our founder: Blessed Father McGivney.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-QW1kzVE_I