As Raymond Sands finishes his service as state deputy of the New Jersey State Knights of Columbus, he says he’s seen “God’s hand in it all.”
During his two-year tenure, Sands – a parishioner of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Northfield – has overseen the state’s 362 Knights of Columbus councils and 58,471 members.
“The Knights are filled with faith, living lives of meaning and purpose,” he says of the organization whose members continue the work of their founder, Blessed Michael J. McGivney, to put faith into action through charity, unity and fraternity.
Dedication to Service
Growing up in Philadelphia and, later, South Jersey, Sands says the faith meant everything to him.
“I would say the Rosary every night with my family,” recalls Sands, 68.
He says seeing his mother, Eleanor, dedicated to her nursing career demonstrated the importance of living a life for others. “My life’s philosophy became, ‘If you tell me what you need, I’ll get that for you.’”
He first became aware of the Knights of Columbus while he was a student at Rutgers University-Camden.
“My fraternity brother was Grand Knight of the Haddonfield Council, and we talked a lot about it. I learned a lot about their good work,” Sands says.
After earning a degree in sociology, he later had formation in the fields of electronics, computer hardware and networking – all of which led him to Tropicana Resort Casino in Atlantic City, where he worked for more than three decades, most recently as its surveillance technical manager. He retired last year.
In 1993, Sands joined the Knights’ Resurrection Council – now Msgr. Zegers 9113 – out of Resurrection Church, Marmora, which is now part of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish.
“I liked the fact that the Knights took to heart the Corporal Works of Mercy,” he says.
Sands quickly moved up the ladder in the organization. As a charter member of the Rev. Robert B. Ervin Council 14291, Woodbine, he was the chairman for both its Right to Life and Feed the Needy committees. He became a district deputy, overseeing the work of councils in Pleasantville, Woodbine, Ocean City and Egg Harbor Township. From 2006 to 2014, he was chairman of the Knight’s annual free throw basketball contest for youth.
In 2013, he became the Knights’ general programs director for the state, helping to promote, introduce and guide councils in various initiatives. In this capacity, he began the “Are you on Target?” campaign, designed to aid councils in long-term planning for events, as well as help brother Knights recognize their talents and utilize their skills in mission.
State Council positions followed: warden, advocate, treasurer, secretary.
In 2023, he was elected state deputy of the New Jersey Knights of Columbus. In an interview with the Catholic Star Herald at that time, he gave credit to “everyone that I’ve come along this journey with. … The Knights make men better husbands, better fathers,” preparing them to go “into our communities and parishes and do the work of God as His hands here on Earth.”
“I’ve never asked for any of my positions,” Sands says. “Somebody always asked me, and I accepted. I always have seen the good work that could be done in my positions.”
Outreach and Growth
As state deputy, Sands has spearheaded numerous outreach initiatives in New Jersey, the nation and abroad. Most recently, he coordinated relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Under his leadership, more than $70,000 was raised for those in North Carolina and Florida; more than 50,000 pounds of materials were sent to Asheville, N.C.
Sands also has been instrumental in leveraging the Knights’ online application process. “The younger crowd sees the world through social media,” he told the Catholic Star Herald last year, explaining the Knights’ dedicated push into the digital realm.
Last year, the New Jersey Knights added more than 2,000 new members, the highest in the nation; reflecting the digital focus, the average age of its members dropped from 62 to 42.
This year and last, the New Jersey Knights were honored by their national Supreme Council; they received the Circle of Honor for meeting more than 100% of their membership goals for the year, and the Pinnacle Award for achieving more than 110% of their membership goal.
Through the organization’s disaster-assistance outreach, food and clothing drives, parish breakfasts and pro-life billboards, the Knights “are helping people keep the Church at the forefront of their social activities,” Sands knows.
“When the Church becomes the center of your social activity, so does Christ.”
God’s Work
His tenure as state deputy ended June 30, and Sands looks forward to more time with his wife, Barbara, and children Julie and Michael, who is a 3rd Degree Knight in South Carolina. He also hopes for more opportunities to kayak, canoe and fish.
“Barbara is the quiet strength behind my action,” Sands says. “I couldn’t do any of this without her love and support.”
Sands still plans on being active in some capacity with the Knights, “just not steering the ship anymore,” he says.
On his successor as state deputy, James Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson, Sands knows the Knights are in good hands. “He’ll carry our faith, and the Knights, into the future.”
Sands also has no doubt their good works will continue. “The sacrifices and commitment that all of our councils have made to doing God’s work demonstrate that the Knights of New Jersey are the best around.”
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