By James E. Stoever
In the 140 years since its founding, the Knights of Columbus have never strayed from the ideals and principles of charity, unity and fraternity laid out by our founder, Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney.
From its inception with just a handful of men in 1882 in the basement of Saint Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, our order has grown to more than 1.9 million members in more than six countries. We give hundreds of millions of dollars as well as millions of man-hours annually to provide aid and comfort, serving those in need wherever that may be.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly proudly proclaimed, “From Asia to the Americas to Europe, we served countless worthy causes — with innovation and creative courage.” We provide disaster relief, assistance to persecuted Christians, help and hope to expectant mothers facing a crisis pregnancy, help to those pursuing religious vocations, and most recently to those experiencing the horrors of war in Ukraine. Kelly has also said, “Where there’s a need, there’s a Knight.”
Our charitable benevolence has been felt around the world, but nowhere has it been found more than right here in the Diocese of Camden. From the shores of the Atlantic all the way to those of the Delaware River, our members have been there to provide help to their neighbors, parishes and each other. Whether they are collecting thousands of pounds of food to restock neighborhood food pantries, donating hundreds of winter coats to children in economically depressed areas, conducting clothing drives following natural disasters such as Hurricane Ida, collecting and distributing toys to be given to needy children to make Christmas morning a time of joy, or preparing and delivering fresh, warm meals to the elderly and struggling families on Thanksgiving and Christmas, our members continue to be there whenever the need arises.
Saint Pope John Paul II referred to us as “the strong right arm of the Church” because he knew that whatever the call, we would answer it willingly and not rest until the need had been satisfied.
It is an honor and a true privilege to lead such a dedicated group of men who see the face of Christ in others and truly live out the words Saint Matthew spoke of Jesus when he said, “Whatever you do for the least of them you do for me.” These men they call Knights are examples of the finest Catholic men I have ever met. I give thanks to God in my daily prayers for His allowing me to be working with them in our communities.
James E. Stoever is the New Jersey State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus.
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