CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

St. Agatha Knights of Columbus Council 11311 has over the past several years participated in many programs to provide assistance at the council, parish, community, state, and national levels, which includes time, talent, and treasure for the following:

AID AND SUPPORT AFTER PREGNANCY (ASAP)

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly has announced the launch of a campaign that greatly expands the organization’s already robust support for pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes to assist mothers and children. The new Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) initiative is a call to action for Knights across the United States and Canada to increase financial support to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and other organizations which give direct assistance to new mothers and/or babies. The goal is for the Order — through gifts from councils, as well as direct gifts from the Supreme Council — to donate at least $5 million through the fraternal year ending June 30, 2023. The ASAP initiative will enhance the significant resources the Knights and local councils already provide to mothers and their children, both born and unborn. Visit Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) for resources.

ANNUAL CLERGY APPRECIATION DINNER

This event is our opportunity to thank all of our clergy in the diocese for their hard work and dedication. This is also another opportunity to show them another great service of the Knights of Columbus. Normally held the second Sunday in February at the Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center. Cost per person is approximately $35 per person. Invited guest are Priests, Deacons, Religious, Seminarians, Knights, wives or friends.

BAPTIMAL GIFT PROGRAM

As part our council’s Family and Faith Program, we present Baptismal gifts. A Silver Rose that represents the beautiful day that a child was Baptized into the Catholic family at St. Agatha. And a Rosary to be a source of strength to protect their family.

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF PEACE

Charged with our Congregational commitment to be a prophetic voice in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed, the Human Trafficking Committee of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates supports efforts to end human trafficking. Sister Nadine Buchanan and other nuns with the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus have joined forces with SOAP (Saving Our Adolescents from Prostitution), a volunteer group that takes on human traffickers who they say flock to major sporting and other public events. (Feb. 22, 2013 The Columbus Dispatch)

FALL PARISH GROUNDS CLEANUP

On a weekend during late November and early December the council organizes a parish grounds cleanup. The cleanup consists of predominantly getting leaves raked to the curb for the city collection.

FREE THROW CONTEST

Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. This program is a great way to introduce the Order to your community and recruit faithful family men of service.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian organization founded in 1976 that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness one family at a time.  The organization helps provide quality-built, affordable homes to needy families by cooperatively involving the future homeowners with the community volunteers and suppliers to build the home.  Since its founding, Habitat has helped more than 29 million people improve their housing conditions in 1,400 communities in over 70 countries worldwide. Since 1998, St Agatha Parish, in partnership with nine other Northwest Christian churches, has provided time, talent and treasurers to build affordable homes for those in need. Our volunteers have assisted in all aspects of building a home through construction, landscaping, final clean up, meals for the volunteers, and financial support. As of Spring 2022, St. Agatha has supported the building of 24 homes. If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail Greg Bauer at gjrbauer@yahoo.com or John Swartz at jtswartz@yahoo.com.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

Purpose is to have activities that promote the true spirit of Christmas in homes, schools, parishes and communities. Councils will evangelize society through their faithful acts, celebrations and a variety of activities. Lighting the Way – Includes decorating the tree in the front of the church with Christmas lights and setting up two outdoor nativity scenes. Celebration after the first Saturday evening mass in December the includes a pizza, salad dessert and Santa.  Poster Contest - For all boys and girls from ages 5 through 14. By engaging the talents of our young people, we hope they will come to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, and that their artwork will bring others to remember Christ in Christmas

MATCHING FUNDS CAMPAIGN

Combines the power of local Council fundraising with support from the Ohio Charity Foundation, Inc. of the Ohio State Council, to strengthen Catholic Education efforts in every Catholic school, in every religious program, and in every RCIA program of your diocese. All contributions from your council and participating councils from your diocese, as well as any amounts matched, go to the Religious Education Department of your Diocese.

MEASURE UP

Assisting those with developmental disabilities. This fundraising effort supports over 322 statewide and local caring agencies and schools that sponsor a variety of training and support programs which provide service to our citizens of Ohio with developmental disabilities. Of the money collected, 80% is returned to the local councils for donating to their local agencies. The remaining 20% is used for statewide programs. As part of Measure Up, the Gimme Five Campaign solicits a $5.00 (or more) contribution from our members in our annual dues collection. Financial Secretaries sends the “Gimme Five” flyers with the council membership dues notices.

MULCH MADNESS

Starting in early March, members of the council begin preparing the landscaping by edging beds, trimming bushes, trees, pruning roses and raking leaves around the church, rectory, parish hall, and garden in the back of the school. Near the end of March, the council spreads 25 to 30 yards of mulch on one Saturday. During the month of April, flowers are planted in the garden located in the back of the school near the football/soccer fields.

OTHER CHARITABLE SUPPORT

Other charitable support that the Knights of Columbus support include Red Cross Blood Drive, Church Bulletin, Cristo Rey Basketball, Culture of Life, Eagle Scout Projects, Family Rosary Day, Funeral Donation, Habitat for Humanity, July 4th Float, Santa Breakfast, Server Appreciation, and Parish Youth Group, 2/1 Marine Battalion 2021.

PARISH PICNIC

Our Knights of Columbus biggest event of the year is the Parish Picnic. For the 2022 event, there was an estimated 570 hours of volunteer time consisting of approximately 70% or 400 hours of Knights time. Knights Planning Committee of 10 members started in July and ended in late August. The picnic food includes hamburger, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, bake beans, chips, fruits, snow cones, soft drinks, water and beer. For entertainment, we had face paint, dunk tank, kids craft and fish pond, live band, silent auction, kids gift basket raffle, hula hoop contest, musical chairs, habitat nailing contest, and youth soccer challenge.

PILGRIM ICON PROGRAM

St. Joseph Traveling Icon is schedule for Palm Sunday, April 2nd, from 1pm to 5pm. Purpose is to spread devotion to St. Joseph and pray for the courage to stand up and carry out our mission of protecting, defending, and raising future generations. Overview - Every few years, the Knights of Columbus selects an icon of a saint whose patronage is particularly inspiring to Knights and their communities. Each jurisdiction receives one or several of these icons which travel from council to council and serve as the centerpieces for prayer services in parishes throughout the Order.

ROSARY PROGRAM

For all grading eight graders, the Knights give a rosary and congratulation card. 

ST. GABRIEL CATHOLIC RADIO

St. Gabriel Catholic Radio AM 820 and FM 88.3 is authentically Catholic Radio in Central Ohio. It airs local Catholic programming in addition to EWTN Global Catholic Radio.

SOCCER CHALLENGE

The Soccer Challenge is a great way for councils to engage in their communities with an athletic event for youth that encourages the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Young people ages 9 to 14 demonstrate through penalty kick competition designed for players to demonstrate their skills through penalty kick competition designed for players to demonstrate their skills. The program is also a way to introduce the Order to your community and recruit faithful family men of service.

SUPPORT OUR SEMINARIANS

For the support of the men in our seminaries and the vocation awareness in your own diocese. As part of our vocation program, our council sends birthday card to our seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

SUNDAY TV MASS

For many years, Knights of Columbus Councils in the Columbus Diocese have assisted in sponsoring the Sunday TV Mass, ensuring those who cannot join their parish family in celebrating the Eucharist have the opportunity to be renewed in their faith by participating in the Mass.

VA FUND

Each fraternal year councils and assemblies in the Columbus Diocese are asked to contribute to the Chapter VA Fund. The Knights of Columbus councils of the Columbus Diocese, in conjunction with the Fourth Degree Assemblies of the Father Hennepin Province, Ohio District 3, will again sponsor a series of programs and events to provide both comfort and assistance to our veterans, in recognition of their service and sacrifice in defense of the liberties we all enjoy. Activities sponsored by our veterans' program are held at both the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Columbus’ Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center.

WOMEN’S CARE CENTER

Provides free, confidential counseling, support and education for pregnant women. Free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds help determine viability and dates (prenatal medical care and abortions not provided). Serves 30,000 women annually from 34 centers in 12 states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Wisconsin.