The Knights of Columbus is a men's Catholic lay service organization based upon the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.  It was founded on March 29, 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, CT.  It now has almost 16,000 councils and 2 million members. 

The Antioch Council has about 175 members as of Jan 1, 2019. 
Why Join the Knights of Columbus?
Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference.  Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.
A KNIGHT IS A BETTER HUSBAND, A BETTER FATHER AND A BETTER CATHOLIC
 
TO SUPPORT HOLY ROSARY CHURCH
            The Knights have donated $5,000 /yr to the church’s capital program
            The Knights support a Dominican seminarian every year.
            The Knights run a booth at the Harvest Faire.         
            The Knights carry the canopy over the priest and the color corps lead the Divine Mercy                                  Procession
            The Knights paid for one of the new Stations of the Cross.
             The Knights supported the HR medical mission with the purchase of an ultra sound probe 
 
TO SUPPORT HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL
            The Knights run a Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest for the students.
            The Knights donate to the schools tuition assistance program.
            The Knights give scholarships to Carondelet and DeLaSalle to Holy Rosary students
 
TO SUPPORT LOCAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES
            The Knights run a free throw contest every year.
            The Knights sponsor the Antioch Little League Giants in their Challenger Division for children                          with physical or mental disabilities.
            The Knights support Compy’s Fishing derby.
            The Knights award scholarships at Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools
            The Knights have supported many Eagle Scout projects.
               
TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES
            The Knights hold the annual Tootsie Roll drive for people with intellectual disabilities.
            The Knights purchased an ultra sound machine for a local pro-life organization.
            The Knights help various local charities, like the Vagabond Players
            The Knights support the Knightsen Youth Association and Antioch High Athletics
           
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
            Annual family Holiday party.
            Annual family day at a Stockton Ports baseball game and the Stockton Heat Hockey game.
            Memorial Mass and breakfast in honor of our departed brothers.
AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES
            We bought wheelchairs for 3^rd world countries and lend out wheelchairs to parishioners
            And our Seafood Banquet, which is in its 48^th year, is the best crab feed in the county.

Knights are also heavily involved with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the mobile mall, the prison ministry, RCIA, scouts and many other parish and community activities.  They are lectors, ushers, choir members and Eucharistic Ministers.  Being involved with another parish organization does not mean that you do not have time to be a Knight.  Being a Knight will help you with your other organization.  You can spend one hour or one hundred hours on Knight activities.  Annual dues are a mere $30.  With membership you automatically will receive the magazine “Columbia” every month which has articles that will deepen your faith.  All of this plus the highest rated insurance program in the land for those that wish to sign up for it.

    Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who shall not be less than 18 years of age on their last birthday.  A practical 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.  Every knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as  members.  Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application.  All priests and religious brothers having duly made application for membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues.  Application for membership must be made through the council in the community nearest the applicant's place of residence.  Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their hometown council or at the nearest council on a military base.  If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation known as the First Degree.  He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.  There are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council.  The insurance privileges are available to all members who can qualify, which represents an important advantage of membership.  For men in every walk of life the name Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about its tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood.  It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and their country.  Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are , first of all, practicingl Catholic gentlemen.  It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs.  Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members.  Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their fellow man.  Through membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and to assist.  Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of Columbus. provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men--a strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve.  Knights of Columbus has a proud heritage.  The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.

     Another degree open to members of the Knights of Columbus is that of the Fourth (or Patriotic) Degree.  On February 22,1900, the first exemplification of that degree was held in New York City.  The ritual added patriotism to the three original principles of the Order; charity ,unity , and fraternity.  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 .  Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.  Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization.

Associated with our Council#3265 is Dr.Thomas A.Dooley Assembly #75