Knights of Columbus Council 893 at 3870 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 US

These Men They Call Knights

Welcome to the Knights of Columbus, the worlds largest lay Catholic family service organization. As their forebears did more than a century ago, today’s Knights and their families stand shoulder to shoulder in support of one another. Through their charity and the examples of their lives, they stand in service to all as witnesses to the Good News of the Gospel.

Although the Order is a “can-do” organization, its scopes and the role it plays on the world stage surprise people. They are amazed to learn that in the year 2005 Knights the world over combined to give more than 63 million hours of volunteer service and more than $136 million to a wide range of Church, community and charitable activities and programs. This was a record in both categories dating from the time statistics were first kept in 1977.

Most recently, through its $1.3 million Heroes Fund, the Knights of Columbus granted $3,000 to the families of each of the fire fighters, law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. The aid was given immediately – the first check was hand-delivered just days after the tragedy – and regardless of faith or membership in the Order.

In the wake of the tragedy the Order established an annual “Blue Mass” in honor of law enforcement, fire and emergency service personnel – those “Everyday Heroes” who risk their lives in service to our communities.

Examples of what the Knights do – day in and day out – abound. For example, the Order funds the satellite uplinks necessary to broadcast papal messages and ceremonies, especially at Christmas and Easter, throughout the world. The Knights paid the cost of the restoration of façade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Order financed the restoration of the Maderno Atrium which leads to the Holy Door that is opened by the pope at the beginning of a Holy Year – the most recent being Jubilee 2000 held to usher in the third Christian millennium.

The Holy Father also receivers each year a contribution from the Order for his personal charities. The contribution comes from the interest earned on the $20 million Vicarius Christi (Vicar of Christ) fund. Each year the interest earned from this fund is presented to the pope. Since it was established in 1982 nearly $30 million has been provided to His Holiness.

The World Youth Days celebrated by the Holy Father every two years since 1987 have benefited from major funding and participation by the Order. At the World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002 the Reconciliation site in Duc in Altum Park was sponsored by a $1 million gift from the Knights of Columbus. Though the Order does not restrict itself or its councils to any particular charity or cause, a favorite K of C activity over the years has been service to people with mental retardation. Special Olympics at the local, state, and international levels has been a major recipient of funding, service and support from the Knights. Our Order’s outreach to a variety of religious and other causes is chronicled in our monthly magazine, Columbia that goes to each of our members. Our deeds do not go unnoticed by the Holy Father. Pope Paul VI said. “Tell your sons, your nephews, your grandsons; tell the people that the pope loves the Knights of Columbus.” He added: “The glory of the Knights of Columbus is not based on humanitarian works alone. Even more admirable have been your insistence upon the supremacy of God and your fidelity to the Vicar of Christ. In truth you can call yourselves ‘brothers’ because you call God your Father and have declared yourselves ready to do his will and serve his cause…the Knights of Columbus an immense force of good.”

Pope John Paul II once said: “Many times in the past, and again today, you have given expression to your solidarity with the mission of the pope. I see in your support further proof – if further proof were ever necessary – of your awareness that the Knights of Columbus highly value their vocation to be part of the evangelization effort of the Church.”

Council 893's History

Council 893 was the third council to be initiated in the state of Alabama. The date of inception was April 10, 1904. The first Grand Knight of the council was Thomas Carr, who was also the Mayor of the City of Montgomery. The first council home was located in a two story house on Court Street, at what is now the overpass above Interstate 85. The council drew members from Montgomery and the surrounding cities and towns. When Interstate 85 was planned, the council home was sold to the state for the purpose of construction of the highway. The council then moved further south, to Goode Street, just behind Sidney Lanier High School. There, an addition was added to the building to accommodate various activities, such as New Years dances, parties, and conducting bingo games The council remained active at the Goode Street address until a decision was made to sell the home...

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"For The Good of the Order"

"FRATERNAL CONCERNS"

If any Council member is aware of another member or members' family needing prayer due to illness or an unfortunate circumstance please contact the
"Council 893" Fraternal Director, Doug Blackburn at DougWBlackburn@yahoo.com

He will insure that the prayer request is added to the State-wide prayer list of the Knights of Columbus.
Additionally, Fraternal Services sends "Congratulations", "Get Well", "Sympathy" and "Thank You" cards on behalf of the brothers of Council 893,
just provide Doug with the details of the needs and a name and full address to have this accomplished."

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His Legacy: The Knights of Columbus

Through the Knights of Columbus, Father McGivney gave Catholic laymen a new opportunity – the chance to grow in holiness while contributing to their parishes, communities and security of their families. Today, more and more Church leaders are recognizing his spiritual genius in animating the laity.

The Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 12,000 local units in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Over the past decade, Knights have raised and donated nearly $1 billion to charity and given nearly 400 million hours in humanitarian service.

Knights donated $1 million to Special Olympics to send athletes from the United States, Canada and Mexico to the 2003 international Summer Games in Ireland. They provided 2,000 wheelchairs to land mine victims and people with disabilities in Afghanistan. The nature of most service by Knights is determined locally. Knights in Illinois, for example, have devised a sophisticated system for providing interest-free financing for group homes for people with developmental disabilities; councils in the Philippines regularly conduct free medical and dental clinics for the poor.

Wherever they exist, Knights continue the tradition of support for bishops and parish priests exemplified by Father McGivney. Each year tens of thousands of Catholics attend the Marian Hour of Prayer programs, rosary prayer services, and pro-life Masses Knights sponsor.

Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society offering low-cost life insurance to immigrant families facing destitution if a breadwinner died. Today the Knights of Columbus has more than $50 billion of life insurance in force. Its insurance program has received the highest possible ratings from both the A. M. Best Co. and Standard & Poor's.

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Knights of Columbus
      Council 893
      Montgomery, AL

Knights of Columbus Council 893 at 3870 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 US - These Men They Call Knights

Knights of Columbus Council 893 Montgomery, AL

Knights of Columbus Council 893 at 3870 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 US - These Men They Call Knights

Knights of Columbus
Council 893
Montgomery, AL