The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.7 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.

Many of the benefits to the Knights of Columbus can be experienced through our programs. Examples of some of our programs include the following:

• Church Programs: We support the Church through collecting money for the seminarians in our Diocese ("Pennies for Heaven"), we hold corporate communion services, we assist our parishes in their activities.
• Community Programs: We work with local outrach centers to help serve those less fortunate. We honor our Patron, Christopher Columbus, annually through sponosring a Columbus Day activity. We also sponor Pro-Life activities.
• Youth Activities: We hold a Basketball Free Throw contest every January for the youth of our parish. We help our scouts, the Squires, and the parish youth groups.
• Council Activities: We have many council activities including Past Grand Knight's dinners, Ladies Knight Out (to honor the wives), Council Work parties, etc.
• Family Activities: We have many family activities including insurance nights, Family Memorial Masses, family pizza nights, family picnics, etc.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. If you have any questions, or if you wish to become a member, please contact us at (419) 320-2355 or via e-mail.

Any Third Degree member in good standing, six months and one day 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"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Monsignor O'Connell #386 is affiliated with the Bishop James R. Hoffman Assembly #807. Bishop Hoffman Assembly meets on the second Friday of each month at 7:30 PM at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral (View Map).  Please check out the Bishop Hoffman Assembly #807 website for any additional information on the Fourth Degree, Fourth Degree membership, Honor Guard, etc. If you have any questions about the Fourth Degree, e-mail the Bishop Hoffman Assembly #807.

Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.

Currently, Monsignor O'Connell Council #386 does not have a Columbian Squire Circle; however, Monsignor O'Connell Council #386 supports the Danny Thomas Columbian Squire Circle #3961, which is based out of West Toledo Council #3122 (View Map). Please check out the Danny Thomas Columbian Squire Circle #3961 website for any additional information on the Columbian Squires, Squire membership, etc. If you have any questions about the Squires, e-mail the Danny Thomas Columbian Squire Circle #3961.