St. Basil Council # 13442
Brantford, Ontario
Chartered October 28th, 2003
Council Information
St. Basil Council # 13442 was chartered on October 28th, 2023, through the efforts of Fr. Don Sanvido, Tom Mitchell, and George Descender.
Our council operates on the four main principles of the Knights of Columbus, Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Our council serves the needs of St. Basil’s parish, our parish community, and our local community.
Our council participates in the Coats for Kids Program, Food for Families, and the Basketball Free Throw Competitions. We have also hosted parish breakfasts, dinners, and BBQs.
Many members of our council volunteer their talents during Mass. Members serve as lectors, ushers, choir members, Eucharistic ministers, and Sacristans.
St. Basil Council 13442 donates 48 brand new kids winter coats to the Brantford Food Bank. All coats were donated to local kids in need of a winter coat through the Food Bank’s Christmas Basket 2023 Program
Members of St. Basil Council 13442 donate food, toiletries and baby essentials collected from our Christmas Food Drive 2023 to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank in Brantford.
The 4 Principles of the Knights of Columbus
Charity- Our Catholic faith teaches us to "Love thy neighbour as thyself". Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbours by conducting food drives, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.
Unity-None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that together we can accomplish far more that any of us could individually. So, we stick together. We support one another. That doesn’t mean that we agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that - as a Knight of Columbus - you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity- Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide aid the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died- often prematurely. The Order's top-rated insurance program continues to do this today. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
Patriotism- Members of the Knights of Columbus are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country. We believe is standing up for both. Whether it's in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
Blessed Fr. Michael J McGivney
The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Fr. Michael J McGivney. It was first established as a mutual benefits society for Catholic immigrants in New Haven CT. McGivney saw a need to support widows and orphans of Catholic families when the husband/ father had passed away. Catholics during this time were discriminated against and excluded from labour unions and groups that provided social services that supported families. Many Catholic men were employed in dangerous occupations.
On October 31, 2020, the beatification Mass of Michael McGivney was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford CT, with Cardinal Joseph W Tobin presiding on the Pope's behalf.
Knights of Columbus Worldwide
Today the foremost principal of the Knights of Columbus is charity. There are 2 million members of the Knights of Columbus worldwide. There are over 16,000 councils serving their communities across the globe. Councils are in Canada, USA, the Philippines, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Ukraine, Panama, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam, Lithuania, Saipan, and South Korea.
According to the 2023 annual report, the Knights of Columbus donated $185,000,000 to charity and devoted 49, 000, 000 hours to volunteer service. When natural disasters strike or conflict breaks out in the world, the Knights of Columbus can be found providing aid.
Interested In Becoming a Member of the St. Basil Knights of Columbus Council 13442
To join the Knights of Columbus you must be a Catholic male who is at least 18 years old and in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Our St. Basil Council would like to invite any men in the parish who meet these criteria to consider joining our council. If interested in joining our council, you can email stbasilbrantford@hamiltondiocese.com to contact our council or you can also visit www.kofc.org/joinus to join us online.