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By Michael Smith
COASTAL OBSERVER
They come from different walks of life, but the Knights of
Columbus share a common bond.
Jim McMahon is a retired Army colonel. Clem Thoennes worked for General
Electric, while Joe Ferreira was a management consultant.
But all say a commitment to faith and charity brought them together in the
fraternal organization.
The Knights of Columbus recently celebrated their 10th anniversary at
Precious Blood. En that decade, membership grew from about 40 members to
194.
Knight membership comprises 30 percent of the congregation at Precious
Blood, the highest proportion of any church in the state.
The national organization was founded in New Haven, Conn., in 1882 by a
group of men who sought to defend their beliefs and grow in their faith.
They took their name from Christopher Columbus, who brought the Catholic
faith to the New World on his voyages of exploration.
“I’ve never been in a church where visibility of
the. Knights is as high.”.
JOE FERREIRA
Knight of
Columbus
The founders' efforts to secure
economic stability for families grew into a substantial charitable
organization. Last year, the Knights donated more than $125 million to
charities.
Among the group’s more prominent achievements is their 1954 campaign to
have the words ”under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thoennes, the group’s treasurer said he joined the Knights eight years ago
because of fond memories of his childhood. “There was this hotel
where they had dances |
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I could use my talents instead of
remaining dormant
Ferreira joined over 30 years ago in New York, but after a few years he
had to quit when the meeting night changed, creating a conflict with his
work schedule.
About six years ago, Ferreira moved to the Waccamaw Neck. With time on his
hands, he didn't hesitate to seek out the Knights once again. "I saw that
the Knights were active here and decided to get involved," he said.
Knight membership, though exclusive to men in the Catholic Church, is
quite diverse when it comes to age. At Precious Blood, members range from
18 to 93. McMahon thinks that's because sons of Knights tend to follow
their fathers and grandfathers into the organization.
Ferreira likes the camaraderie of the Knights, and believes it strengthens
his faith.
"I've never been in a church where visibility of the Knights is as high as
it is at Precious Blood;" he said. "When you're rubbing elbows at an
event, chances are you're rubbing elbows with a Knight."
The Knights meet monthly. Meetings are closed to the public, though
discussions mainly center on upcoming charity work.
Twice a year, the Knights., at Precious Blood hold charity drives at local
grocery stores. Members will stand outside and hand out Tootsie Roll
candies to passersby while asking them for donations that go to benefit
mentally retarded.
"Most of them don't take the Tootsie Rolls anyway," Thoennes said.
Last week, the Knights presented $6,600 to three local charities during
their monthly social. Receiving funds were the JOY School, $4,000;
Georgetown County Special Olympics, $1,500; and Georgetown County board of
Disabilities and Special needs, $1,100.
It's that commitment to charity that all Knights say makes rnembership
fulfilling.
"In the five years I've been down here, I've found more role models than I
have in my whole life," Ferreira said
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