The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded by the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882, it was named in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus. Originally serving as a mutual benefit society to low-income immigrant Catholics, it developed into a fraternal service organization dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education and actively defending Catholicism.

There are more than 1.8 million Knights in 15,000 councils, around the world. Membership is limited to Catholic men aged 18 or older. Membership consists of four different degrees, each exemplifying a different principle of the Order. Councils have been chartered in the United States (including some territories), Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Poland, Panama, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Cuba, and on US military bases around the world.

For their support for the Church and local communities, as well as for their philanthropic efforts, Pope John Paul II referred to the Order as a "strong right arm of the Church." In 2012, the Order gave over US$167.5 million directly to charity and performed over 70 million man-hours of voluntary service, with over 413,000 pints of blood donated in 2010. The Order's insurance program has more than $90 billion of life insurance policies in force, backed up by $19.8 billion in assets, and holds the highest insurance ratings given by A. M. Best and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association. Within the United States on the national and state level, the Order is active in the political arena lobbying for laws and positions that uphold the Catholic Church's positions on public policy and social issues.

All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:

Charity – Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action and to help those in need.

Unity – We can accomplish far more as a team than individually. So we stick together…we support one another. 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 – Knights last year, gave more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick or disabled brother Knights and their families. The Order also offers members access to a top-rated insurance program. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.

Patriotism – Members of the Knights of Columbus -- be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Koreans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in 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.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to actively practicing Catholic men, age 18 or older.
A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Church.

For information regarding membership, please contact Richard Smith (Membership Director)
at pollygirl219@aol.com or 313-421-0204

In the fall of 2004, Dave Bergman, K of C District Deputy for the area, approached Monsignor Ronald Brown for permission to start a Council of the Knights of Columbus at St. Gerald.

In early 2005 the new St. Gerald Council 13673 was given its charter.

The first few months of the new Council’s existence were rocky, but with the leadership of District Deputy Bergman and newly appointed Grand Knight Robert Brown, the Council soon found stability and started to grow. Following in GK Brown’s footsteps, a succession of capable men have lead the St. Gerald Council. These men have cultivated membership, expand charitable works, nurtured the fraternal spirit, and have kept the Council true to its founding principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity.