Service Program

The Knights of Columbus is a "Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization." This theme permeates the entire Service Program; all Membership, Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth Activities. The Service Program is designed to establish our Council as an influential and important force within our community, elevate the status of the programming personnel, provide more meaningful and relevant programs of action, establish direct areas of responsibility, build leadership, and ensure the success of Council programs.

Program Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

The Program Director demonstrates involvement and personal commitment of our Council and Membership in a program which establishes the Knights of Columbus as truly a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization.

Membership Director

Paul A. Hunt, DGK

The Membership Director supervises a comprehensive program of Membership Recruitment and Retention for our Council.

Our Council routinely conducts Membership Drives throughout the year, but is always looking for a few good men to join our Order.  Recruiting new Members is essential to the continued growth and well-being of our Council and the Order.  Proposing a man for Membership in the Knights of Columbus gives him the opportunity to improve his own life and his community.  Membership allows him to experience the fraternal bond that Knights share while growing closer to his family and his faith.  Applications (Form 100 Membership Document) for New Membership are readily available at our Council for candidate sponsorship.

Why You Should Be A Knight of Columbus:

V As an integral part of the world’s largest and most dynamic Catholic fraternal organization, you will be united with more than 1.75 million brother Knights and their families in over 14,000 local Councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Central America and the Caribbean.

V Your personal involvement as a Knight will provide opportunities, in charity and fraternity, for service to the Church at the local, diocesan and universal levels; to your community; and to the less fortunate in our midst.

V Your active participation in Council affairs:  Spiritual; Fraternal; Family; Social; Civic-Oriented; Athletic and Recreational – will serve as a school of leadership and enable you to develop qualities that enhance your strengths and abilities.

V You will enjoy a sense of “belonging” in an organization that shares your religious beliefs, brings together like-minded men joined in a common cause, and offers the opportunity to develop and cement friendships for years to come.

V Your concerns for your family and for your retirement years can be addressed by the Order’s low-cost insurance program, conducted by brother Knights for brother Knights, and assure their security and your peace of mind.

V You will share in the sense of pride all Knights feel in knowing that their Order is second to none in support of our Holy Father, our bishops and priests; in working for our fellow man, especially those most in need; and in binding together to preserve traditional values in the face of attacks against the family and innocent human life.

Why You and Your Wife Should Accept Our “New Member Annuity” Offer Upon Entry Into the Order:

V For as little as $100 each, you and your wife can open an annuity.

V Your principle is guaranteed by the Knights of Columbus.

V The Board of Directors sets the interest rate for this plan, but at no time will it drop below 3%.  All interest credited in the United States is tax deferred.

V You may add deposits to your annuity at any time.

V Everybody can use additional funds during their retirement.

Church Activities Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

The Church Activities Director promotes a program that will enable the Membership to respond to the constant call for the active participation of the laity in the work of the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI
The Vatican

Bishop George W. Coleman Diocese of Fall River

Founded by a parish priest, the Knights of Columbus has always worked hard to encourage young men and women to consider God’s call to service in the priesthood or religious life.  Under the motto "Keep the Faith Alive," the Order’s vocations initiative has a number of programs based on prayer and designed to reach the hearts and minds of young people, as well as to provide financial support during their years of seminary training or religious formation.

Since 1981, the Knights of Columbus has sponsored the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP).  Our Council participates in this program by “adopting” one or more seminarians or postulants from the local area and provide them with financial assistance and moral support throughout the year.  RSVP money is used by seminarians and those in religious formation for tuition and books, car insurance and maintenance, travel during vacations, emergency expenditures and other living expenses. Knights provide more than financial support, though. Members write letters to students, sponsor dinners for them, invite them to join the Order and, most importantly, pray for vocations.

The Immaculate Conception Cemetery is built on land acquired on Canton Street dating back to 1857.  It is owned and operated by Immaculate Conception Church, located in North Easton, MA.  As followers of the Catholic Church, the Members of our Council voluntarily assist the grounds keeping staff of the cemetery each year prior to Memorial Day Weekend and contribute to the maintenance of the cemetery grounds in preparation of Memorial Day observances.

In a time when all things religious are being discouraged and swept away, it’s refreshing to know that the Order sponsors the “Keep Christ in Christmas” campaign to remind people that Christmas is above all a holy day celebrating the birth of Christ.  Keeping Christ in Christmas is keeping the very heart and meaning of the Christmas celebration alive. To celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the Supreme Council offers many suggestions you can use to help in keeping Christ in Christmas. Our Council supports this Cause each December by having available celebratory magnets for purchase.

Community Activities Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

One Nation, Under God.  The Knights of Columbus was instrumental in getting the words "Under God" added to The Pledge of Allegiance.  Our Council’s active participation in the local Fourth Degree Assembly continues the work of assuring that these words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength, we must remain humble.  In doing so, it helps us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded.

The Fourth Degree of the Order, through active Membership in local units called Assemblies, fosters the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries.  Our Council has a strong Membership presence within the Cardinal O’Connell General Assembly No. 394 of the Brockton, MA area, and conducts its own fundraising efforts to the cause of the Fourth Degree by means of a Mid-Summer B-B-Q for the veterans of the area.

The Knights of Columbus and the Wheelchair Foundation have teamed up to help bring wheelchairs to those who lack freedom of mobility.  For every donation of $75 the foundation receives, it provides matching funds to purchase a wheelchair for $150.  The chairs are shipped, 280 at a time in massive containers, directly to the destination nation; at last count chairs have been distributed in 143 countries at no cost to the recipients.

Serving Those Who Served.  Our military personnel voluntarily act as the protectors of our nations, standing on the front lines while keeping us safe behind them.  For this, we are forever grateful.  Thus, our Council holds a Weekly Meat Raffle each and every Sunday afternoon in the Members Room for the purpose of raising funds to which portions are earmarked towards Veterans Programs.

Our Council is always looking to help promote any and all aspects of local, benevolent and philanthropic endeavors carried out within our community by way of our Newsletter Committee and Website Committee. Our award winning monthly newsletter was recognized by the MA State Council in 2009 for this fact, and we are proud to share our newsworthy information with those interested in such. Our monthly newsletters are maintained on our website for informational viewing purposes.

All governments – local, state and provincial, and national – should be protectors of our freedoms.  They can be and will be just that if thoughtful citizens elect good people to public office.  As a Council in the Order of the Knights of Columbus, we urge our Members to be informed of not only the political views of each candidate running for elective office, but also the moral and ethical philosophies included.  However, we as a Council never officially endorse a political candidate.

Knights of Columbus volunteers promote healthy lifestyles and health in the community through a variety of health service initiatives.  Councils regularly join in national programs bringing public attention to heart disease, the dangers of smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse.  Members help raise money for medical research and expansion of medical facilities.  Knights at all levels of the Order report raising nearly $4 million for health service organizations and hospitals on an annual basis.  Our Council participates in this program by regularly organizing and conducting seasonal Blood Drives at our Council with the assistance of the American Red Cross.

As Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”  As long as there are hungry people in our community, the Knights of Columbus is ready to assist.  Our Council, in cooperation with the Easton Food Pantry, Inc., works to get this message out each year by running a Canned Food Drive in February.

Uncompromisingly pro-life, the Knights of Columbus believes every life is sacred, from the moment of conception till natural death. As Knights of Columbus, we are called to defend the dignity of each human being at every stage and work together in building a culture of life and a civilization of love. Our Council holds a fundraiser throughout the month of March to raise money and awareness in support of "life".  Proceeds are not limited to but typically earmarked for one of the recommended pro-life organizations which have been sanctioned by the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Each March brings about one special day when everybody is “Irish” at-heart.  In celebration of St. Patrick, our Council hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner for the community, Members and guests.  Everybody gets a little Irish in ya’ with a little bit of traditional Celtic dance entertainment and Irish-rooted music entertainment throughout the evening, along with a full course Corned Beef Dinner and libations, and a chance at that lucky pot o’ gold.  All remaining money proceeds generated from this event are put to good use for our charitable endeavors throughout the year.

Our Council hosts its Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament each summer for the Members, guests and community. This team scramble format tournament is held at one of our local golf courses, with a post-golf banquet and prize & awards ceremony to follow.  We offer a variety of ways in which both golf participants and/or sponsors may participate.  All money raised as a result of this event is put towards our Scholarship Committee, which goes back into the community each year.

Over the past 40 years, the Knights of Columbus has raised and donated more than $382 million to programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.  Among the larger gifts of time and money the Order makes annually is to Special Olympics and other programs throughout our community for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.  Our Council takes part in this effort via our yearly Tootsie Roll Drive, typically held throughout Columbus Day Weekend.  Thanks to the cooperation of local businesses and recreational facilities within the town, we collect charitable contributions from passersby and reward those contributors with a tootsie roll as a demonstration of our gratitude.

Our Council puts on a Hundred Hungry Men Dinner for the Members, guests and community each year.  Feeling hungry?  Save up your appetite for this event.  One hundred tickets are sold for $100 each.  In return, you get a 2-1/2 lbs (40 oz.) Prime Rib Dinner with all the fixings and dessert to go with it.  And if that isn’t enough, your ticket is also entered into the Grand Prize Drawing ($1,500, $1,000, $500, $500, or $100).  All money raised from this event is earmarked towards our charitable causes throughout the year.

Our love of Church and country inspires us Knights to promote civic duty and charitable activities in our community and throughout the world.  Our Members' civic involvement comes in many forms, including our campaigns urging citizens to vote.  Voting is a right and responsibility of every citizen.  Although the opportunity to help determine how a town or a nation will be governed should be viewed as a privilege, people often look at voting as a chore and of little consequence.  This is an attitude we must combat.  The Easton Knights of Columbus Function Hall is utilized by the Town of Easton as a Polling Station serving Precincts 3 & 6 for both town and state elections.

Our Council conducts a yearly Turkey Shoot Raffle drawing each November for the Members, guests and community to take part in.  In this event, our Council raffles off twenty turkeys (20+ lbs each) with the hopes that we not only put a good sized turkey on the tables of families within the community for Thanksgiving Day, but also raise some money to be used for our charitable endeavors throughout the year.

Council Activities Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

The Council Activities Director concerns himself with the promotion of brotherhood through athletic, cultural and social programs. Additionally, he is responsible for the development of public relations in our Council.

Our Council hosts luck-of-the-draw Pool Tournaments.  Open to Members and guests, this friendly double elimination 2-person team competition is a great way to spend some time with plenty of good conversation, friendly 8-Ball billiards competition and a great spread of food, for all to enjoy.  The time and date of each event are decided upon by popular agreement of those participating and subsequently advertised and posted as such.

Our Council hosts luck-of-the-draw Shuffleboard Tournaments.  Open to all Members and guests, this friendly 2-person team competition is a great way to spend some time with plenty of good conversation, friendly shuffleboard competition and a great spread of food, for all to enjoy.  The time and date of each event are decided upon by popular agreement of those participating and subsequently advertised and posted as such.

You haven’t had a real rib until you’ve had a try at Roy’s Ribs.  With the charitable contributions of Members who just can’t get by another day without one of Roy’s Ribs, our Council hosts an afternoon for all Members and guests to come on down and enjoy the social gathering and fine cooking of executive chef ribs connoisseur Roy Swanson.

Each year, our Council hosts a Super Bowl Party for its Members and guests for the presentation of the final post-season game of the year – the clash of the AFC vs. the NFC.  Always a good take for the Members and guests to find reason to get together for some social gathering, a great spread of food with some libations, and viewing of the Super Bowl game on the many viewing options within the Members Room and the Function Hall seating area.

Shortly following the conclusion of the football season is the start of the Great American Race – the Daytona 500.  With an Executive PIT PASS, our Council puts out a never-ending all-you-can-eat spread of appetizers and food, mixed in with some cold libations, and luck-of-the-draw drivers pools, and viewing of the Great American Race on the many viewing options within the Members Room and Function Hall seating area.  Git-r-done!

Feeling a little adventurous in expanding your range of appetite?  Our Council hosts a yearly Chili Cook-Off during the winter months.  Open to all Members and guests, amateurs and professionals alike, all are eligible to cook up a crock pot of their best chili recipe and enter into the contest.  For those not as adventurous in the kitchen, they are eligible to warm up their tummy’s with an all-you-can-eat variety of sampling of each contestant’s recipe and become the judge, by secret ballot, to help decide who should hold the coveted trophy for Best Chili in Town.

Our Council recognizes that we have some of the best division 1 college hockey right in our backyard, per se, with the country’s oldest and richest traditional hockey tournament still alive to date – the Beanpot Tournament, the official battle for Boston’s hockey bragging rights.  For this reason, each February we commemorate the yearly tournament with an all-you-can-eat Hot Dogs & Beans buffet in the Members Room during tournament play, while we watch Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University and Northeastern University duke it out for the coveted Beanpot.

You can always catch a Final Four College Hoops or Frozen Four College Hockey game on in the Members Room.  Each April we provide viewing options for these events with an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Members Room during tournament play, while we watch the best future athletic prospects make their mark in college sport history.

Red Sox Nation’s got nothing over our baseball fans.  Any day or night, you can always guarantee there will be a few fans watching the ballgame on the many viewing options within the Members Room.  With the free popcorn vendor always in use, sit down, kick back and enjoy the game and social commentary from the die-hard fans.

Our Council hosts Comedy Nights for the Members, guests and community.  By bringing in some of today’s best and brightest faces in comedy, from the freshest starters just breaking into the business to well-known established comedians within the entertainment industry, all are assured to get their money’s worth by stopping in and having a laugh provided by us.

Each December our Council hosts a Members Appreciation Dinner for the Members and wives of the Council, and special guests of the community.  This is a free event put on by the Officers of the Council, featuring a cocktail hour and full course meal to follow.  Concluding the dinner portion of the evening, senior Members are recognized for having achieved significant milestones within the last year; in particular, with respect to Honorary Member and Honorary Life Member status.  Also, Council Officers, Columbian Corporation Staff, Members and Non-Members alike, from our Council and community, are recognized for their efforts and participation within the Easton Knights of Columbus Council No. 238.  Topping the evening off is our yearly presentation of the Council’s highest Membership honor of “Knight of the Year”.

Each New Year's Eve, our Council hosts a quaint, informal social gathering in the Members Room for the Members and wives looking for a place to go without the crowds.  Lots of Chinese food, i-pod karaoke music, a complimentary champagne toast and plenty of good cheer are on tap for the countdown to the new year.

Family Life Activities Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

Through our Insurance Field Agent, our Council’s primary mission of protecting families against financial ruin is achieved by providing opportunities for families to secure their financial futures through our top-rated portfolio of life insurance, long term care insurance and annuity products. Insurance Drives typically occur in conjunction with Membership Recruitment Drives; however, our Field Agent is always available throughout the year.

Each October, our Council is an active participant in the town of Easton’s NRT Harvest & Crafts Fair.  Started in 1973 and located on the Sheep Pasture grounds in North Easton, MA, the nonprofit group’s 154-acre farm and conservation area, this continually ongoing fair, hosted by the Natural Resources Trust, is now a staple event within the community.  The event includes more than 100 crafters, local art displays, live musical performances, food and children’s activities.  More than 15,000 people typically attended this fair yearly.  You can find us supporting this event via the Children’s Train Ride station.

Each October, our Council hosts a Children’s Halloween Party free of charge to all children of the Easton community.  In this event, the children are entertained with arts-n-crafts and games activities, live entertainment, food and beverages, a costume contest & parade, and a Monster Mash Dance-a-Thon finale, along with some raffle prizes throughout the day.

Each November, our Council’s Memorial Committee arranges for the celebration of a Mass for the repose of the souls of the deceased Members. The Memorial Mass is celebrated by the Chaplain unless he is indisposed. This is a special ceremony, as we reflect upon the lives of those who have passed within the past year.

Each December, our Council is an active participant in the town of Easton’s Holiday Festival Parade.  Started in 1986, organized and hosted by the Easton Lions Club, the Holiday Festival and Lighting of the Rockery is now a staple event within our community to kick off Christmas season.  You can see the Easton Knights of Columbus representation by our float, provided by the support of our Member Knights via J.J. Bosse Construction Co., Inc., frequently escorting the boys and girls of the local Pop-Warner League throughout the parade route.

Each December, our Council hosts a Children’s Christmas Party free of charge to all children of the Easton community.  In this event, the children are entertained with arts-n-crafts and games activities, live entertainment, food and beverages, and of course, a special visit from good ol’ St. Nick himself, Santa Claus, who presents each child in attendance with a Christmas gift.  At the end of the event, any remaining leftover gifts are donated to a recognized not-for-profit charitable organization for proper distribution to the less fortunate during the Christmas season.

Each December, our Council hosts a Senior's Holiday Dinner free of charge to all seniors of the Easton community.  In this event, up to 200 local seniors are entertained with live entertainment throughout the evening, including a superbly prepared full course Turkey Dinner & Dessert and libations.  At the end of the evening, all seniors are also given a fully prepared, pre-cooked meal to take home.

Youth Activities Director

Richard H. Wertz, GK

The Youth Activities Director provides the youth in the community with the means and the opportunity to become personally committed and involved in meeting the challenges of our times. He is also responsible for the promotion of the Order’s junior organization, the Columbian Squires.

Today’s youth, the leaders of tomorrow, are looking for a challenge, for responsibility, for faith and trust.  This is the reason the Knights of Columbus offers the following programs:

The Columbian Squires, the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus, is a leadership development program for young Catholic men, 10-18 years old.  There are over 25,000 Catholic young men in over 1,400 local units, called circles, throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Guam.  Squires can be active participants or volunteers in some of the Order’s most successful and fun youth programs.  With Knights and Squires working together, these youth programs see increased involvement and growth.  The Squires is designed to develop young men as leaders who understand their Catholic religion, who have a strong commitment to the Church and who are ready, willing and capable of patterning their lives after the Youth Christ.

Today’s Catholic youth will become the Catholic adults of tomorrow. By their actions and decisions, today’s young Catholics will play a major role in the future direction of the Catholic Church.  As Knights, it is our obligation to fight for the Church; it is of paramount importance to strengthen the foundation of Catholic principles and teachings in the hearts and minds of the youth and to encourage these young people to become citizens who are firmly grounded in the Faith.  Typically conducted in the Fall and Spring semesters, the Knights of Columbus  Essay Contest is for all Catholic students graduating from elementary and high schools in the respective school year.  The theme of the essay contest is “The Responsibility of the Catholic Citizen in a Free Society.”  The contest opens the doors of young minds, enabling the entrants to be creative, thoughtful and introspective in their work.

Since 1972, Councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus International Free Throw Championship for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14.  Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of January 1.  The competition format is designed for players to demonstrate the most basic basketball skill – the free throw.  The championship is set up in January of each year to have the contestants compete within their own gender and age group, while providing youths with a rewarding activity that yields a chance for local, state or provincial, and international recognition.

Since its inception in 1994, our Council’s Scholarship Committee has handed out $45,700 worth of scholarships to 114 graduating local seniors who have been inducted into our Honor Roll via the Annual College Scholarships Essay Contest, held each April to May and open to all high school seniors accepted & enrolled in any degree awarding accredited College, Jr. College or Preparatory School for the following academic year. The Scholarship Awards are given by consideration of Essay detailing the life experiences of the applicant, including academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and most importantly, exhibition of a commitment to share with and give of self to others.

The Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest is open to all young people between the ages of 8 and 14.  Contest entrants compete in one of two age groups – ages 8 through 11 or ages 12 through 14 – where the 11”x17” original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) posters reflect either the theme of Alcohol Awareness and Abuse or Drug Awareness and Abuse.  The contest begins at the start of the school year so that students can work on posters during the fall months, and concludes in January.

The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14.  Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of September 1.  The competition format is designed for players to demonstrate the most basic soccer skill – the penalty kick.  The championship is set up in September of each year to have the contestants compete within their own gender and age group, while providing youths with a rewarding activity that yields a chance for local, state or provincial, and international recognition.