St. Gabriel Knights
Membership Activities
Who are the Knights?
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with over 1.8 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people. The Principle of the Knights is based on Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism – an experience of a lifetime.
On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, CT. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with a world wide recognized charitable Knights of Columbus history of faith in action programs.
About Council 12897
The St. Gabriel’s Council 12897 is a local Council of the Knights of Columbus. The Council was founded in March 2001 through the efforts of parish men of St. Michael’s Church, Mendon, MA and established in accordance with Knight’s Supreme Council and State Council governance. In following years, Council 12897 grew with additional men joining from the neighboring town of Upton’s Holy Angels Church. In 2011 the two Churches combined into one new church named St. Gabriels. The chosen St. Gabriel’s name was adopted by the parish members to reflect the angelical names of the two prior churchs. Council 12897 similarly adopted the St. Gabriel name for its Council, and operates attached to that church, providing charitable services and raising donations for various Knights projects. Its Council members are practicing catholics and active participants of charitable work of that parish and its local surrounding communities.
Council Activities
Each Knights of Columbus Council taylors its charitable services around its local community needs. Local Council programs include Church Activities, Community Activities, Family Activities, Youth Activities, Cultue-Of-Life Activities and Council Service Specific Activities. In addition, local Knights Councils also support greater Supreme Council and Massachusetts State Council charitable endeavors and initiatives.
In prior fraternal years, Council 12897 has earned the Knights Double Star Council Award – the highest award given by the National Supreme Council.
Please refer to the Council 12897 Activities page, for the current and ongoing list of its sponsored programs and charitable work of our Council.
Council Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, Council 12897 meetings are held for current cardholding members and take place on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 7:00PM, at St. Gabriels Church, 151 Mendon St, Upton, MA. Meetings are held in accordance with Council 12897 By-Laws and Officer Duties.
Council program and membership questions can be directed by contacting the Council 12897 Grand Knight.