The Fr. Vilarrasa Council #7268 here at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Benicia, was chartered on March 8, 1979, with its name chosen to honor the first pastor of St. Dominic’s. It currently has some 180 members and is involved in the spiritual and religious growth of its members and their families as well as in offering many opportunities for charitable service to the parish and community. Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday, and major activities include parish breakfasts, an annual CrabFeed, support for People with Intellectual Disabilities, youth sports programs and fraternal social get-togethers.
On October 2, 1881, the assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, and several of the men of the parish, seeing the need for some sort of organization to render aid to members and their families, especially widows and orphans during those times of hardship and early male demise, began the work of forming a fraternal benefit society. They called themselves the Knights of Columbus: “Knights” after the ideals of ancient knighthood chivalry – Faith, Courage, Justice, Mercy, Generosity, Hope and Nobility; and “Columbus” after the ideal of the great explorer who sought to bring Christianity to the new world. By March 29, 1882, the Knights were officially chartered under Connecticut State law.
The Knights’ charitable activities encompass an almost infinite variety of local, national and international projects. From international charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity to its own Food for Families and Coats for Kids projects and other local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless.
Membership is open to practicing Catholic men, who are at least 18 years old. Applications for membership and/or further information about the Knights can be obtained through the Grand Knight of the Council at P.O. Box 1908, Benicia CA 94510 or by email at [email protected].
St. Dominic’s is a Catholic parish inspired by Dominican spirituality igniting the faith for the salvation of souls.
