The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.9 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

These Men They Call Knights

Principles of the Knights of Columbus

Charity

We serve a growing number of people and causes important to the Andover area with an emphasis on truly making a difference. We place a high priority on serving our youth, particularly those with special needs.  Support for our church is always at the forefront of our attention, including the work and comfort of our bishops, priests and those in religious life and formation.

In each of our charitable activities, we demonstrate reliable, efficient and effective service to those in need.  We endeavor to live Christ’s message to serve and love our neighbor.  While desiring to aid our neighbors in need, our focus on family requires that we never forget that “charity begins at home.”

Unity

The combined effort of our brotherhood outshine the work of even the greatest of us. None of us is as good as all of us.  Unity calls us to work together towards our mission and to support each other when a member is in need.  Unity does not expect us to agree at all times. Indeed, we find strength in our difference.  But Unity calls us to be respectful of each other’s opinions and to find common ground within our shared values.

By realizing substantial achievements through our united action, we seek to have all members, and their families, share pride in our institution and dedication to its goals.  Our combined efforts continue to make Council #1078 the respected organization it is and a quality organization with which to be associated.

Fraternity

Our members expect to enjoy camaraderie and increasing ties to the community through contributing to the success of our efforts.  Recalling our Order’s origin as a mutual benefit society, we seek to be a valuable and ongoing source of respectful support for the appropriate aspirations of each others’ families.  As brothers, our members are especially encouraged to become well-acquainted with the families of fellow members.  We promote the ongoing growth of authentic caring within our membership by sponsoring social, recreational, service and spiritual programming.  Mindful of the unrelenting flow of sand through the hourglass, we both honor fallen brothers and pay heed to the needs of their survivors.

Patriotism

We take an active role in the development within our region of an increasing appreciation for the duties, responsibilities — and blessings — that flow from our republican form of democracy.  We support our government and its institutions, encourage participation of our members in the political process, and call attention to the service and needs of our armed forces, first responders, and others who have answered the call to serve.

While we actively promote the virtues of civic duty and political participation, we are a non-partisan organization and strictly forbid the introduction of politics to our organization.  Our council does not advocate any political positions, endorse any candidates, or formally participate in the political process.  Many of our members are active in politics, hold many different political and social beliefs, and are bound in brotherhood only in their loyalty to our nation, its leaders, and its political process.