Figure 1.  Daughters of Isabella with K of C Honor Guard

Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 at St. Mary’s in New Haven, CT. as a Catholic lay organization committed to Unity, Charity to those in need and Fraternity with fellow brother knights.  Today, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.7 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families, the young, and to the elderly.

 As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.  The opportunity to be a part of the many activities sponsored by the local Councils of the Knights of Columbus and the first hand knowledge of the very positive results achieved in the form of charitable aid, fraternal bonds formed and the enrichment of the Catholic family is immensely rewarding.

The W. P. Morris Council has demonstrated its commitment to the principles established by our founder Fr. McGivney.  Our numerous fund raisers, including Boston Butt sales, monthly Pancake breakfasts, Chili and Spaghetti dinners, October fest celebrations,  Fish Fry’s, and MR (Tootsie Roll) drives, have allowed the W. P. Morris Council to provide substantial contributions to the needs of the Church, Youth organizations, and parishioners.  Funds raised have also been allocated to special projects which support the principles of our faith and our charter.  The Council was instrumental in outfitting the new St. Thomas Aquinas Church, dedicated in 2005, with a professional quality kitchen and a fully equipped adult meeting room.  In addition to its use for Council fund raisers, the kitchen has been an invaluable focal point for many other church-wide functions including installation banquets, and the hosting of a first ever Putnam county-wide Right-To-Life fund benefit dinner.

Individual members of the W. P. Morris Council have also responded to the needs of the Church and Community and have provided countless hours of volunteer service including: Bingo at Masters Health Care Center; Hospital volunteer service; Habitat for Humanity; Church Planning and Council Committees; K of C Honor Guard; Fall Festival; Holy Week Eucharistic Adoration; Blood Donors; etc.

Members of the Knights of Columbus are obviously people who care abundantly for others.  As such, it is easy to understand that fellowship and fraternity among brother knights is also high on the agenda.  Inner Council activities are planned and participation is encouraged to allow members to relax and engage in purely social and cultural events, some for members only and others for member, spouse and the entire family.  Some of these activities include card parties, group attendance at theater, special event dances, group day trips, couples dinner out, wine and cheese party, Monday golf, and miscellaneous pick up tournaments (i.e., golf, pool, bowling, fishing, checkers, etc.)     

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.  Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

  
Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "Assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.  

In 2005 the ladies of St Thomas Aquinas Church and St Andrew Church in Sparta organized, also with a goal of charitable service to Church and Community and in support of quality Catholic family life.  Their hard work and efforts paid off and on November 5, 2005 the first circle of the Daughters of Isabella in the State of Tennessee was conferred at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.  Forty-one Catholic women came together to become charter members of “Lady of Grace Circle No. 1414”.  The ceremony was led by International Regent Joan Breton from Maine and assisted by International Vice-Regent and Organizer Elaine Leger of Florida, International Directors Leola Myers from North Carolina and Susanne Suchy from Michigan.  After the ceremony, the new members prayed the rosary with the Legion of Mary and attended Mass. 

 
Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.  The W. P. Morris Council currently does not have a local Squires Circle in Cookeville.

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