Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Knights Serve. Here at Little Flower Catholic Church, we are proud of our Leadership team as much as our council members who help make our community a better place. Continue scrolling to see our council members or click the link to get involved!
Our Chaplain
Fr. JULIUS OKOJIE
Brian Peterson
Grand Knight
Todd Elliott
Deputy Grand Knight
Nevin Siqueira
Financial Secretary
Joseph Michalowicz
Recorder
Scott Smithburn
Treasurer
Terry Freyer
Warden
Len Strzlecki
Chancellor
Richard Alexander
Advocate
Ben Janczewski
3rd Year Trustee
Frank Fanno
2nd Year Trustee
Jerry Espiritu
1st Year Trustee
Nick Fox
Inside Guard
Ralph Onderdonk
Outside Guard
Our Mission & Vision
Our vision and mission is to help connect people to faith
We Serve Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. As well as the surrounding South Bend Area.
Our History and Heritage
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners. Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.
Today, Father McGivney is being considered for sainthood.
Our Principles
4 Principles, 4 Reasons
All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:
Charity
Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.
Unity
None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together – we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together…we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that – as a Knight of Columbus – you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.
Fraternity
Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do the good works of individual Knights, who gave more than 75.6 million service hours in 2017, illustrating how Catholics serve each other in fraternity and mercy.
Patriotism
Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have time to join another organization; why should I join the Knights of Columbus?
As a Knight, you can choose the projects to be involved in within your own community. You will receive regular updates from your state council regarding news and events in your area and be presented with frequent opportunities to work alongside brother Knights in local council.
What are the requirements to join the Knights of Columbus?
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See.
What is a practical Catholic?
A practical Catholic accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.