Raising the Flag in Niagara Falls

City of Niagara Falls recognizes Knights of Columbus for charity works

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — The City of Niagara Falls recognized the Knights of Columbus’ “quiet acts of charity” in an official proclamation, declaring April 22-28 “Knights of Columbus Week.”

Niagara Falls Mayor James M. Diodati presented the proclamation to Dan Heffernan, K of C Ontario State Deputy, during the raising ceremony of a Knights of Columbus flag outside of city hall. The event was attended by a group of local Knights.

“The Knights of Columbus are the backbone of the Catholic Church,” Mayor Diodati said. “I see them all of the time being involved in all sorts of community functions, and it brings me a lot of pleasure to welcome them here.”

The Knights of Columbus has had a presence in Canada with the establishment of Montreal Council No. 284 in 1897. Today, there are now more than 210,000 Knights in 2,021 councils throughout Canada, and over the past ten years, Canadian Knights have donated more than $253 million and devoted nearly 96 million hours to charitable causes throughout Canada.

Heffernan announced that Knights from around Canada will demonstrate the four pillars of the Faith in Action program — Community, Faith, Family and Life — in Niagara Falls before the State Convention this upcoming weekend.

The Knights prepared meals for the homeless at a local soup kitchen, conducted a living rosary, painted a Habitat for Humanity facility and hosted a Special Olympics basketball game.

“We are trying to show who we are, men of faith who are doing service to help people in the community,” Heffernan said, emphasizing that the week is an opportunity for the Knights to show men that the Order is about action.

“I was talking to a young man who was thinking about joining the Knights of Columbus and he said, ‘Well I don’t just want to fundraise to put shingles on somebody’s roof, I want to put the shingles on the roof,’” Heffernan said. “Young people want action, they want to see things happen. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

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The Proclamation

WHEREAS the Knights of Columbus was originally founded by The Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 establishing the organization’s founding principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

WHEREAS the Knights of Columbus has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society.

WHEREAS the Knights of Columbus’ focus is to be a visible force in their communities, supporting their clergy and church as well as being good role models for their youth.

WHEREAS the Ontario State Office Knights of Columbus can be found in over 535 Councils across the Province of Ontario performing quiet acts of charity in their Church Ministries and communities, or out in the public square, speaking out for truth and justice.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, James M. Diodati, Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, do hereby proclaim the week of April 22 to 28, 2019 as “Knights of Columbus Week” in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Read about the other Knights’ charitable efforts during Niagara Falls’ “Knights of Columbus Week”:

Feeding the homeless
Special Olympics basketball game
Habitat for Humanity ReStore

To learn more about the Knights, click here.

Share your story with andrew.fowler@kofc.org