Consecration to the Holy Family
The Knights of Columbus encourage parish families to renew and strengthen their spiritual lives by embracing the model of love and virtue exemplified by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Through this initiative, families are invited to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family and to adopt its example as a guiding ideal for daily Christian living.
To support this effort, Council 1143 distributes Prayer of Consecration to the Holy Family cards at the New Year’s Day Masses. Through this prayer, families unite in seeking the protection and intercession of Jesus, the perfect Son; Mary, the perfect Mother; and Joseph, the model for every father. Councils assist their parishes and communities by helping families understand the significance of this prayer and by encouraging its faithful use.
Preparing for the Consecration to the Holy Family is not merely a single event—it represents a deliberate and ongoing commitment to a way of life. By embracing this consecration, each participant consciously chooses to become a beacon of God’s love within the Church and the broader community.
Father Daughter Dance
A Father and Daughter Dance is a cherished annual tradition held each February, celebrating the special bond between dads and their daughters. The evening typically features music, dancing, a light meal, and photo opportunities, creating a warm, joyful atmosphere where families can make lasting memories together. The Knight of Columbus use the event to strengthen family connections and offer daughters a chance to enjoy a fun, confidence‑building night with their fathers or father figures.
Family of the Month
The Knights of Columbus are dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of strong, vibrant, and faith‑centered families. To advance this mission, each council establishes a committee responsible for recognizing a deserving Family of the Month and subsequently a Family of the Year, with the possibility of receiving recognition at the international level.
Each month, the Family of the Month Committee of Council 1143 selects a parish family that exemplifies Christian family values and demonstrates them consistently in daily life. Once annually, the council chooses one of the twelve monthly honorees to represent the council and parish as its nominee for International Family of the Year.
Food Drive
The Knights of Columbus work to alleviate hunger across North America by supporting families who face food insecurity. Many individuals in our communities experience significant hardship and struggle to provide adequate food for their households. The Food for Families Program seeks to ensure that as few people as possible go to bed hungry each night.
Council 1143 is firmly committed to this mission through its partnership with GlenEd Pantry. Over the years, the council—together with parish families—has contributed both financial support and nonperishable food items to assist the pantry in serving those in need. While in‑kind donations remain valuable, hunger‑relief organizations frequently note that financial contributions can be used even more effectively, enabling them to purchase precisely the items most needed by their clients.
Council 1143 typically conducts food drives in the spring and fall, continuing its longstanding dedication to supporting local families and strengthening the community through charitable service.
Keep Christ in Christmas
Council 1143 promotes the true, spiritual meaning of Christmas by sponsoring the Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest. In a season that has become increasingly secular—especially for children—this program encourages youth to express their faith through creativity, imagination, and artistic skill.
Contest entries must feature an original visual design accompanied by a slogan that reflects the theme of keeping Christ at the center of Christmas.
The contest is open to students in 6th through 8th grade, with participants competing within their respective grade categories. Local winners have the opportunity to advance to district, regional, or jurisdictional levels of competition.
This annual event is held in early December, offering young people a meaningful way to celebrate the season while deepening their understanding of its Christian foundation.
Ora Pro Nobis
Saint John Paul II called praying for the souls in Purgatory the “highest act of supernatural charity.” Those souls depend entirely on the prayers of the living, since they can no longer pray for themselves.
To join this new program, please include a departed Brother Knight, friend, or family member in your daily rosary. At the start of each month, we will publish a list of names to be remembered in your rosary intentions for every day that month.
To participate in the daily Rosary for Holy Souls or to add a name for September, contact Brother Knight Jim Jatcko by email: jjatcko@hotmail.com or text: 618-803-0570 by August 15, 2026.
Scholarships
The Edwardsville Knights of Columbus award scholarships as a one-time non-renewable award. The size of the award is based on the amount of money available and the number of qualified applicants. Scholarships are awarded to freshman entering Fr. McGivney Catholic High School and to graduating seniors at a local high school planning to attend an accredited 2 year or 4 year college or university.
All students whose Father or Grand Father are (or were at the time of death) a member “in good standing” in the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Council 1143 or Assembly 225 are welcome to apply. Awards will then be based on service to community and church and/or extracurricular activities and answers to the questions below. The Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Scholarship Committee has final authority over all awards
