Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 9968
• 22375 Three Notch Road		• Lexington Park, MD 20653		• 301-863-8144

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 and young people.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of 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.

Members of Council 9968 are an integral part of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and serve as lectors, extraordinry ministers of communion, members of choir, ushers, catechism teachers, collection counters and members of the parish council.

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.

Contact Membership Director Curt Winters at 301-862-3185 to join Council 9968.

 
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.

The wives of the Knights SUPPORT the men and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at events, cooking for events and providing advice. They also generally help with setting up and beautifying the hall for events.

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.

Although there are no Squires associated with Council 9968, the Council supports two Boy Scout troops with members of the Council serving as Leaders.