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.  For a list of the many activities of Coucil 1028, see the Service Program page.

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 insurance agent for Council 1028 is Dan Joergensen.  He can be reached at 618-234-3502 or email dj4246@aol.com.

Council 1028 is committed to supporting the three parishes of the Central Cluster in the city of Belleville.  It provides men and their families new opportunities to help their Church, their Diocese, and their community while renewing and reenergizing their Catholic faith.  Membership in the Knights of Columbus can provide you and your family a new spirit of charity, a deeper faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and a renewed commitment to our faith.

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. The first step in becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus is to talk with members of the Council.  If becoming a Knight is something you truly wish to do, ask those members for an application form and they will help you fill it out.  One of these members should volunteer to be your sponsor.  Applications are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Once the application is completed, it is given to the Admissions Committee and a copy is given to the Insurance Agent.  It is this committee's job to meet with prospective members and to read applications at the next business meeting of the Council.  Once the committee makes its report and your application is read, the members vote.  If your application is approved, your sponsor and members of the Membership Recruitment Committee will help you attend an exemplification ceremony for the 1st Degree of Membership.

Our Insurance Ageny will schedule a meeting with you and your family to discuss how the Knights of Columbus insurance program might benefit you.  Participation in the Order's insurance program is voluntary.

There are 4 "degrees" of membership, each explaining the four principals of the Order:

• Charity (1st degree)
• Unity (2nd degree)
• Fraternity (3rd degree), and
• Patriotism (4th degree). 

A candidate is considered a "Knight" after taking his 1st degree and is encouraged to advance through the 2nd and 3rd degrees as each of these degrees of membership are typically exemplified in the same afternoon. Our Membership Director is Joe Riassetto.  He can be contacted at (618) 257-8860, or email joeriassetto@hotmail.com.

 
Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. A waiver of six months may be granted by the master if requested by the candidate's assembly. There is no waiting period for priests. 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 Ladies Auxiliary's main function is to support the men and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at events such as volunteering alongside their husbands or sponsoring their own fund-raiser.  Council 1028 has had a Ladies Auxiliary in the past and we would love to have the ladies more directly involved again!

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 ranks, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.

Kyle Holtgrave is the Youth Director for Council 1028 and he would like to charter a new Squires Circle.  He can be reached at 618-234-1502, or email kyleholtgrave at yahoo dot com