Who we are at The Madeleine

As members of the Knights of Columbus, we are men who support our parish priest, both financially and through volunteer help for parish events.

How

As Catholic men working together, we purse goals of charity and fraternity. We provide scholarships for Madeleine students and altar servers, and financial support for young women faced with raising a child alone. We volunteer time and raise funds to help those in need, both in our parish and our community.

Why

Our tradition of service and charity goes back goes back 130 years, when a young priest founded the Knights of Columbus in 1881 to assist the largely Irish immigrant members of his parish in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, the Knights of Columbus continue that tradition in parishes around the world.

Join Us

We ask men here at The Madeleine, whether single or married, to join us and work with us in serving others — to experience the camaraderie, fraternity and joy of working together. 
As we move past this pandemic, we will again be hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner, pancake breakfasts, the annual Oktoberfest, and helping with other parish events.

So, consider joining us today. To learn more, contact: Dan Evans, 503-701-5581 or Jim Laubenthal, 503-701-9980.

 

Last year was the 25th anniversary of The Madeleine Knights of Columbus, but due to the Covid pandemic we didn’t get a chance to celebrate and share with the parish. So this year we would like to share with people what it means to be a Knight of Columbus.   

We have gathered a few stories from current Knights as to how and why they joined the Knights. As Knights, we are men, but we are transparencies to the word of God.   He speaks through us in our actions and words. 

Kevin McMenamin

In 1961, my family moved to Madeleine Parish.
My father, Frank McMenamin, a CPA with his own firm, joined the Knights of Columbus achieving the rank of 4th degree Knight. 
In February 1962, my father passed away at the age of 41 leaving 8 children ages 2-14. I was 10.
For the last 50 years, I’ve been a member of other parishes but they did not have a Knights of Columbus program.
A few years ago my wife, Carol, and I had the opportunity to join Madeleine Parish. I sought out the Knights of Columbus. I am grateful to be a member of a program that encourages volunteerism, comrade and a prayerful life.
I feel a connection to my father and I’m home.

Bruce Dufour

As a new member to the parish and living some distance away, I didn’t feel attached to what was happening in my new Parish. I would volunteer whenever a function needed help but still remained rather anonymous. One Sunday, I listened to the message Trieu was sharing after Mass about The Knights of Columbus. I had never wanted to join in other parishes but the feeling of camaraderie shared by Trieu was what I was looking for in my search to be part of something substantial in my Church. I am thankful to be a member of The Knights of Columbus and proud of the contributions we make to our Parishioners and the community we serve.

Dan LaGrande
I grew up in a large Catholic family in rural Northern California.  My dad and his 5 brothers all farmed together, and none of them joined any group like Rotary, Kiwanis, Elks, etc.  But they were all active members of the Knights of Columbus.  In those days, my cousins and I were all altar boys.
 
Regrettably,  I left the church in adulthood and when I returned to the faith and Father Mike welcomed me with open arms, one of the first things I did was to join the Madeleine Knights of Columbus.  The strong bonds of brotherhood and an opportunity to be of service to others, and hopefully to model a Christian life, is a blessing for which I am eternally grateful.
Scott Pillsbury
I joined Madeleine in Spring/Summer ‘98 right after my Dad died. Sandy Turner was the parish office manager and Anna was just over a year old.  We joined RCIA and Nathalie, Anna and I were all baptized into the Church by Father Painter the following Easter (‘99).

I remember being told at the time, to be a part of Madeleine (as a man) you need to do three things – join the Parish (and pay weekly), buy a car from Jose’, and become a Knight.

I remember very fondly going to early events and being impressed by the dedication and example of the other men – especially Dennis Barstad, Jose’, and others.  I also remember Joe Judge saying that men want to do good things, but they won’t start or do anything on their own – the Knights gives them a vehicle to do the good they have in their hearts.

Like many, I came to Church for God, but have stayed because of the people I have met along the way.