On April 27^th, 2008, on the sixth Sunday of Easter, an invitation was issued in the Saint Anthony of Padua of New Bedford weekly bulletin to all the men of the parish: prayerfully consider coming to an initial Knights of Columbus meeting in the parish hall on April 29^th. This announcement was suitably placed between two other bulletin entries: the obligation to attend Mass for the approaching Ascension Thursday and a call to donate to the annual diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal. These two entries would thus foreshadow and encapsulate a greater call to the men of Saint Anthony and surrounding parishes: follow more deeply the teachings and precepts of the Church, and serve the needy, united in fraternal generosity.

This initial gathering-call came from Father Roger Landry, much beloved priest and shepherd of Saint Anthony. Father Landry, recently honored with 4^th degree knighthood, stated that it had been a long-time goal of his to pioneer a Knights council at the parish. His example and weekly homiletic appeals to the parish men to seek greater holiness bore the fruit of a larger-than-expected gathering on April 29^th.

By May 13^th, 2008 17 men had been inducted into the 1^st degree membership of the order, while a total of 26 men had committed to sign on to charter a new council. 4 more men were needed to meet the 30 charter minimum. This minimum was summarily met and by the 1^st year anniversary of the council 45 men had stepped forward in charity, unity and fraternity.

As our search began and we proceeded to choose an adequate name for this new council, it became apparent that a consensus was not easily within reach. Out of nowhere, stepped in Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus – “choose my name”. To the council’s amazement the founder’s name was not attached to any council in Massachusetts. Thus we became #14557, the Father Michael J. McGivney Council, the namesake of our patron.

And if such a blessing was not enough, on October 7, 2008 the council installed its officers 437 years to the day of the Battle of Lepanto, originally memorialized as the day of Our Lady of Victory, but later converted to the memorial of Our Lady of The Rosary. As new knights we had been told that Mary is at the heart of our purpose and that from now on we were to be wholly dedicated to the Rosary. While we stammered about searching for a date that suited all parties to install our first officers, it wasn’t until the day of installation, October 7^th, that we realized that Mary had chosen the day herself.

On May 30, 2009 we suffered our first loss. Cosme Medeiros, beloved brother knight, died that evening at 10:45 PM. “Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori” was no longer just a motto, but became man. We remember him as the first chartered member, our first brother called back to Christ. We have grown much in the Body of Christ since May 13^th 2008. This growth has been not only in charity, unity, fraternity, but even in loss. May God bind us to Himself and to each other.

Vivat Jesus!