13 August, 2020
Knights of Columbus Bishop Rice Council #4822 serving Ashland and Hopkinton MA was awarded the distinction of Star Council, the international organization’s top honor for local councils.
The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of growing membership, promoting Knights of Columbus insurance benefits, sponsoring Catholic faith formation programs and volunteering time through service-oriented activities. Only 12% of the 16,000+ worldwide Knights of Columbus councils earn this award for their service.
In the challenging times of COVID19, the Bishop Rice Council was able to strengthen their brotherhood with the addition many new Knights all who practice Faith in Action. During this pandemic, the Bishop Rice Council organized and executed a number of programs that aided the communities of Ashland, Hopkinton and surrounding towns. A few of these programs include:
COVID19 Helping Hands
The Ashland/Hopkinton Knights organized a network of volunteers (Knights and non-Knights) to assist those most affected by COVID19 and needing assistance. Through a hotline (phone and email) as well as word of mouth, dozens of people in the Hopkinton/Ashland communities were assisted in basic tasks when traditional support systems may have broken down. These tasks include grocery shopping, delivery of prescription medications, rides to medical appointments and more.
Virtual Food for Families Drive
Under normal circumstances, the Bishop Rice Council holds a Lenten food drive at St. John The Evangelist collecting canned goods for Project Just Because in Hopkinton. With the COVID19 pandemic, the Knights regrouped and hosted a “virtual” food drive and were able to collect over $1500 in
donations that were presented to PJB to help their worthy causes.
Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry Helping Hands
Prior to the pandemic, the KofC organized weekly assistance to the Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry which consisted of collecting food at the Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury and delivering it to MDBFP. During the pandemic, there was an obvious greater need for more food subsidy to the clients
of MDBFP and even more assistance was needed. The Knights continued to provide a steady stream of volunteers week-in and week-out, normally loading and unloading between 6,000 and 9,000 pounds of food.
Virtual Spiritual Reflection
In troubling times, Faith is needed more than ever, and the Knights organized a weekly Virtual prayer service allowing participants to reflect on the scriptures as well as their own personal beliefs and concerns.
About the Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is one of the world’s leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 77 million service hours and $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also provides financial services to groups and individuals, resulting in more than $112 billion of life insurance in force, and
through its money management firm, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, it invests in accord with Catholic social teachings. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. For information on joining the Knights of Columbus contact local Membership Director (Name) at (Phone and Email).
