A smiling, laughing group of 240 men can be seen at cook-outs, youth sports events and charity drives across the parish. But it’s not a social club – it’s the St. Charles Knights of Columbus.
“The Knights are a great bunch of guys and we always have a lot of fun,” said Brent Madere, a member and officer in the St. Charles Council for almost 20 years. “Whether it is building a handicap ramp or frying fish we joke around and cut up a lot. It’s a brotherhood we’re in. We enjoy helping others and that’s why we joined.
“The work we do is serious, but we don’t have to be serious in our work.”
The Knights of Columbus St. Charles Council in Luling are a Catholic group that is responsible for dozens of charitable acts and community events each year and they have fun doing them.
While most councils only serve one church parish, the St. Charles Council serves five: Holy Rosary in Hahnville, St. Anthony in Luling, St. John the Baptist in Paradis, St. Gertrude in Des Allemands and St. Mark in Ama. The St. Charles Council 2409 is the oldest Knights of Columbus chapter in the parish. It was originated in 1922 as the council for the entire parish, but was moved to Luling in 1929. Now there are three parish councils: St. Charles, the Red Church Council in Norco and the Holy Family Council in Luling that specifically services Holy Family Catholic Church.
The St. Charles group’s membership has included such well-known community members as Judge Edward Dufresne Jr., District Attorney Harry Morel and Registrar of Voters Brian Champagne, as well as many Parish Council members and other prestigious people throughout the community.
“We have a lot of participation from our Knights,” said Rennan Duffour, Grand Knight of Council 2409.
Council members are very involved in the community through charities and service. Throughout the year, they work with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, United Way of St. Charles, Camp Friendship, The Special Olympics and Boy Scouts and build handicap ramps around the area. They also hold annual toy drives during Christmastime, Turkey giveaways around Thanksgiving and fish fries every Friday during the Lenten season. In addition to donating time and money to charity, the council also hosts kids’ recreation activities, such as soccer tournaments, and supports local youth groups.
“It is a good feeling to see these people smile when you are able to build a handicapped ramp or provide them with a Thanksgiving turkey. You really feel like God is working through you,” Madere, a past Grand Knight, said.
Duffour said that supporting pro-life messages and political initiatives is another big part of being in the Council.
“We have a billboard on Highway 90 in Paradis supporting pro-life, we have prayer petitions and ceremonies, and Monuments to the Unborn at different churches,” Duffour said.
With such a variety of activities, Duffour said that membership in the organization is very diverse.
“The Knights are from every cross section of life,” he said. “(The council) is a chance for all these individuals to give back to God and church, their families, their communities and the country.
“It’s also an opportunity to bring up any special interests they may have in the area…and get the Knights to support that.”
The National Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout 14 countries, according to the official Web site of the national organization.
Meet the KC Councilmen in Luling at their Friday fish fries now through April 15 at St. Anthony Catholic Church.
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