Introduction and welcome to our website.     Updated January 13, 2012

Welcome to our website; we will make every effort to keep our site informative, up to date, and interesting. It was through Fr. Michael J. McGivney and his parishioner’s efforts that the Connecticut state legislature officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society on March 29, 1882. The Order continues to be true to its founding principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. At right is a picture of our founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven Connecticut. He has recently been elevated to the status of 'Venerable' by his holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The Knights of Columbus has grown from a few members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Last year alone, in addition to raising and donating more than $154 million to charitable needs and projects, Knights volunteered more than 74 million hours of their time to charitable causes.

About our Council

Our Council is based at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church situated at 749 Russell St., Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.  You can contact us by mail through Canada Post c/o St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, attention KofC, 749 Russell Street, Kincardine, Ontario, N2Z 1S7, or by email Council 7160.

Our council was founded on July 18th, 1978 through the efforts of the first grand knight, Claude Paquin, our priest Rev. M. Grogan, and a host of other parish men. The council is named after Fr. Charles Meyer, who was the first Roman Catholic Priest to serve the Kincardine area when it was still a mission.

Fr. Charles Meyer was ordained by the most Reverend Bishop J. T. McNally on May 30th, 1935.  Fr. Meyer first served as assistant priest at Immaculate Conception Parish, Formosa, from 1935 to 1938, then at St. Mary's Parish, Chepstow, from 1938 to 1942.  He then went back to Immaculate Conception Parish, Formosa, from 1942 to 1945 after which he was at Sacred Heart Parish, Walkerton from 1945 to 1948.  In 1948-1949, Fr. Meyer was the assistant Priest at St. Joseph's parish in Kitchener.  From 1949 to 1954, he served as Pastor for the Riversdale, Holyrood and Kincardine area.  He then went on to serve in Deemerton (1954-1960) and Scotland (1960-1963) and finally returned to Formosa in 1963.  It is during these times that Kincardine was still a mission and Riversdale was holding the position of being the main church. Today, the roles have reversed and Kincardine is home to our pastor, Reverend Don B. Wilhelm, and Riversdale is the mission.

Our council is one of three councils in district 55 within100 districts in Ontario under the Ontario State Council.  State councils themselves are overseen by the Supreme Council which is located in New Haven, Connecticut. This is the home of the Knights of Columbus organization. Our Grand Knight for 2011-2012 is Dave Meek.

You can visit each of these web sites by clicking on the highlighted addresses above. These sites will help you get a better understanding of the organization, its purpose, and its activities.

Our council works closely with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Kincardine, providing assistance and funds for the Church, the parish, and many other local charities and projects. The members of the council are active participants in the parish and the community at large through their support of parish and local events.

The regular council business meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm in the basement of the St. Anthony of Padua parish Church immediately after the celebration of the 7 pm Mass and praying of the rosary.

Our Church

If only Rev. St. Aubin, St. Anthony of Padua Mission's first pastor, could see his mission church now, he would marvel at its growth from a few families in 1862 to over 650 families now. St. Anthony's parish emerged in the thick of a staunchly Scottish settlement with the few Catholic families that were among the first settlers along the Penetangore River. On May 18, 1858, a parcel of land was purchased, on what is now Princes Street South and in 1862 the first St. Anthony of Padua mission church was erected. The St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church can be contacted through its own web site at  St. Anthony-of-Padua or by email stanthony@bmts.com, telephone 519-396-2505, or fax them at 519-396-5419. The Very Reverend D. B. Wilhelm, VF, PP is our parish priest.

Grand Knight's Message

My Brother Knights,

I trust you all had a Merry Christmas and a festive New Year.

What takes days to set up and only hours to take down? Christmas decorations. Had all the decorations down and put away in 2 hours. Well, except the outside lights. I’ll get to them later when I can find the ladder in the garage. Stored safely with the decorations is my Keep Christ in Christmas lawn sign. Had quite a few people wanting one once they saw it on the front lawn. See what a little advertising does? I was in Mississauga right after Christmas and was wearing a Keep Christ in Christmas button. Sparked quite some conversation with a store owner. After a complete tour of his store I left the button with him which he promptly pinned on himself. It's the little things that we do every day that can spread the word about our faith.

As you've seen in the church bulletin the Knights Spaghetti Supper is approaching. Please lend a hand where you can.

Vivat Jesus

Yours in Christ,

Dave Meek, Grand Knight, Council 7160

From the desk of the Chaplain

In my younger years life was very fast-paced. I wanted to do as much as I could, as fast as I could so that I could learn as much as possible. Over the years my pace has gradually slowed. Things still get done but I have begun to understand that learning isn’t just about what I discover, but what others have to offer as well. I guess one could say that I have moved from the freeway to the side road of life.

During our winter break from the regular activities of the Knights of Columbus hustle and bustle I wish to remind you that this is a time for us to take the side road of life and reflect on what has been done in the past and what needs to be renewed in the future. March will begin a new busy schedule of events. Renewed and having reflected on our call to service we can begin refreshed to journey once again on the highway of life.

Fr. Don B. Wilhelm, VF, PP, Chaplain Council 7160

Comments from our bulletin editor

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Have you broken them already? Did you set your expectations just a bit too high? Some say that New Year’s Resolutions are meant to be broken.

This year, why not resolve to be a more active member of our Council. You have already paid the dues, so you don’t need to take anymore out of your wallet. All it will take is a commitment of some of your time. Decide now to attend one more meeting then you did last year, or to spend a sunny summer day at Victoria Park selling hotdogs, or visit a Brother Knight who is sick and who would enjoy your company, or spend an afternoon helping the parish with ongoing maintenance. Your time may be precious, but the rewards of sharing it with others cannot be measured.

2012 is a leap year. This year, we all have one extra day, twenty-four extra hours. Can’t you share at least a few?

Ed Goetz