8303 Taft Street · Merrillville, IN 46410 · (219)769-1755

Columbian Squires

What is the purpose of the Squires?

"...to prepare Catholic young men to become leaders among their fellow citizens." Since the founding of the Columbian Squires, these intentions have been steadfastly pursued.

Currently, leadership training takes place in four activities areas: spiritual, circle, membership, and service.

The spiritual activities committee of the circle is responsible for planning programs of a religious nature, like retreats, visits to seminaries, vocations-related programs, monthly Squire-parents Masses and others.

The circle activities committee is responsible for planning programs that promote brotherhood among members and promote the image of the circle in the community via public relations efforts. This committee also coordinates circle athletic events.

The membership activities committee is in charge of all circle membership campaigns and the recruitment and retention of members. Committee members should encourage support and participation among all members in both Orderwide and state/provincial membership activities. The goal of this committee is simple: make every member an active recruiter for the Columbian Squires.

Finally, the service activities committee is responsible for planning volunteer involvement programs for the circle within the community. Food drives, fund raising events for local, national and international charities, visits to shut-ins and the elderly, community wide clean-up days and similar programs fall under the jurisdiction of the service activities committee.

More specifically, squires have the opportunity to develop many leadership skills through active participation in the circle. For example, squires exercise their public speaking and debating abilities by voicing their opinions in discussions, and by making reports. Officers and committee chairmen are able to sharpen their decision-making, program administration, and parliamentary procedure skills. Most importantly, members develop their confidence, trustworthiness, loyalty, piety, honesty, humility, and charity.

"COLUMBIAN SQUIRES" - The Official Youth Organization of the Knights of Columbus.  For additional information contact Bob Geary at 736-8004, Richie Pelzel at 738-3876, or any Knight of Columbus.