website: http://www.kofc6650.org

The K of C is a Catholic Family Fraternal Service Organization.  On October 2, 1881, Father Michael J. McGivney, 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together a group of laymen with whom he discussed his dream for a Catholic fraternal benefit society. It not only would assist widows and orphans of deceased members through its life insurance program, but also would boost members' sense of pride in their Catholic religion, then frequently challenged in the anti-Catholic climate of 19th-century America. Father McGivney and his associates met several more times over the next several months to continue planning, and the new organization  --the Knights of Columbus -- was formally launched in early February, 1882

Our council was chartered March 9, 1975.  We are named in honor of Msgr. Carey, the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Raleigh.  When Cary was a tiny town without its own Catholic church, he was instrumental in forming the mission church the would become Saint Michael the Archangel Parish.

The primary missions of the Knights of Columbus are to support the Catholic church through out the world.  The first principle of the Knights is Charity.  The Knights are a familiar sight around town during the annual Tootsie Roll® drive, which raises funds for charity.  Money raised supports programs for people with mental retardation and associated developmental disabilities. We also support other fund raising drives to aid local parishes and charities.  The Knights are always willing to help our community and fellow man.

Our council supports many worthwhile causes throughout the year, including Seminarians, Special Education Programs at local Schools and Birth Choice. Examples of specific activities performed by our local council:

• Provide man-power whenever called upon to help around the  parish, e.g. performing routine maintenance on buildings, directing traffic in the parking lots, etc...
• Adopt-A-Highway: quarterly trash pickup on Cary Towne Center Blvd. and Walnut Street.
• Sponsor blood drives.
• Sponsor Scouting troops.