The Knights of Columbus is the largest international fraternal organization of Catholic men, over 18 years of age, dedicated to the Rosary and Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus. The Order, headquartered in New Haven, CT was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 to be an aid to the growing number of widows and children of Catholic Americans of that time. In 2008, over 1.7 million members belong to almost 15,000 local councils. The order expanded into Europe and the country of Poland with six local councils joining in the Order’s charitable work in Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth activities. Today, nationally, the Knights of Columbus have over six billion dollars of insurance in force and over 1.7 million Knights and family members insured. If any Knight member of the armed forces, EMT, Police or Fire personnel, is killed in the line of duty, their children receive a Catholic college education – at no charge. Following hurricane Katrina the Supreme office provided $11 million to assist in the cleanup. Shortly after the 9/11 terrorist disaster, the Supreme office of the Knights of Columbus provided a donation of one million dollars for cleanup purposes. In addition families that lost someone in the 9/11 disasters received a check of $3000.00 to help with funeral expenses, etc. from the Knights – regardless of their faith. All national advertising, concerning inquiries into the Catholic faith are prepared and paid for by the Supreme office. Over the years, Catholic Popes have received millions of dollars for their charities.

On January 26, 1989, St. Pius X Council 9976 started with 43 charter members. The main goal of the third K. of C. council in Billings was to become the “strong right arm of the church and the men’s club of the parish.” By 2009, the almost 160 members of the parish council have achieved that goal. Over the years, your parish council has received local, state and national recognition from the Order for work in the five required charitable activities, including the coveted Supreme FIVE STAR AWARD for exceeding all requirements in membership goals and the five charitable activities. The Columbian Squires, our youth group of Catholic boys, ten to eighteen years of age, is sponsored and counseled by council members. Any Catholic boy of that age is invited to become a Squire – young men learning leadership skills.

Parish Pastor and Council Chaplain Father Steve Tokarski and council member Deacon Bill Deam invite all Catholic men, over 18 years of age, to investigate membership in your parish council. If you are a member of another council, you are invited to consider a transfer into our council. If you were once a Knight, and would like to get involved again, please contact a council member about reinstatement, or readmission. Yearly council dues are $35.00.

Charity, Unity and Fraternity are the watchwords of the first three degrees of the Order as we work in Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth charitable activities. 

Many council Third Degree members are also members of the Fourth Degree, the “Patriotic” portion of the Order.

Listed below are some of the things St. Pius X Council 9976 has accomplished over the years.

• An annual $1200.00 scholarship for one or more students at St. Francis Middle School & support of seminarians.
• Contributed to funding for the great doors behind the altar and the building’s stained glass windows.
• Provide the RCIA graduate breakfast and serve rolls or donuts after certain Sunday masses.
• Run Public Adult Friday Night Bingo at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Proceeds go toward council charities.
• Knights and wives are Greeters, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers and Proclaimers during mass.
• Conduct annual Tootsie Roll Giveaway Drive for donations which go toward people with “special” needs in area.
• A continuing supporter of Deacon Bill and Evelyn Daem’s heart pacemaker recycling program, “Heart-To-Heart”.
• Assisted in building the new church, assembling pews & landscaping  and the remodel of the parish Youth Center and the St. Vincent DePaul downtown and Grand Ave. store, saving thousands of dollars.
• Join with Billings/St. Patrick’s Council 1259 in the annual Christmas tree sale. Proceeds go towards charities.
• St. Pius X Day burger cooks, provide Kids Christmas Candy, Blood donors, visits to the sick, AND MANY MORE.

For more information, contact Grand Knight Chuck Legerski at 656.5754 or Visit us at: www.stpiuscouncil.org.

Officer’s Meeting: 7:00pm – 2^nd. Thursday of the month & General dinner meeting: 6:30pm – 3^rd. Thursday of the month In Fellowship Hall.

An Invitation to be an Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament

St. Anne’s Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration has moved to a new location effective September 1, 2007.  It is now located at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral.  Over 250 people, Catholic and non-Catholic, have committed to spend one hour or more per week with our Lord.  In St. Anne’s Chapel, prayer is offered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 52 weeks per year. 

Contact:  Pauline Wambolt (245-7444)


We pray for the needs of our parish members and loved ones. Prayer needs are relayed by e-mail, phone or by letter to those on the prayer chain, then members pray individually for those needs. All are invited to participate.

Contact: Dee Martenson at Parish Office 656-2522 or Kathy Webster-James at 655-2363.