Our Brother Knights and Ladies Auxiliary profess a common faith and we work together as brothers and sisters to achieve God’s work. Since our inception we have provided an infusion of man and woman power to the Parish to help support annual functions such as Lenten Fish Fries, Sausage Supper, Parish Gala, Donut Sunday, and the Parish Carnival. Every month, dedicated members of the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary spend valuable time serving the needy at the Sisters of the Poor soup kitchen in the city. In addition to financially supporting the Parish, the Knights also provide support to those in need through unique activities and fund-raising programs such as:

• Our Council, Marian #9522 sponsored and constructed a memorial to unborn children that served as a prominent reminder to students at JFK High School. Archbishop Rigali dedicated the memorial. Recently, the Knights moved this memorial to our Parish grounds where again it serves as a constant reminder and symbol of the Right-to-Life of the unborn.

• Every January, we organize “Roses for Life” in the Parish, a petition that goes to Washington D.C. asking our Senators and Congressman to Respect Life and the rights of the unborn.

• Donated funds for the construction of the perpetual adoration chapel and purchased the portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe that resides in the chapel. The fourth degree honor guard participated in the dedication mass.

• We are well known for our annual Tootsie Roll Drive which benefits God’s special people that have developmental disabilities. Our council is consistently among the top contributors in the state. Cardinal Glennon Developmental Center and several local agencies are the beneficiaries of this worthy effort. In the last decade alone, we have raised over $150,000 in support of over 1,000 persons with a developmental disability, helping to enrich their lives through supporting the agencies that provide employment, living arrangements, health and well-being, and day social programs.

• In 1981, the Missouri Knights of Columbus established the first developmental Center in the region dedicated to children with specials needs. The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center grew from a small staff of 3 to a team of experts in developmental pediatrics, neurology, genetics, psychiatry, psychology, nurse practitioner, clinical nurses, speech-language pathology, OT, therapy, family resource specialist, our research team and support staff. The “Cardinal Glennon Developmental Center” was designated as a Missouri Center for Autism by the Department of Mental Health. Our efforts have contributed to the statewide development of best practices for screening and treatment guidelines for autism spectrum disorders. In May 2013, we moved into our new dedicated space at 3800 Park Avenue, right next to SSM Cardinal Glennon’s main hospital.

• We sponsor a portion of Sulphur Springs Road through the county Adopt-A-Highway clean-up program.

• Our annual Spring Plant Sale benefits the Missouri Special Olympics through our contest of concern program.

• In conjunction with our Councils, we sponsor and organized “Felice Coeur’s” which provides a monthly dance social for adults with developmental disabilities. Since its inception, over 14 years ago, attendance has reached over 20,000 guests.

• Through our fund-raising activities, the Knights donated funds for the purchase of new tables for the school cafeteria.

• Every year, we hold the “Knights of Columbus annual Golf Tournament” which also has supported various agencies in need of funds to support children’s shelters, Challenger baseball, independent living for persons with disabilities, and other worthwhile causes.

• We also have the “Handy Helpers”, who help parishioners in need of help for repairs and small jobs at their homes, free of charge.

• Annually we organize a Soccer Challenge, Basketball Free Throw Challenge, and an Essay Contest at our parish school.

• We provided a scholarship through the Knights’ Mancusso Award.

• We provided scholarship funds from the New Year’s Eve event.

• We provided a Hot Dog lunch for the entire Vacation Bible School at the end of their session.

• We provided funding for a St. Joe’s Eagle Scout project.

As a long-time parishioner recently stated, “the St. Joe’s Knights are our parish Men’s Club; they are always there when and where you need them!”