Life Activities

Members of the Knights of Columbus remain firmly committed to defending the right to life of every human being, from the moment of conception to natural death.   Our council members support that commitment and  are at the forefront of the pro-life movement locally: educating, volunteering and praying that people support life from conception to natural death.   Some of our activities support local pregnancy centers, some are focused on changing laws and touching hearts.   
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Baby Shower - The council conducts an annual “Baby Shower” in March to collect supplies for children that are then given to two area pregnancy centers, Life Choices in Phillipsburg, NJ and the Friendship Center for New Beginnings in Flemington, NJ.  The pregnancy centers are also supported by the council with financial contributions and some 'hands-on' efforts.
Activism - Members participate in and engage in letter writing, telephone and e-mail communications to remind our legislators where we stand on life and religious freedom.  We join with thousands of other Knights and like-minded people in support the annual March for Life in Washington, DC and corresponding events in Trenton, our state capitol and the annual Prayer Chain in Flemington, NJ,  
Throughout the year, we display signs intended to remind passersby of our commitment to life.
Spiritual Adoption Program

We encourage members and parishioners to pray for nine months for an unknown baby in danger of abortion. During each month of the program, information is provided about their baby's development in the womb.  (see the slide show on this page).

We consider March 25 to December 25 the 'ideal' period to encourage the program, corresponding with the none-month period from the Feast of the Annunciation to the Birth of Christ.

Our program is not unique.   For example, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has a series of "Little One" posters that may be used for the same purpose (click the "Watch me Grow" image for additional information.) 

The Spiritual Adoption Program organization  provides additional guidance and materials.  
Ultrasound Initiative:   The Knights of Columbus has a nationwide initiative to to provide medically certified pro-life pregnancy care centers with the modern technology to monitor the health of babies in utero, and to allow mothers to visually experience their development.  Ultrasound exams, which are medically indicated throughout pregnancy for a variety of diagnostic reasons, use ultrasound waves to scan a women’s abdomen, creating a picture or “sonogram” of the baby in her uterus.  Without K of C support, most pregnancy care centers would be unable to purchase the ultrasound machines, each usually costing tens of thousands of dollars.   Our council has actively supported the program conducted by the New Jersey K of C Chapter 4 and placed several of these machines in pregnancy centers in Central New Jersey.
40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families.   Members are encouraged to participate in the program and engage in prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigils to end abortion.  
Fortnight for Freedom - Periodically, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops initiates a 14-day period to focus Catholics on current threats to our religious freedom.   Our council responds to those calls to apprise parishioners and other Catholics of the program.