Knights of Columbus Philip Paul Breen Council 8576 in Chattanooga was awarded the distinction of Star Council, the international organization’s top honor for local councils.
The Star Council Award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of growing membership, promoting Knights of Columbus insurance benefits, sponsoring Catholic faith-formation programs, and volunteering time through service-oriented activities.
Council 8576 is an active part of St. Jude Parish, with members serving as ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers, eucharistic adorers, parish-council members, and participants in OCIA and religious education. Over the past eight years, the council has helped fund church renovations and strengthened parish community through Lenten fish fries and other events.
Its charitable work supports Tennessee Special Olympics, the Orange Grove Center, the American Wheelchair Mission, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee’s Pregnancy Help Center, and Chattanooga Blood Assurance.
The council also supports parish youth by recognizing sacramental milestones, sponsoring “Breakfast with Santa” and an Easter egg roll, and hosting an altar server appreciation event each spring.
For information on joining the council, contact membership director Thomas Campbell at 423-316-7678 or optionwakesetter@gmail.com.