Background:  In December 2018, two senators expressed concern about the Knights of Columbus holding allegedly extreme views.  As O'Boyle Council 11302 is the council for Capitol Hill, we decided to write an open letter assuring everyone we are dedicated to doing God's work and building friendships.  

Dear Senator Harris, Senator Hirono, and respective staffs

Greetings from your local, Capitol Hill-area Knights of Columbus Council, Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle Council 11302!  We recently read about statements which expressed the fear that the Knights of Columbus held many extreme beliefs.  It is our great pleasure to assure you that this fear is not grounded in any truth.  The Knights of Columbus in general, and O’Boyle Council in particular are dedicated to the three fundamental principles of charity, unity, and fraternity.

In the past few months O’Boyle Council has worked with local parishes including St Peter’s (House-side Catholic church) and St Joseph’s (Senate-side Catholic church) to raise funds and give away over $4,000 worth of coats to neighborhood children, collect soda and beer can tabs to donate to the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute which helps the developmentally disabled, and collect diapers and other supplies for new mothers in need.  Over the course of the past year we donated an ultrasound machine to a clinic, picked up trash around Nationals Park, and donated supplies to a local school.  We do all this as well as social gatherings and spiritual events.  We hope this list of activities help to assure you that we are simply a group aiming to do God’s work while building friendships.

We wish to formally invite you all to join us for any social or charitable event.  In fact, this February we are doing the Polar Plunge to raise funds for DC Special Olympics.  You and anyone you know are more than welcome to join us either jumping in the cold water or sponsoring our team.   Our team’s page can be viewed at https://give.specialolympicsdc.org/kofc.  Additionally, if any Catholic men on your staff are interested in joining O’Boyle Council for charitable and social events they can find more information on our website at https://oboyle.dcknights.org/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KofC11302/.  If you have any further questions or concerns please reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for this opportunity to write to you.  We pray that you have a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

-Cardinal Patrick O’Boyle Council 11302 of the Knights of Columbus

Capitol Hill, Southwest Waterfront, and Navy Yard of Washington, DC

Brother Knights and Good Friends of O’Boyle Council,

   O’Boyle Council had a tremendous year in 2018. We contributed over $10,000 to charitable efforts, our most generous amount to date.  Our most special gift was an ultrasound machine we purchased for Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center.  There were doubts that we could raise the necessary amount of money in a short period of time.  Through unity and generosity, we raised enough funds in only 90 days.  Additionally, the Council increased fraternal gatherings – social outings returned, First Fridays offer group prayer, and we provide meals at council meetings.
We do not plan to rest in 2019.  We plan to accomplish even more, and we require your help.  We plan to Make Knights Even Funner and to increase charity.

   Make Knights Even Funner (#MKEF): Being a Knight involves more than just volunteer opportunities.  It is about building friendships with a wide range of Catholic men.  We have planned meals at meetings, socializing after degree ceremonies, parties and movies with other Catholic fraternal groups, potlucks, a bowling night in January, and more.  But events are no fun without you.  We want you to attend events, even if you cannot volunteer at other times.  Families and friends are welcome at all non-business meetings and non-degrees.  Come join us, suggest new ideas, and help us #MKEF!

   Increased Charity: Your dues go a long way.  Last year, our Council contributed over $10,000 to charities and our four parishes.  That was 75% of our spending.  We spent 7% on food and supplies for the council, 5% for the Financial Secretary, and 13% on various per capita taxes.  By budgeting council administration costs (i.e., first degree supplies and minimizing other spending), and our new Financial Secretary waving his fees and reimbursements, our goal is to have 80% of our expenditures be to charity.  Your dues are our primary source of fundraising. Please pay your dues and consider contributing to additional projects.  Your generous contributions will not be spent on the officers, but on the poor and our parishes.

   You can pay your dues online by following the PayPal link on our website ($31.20) https://oboyle.dcknights.org or send a $30 check to the address below. Also, please fill out the Annual Fraternal Survey also on our page.

   Our Council’s performance in 2019 can surpass that of 2018 with good deeds and friendship.  Let us do it together. If you live outside of DC, please pay your dues and pray for us.  You can also contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we can help you transfer into a new council.

   Vivat Jesus!

Grand Knight Jack Heretik
Deputy Grand Knight Patrick Roehm
Financial Secretary Patrick Abbott

Brothers,
    We have everything for you! BBQ, bowling, a religious retreat, and a lot more.  Contact us if you want to be a part of the action!

*St Vincent de Paul Altar Dedication and BBQ – Sunday, 2 December at St Vincent de Paul starting a noon.  The new SVdP altar will be dedicated at the mass.  Afterwards, we will have food from Mission BBQ!

*Movie Outing - Sunday, 2 December at AFI Silver (8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD, near the Silver Spring Metro) from 5pm to 8pm. The local Ancient Order of Hibernians (Irish-American Catholics who we have a great relationship) invited us to see the movie Black '47 about the Irish potato famine.

*First Friday - Friday, 7 December at St Joseph's from 6:30pm to 9pm - Confession, Adoration, Mass and Fellowship with food.

*St Vincent de Paul Recruiting – Sunday, 9 December - Let’s get new Brothers in our council!  Sign up to help out at St Vincent de Paul for the 8am, noon, and 6:30pm masses.

*AOH Christmas Party - Tuesday, 11 December at James Hoban's in DuPont starting at 7pm - AOH is inviting us to their Christmas party.

*Council Monthly Meeting and Potluck - Wednesday, 12 December at St Dominic's at 7pm. We'll bring the main dish, everyone else please pitch in!

*Faithful Knighthood Retreat – Saturday, 15 December at the St JP2 Shrine from 9am to 5pm.  prepare for Christmas with a retreat focusing on Faith in Action and the unique spirituality of the Knights of Columbus. This event is FREE and lunch is included. Register today at: KofCRetreat.eventbrite.com! Spiritual talks by priests of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine as well as an address by Damien O’Connor of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Office on "The Vocation of the Laity as a Knight of Columbus" Time for Confession, Rosary, prayer at the Hour of Mercy Time to pray for your wife, marriage and family as a husband, father, brother and son.

*First Friday - Friday, 4 January at St Joseph's from 6:30pm to 9pm - Confession, Adoration, Mass and Fellowship with food.

*Council Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, 9 January at St Dominic's at 7pm. Food will be provided

*Bowling Fundraiser – Saturday, 12 January at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling at 6pm.  We’re bowling with our fellow Knights to raise money for the council.  $20 buys you in.  Funds go to the council to do charity.  Must let us know if you are coming so we can get you on base!

*March for Life Support – Friday, 18 January at St Peter and St Dominic’s starting at 5am.  We need support for setting up at St Peter's starting at 5am, St Joseph's at noon, and running hospitality and cleanup until 6pm. It's a big day!

*First Friday - Friday, 1 February at St Joseph's from 6:30pm to 9pm - Confession, Adoration, Mass and Fellowship with food.

*Council Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, 13 February at St Dominic's at 7pm. Food will be provided.

*Polar Plunge – Saturday, 16 February at Yards Park starting at noon.  Raise funds for Special Olympics.  Sign up to join us dunking in or donate at https://give.specialolympicsdc.org/kofc

Vivat Jesus!

Winter is Coming and so is the Polar Plunge! Sign up to jump with us or donate to a team member! The Polar Plunge will be on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from Noon to 4pm at Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE.  Here's video of the jump from two years ago!