Alaska State Council
	The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with over 1.7 million members.    It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church,  their communities,  families and   young people. As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 Free Issues Annually of the Columbia Magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine,   Eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus Top-Ranked Life Insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old.    A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.    Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.  View our list for a council near you.     Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.     The Ladies Auxiliary's main function is to SUPPORT the men and the council. They do this primarily by providing help at events, cooking for events and providing monetary help. They also generally do help with setting up and beautifying the hall for events. A Council in the State which has set up an auxiliary web site is 10798 here. To get the guidelines for establishing a Ladies Auxiliary download this MS Word file LadiesAux.doc(25k).     Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 10 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.