KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER

The Tampa Council was established on December 13, 2003, with an initial membership of fourteen Lay people and one priest. Those in attendance to assist in the establishment of The Knights of Peter Claver, Tampa Council 379 were:  Supreme Knight Arthur McFarland, Immediate Past Supreme Knight Andrew Jackie Elly, District Deputy of the Gulf Coast Leonard V. Stiell, Supreme Lady Mrs. Mary Lousie Briers, and District Deputy of the Gulf Coast Ladies Auxiliary Vertelle Kenion.  

The Knights of Peter Claver is a fraternal organization based on Catholic Faith & brotherhood. The Knights of Peter Claver is a family based organization that promotes a strong Catholic based foundation for its members. The Tampa Ladies Auxiliary Court was also established at the same time.

On October 26th, 2005 the most reverend Bishop Robert M Lynch from the Dioceses of St. Petersburg, was exemplified into The Knights of Peter Claver Tampa, Council 379 as a Fourth Degree.

Also on October 26, 2005, Herbert D Carrington Sr. joined our organization at the age of 107 years old and brought over a century’s worth of knowledge & wisdom and experience to our humble organization.

The Knights of Peter Claver Tampa # 379 established the first junior divisions in the entire Gulf Coast District. We are proud to announce Monsignor Augustine Ndeukoya, Junior Knights council #379 and Saint Monica, Junior Daughters Court #379

June of 2006 in memory of our most beloved member we started the Herbert D Carrington memorial College Scholarship fund.

Our council is under the jurisdiction of the Gulf Coast District, which includes other councils from the neighboring southern states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Although our organization was founded in Mobile Alabama, our National headquarters are located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

OBJECTIVES

• To be a staunch supporter to the local pastor of the parish and to the bishop of the diocese.

• To participate collectively in various parish and community activities.

• To promote Civic Improvements.

• To encourage Lay Apostolic and Catholic Action.
• To make contributions to worthwhile causes.

• To award scholarships.

• To foster recreational assemblies and facilities.

• To develop youth.

• To provide social and intellectual fellowship for its members as well as proper guidance and participation in the ever changing structure of our social and economic life, through this Catholic lay organization.

 

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS AND CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:

• Masses for all deceased members each Sunday of the Year.

• Frequent Holy Communion in a body.

• Uniformed participation in religious ceremonies.

• Substantial financial contributions to religious orders, churches, deserving charities, worthy and needy causes, annual donations to NAACP, National Urban League and Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

• Xavier University, Institute for Black Catholic Studies of Louisiana

• Our Society has the approval of the Hierarchy and the clergy and receives annually the Blessings of our Holy Father the Pope.

OUR SOCIAL PROGRAM INCLUDES activities of an educational, recreational and athletic nature, such as dances, picnics, banquets athletic events, workshops, fund-raising projects and other activities.

The State, District, and National Meetings offer opportunities of fraternalization, cultural improvement, and broadening your local and national acquaintance with fellow Catholics.
 

The Democratic Process is assured all members by frequent rotation of officers on all levels. National and State District officers are elected biennially and Local officers are elected annually.

The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver is an organization filled with limitless opportunities for zealous Catholics to work for their parish. Bishops, priests and laity have given Claverism such strong support through the years that it now boasts of many flourishing subordinate units of Catholic men, women and family members throughout the United States.