St. Anthony of Padua Comm. # 385
The Knights of St. John International is a society of Catholic men organized in the United States in the late 19th Century by bonding together a number of uniformed, Catholic, semi-military societies under the title “Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John.”
The founders of the Knights of St. John had ideals which they desired to spread and foster among Catholic men. They understood the truth of the adage In unity there is strength. Alone, they could do little, but by uniting many groups and people under a leadership, they could accomplish much. Thus was born the idea out of which the Knights of St. John grew and prospered.
In applying to the Legislature of New York State for a Charter, they stated their purposes to be:
To create and foster a feeling of Fraternity and Fellowship among the various Commanderies.
To improve their moral mental and social condition.
To aid, assist, and support members and their families in case of want, sickness, and death.
To promote the welfare of the Roman Catholic Church.
The society grew rapidly, spreading across the United States and around the world. In 1992, the name again changed to the Knights of St. John International for our various overseas Commanderies.
As time has gone on, the Knights of St. John also formed Ladies Auxiliaries and Cadets to make this into a true family organization.
The Knights of St. John International has a commitment to assist those in need. In accordance with this mission, Brother Knights frequently donate their time and energy to numerous other organizations throughout the community.
The Knights of St. John International, St. Anthony of Padua Commandery No. 385 holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month – There are no meetings held in July and August. The meetings begin at 7:00pm and are held generally at St. Anthony-St. Agnes Parish in East Utica. Our monthly meetings foster fraternalism and friendship always.
The Knights of St. John International, St. Anthony of Padua Commandery No. 385 , a Barbecue at the Pavilion on the St. Anthony-St. Agnes Church campus, an Annual Awards ceremony, an Annual Christmas Party, and an Installation of Officers Breakfast among other social events.
We schedule fallouts for our members in which we assemble at a local parish and participate in the Mass. At these events, both are military and non-military inspections occur. Scheduled fallouts include Holy Thursday Mass, The Feast of St. John the Baptist Mass, and the Annual Deceased Members Memorial Mass. Others occur as needed.
We sponsor and administer the Msgr. Carl J. Denti Foundation, Inc. which assists people with mental and physical disabilities. The Msgr. Carl J. Denti Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1994 to assist those with mental and physical handicaps. Since the start of the Msgr. Denti Foundation we have distributed over $300,000 to organizations such as Health Friends, Children’s Miracle Network, the Central Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Upstate Cerebral Palsy, the Jimmy V Foundation, The Special Olympics, CURE for Epilepsy, and recently funded a puppy that will grow into a seeing eye dog for a visually impaired person.
The Foundation has also financially assisted many individuals with mental and physical handicaps. It raises money through the use of Memorial cards.
Chartered on July 1, 1960, the Knights of St. john International, St. Anthony of Padua Commandery No. 385 was started by 29 Roman Catholic men who were parishioners at St. Anthony Padua Church.
The Ladies Auxiliary No. 321 was chartered on October 14, 1960 .
The Knights of St. John International is a society of Catholic men organized in the United States in the late 19th Century by bonding together a number of uniformed, Catholic, semi-military societies under the title “Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John.”
The founders of the Knights of St. John had ideals which they desired to spread and foster among Catholic men. They understood the truth of the adage In unity there is strength. Alone, they could do little, but by uniting many groups and people under a leadership, they could accomplish much. Thus was born the idea out of which the Knights of St. John grew and prospered.
The Knights of St. John International’s main purposes are: *
To cultivate a love among its members of the Roman Catholic Church, its rituals and ceremonials, and a desire to advance the spiritual and material interests of the Church *
To create and foster a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among the various commanderies and among the members thereof *
To improve their moral, mental, and social condition and to assist and support members, their families, and their dependents in cases of want, sickness, or death *
To encourage and develop the spirit of love of country and of its institutions and extend to the whole world the spirit of good will.