Random Question about Fraternal Charity Organizations

[IrishSteelhead]

Getting to that point in life where I am becoming interested in joining an organization to give back to my community and meet new people in the process. I know absolutely nothing about the K of C, Masons, Elks, etc. other than they seem to provide what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these (or another) charity based organization? Any input would be appreciated, and I am Catholic if that has any bearing on which way to lean.

 

[greyhammer90]

No info, but good for you!

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

K of C makes bomb steak sandwiches

 

[RyCo1983]

KoC is a good one for charitable causes. I'm an SAL member (Sons of the American Legion), we do a good bit of charity work too.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Alamo I'm glad you said something about the Legion. I'm assuming SAL is for the kids of veterans? My grandfather was a vet, and I heard you can join if either parent or grandparent is a vet. Is that right?

 

[IrishLax]

Can you just straight up join the Masons? I thought that was the kind of thing where you had to get tapped.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

You can inquire about Masonic membership through asking a member (if you know one) or visiting a lodge. If somebody chooses to sponsor you, then you can start the application process.

I read mixed stories on whether Catholics should join the Masons or not, but most of the arguments against it are antiquated.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

In my experience the Lions Club does great local community work. Worth checking out.

Humanitarian Service | Lions Clubs' Mission

 

[RyCo1983]

Alamo I'm glad you said something about the Legion. I'm assuming SAL is for the kids of veterans? My grandfather was a vet, and I heard you can join if either parent or grandparent is a vet. Is that right?

You sir are correct. Parent or grandparent.
You will likely need a copy of their DD-214 if they are not a member there.

 

[Black Irish]

If you are Irish Catholic, check out the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Even though it is a national organization, the individual chapters focus mostly on locally based charity.

 

[palinurus]

If you are a Catholic, you can join the Knights of Columbus. Supposedly, you cannot be both a Knight and Mason. Some people are, I know, but only without the Knights officially knowing about it. That's because Catholics are not permitted by the Church to become Masons (there are historic and philosophical reasons), so if you are one, you aren't able to aver that you are a Catholic (as you must to become a Knight), and you must be a Catholic to be a Knight.

 

[NDBoiler]

.

 

[palinurus]

I should add, the Knights typically are very supportive of their individual parishes and also do a lot of local charitable work. Depending on the council (the Knights' local unit), they may provide an outlet for a social events -- happy hours, dances, family functions, etc.

 

[palinurus]

<---- Catholic Freemason

PM me if you have any questions.

I'm afraid this isn't true. As recently as 1983, then-Cardinal Ratzinger (prior to becoming pope) wrote about this in his official capacity as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and concluded a Catholic could not be a Mason. Here's the link:

Declaration on Masonic Associations Nov 26, 1983

 

[pkt77242]

I'm afraid this isn't true. As recently as 1983, then-Cardinal Ratzinger (prior to becoming pope) wrote about this in his official capacity as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and concluded a Catholic could not be a Mason. Here's the link:

Declaration on Masonic Associations Nov 26, 1983

You are right, because the church said you shouldn't do it, means that he shouldn't. Really. Lets ask Catholics about birth control use.

Sorry. I reread this and it came off as more assholish than I meant.

 

[palinurus]

You are right, because the church said you shouldn't do it, means that he shouldn't. Really. Lets ask Catholics about birth control use.

That is a non intellectual response to an intellectual question. And, yes, the Catholic Church does teach that artificial contraception is immoral. If a Catholic uses it, he is acting against Church teaching. Sounds like you have a problem with a lot of Church teachings, which makes me wonder why you think you are a Catholic, and what you think makes a person a Catholic.

 

[pkt77242]

That is a non intellectual response to an intellectual question. And, yes, the Catholic Church does teach that artificial contraception is immoral. If a Catholic uses it, he is acting against Church teaching. Sounds like you have a problem with a lot of Church teachings, which makes me wonder why you think you are a Catholic, and what you think makes a person a Catholic.

I could just as easily call you a lemming for blindly following. This isn't the place for it, so I won't debate you. Obviously I don't consider myself a Catholic in the strict sense of the word.

 

[pkt77242]

Getting to that point in life where I am becoming interested in joining an organization to give back to my community and meet new people in the process. I know absolutely nothing about the K of C, Masons, Elks, etc. other than they seem to provide what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these (or another) charity based organization? Any input would be appreciated, and I am Catholic if that has any bearing on which way to lean.

I will say that many of the organizations you listed do many great things. Mason, Elks, and as Flyingalamo pointed out the SAL. Find the one that best fits you and your beliefs. Then enjoy. I know many people that have enjoyed the Elks and the SAL.

 

[NDBoiler]

.

 

[palinurus]

I could just as easily call you a lemming for blindly following. This isn't the place for it, so I won't debate you. Obviously I don't consider myself a Catholic in the strict sense of the word.

Calling me a lemming would be name calling; it's pejorative and, besides, you don't know why I follow Church teachings. Some would say that people who follow religious teachings that they haven't considered or don't completely understand or agree with are just being faithful. But it's a simple matter of logic that one who follows Church teachings is a Catholic (or trying to be one) and one who rejects them is something else -- maybe a Protestant, maybe a searcher, maybe a lot of things.....It's not my place to judge your soul; I'm sure you, like most of us, are trying to do your best. I'm just telling you what the Church teaches, and I was responding to the opinion that the reasons for saying you can't be a Catholic and Mason were "antiquated." That's not the Church's view.

 

[palinurus]

And this from one who is represented on IE by a Catholic university's logo urinating on another university's logo LOL.

what's that have to do with the subject at hand? Will you agree with me if I change the avatar?

 

[pkt77242]

Calling me a lemming would be name calling; it's pejorative and, besides, you don't know why I follow Church teachings. Some would say that people who follow religious teachings that they haven't considered or don't completely understand or agree with are just being faithful. But it's a simple matter of logic that one who follows Church teachings is a Catholic (or trying to be one) and one who rejects them is something else -- maybe a Protestant, maybe a searcher, maybe a lot of things.....It's not my place to judge your soul; I'm sure you, like most of us, are trying to do your best. I'm just telling you what the Church teaches, and I was responding to the opinion that the reasons for saying you can't be a Catholic and Mason were "antiquated." That's not the Church's view.

I think we can agree on this part. It doesn't mean however that a Catholic must follow it and the idea may still be antiquated (the former Pope wasn't exactly viewed as a forward thinker, while he was definitely considered very knowledgeable about church history and religion in general).