About our Council

St. John's Council #1345 was incorporated on June 28, 1908 and serves St. John's and St. Mary's Catholic Churches.  We are a fraternal and charitable organization that provides funding and manpower for charitable activities globally, nationally and throughout our local area.  

Members are invited to Council meetings which occur on 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month.  These meeting afford members the opportunity to find out what is going on in the Council, and the chance to get to know other members.  The dress code is casual. 

The annual dues for membership is $27.00.  Individuals who apply to become a new member are asked to pay their annual dues plus a one-time fee of $15.00 for the degrees.  Please see the Membership page for additional information.

What We Do 

Charitable Activities

• Annual Donations to St. Mary’s Parish in Dumont & St. John’s Parish in Bergenfield in support of the Church, school, food pantry, and youth ministry.

• Annual Donations to Council Charities including the Social Services Depts. in Dumont and Bergenfield.  

• Over the past three years, almost $100,000 has been donated to more than twenty charities.

• Collection Drive for Developmentally Disabled Citizens collected $10,009 in 2010, and donated to organizations for the mentally handicapped.

• Holiday visits to the NJ Veterans Nursing Home in Paramus

• Santa Claus visits to the Pediatric Wards at Holy Name & Englewood Hospitals.

• Special Children’s Dance benefits agencies for the physical and mentally challenged children.  In 2010, donated $2384 in contributions.

Religious Activities

• Right to Life March.  The annual pilgrimage to Washington, DC each January in our fight against abortion.

• Monuments to the Unborn.  Erected and donated monuments to St. Mary’s, St. John’s, and the SMA Fathers in Tenafly. 

• Wake Services for departed brother knights at the local funeral homes.  Members of the Council and our Chaplain provide a brief prayer service for the family.  

• Annual Memorial Mass at the Council each November to honor deceased brother Knights of the past year. 

• Corporate Communion & Breakfast.  Quarterly celebration of mass and breakfast with brother knights, their spouses and family alternating at our local churches.

• Veteran’s Nursing Home in Paramus.  Celebration of Mass on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month.

• Promote “Keep Christ in Christmas” campaign with banners at local churches.

• Erect outdoor Nativity displays at Dumont Boro Hall, St. Mary’s & St. John’s churches.

Family Activities

• Annual Picnic for members, their family, and extended families and friends.

• Friday Night Lenten Dinners.  Council members serve buffet dinners during Fridays in Lent.  Proceeds help fund council charities.

• Halloween & Christmas Children’s Parties

Youth Activities

• Columbian Squires for Catholic boys ages 10 to 18.

• Basketball Free Throw Contest for boys and girls ages 10-14.

• Bishop Dougherty Scholarship Fund for boys and girls applying as college freshmen.

• Fr. Murray Scholarship Fund for Columbian Squires attending Catholic high schools.

• Children’s Halloween Party.  Free costume party for boys and girls up to age 10.  

• Children’s Christmas Party.  Free party with Santa visit and photo, and gifts for boys and girls up to age 10.

Social Activities

• Monthly Dinner Dances.  Moderate priced socials where members, spouses, and friends have a great time with food, music and dancing at an affordable price, close to home.  

• Friday Night Socials.  Casual gatherings in our Bar Lounge Friday evenings for members, spouses, and friends.  A complimentary light snack is served around 9PM.