Programs

Mike Hyzak, Diocesan Programs Chair
(512) 289-3555; mdhyzak@att.net

2026-2027 FRATERNAL YEAR UPDATE!

The KoC Supreme Office has made major changes to reporting of programs that is necessary to receive the Columbian Award (which is one of the requirements for becoming Star Council). These updates are outlined below (taken directly from 2026-2027 Fraternal Excellence Guide). You can also refer to this handy one page guide which includes a link for the electronic end of fraternal year submission appication: US and Canada Columbian Award Requirements.

The Columbian Award recognizes council excellence in programs and activities aligned with the vision of our Founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, and the mission of the Knights of Columbus. To earn the award,councils must complete all the following requirements and submit a Columbian Award Application by June 30.

Requirement 1

  • Donate at least $500 as part of one of the following Faith in Action programs: ASAP (dollars or item value), Food for Families (dollars or 1,000 lbs of food), RSVP, or Coats for Kids.

Requirement 2

  • Complete 4 Faith in Action programs, one in each of the following categories: Faith, Family, Community, Life.
  • You cannot claim programs already submitted for requirement 1.
  • To qualify as Faith in Action programs, the council must run programs similar to those described in the Faith in Action Program Guidebook.

Requirement 3

  • Complete 3 programs/activities: one to bring men closer to Christ, one to build fraternity and one to support your parish or community.
  • These programs/activities can be unique to the council and do not need to be Faith in Action programs.
  • You cannot claim programs already submitted for requirements 1 and 2.
  • Conducting Cor satisfies all three of the program/activity criteria for this requirement.
  • To qualify, councils must offer Cor gatherings that feature prayer, formation, and fraternity at least once per month to all men of the parish.
  • For additional information on Cor and its structure, visit kofc.org/cor and/or view the Cor Startup Videos, Cor Startup Guide and the Cor Reference Guide.
  • If you choose this option you must include the name and email address of your council Evangelization and Faith Formation Director.

Basic KoC Program Information

Many councils create and run their own service projects, depending on the makeup of their members and their community’s needs. In addition, the Knights of Columbus recommends the following, official programs in the categories of Faith, Family, Community and Life and supports councils in implementing them.

Find out about the range of Knights of Columbus programs on the Supreme website here:

https://www.kofc.org/what-we-do/programs/

Plan your council’s annual programs using this handy planning guide from the officers resources document:

Suggested Program Calendar

The Greater Austin Chapter of the Knights of Columbus helps organize Diocesan level program activities. These activities include: