In September 1992, on a chance visit to Pinta council in New Haven, Connecticut, Past Grand Knight, Richard O. Blouin was introduced to a Columbiette. This introduction sparked the interest of his wife Rachel, and as a result his Knights of Columbus council No. 9695 sponsored the first Columbiette Auxiliary, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Cornwall Ontario in 1993.

These dedicated women have joined the Knights in active participation in monthly breakfast prepared by the Knights and served by the Columbiettes for the last 10 years. The Knights and Columbiettes also share in many parish activities i.e.: jubilee evening, parish annual supper. The Nativity Columbiettes sponsor the first communion prayer books, the alter boys camp and also bursaries to high school graduates every year.

Another four auxiliaries have been founded in the Sudbury area. Our numbers are growing and we are proud that the year 2003 will see Ontario become a state council.

On Sunday June 22, 2003 we were honoured to receive the Supreme President, Maria Melograno and her husband Mike in Cornwall as well as Supreme Director, Joleen Little for the installation of our state officers:

Sentinel, Yolande Riopel - St-Charles auxiliary, Sudbury

Advocate, Joelle Labrosse - Vallee Centre auxiliary, Sudbury

Treasurer, Pauline Martin - Nativity auxiliary, Cornwall

Financial Secretary, Adele Bray, Nativity auxiliary, Cornwall

Secretary, Huguette Charlebois, Nativity auxiliary, Cornwall

Vice-President, Clemence Bidal, St-Charles auxiliary, Sudbury

President, Rachel Blouin, Nativity auxiliary, Ottawa

Our State Chaplain, Monsignor Rejean Lebrun, installed officers as they were being led by the Knights Honour Guard from Marcel Renaud Assembly, Cornwall, Ontario. There were under the command of Sir Knight Vianney Gagne and the Faithful Navigator, Ernest Bazinet. All auxiliary presidents were in attendance: Pierrette Belanger, Vallee Centre auxiliary President, Therese St-Denis, La Toussaint auxiliary President, Barbara L'Ecuyer, Nativity auxiliary President as well as many brother knights, family and friends.

YOU ARE INVITED - COME JOIN US

On behalf of the Ontario State Council Columbiettes I would like to welcome you to our web page. We hope that as you read about our programs you will want to join us as Columbiettes. We are a charitable organization, donating our time and talents to further our charitable work hand in hand with our Brother Knights. We believe you will find that the Columbiette order can and will make a difference in your life.

The Columbiettes is a fraternal organization of practical Catholic women who work side by side with the Knights of Columbus to promote our church and its ideals.

We are looking to expand the Columbiettes in Canada so if you need information please contact me.

Rachel Blouin

State President, Ontario State Council Columbiettes

6196 Oak Meadows Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1C 7G8

tel : 613-834-4604 : courriel /e-mail eu858@ncf.ca

cel: 613-371-8043