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Here is a short story about the man for whom the Maurice J. McDonough, Council 12128 was named in honor of.

It was late in the year 1781. The Christmas season was fast approaching, and the spirit of goodwill would be felt across the land. The news of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown had just reached Charles County, for communications were slow in those days. The people were rejoicing. All began to look foward to good times which they thought would follow in the wake of peace. Thus it was in the little village of Pomfret. A group of farmers and veterans of the war had gathered around the fire of a rude country store kept by the jolly Irishman Maurice J. McDonough. He had returned from a trip throughout the county. His pack, full at the start, was now empty. He was weary of the weeks journey afoot with the pack on his back, he gloried in his sales and was glad. His wife Elizabeth, too, had told him what a prosperous week it had been for the little store while he was gone. All were talking of war, of Washington, and of good times. All of them were longing for news. However, few could read. To inform them, Mr. McDonough read from the month old "Maryland Gazette." All were attentive. When he finished, he bagan to think how few fellow countians could read or write. The need of his fellow citizens shocked him.

When the crowd separated late that night, McDonough went to his little home with heavy heart, though the day had been bright for him. With the spirit of a true humanitarian, he pondered long but at last fell asleep.

After a restless slumber he arose. He went out to the store with a fixed resolution. In the dead hours of night, he sat and thought and wrote by the light of his candle repairing his will.

In 1803, Mr. McDonough stated in his will, which provided for his wife, that he wanted to leave his property for all the people he loved, for they are the ones who had given it to him. His will provided for poor orphans or children of indigent parents living within the McDonough district.

Maurice J. McDonough died in 1804 and was buried at St. Joseph's Church in Pomfret, Maryland, but his efforts and memories still bear fruit.

We believe that Mr. McDonough lived the principles of the Knights of Columbus: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. For this reason we chose to honor him by naming our council the Maurice J. McDonough, Council 12128 which is located at St. Joseph's Church in Pomfret, Maryland.

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Acceptance of the applicant depends upon a vote of the members of the subordinate council in which he is making application.

All priests and religious brothers having duly made application for membership and participated in the ceremonials become honorary life members of the Order and are exempt from payment of dues.

Application for membership must be made through the council in the community nearest the applicant's place of residence. Interested prospects without a permanent domicile, such as men temporarily away from home through duty in the armed forces, may make application through their hometown council or at the nearest council on a military base.

If favorably voted upon, the applicant becomes a member by initiation known as the First Degree. He subsequently is advanced through the Second Degree and the Third Degree.

There are modest initiation fees and dues set by subordinate councils under regulations established by the Supreme Council. The insurance privileges are available to all members who can qualify, which represents an important advantage of membership. For men in every walk of life the name Knights of Columbus engenders the image of a united organization, efficiently going about it tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. It is composed of men who are giving unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and their country.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs. Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their fellowman. Through membership they develop a consciousness of their ability to lead and to assist.

Organized Columbianism, united behind the individual Knight of Columbus, provides the power of an intelligent, alert body of Catholic men--a strength which the individual by himself cannot achieve.

Knights of Columbus has a proud heritage. The qualified Catholic man can share in that heritage and build an even greater future by affiliating himself with this forceful, effective body.

The Patriotic Degree

The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of partiotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups called assemblies. Fourth Degree members must retain their membership as Third Degree members in the local council to remain in good standing.

Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity which has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus organization.

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