Rochester Knights of Columbus Council #9640

11/09/2026

Congratulations to our District Deputy, Mike Ray, on his induction into the Springfield Diocesan Chapter Knights of Columbus Hall of Fame, Class of 2026!

Here at Rochester Council #9640, we know how much Mike gives to his brother Knights. He joins us at our monthly meetings and is always there when we need him. His support means a great deal to our council, and we’re proud to see him receive this well-deserved recognition.

Mike, heartfelt congratulations to you and your family from all of us at Council #9640. Thank you for all you do and for the example you set through your service. We’re grateful to have you as our District Deputy and brother Knight!

11/08/2026

Last call, Rochester. Two things end today.

The Fall Craft and Bake Sale wraps up this morning, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Jude Parish Center. If there is a treat you have been thinking about all weekend, this is the morning to get it.

And today is the last day to order Butterbraid to support our St. Jude youth heading to Catholic Heart Work Camp. A braided pastry in the freezer now is a very good decision for a cold morning later.

Sale details here: https://facebook.com/61585628548692/posts/pfbid026LAZaXcyFxsUb113j8PUR6aPRDTYYTPuf1D8KNh9WNYVhopY6zJn1nNXDTJ4hyNEl/

Butterbraid orders here: https://facebook.com/61585628548692/posts/pfbid02UBDnst4CCfzZdyACe3QpSpM9rdJcRfg5PmaTSSS72i3Fdpa9FeQxbQPiNu39HjESl/

11/07/2026

November is traditionally the month the Church sets aside to pray for those who have died.

This month, Council #9640 remembers the Brother Knights, volunteers, and friends who have gone before us. Many of them gave years to our parish and our community. So much of what we do today stands on what they built.

Through Sunday, Nov 8, the Church grants the faithful a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, for devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead, even if only mentally. The usual conditions apply: sacramental confession, Holy Communion, a prayer for the Pope's intentions, and freedom from all attachment to sin. Confession and Communion may be made within several days before or after.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

11/07/2026

Day two, and the Parish Center still smells like fresh baking.

The Fall Craft and Bake Sale is back on today, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Jude Parish Center. Crafts from the Sewnsews, baked treats, and every bit of it helps St. Jude Youth Ministries.

If you missed yesterday, today is your day. Bring a friend, grab something sweet, and say hi to Council 9640 while you are there.

Details on the sale here: https://facebook.com/61585628548692/posts/pfbid026LAZaXcyFxsUb113j8PUR6aPRDTYYTPuf1D8KNh9WNYVhopY6zJn1nNXDTJ4hyNEl/

11/06/2026

It starts today, Rochester.

The Fall Craft and Bake Sale is on at St. Jude Parish Center, today through Sunday, Nov. 6 to 8. The St. Jude Sewnsews have been working on this, and the tables are full of crafts and baked treats. Proceeds help St. Jude Youth Ministries.

Today: noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to noon

Stop by, say hi, grab something sweet, and support our young people while you are at it. Council 9640 will be around too.

Details on the sale here: https://facebook.com/61585628548692/posts/pfbid026LAZaXcyFxsUb113j8PUR6aPRDTYYTPuf1D8KNh9WNYVhopY6zJn1nNXDTJ4hyNEl/

Butterbraid orders, open through Sunday to support St. Jude youth heading to Catholic Heart Work Camp, here: https://facebook.com/61585628548692/posts/pfbid02UBDnst4CCfzZdyACe3QpSpM9rdJcRfg5PmaTSSS72i3Fdpa9FeQxbQPiNu39HjESl/

11/05/2026

Let’s help the St. Jude Sewnsews make this a great weekend for our parish youth! Their Fall Craft & Bake Sale is November 6–8 at the St. Jude Parish Center, with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude Youth Ministries.

Stop by for handmade gifts, seasonal decorations, and baked treats. Pick up something for your Christmas list, or just something for dessert.

Friday: Noon–5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.–noon

Thanks to the Sewnsews for putting their talents to work for our young people!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Mark your calendars! The St. Jude Sewnsews are bringing back their Craft & Bake Sale, with all proceeds benefiting the youth of St. Jude!

Whether you’re looking for unique handmade gifts, homemade baked goods, or just want to support a wonderful cause, we hope you’ll stop by and shop!

Dates & Times:

🍁 Friday, November 6: Noon – 5:00 PM

🍁 Saturday, November 7: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

🍁 Sunday, November 8: 9:00 AM – Noon

The Sewnsews have a wonderful variety of items planned, and every purchase helps support the youth of our parish.

Come shop, find something special, and support our St. Jude youth!

11/04/2026

Support St. Jude youth heading to Catholic Heart Work Camp! Butterbraid orders are open through November 8.

Butterbraids are back!!

Help support our parish youth attending the Catholic Heart Work Camp mission trip by purchasing at the link below, or by directly reaching out to a CHWC participant.

Orders are due November 8, and pickup will be Thursday, November 19!

Thank you in advance for your support!

https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/b6754414-0883-41c9-b8c2-d35b78f2dcb9

11/03/2026

Today the Church remembers St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican lay brother who cared for the sick in Lima, Peru.

Before he joined the Dominicans, he was a barber's assistant. Once he joined, he was assigned to the infirmary and looked after the ill and elderly friars. In his spare time he also cared for sick people outside the priory, and he treated nobles and slaves the same.

He was canonized in 1962. Today he is the patron of barbers, innkeepers and public health workers. So the next time you get a haircut, you can quietly thank him.

Knights of Columbus Council #9640, St. Jude Parish, Rochester. Charity in action, one neighbor at a time.

11/03/2026

Hello again, Rochester. Our page has been quiet for a while, and we're changing that.

We're Knights of Columbus Council #9640, Catholic men from St. Jude Parish who serve our parish and our neighbors. Many of you know us from the Lenten fish fry at St. Jude Parish Center. There's more to us than that.

From here on, you'll see what's happening at St. Jude and around Rochester: parish news and feast days, our council's service projects, community events, and a few throwbacks.

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, a parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, to care for widows and families in need. Charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism are still the four principles we live by, here in Rochester and in councils around the world. Follow our page and come along with us.

09/14/2026

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE

Members of St. Jude Council 9640 Knights of Columbus will be out in the Springfield community for our annual Intellectual Disabilities Drive, commonly known as the “Tootsie Roll Drive”.

This is one of the most important charitable efforts we take part in each year. The funds raised through this drive help support individuals with intellectual disabilities and the organizations and programs that serve them right here in our community.

We’ll be collecting donations at:

📍 County Market
1501 S. Dirksen Parkway
South Grand & Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL

We will be stationed at both the North and South entrances during the following times:

Friday, September 18
🕘 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, September 19
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you’re out shopping or passing through the area, please stop by, say hello, grab a Tootsie Roll, and consider making a donation.

No donation is too small. Every dollar collected helps support programs and services that make a real difference for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The generosity of the Springfield community is what makes drives like this successful year after year, and we are incredibly grateful for everyone who stops, donates, shares the word, or simply takes a moment to support the cause.

Stop by. Grab a Tootsie Roll. Help us support a great cause.

Thank you for supporting the Knights of Columbus and our local community!