All posts by Fred Struck

Hello, My name is Fred Struck. I live in Sacramento California. I am a member of St. George Melkite-Greek Catholic Church where I am know as Reader Fred. I have been the Reader at St. George's since 1988. I am also a Past Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus Sacramento Council 953.
Council

First Degree Exemplification

The council will be holding a First Degree Exemplification on Monday, June 16. All members are invited to attend to both observe the ceremony and welcome our new Brother Knights. The doors to the council hall will be open at 6:15 pm, and we are requesting that all candidates arrive no later than 7:00. The exemplification shall begin at 7:30 (or shortly thereafter). Refreshments will be served following the exemplification.

For additional information, please contact Membership Director John Watling or Financial Secretary John Sheldon.

Church

Final Newman Mass and Luncheon

The final public mass at the Newman Catholic Community at Sacramento State will be held at 10:00 am on Sunday, May 22. We would like to encourage all members of Council 953 to attend this final mass as a showing of support for our Brothers at Newman as they search for new parishes to call home. The mass will be followed by a luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon are currently sold out, but those who wish to attend may place their names on a waiting list for tickets at http://www.sacnewman.org/last-mass.

For additional information, please contact John Watling.

Council

Officers Nominated for 2016-17 Columbian Year

The committee has nominated the following slate of officers for the 2016-17 Columbian Year. The slate of officers will be read at the May business meeting and voted on at the June business meeting:

Grand Knight – Bryan McKrell
Deputy Grand Knight – Adam Struck
Chancellor – Garrett Thomas
Warden – Michael Litwin
Recorder – Matt Curran
Inside Guard – Greg Wolfe
Outside Guard – Clif Bachmeier
Advocate – Matt Lucien
Treasurer – John Watling
3 Year Trustee – Lewis Muñoz
2 Year Trustee – George Mills
1 Year Trustee – Fred Struck
Financial Secretary – John Sheldon
(Appointed by Supreme – no vote needed)

Nominations may be accepted from the floor at the May business meeting, provided the nominee has agreed to serve if elected.

Insurance

Knights Minister to Catholic Families Through Its Insurance Program

The Knights of Columbus is known throughout the world for its charitable giving and its tireless service to the Church. But since its founding, the Knights has had another way to minister to Catholic families: its insurance program. Beginning with the Order’s first insurance member – our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney – the Knights have sought to provide financial protection to prevent against devastating hardship. Here are a few numbers that will help you understand how the Knights of Columbus Insurance program is doing today:

$100 Billion. That’s the amount of “in force” coverage the Knights of Columbus has. Put differently, the Knights of Columbus has active policies which are expected to pay out death benefits to members and beneficiaries in the total amount of $100 Billion. It’s $100 Billion of real money, of financial protection for Catholic families made possible by the Knights of Columbus and their insurance products. We are the only Catholic insurer in North America to exceed $100 Billion of life insurance in force.

$21 Billion. The Knights of Columbus manages $21 Billion of assets from their international headquarters in New Haven, Conn., putting the Knights in the top five percent of largest life insurers in North America. We manage our assets in an ethical and responsible way. We do not invest in companies that deal in: abortions, contraception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, for-profit healthcare that pays for any of the aforementioned, or pornography.

2 Million. The Knights of Columbus has more than two million active contracts in force. That means that hundreds of thousands of brother Knights have elected to help protect their family and their futures with us.

15 Years. That’s the number of years in a row that the Knights of Columbus insurance program has continued to grow in sales. Despite a rough economic climate, we have sold more insurance each year since 2000.

40 Years. That’s the number of consecutive top-mark ratings we’ve earned from A.M. Best. Since 1975, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest rating possible for financial strength (A++, Superior).

There’s never been a better time to turn to the Knights of Columbus to help protect you and your family. Contact me today, and I’ll be more than happy to tell you more about the wonderful benefits that the Knights of Columbus Insurance program has to offer.

Fraternally,
Philip De Leon
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message, March 2016

Dear Brother Knights and Families:

As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, we remember the life and times of St. Patrick of Ireland. St. Patrick was born in approximately 387 in Roman Britain (Britannia). His father was a Roman government official and a deacon in the early Church (by the year 313, Christianity had been recognized by the Roman government.) However, by his own account young Patrick was not active in his faith nor an active believer. At age 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and enslaved and performed laborious activities for them. According to his memoir, The Confession (written around 450), the time he spent in captivity was critical to his spiritual development. He explained that the Lord had mercy on his youth and ignorance, and afforded him the opportunity to be forgiven of his sins and converted to Christianity. While in captivity, St. Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer eventually leading him to convert to Christianity. After a harrowing experience, he made his escape and returned home. He continued his studies in Christianity in Europe and in approximately 431, Pope St. Celestine I consecrated St. Patrick Bishop of the Irish, and sent him to Ireland to spread the gospel to nonbelievers while also providing support to the small community of Christians already living there. St. Patrick was credited with ordaining priests to lead the new Christian communities, convert wealthy women, some of whom became nuns in the face of their families’ opposition. He also dealt with and converted the sons of kings. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 (the date on which we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day). Apparently, in Christianity’s early years, canonizations were done on the diocesan level. Thus, as was a practice, soon after the death of one considered very holy, the local Church affirmed that they could be liturgically celebrated as saints. As a result, St. Patrick was never formally canonized by a Pope. Despite this canonic technicality, various churches have declared him a saint in heaven and is still venerated in Ireland and elsewhere around the globe.

What we learn from St. Patrick is that in the face of terrible adversity and leading a life of sin, there is redemption. It starts with accepting Christ in our own life by turning away from sin. During this Lenten season we are encouraged and inspired by St. Patrick’s story.

On another interesting and most ironic historical note, Emperor Tiberius Claudius Nero (14 AD – 37 AD), who was the sitting emperor during the time of Christ’s crucifixion, died on approximately March 16, 37 (one calendar day before the death of St. Patrick 424 years later). Tiberius’s death occurred during a season that would later become known as Lent. It is no secret that the lives of many Roman Emperors were plagued with scandal, corruption, and turmoil. It has been rumored through scholarly debate that Tiberius was murdered by being smothered to death on orders from Caligula (the only surviving heir to the emperor’s throne.)

By contrast, we celebrate the inspiring life of St. Patrick who leaves us with a lasting positive mark on humanity. Come and celebrate St. Patrick’s day with us at Newman Center, on March 12, 2016. See our Council’s calendar for more details.

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Church

Newman Closing

As many are already aware, the Newman Catholic Community at Sacramento State will soon be closing. Although the Newman Center itself will still remain open to serve Catholic students at the university for the foreseeable future, the permanent community will cease to exist. It has been announced that the final mass for the permanent community will take place on Sunday, May 22. All Brother Knights are encouraged to attend this final mass as a showing of support for our Brothers at Newman as they search for new parishes to call home.