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.
Insurance

Ways to Pay for Whole Life

We live in a world of options and we are constantly bombarded by choices. Some of these make our lives more complicated, but many of these choices are created with our satisfaction in mind.

At the Knights of Columbus, every product we offer has been designed solely for the benefit of our members and their families. When I present an option to you, it’s because a team of experts has discussed it at length to be certain it serves your best interest.

We have a few options on how you can provide and pay for the whole life coverage that your family needs. Many whole life policies call for premiums to be paid for your entire life or to age 100. But we also offer permanent life coverage with guaranteed cash values (and the potential to earn dividends, which are not guaranteed) through policies that offer a limited period of premium payments.

First, we offer “10 Pay Life” and “20 Pay Life.” Consider paying premiums for 10 or 20 years, and never having to pay for the coverage again. The plan is “paid up” and no more premiums are due. The plan stays in force, the death benefit remains intact and the guaranteed cash value continues to grow.

A plan with similar benefits is “Life Paid Up at 65.” The difference over 10 or 20 Pay Life plans is that this permanent product requires you to pay premiums until age 65. Then, premiums stop (just in time for retirement), but the plan remains in force.

Finally, the ultimate in limited pay is our Single Premium Life product. Imagine buying life insurance — permanent life insurance — and only paying one single premium? It’s possible.

To learn more about these products, our long-term care insurance, disability income or retirement products, please call me today.

Fraternally,
Phillip De Leon
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message, February 2016

Worthy Brother Knights and Families:

February marks the kick-off to the Lenten Season as we continue our Works of Mercy during this Columbian year. In this manner, one may ask are Lenten sacrifices kindred to Works of Mercy?

Lent is the penitential season in our Catholic faith marked by prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. (www.catholicisim.about.com) Mercy, is said to be a virtue influencing one’s will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to alleviate another’s misfortune. It is the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas that although mercy is as it were the spontaneous product of charity, yet it is to be reckoned a special virtue adequately distinguishable from this latter. In fact the Scholastics in cataloguing it consider it to be referable to the quality of justice mainly because, like justice, it controls relations between distinct persons. (www.newadvent.org; Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.)

The Holy Father indicated in his Lenten Message for 2016 (Papal Lenten Message 2016), that Lent and Mercy indeed go hand-in-hand: “In the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I asked that ‘the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more intensity as a privileged moment to celebrate and experienced God’s mercy.” (Ibid.) Pope Francis goes on to conclude that “For all of us, then the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favorable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practicing the works of mercy.” (Ibid.)

A great example of Works of Mercy during this Lenten Season is the work of Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. Fr. Boyle started an organization named “Homeboy Industries,” a place were former gang members can reinvent themselves, learn life skills, honest work, and know God’s love and mercy that they never knew before. Fr. Boyle’s story is extremely inspiring and I highly recommend his book “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.” The stories are heart wrenching and thought provoking. What I find most inspirational about Fr. Boyle is that he is a well-educated man who could have done anything with this life, but found his calling to administer to our youth. You can visit the website at www.homeboyindustries.org.

We have more dinners slated for the remainder of our Columbian year that will benefit many of our charities (e.g., Cristo Rey High School, Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, Sacramento Life Center, Loaves & Fishes, Clara’s House, to name a few). I encourage you all to promote and attend our dinners, volunteer at our events, and make this a very spiritual rewarding Lenten Season.

Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Council, Events

Irish Night Dinner

Knights of Columbus #953 and Newman Catholic Community present an Irish Night Dinner, Saturday, March 12, 2016, featuring an authentic Irish dinner, drinks, and music.

Menu includes Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potato, and fixings. Sodas, Irish Beer and Whiskey sold at the bar!

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $10 for Children 12 and under. The dinner will raise funds to benefit Get On The Bus, Cristo Rey Student Scholarships, and other charities sponsored by the Knights of Columbus #953.

The Social Hour is at 6:00 pm and dinner is served at 7:00 pm. Please note the new location: Newman Catholic Community at 5900 Newman Ct, Sacramento, CA 95819.

Please Make Reservations in Advance By Contacting Matt Curran at (916) 417-5194.

Insurance

Protecting Our Spouses

As a member of this council, you know how important spouses can be to the charitable works of the Order. If you’re married, your wife is probably involved in a few of the many events that happen each fraternal year. This support adds great value and impact to what a council can achieve.

When the Order was founded in 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney and the other brave men were setting out to protect Catholic families, but especially wives and children. We know today this is done through our insurance products which are designed with that goal in mind. One specific policy rider that you may not know about is called Spousal Waiver of Premium. This rider is unique to the Knights of Columbus philosophy of helping our widows.

This rider is available on most permanent and Discoverer plans purchased at standard rates by a member and his wife on the same day. When both spouses apply, the rider provides for waiver of premiums on the spouse’s contract in the event of the insured’s death. Best of all, for members and spouses ages 18 to 60, this waiver can be added for no charge. The rider stays in effect until the spouse attains age 65 or certain other triggering events occur.

Our products are designed with your needs and budget in mind. With a solid portfolio of life insurance, longterm care, disability income and retirement products, the Knights of Columbus can help you meet all of your financial goals. To learn more about these solutions, contact me today.

Fraternally,
Phillip De Leon
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message, December 2015

Dearest Brother Knights and Knight Families:

On Christmas morning, 1914, German soldiers were heard singing Christmas carols from their trenches, and soon British and French troops from the opposing side joined in. It was the Christmas Truce of 1914. Nearly 101 years ago, the respect and reverence for the coming of our Savior was ever so engrained in Christian nations that Christ, even centuries after his death, was able to bring a cease-fire to World War I, however brief.

Christ’s coming into the world brings a message of hope and joy. Yet, while negative images of hate and violence permeate our social media, we must pause and remember that Christmas is God’s gift to mankind of hope, joy, but above all . . . peace. Since 1914, a Christmas truce in these uncertain times might seem unthinkable, but we have faith that Jesus Christ, humanity’s Prince of Peace, will deliver on his promise to bring peace to this Earth.

“. . . It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortal’s, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.”

– Maya Angelou

During 2015, I am pleased to report that our Council and its individual members donated funds to, among other organizations, the Ukrainian Relief Fund to help people effected by the Ukrainian-Russian Conflict, and to Christians-At-Risk to help our fellow Christians being killed in the Middle East (with a dollar-for-dollar match by our Supreme Council). In giving to these organizations, we seek to bring peace and alleviate the sufferings of people victimized by the violence in that part of the world. I am proud of you all for your support in these endeavors.

Please remember to pray for peace during this Christmas season. May all of my Brother Knights and their families have a very Merry Christmas.

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis F. Munoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Council, Events

Crab Feed

With the holidays fast approaching, Peggy and I wish all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Years. Our annual Winter Fund Raiser is set for Saturday, January 30, 2016. I hope we can purchase fresh crab, not frozen, and be assured from Pacific Fresh Sea Foods or Mahony’s Sea Foods that the crab is safe to eat. If we are unable to purchase safe crab, the dinner will be Tri-tip with the same trimmings as our summer dinner which received a tremendous review from all. The crab dinner will cost $45 and the Tri-tip at $25. Please mark your calendars for this event.

Happy Holidays,
PGK Al Piccardo