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

Grand Knight’s Message July 2012

To my Worthy Brother Knights and their Families,

A special thank you to everyone in council 953 for your vote of confidence to lead this council a second consecutive year. I am humbled, honored, and excited to serve you again. We have many returning officers and directors as well a couple of new ones, who will with out a doubt, bring fresh perspectives and ideas to our council. To those officers/ directors returning, thank you for continuing to share in what will most certainly be a great year. To those new, welcome and learn from the guidance of those before you. Our council is rich in history and we must lead with wisdom, integrity &  passion.

Our Deputy Grand Knight Fred Struck and I are working feverishly to complete our councils calendar by next month. We will have our routine dinners with a couple of new events added. If you’d like to get involved with chairing an event please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always looking for new knights to get actively involved. We will also introduce a revamped web site, look for us on twitter #KofC953 and “like” us on Facebook Knights of Columbus # 953.

It was once said that God does not always called the qualified, but that He always qualifies the called. We were all called to join the K of C, it’s our responsibility to help in any capacity. You can help make this an impactful year. Call a friend to join, invite him to one of our dinners and remember… new potential members eat free. We encourage you to take the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree, come to our meetings, support our dinners/events or meet with your field agent. There are so many ways to get involved, you just have to be open to letting our Lord work through you. Working together with your fellow Brother knights, we can achieve more.

American FlagI’ll end this months message with a conversation I recently had with a returning Brother Knight. He said that he can see the Holy Spirit working through our officers and our council, so much that It prompted him to get involved and to become more active. There are great things in store for all of us as a council, come experience,  come join us.

“GO! Make a Difference”
Father Micheal McGivney- Pray for us!
Ricardo Saldana
Grand Knight Council 953

Church, Community, Pro-Life

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
From your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome – for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pro-Life

Culture Of Life Report July 2012

HHS Mandate – Updates
As you have heard by now, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the Patient Care and Affordability Act (AKA The Health Care Act and ObamaCare).  This means that the HHS Mandate, forcing religious organizations with an employee health plan to provide coverage that includes contraception (which often acts as an abortifacient) and sterilization procedures.  This goes into effect on August 1 of this year.  The US Catholic Bishops are continuing to speak and act against this, as should we as practical Catholics.  Below are updates on some recent events that have occurred in support of religious freedom locally.

I, along with about 450 others, attended the Rally for Religious Freedom on June 8 at the west steps of the State Capitol.  The Sacramento rally was one of 140 similar rallies across America held that day.  Several speakers at the local rally addressed the concern and desire to protect our religious freedom.  One of the speakers, Dr. Anne Marie Adams, an OB-GYN who practices in Carmichael, summed up the effect of the HHS Mandate on her practice by telling those gathered that “I shouldn’t have to be a religious institution to be able to exercise my religious freedom.”  More info on the rallies from across the country can be found at:
http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/ .

On the evening of June 9, I, along with at least one other Knight of our council (I hope more of you were there and I missed seeing you), joined Bishop Soto and approximately 1,000 other Catholics on the Walk for Religious Freedom/Eucharistic Procession that followed the Saturday vigil mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.  There were three prayer stations along the 1.8 mile walk – two federal buildings and our final destination, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  A nice synopsis of the procession by Margaret Bengs of Carmichael can be found here:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/16/v-print/4566032/somber-mood-of-march-reflects.html.

Finally, as I write this, we are in the Fortnight for Freedom that started on the vigil of the feasts of St. John Fisher & St. Thomas More and runs through July 4, Independence Day.   Concretely, our Bishops are calling for a “special period of prayer, study, catechesis and public action” to emphasize “our Christian and American heritage of liberty.”  If you haven’t already, please take some time to understand what the Church teaches about religious freedom.  We should also make extra prayers and fasts for this cause.  For more info on this teaching and about the US Bishop’s direction to help us defend our religious liberty, go to http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/.  Additional journalism can be found at www.stophhs.com.

Thank you
I have been the Pro-Life/Culture of Life Director since July 2003 and I will be transitioning out of my role.  Brother Bill James (the newer member of our council with that name) will be taking over this director position.  Brother Bill has enthusiasm for the position, which is the key to fulfilling with excellence any of our council director positions.  Please give Brother Bill your full support.
It has been my honor during these last 9 years to provide the members and families of our council with timely and useful information regarding the life issues.  It has also been my honor to walk and work alongside many of you at life events and gatherings such as Walk for Life-San Francisco and our Chili Cook-Off.  So, many, many thanks and blessings to each of you for your support of our council’s pro-life program.
Vivat Jesus!
Dominic

Visit the 953 Culture of Life blog
If you haven’t checked out the blog, open your browser and head over to:
http://kofc953sacramentoprolife.blogspot.com/

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..” –  Constitution of the United States of America, Amendment 1 (part of the “Bill of Rights”)

Dominic Ielati
Culture of Life Director
prolife(at)kofc953(dot)org

Insurance

A New Fraternal Year 2012-2013

A new fraternal year is upon us.  Congratulations to the newly elected Grand Knights and Deputy Grand Knight, as well as the other entire dedicated brother Knights who will serve in either an elected and appointed leadership position in the new Columbian year.  I’m sure you have a list of goals and objectives that you intend to accomplish during the coming year.  You have my assurance that as your Field Agent I am eager to help.

To attain the Star Council status it is a yearlong commitment as well as the most prestigious award the Order offers at the council level.  As your Field Agent I am certainly committed to help determine how many Fraternal Benefits Nights you will want to conduct in your council during the fraternal year, and to work hand in hand with your membership committee. As well, I am committed to helping on the insurance side, but will be equally as glad to help on the membership side as well

If you know an eligible Catholic man who might be interested in joining the Order (and who among us doesn’t), he’s probably just waiting to be asked.  We can help you, either by approaching him or by “coaching” you – transferring sales skills that you can use to recruit him and other prospects.  As always, I am at your service.

Let’s get an early start to attain your council’s goals and objectives that are so critical to the growth of your council.

To make this fiscal 2012-2013 year “Your Shield for Life”. “The knight’s shield has long been a symbol of strength and honor,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson “And those are exactly the words that best describe the Knights of Columbus insurance program.  Especially in difficult economic times, our exceptional strength and our long history of integrity and service to brother Knights and their families, remind everyone that we provide the best protection available.” “ Your Shield for Life”.

Council

Knight of the Year

Knight of the Year 2012We are very pleased and honored to announce that Brother Terry Corcoran was elected as the Knight of the Year. Quite frankly brothers, we couldn’t operate with out the many unselfish efforts of Terry. Firstly, he is our hall custodian/repairman/gardener and jack of all trades. Secondly he is one of our core hall cooks and many of our events just wouldn’t happen without his help. Speaking of his help, I cant think of one council event he hasn’t been involved in some capacity. Lately he has been filling in at the bar for the council and 4th degree. He is also the chairman of the annual garage sale and of the e-waste drive.

Brothers lets give a hand of thanks to Terry!
May he be with us for a long, long time, he is much appreciated.

Family, Family of the Month

Family of the Year 2012

Family of the Year 2012 David CarboniWe are very pleased and honored to announce that the family of
Br. David Carboni, was elected as the Family of the Year.

Dave and his wife Bonnie have just celebrated their 50th  wedding anniversary.

Br. Dave with the support of his wife Bonnie, have done great jobs at the Council’s Fund raisers for Charities. Also if not working at these fund raisers they, always attend them.

Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 953
wishing the Br. David Carboni family, MANY – MANY HAPPY YEARS!