Category Archives: Grand Knight

Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message October 2012

My Brother Knights and Families;

My family & I would like to extend a personal thank you for your thoughts and prayers for our son Navy
Saldana. We are happy to report his last heart visit cleared him of his arrhythmia. Thank you to our Lord and
Savior and to out extended brother knights and their families. No doubt, our prayers were heard.

It’s times like these when we look for the good in all God’s works. Our son’s heart problems (though
straining at times) helped us unite and pray closely together. Not just with our brother knights or fellow
parishioners, but with my children. Winter, Reign & Sunday (ages 8, 6 & 2) along with my wife and myself
would pray the rosary together as a family to help pray for Navy. Many times at their request/ reminder. Even
though he was cleared of his heart issues, we continue to offer prayers of thanksgiving & pray for those with
heart problems, something we normally didn’t do.

Think closely about the people & events that affect our daily lives. Perhaps you know someone with:
cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia, obesity, being alone, physical or mental disabilities… or heart
problems. We took what happened to us as a message that God wants us to pray for these people, not just the
patient’s, but the doctors, nurses and care givers that help them. I like to think that everyone in our lives has a
message from God. Something we can learn if given the opportunity. Take the time to listen.

Our Lord speaks to us every day in many different ways, let us pray that our ears are open to hear His
message!

Go! Make a difference.
Ricardo Saldana
Grand Knight council 953

Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message September 2012

My Brother Knights and their Families;

Our council is making improvements, in all aspects. Our website, hall, membership recruitment, meetings,
outreach, and retention. These are only a few topics that we are working on to expand and improve our council. We ask for fresh- out of the box- thinking to impact not only our council, but our community. If you feel that you have a skill set, ideas, or remember things that worked in the past that may help us, please let us know.

We are having a mixer on October 18th to prospective knights who’d like to get to know our council and it’s members. This is similar to an open house to practical catholic men who are curious about the Knights of Columbus. We’ll network, have appetizers and enjoy each others company, as well as answer any questions that we are asked. Though the concept of an open house is not new, it’s been quite some time since we’ve approached this method. The best way to recruit new Brother Knights is through you.

Our meetings will now be run according to that day’s agenda. If you have topics that need to be discussed, please bring it up at the officers meeting prior to the general meeting. All items not on the agenda will be tabled for the next officers meeting. We all have things that occupy our time and recognize (and appreciate) you making time to attend our meetings. The least we can do is conduct it in a speedy & organized fashion. We appreciate your corporation on this matter.

Look for our website updates, pro-life blogs, upcoming events, and links to our facebook and twitter pages. Our officers are working hard for our council and for you. One of our new ideas is to start a “Knights in need” fund, which will directly benefit our council’s Brother Knights in need. These types of ideas come about from Brother Knights socializing with each other in casual conversations. Please feel welcomed and come join us, your conversation may very well  spark our councils next big idea!

Go! Make a difference.
Ricardo Saldana
Grand Knight council 953

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message July 2012

My Brother Knights and their families,

During his visit to Baltimore in October 1995, Pope John Paul II said: “ The challenge facing you, dear
friends, is to increase people’s awareness of the importance for society of religious freedom; to defend that
freedom against those who would take religion out of the public domain and establish secularism as America’s
official faith. And it is vitally necessary, for the very survival of the American experience, to transmit to the next
generation the precious legacy of religious freedom and the convictions which sustain it.”

How prophetic do these words ring today. We as Knights of Columbus defend our Mother Church, so much
so, that we are commonly referred to as “the strong arm of the Catholic Church”. Our strength is in our numbers. With each new Brother Knight we gain not only a servant of God for our many volunteer events but an apologist for our faith for the recruitment of Brother Knights & the sharing our good works.

The Venerable Pope John Paul II was blessed with the foresight to see the challenges facing our culture
today. Let us respond in solidarity and defend the Catholic Church yet again. Let us become a public presence
and let others know that we are Knights of Columbus. It is in that declaration that we proclaim to others that we stand for the word of God, that we are practical Catholics and that our voice will be heard. Let someone know that you are Knight of Columbus today… and they might join us tomorrow.

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

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message June 2012

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

To my Worthy Brother Knights and their Families,

It is better to give than to receive.

Most everyone enjoys gifts. The gift of food can satisfy ones hunger for a day. The gift mobility can offers someone hope, new life and answered prayers. The gift of life can be given by speaking with Mother’s to be, who feel as though they are out of options. The gift of belonging can answer someone’s call to serve, to be part of something larger for the greater good, to be relied upon with fellow Brothers standing in solidarity.

The Knights of Columbus  offers ALL these gifts and more. Through our wheelchair mission program we give the gift of mobility. In fact, the K of C have donated over 30,000 wheelchairs over the last nine years. It is estimated that an average of 9 lives are directly changed for every wheelchair donated. Through our loaves and fishes program & donations we offer food for the hungry, an estimated 800 (sometimes more) hot meals EVERY DAY. Through Pro-life events we help speak for the unborn and encourage expecting Mothers to find hope and God’s Love through not only our actions, but the organizations we help support. And through our Council, we offer solidarity in our founding principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, with all those sworn to serve and protect the Catholic Church and her values.

You can offer this very gift. This gift that was given to us is not ours to keep, it’s meant to be shared. Our council is only as strong as it’s members. Our good works can only continue with brother Knights contributing. I joined the Sacramento council because I had a sense of wanting to do greater good. The Knights of Columbus found me (thank you Brother Dominic), and this council  became the vehicle to do more, with fellow Brothers who share the same values. This council has helped me grow spiritually and personally.

To those NOT currently members of the Knights of Columbus… The gift of membership allows empty voids to be filled, it opens doors to life. Christ is knocking on their door and using US as the doorbell. It is our responsibility to answer our call and accept our role. Everyone wants to be part of something alive.
The Knights of Columbus is ALIVE!
We are Living, Breathing and Growing. We are ALL inspired by God. We are all called to serve. Talk to your friend, your co-worker or family member about joining the Knights. Give this gift… of more.

Vivat Jesus!
Ricardo Saldana
Grand Knight Council 953

Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message April 2012

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

To my Worthy Brothers and their Loving Families;

As we celebration Easter, it’s important to remember the sacrifice made by our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Through his death we have an opportunity for eternal life. What we do with this opportunity is dependent on us. Some people don’t do a thing, and it is those souls (among others) we pray for, that they may hear God’s call. Others hear a call of service… through vocations, or through organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.

When the Gulf of Mexico was hit by hurricane Katrina, the K of C immediately donated 10.6 million dollars to help the victims and their families. Eventually more than 46 million dollars were donated (from the Knights) within months of the tragedy. The K of C was primarily responsible for the opening of catholic schools 6 months before the first public school was opened. These figures are only the monetary donations and do not include the countless volunteer hours from Brother Knights and their Families. It’s information such as this that makes me proud to be a Knight.

Our organization is strong and steadfast. Our foundation is built on the principles that have carried the Knights through the centuries. It’s these core values that call us to help others and It’s these same values that help help us do God’s work. Please keep in mind that Christ died and rose so that we may live. Let’s live in his spirit and do his works for each other.

Some quick notes:

  • FREE DINNER MEETING -THURSDAY APRIL 12th
  • special thanks to Sir Knight Dale Edwards for a fun-tastic Irish night.
  • A Great presence at our 40 days for life witness
  • Please “like” our Facebook page: Knights of Columbus #953

Coming up:

  • Saints & Sinners golf tournament 4/26
  • Garage Sale at the hall 4/28-4/29

Saint John Vianney – PRAY FOR US
Father Michael McGivney – PRAY FOR US

Ricardo Saldaña
Grand Knight council 953

Council, Grand Knight

Grand Knight’s Message March 2012

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

My Worthy Brother Knights and Families;

I trust this Months Knight Letter finds you in good spirits and good company. Speaking of good company, we’d like to extend a sincere thank you to Brother Matt Lucien for a wonderful Ladies night. Those in attendance had a wonderful time with great food and friends. Thank you Brother Matthew. Coming up this month:

Thursday March 8th  is our FREE DINNER general meeting!
(March, April & May’s dinner will be free- on the house,
so come on in and ENJOY!)
Thursday March 15th will be Irish Night
(always a fun time, see the flyer enclosed),
Saturday March 24th will be our 40 days for Life witness
(contact our pro-life director Brother Dominic Ielati, or read his blog),
Thursday March 22nd will be our 1st degree
(If you know someone interested in the Knights… ask, they just might say yes!)

Saints & Sinners golf tournament will be Thursday April 26th followed by our annual Garage sale April 28th and 29th.  We are on task to volunteer at Loves & Fishes beginning this May, the month of September has been selected to host Mexican Knight and Bother Terry Corcoran will have a 2nd E-waste drive in June. Still looking for more
K of C events? Please visit our revamped website at www.KofC953.org

Lastly, I’d like to say thank you to all of you who help make the Knights of Columbus council 953 what it is today. To those who volunteer your time, your thoughts, your energy and love. It does not go unnoticed. This council could not be as great as it is, if it were not for the efforts of those Knights of the past or this current generation of Knights and Officers, doing what they do best… serving. It’s up to us to find tomorrow’s Knights, tomorrow’s Officers to help carry the principles of our organization and specifically, our council. Thank you to all of you past and present, and to tomorrows Knights, Welcome.

Have a Blessed Month!
Your Grand Knight Council 953
Ricardo Saldana