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

Worthy Brother Knights and Families:

Thanksgiving is upon us and as we look toward the holiday season, let us remember that Thanksgiving is more than the kick-off to the shopping season. Rather, it is truly a time to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. Indeed, such thanks is founded in scripture:

“Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.” (Psalm 52:2-3.) “I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him, you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge – . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:4-5.) “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5.) “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34.)

God has done great wonderful things for us and our Council. We thank Him for all of the enduring friendships we have made at Council 953 and of the successes that He has bestowed on us. We also thank him for giving us strength and fortitude to help those who cannot speak for themselves, shelter those who need, stop pain where we see it, and give love where it is needed.

Enjoy your families and friends this Thanksgiving season, for all good things are possible with God. May God continue to bless you and your families this Thanksgiving Holiday.

Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Worthy Brother Knights and Families:

As we glance at September in our rear-view mirrors, we are reminded of the lessons the Holy Father instilled in us from his recent trip to the United States. He preached love, hope, mercy and forgiveness. He also canonized Fr. Junipero Serra, the founder of the California Missions, which comes at a time that we Christians find ourselves in the culture war of political correctness. Why do I raise this issue? As I authored the brief history pamphlet for the 4th Degree, entitled: Bishop Manogue Assembly 50 – A Brief History, for their Centennial Dinner, I discovered that Assembly 50 participated in a Columbus Day Celebration in 1944 at our State Capitol. The celebration included placing a wreath at the foot of the statue of Isabella and Christopher Columbus. Today, remembrances of Christopher Columbus are all but blips on a calendar noted as “Discoverers’ Day.” While we recognize the unfortunate conflict that indigenous people experienced with European settlers, we must also remember the positive aspects that Christians brought to this great nation.

It logically follows that the Holy Father’s canonization of Fr. Serra is incredibly significant in these days of divided communities. Fr. Serra is an example of the power of love and Christian virtue during uncertain times. He was the one who implanted the Gospel of Jesus Christ in California, and like Columbus, brought Christianity to the “New World.” For their courage and faith, we are forever thankful. Likewise, as “Knights of Columbus,” it is our duty to continue our Christian traditions as Catholic gentlemen in our communities and with our families.

So my Brothers, let us take some time to reflect, pray and count our blessings that courage and faith brought Jesus Christ to our shores by these important historical figures. Columbus Day is on October 12, 2015. He was more than a “discoverer,” whose travels to the “New World” forever impacted this nation by the very fact that Christianity continues to dwell and live in us and among us.

Lewis Munoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Worthy Brother Knights and Knight Families:

This month marks a milestone in our faith and nation’s history as the Holy Father, Pope Francis, makes his visit to the United States for the World Meeting of Families. Apparent in my previous GK messages is what could be described as our ongoing Columbian Year theme of “Works of Mercy.” These works of mercy were central to St. Francis of Assisi’s ministry, especially when it came to the poor.

Likewise, as Pope Francis emphasizes providing services to the poor, so do the Knights of Columbus. Fortunately, through our fundraising efforts we should be able to meet those needs of the less fortunate (e.g., our support for Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, Sacramento Life Center, Loaves & Fishes, and Cristo Rey High School, and many more). In administering to the poor we learn their stories of struggles and challenges. It would also not be surprising to find if many of the poor that we assist are being affected by the national dialogue regarding
immigration. At the heart of this debate lies the plight of families and what that issue means to us as Christians. By divine coincidence, this dialogue comes at a time that the Holy Father makes his visit to our shores.

Our immigration law has a long history of repeals and amendments, and is certainly too long and complex in which to comment in this message. However, for those who wish to read up on the subject, information on resources, statistics and history of immigration can be found on many websites (e.g., American Immigration Council and Department of Homeland Security to name a few). The search for a prudent, secure and humane immigration policy is certainly debate worthy, but what is most troublesome in these national discussions is the occasional merciless indifference that some fellow citizens project toward undocumented persons.

However, a previously released Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll brings us some hope. The poll found that many American people would back a long-term immigration reform solution that allowed undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States, as long as certain conditions were met. (See, 6/25/12, Newly Released Survey Shows Way Forward on U.S. Immigration Debate, www.kofc.org.)

“‘There is a consensus among the American people on the issue of immigration,’ said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. ‘The common sense of the American people shows that there is a real, viable, long-term solution to this problem that would transcend partisanship, have the support of the American people, and actually resolve this issue. This survey has potential to recast our national debate if this non-partisan solution is embraced.’” (Ibid.) “The poll also [found] that most Americans have a generally positive view of immigrants. 83 percent of Americans say most immigrants are average people who come to the United States to seek a better life for themselves and their families. Fewer than 2 in 10 (17 percent) believe immigrants immigrate for ‘easy money’ or to pursue a life of crime. Americans also think immigrants have strong family values (80 percent) and work just as hard as Americans (79 percent), but worry that immigrants may strain the healthcare system (76 percent), place a burden on public schools (66 percent) or be discriminated against (63 percent).” (Ibid.,)

Although the report on this survey pre-dates the current national debate, the teachings of Catholic Social Justice remain relevant today and are based on three basic principles: 1) people have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families; 2) a country has the right to regulate its borders and to control immigration; and 3) a country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy. (See United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration and the Movement of Peoples, www.usccb.org.) It is “justice and mercy” that is lacking in the current national debate over an acceptable immigration policy. An undocumented person’s human dignity is not lessoned by his or her unsettled legal status in our country.

Let us not forget that our Order was founded in 1882 by the son of Irish immigrants, Father Michael McGivney. As such, it logically follows that “for a century, the Knights of Columbus have been committed to helping the United States find a reasonable immigration policy. In the early twentieth century, the Knights were critical of laws which largely prevented Catholic immigration from Europe, while allowing those from predominately Protestant countries to immigrate.” (See, 6/25/12, Newly Release Survey Shows Way Forward on U.S.

Immigration Debate, www.kofc.org.) It is with great hope that the Holy Father’s visit can bring a humane and merciful perspective on the
immigration question facing the nation. While we watch and follow Pope Francis on his journey, we pray that his visit will also influence and encourage leaders and policy makers to a point where reasonable minds can prevail in finding a solution to this situation. “If you want peace, work for justice” – Pope Paul VI

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis Munoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Worthy Brother Knights and Knight Families:

Hopefully all of you had a nice cool summer, taking the family on summer vacations, or just hanging out at home, enjoying the kids’ time off from school. While we are fortunate to engage in these wonderful pastimes and family activities, as Catholics we are reminded never to forget those suffering, less fortunate, or the vulnerable members of our community. It is with this vigilance that we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, shelter those who need it, stop suffering where we see it, and give love to those who need it.

We join the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in prayer for those “who are being persecuted, exiled, killed, decapitated for the sole reason that they are Christian.” Indeed, Pope Francis professed that “They are our martyrs of today, and they are so many, we could say that they are more numerous than in the early centuries.” (www.christiansatrisk.org; Charity in the Land of New Martyrs, Christians displaced in the face of religious persecution receive aid through the Order’s Christian Refugee Relief Fund, 6/1/15, by Andrew J. Matt.)

The number of Christians being killed for their faith varies. According to data cited in our Supreme website, “Christians killed every day on the basis of religious hatred [are] at twenty, almost one per hour.” (Ibid.)

“In order to escape persecution, many Christians have left areas where they have played a vibrant role in social, political and cultural life for centuries. Worldwide, the number of people forced from their homes has surged past 50 million for the first time since World War II, according to a June 2014 report of the U.N. Refugee Agency. Before the Iraq War in 2003, Christians in Iraq numbered approximately 1 million out of a population of 25 million. In September 2014, an estimated 300,000 Christians remained in the country. In the ancient city of Mosul, where some 60,000 Christians lived prior to 2003, today there are none.” (Ibid.)

“Likewise, the combined effects of five years of civil war in Syria and the Islamic State onslaught there have been devastating. The war alone has left 220,000 people killed, 7.6 million internally displaced, and 3.9 million refugees. Whereas Christians used to make up 10 percent of Syria’s 22 million people prior to the war, Islamic State militants have ensured that large swaths of the country have now become ‘Christian-free zones.’ In Aleppo, recently dubbed ‘the martyr city’ by Pope Francis, Christians fear that they could suffer the same fate as Mosul.” (Ibid.)

In the face of this heartbreaking and terrifying reality that our fellow Christians find themselves in, many of us might ask the simple question . . . why? Since 9/11, we find ourselves in the depths of the battle of ideas and for the hearts of humanity. Islamic extremism challenges our temperaments, tugs at our fears, and baits our impetuousness for violence. While we enjoy a society founded on enlightenment principles like free speech and freedom of religion based on a secular government (of no state sponsored organized religion), ISIS and like-minded individuals would have a society rooted in theocratic principles. As such, enlightenment principles for Islamic extremism is, in their view, heretical in nature. Thus, it is their duty to exterminate such communities from the Earth. (See World Order, Kissinger, H., Penguin Press, 2014, Ch. 3.)

With that said, the Supreme Council of our Order has created the “Christians At Risk” program, which provides relief to persecuted Christians in the war torn Middle East. You can find more information at www.christiansatrisk.org. The website contains more information for those who wish to help.

Brothers, let us keep our fellow Christians in the Middle East in our hearts and minds. In continuing with our works of mercy as Knights of Columbus, we pray that “ . . . Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; . . . where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. . . .” (Prayer of St. Francis.)

Lewis Munoz
Grand Knight, Council 953

Dearest Brother Knights and Knight Families,

It is my honor to have taken over the reins as Grand Knight of Sacramento Council 953 for this next Columbian Year. I thank you all for your trust in my leadership and I promise to do my best.

I would like to share with you my view of the role of the Knights of Columbus in our community. We start with Lord, “make me an instrument of your peace . . .” These words taken from the prayer of St. Francis appear at first glance so simplistic that often times we miss its true meaning. But, when we think of the Knights of Columbus, these words come to life in the works of mercy that we put into practice. For example, when one looks to our programs and charities, they are reflective in Corporal Works of Mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead). Likewise, when one looks at Spiritual Works of Mercy (instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish the sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive the offenses willingly, comfort the afflicted, pray for the living and the dead), we think of our rosary prayers, our memorial masses, our Lenten sacrifices, and our youth and our commitment to their Catholic education. We do these works because we believe in the Church’s mission and in Christ’s message of love to all humanity.

With that said and in continuing to carrying out these Works of Mercy and the Church’s mission, it is truly imperative that we are strong in numbers. Therefore, one of our biggest goals will be recruitment this Columbian Year. As such, you will be blessed with a shoulder tap and an invitation to help with our recruitment efforts in this endeavor. Additionally, we hope to resurrect our fallen Saints & Sinners Golf Tournament for Spring 2016.

So, my Worthy Brothers, I look forward to seeing you at our meetings, at our fundraising dinners, and of course, I look forward to seeing all of us roll up our sleeves and get the hard and rewarding work done in making it another successful Columbian Year.

Vivat Jesus!
Lewis Muñoz
Grand Knight, Council 953