Events, Membership

Autumn Social Mixer

On Thursday October 18, 2012 at 6:30 pm Council 953 will be holding an Autumn Social Mixer. This is being put on by our membership director as a recruiting aid. Please bring any Catholic Gentlemen you know who would be a good candidate to join our order, along with wives or girl friends. Appetizers, drinks, adult beverages, and music provided. A shirt with a collar is required.

An event flyer is available.

For more information contact Lewis Munoz membership (at) kofc953 (dot) org or leave a message at 916-736-0953

Church, Community

Public Square Rosary Crusade will take place on Oct. 13 at noon across U.S.

On Saturday, Oct. 13 at noon, the Public Square Rosary Crusade will be held in 8,000 public squares across the nation, where Catholics will be praying for our nation. This annual event is sponsored by “America Needs Fatima.”

The goal of the crusade is to counter the destructive secular agenda, asking God to guide every aspect of our society. As human efforts have failed to solve America’s key problems, we ask God’s immediate help for our nation’s leadership. He will hear our prayers, especially if we pray the rosary of his Blessed Mother. Without prayer, and specifically the rosary, we will not find solutions to our nation’s many problems. The location is the corner of Sacramento State University, in front of their sign, at the corner of “J”.

Parking will be in the Knights of Columbus Parking Lot (if we have permission–Need Dominic or Frank Phillips to get permission!) at 11:30 am. We will then proceed to the location on foot. We have to be “on time” for the 12:00 noon “start” time…

Community, Council

Tootsie Roll Drive

On Saturday and Sunday, October 13th and 14th, we will be holding our annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” at St. Mary’s Church following all the masses. On Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21st, we will be holding our annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” at Sacred Heart

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the event, this is a fundraiser, the proceeds of which go to local charities which provide support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Briefly, following each mass, members of the council are stationed outside the doors of the church with a supply of Tootsie Rolls. The Tootsie Rolls are handed out to any member of the congregation who would like one and voluntary donations are collected from those who wish to give. This event has been held at St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Churches for many years and is well known to and enjoyed by the parishioners.

I am asking for volunteers to participate at one or more of the five masses at St. Mary’s. We ask that, if possible, you leave the church immediately or shortly after receiving communion to allow time to proceed to your assigned door and pick up your apron, donation can and a supply of Tootsie Rolls. Your time spent participating in this event should be no longer than 10-15 minutes after each mass.

Please email or telephone me at (916) 456-4345 if you can help out at this event.
George Mills

Insurance

Membership Growth is Everyone’s Goal

The membership blitz is a tried and true way for councils to increase their numbers. We see these pushes often in March, in celebration of Founder’s Day, and again in October. These drives are successful because brother Knights are more visible than normal, during and after Masses and at special events. We remember to ask each and every Catholic gentleman to join our ranks for the good of the Church, community and Order.

At the beginning of the fraternal year, we set our eyes on the goal of achieving the Star Council Award. This means running many successful and varied programs throughout the year and using this activity to spread the word about the Order. This will bring in new members.

Don’t forget the strength of our life insurance, long-term care and annuities products is also a selling point of membership. For more than 128 years, our insurance has been “your shield for life.” Our ratings are among the best in the business. For the 18th consecutive year, the Knights of Columbus insurance program has earned Standard & Poor’s highest rating, and for the 37th consecutive year, A.M. Best Company has given us its highest financial strength rating.

I can help not only in explaining to prospects our outstanding insurance products, but also on the many other benefits of becoming a knight. I am happy to be an advocate for the Order and for our council. Even better, I can help you feel more comfortable in making the membership “sale” to prospects yourself.

As your professional Knights of Columbus insurance agent, I look forward to helping us grow in fraternity.

To contact me with regards to any of your insurance needs, please call my office at (916) 482-9044 or e-mail
me at stephen.cooper@kofc.org
By Knights … For Knights ….
Stephen Cooper
CA Lics #0H90754

Council, Pro-Life

Culture of Life Report for October 2012

Since our last pro-life report, SB 623 was unfortunately passed by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Brown. As you’ll recall, SB 623 will continue a pilot program sponsored by Planned Parenthood allowing non-physicians, including midwives, to perform first trimester abortions. Some 8,000 pre-born babies have already been killed under this program, a program which now will claim the lives of even more innocents.

On September 20, KXTV News 10 reported on Holy Family Catholic Church in Citrus Heights. The news story concerned a large sign on the front lawn that reads: “Don’t support abortion with your vote. Vote pro-life!” Despite allegations to the contrary, the report found that the sign does not violate Holy Family’s tax-exempt status because it does not endorse a candidate, but rather expresses a viewpoint on an issue. The full story may be found here:

www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=210291

Beginning on September 26, the 40 Days for Life campaign is now well underway. We have been blessed already with the conversion of one mother, who told 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers on the sidewalk outside of the abortion business at 1750 Wright Street that she had changed her mind and decided to keep her baby because of them. The abortion business is now closed on Saturdays, which had formerly been one of the killing days. Wynette Sills of 40 Days for Life has asked for prayer volunteers to cover every hour at 1750 Wright Street, from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday. Volunteers are asked to refrain from bringing their own signs and to please use the signs provided by 40 Days for Life instead. They are also asked to read and sign the Statement of Peace. Bishop Soto has been extremely supportive of 40 Days for Life. For more details, including how to sign-up, please see:

www.40daysforlife.com/sacramento/

In even more recent news, the California Catholic Conference has issued a statement in support of Proposition 34, the initiative that will end the use of the death penalty in California and replace it with life imprisonment without parole. The statement comes immediately before the observance of October as Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church throughout the United States. By coinciding with the first time that a major political party has removed from its official platform any reference to the Author of life, this year’s forty-first annual Respect Life Month is uniquely poignant.

Fraternally in Christ,

Bill James
Culture of Life Director
K of C 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

St. John Vianney, Pray for Us.