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The Sikorian A Newsletter of the Knights of Columbus
Father Vincent S. Sikora
Council 7992
Burke, Virginia
Grand Knight’s Report
Brothers,
It is a great honor to be elected as your Grand Knight. I look forward to serving you to the best of my ability.
First, I want to thank now-PGK John Ostrowski for the great job he did this past year. It was a challenging year to say the least. But, with John’s remarkable leadership, it was a very successful year.
I also want to thank all the other PGKs and Brothers who have helped me get to this point. I deeply appreciate your friendship and counsel.
These are challenging times we are living in, with the COVID-19 Pandemic and ongoing social unrest. All aspects of our lives have been impacted. For the time being, we will have to continue to have virtual meetings and some of our events may have to rescheduled or modified. I hope to have as many events as we can while keeping everyone safe and healthy. When the time comes, that we can meet in person, we will probably need to investigate how we can have a hybrid meeting, were Brothers can attend in person or virtually. I do not intend to exclude a Brother from participating if he does not feel comfortable to attend in person.
My council goals for this year:
• For the council to keep in touch with each other, to ensure we are all safe, healthy, and if anyone needs assistance, we do what we can to help them.
• For the council to support our Pastor and our parish as we try to find our way back to what will be the “New Normal”.
• For the council to support our neighbors, if we are aware of someone or a group that needs assistance that we can provide.
• Incorporate Technology into the council, the best possible way through Virtual and Hybrid Meetings, Face Book, Twitter, Text, Email, …. So that as many members can participate!
Of course, I also have all the same goals as every other Grand Knight:
• Achieve Star Council
• Recruit new members especially younger adults
• Keeping our business meetings to one hour or less
• Promote the social aspect of our council
Continued on page 2
Check out our Web Site:
Inside this issue:
Announcements 2
Community 5
Family 8
Faith 9
Culture of Life 10
The Most Overlooked Aspect 12 of Retirement Planning
Pro-Life ACE Wings 13
Fundamental Lessons 14
Officers and Chairs 16
Calendar 17
July 2020 Volume 39 Issue 1
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Continued from page 1
The State Deputy Elect Brian Ripple conducted the State Organizational meeting on June 20th. This year’s theme is “HERE I AM.” There was a lot of information put out, I do not have access to the State web site yet, but once I do, I will share the information.
One word on Technology: Email is a great way to get information out. It is also often impersonal and can lead to misunderstandings. It is not my preferred method of communication. If you have something urgent that you want a response back the same day or next day, please send the email, but also give me a phone call. My cell phone number is 703-999-6729, if I do not answer, please leave a message and I will call you back. A text message is welcome too.
VJ! Br Barry B., GK Email: [email protected] Cell: 703-999-6729
Announcements
Name Tag Assistance If you have not received a name tag, please send an email to the Worthy Warden, Tom Siepmann, at
[email protected]. He will order one for you.
Show your pride and wear your council name tag
July Council Meetings
July’s council meeting will be on the first and third Tuesdays, the 7th and 21st. Please join us at 7:15pm to pray the Rosary; meeting begins at 7:30.
In order to continue our council business, we’ve created a virtual capability on GoTo Meeting. Follow the instructions below to participate. You can join via your computer’s audio/video, or simply dial in on your phone to enter the access code — no computer or app required to do it that way.
If you have trouble downloading the app, call our webmaster, Br Michael Bender, and he can help you.
GoToMeeting instructions:
- Name of Meeting room: 7992 Virtual Business Meeting
Please join from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/116966637
You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (312) 757-31121, Access Code: 116-966-637
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when the next meeting starts. https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/116966637
Upcoming Degree Opportunities
The following degree advancement opportunities are scheduled for the Knights of Columbus. The Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity degree opportunities are all online. Register using the links provided. There is no need to notify anyone; simply sign up and do it!
Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity: — TBD
4th Degree (Exemplification): — Saturday, 31 October, Virginia Beach
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Recruiting New Brothers Do you know of someone who wants to join our council? Forward him the link below, A Faster Way to Join - One of the most common objections to joining the Knights of Columbus is "I don't have time."
Through Online Membership, a joining process that could
take as long as two months now takes five minutes. Ensure he inputs our council number 7992. If you need a form 100 or have any questions, please contact GK Barry Basselgia or
DGK Adrian Santillan-Lecaside. Go to https://www.kofc.org and click “Join”
Recent Awards
June Knight of the Month: Br Vincent Augelli
June Family of the Month: the Gorham family
Knight of the Year: PGK Rich Miserendino
Knight of the Year Runner-Up: Br David Zivich
Family of the Year: the Then family
Young Man of the Year: Br Mark Delatte
Young Woman of the Year: Alexa Smith
ACE Wing recipients: PGK Mike Litzelman, PGK George Getek, Fr Bob, Fr Vaccaro, Br Rich Loffredo, Br Mark Delatte, Br Tom Siepmann
Special thank you to all the officers and program leads for their service!
Special thank you to Pastor and Council Chaplain Fr Bob for his leadership and support!
Happy Birthday, Brother Knights!
Please help us wishing “happy birthday” to our
brothers who are celebrating their birthdays in July:
Andrew Radke, Jeffrey Karrenbauer,
Frank Purchiaroni, Gabriel Santillan,
Joseph Corrigan, William Lorenz,
Paul Rowson, Colin Beach, Alan
Bohnwagner, Eric Colton, Thomas
Gladstone, Chris Barbuschak, Dr
Richard Hubbard, John Landy PGK,
James Del Polito, Alfonso Truglio,
Alan Terpolilli, Edwin Franco,
Murray Rupert, Barry Dysart PGK,
Dennis Jimenez-Moreno, Carlos Perez Jr. PGK,
Anthony Rozga PGK, Joseph Kennedy, Adrian Santillan
-Lecaside DGK, Dennis Scott, Christopher Thomes
WDD, Armando Tibabuzo, Patrick
Colton, Michael Gannaway, David
Zivich, Charles Jachim, Richard
Miserendino PGK, Samuel Morthland
PGK, John Peterson, Paul Piraino,
Richard Kelly, Peter Ahern, Paul Maiers,
Juan Aguirre, Christopher Bauer, Kevin
Crouch, and Joe De La Concepcion.
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Policy for Accepting Council Checks
Checks should be made checks payable to "Knights of Columbus Council 7992" or "Fr. Vincent S. SikoraCouncil #7992" for all events and member dues except Appalachia, KOVAR, and the Car Raffle. Appalachia checks should be made payable to the "Church of the Nativity" or "Nativity Catholic Church;"
on the check memo line include “Appalachia Home Build.” KOVAR checks can be made payable to "KOVAR" for member tax deduction purposes or "Knights of Columbus Council 7992" with no member tax deduction allowed. Car Raffle checks should be made payable to “ All Saints Catholic Church,” on the check memo line include "Car Raffle."
Honorary Life Membership — Gold A member who has attained the age of 70 years of age and who has been a member of the Order for 25 consecutive years or who has been a member of the Order for 50 consecutive years regardless of age, shall be designated as Honorary Life in his council. Priests
and religious brothers are permitted access to all KOC functions with only the Honorary Life membership card. Parish Priests and religious brothers are automatic Honorary Life Members and are treated as such. There are no member dues charged for Honorary Life members.
Honorary Membership — Silver A member who has attained the age of 65 years of age and who has been a member of the Order 25
consecutive years shall be designated an Honorary member in his council. Member dues are reduced to $10.00 per fraternal year.
We’re Social!
Our council has joined the world of social media. You can “like” and “follow” us on Facebook and Twitter.
• Our Facebook page is: https://facebook.com/KofC7992. Alternatively, brothers can open Facebook, search for "Knights of Columbus Father Sikora 7992," and find our page that way. Make sure to “like" and
“follow" us.
• Our Twitter handle is: @kofc7992. Log on to your Twitter account and type our handle into the search bar. Once you come to our page, make sure to follow us by clicking “follow.”
We will update both of those pages with useful event info, announcements, etc.
Need Volunteers: Council Degree Team
With the new Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity, we would like to solicit volunteers for our Degree team. If you enjoy public speaking, this would
be a good use of your talent and interest. Contact Br BJ Dysart at [email protected] if you are interested. If you are a current member of our First Degree team, please contact BJ if you would like to continue as a member of the new team.
Family Committee Chair Needed
We are in need of a Family Committee Chair for the coming Fraternal Year. If you would be willing to step up and serve in this worthwhile and gratifying position, you will make a big difference for our
Council. Contact Grand Knight-elect Barry Basselgia at [email protected] if you are interested. Committee chair positions are great ways to meaningfully contribute to the council’s success—rewarding without being overly burdensome.
5-Car Raffle Lead Needed We need of a Brother Knight to lead our 5-car Raffle planning and prep effort next year. If you can step up to serve in this capacity, contact Barry Basselgia at [email protected].
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Meal Support
Consider supporting Br Bob Doheny with meals. Charity is the first principle of our Order. We have
been fortunate to have a core group of volunteers, but they need your help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c44acac2ea7fe3-meals
Community
Council Corona Virus Assistance Effort
Thank you to the team of Brother Knights who made the phone calls to all our Council members to check on the wellbeing of our Brother Knights and families.
Thank you also to all the Brothers who volunteered to provide assistance to those in need during this period of global pandemic.
We have a robust group of volunteers, such that we’ll be able to offer sustainable assistance for the duration of the COVID-19 impacts without undue
burden to any one volunteer.
If you are a brother, or if you know of a brother, who can't get out to make essential grocery purchases or is otherwise in need of assistance because of being among the more vulnerable by reason of age or medical condition, or if you have any questions about this effort, please contact please Br. Rich Miserendino, Fraternal Committee Chair, at 703-440-0991 or [email protected].
KOVAR Update
KOVAR is a Knights of Columbus Virginia State Council
charity to provide grants and home
loans to organizations that improve the
quality of life for persons with intellec-
tual disabilities. It was established by
the State Council in 1971. Almost all of
the funding it receives is through fund-
raising by local Councils. We normally fundraise at all
the Masses one weekend in the Spring and at the
Safeway for a weekend. We also receive donations
from tip jars at Knights events, workplace giving, and
through a voluntary additional assessment with our
Council’s annual dues. However this year because of
COVID response the cancellation of events, we will
lose out on much of our fundraising. We
will not collect at Safeway this year and we
may not have a Mass weekend collection.
Our Mass weekend has been canceled,
though there is still some hope we will be
able to collect on some weekend during the
summer. Given this unprecedented
situation I ask that you consider a donation to KOVAR
if you did not make one with your dues. Please see
the KOVAR letter with instruction regarding on-line
donations. Please ensure Council 7992 gets credit.
Two Words: “Adopt-A-Highway Is Coming In July”
The next pick-up date is Saturday, 11 July, weather permitting. Volunteers will gather at 10am in the lower parking lot and have a brief organizational meeting where vests and bags will be distributed before departing to pick up trash along Old Keene Mill Road between Fairfax County Parkway and Lee Chapel Road. It is anticipated that the clean-up
activity will be completed before 11:30am if enough volunteers are available. If you are able to participate, use signupgenius or email Br George Getek at [email protected] where the first "AWARD-WINNING ELITE EIGHT" VOLUNTEERS will be given priority.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945aaab28a64-adoptahighway17
Note: While in Phase 3, social distancing will be maintained and wearing of masks will be encouraged.
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Fraternal Committee — Help Needed
The Fraternal Committee is seeking brothers to help with its outreach activities. Help includes making occasional phone calls to segments of our membership about upcoming presentations of interest; phoning homebound brothers to assess their needs and well-being and to keep them informed of council activities; and visiting
homebound and/or hospitalized brothers as an outward reflection of compassionate support for them and their families. Does not require a heavy time commitment. A good way for busy brothers to become involved. If interested or willing to help, please contact Fraternal Committee Chair, Br Rich Miserendino, PGK, at [email protected] or 703-440-0991.
Handy Knights Ministry
Fellow Knights — are you handy? Do you aspire to be handy? Do you have a few hours a month to volunteer to help parishioners who need a little bit of help in their homes? Sometimes it is just changing a lightbulb, sometimes it is helping to sort out a remote control for a TV, and mostly it is about spending time
with folks who are our parishioners who maybe are getting along in years and don’t get to have much company. I am looking to fill a roster with volunteers. If you are interested, please email me and tell me what your talents are and I will keep you on file when a job that fits your talents comes up. Brother Bob Colella [email protected]
Appalachia Home Building
Brothers, with the Covid challenges and distancing
rules in the impacted States, we have had to
reschedule our deployment from May-June to the last
two weeks in September. To comply with all of the
State and Federal rules, St Joseph’s Inn, where we
stay, will not allow any groups to use the facility prior
to 1 July and will require a significant amount of
precautionary procedures when using their facility. As
to the entire Crew, the change in dates have caused
us to re-shuffle some of the brothers who are unable
to go with the new dates. If you are interested in go-
ing on the new dates, we still may be able to accom-
modate you because of changing crew dynamics.
Please let me know soonest if you want to partici-
pate at 703-239-2890, [email protected]. (Br Bob
Corsi)
Knight’s Prison Ministry
Our Knight's Prison Ministry, a 501c3 Charity, is looking for a Book keeper or Accountant to work four hours per week. We are looking at the lowest bid to hire.
Our Prison Ministry hires recent paroles and uses their skills to paint and fix up houses. Our Ministry is a Godsend to our paroles, who now use the work that we give them, to become financially secure. This opportunity also gives them independence, and a future to believe in.
Request to send this to our monthly newsletter to
give our Knights an opportunity to participate in a great charity.
The Accountant or Bookeeper that we hire, only needs to work on the books. However, if they would like to meet the people that we help, that would be nice.
Mike Litzelman, PGK
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5-Car Raffle Check
Fr Bob presents WGK John Ostrowski a check for $20,000 from the parish’s share of Nativity’s 5-Car Raffle sales.
Giant Food — Food For Others We need a volunteer to pick up the Food For Others (FFO) duties for our Commerce Street distribution site. The current lead, Jerry Leonard, can show you the ropes and prepare you well. Please contact him at [email protected] or Barry Basselgia at [email protected].
We’ve had a long-standing relationship with FFO — at least 15 years and likely over 20. We distribute at 3 different neighborhood sites each week and we col-lect food donated by grocery stores.
COVID-19 has caused a large drop-off of food donations to FFO. FFO has indicated you can donate food to them via Amazon. Here is the link to their site which allows you to click to Amazon for their wish list. https://www.foodforothers.org/
The items purchased can be shipped directly to FFO at: 2938 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031.
NOTE: Given recent grocery-buying activity, it’s possible that you might go to the link and see some items listed as unavailable. If that happens, keep checking back periodically.
Shining Armor Award
The Shining Armor Award is for everyone who became a knight in the past year. You get a lot of stuff when you first join and it can be a bit over whelming. I just wanted to make you aware of a program designed for members of our council to engage in and maintain an active level of participation in council programs and activities. You have to complete 5 activities within a Fraternal year to qualify for this award, many of which you have probably already completed:
• Be involved in at least 3 council service programs
• Attend at least 3 council business meetings
• Receive their Formation and Knighthood degrees
• Meet with your council’s insurance representative
• Recruit at least one new member
Completing these are easier that you may think. If you’ve helped at any of our events, you’re already on your way to achieving the Shining Armor Award. Information on this program was included in you new membership packet, which included a qualification Card to help you track the above activities. If you’re interested in this program and need more information, please let me know. I’d love to be able to recognize you for becoming an active member in our council.
- GK Barry Basselgia, email [email protected]
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Family
Widow’s Program
Brothers, one of our challenges is that when a brother passes, we lose all communication, from a Council standpoint, with the widow and family members. After doing some research, there are councils that have a fairly robust widow program that continues what our founder, Father McGivney, was focused on when he established the Knights of Columbus. We’ve had some challenges in locating widows who are still in the Nativity Parish, but are now confident, with the help of the parish files, historical obituaries, and brother Thom Harrington, that we have an accurate starting point. A resolution to memorialize the program is in the works. We will
start off slowly with a Grand Knights letter to the widow asking if she would like to participate in the program. If so, our Widow’s Committee will keep in contact with the widow on at least a quarterly basis to ensure her well-being and see if she needs any assistance and to invite her to Council events at no charge. We hope to start the initial contact by mid to end of June. Our numbers are small. Of the approximately 45 married brothers who passed, we are looking at around 10-12 who are still in Nativity Parish. If you are interested in being part of the Committee, please give me a call at 703-239-2890, [email protected]. (Br Bob Corsi)
Resolution
Father Sikora Council’s Widows Support
Whereas, Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney saw the need to provide for the financial needs of families overwhelmed by illness or the death of the breadwinner (Life and Legacy of Father McGivney);
Whereas, Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, “To render financial aid to its members and the beneficiaries of members”;
Whereas, Father Sikora Council 7992 has throughout its history worked to exemplify charity, the first principle of the Order, and;
Whereas, Father Sikora Council 7992 has endured the loss of many Brother Knights to death and infirmity, with special concern for these brothers and their families particularly at their passing;
Resolved, That Father Sikora Council 7992 will have a standing committee charged with outreach to the widows of deceased members of the Council, and;
Resolved, that the committee shall strive to maintain contact with each widow on at least a quarterly basis, to include sponsoring their attendance at Council functions and rendering charitable assistance as needed.
This resolution is approved on this 2nd day of June, 2020.
Attested:
John Ostrowski Vince Augelli Grand Knight Recorder
Volunteers Needed
We are looking for 3-5 volunteers to serve on the
Widows Program Committee. Members will be
responsible for maintaining contact with 1-2 widows
on a quarterly basis, inviting widows to Council
activities, and most importantly bringing any special
needs to the Council. Please contact Br Bob Corsi at:
703-239-2890, [email protected].
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Prison Ministry Fr Vaccaro is asking brother knights help in writing letters to those incarcerated. He has a list of names
whose lives might be impacted for the better with your correspondence. Please contact him if interested.
NATIVITY CATHOLIC CHURCH
MISSION STATEMENT “WE, THE PEOPLE OF NATIVITY CATHOLIC CHURCH, BY OUR
BAPTISM, ARE JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST. WE STRIVE TO LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS, AND FORM NEW DISCIPLES. WE
CELEBRATE JESUS CHRIST IN WORD, SACRAMENT AND SERVICE.”
Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic
The novena has completed, but the payer remains as relevant as ever. This is a great prayer to say together as a family, perhaps around the dinner table. You can access the Novena prayer and Bishop Lori’s video message here:
http://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/novena-prayer-for-protection.html
At important moments in the past, the Knights of Columbus has urged its members to pray. We did this at the outset of World War II, after 9/11, and during papal conclaves and civic elections. Today, the world faces a pandemic illness for the first time in a century. Having lost our founder, the Venerable Servant of
God Father Michael McGivney, to a viral pandemic 130 years ago, we know such situations can be very serious.
We also know that prayer is an important expression of our trust in God and our relationship with him.
As Archbishop William E. Lori noted in his video message for this novena: Our response to the pandemic draws on our respect as Catholics for both faith and reason. Reason dictates that we should take the health precautions recommended by medical professionals and by science.
“At the same time,” the archbishop tells us, “our faith makes clear that God is our all-powerful creator and that God is more powerful than any natural force, illness or economic setback.”
Faith
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Culture of Life
At our 2 June council meeting, the Life Programs Chair felt imperative to inform members of the Catholic Church’s stance on discrimination, since this meeting occurred so close to the protests surrounding the tragedy of the loss of a life in police custody. A brief synopsis of those comments are provided below for your reflection.
USCCB, Statement of US Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests, 29 May
Racism … is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.
As we said eighteen months ago in our most recent pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts, for people of color some interactions with police can be fraught with fear and even danger. People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. “As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.”
Pope Francis, 31 May Pentecost Mass, St. Peter’s Basilica
According to the pontiff, “so much more” unites people than beliefs or morality. “Our principle of unity is the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that first of all we are God’s beloved children; all equal, in this respect, and all different,” he said.
“Let us begin anew from here; let us look at the Church with the eyes of the Spirit and not as the world does. The world sees us only as on the right or left, with one ideology or the other; the Spirit sees us as sons and daughters of the Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus. The world sees conservatives and progressives; the Spirit sees children of God. A worldly gaze sees structures to be made more efficient; a spiritual gaze sees brothers and sisters
pleading for mercy,” Francis said.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis
“Particularly at this time when human fragility has been brought into focus by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are called to respect the worth and dignity of each individual, whether they be civilians in need of protection or law enforcement officers charged with providing that protection. All human life is sacred,” he continued.
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2020 Presidential Election
In other news, as you may be aware, there is looming before us a presidential election this November. In the Culture of Life corner we bring to you two issues for consideration, that clearly divide these two candidates. Unfortunately, neither candidate is uniformly pro-life in all phases, facets, and embodiments of life. Instead, we must pick and choose. Two recent issues highlight this divide:
Presumed Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joseph Biden, was in June fully endorsed by Planned Parenthood. You may recall that in the past, Senator Biden voted in favor of the Hyde Amendment. However, this view has turned and Mr. Biden is now running on a clear plank in favor of abortion. Planned Parenthood has labeled this election as a “life and death election” – indeed, this is certainly true. Another of Biden’s policy planks he’s running on promises to repeal the restrictions placed on Title X funds by the current administration that were previously earmarked for abortion providers like
Planned Parenthood.
The presumed Republican nominee, President Donald Trump, oversees an administration that just recently won an appeal for a plan to resume federal death sentences under a new lethal injection protocol. Current administration officials have officially reversed a 16-year hiatus of capital punishment. Federal executions were halted since 2003 due in part to shortages of lethal injection drugs (a 3-drug combination). The newly approved protocol makes use of a single drug, pentobarbital sodium. The administration wishes to push this single drug protocol across all states for all federal executions and the first such executions are scheduled for July. Attorney General Barr has ordered the executions of Danny Lee, Wesley Ira Purkey, Dustin Lee Honken, and Keith Dwayne Nelson to be scheduled for mid-July.
Rumors of New and Troubling Virginia Legislation
These is talk of a push in Virginia for a state constitutional amendment identifying abortion as a constitutional right. States such as Alabama, Kansas, and West Virginia have pursued amendments to their state constitutions explicitly stating that the there is NO constitutional right to abortion or to public funds allowed for the procedure. After the Democrat-controlled legislative session of 2019 passed various devastating “rollback” bills including the lifting of any and all restrictions on abortion access, there are discussions now of a push for amendment of the
Virginia constitution to include a right to abortion. This same amendment has been successfully made and passed in other states such as New York, Maine, and Nevada.
What can you do?? There is currently a petition to sign on-line against such an amendment (link provid-ed on our facebook site). Pro-Life bumper stickers on this issue are available from the Virginia Society for Human Life website.
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The Most Overlooked Aspect of Retirement Planning
Here’s some words of wisdom on the topic of life insurance in retirement from General Agent Robert Marlowe, A Knight since 1983, and General Agent in the greater Baltimore area for nearly four decades. His insights show why we need to consider life insurance in our retirement planning.
“Working with Brother Knights and their wives over the past 35 years has led me to observe that it’s a natural inclination to overlook what is perhaps one of the most important aspects of retirement planning — having the sufficient amount of life insurance coverage.
“Consider the elements of retirement planning that most people fully consider:
• What their income streams will be in retirement; their pension and social security amounts?
• What will their monthly expenses be?
• What their 401k or investments will yield to supplement expenses?
• Will they have sufficient health insurance coverage?
“All of these areas are vital, certainly. They are the basic architecture of a good retirement plan. However, we must consider some effects death will have on our spouse. Here are some crucial facts to consider:
• The surviving spouse will receive the greater of the two social security amounts — which is about a 30 percent loss of income.
• The surviving spouse will typically receive only 50 percent of their spouse’s pension (if they have one).
• Most group life insurance either reduces greatly or entirely upon retirement.
•
and an early death could leave a surviving spouse 20-30 years
to live with these reduced incomes.
• Term insurance will eventually become cost prohibitive or terminate in coverage as the spouse ages.
• Health care costs and taxes will go up — the longer the surviving spouse is alive, these costs can impinge on budgets.
“So, what is the answer? A simple analysis by your Knights of Columbus field agent will help you address retirement financial planning: a permanent life insurance policy that will never go up in cost and has a built-in guaranteed cash value. I like to call this the last “love letter” you will write to your spouse.
“By purchasing a life insurance policy from Knights of Columbus, you make a choice to make a difference — not only for your family, but for the many charitable and humanitarian causes our organization supports.”
I’d be happy to meet with you to explain the ad-vantages of Knights of Columbus life insurance — and how it can complete your retirement plan.
See and share more on this and other topics by “Liking” my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/Thomas-Harrington-Knights-of-Columbus-Insurance-1185581764801211/
Thom Harrington, FSCP, FICF Field Agent, The Abbate Agency 703-810-3200
www.virginiakofc.com
www.ThomHarrington.com
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Pro-Life ACE Wings — Earn Yours! Many of you have earned your ACE Wings. If this applies to you, complete the application and return to the WGK so he can arrange to ensure you are recognized.
Some days it seems like the country has gone crazy, particularly when it comes to Life issues and our faith. Virginia is a fair sized part of our country. Virginia also has a large Catholic population and likewise we have a large group of Knights, now more than 28,600 men.
As most of you may also know by now, our State Deputy Bob Szerszynski is a strong pro-life advocate and his sense is that we collectively want and need to do something this year to end this craziness - starting right here within our own local communities.
The ACE Wings program was initiated to recognize Pro Life warriors in our midst and hopefully encourage others to become equally energized to do good. Ace stands for Pro-Life with-out Apology, without Compromise, and without Exception. The “Precious Feet” on the ACE Wings pin are the size and shape of an unborn baby’s feet at 10 weeks after conception.
The ACE Wings program is not an end of year award but rather provides recognition when a sufficient amount of actions have been taken by an individual.
Take our faith and love to the point of action publicly - pray at Abortion Centers, provide assistance at pregnancy resource centers and homes for the aged, participate and or help with marches for life and life chains. The Virginia State Knights of Columbus has three Regional Life Representatives that can provide many more ideas for activities within your area of the state. Ideas for projects that are the right fit for your parish and faith community are only limited by your Councils imagination.
The requirements to earn your ACE Wings are below. More importantly our hopes are that your individual focused actions will result in large scale positive results for Virginia for years to come. Thousands of Wings recipients making a positive difference.
Pro-Life ACE Wings The “Precious Feet” on the ACE Wings are the size and shape of an unborn baby’s feet at 10 weeks after conception.
Requirements for Receiving the Virginia State Council Pro-Life ACE Wings
A minimum of 5 Public Pro-Life events are required to qualify for the Virginia State Council Pro-Life ACE Wings. Our Holy Father has called us to be Pro-Life, from conception to natural death, therefore we must remember to include those who are forgotten and left to die.
Since it is legal to kill a baby in the womb we must keep this in the forefront, this is why in order to obtain the ACE Wings one must complete 4 items that deal with our most vulnerable, the unborn. The following items are common events, you may enter events other than these, however they will be reviewed to
ensure they meet requirements.
Pro-Life Mass Volunteer at Preg. Resource Center* Participate in the Silver Rose Rosaries Outside Abortion Clinics.
(* Indicates the event can be repeated) (**This event will qualify for 2 events) (***This event will qualify for 3 events)
Private Pro-Life events (such as saying the Rosary privately or at a Council meeting, or offering up a private intention at Mass), while always encouraged, do not count as ACE Wings items.
The 5th item can be either a Pro Life item as described above, or it can be an item such as:
· Special Olympics Volunteer
· Prayers during Inmate Executions
· Providing entertainment, working/volunteering at a hospice, nursing home, or Veterans Hospital
· Being part of any of the American Wheelchair Mission events.
Please Note:
1. A member may request a set of wings for his spouse/child(ren) (Children must be age 12 or older to receive the ACE Wings), the member will be required to pay $7 (includes shipping) for each set of wings. Payment for these wings must be received in advance. The member will not have to pay for his original set of wings.
2. A Council may present the ACE Wings once a year to a non-Knight in their local community that has demonstrated a strong Pro Life stance. The Council will be billed for the wings. The Council will submit an ACE Wings recipient form to the Pro Life Chairman for tracking purposes.
3. Councils may elect their Parish Priest(s) and Deacon(s) to receive the ACE Wings. For a Priest or Deacon the Councils does not need to list 5 events/items that they have done.
4. The ACE Wings will be presented to the recipient by the District Deputy, Grand Knight or by mail.
The Sikorian
Volume 39 Issue 1 Charity Unity Fraternity Patriotism Page 14
From the Arlington Catholic Herald
The Sikorian
Volume 39 Issue 1 Charity Unity Fraternity Patriotism Page 15
From the Arlington Catholic Herald
The Sikorian
Volume 39 Issue 1 Charity Unity Fraternity Patriotism Page 16
Knights of Columbus Council Officers 2019—2020
Officer Positions Name
Grand Knight Barry Basselgia
Financial Secretary Paul Gorham
Deputy Grand Knight Adrian Santillan-Lecaside
Chaplain Father Bob Cilinski
Chancellor David Zivich
Lecturer Mark Sawyer
Recorder Vincent Augelli
Treasurer Tom Goodwin
Advocate Chris Odell
Warden Tom Siepmann
Inside Guard Victor Alderete
Outside Guards Barry Rueter
Mike Adames
One Year Trustee Carlos Perez Jr
Two Year Trustee John Landy
Three Year Trustee John Ostrowski
Insurance Representative Thom Harrington
Committee Chairs and Special Projects 2019—2020
Project Name
Program Director Dave Zivich
Faith Director Bob Collella
Community Director Russ Smith
Family Director TBD — could be YOU!
Membership Director Adrian Santillan-Lecaside
Life Program Director Tom Siepmann
Recruitment Committee Adrian Santillan-Lecaside
Recruitment Committee Russ Smith
Recruitment Committee Dave Zivich
Retention Committee PKG John Ostrowski
Retention Committee PGK Carlos Perez
Retention Committee PGK John Landy
Insurance Promotion Paul Gorham
Vocations Chairman Dave Zivich
Health Services Maiquel Sampaio de Melo
Fraternal Chairman Rich Miserendino
KOVAR Mark Sawyer
Newsletter Jeremy Smith
Website Webmaster Michael Bender
Facebook Administrator Tom Siepmann
August Newsletter Submissions Please submit announcements, articles, and pictures to Jeremy Smith at [email protected]. Submissions for the next newsletter are due by Wednesday, 29 July. Thank you!
If you would like to contact us, please send a note to [email protected].
The Sikorian
Volume 39 Issue 1 Charity Unity Fraternity Patriotism Page 17
Mark Your Calendars July
August
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 Independence
Day
5 6
7 Council Meeting
Virtual
8
9 10 11 Adopt-A- Highway
12
13
14 15 16 17 18
19 Officer
Installation Virtual
20 21 Council Meeting
Virtual
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 29 Newsletter Submissions Due
30 31
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 3
4 Council Meeting
5 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 14 15
16
17 18 Council Meeting
19
20 21
22 Blood Drive TBD
23 24 25 26 Newsletter
Submissions Due
27 28 29
30
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