Minutes of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Chapter, Knights of Columbus

April  20,  2005 - Council 10181

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Mike Nishimuta at 7:30 pm

Opening Prayer: Led by Mike Nishimuta.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Master Ken Boone

Warden’s Report:  Given by David Saenz and being trained by Warden John Godoy.

Recognition of Guests and VIPs.   Rick Jones,  a brother Knight with Council 786 and a volunteer with the Santa Maria Foundation spoke about the goals of the Santa Maria Foundation. The goals are to help the Santa Maria Mission by recruiting volunteers and finding additional  sources of funding so that it can continue to serve the needy of Mexico. All gifts are subject to tax deduction. The mission of the foundation are to help children obtain an education in a healthy, enriching environment, and the elderly have a dignified end of life. The mission is located 120 miles Northwest of Mexico City in the state of Querétaro in the town of Colón. Missions are either for one week or for one year.   He recognized Council 786 which has donated $12,000 to the mission, two individual knights were recognized for their personal donations of $800. The website is http://www.santamariafoundation.org

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

DD Carl Bernal, Host Grand Knight Blas Rodriguez and DGK Christopher Rodriguez were recognized and members of the host council of St. Joan of Arc were thanked . All former state committee men were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes of the March meeting were approved as posted on the website.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan.  Bishop Flanagan continues to recuperate at Home. He has graduated from the walker to the cane.  He thanks the Knights for their constant prayers, visits, cards, flowers, and thoughts. He will be needing assistance with transportation after he leaves the hospital. If you are interested in helping, please give your name, phone number, and availability to Rudy Escamilla.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

Hospitality Suite at the Houston convention will be led by Council 7770 of St. James, San Antonio.  A flyer was mailed out last week to all Grand Knights, soliciting funds.

A group of Knights would like to lead a fundraiser for Bishop Tom Flanagan, to purchase a new vehicle for him. The officers recommended it be a chapter-sponsored event. It was voted on and approved as a Chapter event, and Jay Vela will speak later on the subject on May 27. The chapter moved to make this a chapter event. 

The other event that we have requested to host is a celebration of Jubilee Anniversaries with the Archbishop on the same night as Bishop Flanagan's fundraiser. This event is for the Archbishop to invite those from parishes from the around the diocese who are celebrating a Jubilee (25th and up). We are being asked to cover part of the expense of the dinner and drinks.

On the status of the golf tournament we are slightly behind schedule but both The President and Bishop Tom believe that everything will come together  to build the house for this year.

Congratulations to Free Throw winners at the State Competition in Austin:

• 13 year old boys champion Jonathan Perry (25) Council 6409 - Kerrville

• 10 year old boys runner up William Wellman (22) Council 7613 - St Mark

• 11 year old girls runner up Amanda Gonzales (20) Council 3412 - St James, Sequin

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $3,749.60  on Feb 28, 2005

 A motion to approve the Treasurer's report was made and seconded.  The chapter voted to approve the treasurer’s report.

General Agent:    Absent

Correspondence -  Thank You from Sister Eugenias Gallagher from the Sisters of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament and Auction Party.  Two weeks to go.  The silent auction is running behind on donated items for the auction. Each council is requested to donate anything which may be of interest for the auction. Letters for the donation to be used in requesting items from businesses are available. Wayne reported on the needs for volunteers for the day of the golf tournament.  Lunch will be provided.  All volunteers are to report between 9:30 and 10 a.m.

2. Habitat for Humanity - Sam Szalwinski.   The cost of the house has gone up from $48,000 to $50,000 and the date to start the house has been given to the chapter.

3. Coordinator of Religious. Rudy Escamilla.

Assumption Seminary Gala - May 11 at the River Center Marriot. Bishop Tom Flanagan will be the honoree.

Dinner Dance for Bishop Tom - Jay Vela. He started with a reading form the Book of Sirach this wonderful reading reflected our friendship and the action to provide for our brother.  The goal for the dinner dance is to provide a vehicle for Bishop Flanagan. A deal is being worked out with North Park Lincoln since they have been so loyal in supporting so many Catholic events. The event will BYOB the event starts at 6 p.m. with the cost at $20 per person. There will also be a raffle for various items in order to raised the additional funds needed for the vehicle. They are also looking for sponsorships of $500 and $1,000. The event will occur on Friday, May 27 at 4140. See details here.

Sr Charlene Wedelich has requested the Knights support the Jubilee dinner for the Religious at Assumption Seminary on May 27.

4. Couple's Retreat.  Charlie Carvajal reported to Mike that it was very successful and it was a wonderful time for 25 couples.  The retreat was in the black, financially.

5. Trustees. Audit of finances is still pending and changes to bylaws are pending for recommended changes. The trustees will be in charge of the nominating Committee for the election in June and the installation in July.

Old Business.  None.

New Business.  It was requested that information on the fundraiser for Bishop Tom and the information on the Santa Maria foundation be added to the web site.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  

Jim mention that this is a grand time to be a Catholic and a Knight. We are currently leading the State in Charities. We are working very hard to reach our goals. Since the first week of the new year we have bought in over 550 new knights and we are growing.

Jim recognized the council from Pearsall which came in with their softball team to join eight other councils to play in the softball tournament. Brother Galaviz will provide a CD with pictures of the tournament.

Jim stressed that we should all have fun with our family to be active and have fun while we are doing our involvement.

The Tootsie Roll Drive was April 9th.  Twenty six councils participated

Fourth Degree.  Master Ken Boone. The 30th of April in Boerne starting at noon and should be over at 4:30 pm with Mass at 5:30 and the dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. The Cost will be $85 and the banquet will $30.  Ron Gay will be the guest speaker. Ken is still missing several forms 1728. There are 144 candidates for the Exemplification from as far awsay as Del Rio, Uvalde, and Shiner.  

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.   Ken reminded everyone to arrive early enough to be at the State Convention for the awards event that starts at 4 p.m.  There is a projection of 180 Star Councils of which 30 are projected to be from San Antonio.

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.  Absent.

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.   No report.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   Absent.

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Ken Boone. No report.

On May 7 there will be a gala at Frank Mata Memorial Stadium.

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood. Absent.

Round Table:  Bob Stegge from Council 4298 on Friday evening May 6 the cost will be $15 for dinner and a bag of playing chips for scholarships for those who need financial assistance.

Guest Speakers:

Arthur Cisneros of Council 8436 Major degree at St. Ann's.

Doyle Bielstein from Council 7016 has 300 tickets for dinner and drink and dancing on July 2 the cost is $50 for a chance for $5,000 at Blessed Sacrament.

Walter Murray GK of Council 7770 spoke about the hospitality room. He requested any items of donation for the hospitality room.

The Next meeting will be May 18, Council 4315, Our Lady of Fatima.

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer was led by  Seminarian James Flynn.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary