Guest Speakers: Guadalupe Home members Treedy Chapa and Ellie Ramsey thanked and invited the Knights to their Wine Tasting Open House on May 8th. It will be at the Women’s Club of San Antonio located at 1717 San Pedro Avenue from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm. Tickets for the Wine Tasting are $25, and can be obtained by calling 210-476-0707.

The State Advocate reported that there is some confusion about the new IRS requirements for the councils, those who never earn more that $25,000. Go the IRS.GOV and answer eight questions. If a council does not file a report for three years the IRS will ask for tax payments starting in 2010. State Advocate Pfister requested the support of all the councils in his upcoming race for KC State Treasurer and he asked for input from his brother knights on their recommendations to improve the position.

Texas State Family Council and Communities Chairman Doug Oldmixon also was present and spoke about his running for the office of State Advocate. Brother Doug Oldmixon spoke about his feeling on hearing the Holy Father on radio on his drive down to San Antonio and he repeated what the Holy Father said and his feeling on these comments and summarize what that the life of the church depended on the quality of the individual member maintaining their relationship with Jesus Christ. He also added to what the Chapter President remarks on supporting the Seminarians that we as Knights need to befriend each of the seminarians and he challenged us to befriend them.

Council 13522 GK Deacon Gamez spoke about the Seminarian’s needs and their appreciation from the councils for their support to the Seminarians which are greatly needed and he stated that “it takes a diocese to form a Priest.”

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison.

Warden’s Report:  Given by Brother Roy Ball - reported that 67 members were in attendance.

Opening Prayer:  Led by Chapter Chaplin Bishop Thomas Flanagan

Recognition of Guest and VIP:

Chapter President welcomed Bishop Flanagan, State Advocate John Pfister, Texas State Family Council and Communities Chairman Douglas Oldmixon, all Reverend Fathers, all Seminarians, Deacons and guests, Past State Deputies and State and Chapter Officers.

Host GK Deacon Steven Gamez and DD 28 George Terrell were introduced and thanked for hosting the April meeting.

First Time Attendees were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes of the March meeting was approved with certain changes.

Chapter Chaplain Report: Bishop Flanagan reported that he was present at the Central Catholic post-graduation mass. He was very pleased with the seniors who were there when they received their award for helping in building the Habitat home. He stated that it is important to people to show them that they are they are appreciated. He thanked everyone for their prayers for vocations and seminarians. He spoke about how honored he was in receiving his award with the lifetime of faith and service award at the Catholic Charities Annual Gala.

President’s Report:  The president’s report dealt with the awesome Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament and he thanked the work of all the volunteers and especially the support of Bishop Flanagan for his consistent and enduring support of the Knight of Columbus. He also thanked Rusty League for chairing the event Gala and for Cathy and Doug Harrison for doing the auction part of the Gala. He also thanked all of the volunteers and donors for tonight’s dinner at Assumption.

Radio Guadalupe Network, Catholic Radiothon coming up May 14, 15, 16 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., need volunteers for their Pescadores de Hombres Fundraiser. An introduction luncheon  is scheduled for May 1 from 11:30-1 pm at the The Club at La Cantera, 901 Sonterra Boulevard the donation is $75 per person. Your help and support is requested.

St. Rafael Guizar y Valencia had said that a bishop can do without many things but the one thing that a bishop can not do without is his seminary because that is the heart of the church. We must support our seminarians.

President Escamilla mention that there will be a story in the May 1st edition of Columbia Magazine about one of the returning veterans.  The Chapter raised funds for Jason Gamez, and a check was presented at Brooke Army Hospital.

Treasurer’s report: Chuck Green presented the following report. There is a beginning balance of $5,755.59 with deposits ending in a balance of $5,554.59 The couples retreat netted $222.

General Agent:  Richard Lee Wah was representing the General Agent Michael Henriquez, FIC. Brother Wah mentioned how impressed he has been with San Antonio and the level of adoration that the Knights have for each and for the Lord.

Correspondence: Vice President Diego Peña reported a thank you card from the Brigandine and Presentation Sisters. Also a thank you letter from the President of the Austin Area Chapter of the Knights of Columbus for President Escamilla attending their Religious Appreciation.

Chapter Committees:

1. Coordinator of Religious Affairs: Pro-Life- Wayne Pipes presented Richard Gonzalez with ACE WINGS, the Knights Pro-Life Award. Brother Pipes reported that Guadalupe Home is having a Wine Tasting Sampling for $25 per person.

2.  Golf Report- Rusty League reported that it was great and thanked everyone.

2.  Habitat for Humanity- No report.

4.  Retreats- Men’s and Couples Retreat-No report.

5.  Trustees. No report

6.  Religious Appreciation Dinner- Roy Ball and Ray Neumann. No report.

7.  Veterans Administration, Guadalupe Province Representative for the VA Volunteer Services- Henry Gonzalez and Wayne Pipes are requesting help for the Memorial Day activities at the VA hospital on May 26.

Knights are needed to help bring Veterans down from the their room to the outside activities. We are requesting each Council consider making a donation of $50 - please bring them to the next meeting, or send checks to Wayne Pipes at 9207 Johnny Reb, San Antonio, TX.  Henry and Wayne have tickets for a raffle for the car show.

8.  Tootsie Roll Drive- It was reported that 25 councils took part in the drive.

9.  Seminarian Report- Angel Perez stated that we submitted a report that there is a need for support for three more Seminarians for the San Antonio Diocese. Also, please invite the seminarians to all your council activities; also provide them with a gift card on their birthday. There is also a need for Host families to provide a monthly night out to the seminarians.

10.  Fourth Degree – Mike Morrison, Master, Texas Region. Absent.

Old Business: DD Rick Moken and Chris Rodriguez are requesting every Council to provide either a bottle, case of beer or money to support the Hospitality room at the State Convention.

At the last meeting a motion was made by Trustee Doug Harrison the motion reads “to authorize the reimbursement of $300 to Chapter President Rudy Escamilla for costs incurred in attending the Catholic Charities Annual Gala Honoring the Chapter Chaplin Bishop Flanagan with life time of faith and service award. The $300 will cover of tickets for Rudy and Guest ($150 each ticket). 

The motion was seconded and motion carried.

New Business –

Congratulations to Seminarians Steven Gamez, Alex Perieda , and Jerry Duet who will be ordained in the comings months as Priests.

Diocesan Deputy Report:  Jim Wade was not present. 

Fourth Degree: Mike Morrison. Absent

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Assistant to State Deputy: Jerome Janecka.

Star Council State Committeeman: Mike Urrutia.

Fr. McGivney Guild State Chairman: Mike Urrutia.

All Council Active Chairman: Ken Boone

Youth Sports State Chairman: Carl Bernal reported thanks from the State Deputy for San Antonio hosting the basketball tournament.

Church Liturgy State Chairman: Joe Lopez.

Membership Retention Chairman: Chuck Green and Don Smallwood. 

Guest Speakers:

DD George Terrell awarded the Council the State Charities award to GK and Deacon Steven Gamez. Also Brother Wayne Pipes also presented to Father Christian the wings of Life. Also the Chapter donated $250 to the Council

The Next Meeting will be on May 21^st at Council 4315, Our Lady of Fatima. 

The sick and in distress were mentioned and prayed for.

Closing Prayer was led by Chapter President Escamilla and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary.