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

January  19,  2005 - Council 4140

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

Opening Prayer: Led by Bishop Thomas Flanagan

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Jerry Janecka

Warden’s Report:  Given

Recognition of Guests and VIPs.   

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

Host Grand Knight Darren Ohllemacher  and DGK Rafael Galaviz were recognized and members of the host council were thanked. All former state committee men were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes were approved.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan. The bishop welcome all wishing a new year and a new day. He reminded all of us to pray for the sick and those needing help. He mentioned that he has personally invited the new Archbishop to the Religious Appreciation Dinner. There will be a vespers on Monday night for the the new Archbishop at 8 am at St Mark's and the Installation at San Fernando Cathedral the next day. On January 9 Bishop Tom spoke to over 300 Knight of Columbus insurance agent and he mentioned the story of the young boy who at the funeral of his grandfather pledge that someday he would be a knight. Later a man with much  emotion came up to Bishop Flanagan and told him that he was 12 years old when his grandfather passed away. Bishop Flanagan reminded everyone that what we do may not seem important to us but to others it may be a very big thing and influence  their life in ways we may never imagine. He called for us never to say no to the various ways that we can help.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

Remember brother of Lonnie Roberts, Roland Ray Roberts, who was killed on January 12.

A newsletter was printed and handed out to each Grand Knight, Deputy GK, and DD. For those not here the letter will mailed out tomorrow.

The Knights have been requested to provide transportation for all Bishops and Cardinals coming in for the installation and they will be staying at the Gunther hotel. Tthey will have a dinner at 5 pm at the new Parish Social Center. There is a sign out list for those two days for brother who can volunteer to provide transportation.  Detail will be provided later as it comes out.  There has been no other involvement requested of the Knights.

A Google Group mailing list has been set up. Anyone who wants be a part of the group will need to become a member of Google so you can see old messages and post messages. Contact mike@nishimuta.net if you want to be a member.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $ 1,318.72

 The chapter voted to approve the treasurer’s report.

General Agent:   Not Present.

Correspondence -  Brother Henry Gonzales reported on correspondence received from Christus Health on their  educational outreach.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament -  The Golf Tournament will be Monday, May 2, 2005. This year it will follow an Auction Party to be held the night before at Pat O'Brien's starting at 5 pm. The tournament will be held at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort with a 1 pm shotgun start. Chapter President present a visual on the fundraising. A house consisting of yellow brick consisting of $600 and red bricks representing $1,200.  Major Sponsors North Park Lincoln, Catholic Cemeteries and the Outback Steakhouse restaurant. Mike Nishimuta has pledged to put his name on the first brick for $1,200. The silent auction will be a completed separate fundraiser which will help with this.

Jim Wade spoke on the silent auction. He is requesting a lot more participation from our Brother Knights who are not golfers. He is asking each council to provide one silent auction item of at least $50. He is requesting an item from a business in the council's area. The cost to attend will be $20 a Knight and $35 per couple. This is a way that all of us can participate in the fundraising.  The event will start at 6 pm at Pat O'Brien's on Sunday May1, 2005. also if the items need to be picked from a store please let Jim know and his committee will pick them up.

2. Habitat for Humanity - Sam Szalwinski.     No updates except that he reminded us that it will require $48,000 to build the next house.

3. Religious Appreciation Dinner.  Co chairs Rudy Escamilla and Russell Amsberry reported.   It will be held on February 20 at Council 4140 in Crown Ridge at 4 p.m. They are asking for everyone's prayers. In addition they are also requesting that each council purchase tickets for the event for their religious members of their community. Tickets are $15 a person and they are on a first come basis. They also request that every council donate something, from cash to liquor to transportation. They also need door prizes. It was also requested that our Ladies Auxiliaries provide deserts.  All donations  are welcome. We will need to serve around 700 people in fifteen minutes so a lot of manpower will be needed to serve. The Catholic Daughters association has also been invited to participate.

Old Business.  None.

New Business. It was noted by some councils that they are sponsoring seminarian and there was a report from the State that shows no council from San Antonio supporting a seminarian in the Catholic Knight Newspaper. Ken Martinez said this is a reporting problem, and Councils must fill out the form showing sponsorship of a seminarian each year, and call State to make sure they received it.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  Bob Stegge has been appointed as State Round Table Chairman. Robert Sorrell was introduced as the new District 36 Deputy, replacing Bob Stegge.  There will be an Archdiocesan mid-year meeting on January 29. Registration starts at 8 am the meeting starts at 9 am. The location is at Council 6833 Little Flower lunch will be provided for a charge of $5. It is very important that all DD's,  Grand Knights and Financial Secretary be present. The Supreme Director and past State Deputy Ron Gay and State Secretary Larry Zapalac will be presenting.

The following Saturday, Feb 5 there will be Financial Secretary training. The location has not been finalized.

There were 24 councils that participated in the Tootsie Roll Drive. Most of these councils have not paid their $25 for the permits. Please pay the Chapter Treasurer.

The last two years we have reached our charity goals. This year we are slightly behind with six months to go.  We are at $73,000, out goal is over $95,000. We need to made this happen. Brother Jim reminded us that our constitution prohibits us from the use of our membership to solicit business.

The free throw contest for the Diocese will be at Central Catholic on the March 5 at 9 am. The State Free Throw will be at St. Edward's University on the 12th of March.

The Tootsie Roll Drive will be on the 9th of April.

Fourth Degree.  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.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.   He thanked each Knight who has recruited a new Brother. This coming February the State Council will have a drive to call all former knights.  The fraternal activities should be in by the January 31.

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.   There were fifteen councils that did not recruit anyone last year; of these nine have now recruited a new member.  He thanked those district deputies.  He personally recognized Joe B Cortinaz from Natalia, Texas for his efforts.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   He read a letter from a Chaplin in Iraq for the convoys that will deliver the elections machines. He reminded all of us to pray for the electoral process in Iraq and for the troops who will be involved in this election. He has asked all councils to close their meetings with three Our Father and three Hail Mary's.

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.   The RSVP forms need to be submitted for those councils that are sponsoring a seminarian. He reminded everyone that the paperwork must be submitted to get credit. He invited anyone who may become a Grand Knight to attend the Diocesan Meeting.

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman: No Report.

Retention -  No report.

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood. 

Guest Speakers:

Ruben Alvarado report St Jude Council 13044 is having its 3rd annual Valentine Dance at St. Jude Hall on Saturday, February 12, 2005.  The dance starts at 8:00 pm cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple, BYOB. He also invited to participate in their raffle if a brother knight could not come to the dance. Call the church if there are any questions.

Gene Mireles on January 22, 2006 Council 4140 will celebrate 50 years of serve. The council will have a book and is inviting Councils to consider purchasing an ad.

Robert Sorrell DD 36 stated there will be a major degree at St. Pius. Feed will be $10 for 2nd and third degrees. Lunch will be an extra $5.

March 12 will have another Major degree at Holy Trinity by Council 9967 registration will start at 7 am, breakfast at 9:30 am second degree at 9:45 am and the third degree at 12 noon.

Council 4183 New Braunfels will have Chicago style  Italian dinner.  This is an attempt to bring the three different church together. Come and join them.

Dean Murphy is involved in the comprehensive nutrition study.  The study is looking at expanding their study. He is requesting each council to get their seniors involved.

Grand Knight Darren Ohllemacher invited all to purchase a raffle ticket. Council 4140 will also have a Valentine Dance. This will include dinner and dance. The cost will be $17.50 per person.

There taking orders for shirts at $29.75 by Brother Perez.

The Next meeting will be Feb 16, Council 6358

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer was led by Bishop Tom and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary