Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by the Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison.

Rosary:  The chapter was lead in a rosary by Council 5262.

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison.

Warden’s Report:  Given by Brother Roy Ball reported that 64 members were in attendance.

Opening Prayer:  Led by Chapter Chaplin Bishop Thomas Flanagan

Recognition of Guests and VIP:

Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison welcomed State Membership Chairman Jim Collins, all guests, Past State Deputies and State and Chapter Officers.

The GK Ruben Rendon and DD Richard Gonzalez were introduced and thanked for hosting the March meeting.

First Time Attendees were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes of the February meeting was approved with mentioned changes and corrections (as provided on the web).

Chapter Chaplain Report: Bishop Flanagan thanked Mike Urrutia for the activities at St. Mary Magdalene, he stated how impress he was when Mike Urrutia had some 20 brother Knights meet his car when he arrived at the church and he thanked the wives of that council for the great lunch that they prepared. He also relayed the message from the seminarian to thank Council 5262 for the support that they provide to and for their generosity.

The bishop spoke of the three people in this week’s gospels: Lazarus whom he has raised from the dead, just as in every council there should be knights who should be asking others to come to God to raised our follow men from the dead, people to whom someone has said "Lazarus, come forth". And for that reason are able to live as brothers in Christ, through having been brought to life in a way which does not know death any longer. Another was the beauty of Peter in denying Jesus, the Beauty was that he accepted his mistakes and in raining that he was a shining light and he was able to do this by the power of the Lord. The next was Judas Iscariot, he was most likely the most brilliant of all of the apostles and he was the most outspoken in wanting to over throw the Romans. Was the story really about how a friend betrayed his Trust? No the real story is that Judas could have asked for forgiveness from Our Lord and He would have forgiven him. The story is that Judas did not ask for forgiveness. There is nothing that any of us could ever do where if you ask God for forgiveness He will have mercy on you.

On Sunday he went to St Brigid to attend a play and all the major actors were there but the Bishop’s questions to us was we were there with Christ and in his Glory, are WE there in HIS glory? Do we know that we are better off due to HIS resurrection and when we look at the Cross do we find Victory? I wish for all of you a Happy Easter.

President’s Report:  The president’s report was given by Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison.  He requested volunteers to help drive Bishop Yanta,  if you are interested  contact Joe Zimmer (Joe Zimmer promptly deferred this responsibly due to his impending visit to the hospital for an operation and his scheduled recovery time).

Treasurer’s report: Chuck Green was not present, no report given.

General Agent:  Michael Henriquez, FIC thanked all of the knights and Brian Brothers especially Cliff Estes who at a moment notice, provided a meeting place for the visit of one of the home office Vice President who wanted a place to hold a meeting for all of the General Agents and Cliff was able to provide a location. He also thanked all of the FS for their support in acting as the agent for each council. Agent Jerome MacFarlin FIC has passed the examination and is promoted to the rank of Fraternal Insurance Counselor. Brother Henriquez made the presentation to Brother MacFarlin at the meeting.

Correspondence: Vice president Diego Peña was not present to make this report but Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison read a thank you card that was received for the Religious Appreciation Dinner.

Chapter Committees:

1. Coordinator of Religious Affairs: Pro-Life- Wayne Pipes presented to Richard Gonzalez and Bishop Flanagan their 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 there are volunteers needed for the Habitat Golf Tourney. The Volunteers can volunteer in segments of two, four hours or more hours. It appears that 180 golfers will take part in the tourney. We are still looking for a hunting lease for two days, also we are looking for a plasma TV. The  committee meets every Monday night at Holy Spirit at 7 pm in the school library. We will need volunteers to monitor the gifts at the Gala. The cost for the Gala is $25 per person and it includes a meal, gambling chips and two drinks. Rusty requested for the ‘woman’s touch” to decorate the activity, for more information go to the website at sagolf.org. Gambling Chips that are left over after the night activities can be used on four packages of various gifts. There is a need for people to help set-up for the event.

3.  Habitat for Humanity- Golf Tournament is set for April 14, 2008 w/auction on Saturday, April 12 at Retama Race Track. There is free parking.

4.  Retreats- Men’s and Couples Retreat-The Couples retreat is the same weekend as the Golf Tournament.   More Information

5.  Trustees. No Report

6.  Religious Appreciation Dinner- Roy Ball and Ray Neumann

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 and if every council can donate $25 to provide gifts for the Veterans and Knights are needed to help bring Veterans down from the their room to the outside activities. Send the check to Wayne Pipes at 9207 Johnny Reb, San Antonio, TX.

8.  Tootsie Roll Drive- Bill Roeglein reported that the next TRD is scheduled for April 12, 2008 the deadline is March 17, 2008.

9.  Seminarian Report- Angel Perez stated that we submitted a reported that 100% coverage for all 47 seminarians from the San Antonio Diocese. If your council supports a seminarian please provide a report so your council can be reimbursed please contact Angel Perez. Also invite the seminarians to all your council’s activities, also provide them with a gift card on their birthday. There are four councils who are supporting four seminarians each. There are also five brother knights who also personally support a seminarian. The are 9 deaf seminarian of which four are in need of support, please contact him if you or your council are interested in supporting a seminarian. Also there is a need for Host families to provide a monthly night out to the seminarians.

Old Business: DD Rick Moken is requesting every Council to provide either a bottle, case of beer or money to support the Hospitality room at the State Convention. There is a handout for the Noel Henry Benefit for Religious II, March 30, $40,000 raised last year for Brigandine and Presentation Sisters. This year the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate are this year’s beneficiaries. Table for 10 at the Dance/social on March 30, 2008 at St. Gregory the Great Hall. Tickets are $30 per person, if interested contact St Gregory 342-5371 or email Rudy Escamilla.

New Business: A motion was made by Trustee Doug Harrison  “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). (Voting on this resolution will take place at the April Chapter Meeting)  Time and Location: Thursday, April 3 at the Omni San Antonio Hotel.

Diocesan Deputy Report:  Jim Wade stated that a first degree team was held for the deaf seminarians on Saturday with Bishop Flanagan attending the first degree. We still need to recruit at, Brother Wade requested that we please turn to the man next to us at church and ask “are you a Knight?” and invite them to join. Each of us is responsible for inviting another Catholic gentleman to become a member of our order. It is up to everyone in this room to invite other men to become a part of this order. We have the convention coming up and the hotel is a great one and everything will be at the hotel. At this point in time San Antonio is $21,000 short of our goal for State Charities. So he asked every council to become active in the Tootsie Roll Drive. After the Tootsie Roll Drive send your checks or bring your checks to the State Convention and make a high splash. Another charity has been the Wheel Foundation and we have received very good support for this. 

Fourth Degree: Mike Morrison. Absent.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

State Membership Chairman: Jim Collins reported that we are ahead of last year and are in sight of reaching the 5050 goal that was set last year. The State is asking for your help in new membership. The ASA is at 63.77% of our Goal with 440 new members recruited out of a goal for the ASA of 690. This means that we are short 250 new members. We have many councils in this area that are not recruiting any members. We have eight dormant council and 9 that are suspended. There are 27 councils which have not recruited any new members. Use the “Father wants You” Program it has been very affective in recruiting. There are 5 districts that are 50% or greater, there are 6 districts that are below 50% and these districts are from 10-43% in membership. There are two districts with negative gain and this means that they have suspended more members than they have recruited.

Assistant to State Deputy: Jerome Janecka.

Star Council State Committeeman: Mike Urrutia.

Fr. McGivney Guild State Chairman: Mike Urrutia We are living in some exciting times and discovered some exciting news Pope Benedict XVI declared Father Michael J. McGivney venerable March 15, approving a decree of "Heroic Virtue" for the parish priest who founded the Knights of Columbus. This step significantly advances Father McGivney's cause for sainthood.

All Council Active Chairman: Ken Boone

State Youth Chairman: Carl Bernal reported that that there were 115 participants in the state basketball free throw tournament in San Antonio.   San Antonio took two first place awards: one from Council 2618 and the other from Council 7613.  125 Councils councils in the State Reported participation. There was a total of 1,075 Boys and 1,077 Girls that participated in the Free Throw in the State of Texas. Thanks to the GK of St Rose of Lima for taking charge of Registration and to all the DD's for there help. We could not succeed without them. The State Deputy and State Secretary send their Thanks.
 

Church Liturgy State Chairman: Joe Lopez.

Membership Retention Chairman: Chuck Green and Don Smallwood. 

Guest Speakers:

Brother Joe Zimmer Council 9291,  St John Neumann Dance on April  5 - $15 per person.

Brother John Daly, Boerne Texas, there 4/25 golf tournament and reverse raffle May 9^th only have 300 tickets.

There will be a Dance on April 12 at St Vincent De Paul Knight of Columbus hall.

The Next Meeting will be on April 16^th at Council 13523 at Assumption Seminary..

The sick and in distress were mentioned and prayed for especially Brother Robert Benavides, Brother Chris Rodriguez’s father and for Bishop Tom and for Brother Ron Vokly.

Closing Prayer was led by Chapter Trustee Doug Harrison and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary.