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

May 17,  2006 - Council 4315, Our Lady of Fatima

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

Opening Prayer: Council 4315 Chaplain Father Flanagan said the opening prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

Warden’s Report:  Given by the Council Warden. There were 59  members present.

Recognition of Guests and VIPs.    Deacon Juan Espinoza from the Pilgrim's Center for Hope.

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

Minutes.  Minutes of the April meeting were approved.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan.   Bishop Flanagan was at the Assumption Seminary Gala. In his place Father Flanagan spoke about his reading of the book the Parish Priest. He  gain a deeper understanding of what Father McGivney went through. He said that there were many other Catholic organizations that were formed prior to the Knights of Columbus.  He said that there are many men in San Antonio who are attending the ACTs retreat. He asked that we as Knights aggressively go out and seek out these men and ask them to join the Knights.  He said that he will be asking each man who attends the ACTs in his parish to join the knights.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

Thanks to Richard Gonzalez, Don Hodgson and Alex Bautista for driving students from Madonna University in Detroit MI to Eagle Pass on two separate weekends.

Congratulations to 4th degree on successful exemplification, April 29.

Presentation of books to Seminarians. Rudy Escamilla and Angel Perez presented 50 copies of "Parish Priest" to the seminarians on May 5.

Hospitality for State Convention. The Chapter donated $700 for the common hospitality room. Council 7965 donated $100 tonight.

The State Council, Chapter, St Brigid's Council, and other councils volunteered to purchase ads for the Today's Catholic June 9th edition.

Thanks to Henry Gonzales for representing the Knights at a meeting of International Priests at Oblate. He gave them information on the Knights and what we do.

Catholic Charities Gala, May 25, Omni Hotel, honoring Rev Louis Zbinden and Bishop Zurek. We received an invitation for the annual gala. Tickets are $100 a person.  Councils are encouraged to support this, and if you can only send one or two people, let's have a Chapter table.  Contact Mike Nishimuta.

Bishop Flanagan's Jubilee will be celebrated with two different masses.  St Brigid on Saturday, June 11 and St Vincent de Paul, Wednesday, June 7th.

We have been asked to support the Jubilee of clergy in the diocese. On June 1, a dinner will be held at Assumption Seminary. We are asked to provide wine and drinks. Please make contributions of wine (red, white or rose) to Rudy Escamilla.

Deacon Espinoza, from the Pilgrim Center of Hope.  Spoke about the Men's Conference scheduled for July 28 and 29 at the St George Maronite Church. Speakers will be Ralph Martin, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Steve Bollman, Father John Jesus Maloney, FJ, Father John Waiss. He is a Hospice Chaplain who prepares many to meet their maker. Our goal is to create absolute trust in God. So that we can reach the point of saying "I am excited about meeting our Lord." We as Catholic men should not only attend this conference but invite others to the 2006 Catholic Men's Conference. The cost is $35 prior to the event and $40 at the door. Download Flyer.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $ 3,430.81 on March 31, 2006.

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

General Agent:    Richard Gaona thanked all of the knights who helped at the golf tournament. There was a lot of work in getting all of this together but it was done for their love not only of the knights but also of Bishop Flanagan. He shared with us his recent attendance at a motivational seminar. He said that every speaker was a millionaire and they all said that at the end of the day all of them prayed and gave thanks to the Lord.  He also reminded all to try to obtain Star council that the quickest thing would be getting the insurance on the form 100. To qualify, the new member must answer "No" to all of the questions.

Correspondence -   None

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament.   We had a successful golf tournament, with almost 180 golfers participating. We had great support from all our sponsors.   We have some extra shirts which will be sold at the next meeting.  Certificates of appreciation will be presented at the June meeting.

2. Habitat for Humanity - Henry Gonzalez reported that there are many parishes that do not participate in the building of homes. There will a Faith Builder's luncheon on May 31 downtown. If your parish would like to be involved in Habitat for Humanity, this is a great way to get your pastor oriented.

3. Coordinator of Religious Activities. Rudy Escamilla - excused.

4. Couple's Retreat.  

5. Trustees.   We are soliciting volunteers to run for chapter officer positions. One in particular is the Chapter Secretary. Contact Rudy Escamilla.

Old Business. None

New Business.

Memorial Day car show for Veterans from 9 am to 4 pm. This fund raising event is for the benefits of veterans families. Contact Wayne Pipes or Henry Gonzales.

A Major Degree is scheduled for Floresville Council 6641 at the council hall. Mass starts 7:30 am, Registration 7:00 am, Second degree starts at 10:30 am

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  We are still short in making our charity goal at $18,000 .  If you can still find it in your council to give a little bit more please go back and ask.  Also go back and ask men to join the Knights.

Fourth Degree.  All Fourth Degree Knights are asked to turn out for Bishop Flanagan's Jubilee Mass at St Brigid on June 11th.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.   

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.  Mike focused on how we have done so far. There are 97 councils with 10 inactive, 13 councils that have not recruited a member this year. This is an improvement from last year when there were 21 council that did not recruit  a member to their council.  He apologized to those councils that he has not visited but there some councils that need more support and they get his attention more than those councils that are doing well. He thanked all who have supported his efforts.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.   

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:   No report

Retention: Chuck Green reported that so far this year there have been 56 suspensions in the Archdiocese of  San Antonio. Call your brothers who you do not see at the meetings. If you need help please call him.

Special Olympics.  Absent.

Guest Speakers:

Cliff Estes is requesting donations for the Cardinal Medeiros award for Archbishop Gomez. Please make the checks to the "Texas State Charities" if we can get 11 councils at
$50 that is all that we need to finish this fundraiser.

Knights at the Missions will be on July 23.  The cost will be $6 per person.

The Next meeting will be June 21, Council  7770, St James.

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer was led by Fr Flanagan  and the meeting  was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis J. Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary