Oct 19,  2005 - Council 5262, St Vincent de Paul

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

Opening Prayer:   Led by Bishop Tom Flanagan

Pledge of Allegiance.

Warden’s Report:  Given by Roy Ball

Recognition of Dignitaries and Guests

All former Chapter officers, state committeeman, and state officers were recognized.

First Time Attendees. None 

Minutes.  Minutes of the September meeting were approved with the following changes: Wayne Pipes was listed as absent when he was excused due to illness; the minutes reflected the state soccer playoff  at St. Mark's. It will be at St. Matthew's soccer field on Nov 12.  This October meeting is not October 29 but the 19th.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan. This month of October is the month of the rosary. He encouraged all councils to get  rosaries for the children and a bible to the confirmants of the parish. Also, he serves on the board of the Seminar they raising money to build the new Archbishop Flores Student hall there are 62 current seminarians. He stressed that all board members are there to give their time, talent and treasure to the organization that they are a part of. If you are a part of an organization you must have a commitment to whatever you belong. Also he as requested all the knight not to assume that everyone in your parish knows about the knights and what and who we are. We as knights  must have an obligation to let others know our commitment. He also mentioned that he was proud of the fact that the St. Vincent de Paul Organization has requested his help in their annual fundraiser and to honor the St. Vincent De Paul dining room which has served over 4.5 million meals in the last 20 years.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

Annual Fundraiser for St Vincent de Paul Society and Birthday Party for Bishop Tom. This event is sponsored by the St Vincent de Paul Society, not the Knights of Columbus. The SVDP society holds this fundraiser each year, and this year is honoring Bishop Tom. For those who cannot make it Saturday, the Chapter presented a Birthday Cake to Bishop Tom.

KC Appreciation night at the Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns game, Nov 19.

 Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes): 

General Agent:  Absent

Correspondence -  President Nishimuta read a letter from Archbishop Gomez. He has transferred his membership to the Assumption Seminary Council 13523. A group of consecrated women from the Marian Community of Reconciliation have moved into the diocese, and he requests our support in furnishing their home. Prince of Peace Council responded that they will donate a DVD and VCR. The information will be posted to the website.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament.   No report.

 2. Habitat for Humanity.  Sam Szalwinski  See the webpage of the house.

House blessing Nov 12 at 10:00 am in the Palo Alto Subdivision. This Friday is the final construction day. Nov 5 is the landscaping day. The chapter needs a Council to provide food for the Nov 5 landscaping day.  We encourage the youth and squire circles to support the landscaping day work.

3. Coordinator of Religious Activities. Rudy Escamilla.

Report on Men's Retreat, Walter Hagan spoke about this year men's retreat. There were around 40 men who took part in the retreat.

Fundraiser for St Vincent de Paul Society and Birthday Party for Bishop Tom.

Archbishop's Brunch supporting Battered Women's Shelter has been rescheduled for Saturday Nov 12, 10:30 am until 1 pm at the SBC Community Center at San Fernando on 321 W. Commerce. $50 per person or $500 for a table. There is a need for ten more tables. The goal is $50,000. There are many auction items which includes a basketball signed by the entire team of the Spurs and a trip to Rome for two or five days.  See Bob Von Lehmden or Ray Newman.

5. Trustees.  No report.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.   Reported that he presented the Archbishop $62,500 to the Archbishop to be used for his favorite charity. The Archbishop thanked all the knights for all their efforts. The money will be used for the deaf ministries. He requested that anyone who can help on the Habitat House on Friday. He also mentioned that he reviewed the current reports on membership and he was sorry to report that 61 council had either not recruited a new member or had a net loss in membership. We as knights are responsible to ask these new knights what they want to do? We are responsible to allow our organization to be a master of change. He challenged all of us to ask every man we encounter if they are a knight and invited them to join. He challenged us to recruit one new member by Thanksgiving. He also mentioned the midyear meeting will be the January 21st, 2006 starting at 9 am. 

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.  He shared that Rick Jones of the Santa Maria Foundation received a $1,000 donation from the State Charity. He mentioned those councils who made the cut for Lone Star Award. He stated that while Bishop Flanagan has received several Cardinal Medeiros "Fellow" Designations ($1000 donation to the State Cardinal Medieros Fund), Archbishops Flores and Gomez, and Bishop Zureck have not been named "Fellows."  The Chapter President asked the Councils to consider naming Archbishop Gomez a Fellow in honor of his birthday, Dec 26.

Star Council: Dean Murphy.  Absent

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.    He talked about the round tables, not to forget to fill out the paperwork for the round table. If a council is meeting. Also this is the worst year in membership that the State has had in the last 26 years. The new first degree booklets are being printed and they should be coming in shortly. Changes are primarily in the Chancellor area.

All Councils Active: Mike Urrutia.  He thanked all the knights who send him get well cards. He mentioned that we have recruited 117 new member for the year. He has visited some of the councils with the district deputies to stress our openness to invite new men to join the knights. He also recognized some council and DD who are doing well in recruiting. Improving the recruiting Blitz that we should have schedule for this month.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   Absent

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Ken Boone.    Absent

Membership Retention Committee:  Chuck Green. Don Smallwood talked to us about suspensions of members we need to ask them why they do not want to stay with the council. Members can only be in arrears for one year.

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood.   November 17 and 18 at Bandera Bowl.  Help is requested to keep score and to cheer these children on.

Round Table:  Bob Stegge.   Absent.

State Soccer Chairman:   Ernest Saldivar.   The Archdiocese soccer challenge is on October 29 at St. Anthony's School. The State soccer challenge will be on November 12 at the soccer fields of St Matthew's, located on Wurzbach north of I-10. (by the railroad tracks). Registration will begin at 8 am. All DD's should be there with the name and number of councils who will be participating. Reno Puente of St Luke has helped acquire the locations for both soccer and basketball.

Fourth Degree.   There will be a Veteran's Day parade. All fourth degree are requested to turn out at 11 am for a 1 pm start. Please assemble by the Express-News building.

Old Business.    None

New Business.    Knight and Family of the year nominations are due by December 31. Selection will be made in January and award at the January Meeting. The web site will have the nomination form (same as used at the Council level).

Guest Speakers:

Ray Newman, spoke and thanked God and all of us for our prays and cards. He said that we are perceived the way you perceived others. He also in a most moving way spoke about being healed by doctors and the medicine that they provide. He thanked God for his relationship with HIM and with the Church. (His talk was most moving.)

Basil Moots DD35 reported that there will be  a first degree in Floresville at the KOC Hall on November 19 registration begins at 9 am with the degree starting at 10 am

Oscar Gutierrez, Council 5262 He invited all knight to a real country and western dance with a live band at a cost of $7.50 per person on November 25.

Fred Garcia Little Flower invites everyone on October 29 to a Halloween Dance on October 29 at a cost of $25 per couple. Live music and a great time will be provided. He also questioned why this chapter has two major degrees during the month of November.

Jesse Tovar, Prince of Peace December 10 Teddy Bear for Peace Dance music by Ram Herrera $cost is $14 to $20.

Al Rodriguez, GK council 4140 spoke about their Major Degree on November 20th and they will celebrating their 50th anniversary

Reno Puente requested that St Luke is collecting socks for the homeless. Please drop off the socks at the church office. They will given out on Christmas day.

The Next meeting will be Nov 16, Council 11596, St Brigid

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer   

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary