Minutes of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Chapter, Knights of Columbus
September 19, 2007 Council 6833
Before the Meeting: Fr John, Pastor of the Basilica of the Little Flower, gave the Knights tours of the renovations of the church.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by the Chapter President Rudy Escamilla
Rosary: Deacon and DD host Antonio Rodriguez District 43 led the chapter in a rosary.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Ken Boone.
Warden’s Report: Given by Roy Ball who reported 92 members present.
Opening Prayer: Led by Diego Pena.
Recognition of Guests and VIPs:
State Deputy Larry Zapalac was introduced by Chapter President Rudy Escamilla. He came to recognize the accomplishments of Ernest Saldivar, former Assistant Diocesan Deputy; he presented Enrie with the Cardinal Medeiros Scholarship, the State award for the outstanding Assistant Diocesan Deputy. Brother Saldivar was also presented a medallion from Bishop Flanagan and Rusty League. State Deputy Zapalac also made presentation to Council 7409, 8306, 5262 and 6856 for not only reaching their charity goal but surpassing their goals by over 100% for 2006-2007.
Rocky Hernandez, Community Relations Representative for the Majella Society spoke on Plant the Seed of Life. He stated that San Antonio leads the Country in teen pregnancies and the State of Texas (the fourth ranked State in the nation) in abortions estimated at over 8,300 abortions a year. The second Annual Dinner is Thursday on asking for a table of 10 for $1,500.
Francine Garza-Vale, President of the Light One Candle Children Education Fund spoke on an upcoming event on Tuesday, October 2, 2007. The event will be at St. Paul’s Community Center on 1201 Donald Ave. The event is sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
President Escamilla welcomes all guests, Past State Deputies and State and Chapter Officers.
The GK Fred Garcia and Deacon and DD 43 Antonio Rodriguez were introduced and thanked for hosting the September meeting.
First Time Attendees were recognized.
Minutes. Minutes of the August meeting was approved as posted on the website.
Chapter Chaplain Report: Bishop Flanagan he told us that he had just arrived from Ireland last night. He spoke about the sadness that he had because there were not more young men present at this chapter meeting because they missed wonderful example of fraternalism, friendship and love that was expressed tonight.
President’s Report: Chapter President Rudy Escamilla. On October 13 St Mark the Evangelist Church will have 10:30 am mass by the Vatican Postulator. This first mass will be at St. Marks Assembly 3018 because they were the first assembly in the world to name themselves in honor of Saint Rafael Guizar y Valencia. The second mass that day will be at the Basilica of the Little Flower at 5:30 pm on the same day. Both masses are in Spanish. The next day at 12:45 pm St. Rose of Lima will have an additional mass. Then there will be a Mass in Austin at 6 pm. St. Rafael foundation is sponsoring the masses. In addition father Leopold will be installing a plaque celebrating the Papal Visit here in San Antonio and has asked for Citywide turnout from the fourth degree.
Treasurer’s report: Chuck Green.
Chuck Green stated that the two biggest bills were for the Chapter’s directories for $175 and $400 for the Tootsie Roll Drive. He reported that 27 councils had paid their dues.
Bank Balance as of September 1, 2007 was $2,891.95
This report was approved as reported.
General Agent: Richard Gaona
Richard Gaona reported that in a continuing effort to offer its members and their families convenient, reliable, and stable ways to enhance their financial security, the Knights of Columbus has introduced a new annuity product: the Vantage Single Premium Deferred Annuity. Vantage is designed to provide Knights with a safe and simple way to save for retirement. The new annuity requires an investment of $25,000 and can be adjusted every five years for an interest rate that set at the current monthly rate. The long-term care presentation must allow between 25-35 minutes of council time and many of the councils have open meetings at a brother’s home. Also his head cook will be in the hospital for an operation so do not plan for the usually wonderful lunch that are served for Habitat for Humanity. In addition he requested that we supply him with 3-5 agents and he need three insurance agents right away, there is a $200 bounty.
Correspondence: None
Chapter Committees:
1. ProLife. Wayne Pipes spoke about forty days for Life. It is a men’s Pro-Life program that will reduce the number of abortion. It will run from September 26 until November 4. This is a National Campaign. The program consist of pray and fasting, peaceful vigilance. There are three forms that include all of the locations where the 24 hour vigil will happen. He also has a film that can be shown at the council level to ask for financial support from individual knights or councils. He also presented certificates to Richard Gonzalez for his help at Guadalupe Home support. In addition there will be a special "Fandango" fundraiser for Guadalupe home. The cost of a couple is $80 for dinner and dance to support Guadalupe Home.
2. Golf Report- Rusty League reported that the Golf Tournament will be on April 14, 2008. The next planning meeting is Monday October 10, at Holy Spirit at 7 pm. Requested that all councils budget some money for a team for the golf tournament. We need more support from the councils in the form of donations, auction items and council participation. . It will take $50,000 to build a house at this time. We'd like to raise more so that the chapter has seed money for the next year.
3. Habitat for Humanity - Henry Gonzalez reported that the construction began on the 14th of September. There is no one signed up to help this weekend and on October 14th. All of those who signed up for food please be there by 11 am because the workers eat at noon. The first weekend the workers went through nine cases of water. Those DD who have not registered for their dates please call 849-6616. Friday, September 28 is Leadership Day. November 3 is landscaping day that is the day that we need all Catholic Youth groups and Catholic Fraternities. DD do not forget to get the meals for the workers, those include the morning snack with liquids and lunch with liquids.
4. Men’s Retreat – Charlie Carvajal, Deacon Roy Amo Retreat Director, Walter Hughen, Klaus Collingsworth, Deacon Vick and John Rutkoski spoke about the 21st Annual men’s retreat on October 26-28, 2007 from 7:30 pm at Camp Tecaboca. The theme is “Open your eyes to the Holy Family.” Contact at Dean Roy at 210-348-6662 or Charlie Carvajal 210-479-1295
5. Trustees. No report.
6. Religious Appreciation Dinner- Roy Ball and Rudy Escamilla are the Co-Chairs for the Dinner. The event may be on the 24th of February. Planning will begin and he requested that councils budget funds for the dinner. Roy and Ernest Rodriguez presented all type of things being sold for very inexpensive cost to raise funds for the appreciation dinner.
7. New Business: “Bella” is an upcoming movie which was featured at the Cannes Movie Festival. The movie story addresses the issue of abortion in a manner which has resulted in recommendations from Catholic agencies and the Knights of Columbus, which are promoting previews of the movie throughout the country. There will be a preview showing on Saturday, September 29 at 7 pm at a location to be determined, perhaps Our Lake of the University or at St. Marks Catholic Church.
Old Business:
The Tootsie Roll drive is scheduled for October 20. The next one will be in April. Bill Roegeline is the chairman.
New Business:
Diocesan Deputy Report: Jim Wade mentioned that sometimes that we as Knights with all of our involvements need some renewal and he mention going to the men’s retreat. All the information about first degrees and major degree are posted on the chapter website. If any council is planning on a major degree coordinate that with Angel Perez. The soccer playoff is at on October 13 at 3:30 in the afternoon at St. Elizabeth Seton.
Fourth Degree: Mike Morrison.
State Directors and Committee Reports:
Assistant to the State Deputy: Jerome Janecka reports that Form 365's are still lacking from 30 councils. Six Councils have not submitted their Form 185. If the DD have dormant council file a report for each one of them.
Fr McGivney Guild State Chairman: Mike Urrutia wants to remind the chapter about the works of praying for his sainthood and he reminded the GKs to pick up pray cards that should be prayed at each council meeting.
All Council Active: Ken Boone requested that all councils become active by recruiting.
Youth Sports Chairman: Carl Bernal reported that the State Soccer Tournament will be on November 16 at St Matthews, and the Diocesan tournament on Oct 13.
Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez reported that we will have an icon in San Antonio. He requested that an attendance rooster be maintained at all times. Also he spoke about project Moses which is to place a statue of ten commandments. There is a new program for this monument at a cost of $4,500, which requires three steps that must be approved by the pastor, one Sunday to acquire the donations of $30 then the second Sunday will be to give the awards of the donations and the final third Sunday will be to present the Monument.
Guest Speakers:
Chapter members are invited to St Patrick Catholic Church’s on September 30 festival for a grand prize of $1,000.
The Next Meeting will be at St Vincent de Paul Council 5262.
The sick and in distress were mentioned and prayed for.
Closing Prayer was led by Bishop Flannigan and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Brother Louis Benavides, Chapter Secretary