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

February  16,  2005 - Council 6358

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 Mike Urrutia

Warden’s Report:  John Godoy was under the weather and Brother Roger Moore verified membership of all in attendance.

Recognition of Guests and VIPs.    DD George Terrell introduced three seminarians who are officers of the recently created Council at Assumption Seminary. DD Carl Bernal introduced officers from the newly created Padre Pio Council.

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

DD Robert Sorrell, Host Grand Knight Rafael Tovar and DGK George Rodriguez were recognized and members of the host council were thanked. All former state committee men were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes of the January meeting were approved as noted on the website.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan.  Bishop Flanagan thanked all the 4th degree Knights who participated on the World Day of Healing of the Sick. He especially thanked Assembly 2040 for providing Knights at each of the six masses. He also thanked all 85 of the Knights who were the Honor Guard for the Archbishop on Monday at St Mark the Evangelist and Tuesday at the installation of the Archbishop. He also asked for all the Knights to keep him in their prayers because on the March 8 he will be have knee replacement surgery at Central Baptist in Stone Oak at 10:30 a.m.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

Thanks to all those who helped celebrate the installation of the Archbishop. The Chapter transported over 20 Cardinals and Bishops, and the fourth degree turned out on Monday night and Tuesday night.

He also reminded everyone that the next Chapter meeting will be at Council 9291 and to careful with their speed due to the strong enforcement of the speed limit in Windcrest.

Mike reported the list of this year chapter meetings, they are:

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $  1,367.72

 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 spoke about the possibly of 51 councils to be Star Councils or 46% of all councils to be Star Council. Many councils are short be either needing to recruit one or two members and insured members.

Correspondence -  None.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament. Mike Nishimuta presented his personal check for $1200. Committee met on Feb 7. Cash donations and sponsorships received from Councils 7697, 6358, 9291, 786, 7613, 8306, 4140, Assembly 2102, Freemon Sattelmaier, Reggie Thorpe. Income $5,675.51 and expenses of $3,963.98 since last tournament. $8,579.84 cash in bank.  The mailing of 550 to Knights, Deputy Grand Knights and businesses was made on Feb 4. Mike delivered a letter to John Rutkowski for the Outback thanking them for the donation. Tickets for the auction party were distributed at the Mid-year diocesan meeting. Mike added the event to the SA events and the Golf tournament page. Next meeting Mar 7 at Pat O'Briens.

2. Habitat for Humanity - Sam Szalwinski.  No report.

3. Religious Appreciation Dinner.  Co chairs Rudy Escamilla and Russell Amesbury reported that is going according to plan. A liquor report, a desert report, transportation report, prize report was also given. The event will be starting at 4 p.m. at 4140 off of Camp Bullis Road this Sunday the 20th of February.  They also requested help to put labels on 600+ candles for dinner. Each council was asked for gift or gift certificates. Please bring gifts before the dinner starts. 

4. Couple's Retreat. Charlie Carvajal spoke about the Couples retreat to be held on April 8-10 2005 at Camp Tecaboca near Kerrville.  The theme of the retreat is "Have I told you lately that I love you." The cost per couple is $155 before March 26 and $165 after March 26. The point of contact is 493-2784 or email jglo50@yahoo.com

5. Trustees. Will conduct an audit of finances and are reviewing the bylaws for recommended changes.

Old Business. 

Rudy Escamilla is helping find out which Councils are sponsoring seminarians, to get the reporting and proper credit due to the Councils, and also to make sure every Seminarian in our Diocese is being supported. It has been a topic of discussion for years about which seminarians are being sponsored. Some of the confusion is due to the the State mandate to sponsor Diocesan seminarians and many of the seminarians. The Chapter has a higher goal of sponsoring every seminarian at Assumption Seminary. Sponsorship consist of a minimum of $500 plus birthday, Christmas, Easter cards. Supreme reimburses the Council for $100 for the $500.

New Business.  

State convention coming up May 13-15 in Houston. There will no banquet on Friday night.  We traditionally sponsor an ad for the chapter and would like to ask Councils to consider a donation to help again. Full page is $225 and half page is $175. Deadline is April 5.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  

Jim Wade thanked Mike Nishimuta for the coordination of the pick up of each Bishop, Archbishop and Cardinal.

Jim reminded every that we are the host for the Religious Appreciation Dinner. We are expecting the State Deputy, State Treasurer, State Secretary, and previous State Deputies to attend.

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. We are at 79% of reaching our charity goal.

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. On Friday morning there is a salute to the Veterans at the VA hospital.  Knights should be there at 9:15 a.m. on Friday to salute the veterans.  Master Ken Boone relied a message for the 85  4th degree knights to thanked them for the verses at St. Marks "JOB WELL DONE."

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.    Each Diocese awards two grants of $1000 for Catholic schools and only one application has been submitted.  There is $1000 sitting on the table, just waiting for an application. The due date is March 1.

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.  No report.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   Reported the Devine Mercy figures for 2003-2004 for SA Archdiocese as follows: 636 prayer programs conducted with a total number of 38,251 participants. Councils who conduct 4 or more Corporate Communions were requested to send info to Diocesan Deputy so they can receive a certificate at the State Convention in May.  Mike presented his copy of the program from the installation of the Archbishop to Joe and Josie.

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.    He reported on where each council stands for each award.

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Absent

Retention: No report

Special Olympics.  Absent.

Guest Speakers:

Rudy Escamilla of Council 4140 announced it is celebrating it's 50th anniversary next January. Also there will be a first degree at 4140 on Thursday.

Jerry Kirstein of Council 6358. Reported on information he has regarding a program for prayer for vocations.

Jack Wilder of Council 9967 will have a major degree at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Saturday March 12th starting at 7 am.

Eddie F. Caballero of Council 7016 - on July 2 a gala will be held. Tickets will include dinner for two and dancing.

Roy Ball of Council 9291 will have a major degree on Saturday February 26, 2005 at St. John Neumann at 6680 Crestway Drive at 7:30 a.m. Lunch cost is $5 for each guest and $10 for each candidate.

Habitat for Humanity will be having a Faith Builders Lunch on Tuesday May 17, 2005 at Noon at First Presbyterian church.

The Next meeting will be Mar 16, Council 9291 St. John Neumann.

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