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

March  21,  2007 - Msgr. Robert Silverman Council 9291 St John Neumann

Guest Speaker: Guadalupe Home director Mrs. De Leon spoke about how they help stop infant abuse and neglect. She invited all of the Knights and their spouses to come out for their annual fundraiser:  "Fandango -  Under the Stars"  in November. She also requested help in maintaining the yard.  Guadalupe Home is at 1223 S. Trinity. Telephone 476-0707.

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

Opening Prayer: Led by Bishop Flanagan

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by Rudy Escamilla

Warden’s Report:  Given by Roy Ball. There were 72 members present.

Recognition of Guests and VIPs.   

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

Host Grand Knight Nello Rosanio was recognized and members of the host council were thanked for the wonderful dinner.  All former state committee men were recognized.

Minutes.  Minutes of the February meeting were approved as posted on the website.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan. 

 Bishop Flanagan began mentioning his visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima early today. He mentioned that Our Lady appeared to three small children in 1917 during the First World War the impact of these three children on the world was so important in spreading the word of Love, Renewal and Prayer. Bishop Flanagan also mention that he spoke at St. Patrick’s for his feast day and it came to him that St. Patrick was very impressed with the young people of Ireland but St. Patrick was also impressed with their willingness to serve God. I hope that each one of you brother knights take that enthusiasm to all of your activities especially those activities where you mix with our young people where you can influence them with our Christian values.

He also introduced the recently released book A Will to Live: Clear Answers on End Life Issues by Most Reverend Bishop José H Gomez, STD

President’s report -  Chapter President Rudy Escamilla reported that the July meeting will be at New Braunfels.

 Treasurer’s report (Louis Benavides):

The beginning balance was $2,574.57 on February 1, 2007

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 on long-term care changes in the State of Texas.  There will be a seminar at Council 4140, on May the first at 7 pm with free refreshments to educate all our brother knights what long-term means to the knight and his family. If you do not have a long-term policy that you must spent or loses all of your assets so as to receive help from Medicare. Paul Oates the knight specialist on long-term care will present the seminar. Non-Knights (Catholic men and their spouses) are also welcome.

Correspondence -  Dozens of letters of thanks from the Religious appreciation dinner were received.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament.  We set a target of 196 golfers. We have pledges of over $67,000, this will provide seed money for next year. April 16 is the date for the tournament. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson was invited. The end result will be one house for a deserving family.

Treasurer Mike Nishimuta requested money for the golf tournament or auction party be sent to him at 22 Blue Thorn Trl, SA 78256.  The auction party tickets are $20 each for the party at Pat O’Brian’s.  Jim Wade requested that each council provide at least one auction item valued at $50 from each council.

2. Habitat for Humanity -

Henry Gonzalez reported that Habitat is looking at a different direction on why people live in the poor conditions that slum lords provide.

3. Coordinator of Religious. Wayne Pipes.

4. Retreats. No report 

5. Trustees.  No report

Old Business. 

Roy Ball presented Religious Appreciation Gala Catholicity Awards to all the brothers who helped at the Religious Appreciation Dinner.  Bill Roeglein updated members on the Tootsie Roll Drive.

New Business.

DD Rich Moken requested cash or liquor donations from all of the councils to support the State Convention hospitality room.

The meeting locations for the next three months are: New Braunfels in September, ?  in October and St. Brigid in November.

 Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  

Jim Wade thanked all the knights who helped with the basketball free throw and to the Devine council for bring their kitchen. He also reminded all councils to get those Forms 100 in early. Get those $300 annuities.  We are also short of our charity goal. Get active and get your council involved to get their money for charity. Also do not forget the members who are deceased since last year - get their names into state for they can be remembered at the memorial mass.

Fourth Degree.  

Mike Morrison stated the next exemplification will on the 23rd of June at Holy Family in New Braunfels. He also thanked Assembly 2030 for their turn out and support.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

State College Chair: Five councils throughout the state including Texas A&M, Baylor University. Up and coming councils are scheduled at SMU and Texas Tech.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   

Brother Lopez reminded all councils to get in their information so as to get their Corporate Community Award.

Youth Sports Chairman. Carl Bernal thanked all of the nights that helped out at the State basketball free throw tournaments. He also thanked Mike Urrutia for coordinating the scoring and awards. Mario Cervantes from Council 12367 won a first place award.

Guest Speakers:

Council 7291 Roy Ball, because of the appreciation dinner we asked the Catholic Daughters Court 2489 to help. They will be sponsoring and arts and crafts show and are asking for our support on March 31.

Council 8738 Angel Perez, provided a report on the seminarians financial support for this past year. There are 23 seminarians and 22 seminaries that are also supported by councils. We have 45% participations from our local councils. There is one seminarian from San Antonio who does not have financial support of $500 which had been pledged but now that pledge will not be able to be met.

Council 13523 GK Tom Kennedy, thanked all the knights and they are pleased to host the chapter meeting. What does it take to start a college council at our local Catholic campuses? Pollo Fest is this Sunday.

Council 14190 Pete Almanza, deputy GK of Our Lady of Perpetual help. They are conducting a fund raiser by selling chocolate bars.

Council 9681 Wilson Petefish, spoke about Keeping Christ in Christmas, we somehow cannot get the word out to the general public. The program is a magnet that can be a placed on your car.  The cost of buying these magnet is $1.25 each and can be resold for $2.50.

Council 7016 Doyle Beilstein.  The Council is hosting a  fundraiser. The Kielbasa family will be selling tickets for hams from 16-18 pounds and  the drawing will be April 1. The raffle tickets can be purchased by calling any Knight from Blessed Sacrament.

Future Meetings. The  Next meeting will be Apr 19, Council  13523, Assumption Seminary, 26oo West Woodlawn. Dinner at 7 pm.

The sick and in distress were remembered.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis J. Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary