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

May 19, 2004

Opening Prayer:  Fr.  John Flanagan of St Jerome's, Chaplain of Council 4315, led the opening prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

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

VIPs and first timers to the Chapter meeting were recognized.

The Warden vouched that all in attendance are members.

Minutes.  Secretary Mike Nishimuta published the minutes on the Chapter Web Site at http://kc.texascomputerhelp.com.   The minutes were accepted as printed.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes).

Expenses

CK# 873 Rose Cruz/Speaker Couples Retreat 150.00
CK# 874 Camp Tecaboca/Couples Retreat 1000.00
CK# 875 Klaus Collinsworth/Food Supplies 230.07
CK# 876 Charles Carvajal/Food/Supplies 585.94
CK# 878 Bishop Tom Flanagan 200.00
CK# 879 Young Adult Cursillo Movement 409.00
CK# 880 Eddie Rodriguez Limo Bishop Conf 65.00
CK# 881 Rudy Escamilla Bishop Conf Social 38.77
   
Total Expenses    $2678.78

Income

Apr 5 Couples Retreat 2375.00
Apr 14 Dues/Tootsie Roll 590.00
Apr 23 Tootsie Roll/Hospitality 205.00
Total Deposits    $3170.00

The ending balance is $1410.98.  The treasurer's report was approved.

Fr. Flanagan spoke to the Chapter and gave us a message about living our comittment as children of Mary. In 1917, Our Lady asked us to pray for peace and to pray for the conversion of Russia. We need to pray for an end of the war in Iraq.

President's Report

Report on the convention. 

Correspondence: Vice President Bob Von Lehmden.  Brother Knight John D. Sullivan from Columbia Missouri wrote concerning his mother, Teresa Kilmer, age 74 who lives in San Antonio, is an active leader in the community, and works tirelessly to help the Juvenile Department at their summer camp.  She solicits food donations, picks up the food, takes it to camp, cooks, and helps bring discipline to many undisciplined youth. He is asking for physical help, or for someone to help in any way they can. Contact Ken Martinez if you would like to help her.   John Sullivan's phone number is 573-446-7271.

Catholic Campus Ministry serves ten secular colleges and universities in our Diocese.  Director Carol White is asking for support. April 25-30 has been designated as Catholic Campus Ministry Week. Their address is 312 West Courtland Place, San Antonio 78212. Telephone 736-3752.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Habitat for Humanity and Golf Tournament -   Brother Sam Szalwinski reported that  construction on the next house will begin Sept 17 on Fridays and Saturdays.  Through the District Deputies, Sam will ask Councils to pick dates for their Councils to commit to.  The 18.5 acres of land which is being built on was donated by the Van Der Walle family.  About 15 houses are finished now, by the fall there will be 10 more. The first weekend has already been taken. June 14 is the next organizational meeting for the Golf Tournament. Contact Sam at 496-6310.

2.  Website.  The Chapter website is available at http://kc.texascomputerhelp.com. Please review the web pages, especially the list of Councils and submit any corrections to Mike at mike@nishimuta.net.   

3.  Chapter Rosary and Social.  (Brother Fred Diaz, GK 7342). The monthly rosary is held on the  3rd Tuesday of each month at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church downtown, 617 South Santa Rosa, in Church Hall, and we begin at 7 pm.   Please ask your members to commit two representatives for each monthly rosary.

4. Pro-Life.   Deacon Allan Fitzpatrick.  No Report.

5. Special Olympics. Brother Don Smallwood thanked those who attended the Special Olympics opening.  He has turned in over $500, and still has 16 pins for $5 each.

Old Business:

KC Night at the Ballpark. (Bob Von Lehmden)  The game is scheduled for July 18, Sunday 6 pm.  The Missions will play the Dallas Frisco Ruffriders. $6 per ticket.  The Missions website is www.samissions.com  Contact Stu at the ball park, 675-7275 for tickets.

Farewell tribute for Archbishop Flores is planned for  May 26  at the River Center Marriott.  This is the 4th Annual Assumption Gala, chaired by Veronica Salazar of the San Antonio Express News.   The Chapter will have a table and Councils are asked to plan on buying a table for 8 and sending members to attend. Council 4140 and 11596 will also have a table.  $100 per person.

State Convention.  Huge thanks to Council 7265 for hosting the Archdiocese hospitality suite for the State Convention. We still need donations to cover the expenses.  We had so much fun they shut us down one night! We received $325 and spent over $1200, so please ask your Councils to send us a check.

Men's Retreat: Brother Paul Martinez. The organizational meeting will be Wednesday, May 26 at the Red Roof Inn downtown.

Brother Rudy Escamilla reported on the formation of new Council 13523 at Assumption Seminary.  As far as we know, this is the first time a Council has been formed at a Seminary in the United States.  Fr. Jerry Brown was very supportive in this effort, even while he was being reassigned to Menlo Park, California.  In October,  the Council will be hosted for a weekend at New Haven. Ray Neumann, Mike Urrutia, and Jim Wade also supported this effort.  Fr. Frank Macias and seminarian Jonathan Felux attended the state convention.  Fr. Larry Christian is the new President of Assumption Seminary and is very supportive of the Knights.

New Business:

We have purchased a 5-piece set of leather luggage with laminated luggage tags ($95) for a going away gift to Fr. Brown. We passed the hat and raised over $150. The motion was made and accepted to donate the additional money to the Assumption Seminary Council. 

The final going away event for Bishop Flores will be held on Sunday, Jun 13 at St Mary's University 2 pm. This event will be open to the public, and all Bishops from the United States and Mexico will be invited. There will be Pre-Mass entertainment, followed by Mass at 4 pm. We are supporting the event with ushering, Fourth Degree Turnout, and transportation to/from the airport.

We have been asked to support the Supreme Convention in Dallas, as part of the host state, by contributing to the brochure. Full page ads are $250. We'd like to have a chapter ad, so if some Council's can make a small donation we'd appreciate it.

Nomination Committee. Brother Mike Urrutia was unable to attend, but forwarded the names from the committee:

Nominations will be taken from the floor during elections next meeting.

DD Report. Brother Eddie Garcia reported. Among other items, Brother Jim Wade has been selected as Diocesan Deputy for the next year.

State Committeemen: Bob Von Lehmden (Assistant Recruitment) reported on recruitment. As Past State Deputy Ron Gay said, "We tell you to recruit, but we don't tell you why." The reason is because of the importance of the issues we are facing and the aging of our membership. We need new blood to fight these important issues.

Fourth Degree: No Report.

Speakers:

Host Grand Knight  Brother Emil Kruciak was recognized. He thanked all his Council men and wives who helped prepare the wonderful meal.

Host District Deputy.  DD  Theo Gerlich was recognized in his absence.

Next meeting will be June 16 at St. James, Council 7770.

The sick and in distress were remembered.   Freemon Sattelmaier, Mike Urrutia, Scott McDonald, Jerry Janecka, Emil's brother Martin, Richard Guerra, Rudy Rodriguez, Ruben Trevino, Chuck Caruso, Joe Gomez's nephew, Clarence, Norm Grubb, Richard Delasantos.

Closing Prayer.  Fr. John Flanagan.

Meeting  Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Mike Nishimuta

Future Chapter Meetings