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

Jun  15,  2005 - Council  7770,  St James

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

Opening Prayer: Led by Bishop Flanagan

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Warden John Godoy

Warden’s Report:  Given by John Godoy

Recognition of Dignitaries

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

DD Eddie Garcia, Host Grand Knight Walter Murray were recognized and members of the host council of St James were thanked. Chapter President gave certificates of appreciation to the members of Council 7770 who helped at the Hospitality room.

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

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan.   

February was the last time that I attended a Chapter meeting and that time has been a long journey for me.  I want to thank all for your prayers, visits, cards and all the brothers knights and their wives who has provided transportation to the hospital and the doctors visits. One of the things about illnesses and surgery is that it helps you to remember the power of God and the power of prayer.

May 27 was an unforgettable evening when I was presented a wonderful van. It was a night filled with great  emotion and filled with memories that keep you going. I also thank all of  the support to all Parish Pastors and Priests at the numerous confirmation. I been a Knight for 49 years and this organization is at its best.

I   feel so grateful and thankful to be here and for the support of my brother knights to my fellow priest and nuns.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

When May was over, I thought I'd be able to take a deep breath. We'll, I'm still holding it.

We had two events on May 27, the dinner/dance for Bishop Tom and the Jubilee dinner for the clergy. We will let Jay Vela and Rudy report on those in a few minutes.

Last Saturday was another Trifecta day.

I congratulate Council 8065, St Matthews, GK Steve Wall, and DD Russell Amsbury on the Major Degree last Saturday.

Council 11596 celebrated its 10th anniversary. Congratulations GK Alfredo Cooke and DD Mike Morrison.

St Mark's Council 7613 celebrated it's 25th anniversary, the elevation of their Chaplain to Monsignor, and the dedication of their beautiful hall, which they are giving to the Church. Congratulations to the whole team - especially GK Brian Nelson, and DD Sam Szalwinski.

Guide to Good Care

The chapter has always had to depend on the donations of the Councils in order to do our business. We have no income, except for what each Council provides, and $30 dues per year. The major events that we do, such as the Religious Appreciation dinner, the hospitality room, the ad for the State Program, and the House for Habitat, all come from our begging, and the golf tournament. The tournament and silent auction raised around $33,000 for the house. We have a short fall for the price of a house at $48,000.

Nine months ago, two brothers from Council 7983, Prince of Peace, invited me to learn about a concept for a product that was in development.  This product is their invention, and reflects their experience in the health industry, and their personal challenges.  Gil Garza and Cesar Camacho have brought this product to a point where it is ready to be introduced. We have visited with the Chapter officers, the Diocesan Deputy, Bishop Tom, the General Agent, the State Deputy, and Ron Gay, PSD and Supreme Director. Every person who hears of this concept quickly realizes the opportunity it can provide on many levels.

On the individual level - it will provide for a level of control, security, and management of your personal health, the health of your parents, and others who are close to you.

On a Catholic to Catholic level, this provides a service which fit like a glove with our order's commitment to the ideals of charity and service to our families.

On the Council level - this provides an opportunity for Councils to make significant income which they can use for their favorite programs, charities, and causes.

On the Chapter level - this provides a source of income which will enable the Chapter to do more for you, without running your well dry. It will allow us to increase our service to our religious, clergy, and the causes we have so faithfully supported in the past and intend to continue to help in the future.

What is it? You will have to come to the July Chapter meeting. Brothers Gil and Cesar will give us a presentation in about 20 minutes, which we want you, but more importantly, your spouses to listen to.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $ 999.13 on Apr 30, 2005

 A motion to approve the Treasurer's report was made and seconded.  The chapter voted to approve the treasurer’s report.

General Agent:     Absent

Correspondence -   None.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament and Auction Party.    

Letters of Appreciation were given to those who helped at the Golf Tournament.

 2. Habitat for Humanity.  Sam Szalwinski

3. Coordinator of Religious Activities. Rudy Escamilla. I want to thank all the councils who have sponsored a chapter meeting and I want to thank two councils in particular for all that they have done, the New Braunfels Council and the Boerne Council. I want to thank all of you for all the support for all the activities and for your prayers, cards, gift baskets and my I want to encourage all of you to get a check up on the SABOR study.

Dinner Dance for Bishop Tom - Jay Vela.  The goal of the Bishop Tom Project was to raise enough funds so that Bishop Tom's recovery was not jeopardize so the opportunity was taken. The response was so great that it actually raised more than was needed to purchase the van. Even though there was enough money to purchase the vehicle outright, the vehicle was purchase on credit on four monthly payments to obtain a refund of $1,000 which will cost about $120 in interest.

Jubilee Dinner - Rudy Escamilla. Reported on a successful celebration for the religous and clergy at Assumption Seminary who were celebrating Jubilee anniversary's with the Archbishop.

4. Retreats.   Men's Retreat Sep 23-25. Walter Huegen and Louis Rubio are the co-Chairs. It has been a great way for brother knights to bond and it has been an over powering experience. It starts on Friday and end at noon Sunday.

5. Trustees. Audit of finances is still pending and changes to bylaws will be distributed at July meeting. Vote on bylaws will be conducted in August. The by laws will be changed to meet how we are conducting business.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade. It is June an almost the end of the fraternal year.  Some councils have done to great things like Fredericksburg on membership and we have lead the Texas Charity goal all year until last week. We are short $1,370.12 of our annual goal. The last two years we have fulfilled our charity goals. Although we have done a wonderful job in recruiting we still need to recruit more members and we need to make sure that we get the form 100 to Supreme, fax it if necessary. $740 are short after a collection of $630.

On the 16th of July Holy Trinity will host the Diocesan Meeting of Grand Knights. Every council member is welcome but in addition to GK, every FS and DGK should be there. The registration will start at 8 am and the meeting will start at 9 am.

Fourth Degree.   Installation of Officers For Assembly 1102 on the 21 of June.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.  The attendance at the State Convention was over two hundred from San Antonio.

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.  Absent

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.    No Report.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.    Brother Lopez requested for those who could give blood to donate blood for Jose Luis Garcia.

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Ken Boone.   Absent

Membership Retention Committee: No Report

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood.  Absent.

Round Table:  Bob Stegge.  Absent

 Old Business.  

Knights at the ballpark is Sunday July 17 starting at 6 p.m. discount tickets are $6 person. Each council to submit one check for all council members. Contact Stu with the Missions at 675-7275. Mass servers and other helpers in the parish should be invited. The Missions are playing the Springfield Cardinals.

Election of Officers

Ken Martinez ran the election on behalf of the trustees.

• President: Mike Nishimuta

• Vice President: Henry Gonzales

• Treasurer: Wayne Pipes

• Secretary: Louis Benavides

Motion from the floor  was requested three times for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.  All officers were elected by acclamation.

Mike Nishimuta new president elect asked Bishop Flanagan to serve as Chaplain for one more year. He accepted and this will make it 24 years.

New Business. None   

Guest Speakers:

Council 8436 Brother Angel Perez. Major Degrees for the coming year need to be schedule. Brother Perez requested any council that wants to sponsor a major degree so that those dates can be approve by Supreme December. We need councils to volunteer for the months of January, February, March, April, and June.

 DD Carl Bernal introduced the GK from Padre Pio Council GK Bill Finuf of Council 13704. His council would like to promote "Keep Christ in Christmas" by asking for donations of bill board space.

Host guest DD Eddie Garcia thanked the members for attending.

The Next meeting will be the open meeting July 20, Council 9902, St Mary Magdalene.

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer  was given by Bishop Flanagan.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary