MINUTES OF COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING
Dining Room
03/05/2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.
OPENING PRAYER: by MIKE FITZGERALD
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: PAUL RYAN
OPENING ODE: TOM GRECO
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT, EX=EXCUSED
CHAPLAIN: VACANT
GRAND KNIGHT: MIKE FITZGERALD: P WARDEN: ADAN LUNA: P
DEP GRAND KNIGHT: MARC EVANS: P INSIDE GUARD: GAMALIEL HERNANDEZ: P
CHANCELLOR: PAUL RYAN: P OUTSIDE GUARD: RUSSELL LEROY: P
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: PETE PERTA: EX LECTURER: JAMES RUSSELL: P
TREASURER: JAMES SMITH: P 1ST YR TRUSTEE: JACK RAMSDEN: P
RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P 2ND YR TRUSTEE: DAVID DYBALA: EX
ADVOCATE: RUSSELL GULLY: P 3RD YR TRUSTEE: TOM GRECO: P
ARE ALL PRESENT IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD: per Outside Guard: Yes
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The minutes of our February 6th General Membership Meeting have been posted on the website. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the February 6th minutes as posted.
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT: by Mike Fitzgerald
New Knights attending their First Meeting tonight: none
Lenten Fish Fry –At the first Fish Fry on February 16th, Cappie Wood was presented with a coffee cup filled with chocolates as a small token of the Council’s appreciation for all her help with the 2023 Fish Fries. We had an excellent turnout of Knights to work on each of the first of three Fish Fries. At each of the first 2 Fish Fries, over 250 people were served. For the 3rd Fish Fry, over 180 people were served.
New Members and Council Recognition –The State Council sent us a congratulatory e-mail to Council 8157 for recruiting 6 or more new members between December 5, 2023 and Founder’s Day (March 29th). We were awarded a “Join Us” Blessed Michael McGivney pop-up banner for display at future council events. Special thanks to Adan Luna who has been working hard to recruit new members.
Knight Hands Project –We have helped Steve and Jessica Huckeba. The biggest cost was a new 50-gallon electric water heater at Home Depot at $530 plus the cost of the hoses, couplers, water valve, pipe joint compound, etc. which added around an additional $100. The Knight Hands has a $2,500 annual budget and we periodically receive donations from some of the people we help, Mike authorized Allen to purchase this new water heater and avoid having to take 2 monthly Council votes to get approval on a $500+ expenditure.
Allen reports they were able to repair the Huckaba’s refrigerator by replacing the motor. Special thanks to Jose Montoya and Jose Luis Ramirez who provided expertise and help in replacing the water heater and repairing the refrigerator.
PIP Days –Duncanville’s Property Improvement Days take place yearly. People in Duncanville apply to get help with various home/property improvement projects to their homes like mending fences or tree trimming or painting. As a Knight Hands project, our Council has participated in PIP for many years. Sometime in April, David Dybala will likely be putting a Knight Hands team to work on this year’s projects.
We ask that everyone help with keeping track of Knight Hands expenses and donations; and provide Peter Perta with this information. By keeping close track of expenses and donations, the Council will have the required 2 monthly votes should the Knight’s budget need to be increased by $500 or more.
Safe Environment Policy
Knight of Columbus is a Non-Parish Based Organization (NPBO). Sharon Bush is Holy Spirit’s Safe Environment Director who screens parishioners who volunteer in the following 5 ministries:
Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
Faith Formation
Food Pantry
Hospitality Ministers
Youth Ministry
If you are involved in one or more of these Parish ministries, you are required to be Safe Environment cleared by the Parish/Diocese. If you have been Safe Environment cleared by the Holy Spirit Parish, that Parish clearance is recognized by and is acceptable to the Knights of Columbus. If you are not a member of one or more of the above ministries your Safe Environment clearance needs to be obtained via the Dallas Diocese Knights of Columbus Chapter.
PLEASE DO NOT contact Sharon Bush requesting her assistance with Safe Environment clearance. The Parish Office has been contacted by the Duncanville ISD Food Pantry asking for assistance in moving food stuck from one location to another. Unfortunately, they did not identify the location or dates when the assistance will be needed. We will get additional information and then send out an email blast requesting volunteers.
Financial Secretary’s Report: by PETE PERTA -absent
Membership: 237
2024 Years to date dues collected: 44%
New Members: Pedro Zuniga and Albert “Anthony” Starkus
Transfer Out: Fr. Steve Antes
Star Council: Membership Goal 13; YTD 24 –we are 2 members
away from Double Star Council designation!
RSVP Checks for $500 each have been mailed to the 5 seminarians that the Council supports
Knight in Need Fund: stands at $950
New Field Agent, Tom Centarri – Tom introduced himself to the Council. He is originally from Nebraska and his wife is from Arlington. He got married in 2016, and he is a Dad of 5 children. He has been a field agent for 5 years. He can help the Council with the requirement to hold/attend 2 Fraternal Benefit Events. He encouraged all members of our Council to look into the insurance that is available through the Knights of Columbus.
Treasurer’s Report: by James Smith
Starting with last month’s ending bank balance, James advised us of this month’s deposits, less expenses and the resulting ending balance.
Baseball Concessions Update –Baseball Starts in March! A baseball tournament will take place March 16th at Valley Ridge Park in Cedar Hill. If you get a call from Miguel, our Baseball Concession Scheduler, please volunteer to work one of the concession stand shifts.
Fourth Degree Classic Car Show –This will take place on Saturday, 04/13/24 in our East Parking Lot. Food and drinks will be available. No beer. Please plan to attend
Program Directors Reports
Faith: Marc Evans gave an update on the Men of the Word Bible Study -11 to 12 men have been attending each session on Wednesday evenings. A total of 8 sessions have been completed. There are still books available so please join us. The program starts at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Marc asked if there is an interest in doing a bible study once this course has been completed. Some Knights expressed interest and this will be explored further.
Family: Jose Montoya, absent; no report
Community: Dan Murphy – He asked for volunteers for the Lenten Fish Fries. We will need about 30 volunteers on each of the 6 Fridays in Lent. The Fish Fries have been very successful and well attended. Dan asked for volunteers to help with clean up as some Knights stayed late on Friday to clean up and set up chairs and tables. Please show up and ask where help is needed.
St. Joseph’s Residence in Dallas and Seminarian Dinner –This event at St. Joseph’s Residence will be done in early May. Dinner for the seminarians will be planned for later this year. More details to come.
Life: Mike Moloughney, absent – No new report.
In Mike Moloughney’s absence, our Council prayed 3 Hail Marys for:
First Hail Mary – for the Unborn
Second Hail Mary – for the moms of those unborn babies – that they allow their babies to be born.
Third Hail Mary – for those in the abortion industry; that they turn away from evil and seek the face of God.
Membership/Admissions: byRussell Gulley – The admissions committee met on Sunday. The committee met with prospective member, Marco Piñon. He is in the remodeling business. The committee supports his desire to join the Council. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the candidate. The exemplification ceremony will likely take place in April 2024.
Health: by Robert Nieto and Joel Lopez –A social worker at Scottish Rite Hospital provided important information to help the single mom with her special needs child. The mom is trying to obtain a custom car seat for transportation. If the child has Medicaid, the child may be able to get the seat through the Medicaid program. If he is non-funded or has commercial insurance, he can go to 2-3 charities like the United Health Care Children’s Charities or the Masonic Home and School Charity. Information will be provided to the family.
Church Activities: by David Ybarra –absent; No report
Recruitment: by Jim Kowalski -We are proud to announce we are well on our way to achieve Double Star Council status for our recruitment efforts. Jim states very few Councils in Texas have this designation. Jim asked for 2 volunteers for the Special Olympics Hoops contest at Cedar Hill High School for tomorrow. The Knight volunteers’ role will be to place the award ribbons on the athletes.
Knights of Columbus State Convention – will take place April 26-28th in Houston. Members can attend all the events during the three-day weekend. However, only delegates may vote at meetings.
Retention: by Paul Ryan –He is asking members to volunteer to help with mentoring our new members. A fraternal breakfast is being planned for April which will include a brief Fraternal Benefits Event qualifying presentation by our field agent, Tom Centarri.
NEW BUSINESS
Food Pantry –The big truck arrives tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. and help is needed for unloading the truck.
Awareness Committee –Allen asked if members actually look at the K of C website. If you have an upcoming event, please let Allen know and he can put the event on the K of C calendar of events on the website. The website is Kofc8157.org
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
FAMILY OF THE MONTH: not presented
KNIGHT OF THE MONTH: Steve Fordan, MD
GRAND KNIGHT’S SUMMARY
PRAYER REQUESTS and CLOSING PRAYER by KG –We prayed for Mike Clark’s daughter who had successful surgery after a car accident and for other prayer requests
CLOSING ODE: All Knights
Meeting Drawing: Efrain Perez
50/50 Membership Drawing: Adan Luna
Must be Present to win the 50/50 Membership Drawing
Meeting Adjourned 8:20 pm
Council Meeting Schedule
