MINUTES OF COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING
Dining Room
11/07/2023
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.
OPENING PRAYER: by DEP GK MARC EVANS
PLEDGE OF ALLIEGANCE: PAUL RYAN
OPENING ODE: DAVID DYBALA
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT, EX=EXCUSED
CHAPLAIN: VACANT
GRAND KNIGHT: MIKE FITZGERALD: EX 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: DAN SCHNEIDER: EX
RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P 2ND YR TRUSTEE: DAVID DYBALA: P
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 October General Membership Meeting minutes have not yet been posted on the Council website. There were delays, but once reviewed, the minutes will be posted onto the website.
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT: by Marc Evans
Hispanic Initiative Meeting –This took place at St. Mary of Carmel –Mike Fitzgerald and Jorge Ruiz attended this event. Some important facts shared at the meeting:
- 40% of all new members to the Knights of Columbus in 2023 listed Spanish as their first language.
- The number of new Knights listing Spanish as their first language is projected to increase to 50% of all new members by 2030.
Corporate Communion/Knight of the Year Celebration–This will take place on Saturday, December 16th in the Dining Room. Mass is at 5 p.m. followed by the celebration at 6 p.m. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
Member Appreciation Dinner and Dance – will be held in January 2024 on either Saturday, the 13th or 20th.
Installation of Officers –This will take place in June 2024 on either Saturday, June 22nd or 29th.
Dallas Diocese Chapter Operational Meeting –This event took place on 10/30/2023 was attended by Mike Fitzgerald, Marc Evans, Jim Kowalski, and Jorge Ruiz. Our Council demonstrated how we use Google Translate at our monthly General Membership Meetings as a tool to share the meeting’s information in Spanish for our Spanish-speaking members. The demonstration was well received. One of the items discussed at the meeting was to run the Council like a business which includes filing important paperwork on or before their deadlines.
Men of the Word Bible Study Program Marc Evans– This Bible Study will be held on Wednesday evenings starting in January 2024. This is 12 session study. The bible study will be an opportunity to become men of the Word by taking a step back and see the big picture of the Gospel. It is a foundational study and will allow us to see the world through the eyes of faith. More information will be forthcoming.
Treasurer’s Report: by James Smith
Starting with last month’s ending bank balance, James advised us of the this month’s deposits less expenses and the resulting ending balance.
Baseball Concessions Update –We recently completed a two-day baseball tournament and it raised more than $8,000 in profit. Thanks to all that helped by volunteering to work during this busy and financially successful event. With the baseball concession stand being the Council’s major fund raiser. Please respond to Miguel Hernandez when he sends out a request asking for volunteers at the baseball concession stand. Even if the response is, I cannot help due to another commitment.
Clergy Appreciation/Fourth Degree Knights Appreciation Dinner –This will take place in the gym on 11/09/23. Dinner is $25 per person. It will be a turkey dinner with the trimmings. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner starts at 7 p.m.
Financial Secretary Report:
Peter Perta not present but he sent notes
The container of the names of all the members of our Council has been updated. The container of names was not available at the October meeting. As a result, we will have two (2) membership drawings this evening. Peter has provided an envelope with the names of all the Knights who attended the October meeting.
- The first drawing tonight will be for October and to win the Knight must have attended the October meeting.
- The second drawing will be for November and will apply to those in attendance tonight.
Program Directors Reports
Faith: Deacon Charles Ruelas; absent; no report
Family: Jose Montoya -Jose would like to propose a new program for the Knights of Columbus. He proposed starting “welfare checks” on the widows/widowers of the parish. This would begin by creating a database with the help of volunteers. Once we have the names, the Knights can reach out with a phone call or visit. A motion was made, seconded and passed. Jose is also interested in reaching out to an orphanage in the area; if you have any information on an orphanage or would like to volunteer for the welfare checks for widows/widowers, please contact Jose. Mike Moloughney said some pregnancy centers also take in pregnant women and young babies in need. They can also be a focus of future projects
Community: Dan Murphy – Absent but he sent a reports; the Council served lunch to the residents at the St Joseph’s Retirement Center in Dallas. Special thanks to the 20 Knights and 2 wives who volunteered and helped prepare and serve the food.
Life: Mike Moloughney -The money for the Baby Bank project is coming in. The Hike for Life in Waxahachie was a success. Our Council donated $1,000 to the Hike, and this event raised over $19,000. This is their most successful year ever. This Hike helps support the pregnancy centers. The North Texas March for Life will take place on January 20th. The walk will be from the Cathedral to the Courthouse. Parish youth will also be attending the March for Life in Washington D. C.
Membership/Admissions: SK Russell Gully – There was an admission committee meeting on 10/24/2023, and several candidates for membership were interviewed.
Jaime Sanchez –lives in Dallas; works in concrete/construction; sponsored by Adan Luna
Cruz Gonzales from Grand Prairie; industrial mechanic; sponsored by Adan Luna
Anderson D’Souza –lives in Dallas; construction contractor; sponsored by Jorge Ruiz
Filadelfo Salvador –lives in Cedar Hill; he is a handyman; sponsored by Adan Luna
Alexander Carlson –lives in Cedar Hill; he is a lumberjack; sponsored by Doug Karpan
Drew Carlson –lives in Cedar Hill; he works at T and W Tire Shop; sponsored by Doug Karpan
These applicants were approved unanimously by the Council; the bilingual exemplification ceremony will take place on 11/14/23 at 7 p.m.
Health: Robert Nieto –No date has been set for the next blood drive.
Knight Hands: David Dybala – A storm door was replaced for Debra Morgan who donated $250. A patio cover was repaired. A tree trimming job in Cedar Hill will be done on Saturday. About 4 or 5 volunteers will be needed. Hector Rubio has been instrumental in bringing these projects to the Knights. Allen Reitmeier said he has a new large canopy measuring 16’ x 10’ that is looking for a home. Please contact him if you are interested.
Recruitment: Jim Kowalski -The Sunday membership drive on October 14th and 15th was very successful. We had 7 prospects that signed up. Special thanks to Doug Karpan! He signed up a father and son duo, Alexander and Drew Carlson, during our Sunday membership drive. Zachary Hays and Joshua Hubbard – if you know them, please let Jim Kowalski know.
Another recruitment Sunday will be planned around April 2024 with parish approval. Fr. Uche has already filled out his 100 form. Jim reached out for clarification from Supreme in New Haven. He was informed that any priest who signs up to be a Knight is automatically a third degree Knight and lifetime member. Jim stated the Council is in good shape to get double Star Council designation if we continue to move forward with adding more members.
Church Activities: David Ybarra
The Knight’s Sunday Breakfast on 10/22/23 was a big success. Over $500 was raised. Special thanks to James Smith, Allen Reitmeier, Mike Fitzgerald, Mario, Efrain Ochoa, Jose Montoya, Jack Ramsden, Billy Calendar, Eduardo, and Pat. This event will be done again in the future. David Ybarra announced he will have lumbar surgery in mid December. David, we will keep you in our prayers.
Retention Knight Breakfast at Kim and Jenny’s Restaurant in Duncanville: Paul Ryan – The breakfast took place on Saturday, 10/02/23, starting a 7 a.m. About 30 Knights attended! Part of the work of the Retention Committee is to reach out to new members, assign them a mentor, give them a Knight t-shirt, and keep them informed of events. If you are interested in joining the Retention Committee or mentoring a new member, please contact Paul Ryan
Safe Environment: SK Russell Leroy – Update: The parish Safe Environment training requirement is only for those who are involved in parish-based ministries like hospitality ministers, youth minsters, extraordinary ministers, catechists, Organizations like Catholic Daughters of America and Knights of Columbus have to do their own safe environment training and clearances through their respective organizations. The parish will accept safe Environment training through the Knights of Columbus in lieu of doing the Diocesan training. As per Jorge Ruiz, the three officers who are required to have the Supreme Safe Environment training are: the Grand Knight and the Community and the Family Directors. If you need to get the parish Safe Environment Training, please contact Sharon Bush at the church office.
OLD BUSINESS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
Kitchen Accident –There was a volunteer who had a serious laceration with a knife while prepping the food. Dr. Fred Ciarochi was able to help with first aid during the incident. Dr. Ciarochi recommended that we get a basic First Aid Kit for the kitchen area. There was a suggestion we purchase 2 First Aid Kits (usually cost less than $100 each) – one for the kitchen and one for the back of the church. Only one was required for this purchase.
Holy Spirit Parish 50th Anniversary Celebration: Robert Nieto – There are two fund raising events for the parish. The funds raised will go toward defraying the costs of our 50th Anniversary Celebration in May 2024.
- New Orleans themed Casino Night on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Please save the date. More information to follow.
- Commemorative Paver Program. Parishioners can purchase a brick in recognition of special events, e.g., weddings, baptisms, etc, or in memory of a loved one. There is also a limited selection of clip art for the brick if you would like (religious or military themed) to add a personal touch. The red bricks are
- 4” x 8” for $110
- 8” x 8” for $210
Knights of Columbus Family Video Series: Jorge Ruiz – The Knight’s of Columbus has created a video series focusing on the family called “Into the Breach.” During Covid when our Monthly Meetings were via Zoom, we saw some of the ”Into the Breach” videos. This is an excellent video series and it focuses on the importance of family in today’s culture. This is needed now more than ever. You can view the “Into the Breach” videos at KofC.org.
Knight Project at Playground: Adan Luna – There was a cement slab that was created next to the playground. This space will be used for a covered seating area next to the playground. This is a joint project between several Knights and the Guadalupano’s group of the parish. More work will be added soon.
GOOD OF THE ORDER: presented today by Paul Ryan
FAMILY OF THE MONTH- postponed till December meeting
KNIGHT OF THE MONTH: postponed till December meeting
GRAND KNIGHT’S SUMMARY
PRAYER REQUESTS and CLOSING PRAYER by Marc Evans –We prayed for Steve Reid and other personal requests
CLOSING ODE: All Knights
50/50 Raffle Drawings:
The container with the names of all the Councils Knights for the 50/50 Membership Raffle was missing at our October meeting so the 50/50 raffle for October and November was done tonight.
Meeting Drawing: winning ticket #559 $37 for the winner
Membership Drawing Pot: Mark Meyer (October) not present
Keith McCain (November) not present
$254 will roll over to the December 2023 drawing
Must be Present to win the 50/50 Membership Drawing pot
Meeting Adjourned 8:20 pm
Council Meeting Schedule
