Meeting Minutes June 2025

Meeting Minutes

06/03/2025

Dining Room

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.

OPENING PRAYER:  by MARC EVANS

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  by MIKE FITZGERALD

OPENING ODE:  by MIKE FITZGERALD

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: EX                             OUTSIDE GUARD: RUSSELL LEROY: P

FINANCIAL SECRETARY:  PETER PERTA:  P         ADVOCATE: RUSSELL GULLEY; P           

LECTURER:   JAMES RUSSELL: P                          1^ST YR TRUSTEE:  JORGE RUIZ: P

TREASURER:  JAMES SMITH:  P                           2^ND YR TRUSTEE:  DAN MURPHY: P

RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P                            3^RD YR TRUSTEE:  JIM RUSSELL: P

ARE ALL PRESENT IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD:  per Outside Guard: Yes

All persons who are not Knights (or honored guests) shall please retire form the chamber.  The doors shall now be closed and the guards assume their positions.

Opening Prayer  –  by Marc Evans

Pledge of Allegiance  –  by Mike Fitzgerald

Opening Ode – All

Approve Minutes of the Prior Meeting –  The minutes of our May 6^th General Membership Meeting were posted on the Council’s website on May 19^th.  A motion was made to accept the minutes as posted. The motion was seconded and the minutes were approved as posted

Election of our New Slate of Officers was conducted by our District Deputy (DD), Kebran Alexander:

The slate of officers was presented at our General Membership meeting in May by Russell Gulley. The Nomination Committee consisted of Russell Gulley, Jorge Ruiz, and Jack Ramsden.

Our (DD) conducted the proceedings of the elections. For each Officer position, starting with the 1^st Year Trustee and ending with the Grand Knight, the DD asked the specific Knight if he accepted the nomination for his designated position.  After receiving the individual Knight’s, “Yes.”  The DD asked (three (3) times), “Are there any additional nominations from the floor”.  For each Officer position, the DD closed the nomination process, by say, “Hearing none.  The nomination process is closed.”    

Grand Knight: Marc Evans

Deputy Grand Knight: Paul Ryan

Chancellor: Efrain Ochoa

Recorder: Roberto Nieto

Treasurer: James Smith

Advocate: Russell Gulley

Warden: Jesus Radillo

Outside Guard: Joel Lopez

Inside Guard: Russell LeRoy

Trustee 3 Years: Mike Fitzgerald

Trustee 2 Years: Dan Murphy

Trustee 1 Year: Jim Russell

As the election was non-contested in each position, Kebran Alexander stated a vote by acclamation is possible. The membership approved the new slate of officers unanimously. Congratulations to our new slate of officers for the July 1, 2025 –June 30, 2026 Fraternal Year!

Knight of the Year Election -by Dan Murphy and Jorge Ruiz

Five Knights were named as nominees for the Knight of the Year award, they were, in alphabetical order: Keith Archer, John Espree, Adan Luna, José Montoya and James Russell. There was also a blank line/”write in” line for you to submit a name if it is not on the list. To be the Knight of the Year, the Order’s guidelines are you must exemplify the traits of a solid Catholic man, who adheres to the principles of our Church and our Order, and stands as a model for the men of our parish. Any past Knight of the Year is not eligible to receive the award a second time.  A list of all past Knights of the Year was displayed on the screen. Ballots were handed out.

The finalists after completing the first round of voting at the meeting were: John Espree, Adan Luna, and José Montoya. A second was ballot was passed out to elect Knight of the Year from these 3 names. The winner will be announced during the Saturday, June 28^th Officer Instillation Dinner after the 5 p.m. Mass. Please RSVP when the announcement for the Instillation Dinner is announced.  

Grand Knight’s Report

New Knights -This evening we had 3 new Knights attending their first General Membership Meeting.

Isahi Arellano -He is married and has 2 children. He enjoys spending time with his children on the weekend. He is happy to be a Knight! His sponsor is Marc Evans

Phil Holifield He is married, has 4 children and 8 grandchildren and lives in Cedar Hill. He worked for the Depart of Defense for many years and is now retired. His sponsor is John Espree.

Venancio Salinas -He is married and has 4 daughter and has been living in Duncanville since 2003. He works in construction and operates heavy machinery. His sponsor is Adan Luna.

1. 2025-2026 Slate of Officers – see above.    
2. 2024-2025 Knight of the Year – see above.     
3. Brother Knight, Roy Cormier’s, services will be next week on Thursday, June 12^th.  There will be a viewing in the church Narthex from 10:30 – 11:00 AM, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 and a graveside ceremony at 2:00 pm. The location:

Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery

2000 Mountain Creek Parkway

Dallas, Tx 75211  

• Scholarships – The Council’s Scholarship committee has received four (4) applications from
  • Brother Knight, Juan Hernandez
  • Cooper Brady (Grandson of Jim Russell)
  • Jeremiah Navarro (Grandson of John Espree)
  • Maura Ryan (Daughter of Paul Ryan)

The Scholarship Committee (Jorge Ruiz, Dan Murphy, Mike Fitzgerald) is recommending the Council award $1,000 scholarship to each applicant. A motion was made to award these 4 scholarships to these 4 students. The motion was made,  seconded, and the motion passed.

• May Exemplification Ceremony– We decided not to schedule an Exemplification on Mothers’ Day, May 11^th.  Rather, the ceremony was pushed back to Sunday, May 18^th.  We had a single candidate, Vernancio Salinas, who had his wife and 3 daughters by his side.  It was a Spanish only Exemplification.
• Fraternal Breakfast at Kim and Jenny ‘s Restaurant on Saturday, May 10^th.  Paul Ryan hosted this event and 16 Knights were in attendance. Thanks to all that were able to attend. Mike Fitzgerald suggested to our Council’s field agent, Eben Fernandez, that the breakfast might be a good time to do our required second Fraternal Benefits Event (FBE) as opposed to having him attend an Officers and Directors meeting, which may or may not have the required 14 Council members in attendance, or attend our June 3^rd General Membership Meeting.  Eben did attend our Knights breakfast get together and the 16 Council members who attended the breakfast satisfied the minimum requirement of 14 to make it an official FBE.
• Induction of Officers – Saturday June 28^th, I have spoken with Melissa and have reserved the Kitchen and the dining room on after the Saturday night Mass.  I have been asked if we will be having beer and wine at this event?  I told Melissa that I would have the Officers and Directors make that decision at this meeting and I would get back to her later this week.  I have also communicated with our District Deputy, Kebran Alexander, who has confirmed that he is available on June 28^th.
• Parish Picnic – Sunday, June 8^th.  The parish has requested the Knights purchase the food and drinks for this year’s Parish picnic with the understanding that we can continue to put out donation containers.  James Smith advised that the cost of the food and drink and the donations received have generally turned out to be a wash.  With that information, GK Mike  Fitzgerald confirmed with the parish that the Knights will donate the food and drinks for this event.
• The Fall Festival this year will be on Saturday, September 27^th.  Mike Fitzgerald attended the first Planning meeting which was held last Tuesday, May 27^th.  It was a productive meeting that was led by our PGK Chris Kubin.
• Marc Evans – Bible Study – Marc Evans -The Men’s Bible study group meets every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of the month at 6 AM. The sessions focus on the Holy Spirit, and the meeting wraps up around 7:30 AM. During the last session, we had 10 men in attendance. Please join us for coffee, donuts, and fellowship.

Financial Secretary’s Report – Peter Perta:

Peter mentioned that his position is an appointed position, and he is not voted upon the general Council. He serves a three-year term.

Status of Honorary Life Member -this is a Knight who has served for 35 years and reaching a certain age, you can achieve Honorary Life member status. The benefit is that you no longer have to pay annual dues

Tonight, we honor Ed O’Brien who has achieved the status of Honorary Life member. Congratulations, Ed!

Membership stands at:  219

New members: Ricardo Santos, Venancio Salinas, Isaiah Arellano, Randy Lampa

One member deceased; Roy Cormier

New Member Goal: 14 new members per fraternal year.

Dues Collected Year to Date:  58%  The dues run on a calendar year basis from January 1^st to the end of December

Knight in Need Fund: $5,117

This fund is to help a Knight who is going through financial difficulties like job loss, illness, etc. and the request is made to the Knight in Need Fund Committee

Star Council Status: Our 2024-2025 goal is to reach 14 new members; we have already exceeded this with 16 new members

We are currently spending 75% of our yearly budget; At our next meeting, we will vote on the budget for the 2025-2026 fraternal year .

We also have new rosters available at this meeting

At the GK’s suggestion, Peter was given a round of applause for all the good work he does for the Council!

Treasurer’s Report  -by S/K James Smith

James advised the Council of last month’s ending balance, the overall deposits made this month, the overall expenditures for this month and the resulting ending balance. He states the food truck will be here on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at around 8: 30 a.m. so please come by and help James if you can

4^th Degree –  SK James Smith –  no report

Knight Hands – S/K Allen Reitmeier – we completed four (4) projects this month: Removed a pool cover for Rita Collier. Thank you, Dan Murphy and David Ybarra. Changed out a leaky faucet for Diane Lightbody; thank you Zach Cazares. Medical equipment was delivered to Kathleen Stuckly by Allen; Trees were trimmed for Teresa Ryan by Zach Cazares, David Ybarra, Ray Rivera, and Mike Fitzgerald. There are many new projects in the pipeline. 

Baseball Concessions  – S/K Allen Reitmeier -There are 2 evening  games tonight and Allen is working the concession stand. There were 4 Tim Campbell Tournaments in May. Total sales were approximately $159 per game and  total sales receipts of over $19,000. There will probably be 2 more Tournaments this spring. GK Mike Fitzgerald asked that all who helped at concessions during our busy month of May please stand. Thanks to all that helped and made this possible!

Church Activities – S/K David Ybarra  –  A parish breakfast is being planned for July 13^th and the usual menu will be served after the 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Masses. We will serve the usual menu.

Snow Cones will be served on Friday afternoons on July 18 and 25^th and August 1^st and August 8^th from 3-5 p.m.

The Parish Picnic will take place on Sunday, June 8^th from 12-4 p.m. and we will serve hamburgers and hamburgers and we will have a jar for donations. We have 2 sign-up sheets to volunteer. Set up time is 10 a.m. and tear down is at 4 p.m.

Program & Committee Reports

Programs

1. Faith –  Marc Evans – Bible study – Please see item 10. Of the GK’s report.
2. Family – José Montoya passed a condolence card for Roy Cormier’s wife, Francis. Please sign at the meeting and it will be delivered to her. Please attend his funeral if possible, on June 12^th.
3. Community  – Dan Murphy –  Veteran’s Day On Saturday, November 8^th, we will do a Veteran’s Day Event at the VA Medical Center in Dallas from approximately 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. We will serve hamburgers and hot dogs. Dan is working with Bill Dover to work out the details. We will also have a Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the parish on Saturday, November 8^th. More details to come.
4. Life  –  Sir Knight Mike Moloughney -absent; GK Mike Fitzgerald led us in prayer.

We prayed 3 Hail Marys to end abortion.

1. First Hail Mary – for the Unborn
   1. Second Hail Mary – for the moms of those unborn babies – that they allow their babies to be born.
   1. Third Hail Mary – for those in the abortion industry that they turn away from evil and seek the face of God.

Admissions Committee – S/K Russell Gully

No one to formally present tonight. -One gentleman  showed up for an interview but is in the process of getting married in the church. The other gentleman would be a potential transfer from St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

Awareness Committee – Vacant

Council Activities –  Vacant

Health Director –  Dr. Robert Nieto – We will have another Carter Blood Care blood drive on Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 8 AM until 2:30 p.m. The bus will be parked by the Community Center. You can sign up with a QR code in the bulletin. Walk ups are also welcomed.

Recruitment  – SK Jim Kowalski

Jim wants to recognize all those who have recruited someone to the Knights this past year. Without them, we would not be able to grow. This includes John Espree and Marc Evans. Special thanks to Adan Luna!

Retention – SK Paul Ryan absent; no report

Safe Environment – SK Russell Leroy

Russell Leroy has received the list from Anita Ochoa. This Master List has those Knights that have completed the requirements for Safe Environment Training and those who have not. Please see Russell before or after the meeting to check your status if you have any questions. Jorge Ruiz states we now have the capability to produce a list very quickly of who is certified or not certified in meeting the requirements for Safe Environment Training.  There will be a program to complete Safe Environment training ONLINE on Thursday, June 26^th at 7 p.m. Please log in and sign up and it will last one hour. We will also have Enedina Ochoa come to one of our upcoming meetings where she can conduct training here and help us certify many Knights all at one time.

Unfinished Business  

Jorge Ruiz – There is an Exemplification Ceremony to become a 4^th degree Knight on Saturday, June 14^th starting at 7 a.m.in McKinney. For more details, go the website for the Dallas Diocese Chapter website, at www.kofcdallas.org. There is an application and Jim Russell can help you if you have any questions

The next meeting for the Knights of Columbus Dallas Diocese Chapter will take place on Saturday, June 28^th at 8 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel in Garland. Breakfast is served. It is open to anyone in the Council. Jorge usually attends.

Fr. Michael McGivney Relic -On May 31^st, there was a first-class relic of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney at St. Mark’s the Evangelist in Plano.  There was also an Exemplification Ceremony for 14 new members at this event. Many Knights attended and were able to pray and venerate the relic.

New Business 

PGK Dan Murphy is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy 50 years ago! There will be an official ceremony at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on November  2025. He will be doing a bicycle ride from Florida to the Naval Academy which is over 1,100 miles over a month period. The details will be posted on our website. This bicycle tour is a fundraiser. The money will be raised for several foundations including one honoring Dr. Carl June. His team discovered a cure for a type of childhood leukemia. A trailer will be following the riders. Dan is asking individual Knights to donate to the cause. If donations from individual Knights of Council 8157 total $1,975 or more the Council’s name would be shown on the truck that is traveling with them.  Go to www.gulftogoat.navy to sponsor or obtain more information.

District Deputy – SK Kebran Alexander  –  see Election of our New Slate of Officers above.

What are we bringing that will be different to the Holy Spirit community after July 1, 2025? We must continue to innovate. What charitable events are we doing for the year, such as the Wheelchair Mission,  Fish Fries, Baseball Concessions, etc. Bring your energy and ideas.

Field Agent –  Eben Fernandez  He provided a brief overview of the Membership Benefits. This includes an automatic member/spouse Accidental Death Benefit and the award increases if you have an insurance policy with the Knights of Columbus. There is a Family Fraternal Benefit that pays in the event there is a stillborn baby or a baby born with birth defects. If both husband and wife were insured by the Knights of Columbus and they pass way, there will be benefits paid (Orphan Fraternal Benefit) to your dependents until age 19. There are some of the benefits available to you as a member. He talked about the importance of a wealth pyramid to achieve financial freedom. Please contact Eben Fernandez for a consultation to discuss insurance needs or questions.

Good of the Order:

            Knight of the Month  –  Art Rodriguez

      Family of the Month  –  Mike and Susan Fitzgerald

Prayer Requests –  There were multiple prayer requests including for the Cormier family and for our newly installed Pope Leo XIV

Closing Prayer by Mike Fitzgerald

Closing Ode

50/50 Meeting Drawing  – Jesse Zuniga $94

50/50 Membership Drawing –  We have multiple drawing to do this evening which will be conducted by our Financial Secretary, Peter Perta;

1^st Drawing for April: Marco Pinon $113  not present

2^nd Drawing for May: Pat McLain $149  not present

3^rd Drawing for June: José Montoya $196 -present

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.