We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
MINUTES OF COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING
Dining Room
10/01/2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.
OPENING PRAYER: by MARC EVANS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: by DAVID YBARRA
OPENING ODE: by MIKE FITZGERALD
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT, EX=EXCUSED
CHAPLAIN: VACANT
GRAND KNIGHT: MIKE FITZGERALD: P
DEP GRAND KNIGHT: MARC EVANS: P
CHANCELLOR: PAUL RYAN: EX
INSIDE GUARD: GAMALIEL HERNANDEZ: P OUTSIDE GUARD: RUSSELL LEROY: P
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: PETE PERTA: P WARDEN: ADAN LUNA: P
TREASURER: JAMES SMITH: EX 1ST YR TRUSTEE: DAN MURPHY: EX
RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P 2ND YR TRUSTEE: DAVID DYBALA: EX
ADVOCATE: RUSSELL GULLY: P 3RD YR TRUSTEE: TOM GRECO: P
LECTURER: JAMES RUSSELL: P
DISTRICT DEPUTY: KEBRAN ALEXANDER -EX
ARE ALL PRESENT IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD: per Outside Guard: Yes
Approve Minutes of the Prior Meeting – The minutes of our September 3rd General Membership Meeting have been posted on the Council’s website. The minutes were approved.
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT: by Mike Fitzgerald
We had one (1) new Knight who was attending his first General Membership Meeting:
José Valiente Valles -He is married and has 4 children; he is a painter and is originally from Durango, Mexico
Month of the Rosary -October – by Alex Sabo This month is dedicated to our Mother Mary. On October 7th, we celebrate the feast of our Lady of Victory. This is to celebrate the victory of the Holy League, made up of the Catholic states assembled by Pope Pius V in 1571, over the fleet belonging to the Ottoman Empire. The naval engagement was known as the Battle of Lepanto. Pope Pius V requested that all Western Catholics pray the rosary, and he attributed the military victory to the power of the Marian prayer. Pope Pius V officially approved the rosary in its present form in 1559. The new version included the second half of the Hail Mary and the addition of the Glory Be prayer at the end of each mystery. Padre Pio said, “The Rosary is the weapon the evils of world today. All graces given by God are passed through the Blessed Mother.” Try to pray the rosary daily and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary. The Rosary starts at 4: 30 p.m. prior to the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Pamphlets are available in the bookshelf near rest roomthe restrooms hall in the Narthex. They are available in English and Spanish.
Safe Environment Update by Jorge Ruiz
He provided a brief review on this topic and he had a few booklets of the Safe Environment (SE) manual for those wanting a copy. He reported that the requirements are exactly the same as the requirements for parishioners. The main purpose is to create a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults. The program includes protection of the accused individual and there is a clear process on how to handle an event. The manual spells out the code of conduct for all volunteers. There is a Safety Director (Russell Leroy) and a Safety committee. The committee is to help the safety Director meet all the requirements. The response team will be in charge of reporting, coordinating, and meeting the requirements as stated in the SE Manual. The program’s implementation will begin on Saturday, October 12th as a pilot program involving four of the Dallas Diocese Councils initially and then include our Council around January 2025. All new members to the Knights will be required to undergo a criminal background check. The background check will result in the prospective Knight being “cleared,” “not cleared” or “disqualified.”
The Dallas Diocese and the Dallas Chapter of the Knights of Columbus will be using the same agency to conduct criminal background checks. Each Council will be in charge of tracking the status of their prospective new Knights. Regardless of the ultimate outcome (whether “cleared”, “not cleared” or “disqualified”) it is of utmost importance that such information will be treated as being Strictly Confidential. Training will be provided online and each Knight will be provided with a link to complete the training. Remember: We are MANDATED as Knights by the State of Texas to report criminal acts. If you witness a crime, you must report it. If a crime occurs, call 911. If someone is accused, there is an appeals process, and it is outlined in the SE manual. (Call the police, notify the parish and the Knights Dallas Chapter.)
Bible Study – byMarc Evans
The Men’s Bible Study officially begins on Saturday, October 26th at 6 :00 a.m. It will take place on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. The bible study will be on the formation of the Eucharist. Coffee and donuts will be provided. The groups will be done in English and Spanish, and the bible study will wrap up around 7:30 pa.m.
Lady of Guadalupe Novenas -This will be happening again this year starting December 3rd. The parish is looking for groups to help out this year again. The group is looking for volunteers to do reading in English, serve refreshments in the Dining Room and have greeters and provide rosaries.
Fall Festival by Mike Fitzgerald
Yvette at the Parish office said the Fall festival was successful. The Rummage sale brought in around $18,000, The Silent Auction around $12,000, and Food sales around $12,900. A total of $61,000 was made by the parish.
November General Membership Meeting -This will take place on Monday, November 4th at the usual time. This will allow Knights to go and vote on Tuesday, November 5th.
Knight Hands History -Knight Hands started in May 2010. Since then, we have completed four hundred eighty- five (485) projects. We have many small projects and some very large projects that have required more than three hundred (300) man hours of labor. There are 4 requirements to qualify for a Knight’s Hand project:
1) The person being helped is unable to do the work themselves,
2) they do not have friends or relatives who can do the work for them,
3) they are the primary resident of the home, and
4) they have to sign a hold harmless agreement.
In summary, we are considered a “last resort” for these folks.
New Baptismal Font -Fr. Uche said the current baptismal font is too large and has requested the Knights make a new smaller baptismal font with wood and tile.
Financial Secretary’s Report by Peter Perta (absent)
Presented by Mike Fitzgerald
Membership currently stands at 240
New Members: none
Dues Collected YTD: 73%
Star Council Quota/Goal is fourteen (14) – The Fraternal Year started July 1st; we have added five (5) new members against our goal of fourteen (14)
Family of the Month Form has been submitted
The Knight in Need Fund currently stands at $5,200
Treasurer’s Report – Sir Knight James Smith provided the Council with last month’s ending balance, thethis month’s total deposits, less this month’s total expenditures, and the resulting ending balance.
4th Degree – SK James Smith -no report
Church Activities – SK David Ybarra -absent; he wanted to thank all the Knights who helped on the September 1st breakfast which included Allen Reimeier, Billy Callender, Jack Ramsden, Pedro Zuniga, Efrain Ochoa, Miguel Hernandez, Eduardo and Cynthia Flores, John Owen, Gamaliel Hernandez, Mario Luna, John Espree, Juan Gomez, Luis Ramirez, Marc Evans, Jim Ouimet, Lou Lemons, and Mike Fitzgerald
Program & Committee Reports
Programs
Faith –Our new Bible Study -see earlier comments by Marc Evans
Family – José Montoya -no report
Community – Dan Murphy –on vacation; No report
Life – Sir Knight Mike Moloughney -absent; Mike Fitzgerald led us in praying three (3) Hail Marys to end abortions.
Admissions Committee – S/K Jim Russell -no report
Council Activities – Vacant
Health Director – by Dr. Robert Nieto -no report
Knight Hands – see information presented earlier in the meeting
Recruitment – SK Jim Kowalski -Plans are underway for a membership recruitment drive to take place in February 2025.
Retention – SK Paul Ryan -No report
Unfinished Business
New Business
Field Agent -Evan Hernandez – No report
Good of the Order: by Paul Ryan and José Montoya
Knight of the Month – postponed
Family of the Month – postponed
Prayer Requests – We prayed for Adan Luna, James Smith, David Dybala, and other prayer requests
Closing Ode
50/50 Meeting Drawing:
Membership Drawing:
Meeting adjourned: 8:55 p.m.
