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.
Meeting Minutes
10/07/2025
Dining Room
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.
OPENING PRAYER: by DEACON CHARLES RUELAS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: by EFRAIN OCHOA
OPENING ODE: by ALL
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT, EX=EXCUSED
CHAPLAIN:
GRAND KNIGHT: MARC EVANS: P WARDEN: JESUS RADILLO: P
DEP GRAND KNIGHT: PAUL RYAN: EX INSIDE GUARD: RUSSELL LEROY: P
CHANCELLOR: EFRAIN OCHOA: P OUTSIDE GUARD: JOEL LOPEZ: P
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: PETER PERTA: EX ADVOCATE: RUSSELL GULLEY; P
LECTURER: JOEL LOPEZ: P 1ST YR TRUSTEE: JIM RUSSELL: P
TREASURER: JAMES SMITH: P 2ND YR TRUSTEE: DAN MURPHY: EX
RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P 3RD YR TRUSTEE: MIKE FITZGERALD: 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.
Approve Minutes of the Prior Meeting – The minutes of our September 2nd General Membership Meeting were posted on the Council’s website on September 10th. A motion was made to accept the minutes as posted. The motion was seconded and the minutes were approved as posted
Paul Ryan and Peter Perta are excused
Allen Reitmeier is working at the baseball fields now
Dan Murphy -He is riding his bicycle along the East Coast as part of his bike ride fundraiser!
Grand Knight’s Report
New Knights attending their first meeting:
Juan Espinosa -He is married and a father of 2; he has been a parishioner at Holy Spirit for 2 years; he went through RICA (now called OCIA) and received his sacraments this past Easter. He works at Deloitte in business operations
GK Marc Evans met with Father Uche on July 9th. We asked Fr. Uche what kind of direction on the Knights can best serve the parish. Fr. Uche provided directions from the Parish for desired Knight activities and support
To this end, we have a brief presentation by our Deacon Charlie Ruelas
How to Live a Sacramental Life By Deacon Charlie
Deacon Charlie mentioned that to be a Knight, you must be in “good standing” in the Catholic Church. What does that mean? It means to be engaged in the sacramental life of the Church. One thing that may take people out of the “good standing” category is marriage. For example, there is a civil marriage that ends in divorce and the person wants to be Sacramentally Married in the Church. There is a process where documents can be presented and people are interviewed to see if the marriage can be annulled. The good news is that the Catholic Church does provide a pathway. There is a Tribunal where the Church can decide on these matters. Some definitions and concepts.
Annulment -essentially means that, in the Church’s eyes, the first marriage “never happened”
Not receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation may take you out of good standing
Marriage -According to Church law, the party to a marriage covenant is a baptized man and woman who are free to contract marriage and freely express their consent. “Free” means you cannot be under constraint or not impeded by any natural or ecclesiastical law. For example, a roadblock may be the first marriage has not been annulled. It is a difficult situation because annulment is a long process. The parties involved are interviewed. Sometimes, the process can take up to 2 years. The Diocese is wanting to streamline the process. Fr. Cristian Casado is not only our priest, but he sits on the Tribunal for the Diocese of Dallas. He is a Canon lawyer.
The first question and answer session has taken place. The second question and answer session will take place:
Convalidation Workshops by Fr. Cristian Casado
Monday October 13th at 7 p.m. This is a general information session in English/Spanish. Please come with your questions
In summary,
Our job as brother Knights to guide you and not to lose you because of the process. It is one reason why people leave the Church and they are intimidated by the process. No one should think the process is impossible. Joel Lopez attended the first session and highly recommends this session. Marc Evans also wrote a letter of support for a family member and the found the process rewarding and cleansing.
Fall Festival – The Fall Festival this year took place Saturday, September 27th and Sunday September 28th. Marc Evans and Gamaliel Hernandez gave everyone a BIG THANKS to all the men who helped with set-up, tear down, cooking, manning booths and bingo, etc. Gamaliel and Marc said that a lot of food was sold! The actual numbers from the festival are not yet available. Other items: Marc states that the griddle in the kitchen is now working.
Financial Secretary’s Report – Worthy Financial Secretary by Sir Knight Peter Perta :
Treasurer’s Report – SK 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.
4th Degree – SK James Smith – We have several exemplification ceremonies coming up; if you are interested in becoming a Knight of the 4th Degree, contact James Smith or Jim Russell. Further information is posted on kofcdallas.org.
Knight Hands and Baseball Concessions -by SK Allen Reitmeier
Knight Hands – S/K Allen Reitmeier absent as he Ballpark tonight
Since our last meeting Knight Hands has completed 3 projects: 1. We repaired the garbage disposal for Alex Sabo. Thank you, Ray Rivera. Alex donated funds for this job. 2. Repaired the electrical pod used for electricity for the Festivals. Thank you, Hector Rubio and Mario Ramos. 3. Completed a P.I.P. project at the home of Elaine Brewer. Thank you, David Dybala, Jack Ramsden, Mike Fitzgerald, and Russell Gully. Please read the recap story with pictures on our website.
We have farmed out a wheel chair at the request of John Owen; who also donated a wheeled walker to our supply of handicap devices. In addition, Mary Lindsey donated a power wheelchair to the Knights which is ready to be farmed out for anyone who is in need. Contact Allen if you are in need of any handicap equipment.
Baseball Concessions – S/K Allen Reitmeier
The regular little baseball season will be completed tonight. We have attended 36 games and have recorded about $5,000 in total sales. Please check out the baseball story on our website for more details and pictures. A special shout out to new Knights who worked at the ballpark – Paul Maldonado and Alejandro Garcia who both performed admirably well.
On October 18th and 19th, there will be two tournaments played at Valley Ridge Park – the end of the year league tournament and the “Stamp out Cancer” tournament. I am expecting games to be played on all five fields all day long on both Saturday and Sunday. Miguel will be busy scheduling 5-6 Knights for three shifts each day – be ready for a call or text message.
Church Activities – Vacant -David Ybarra and James Smith have agreed to train/support someone
Program & Committee Reports
Stand and Pray 3 Hail Marys to end abortions.
The Admissions Committee met this past Sunday, and we had three prospective members from three different sponsors.
The Admissions Committee has recommended these 3 men for membership. A motion was made, it was seconded, and the motion passed. An exemplification ceremony will take place in Spanish on Sunday, October 12th at 2: 30 p.m. Marc said that we have cards now where people can use the cards with a QR code where the prospective member can sign up quickly. There are available at the sign in table.
Alex Sabo brought us some Rosary brochures (both in English and in Spanish) and 15 promises from Mary from those who pray the Rosary. October is the month of the Rosary. Thank you, Alex
Russell has a list of Knights that are current/deficient on Safe Environment training. Please stop by the table
Online Safe Environment Training October 29th at 7 p.m. The session will last about one hour. There will be questions at the end. The only way to access this is through our website. Go to kofc8157.org and log in with your member number. If you need to have a background check, you can check the button.
The Bob Stras Memorial High School Basketball Tournament is coming December 4-6th, 2025. There will be exciting basketball for the high school level. We also have a budget item for purchasing an ad for the program for the event.
Annual Clergy Appreciation Event -This will take place on Friday, February 13th at 7 p.m. This event honors our priests and deacons of the Diocese. It takes place at the KC Club of Council 799 and we invite our clergy and we will purchase a table.
The Diocese has created a new database where someone can check the status of their safe Environment Training (SET). Go to Virtus.org and type I need log in help and set up a new password.
Jorge is looking for volunteers to field test his new phone app for the Knights of Columbus. He is looking for Knights who have an Android phone.
Unfinished Business
Clergy Appreciation Dinner by James Smith
There will be a clergy appreciation dinner at Holy Spirit on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person (turkey dinner with all the sides) and James Smith will be selling tickets after the masses. The dinner is hosted by several local K of C Councils in the area and our Council as well.
New Business
Youth Bibles for Lindee Greer – At the officer’s meeting we discussed a donation for Catholic Youth Bibles – Alex Sabo made the motion for $1k donation for the purchase of these bibles. The motion was seconded, and the motion passed.
Burgers To Go by Roberto Tovar
The ACTS Community will be selling burgers on Sunday, October 19th, after the morning Masses and after the 1 p.m. Mass until they run out. Look for us between the Community Center and the Church Building. Please contact Roberto Tovar if you can volunteer to help out with this event.
Good of the Order:
Prayers and Intentions – There were multiple prayer intentions
Closing Ode – Marc Evans
Closing Prayer – We prayed a prayer for the canonization of Blessed Fr. McGivney
50/50 Meeting Drawing: Pat Stepniewski
50/50 Membership Drawing – postponed for next meeting
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p
