Holy Spirit Council No. 11661
11300 W 103RD ST OVERLAND PARK KS 66214
Website: http://kofc11661.com/
Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2022
Call to Order: Grand Knight, Jim Easterday, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Warden’s Report: The meeting was held in the Mary and Martha room at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance: Fr. Andrew led the Council in prayer and the Grand Knight, Jim Easterday, led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Officers missing at the meeting were the excused Treasurer, and the absent Advocate and Third Year Trustee. Twenty-eight (28) members were present and duly recognized.
Attendance: Present: 28 Total Membership: 317
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to adopt the November 10, 2022, minutes which were previously e-mailed to all of the members. The motion was seconded and passed. The minutes were adopted as presented.
Grand Knight’s Report
Grand Knight, Jim Easterday, gave his report as follows:
1.He thanked all the Knights who worked the “Breakfast with Santa.” He said it was the first year he chaired this event and there were some clean-up issues pertaining to the event which he was still reviewing and the issues would be taken up at the Officers’ Meeting;
2.He specifically thanked Greg Brown for his efforts in running the successful “Coats for Kids” Program this year. He informed the Council the fundraiser for this event realized over $8,000 that more than replenished the over $6,000 spent on this program this year;
3.He informed the Council he had received notification we met our requirement of attendees for this past November 29 “Fraternal Benefit Night’.” He said we have one more opportunity to meet our requirement of attending a “Fraternal Benefit Night” which will earn the Council the Foundation Award. This event will be held after the first of next year;
4.He informed the Council its contribution to the annual Religious Education raffle tickets raised $12,000 (really should have been $1,200) and that Holy Spirit’s Catholic School was a recipient of $375 from that fundraising event;
5.He informed the Council it had been asked by the Parish to help with the “New Parishioner Welcome” brunch to be held after the 9:00 A. M. Sunday Mass on January 15, 2023;
6.He reminded the Council it was asked to help with the clean-up after the annual Gala on Sunday morning February19, 2023;
7.He went through a litany of thank you card from recipients of the Council’s generosity that included Holy Cross School, Conception Abbey, and Catholic Charities;
8.He informed the Council the Exemplification scheduled for December 11 was being moved to January. He said there would be more about this later in the meeting; and
9.He thanked Chris Horvat for tonight’s refreshments.
Upon concluding his report, he announced Brother Knight Phil Fowler had reached Honorary Life Membership status. He called Phil Fowler up to receive his award and be recognized by the Council. Phil received a warm round of applause from the Council.
Deputy Grand Knight
The Deputy Grand Knight, Don Watson, was present. There was no report.
Chaplain’s Report
Fr. Andrew was present. He congratulated and thanked the Council for its work in conducting a successful “Coats for Kids” Program again this year. He requested the Council’s help with the upcoming “Welcome New Parishioner” brunch. He said the Parish has not done one for at least two years because of Covid and the Church intends to extend an invitation to all the Parish families who have come into the Parish since the last brunch was held.
Financial Reports
Financial Secretary Report
Tom Gaume, the Financial Secretary, was present. Tom gave an update on his efforts of sending out “dues” notices and the options for paying dues he is trying to implement this year. Tom said the Council had 250 dues paying members with about 16% of the 250 having paid their dues already.
He informed the Council when the membership cards are mailed out to the members that he’ll include a request to the members for a donation to our “Seminarian Fund.”
With that, he indicated there was only one bill to be paid this evening. He informed the Council he had a bill to be paid to Chris Horvat for refreshments this evening in the amount of $94.18.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded the Council approved paying the bill of $94.18
Treasurer’s Reports
Tom Spencer, the Treasurer, was absent and Tom Gaume gave an abbreviated report:
Bank Balance on hand: $22,509.77
Less: a variety of earmarked items leaving a
Remainder: $9,666.46
Lector’s Address
The Lector, Greg Brown, was present and gave his presentation on the Eucharist titled “Bread of Life.” His presentation was concluded with the prayer for the canonization of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, our Founder.
Membership Director
Chad Eickholt, the Membership Director, was present. Chad said he hopes to have six (6) new applicants go through the Exemplification now scheduled for January 22, 2023, at 2 P.M. in the Church. He said he will continue to reach out to Knights needing to do degree work and asked the Council members to do the same.
Faith Director
Everett Fritz, the Faith Director, was present but had no report.
Family Director
John Weber, the Family Director, was present. He reported there will be five (5) Sundays in January. He reported the Council will be having a Communion Mass and breakfast on January 29, 2023. He informed the Council everything would be the same as last time.
Vocation Director
Bob Roennigke, our Vocation Director was absent. In his absence the Grand Knight reported Bob was looking for someone to work with him on his Directorship with the intent of taking it over. Anyone interested should contact Rich Triola, the Program Director.
Life Director
Dave Boone was absent. The Grand Knight reported the “Life Savers Program” is progressing forward. It’s currently planned for January 22nd and 23rd.
YOUTH DIRECTOR
Don Watson, the Youth Director, was present. Don reported the “Free Throw Contest” would be held the week of January 8, 2023. He said the School has 14 CYO teams who will be eligible for participation. He passed around a signup sheet for help. He said the evenings of January 9 and 11 would be the busiest where he would need the most help.
Community Director
Mike Bergkamp, the Community Director, was present and had nothing to report.
WEBMASTER REPORT
Bob Long, the Webmaster, was absent and there was no report.
EXEMPLIFICATION REPORT
Trinidad Molina was present and said there would be an exemplification on January 22, 2023. He informed the Council the Exemplification was moved from December for more participation and the date was too close to Christmas. He indicated the Council was set to go with it.
Unfinished Business
With the Directors’ reports concluded the Grand Knight moved onto unfinished business.
Phil Fowler stood and was recognized. Phil said he finally received the cost of the Tootsie Rolls where he could determine the net amount that would be going to each of the Council’s recipients. He said Lake Mary’s Home for Young Adults and the Friends of Johnson County would each receive $1,431.
Next, Greg Miller stood and was recognized. Greg reported on the results of the Catholic Charities Food Drive the weekend of December 3rd and 4th. He said 1,740 lbs of food was collected and $1,485 was collected. He said the next food drive would be the weekend of January 7th and 8th.
Also, while Greg Miller had the floor he called on all the members present to sign the Christmas cards for the Seminarians being passed around before leaving. He said if the cards missed you when they were being passed around that they’d be at the front desk after the meeting.
Next, Trinidad Molina stood and was recognized. Trinidad brought up the topic of the Council furnishing better rosaries for the Adoration Chapel. He provided information regarding quality of rosaries to the Council and put a motion on the floor the Council purchase a gross of rosaries for about $1.60 a rosary. The motion was seconded and there was a discussion. The motion was duly amended and seconded to set aside $250 to purchase rosaries after obtaining Father’s input (Father was present at the meeting.) on rosary quality for the value paid. The motion passed.
Finally, Bill Ramsey stood and was recognized. Bill said “Sporting Knights” will be held January 17, 2023, at 6:00 P. M. He said the group would be watching the KU vs. KS State basketball team competition. He said he would be serving up pulled pork at the event.
New Business
With “Unfinished Business” concluded the Grand Knight took up New Business.
There was no “New Business.”
Fourth Degree Report
Greg Davis, the Faithful Navigator, was not present. In his absent the Faithful Comptroller, Don Watson, reported there would be no December meeting and the next meeting would be January 10, 2023, at 7:15 P.M. Dinner would precede the event starting at 6:15. Don said the Assembly dues for 2023 were $20.00.
KNIGHT AND FAMILY OF THE MONTH
The Grand Knight reported the Knight and Family of the Month were as follows:
Knight of the Month: Rick Rosano
Family of the Month: Phil and Adella Fowler
District Deputy Comments
John Weber, the District Deputy, was present. John encouraged the Council members to participate in the online Fraternal Benefit Night. He said in order to be counted you had to register for the event, logon, and due the survey at the end.
John said our Council was “Program and Faith Environment” compliant. He encouraged a wide participation in the upcoming membership drive. He said it makes for a stronger Council and a stronger Domestic Church. Finally, he reminded the Council that members joining electronically, although members, they still had to go through the Degree Programs.
Upon concluding his remarks, he presented to Jim Easterday, the Grand Knight, the Council’s Star Council Award for the 2021/2022 Fraternal Fiscal Year. Also, he gave label pins to the Grand Knight, the Membership Director, and the Program Director.
Insurance Agent Report
We still do not have a new Field Agent. The Council was informed if anyone had an insurance question to contact Ray Garrison by e-mail. Ray will be acting as our temporary Field Agent. Ray’s e-mail address is ray.garrison@kofc.org.
For the Good of the Order
Prayers Requested
Before closing the meeting the Grand Knight asked whether any Brother Knight wished to request prayers for the sick and distressed. In response, came the following:
1.Bud Maskill has covid; pray for him;
2.Karla O’Malley died; prays were asked for her and her family;
3.Carol Clune’s mother, Ms Gary Conley, passed away. Pray for her and Carol.
Adoration
Jerry Gerstberger was present. He gave no report.
50 / 50 DRAWING
There was a 50/50 drawing at the meeting. Fr. Andrew won $22.00.
ACCUMULATION DRAWING
Bill Ramsey’s name was drawn. He won $275.00. The prize money now is $0.
After the drawings, Father led the Council in prayer; the meeting closed at 8:20 P.M.
Next meeting is January 12, 2023. The next Officers’ Meeting is January 5, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Everett Fritz, II, Recorder
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