Columba Magazine - Summer 2022 - Electronic Edition

KNIGHTS O

CHARITY - U

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SUPREME COUNCIL 2022 - JERSEY
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OUNCIL 2022

nnel Islands
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SUMMER 2022

Columba

WELCOME TO OUR NEW
ECCLESIASTICAL ADVISOR BISHOP
TOM NEYLON AUXILIARY BISHOP OF

LIVERPOOL

Knights of St Columba

FAITH - FAMILY - FRATERNITY

TM

COLUMBA Magazine A New Ecclesiastical Advisor

2

OUR ORDER GETS A NEW ECCLESIASTICAL ADVISOR

Brothers

I have the great honour and pleasure today to announce and introduce to you all our new
Ecclesiastical Advisor Bishop Thomas Neylon Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. Bishop Tom
becomes the 12th Ecclesiastical advisor for the Order .The news comes at a wonderful time for
the Order and will give us all a spiritual uplift. I and the Board of Directors look forward to
working with Bishop Tom for many years to come. Wishing him God’s Blessings in his new
role and may St Columba protect him and keep him safe.

Supreme Knight Henry Welsh

Biography: Born in 1958, Bishop Thomas Neylon is the oldest of three children of Irish parents who met in
Warrington and were married at Sacred Heart Church in the town. His sister Mary lives in Cumbria and
brother James in Newton-le-Willows. His family lived in St Oswald’s Parish, and he attended the local
Primary School and then English Martyrs Secondary School, Orford (closed in 1990).

Bishop Tom began training for the Priesthood at St Joseph’s College, Upholland at the age of 16 and then at St
Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, Durham. Bishop Tom was Ordained on Monday 31 May 1982 in Heaton Park,
Manchester by Pope St John Paul II during the Papal Visit.

Following Ordination his first appointment was as Assistant Priest at St Cuthbert’s, Wigan and four years
later, in 1986, he moved to join the Team Ministry serving Skelmersdale. In 1996 he was appointed as Parish
Priest of St Julie’s, Eccleston, St Helens. In 2004 he took on responsibility for St Teresa’s, Devon Street and
in 2018 English Martyrs, Haydock.

During his 24 years in St Helens, he also served as Dean of St Helens, was appointed as a Vicar General of the
Archdiocese of Liverpool and as a member of the Chapter of Canons of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ
the King. In September 2020 he was appointed as Parish Priest of St Wilfrid’s, Widnes. In his spare time
Bishop Tom enjoys spending time with his family - his sister and her husband in Cumbria and his brother and
his family in Newton-le-Willows. He also enjoys walking, reading and rugby league where he supports
Warrington Wolves.

He will be the ninth Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool appointed in the history of the Archdiocese and will assist
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, alongside Bishop Tom Williams.

Supreme Knight The Board of Directors Immediate Past Supreme Knight
2021 — 2022
Bro. Harry Welsh Bro. Bertie Grogan KSG
Ecclesiastical Adviser
Supreme Director for
Youth & Young People Regional Director Regional Director
Region 1 - Scottish Provinces Region 5 - Birmingham, Nottingham,
and
Deputy Supreme Knight Bro. Frank Kelly Northampton

Bro. Michael Akinrele Regional Director Bro. Martin Cook
Region 2 - Liverpool, Cumbria,
Supreme Director for Regional Director
Membership & Development Lancaster, North Wales Region 6 - Brentwood,

Bro. Dainéal Ó hEarchai Bro. Barry Johnson East Anglia

Supreme Director for Regional Director Bro. George Johnson
Action & Social Region 3 - Northumbria, Leeds,
Regional Director
Bro. Stephen Ferris Salford, East Lancashire Region 7 - Westminster Provinces

Supreme Director for Bro. Steven MacMillan Bro. Rosario Fichardo
Spirituality & Welfare
Regional Director Regional Director
Bro. Sean Mulligan Region 4 - Portsmouth, Plymouth, Region 8 - Southwark, Arundel &

Supreme Director for South Wales Brighton, Channel Islands
Media
Bro. Peter Sims-Coomber Bro. John Campolini
Bro. Sean Smith

Our Ecclesiastical Advisor Writes SUMMER EDITION 2022 3

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, THROUGH US

I celebrated 40 years of Priesthood on 31st of May, this year. I happen to be one of twelve, 6
Diocesan and 6 Religious, who were ordained in Manchester by St Pope John Paul II during
his visit to Great Britain in 1982. Monsignor John Allen, Parish Priest at Our Lady of Grace,
Prestwich, who was very much involved in organising the Papal visit to Salford Diocese,
arranged a gathering at 4pm on the 31st of May this year for prayer and a photograph at the
Papal Monument which sits in the southwestern corner of the 600-acre Heaton Park: the
largest municipal park in Europe. At 7pm 3 of us who were Ordained, Kevin Foulkes (Salford)
and John McGowan OCD, attended a concelebrated Mass in Our Lady of Grace Church along
with Bishop John Arnold (Salford) and Bishop Mark Davies (Shrewsbury) plus others who
were involved in the liturgy on the day. It was a very joyful evening which brought back many
very happy memories.

Very often when we celebrate a milestone in
our lives, we find that we connect with many
we have encountered during our life journey.
Early in June I received a card from Alf
Taylor who lives near Preston. Alf taught me
Maths when I was at English Martyrs
Secondary Modern, Warrington. Alf was born
close to the Liverpool city centre and left
school at 14. He trained as an engineer and
then retrained as a teacher. He worked in St
Kevin’s, Kirkby, before joining the staff at

English Martyrs. We were messing about in
class one day, and in a loud voice, Alf said: ’If
you lot think you’re hard. I taught John
Conteh when I was in Kirkby.’ (John held the
WBC light-heavyweightWetsittPleark,fJreorsmey 1974 to
1978. He also won a gold medal at middle-
weight during the 1970 British
Commonwealth games in Scotland.) We
stopped messing about! I am no mathematician. I used to cry when I was struggling with
homework. Alf began to enable me to unlock the doors of difficulty that I had encountered by
encouraging me to take small steps until I began to master the challenges I faced. Alf also
taught us RE. On a return visit to the school when I was in the seminary and Alf said that he

saw schools as mission territory.

During recent years it has been observed that we are living in

mission territory. I telephoned Alf, who is 91, a few days later

and during our conversation he mentioned that he has been a Produced by
Member of the Knights of St Columba for 67 years! He was The Knights of St Columba
encouraged to join by his father-in-law who was also a Member. 75 Hillington Road South
Glasgow, Scotland. G52 2AE
When we reflect on the encounters, we have had with those who Telephone : 0141 883 5700
Email : [email protected]
have been part of our life, we may detect the hand of God Website : www.ksc.org.uk

working through them. Editor

God bless you all Tom Knight
Bishop Tom
Please note the articles submitted for this publication are
for interest and information purposes only and are not
necessarily the opinion of the Editor or the
Order of the Knights of St Columba

Ecclesiastical Advisor

4 COLUMBA Magazine The Supreme Knight Writes

Benedict XVI was ‘a prophet’ of Church’s future, Pope Francis tells Malta’s Jesuits

My dear Brothers as we head towards the summer I would like to reflect
on the position of the Order and our Membership. Pope Francis in an
address to the Jesuit Seminarians in Malta stated that Emeritus Pope
Benedict XVI was a prophet on the changes that would happen in the
Catholic Church. Below I copy the parts of the article that I believe are
relevant to our Order of today.

Benedict XVI was ‘a prophet’ of Church’s future, Pope Francis tells Malta’s
Jesuit Seminarians
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Apr 14, 2022 / 04:30 am
Pope Francis has described Benedict XVI as “a prophet” for
predicting that the Catholic Church would become a smaller but more
faithful institution in the future.
Speaking during a private meeting with Jesuit Priests and
Seminarians earlier this month, the pope said he believed that this was
one of the Pope Emeritus’ most “profound intuitions”.
“Pope Benedict was a prophet of this Church of the future, a Church that will become smaller, lose
many privileges, be more humble and authentic and find energy for the essential,” Pope Francis
said during the meeting with Jesuits at the apostolic nunciature in Malta on April 3.
“It will be a Church that is more spiritual, poorer, and less political: a Church of the little ones.”
His comments were published on Holy Thursday in the Jesuit-run journal La Civiltà Cattolica, two
days before Benedict XVI celebrates his 95th birthday. Pope Francis visited his predecessor on
April 13, ahead of the pope emeritus’ birthday on April 16, Holy Saturday.
“As a bishop, Benedict had said: let us prepare ourselves to be a smaller Church. This is one of his
most profound intuitions,” Pope Francis said.
The Argentine pope was likely referring to comments made by Joseph Ratzinger, the future
Benedict XVI, in a 1969 radio broadcast in Germany, in which the theologian reflected on the
Church’s future.
Ratzinger said: “From the crisis of today the Church of tomorrow will emerge — a Church that
has lost much. She will become small and will have to start afresh more or less from the beginning
… As the number of her adherents diminishes, so it will lose many of her social privileges. In
contrast to an earlier age, it will be seen much more as a voluntary society, entered only by free
decision. As a small society, it will make much bigger demands on the initiative of her individual
members.”
He added: “But in all of the changes at which one might guess, the Church will find her essence
afresh and with full conviction in that which was always at her centre: faith in the triune God, in
Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, in the presence of the Spirit until the end of the world. The
Church will be a more spiritual Church, not presuming upon a political mandate, flirting as little
with the Left as with the Right.
“It will be hard going for the Church, for the process of crystallization and clarification will cost
her much valuable energy. It will make her poor and cause her to become the Church of the meek.
The process will be all the more arduous, for sectarian narrow-mindedness as well as pompous self
-will will have to be shed.”
Pope Francis noted in his conversation with Malta’s Jesuits that part of the reason there are fewer
vocations in Europe is because of the decline in marriages and the number of children per family
in recent decades.
“Before, there were three or four children per family. Now often only one. Marriages are

The Supreme Knight Writes SUMMER EDITION 2022 5

Benedict XVI was ‘a prophet’ of Church’s future, Pope Francis tells Malta’s Jesuits

decreasing, while people think aboutPgicrtourweibnygAionifethOenigr profession,” Francis said.

“I would tell the mamas of these 35-year-olds who live with their families of origin to stop ironing
their shirts!”

The pope also reminded the 38 Maltese Jesuits present at the meeting that the Church should not
focus on numbers, but on proclaiming the Gospel.

“The joy of the Church is to evangelize. The real problem is not whether we are few, in short, but
whether the Church evangelizes … This is the need of today, the vocation of the Church today,”
Francis said.

During the 40-minute conversation, the pope was also asked about the connection between
evangelization and the issue of climate change.

To put this into perspective as an Order, then we must look at ourselves as a declining Order therefore
maybe not focusing so much on numbers, but on the quality of the men that we bring in. We all know
that we are an ageing Order and if we look at our statistics and the age profile then we must do
something to address this. We are here to serve. One of our mottos was “An Opportunity to Serve”.
We must look at how we serve in today’s climate. During the pandemic we discovered Zoom and
what a tool that turned out to be. We had Rosary’s, Stations of the Cross, and were able to attend
Mass online. We must follow up with this by attracting young people into the Order. A new initiative
that has come to us is collaborating with the Catholic Student Network. I believe this is a wonderful
opportunity to serve our young people and have a new pool of young men to tap into. For this to
work, then all Brothers need to buy into the idea and get ourselves motivated and go out and
evangelise in the Universities.

When we look at our numbers and costs of running the Order then it becomes a scary prospect. The
main problem we have as our numbers reduce is that the Brothers who are left have to shoulder the
burden of making up the shortfall.

This is not scaremongering but actual fact, so something has to change in the way we run our
finances. I am sure that we will come up with a solution.

Following on from the comment of evangelisation then the good news as an Order over the summer is
that we had two wonderful events held across the country.

The Brecbannoch Pilgrimage from Oban to Iona led by Council 1 with the relics of St. Columba, St.
Andrew and St Margaret being carried on foot across Mull to Iona. Congratulations to all involved.
Again a great advert for the Order over 60 young people taking part.

The Mercy Bus was brought down from Scotland towards the end of July. It visited Newcastle,
Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Wrexham, and Liverpool. Tremendous amount of work put into this
project. Once again a great witness of faith and evangelisation. Once again thanks to all who took
part.

As a summary, as Pope Benedict prophesised, just like the church we are getting smaller but more
faithful in our outlook.

There is so much that we have to look forward to as a Catholic organisation and the work that we
carry out for our clergy at national and regional levels is enormous. Brothers let us take the challenge
of this new century and continue to work as part of our communities, holding true to our core values
of:

CHARITY UNITY AND FRATERITY

May St. Columba protect you and keep you safe.

Fraternally

Supreme Knight

COLUMBA Magazine Deacon Joe Writes

6

“I WILL GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU” By Deacon Joe Gallagher

Recently three of my friends from the diaconate is so peaceful and comforting. I suppose that is why I

course and I went on a week’s retreat to Walsingham. now, after so long, decided to visit Walsingham.

This was the second time in a couple of months that England’s dowry? Yes and so much more. It's a place

we had visited this shrine and the price had nothing to to rest and slow down, something I don’t like doing. I

do with it. (Yes it did) try to live as though there is nothing wrong and at
times that's wrong, I tire easily but then so what? Our
We went there to rest, pray and recharge our batteries Lord suffered for us, so the least I can do is try to
and honestly I enjoy Elmham house and the thank him by doing what I can.
Annunciation chapel. The parishioners and clergy

made us all so welcome and allowed us to participate I was given a book recently “The Holy Hour - twelve

and even lead some of the services. complete services", a Redemptorist publication and in

Like all people who need a rest or it we can read from St Alphonsus O
holiday, you decide when and Ligouri in 1745 “the same Lord is K
where you are going and then book near us and lives in the Church, but B
up hoping that your expectations a few steps from our homes".
are met. Father Denis McBride C.Ss.R. I
states that when he was in the Holy i
I'm so lucky in life to have been Land he was always haunted by the
ordained as a deacon, to have a angels' annunciation: “ He is not T
wonderful wife who supports me here; he is risen", we were not F
and two wonderful children who archaeologists, we were disciples
put up with me and my foibles. My who believed that the Lord is risen B
health? Well that’s another matter and has given us a perpetual a
and like life it’s in the hands of the memorial of himself in the
Lord. As an ex nurse and I suppose Eucharist". B
a realist/optimist I accepted the n
diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary So in my life and my diagnosis I’m f
Fibrosis and the prognosis of an lucky, and have been told so m
average life span of 3 to 5 years repeatedly by friends and others I
average as just that, an average. We have met: “at least you have your
read in scripture: “trust in God still faith in Christ to fall back on”. Yes
and trust in me. There are many I’m lucky. I was given the gift of
rooms in my Father's house and faith at baptism and in the
after I have gone and prepared a Sacraments and in my upbringing
place for you I shall return and take so I know

you with me, you know the way to He is here He will take me when he

the place I am going". Unlike has prepared a place for me and not

Thomas we have scripture and His before, just as He will do for you.

word, knowing that He is the way, Aren't we lucky? He died and rose
so he will not take me until it is my that we might have Eternal life but
time and that might be shorter or
we have to play our part by living
longer than the doctors’ prognosis, our lives through spreading the
but my family and I use the time as Gospel and if we need to stop and
best we can and even joke about it. recharge our batteries, then find a
I say this not to belittle or place that helps us, especially
underestimate others reaction to knowing that His mother and ours
diagnosis, but it’s how we cope. will intercede for us.
Margaret even joked when I wanted
to buy an expensive tweed jacket that it would be a By Deacon Joe Gallagher
waste of money as I wouldn’t get enough use of it.

She decided that we should visit places that meant
something to our faith so we went to the Holy Land,
Rome and Assisi and we hope to visit Lourdes this
year. In the past I have been lucky to visit Lourdes

with Council 520 and it brought back memories of my
first visit in 1975. I have been to Fatima, Knock and
Medjugorje to pray to our Mother and am so lucky to
live close to Carfin, Scotland’s national shrine, which

Glasgow’s Rosary for Peace SUMMER EDITION 2022 7

KNIGHTS STEWARD THE ROSARY FOR PEACE IN GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW

The scene in George Square with members of the Order in their regalia and high visibility vests carrying
out their stewarding duties.

On Friday, 25th March a public Rosary for Peace in Ukraine was held in George Square, Glasgow. The
Knights were asked to steward the service and Regional Director Brother Frank Kelly and a great many
Brothers from Provinces 1 and 16 attended to assist.

It was planned that the Rosary would be led by Glasgow’s new Archbishop William Nolan but he was
isolating because of Covid and Bishop John Keenan of Paisley deputised for him.

The service in George Square was timed to coincide with the broadcast Rosary for Peace in Ukraine that Pope
Francis was leading and he was also dedicating Russia and Ukraine to the Blessed Virgin Mary that evening.

Based on the number of leaflets handed out the Knights of St Columba estimated that more than 2000 people
attended for the Rosary.

Brother Tom Knight, Provincial Grand Knight of Province 16 commented: “There was the usual heavy Friday
night traffic passing on all sides of the Square however during the service the noise of the traffic seemed to
fade away and a profound sense of peace and calm descended on all who were taking part. It was a very
moving experience and one I will never forget.”

8 COLUMBA Magazine Brechbannoch Pilgrimage

BRECHBANNOCH PILGRIMAGE By Supreme Director for Action & Social Brother Stephen Ferris

All are welcome to join the inaugural Brecbannoch Pilgrimage from 11-13 June 2022.

The Brecbannoch is a 50-mile pilgrimage undertaken on foot from Oban to Iona, with the special purpose of
praying for the renewal of the faith in Scotland. Along the way, we carried the relics of St Columba, St
Andrew and St Margaret, invoking their protection over the Church in these isles.

Since his death in 574 AD, Pilgrims have flocked to Iona to ask for St Columba's Intercession. Clergy, Kings,
and Laity alike undertook arduous journeys to take their petitions to the Holy Abbot's relics.

Our mission was to make Pilgrimage there, invoking the intercession of Scotland's three patrons, St Andrew, St
Margaret and St Columba, to pray for a renewal of the faith in our nation.

We will continue this report on the Pilgrimage in the Autumn Edition of Columba Magazine.

CONGRTULATIONS TO OUR PAST ECCLESIASTICAL ADVISOR AND OUR NEW

ECCLECIASTICAL ADVISOR By Supreme Knight Harry Welsh

The Supreme Knight Brother Harry Welsh, The Immediate Past Supreme
Knight Brother Bertie Grogan, all our Past Supreme Knights, the Board of Di-
rectors and Brothers of the Order of the Knights of St Columba extend our
congratulations to our Past Ecclesiastical Advisor His Grace Malcolm
McMahon Archbishop of Liverpool and to His Lord Tom Neylon Auxiliary
Bishop of Liverpool on their 40 years in the Priesthood.

Archbishop Malcolm was ordained on
26th June 1982 by Cardinal Basil
Hume. Bishop Tom was ordained by
Saint Pope John Paul II on 31st May
1982 when the Holy Father visited
Britain.

The Order extends it’s very best wish-
es to you both and thanks you both for
your loyal service. We hope and pray
that you have many more years of
Priestly Service to the Catholic Church
and to the Diocese of Liverpool.

Statue Unveiled in Carfin SUMMER EDITION 2022 9

BROTHERS ASSIST AT THE UNVEILING OF THE STATUE OF SAINT GIANNA

BERETTA MOLLA IN CARFIN LOURDES SHRINE By PGK Brother Tom Knight

Supreme Knight Brother Henry Welsh with some of the Brothers and Pilgrims who attended the unveiling
of the Statue of the Saint

On Thursday 28th April Brothers Saint Gianna Beretta Molla’s remove the tumour but not to
from the Order attended at Carfin Story
perform the complete

Lourdes Grotto for the unveiling of In less than 40 years, Gianna hysterectomy that they
the newly installed statue of St Beretta Molla became a paediatric recommended, which would have
Gianna Beretta Molla. physician, a wife, a mother and a killed the child. Seven months later
Saint! in April 1962, Gianna Emanuela
The Knights had been asked to Molla was born at the hospital in
attend and steward the sizeable She was born in Magenta near Monza, but post-operative
crowd which gathered for the Milano, the tenth of Alberto and complications resulted in an
unveiling. Our Worthy Supreme Maria Beretta’s 13 children. An infection for her mother. The
Knight, Brother Henry Welsh was active member of the St. Vincent following week Gianna Molla died
present, together with the Director de Paul Society and a leader in the at home, and was buried in the
of Region 1, Brother Frank Kelly Catholic Action movement, cemetery of Mesero.
and dozens of members of the Gianna also enjoyed skiing and
Order from Provinces 1 and 16 mountain climbing. She earned The child, Gianna Emanuela went
degrees in medicine and surgery on to become a physician herself.

from the University of Pavia, Gianna Beretta Molla was
eventually specializing in beatified in 1994 and canonized 10
paediatrics. In 1952, Gianna years later. Her liturgical feast is
opened a clinic in the small town celebrated on April 28.
of Mesero, where she met engineer
Pietro Molla. St. Gianna Beretta Molla is the
Patron Saint of mothers,
Shortly before their 1955 marriage, physicians, and unborn children.
Gianna wrote to Pietro: “Love is Her feast day is celebrated on
the most beautiful sentiment that April 28.
the Lord has put into the soul of
(l-r) Custodian of the Shrine men and women.” In the next four During the unveiling ceremony
Father Jim Grant, CEO of SPUC years the Mollas had three Father Jim Grant, Administrator of
John Deighan, Supreme Knight children: Pierluigi, Mariolina, and the Carfin Lourdes Shrine and
Brother Henry Welsh and Emmet Laura. Two pregnancies following John Deighan, KSG, CEO of
ended in miscarriage. SPUC, spoke movingly about the
life of the Saint and the example
Dooley of SPUC. Early in her final pregnancy, she had set for the pro-life

doctors discovered that Gianna had movement.
both a child and a tumour in her

uterus. She allowed the surgeons to

10 COLUMBA Magazine Around the Provinces

PROVINCE 16 INSTALLATION AT MOTHERWELL CATHEDRAL By Brother Tom Knight

On 11th March Province 16 held their annual Installation of Officers Ceremony at Our Lady of Good Aid
Cathedral Motherwell.
The ceremony was held during a Mass celebrated by Father Gerard Chromy VG, assisted by Rev Deacon Joe
Gallagher, MOH, Chaplain of Province 16.
Newly installed Provincial Grand Knight Brother Tom Knight said: “Many thanks to Region 1 Director
Brother Frank Kelly, who installed the Provincial Officers and presented the retiring PGK Brother Michael
Madden with his Past PGK collar and medal.
“I must also thank the PGK of Province 1, Brother John O’Donnell, who attended the ceremony, together
with some Brothers from his Province. Their presence was much appreciated.”

Picture by John Knight

Some of the newly installed Provincial and
Charter Council Officers of Province pictured
on the steps of the altar after the Mass, together
with Father Chromy, Deacon Joe Gallagher,

Regional Director Brother Frank Kelly and
PGK Province 1 Brother John O’Donnell.

Province 2 Liverpool elects new Provincial Grand Knight By Brother David Keane

At the Provincial Council Meeting held at St Anne’s, Ormskirk, on 12th December Brother Alf Swain,
currently Deputy Provincial Grand Knight was elected Provincial Grand Knight for the next three years, in
succession to Bro Ray Pealing who has been Grand Knight for the past four years, having served an extra year
due to the pandemic.

We welcome Brother Alf, who in addition to serving as Deputy Grand Knight was also the Action and Youth
Officer.

We thank Brother Ray, who performed the Office with distinction over the last
four years.

The new officers were
officially installed into
their positions during
11.15 am Mass at St
Mary’s, Little Crosby,
on Sunday 24th April

New Provincial Grand Newly installed Provincial Officers of Province 2.
Knight of Province 2,
Brother Alf Swain.

Around the Provinces SUMMER EDITION 2022 11

Province 18 installations at St Chad’s Cathedral. Birmingham

By Brother David Miller Provincial Secretary

Province 18 held its quarterly meeting on Saturday 12th March 2022. Following the meeting, the Brothers
moved to St Chad’s Cathedral to attend the Saturday evening Mass. During the service, Brother Director
Martin Cook, Regional Liaison Officer for Province 18, installed Provincial Grand Knight Brother James
Northey and the Provincial Officers into their posts. Many thanks to Celebrant Monsignor Menezes and the
Cathedral staff.

Our thanks to Brother Alex Rugg IPPGK for steering Province 18 through the past turbulent three years.
Brother Alex has carried out countless online visits to Charter and Provincial Meetings using our newly
learned digital social media skills.

Welcome to our new helmsman Brother James Northey PGK. Brother James has attended Supreme Council
Meetings for many years and is well known in the Order.

Thank you to Regional Director Brother Martin Cook for travelling the considerable distance to our Meet-
ings.

Thanks also for those Brothers who put themselves forward for Officer posts.

Regional Director Brother Martin
Cook with PGK James Northey and
Provincial Officers.

Regional Director Brother Martin
Cook joins Brother Alex Rugg and
Brothers of the Province, as he takes
his last Meeting as PGK before
handing over to Brother James
Northey.

12 COLUMBA Magazine A SPECIAL CENTENARY

Serving God by Serving Others in Need; - Humanitarian

Brother Jude John Adigwe IPGK-Co.291, Provincial Membership

Clement’s Catholic Church where they also go to school and are
supported by the parish and the Priests.

Picture 1 (left): Banner of the Mercy Centre with Ukraine, US
and Polish Flags and some of the young Ukrainians supported

by the Church and Knights of Columbus in their classroom
doing some creative activity.

I believe my visit to volunteer in support of the Ukrainian

refugees in Poland has now changed these narratives, especially

as I was a Brother of Colour (African heritage), which was also

a surprise to most of the Polish Brothers of the Knights of

Columbus as I told them how diverse Our Order (Knights of St.

With dedication to serve God by serving others, especially those Columba) is and that my Council Chaplain is a polish Priest,
in need and promoting collaboration through developing good Father Edward Tredota.

working relationships with other International Knights, I, I also showed them the photo of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Brother Jude Adigwe (IPGK) Dagenham Co 291, and the
Provincial Membership Officer of Province 10 Brentwood was with Bishop Alan, Father Edward and my Council Officers and
motivated to embark on a volunteering mission to Poland to Brothers, held in April 2022 during the Easter week. I also had
the opportunity of meeting Rev. Father Jacek, the Superior of
support the Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war crisis in Ukraine the Redemptorist Congregation, who speaks fluent English, a
and build relationship with the Knight of Columbus, Poland.
Professor of theology and the Head of St. Clement’s Catholic

The conflict in Ukraine was one aspect that came to mind, as parish, who intimated me that the church has spent over 5,000
news of bombing and destruction of lives and property Polish Zlotys to procure furniture and other items needed in the
continued to top the headlines of news outlets, broadsheets, classroom for the young Ukrainians to continue their education
tabloids and social media, as young people and vulnerable in Poland. That same evening, I was invited to the Catholic
adults became victims of man’s wickedness against fellow man. community meeting where I met all the Priests and other church
community leaders and was informed of the ‘High Mass’ that
The Knights of Columbus (K.of.C) known as (Pomoc Rycerska) was to be celebrated by Rev. Father Jacek in the Polish
in Polish had set up Mercy Centres at their border with Ukraine
and at some Parishes across the country. I contacted the Knights traditional culture, which is an annual event with the approval
from the Pope. I, Brother Jude was provided a seat on the altar
Head Office in Poland via their email address [email protected] during the High Mass with the Redemptorist Priests, an honour
with the heading WOLONTARIUSZ (Volunteer) to request for given to special guests and dignitaries.
information on how to volunteer at the Mercy Centre but got no
Picture 3: Brother Jude Adigwe (IPGK and Pro. Membership.
response at the time.
Officer Province 10) with the Redemptorist’ Congregation
With my determination to achieve my objectives and goal to Priests of the Church of St. Clement Hofbauer, Karolkowa 49,
support the Ukrainian Refugees, I decided to travel to Poland 01-201 Warszawa, during the High Mass where Brother Jude
was honoured with a seat on the altar celebrated by the Superior
using my annual leave from work on 27th April 2022 to 6th
May 2022, representing the Scouts UK and Knights of St. General of Redemptorist Congregation, Rev Father Jacek.
Columba to support the Ukrainian Refugees in Warsaw, Poland.

Once in Warsaw, I went to St. Clements Catholic Church, a

parish I had researched a few days prior to my departure from

London. I met one of the Priests there, who was surprised that a

Knight came all the way from the United Kingdom to volunteer

in Poland, The Priest put a call through to Brother Grzegorz

Tyczynski, the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus,

Council No. 17050, Warsaw, who was also eager to see me in

order to understand my mission, as it was unexpected.

Brother Grzegorz and I met later for the first time as I showed

him my travel card as a Knight of St. Columba and he was

flabbergasted hearing about my mission in Poland for various Following my formal introduction to the Catholic family and
reasons, amongst which were: other Knights of Columbus in the Church, I was invited to

• There was a myth that there are no Catholic Knights anymore another meeting with the US Cardinal Timothy Dolan,

in the UK except the Protestants due to abolishment of the Archbishop of New York, who is also a Knight of Columbus

Catholic Church by the Monarchy. and on his official visit to see the Ukrainian refugees supported

• The Knights of St. Columba was the biggest Order in the UK by the Catholic Church and the Knights. We had a very nice and
wonderful time enjoying the barbecue and drinks with the
at a time but no longer existed due to the Church taken over by church community.
the Monarchy - another myth

• The Council has no plan to pay for volunteers and not even the Picture 6 (top of page 13): Brother Jude Adigwe was also
Polish Government. However, we both agreed that our two invited to meet the US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of
Orders (Knight of St. Columba and Knights of Columbus) had
New York, who is also a Knight of Columbus on his visit to see
different founders but share similarities and support to the the Ukrainian young people cared for by the parish and
Church and the Clergy. attending class as part of the integration into Catholic Church
and Polish culture.
I also made it clear to Brother Grzegorz that I embarked on the
mission on a selfless service and I was not expecting any My volunteering at the Aid Centre in Central Station Warsaw,
reward, cash or otherwise. He then relaxed and later introduced
Poland was more eventful and served as an eye opener, as I
me to the young Ukrainian refugees at the Mercy Centre of St. interacted with the refugees arriving from the border after

EVENING FOR COUNCIL 22 SUMMER EDITION 2022 13

Volunteering in Support of Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

Officer-Province 10 Brentwood. From 27th April 2022 – 6th May 2022

every day at the Aid Centre at the Central station in Warsaw
Poland in support of the Ukrainian Refugees in Poland Photos:

Brother Jude Adigwe whilst representing Knights of St.
Columba donated food items, sanitary items to support the
young Ukrainians refugees at the Mercy Centre, Poland.

I received a WhatsApp message from Brother Grzegorz

Tyczynski, Grand Knight of K.of.C, Council 17050 expressing

his gratitude for the gesture on behalf of the Council. I had a

great discussion with Brother Grzegorz and we both believe our

Orders (KSC and K.of.C) can work more closely together to

strengthen the Catholic Knights’ relationship for the good of the

fleeing Ukraine including those coming every day for Church and the good of mankind and Council 17050 has
humanitarian support, food, water, medical supplies and
indicated interest to come to the United Kingdom for their next
sanitary and hygiene items. international trip. According to Brother Grzegorz, Council
17050 organise international trips annually and in the past

Picture 7: Ukrainian refugees as they arrive in Warsaw from the visited Rome, Spain, Portugal and Malta, and would be

Ukraine border undergoing checks by the Military personnel on planning to come to the UK this Summer with the belief and

duty at the Aid Centre of the Central Train Station. hope that it will help strengthen our Order’s relationship, as we

work together to support the Ukrainian refugees in Poland and

other refugees in our Community and Country.

I, therefore, ask as you read this article, to remember

Deuteronomy 15:11 “For the poor shall never cease out of the
land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine
hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy
land”. Acts 20:35: “In all things I have shown you that by

working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more
blessed to give than to receive’ ” I, therefore, appeal to your

conscience for the good of the Order, to support the Order in
helping the refugees by ensuring your Councils and worthy
Brothers to donate towards this good cause, for every little
helps… God bless us all…!!

During the interactions with the Ukrainian refugees, I heard The Knights of St Columba have set up a GoFundMe page to
painful stories and horrible things which most of the Ukrainian raise £15,000 to assist the Knights of Columbus in Poland
refugees have had to endure whilst fleeing their motherland; deal with the Refugees of Ukraine. If you would like to do-
they lost their homes, properties, loved ones, and their means of nate please go to:
livelihood and with the Polish Government’s inability to https://www.gofundme.com/f/assisting-the-people-of-the-
provide them with a social security number, it was difficult to ukraine?qid=6c85842ee584763d7e7eff13399b5af7
get medical help and support, especially for the young people
and the vulnerable Ukrainian refugees.

I worked with the Knight of Columbus, Scouts and other
volunteers to support some of the Ukrainian refugees’
immediate needs, such as buying a mobile phone for one family
to contact relatives that they have lost contact with, paying for 3
nights hotel accommodation for a family of five with a 3
months old baby, purchasing milk (Melko) 2 Packs of 12 to
support the late night arrivals at the Aid Centre when there were
no more supplies. I also supported K.of.C Brothers who were
Chaplains in the Army, providing counselling support to the
elderly and young people, including women who were
considered vulnerable due to the trauma they had all
experienced. My volunteering work routine for the whole
duration also included distribution of foods, water, Tea, Coffee,
cleaning of the refugee aid centre, removing wastes and
leftovers on daily basis – working two shifts a day: • First shift:
8 am – 3 pm (Plus 30 mins walk through and from my hostel. •
Second shift: 8 pm to 3 am (Plus 30 mins walkthrough and from
my hostel) I also bought some food items and hygiene products
for the Mercy Centre, where the young Ukrainian Refugees
have been provided with the hope and opportunity to go to
school.

Pictures 9 and 10: Brother Jude Adigwe volunteered 14 hours

14 COLUMBA Magazine Around the Councils

COUNCIL 88 ABERDEEN INSTALLATIONS

By Council 88 Grand Knight Brother Kenneth Uyabeme

On 11th April, following their Council
Meeting, Council 88 attended an arranged
Mass where the elected officers were installed
by Worthy Provincial Grand Knight of
Province 3, Brother Brian Beaton.

The Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi
Church, Father Peter Barry and Council
Chaplain Father Emmet O’Dowd celebrated
the Mass.

PGK Brother Brian Beaton and Provincial
Membership Officer Brother John Fern
travelled to Aberdeen to conduct the
installation ceremony.

Provincial Grand Knight Brother Brian Beaton and
Provincial Membership Officer Brother John Ferns with
the newly installed officers and Brothers of Council 88

Aberdeen.

COUNCIL 88 MEMBERS OF HONOUR

In a Diocese the size of Aberdeen it’s not very often that we have the opportunity of seeing all three of our
KSC Members of Honour together in one place. But it did happen at the annual Diocesan Chrism Mass, which
was held at St. Mary’s RC Church, Inverness (the “Cathedral of the Highlands”) on Thursday 7th April.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert was delighted to present Father Colin Davies with his Member of Honour certificate,
supported by Father Emmet O’Dowd, Chaplain of Council 88, Aberdeen.

Before his Ordination Father Colin was a member of the Order, and a member of Council 88, for several years.
Currently Father Colin is the Parish Priest of St. Anne’s, Thurso, and St Joachim's, Wick, as well as looking
after his parishioners at Our Lady and St. Joseph, Kirkwall, and communities in the Orkney Isles. His Pastoral
work keeps him exceptionally busy so the opportunity for him to meet up with Bishop Hugh and Father Emmet
and to be presented with his Member of Honour Certificate was one not to be missed.

Congratulations to Father Colin and thanks to both Bishop Hugh and Father Emmet for their continued support
of the Order.

Rev Father Colin Davies (right), receives his
Member of Honour Certificate from Right
Reverend Hugh Gilbert, OSB (centre right). They
are joined by Reverend Father Emmet O’Dowd
(centre left) and Brother Peter Simpson
representing Council 88, Province 3.

Around the Councils SUMMER EDITION 2022 15
COUNCIL 150 RENFREW PRESENTATIONS
By Brother John O’Donnell PGK

On 10th April, following a meeting of Council 150 in their Columba Club, the Provincial Grand Knight of
Province 1, Brother John O’Donnell made a number of presentations to Brothers in the Order.

He took “great pleasure” in presenting Golden Jubilee Award medals and lifetime travel cards to Past Director
Brother George Smith and Brother Brian Caulfield.

Provincial Grand Knight Brother John O’Donnell, commented: “It is a great honour for a Provincial Grand
Knight to present a long-serving Brother with a Golden Jubilee award and it was my great pleasure to actually
present two of these awards on one evening.”

PGK Brother John then presented Brother Kevin Reynolds with a Meritorious Medal and certificate, praising
him for his fundraising efforts in personally raising, over a number of years, the “magnificent sum” of
£60,000 for the Missionary Sisters in Renfrew.

The Missionary Sisters, who operate throughout Africa, have a house in Renfrew, close to where Brother
Kevin lives and he has worked tirelessly for them over the years.

Council 150 have given the use of their Columba Club to Brother Kevin on a number of occasions to host
charity events on behalf of the Sisters, to support their African projects.

(l-r) Provincial Grand Knight Brother
John O’Donnell, Meritorious Medal
recipient Brother Kevin Reynolds and
Council 150 Grand Knight Brother John

Brannon

(l-r) Provincial Grand Knight Brother
John O’Donnell, Golden Jubilarians
Brother George Smith and Brother Brian
Caulfield, with Council 150 Grand Knight

Brother John Brannon.

16 COLUMBA Magazine Around the Councils

REFLECTING ON THE YEAR OF ST JOSEPH AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AT

When I had my car MOT earlier this year, Ola, my MIC, in his spectacular book, ‘Consecration to St.
mechanic reminded me of something he has said Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father’ writes;
before when he remarked: “Fred you must pray for “We need the spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph to
your son, you need to pray hard, boys are not easy”. help us protect marriage and the family. To combat
These are not empty words; my mechanic’s words and overcome Satan’s deceptions, the Church needs
come from a good heart and need to be watered by St. Joseph. His example and protection are the only
the power of the Holy Spirit. way out of the confusing mess were are in.”

As an educator with over a dozen years of teaching St. Joseph is not only our Heavenly role model, but a
experience in the UK, I am well versed with some of great intercessor, as the Terror of Demons. Fr.
the challenges of teaching boys, or youngsters for Donald Calloway, phrases it creatively that, “Saint
that matter. If there is a time the world needed St. Joseph is the first Christian gentleman; next to Jesus,
Joseph’s spiritual intervention that time is now, when he is the greatest example of masculine chastity. He
we think about the crisis of marriage and relation- was married to the most beautiful woman in the
ships breakup, gang violence, pornography, drug and world, and he treated her with respect, dignity, and
substance misuse, just to name but a few vices in our reverence. If men today were more like St. Joseph –
society. Further, statistics show that men are over- protectors and defenders of beauty, instead of users
represented in prisons and correction systems. Fr. and abusers of the feminine mystery – what a
different world this would be.”
Donald Calloway,
Continued on Page 17

Father Moses Amune MSP Brother Victor Achu,
presenting Paris Okoronkwo Brother Fred Juma, Father
Moses Amune MSP, (Paris
with her prize. and her Brother Valentine
are on either side of Father
Moses), Brother Chris
(Paris and Valentine's dad)
and Council 977's Worthy
Grand Knight Brother
Chinedu after mass.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN BURNLEY COUNCIL 110 EAST

Burnley Council 110 originated and is responsible for saying the posters were a success and would we mind

the annual publication and distribution of the 'Keep if they produced their own; we had no objection.

Christ in Christmas' posters on behalf of East At the 2014 KSC Supreme Council a representative of
Lancashire Province 21. the Knights of Columbus was present. Provincial

The Council has been running the campaign for over Grand Knight Brother Ray Williamson asked him

30 years. In 2021 we distributed 40,000 posters about the Christmas posters and he said they were all

including 3000 to Her Majesty’s Prison Service. They over America.

are distributed to Christian denominations all over the

country.

In the past we have sent posters to Saint Helena, Continued on Page 17
Camp Bastion and, via a priest in Santa Maria, Texas,

to the Knights of Columbus. He remembered his
mother putting the posters up at Christmas and asked
if we could supply. We sent him a complementary
200 but he did return $50. He subsequently wrote

Around the Councils SUMMER EDITION 2022 17

COUNCIL 977 GRAVESEND By Brother Fred Juma, Youth and Action Officer and DGK

In 2020 Pope Francis surprised probably everyone When the KSC Supreme Council invited councils to
when he announced the Year of St. Joseph which was take part in the Year of St. Joseph photography
to last between December, 8th 2020, and December competition, at Council 977, Gravesend, we took a
8th, 2021. Pope Francis announced a Year of St. very active role to promote this competition; we
Joseph in honour of the 150th anniversary of the promoted this competition at the pulpit in all Masses
saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal at one of the weekends in January 2022. This
Church. In establishing a Year of St. Joseph, Pope produced great fruits, as Council 977 produced the
Francis thought that if, the faithful followed St. Jo- winner of the Year of St. Joseph Photography-crib
seph’s example, this would, “strengthen their life of national competition for 8-11 years of age category.
faith daily in the complete fulfilment of God’s will.” On Sunday 17th April 2022, at 10.30 am Family Mass
Pope Francis said St. Joseph, is an extraordinary at St. John's the Evangelist, Gravesend. Father Moses
figure, not because of any astonishing charisma or Amune MSP presented the winning Trophy and cash
special status, but because he accomplished prize of £30 to Paris Okoronkwo who is winner of the
extraordinary acts of service in his daily life. “God Year of St. Joseph's Photography-crib, national
looks on the heart,” he said, “and in Saint Joseph He competition for (8-11 years of age) category
recognized the heart of a father, able to give and
generate life in the midst of daily routines.”

The picture of the Crib taken in St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Trophy for 1st place
Gravesend by Paris winner of
Photography-crib
in 8-11 years of age
category

LANCASHIRE PROVINCE 21 By Brother Terry Hephrun

In addition to spreading the message, the Province has
recently donated the proceeds from the money they
raised from the 2021 Poster Campaign. £4,000 was
distributed to:

· £1,000 to the Ukraine Appeal;

· £1,000 to the John Foster Home for Boys in India
(the KSC National Action project);

· £1,000 to one of Salford Diocesan priests who is
leading a children's pilgrimage;

· £500 to Mary's Meals a charity which feeds people

in countries of drought and famine; For further information contact

· £500 for Action for Youth

[email protected] or 0789 659 8854

18 COLUMBA Magazine Around the Councils

ANNUAL ECUMENICAL PROCESSION OF WITNESS FOR COUNCIL 188 -

ACCRINGTON By Brother Bernard Holden MBE, JP

Knights of St Columba Council 188 Accrington have organised this annual event for over 50 years. However,
this year is the first time it has taken place for three years due to the Coronavirus.

The Stations start at the bottom of the hill and each year readings are provided by students from Mount Carmel
High School and St. Christopher’s High School.

Approximately over 200 adults walked with the procession .This year it did not rain or snow and we did not
have high winds. Most unusually, it was fine and hot!

Parishioners and Knights at one of the Stations on the hill

SUCCESSFUL RECRUITMENT DRIVE BY COUNCIL 93 COVENTRY

By Brother Peter Sturgeon

Council 93 have leapt into action this Spring with the first of their recruitment drives for new Brothers. On
Saturday 19th and Saturday 20th March Brothers attended four Masses at St Stanislaus Kostka Church,
Springfield Road, Coventry.

There was a large turnout of fellow Brothers and a
presentation was delivered at each Mass by Deacon Keith
Millage, who is the Chaplain of Council 93, encouraging
Parishioners to join the Order. Seeds were sewn at the
Church by the Knights and we have had seven members of
the Parish say they would like to know more and join.

Membership Officer Brother Peter Sturgeon said: "It was an
an excellent recruitment drive and very inspiring to us all to
to learn more about Polish Culture and food. Farther
Romualad made us very welcome and strong links were

forged and we will be looking to do more with the Parish
in the very near future."

Brothers of Council 93 with Father Romualad

Around the Councils SUMMER EDITION 2022 19

COUNCIL 577 - STANDISH KNIGHTHOOD CEREMONY By Brother Steve Lester, A&Y

On Sunday 15th May we held a Knighthood Ceremony at St Marie of the Annunciation, Standish where we
raised to Full Knighthood Brothers Charles Tetlow and Mark Gaffney.

(l-r) Bro Charles Tetlow, Fr Joseph (l-r) Bro John Melarkey, Bro Allan Mitchinson PGK, Bro
Simionato FDP, Parish Priest, Bro Charles Tetlow, Fr Joseph Simionata FDP, Bro Mark Gaffney,
Bro Pat Gavin GK 577, Bro Steve Lester
Mark Gaffney

COUNCIL 106 PROVINCE 11 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS By Brother George Egesi

The Installation of Officers for Council 106 North London took place at a Mass in Saint Francis De Sales
Church on the 28 May 2022.

It was a special Mass celebrated by the Parish Priest Rev Father David Lucuy Claros.

The installation teams were MC,
Past Provincial Grand Knight,
Brother Gilbert Igboaka, with
Presiding Officer, the current
Provincial Grand Knight of
Province 11, Brother Dale Stewart.

Worthy Grand Knight of Council
106, Brother George Egesi, and his
Council Officers were duly installed
for KSC year 2022/23

Pictured with the Parish Priest Fr David Lucuy Claros from left to right:
Membership & Development Officer, Brother Pius Obieze, Action /Social Brother Julius Onwuzuligbo,
Chancellor Brother Godwin Galea, Secretary Brother Linus Okechi, IPGK Brother Mayemi Elesheku ,
grand Knight George Egesi Current PGK Brother Dale Stewart, Finance /Admin Brother Paulinus Aba-
leke, and the MC the PPGK Brother Gilbert Igboaka and out past Social Secretary Brother Emma Onoka

20 COLUMBA Magazine Around the Councils

A NEW COUNCIL CREATED IN BERWICK-UPON TWEED

By Danny Ó hEarchaí - Supreme Director for Membership and Development

What a wonderful way to begin our Lenten journey, the creation of a brand new Council, Council 988
(Berwick-upon-Tweed) on Saturday 26 February. The Brothers who form this new Council are absolutely
amazing guys and a credit to the Order. The Council will grow and flourish and we’re all very proud of them.

May I take this opportunity to thank them all, plus special mentions to Brother Stephen Macmillan (Regional
Director Region 3) Francis Kelly (Regional Director Region 1), Roland Connelly the Provincial Grand Knight
of Province 4 (Northumbria) and Brian Beaton the Provincial Grand Knight of Province 3 (St Andrews and
Edinburgh) for all their hard work in getting this Council up and running. A wonderful show of cross-country
collaboration and fraternity which was reflected by all of them being at the ceremony alongside the Supreme
Knight and I.

The Grand Knight Brother David Stewart, the Secretary Brother Anthony Arthur and the Chaplain Reverend
Father Paul Jenkins have a wonderful passion for the KSC and you sense they are all so proud to Serve God
by Serving Others. The whole country is behind you Brothers and we’re so delighted to welcome you in and
serve alongside you.

I’m sure all readers will join in me in wishing them all our luck and prayers as they grow and form themselves
into a solid working Council

Supreme Knight Brother Henry Welsh, Supreme Director for Membership and Development Brother
Danny Ó hEarchaí, Provincial Officers from Provinces 3 and 16 and members of the new Council, pictured
after the service

Around the Councils SUMMER EDITION 2022 21

Brother Frank Goulding among the 96 selected to receive Maundy Money at Royal

service in Windsor Supplied by Brother James Murphy from the Newark Advertiser

Brother Frank Goulding, the Grand Knight of Newark Council 333, who received the Order’s Golden Jubilee
award last year, was a recipient of the Royal Maundy Money from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle in Holy
Week.
The article reproduced below appeared in the Newark Advertiser.

A Newark man was selected to receive Maundy Money from Prince Charles.
Frank Goulding, 78, attended the Royal Maundy Service at St George's chapel in Windsor with his niece
Georgina Goulding.
One man and one woman for each year of the monarch’s age are chosen to receive the money.
Historically chosen due to poverty, recipients are now selected by their Diocese for their work in the
Church or community.
Frank attends and works at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Boundary Road.
Frank said: “I do think there are far more worthy people than me who could have received this — but I am
very privileged and very grateful for the opportunity to go to Windsor Castle”.
He was presented the two purses by Prince Charles. A red purse — representing allowances for clothing,
provisions and redemption of the sovereign’s gown — contains a £5 coin and a 50p coin portraying the
Queen’s platinum jubilee, and the white purse had Maundy Money to the value of the monarch’s age, in
one, two three and four pence coins.
Mr Goulding said: “Once I got over the shock it
was a wonderful day with my niece as my
companion. It really was a wonderful experience.
“It was really British pageantry at its best. We had
not only the Yeoman of the Guard present, but
also the Military Knights of Windsor. There was a
tremendous amount of pageantry there.
“In the Queen’s procession, among others, there
was the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of
Cornwall.”
After the service, recipients attended a reception in
the castle where they had the opportunity to talk to
the Military Knights and meet other attendees
from across the country.
“You simply didn’t want it to end,” Frank said.
“The pageantry was absolutely magnificent.
“I try to live a quiet life, but this was anything but
quiet, but what a very special day it was.”

Brother Frank Goulding with the Maundy Money
purses after the ceremony.

COLUMBA Magazine Around the Councils

22

COUNCIL 223 - WALSALL PRESENTS CHEQUE TO GREAT BARR FOOD BANK IN

MEMORY OF JACKIE CONWAY

By Brother Stephen Ferris, Supreme Director for Action & Social

In May 2022 Council 223 – Walsall gave a donation of £617.50 to the Great Barr Food Bank in memory of
Jackie Conway. This was from funds raised by doing a Charity Night at the Great Barr Social Club.. The
donation was presented to the Food Bank by Brother Colum Conway of the Council, and the husband of
Jackie who, sadly, passed away earlier this year.

Brother Colum
Conway presents the
cheque to the
Volunteers of Great
Barr Food Bank.

SUMMER EDITION 2022 Obituaries

Brother Mick Clarke RIP - 16th July, 1950 – 9th April, 2022 By Brother David Miller

Brother Mick Clarke, Warden of Council 223 Walsall, was admitted to
Sandwell Valley Hospital on 9th April and died peacefully that night.
Brother Mick had spent many years as a member of the St. John’s
Ambulance Brigade and held a rank in the Unit Management Team.

With his caring and compassionate nature, Mick was a natural candidate
to eventually take on the role of Council Welfare but on his elevation he
assumed the post of Warden. Mick really came into his own during the
Pandemic. He would easily win an award for the best attendance of
National, Provincial and Council Zoom Meetings and events. This
included being an invited online visitor to other Charter Council
Meetings in Province 18. It was very unusual for Mick to miss an online
event. The PGK of Province 18 called him his Online District Deputy.

Brother Mick’s funeral was held at Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church,
Great Barr, on Wednesday the 4th of May. A large uniformed
contingency from the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade joined Brothers
from Council 223 to form a Guard of Honour.

Our sympathies are with Mick’s widow, Pauline and family.

May he rest in peace.

Obituaries SUMMER EDITION 2022 23

Brother Deacon Caoimhighin Iain Fionnbar MacFirbhisigh RIP - 3rd June 1941 – 25th
March 2022

It was a mark of great respect, achievement and love,
especially at the age of 80, that Deacon Iain
MacFirbhisigh’s Funeral Mass was attended by a
congregation that nearly filled St. Thomas’ Church in
Jersey. Others were also able to witness the service as it
was live streamed, and the Mass was led by the Right
Reverend Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth.

Brother Bill in his favourite Known to all his Jersey Brothers as Deacon Iain, few of his
cap. Jersey friends knew more than a little of his past and his
other Christian names. He was born in Dublin in 1941,
where he spent his formative years and education, and it

was shortly after leaving college that he was struck down
with Polio. He spent two years recovering from this illness
which left him partially paralysed for the remainder of his
life. Iain however had developed into a true Irishman; he
was a big man with a big and jovial heart. He threw himself
into everything he did, and he did many things.

Iain came to Jersey at the age of 20 and found employment
as a bus conductor and his trips to Gorey and back became
known as “the singing bus” where the upper and lower
decks of the bus sang for most of the journey. Yes he truly
was a loveable character. At the end of the season he
decided to stay in Jersey. He became a member of St
Mary’s and St Peter’s Church and was an active member of

the Irish Club. He met his future wife Cheryl on Christmas
Day at the home of friends of her family. They were married on 19th March 1966 and were rewarded with two
sons - Niall Iain born in 1967 and Tadhg Eoin born in 1971,

After the buses he enjoyed a varying career including as a free-lance journalist, formed Jersey Photos with an
associate specialising in beach and wedding photographs, and editor of Jersey Life Magazine. These early
roles enabled him to develop into senior positions representing tourism, the town Parish and many other
organisations.

He became active in the Church starting off as an altar server at St Mary’s and St. Peter’s Church. Later he and
two other Irishmen were asked to assist with the ceremonies for the FCJ Community as they spoke Latin, their
Chapel and school then being in Val Plaisant. This was the beginning of a lifelong association with the
Convent and its Catholic School and he later became a school Governor. (The FCJ choir also sang at his
wedding). Iain joined the Knights in January 1987; he was very active and rarely missed a meeting. He was

ordained as Jersey’s first permanent Deacon in 1993 later to be appointed Chaplain to Jersey Circle 216 a
position he held until September 2018.

Serve God by Serving Others is what Deacon Iain did throughout his life, as layman, Knight and Deacon and
he carried on right up to his death despite his failing health. Among many things, he was a former Governor of
De La Salle College, very active in Apostleship of the Sea, St Vincent de Paul Society, and a co-founder and
director of Caritas Jersey. The founder of Jersey Friends of the Holy Land, for which he raised many
thousands of pounds, and for his tireless commitment he was appointed a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.

His was a very full life of service to the Church and Community, a life in which he had the constant support
and participation of his wife Cheryl to whom we offer our condolences. He will be sorely missed by many. We
pray he can now Rest in Peace.

Requiescat in Pace

Photograph by kind permission © Daily Record

THE KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA

NATIONAL ACTION PROJECT

THE
SMARTIES

TUBE
CHALLENGE

Buy a tube of Smarties
and eat the Smarties
Keep the empty tube
Fill the empty tube with
20p pieces or £1 coins
You can collect the money
from family and friends
too

(PSST - STERADENT TUBES
CAN BE USED AS WELL)

2019 - 2022 PROJECT

To build new accommodations - To accommodate 40 boys
To purchase a new jeep - for transportation and the supply of food
To purchase IT Equipment - bringing education into the 21st Century

CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO: THE JOHN FOSTER CHARITABLE TRUST
BANK TRANSFERS TO: KSC National Action Project - SORT CODE 83-21-06 ACCOUNT NO.:00188958
KSC National Project, 75 Hillington Road South, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G52 2AE
CHARITY NUMBER: 1078601 (Registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales

Photograph by kind permission © Marriott Hotels