Knights of Saint Columba
Accrington Council 188
Synopsis of Minutes of meeting held on Friday20th November2015
Opening: The GK opened the meeting according to the new ritual for small councils
The GK Paul Moxham welcomed the PGK Steve McMillan to our meeting.
Apologies Paul Cain and John Ainsworth a visiting gentleman
Paul Toman and Robert George a visiting gentleman.
Minutes of last meeting . The minutes of the meeting held on October 16th were proposed as a true
record by Charlie Brady, seconded by Jed Gregory and passed unanimously.
Matters arising. None
Correspondence.
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An email from PGK Steve McMillan asking if he could attend this meeting.
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The GK had written to Bro. W.Lambert enclosing the application for membership of
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Robert George.
The GK replied to the email from PGK welcoming him to attend our meeting
GK’s Report
The GK reminded brothers of the following events:On Sunday 22nd of November a full Knighthood and admission ceremony will take place at the 11.15
Mass at St. Albans Church Blackburn. Bro Kevin Nancarrow will be admitted to Full Knighthood
and Robert George will be admitted to the Order.
The Mass for deceased brothers will took place at St. Michael and John’s Clitheroe on Sunday 15th of
November and the council; were well represented.
Some brothers are still not receiving their Columba Magazine. Brothers to inform GK if they are
receiving them.
Fr. McCartney and Fr. Blackburn, both M of H, have been invited to this meeting to hear the PGK’s
report but neither were free to attend.
The members were thanked for the Mary’s Meals collection in our local churches. The treasure will
make a full report.
Chancellor’s report
Paul Toman verified the list of widows with brothers who are in regular contact with
Secretary’s report
The treasurer reported he had contacted various widows to invite them to the Mass for deceased
brothers but none could attend because of prior engagements or illness. John indicated he would
invite them next year.
Eric Mullen regularly visits his brother Keith who is suffering from dementia and is in a care home.
The wife of the Provincial Treasure has been diagnosed with cancer and prayers were requested for
her recovery.
The PGK asked for a list of new Jubilarians, which he would pass on to Supreme.
Treasurer’s report
Brian Heap indicated 2016 calendars have been ordered and the Christmas posters were ordered a
month ago and have not yet arrived. The PGK indicated he would look into this for us. The
collection for Mary’s meals is finally over (for now) The actual collection raised £5,515.17 the
matched funding for this is £4029.46. This means that Mary’s Meals benefited to the tune of
£9544.63 as a result of our councils work. The PGK congratulated the brothers for their sterling
work. It was suggested we send a photograph to Columba Magazine with a report of our activities.
Action Convenors report.
Attendance at the Mass for deceased brothers was very good The ame cannot be said for the
Remembrance Day Service when we laid the wreath on behalf of our members who lost their lives in
the Wars. Only two brothers attended
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Bernard Holden indicated that because of apathy and a persistent attack on our faith, three
generations have been lost. He said it was important that we keep up-to-date with our faith and live it
as well as we could so that it could be spread to others. He then asked Fr. Stamp to speak on possible
action relating to Pope Francis’ encyclical.
Fr. Stamp spoke on the encyclical EVANGELII GAUDIUM (The joy of the Gospel); he proposed
that we have a look at it and discuss over a period of a few months taking a couple of sections each
month. He said that Fr. Mike Corcoran had already begun a similar scheme in Clitheroe and might
have some copies available.
The PGK Bro Steve summarised the theme of the encyclical by saying the Gospel arouses in the
human heart a fine sense of man’s dignity; it is best fulfilled when we serve others. People are
encouraged to open their hearts to God’s mercy.
Bernard Holden had produced some leaflets on Bereavement similar is style to the Consoling Prayers
leaflet.. Fr. Stamp said that some of the prayers needed to be altered to be more in keeping with our.
Catholic Faith He agreed to do this thus weekend. The brothers agreed in principle to order 1000
copies subject to price.
Enquiries were made regarding the Funeral Leaflets which were produced last year. The GK
indicated they have all been distributed Bro. Holden has a copy in his computer if more are required)
It was suggested copies should be sent to other councils for use in their areas.
The PGK Bro. Steve said the ‘Consoling Prayers’ leaflet were well received by Province. They were
perfect for the housebound and the sick. Supreme wanted to produce a leaflet of simple prayers based
on that idea.
Half Day of recollection. Fr. Stamp agreed to co-ordinate this. He had consulted Fr. Ian Kelly,
Chaplain to Manchester University; he seemed quite happy to lead it, but had not fixed a date as it
would probably be better in the Spring. It was felt that the Hall at St. Joseph’s would be a better
venue. The event would be directed towards young families in order to assist them in getting more
involved in the life of the Church.
It was agreed place this proposal on the agenda of our February meeting
Deputy GK’s
Charlie Brady indicated he expected John Ainsworth to attend this meeting. He had not seen him for
a while. John needs to fill in an application form for membership. ( Mr Ainsworth offered the GK
later offering his apologies for not attending the meeting)
Provincial Grand Knights Report.
Bro. Steve McMillan said the that the KSC, nationally, faced a difficult financial future effects had
been largely mitigated by the efforts of the new financial team and a generous donation by the
organisations bank. It still expects to run a sizable deficit for the next two years. There has been no
increase in subscriptions this year but they will increase next year.
The KSC needed to recruit 3000 new members throughout the UK. He urged those present to recruit
one new member each which would double the size of our council. Province 10 is to launch a
‘Recruitment Drive’ in January 2016. The PGK called for the KSC to have a higher profile in the
church and expressed the hope that Bishops and Archbishops would do more enthusiastically
involved in promoting the KSC,’
Referring to the ‘Grand National Draw Steve said the 40 tickets had been bought through the
Province; this amounted to 26 pence per member in the Province whereas Salford Province spent £188 per member . The PGK urged this council to return unsold tickets to Province rather than sending
the straight to Head Office,
The National KLSC Action Plan for 2016 -18 was to support ‘Missio’ , aiming to concentrate on
Children. A poster and DVD are available with the theme ‘Children helping Children’ Lots of other
things are provided including rosary beads, leaflets, cards etc. We should ry to get children in
schools involved. Packs will be sent to all brothers included in the ‘Columba Magazine’ package but
their distribution to schools needs to be co-ordinated with the Head and the staff. The PGK went on
to inform us that:2
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Biannual Mass will take place on the 18th of June 2016 at Liverpool Cathedral beginning at
3.00 pm. The cost to brothers is £5.00 but widows are free.
Benevolent Funds should aim to have a nominal balance of £500. The PGK suggested we
have a collection after each meeting – this we already do.
Constitution and Rules. The £10 reduction in annual subscriptions for brothers over 75
of age will be discontinued. Golden Jubilarians are requested to support the order by
donating money of which 50% should be sent to the Central Benevolent Fund.
Logos – All logos of the KSC are registered Trade marks
A policy of zero tolerance of abuse, be it ongoing or historical, is now in place.
Brothers were asked to check the KSC website for errors or omissions
Conclusion
The GK thanked Bro Steve McMillan for his extensive account of the general meeting of Supreme
Council.
H reminded brothers about the RE-Ignite Mass at St. Mary’s Burnley at 5.00 pm (this is especially
for young people.
The meeting closed at 9.00 pm with prayers for deceased bother.
Date of next meeting.
December 18th 2015 starting at 7.30pm.
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