Knights of Saint Columba
Accrington Council 188
Synopsis of Minutes of meeting held on December 19th 2014
Opening: The GK opened the meeting according to the new ritual for small councils
Apologies Kevin Nancarrow and Rev. Simon Stamp
Minutes of last meeting . The minutes of the meeting held on the 21st of November were passed as a true
record.
Matters arising. An amendment relating to the starting time of the Rosary at St. Wulston’s was agreed. It
began at 6.30 not 7.30 as stated in the minutes. A parishioner at St. Wulston’s had expressed her
disappointment at the low number of parishioners attending this Rosary.
Correspondence.
In
(a)
A poster had been received from Supreme as part of a membership drive. The brothers
agreed that our own had more impact and would continue to use it.
Supreme also sent a revised leaflet giving more details which is quite serviceable in contrast with
a leaflet made a few years ago which depicts St. Benedict XVI on the front pager. It was
suggested this be remade with Pope Francis on the front and the rest left as it was originally.
(b)
A Christmas card from Rita Kaffel. Bro. Eric Mullen requested and was given her address
in North Wales.
(c)
A Christmas card from Bro. Kevin Nancarrow addressed to all the brothers was received,
(d)
Out GK has written to the Head of Mount Carmel congratulating him on the excellent RE report on a
recent inspection
Secretary’s report None.
Chancellor’s report There is no definite date for Mrs McGilveray’s funeral. Arthur is contacting his
relatives in Australia so a delay is expected (Monday Dec. 29th has now been identified)
Moves are afoot to distribute the Calendars to our widows.
Treasurer’s report Sale of Calendars was £4 each for brothers who wish who to purchase one. The
wreath of poppies bought for Remembrance Sunday cost £17
Action Convenors Report The GK had received from the Supreme Knight Bro. Charlie McGluskey, a
special bulletin dated 17th of December 2014 urging every member of the KSC to pray for a return of
family values in our country and to pray that life from conception to the grave is respected across the
whole of our society. This campaign will take the form of a spiritual bouquet incorporating prayers,
devotional acts or good deeds. Beginning on 28 of December 2014 (Feast of the Holy innocent) and
ending on 22nd. Of October 2015 (Feast of St. John Paul)
Including in this bulletin was a detail description of the suggested programme and events suggested.
After some discussion it was agreed that our Action Convenor Jed Gregory should compile a record of
our activities which our council perform.
Deputy GK’s report – no report
GK's report was a report of the Provincial meeting at Clitheroe. The main points are as follows.
1) The £10 reduction foe members over 75 years of age still stands. Therefore their annual
subscription remains at £27.
2) There are now over 4600 members, nationally of the knights of Saint Columba.
3) Six new councils have been created.
4) Checks on behalf of the Disclosure and Barring Service are being carried out at other churches.
Brothers registered with this service, formerly the CRB, now only need ONE certificate which
will be valid whenever or wherever they have to deal with the general public, children and
vulnerable adults.
5) A recruitment drive ‘The Hit Squad’ is to focus on Accrington and Clayton Le Moors early in
2015. Rev. Derek McCartney had expressed a wish for Ray Williamson to come to the church and
speak about the work of the KSC with the aim of recruiting new members.
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6) Mike Kilburn is to send out a questionnaire asking members to give details of their official
position in the KSC, their address, phone numbers and email address so that he can compile a list
of all Council Committee members which every KSC brother will have easy access to..
7) The new PGK is Steve McMillan. His appointment leaves a vacant position of Spiritual and
Welfare Officer. Candidates are being sought to fill ths office.
8) Bro. Peter Greenhalgh did not get elected to the Supreme Council. He was narrowly defeated.
9) The next Action Project of the order, due to start in 2016 and run for three years is MISSIO. The
aim is to raise funds to feed the children of Cambodia. More information is available on
www,missip.org.uk
Discussion. The Council Action Plan for 2015
The traditional annual activities will continue. These are:Palm Sunday procession and Good Friday Stations of the Cross on the Coppice.
The wreath laying on Remembrance Sunday.
The Provincial Mass for deceased brothers.
Stations of the Cross during Lent and rotas for the coming year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 18th of
February,
Rosary at three different Churches need to be organised
Christmas Posters Religious calendars Information Bulletins KSC web-site Funeral arrangement
leaflet
Additionally we need to address:Establish which churches are active in pro-life (SPUC and Right to Life) activities and ensure literature is
available in every church,
An awareness of the lack of support given to Lord Faulkner’s Euthanasia Bill will undoubtedly mean that
another attempt will soon be made introduce a similar bill. We must be prepared.
With 2015 being a General Election year we need to be active in arranging interviews with all candidates
and bring together all religious groups to support and attend these meetings.
Active support for young people to take part in the church’s life must be a priority Both primary and
secondary schools should be approached and activities promoted. This idea must be developed further.
Membership and local and provincial activates need to be co-ordinated. Charlie Brady indicated he would
liaise with all parties and hopefully recruit new members to our council.
A more formal arrangements need to be established to ensure our sick brothers and widows are visited on
a regular and more frequent number of occasions.
A discussion on retreats took place and it was agreed that province would be more suitable at arranging a
weekend retreat than an individual council.
Any other business.
The new Bishop of Salford, John Arnold , introduced himself to the clergy on 8th of Decembers. Some
felt he was destined for a much higher office.
KSC Grand National Draw Tickets were presented to the council and each brother was encouraged to
purchase some of these tickets at £1 each
The meeting closed at 8.30 with prayers for sick brothers and our deceased brothers
Date of Next Meeting .
January 16th 2015 at 7.30 in St. Anne’s Presbytery.
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