Knights of St Columba Supreme Council
The Knights of St Columba are delighted to announce that its annual conference, known as Supreme Council, will be hosted by Jersey in October this year. The Knights will meet over the weekend of 7th-9th October at the Radisson Hotel for a few days of debate, decision making, friendship and fraternity. This is not only the first time they have met in Jersey, but the first time also in the Portsmouth Diocese!
The Knights are delighted that Bishop Philip will be in attendance throughout the weekend, alongside the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop Leo Cushley; Ecclesiastical Advisor for the Knights, Bishop Tom Neylon; the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool; plus Canon Dominic Golding (Dean of Jersey) and other visiting Priests and Deacons.
Each area of the British Isles (25 Provinces) will be sending two delegates. The eight Regional Directors will join the Supreme Knight, Brother Henry Welsh, and his five Supreme Directors to make up the conference. They will also be joined by all Past Supreme Knights, the Supreme Knight and his Deputy from the Knights of St Columbanus (Ireland) and Observers. Of course, wives and partners will join us and be treated to a full programme of entertainment which includes: an island coach tour, VAT free shopping and afternoon tea.
On the Friday, everyone will enjoy a seafood BBQ on the terrace which follows a lecture, this year given by Rev. Dr Paul Rowan from Beaulieu School, Jersey. Then the Irish dancers will appear to entertain the guests!
The Saturday is spent in the conference which culminates on Saturday night with the Supreme Banquet. Here, the island Parish will join together with visiting guests to enjoy each other’s company and then dance the night away! The Jersey Caledonian Pipe Band (giving a nod to the Knights’ Scottish founding fathers) will welcome in the top table. Joining us from Jersey will be the Bailiff, Mr Tim Le Cocq, plus the Connétable (Mayor) of Saint Helier, Mr Simon Crowcroft and his wife Angela.
Of course the highlight will be the Closing Mass on the Sunday. This will be held in St Thomas Church and celebrated by Bishop Philip with all visiting clergy invited to concelebrate. This Mass also includes the Installation of Supreme Directors by the Supreme Knight. These Brothers will have been elected over the weekend and are selected and voted in to make decisions to drive the Order into the 21st century.
It will be a wonderful, historical weekend. We give thanks to God for the opportunity to host Supreme Council in Jersey and indeed in the Diocese of Portsmouth. St Columba, pray for us all.
Please do contact membership@ksc.org.uk for further information or if you wish to attend the Supreme Banquet on the Saturday, you’d be made most welcome.
