Knights of the Southern Cross members and friends celebrate Founders

04 Apr 2019

By The Record

Brother Phil Baker, Br Michael Deering, Br Tim Martelle and Br Chris Hunt celebrated milestones at the recent KSC Founders Day Mass on Saturday 23 March. Photo: Supplied.
Brother Phil Baker, Br Michael Deering, Br Tim Martella and Br Chris Hunt celebrated milestones at the recent KSC Founders Day Mass on Saturday 23 March. Photo: Supplied.

The Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross is a national organisation who operate with the support of the Australian Bishops to give support to those in need and serve the wider community.

On Saturday 23 March, the Order celebrated their Founder’s Day anniversary at St Charles Seminary with a Mass, this year commemorating some 100 years since their establishment.

The Mass was celebrated by Geraldton Emeritus Bishop Justin Bianchini, and concelebrated by KSC Chaplain Msgr Brian O’Loughlin, St Charles Seminary Rector Father Fleay, Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) Rector Fr Michael Moore, RMS Spiritual Director Fr Joe Pelle and Ballajura Parish, Priest-in-Residence, Fr Israel Quirit.

Members and friends of the Knights of the Southern Cross came together for the annual Founders Day celebrations, which included Mass celebrated by Geraldton Emeritus Bishop Justin Bianchini. Photo: Supplied.

Seminarians from St Charles Seminary supported the Mass by providing some 70 members and guests with music and hymns.

In a statement to The Record, the KSC explained that the anniversary is a celebration used to commemorate the founding fathers and pay respects to those who have since passed.

In 1922, The Order for Western Australia was established and since then, they have celebrated each anniversary with a Mass and have honoured the founding fathers who established the organisation.

Daniel Lombardo from Telethon Speech and Hearing thanks KSC Chairman Nigel Hayward for the Orders contribution. Photo: Supplied.

Following the Mass, State Chairman Nigel Hayward welcomed members, family and friends of The Order to a morning breakfast and recited the welcome to country before delivering his Chairman’s address.

Mr Hayward explained that over the past year the Order provided funding to Telethon Speech and Hearing, which works to assist children with hearing impairment are able to have access to Catholic Education.

The 2019 KSC Founders Day Mass was this year celebrated at St Charles Seminary. Photo: Supplied.

Telethon Speech and Hearing Business Development Manager Daniel Lombardo, who was present for the occasion, presented Mr Hayward with a framed Thank You certificate in appreciation of the Order’s funding.

Fiftieth anniversary milestones were also celebrated for Brother Phil Baker, Br Michael Deering and Br Tim Martella, who were each thanked for their dedicated service to the Order. Brother Chris Hunt was also commemorated for his 25 years of dedicated service.