The 97th State Conference of the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria commenced at St Clare’s Church Box Hill North on the morning of Sunday October 27, 2019, with the Conference Mass, celebrated by Greater Box Hill assistant Parish Priest Fr Marcus Goulding. Fr Goulding’s homily focused on the topic of ‘Humility’, and related the story of the funeral rite of the Habsburgs, formerly the royal family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Fr Goulding noted that when a deceased Austro-Hungarian Emperor-King was to be buried into the Imperial Crypt at St Stephen’s Cathedral Vienna, the funeral cortège would wait with the Emperor’s body outside the locked Crypt door, where the Capuchin friars inside would ask who is to enter. The head of the cortège would respond with the Emperor’s regnal name, followed by his lengthy list of historic titles- the friars subsequently reject his entrance. The cortège leader again asks for entry, this time with a more subdued list of titles- again, he is rejected. Only in asking for entry the third time, and states that he is merely ‘a mortal and sinful man’- only then, in an act of humility does the friar allow him entry. The same thing applies to all of us- only in acknowledging our sinful nature will we be worthy of entering the Kingdom of God.
Following the Mass, Members from all over Victoria proceeded from the Church up to the Conference rooms, adjacent to the Walter P Martin Room, the headquarters of KSC Victoria, where Members gathered for registrations and a quick coffee before the commencement of the Conference. The Conference began with the State Chairman, Carmine Miranda, acknowledging all Order Members for placing their trust in him in his first year as State Chairman. Bro Carmine acknowledged the work of all the Members in the Order, but lamented that Members do not promote their works within the Crusader. They must do so to ensure the Order’s survival, as well as the Crusader’s. Bro Carmine also noted that the Order has the full support of the Archbishop and the Clergy, and have had full support through the KSC Archbishop’s Dinner. Following on from Bro Carmine’s address, the State Annual General Meeting was held with its usual efficiency, with all the main Order official business presented.
After the AGM, nominations for the 2019-2020 State Council were announced- renominating after the expiration of their current two-year terms were Bros Joseph O’Brien and John Hennessy. This year, they were joined by Bro Domenic Amato, who had been seconded onto State Council in February, and two first-time nominees, Bros Steve Murphy and Paul Mitchell OAM. Due to there being only five nominations, and six available positions, no elections were needed, so the nominees were accepted onto State Council. The State Chairman acknowledged the success of the nominees, and took particular note of the first-time nominees.
It was then time for the address of the recently retired President of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights, our own Bro Colin Walsh, who summarised his two year term as IACK President. Bro Colin reflected on some of the changes he implemented, including getting all affiliate Orders to pay their Membership fees, and overseeing the changeover of senior IACK Roles. Bro Colin also reflected on the Members from worldwide Orders he met over the past two years, and the networks he established. Bro Colin stood down from his two year term at the IACK Conference in Glasgow, Scotland a few weeks prior. Following Bro Colin’s address, Bro Michael Palma gave an update of the Order Child Safety Policy, launched at last year’s State Conference, and Bro John Bruce gave a presentation of existing Branch renewal. The Conference then broke for lunch, where some fraternal association was enjoyed over a lunch provided for by the Knights Consultor Division.
Coming back from Lunch, the Conference was addressed by Conference Mass celebrant Fr Marcus Goulding, who commenced his talk with the leading of the Liturgy of the Hours for the day. Fr Goulding began his address by acknowledging the role the Order has played throughout his seminary formation, through the awarding of the Walter P Martin Scholarship while at the Seminary. He discussed the hostility towards the clergy throughout history, focusing on the struggles of priests during the Elizabethan/Tudor era, where priests who visited individual homes would be hidden in ‘priest holes’ for their own protection. Fr Goulding noted that much like today, the view of the Catholic clergy within that society changed dramatically within a lifetime. Even through this, the laity stood by and defended the clergy. Fr Goulding noted that he entered Corpus Christi College Carlton at age 19, and had felt the call to the priesthood while an altar boy in primary school. Fr Goulding knew the hostility to the priesthood when he entered the seminary, but never figured that a future government legislate against his vocation. Fr Goulding encouraged all Order Members to lead the way for the laity in showing support for the clergy today, as the laity are the bridge from the Church to the secular world. After taking some questions, Bro Gavan Tobin gave the Vote of Thanks to Fr Goulding, and gave him a gift in gratitude for his speech.
Coming back from Lunch, the Conference was addressed by Conference Mass celebrant Fr Marcus Goulding, who commenced his talk with the leading of the Liturgy of the Hours for the day. Fr Goulding began his address by acknowledging the role the Order has played throughout his seminary formation, through the awarding of the Walter P Martin Scholarship while at the Seminary. He discussed the hostility towards the clergy throughout history, focusing on the struggles of priests during the Elizabethan/Tudor era, where priests who visited individual homes would be hidden in ‘priest holes’ for their own protection. Fr Goulding noted that much like today, the view of the Catholic clergy within that society changed dramatically within a lifetime. Even through this, the laity stood by and defended the clergy. Fr Goulding noted that he entered Corpus Christi College Carlton at age 19, and had felt the call to the priesthood while an altar boy in primary school. Fr Goulding knew the hostility to the priesthood when he entered the seminary, but never figured that a future government legislate against his vocation. Fr Goulding encouraged all Order Members to lead the way for the laity in showing support for the clergy today, as the laity are the bridge from the Church to the secular world. After taking some questions, Bro Gavan Tobin gave the Vote of Thanks to Fr Goulding, and gave him a gift in gratitude for his speech.
Following this, the State Chairman presented his awards. The ‘Branch of the Year’ award went to Bacchus Marsh Branch, for their activities in the Bacchus Marsh area over the past 12 months, and the active participation of all their Members in those events. Branch Chairman Bro Paul Van Miesen was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the Branch, where he acknowledged all the Branch Members for their support. The State Chairman then proceeded to hand out three Significant Achievement awards to the following Members:
Bro David Pignolet (Knox)- In recognition for his 15 years as Editor of the Crusader, which conclude with the December 2019 Crusader issue;
Bro Kevin Schultz (Mildura)- In recognition for his near 50 years of service to the Order, including 40 years as Mildura Branch’s Secretary, playing a pivotal role in the many activities they conduct, and continuing to be the link between Mildura Branch and State Council;
Bro Andrew Vaccaro (Dandenong North)- In recognition for his past 12 months as KSC Victorian State Secretary and KSC Priests Support and Education Fund Secretary, in which he has written about, filmed and promoted all Order events which he has attended, including the KSC National Conference and Centenary Celebrations in Sydney in May, the 2019 Archbishop’s Dinner in August, and Mildura Branch’s St Mary of the Cross Feast Day Celebrations.
The next order of business was the handover of collars and regalia of the outgoing State Council to the presiding officers, Knights of Honour Bros Colin Walsh and David Pignolet. The new State Council was then installed, Bro Carmine having been re-elected State Chairman during the lunch break, and selecting his new Council:
State Chairman- Carmine Miranda
State Chaplain- Fr Tony Kerin JCL, EV, PP
Deputy State Chairman- Michael Palma
State Secretary- Andrew Vaccaro
State Treasurer- Joseph O’Brien
State Warden- John Watson
State Economic Officer- Steve Murphy
State Community Relations Officer- Domenic Amato
State Order Development Officer- John Hennessy
State Projects Officer- Paul Mitchell
State Fraternity/Church Officer- John Watson
State Administrative Officer- Paul Zammit
Diocesan Councillor (Sandhurst)- Tom Brodie
Diocesan Councillor (Ballarat)- John Miller
Diocesan Councillor (Sale)- Vacant
The re-elected State Chairman, Bro Carmine Miranda, addressed the Conference, and stressed that his focus would continue to be on growing Membership, and will seek the formation of more new Branches. Bro Carmine also noted the importance of the District Chairman’s role, and noted there were still vacancies in that regard. Succession planning would also be a major focus, as Members should not become complacent and remain in the same roles. Deputy State Chairman Bro Michael Palma then swore the oath of loyalty to the State Chairman on behalf of the State Council.
This followed with the handover of collars and regalia for the outgoing District Chairman, and the installation of the new District Chairmen. These were:
Central 1- Denis Turnbull
Central 2- Domenic Conidi
Central 8- Terry Farrell
Central 9- Tony Imbriano
Central 10- Ian Marshall
District Chairmen who were absent from the State Conference but would be continuing on are:
Central 11- Glenn Morris
Northern 3- Denis Ryan
Northern 8- Peter Dixon
Senior District Chairman Bro Tony Imbriano swore the oath of loyalty on behalf of the District Chairmen to State Council. Following that, those due for medals had them presented- Bro Andrew Vaccaro with his State Council Medal for his 12 months service, Bros Tony Imbriano, Domenic Conidi, Terry Farrell and Ian Marshall with their District Chairman’s Medal for their past 12 months of service. Following the medal presentations, the Conference continued on, and concluded with Open Forum time- discussion involved the direction the Order must go into the future.
State Council thanks all the Members who came from all over Victoria to participate in the State Conference, particularly those from rural Branches who travelled long distances for it. It is important going forward that all Members have their say, and contribute to the future of the Order. The forthcoming year will hopefully continue to see new Branches formed, and with that hopefully the renewal of existing Branches. Acknowledgements also go to the State Councillors and Knights Consultor Division Members who put on and hosted the Conference, and to Fr Marcus Goulding for celebrating the Conference Mass, and being our guest speaker. And let us pray for and support our new State Council, especially State Chairman Bro Carmine Miranda, as he continues to lead the Order in what will hopefully be an era of great renewal. And personally, I thank all the Members for allowing me the privilege and honour to serve again as your State Secretary. God Bless.
Photo Gallery coming soon.