At the beginning of the year Diane Carey carefully prepared a College Calendar for 2021.
At the end of the year this calendar now lies in ruins as we have had to either completely chancel or change the dates of various events. Thank God the time honoured and hallowed liturgical calendar remained a bedrock to guide us and even the CTC timetable, less honoured and hallowed perhaps, provided some certainty.
One event that had to be cancelled was the Knights of the Southern Cross, Priests Support and Education Fund Dinner. As Carmine Miranda, the Chairman of the organizing groups wrote, “one of my hardest decisions and biggest disappointments was having to cancel the 2020 Knights of the Sothern Cross Priests Support and Education Fund Archbishop’s Dinner”.
Now comes the great turning point which begins with the word “however”. Carmine writes,
However, we were extremely proud of the continued support we have received from our loyal, dedicated, generous sponsors and the support from our hard working Knights of the Southern Cross Branches during this COVID-19 hit year. Even though we had no Dinner, our Sponsors and KSC Branches still wanted to support the education of our Seminarians.
At a recent meeting with the Archbishop, the hardworking Committee of Carmine Miranda, Nadia Bolzonello, Val Summner and Andrew Vaccaro were able to present to the Archbishop a cheque for $60,000 for the Education of Priests Fund. All this without the usual Dinner and amidst an unprecedented, difficult year for working people. As the Archbishop responded this generosity shares in the greatness of the “widow’s mite”. Personally I was amazed at the determination of the Committee and the generous commitment of the sponsors. So should we all.
I would like to remind everyone that over the past 21 years the Committee have passed on in excess of $1.2million in support of the education of Seminarians.
We look forward to the Sponsors Mass and Dinner at Corpus Christi College at Pentecost 2021 which traditionally launches the preparations for the Archbishops’ Dinner. Next year’s Dinner has been booked for Friday 20th August at Moonee Valley. Archbishop Peter will be the Guest Speaker.
That our College is supported prayerfully and financially is a source of thanksgiving and joy which we must always remember and take to heart in our own prayer and support for the Knights. On behalf of all the College I extended my thanks to them and the pledge of our prayer and support. We are in their debt.
Fr Denis Stanley,
Rector