The Supreme Knight using his faith to help others
SUPREME Knight Barry MacMahon says his involvement with the Knights of Columbanus has increased his faith, and allowing him to make a difference in the lives of others.
Mr. McMahon was invited to the knights in Sligo in 1986. His father was a knight at the time.
He worked his way up through the officer positions, and was eventually elected Deputy Provincial Grand Knight.
“That put me onto the council of directors for a three year term followed by election as provincial grand knight for a further three years,” Mr. McMahon told The Sligo Champion.
At the end of those three years he put his name forward for the position of supreme registrar which controls all the orders membership and was successful.
“I changed and revamped the whole system to what it is today,” he said.
“After three years I stood for the position of Supreme Chancellor which has responsibility for all faith formation and ceremonial.
“During my time there I published three study guides for the councils, organised three pilgrimages abroad, published a magazine for the order and organised an international conference of world knights which we hosted in Dublin.
“I then stood for election for the position as Deputy Supreme Knight and was successful.
“My responsibilities were recruitment, training and development. I ran training courses for all senior knights and produced a development strategy for the next five years.
“In 2014 I was elected Supreme Knight of the Order. I am the Chief Administrative Officer of the Order. It is my duty to maintain the constitution and enforce the laws of the order and the regulations of the Council of Directors,” he said.
Being part of the knights over the last 30 years has increased my faith and I believe that I have helped make a difference to the lives of a large number of people as a result. As a member of the knights I do a lot of volunteer work as a Director of Sligo Social Services for the past 20+ years and Sligo MABS for the same period.”
The Knights of St. Columbanus aim to “guard the interests of the church”, “maintain a society for the union of catholic men in fraternal charity and fellowship, for the protection of catholic interests and well- being”, “to make our country christian in outlook, thought and action” and much more.