The Knights of St Columba held their Annual Dinner on Saturday, 14 February 2026, at the Novotel Milton Keynes, an evening dedicated to fellowship, the celebration of long-standing service, and fundraising for Diocesan Vocations.
The event also served as a focal point for the Order’s ongoing mission, bringing together a diverse community including members of the Knights, widows of deceased brothers, members of the Clergy, and representatives from collaborating organizations across the Diocese and beyond.
The Knights of St. Columba is the largest Catholic fraternal service organization in the United Kingdom. Founded on the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity, the Order works to support the mission of the Catholic Church and local communities through various charitable and spiritual initiatives.
The evening featured a series of distinguished speakers who reflected thoughtfully on Faith and Mission. Mike Okwara, Provincial Grand Knight, formally opened and concluded the proceedings, expressing sincere appreciation for the strength of the Provincial community and its collaborative service to the Church. Canon Christopher Perry, Provincial Chaplain, offered a poignant address on “What participating in a Catholic Knighthood means in our time,” thoughtfully examining the intersection of enduring traditional values and contemporary challenges. As a special guest, Stephen Ferris, Deputy Supreme Knight, provided an informative update on the Order’s charitable activities and strategic initiatives at the national level. The event was further enriched by light and entertaining comic reflections from Deputy PGK Justin Redmond and Andy Terrey, who ably anchored the evening’s programme.
A highlight of the evening was a special presentation honoring Brother Mike Arrowsmith of Aylesbury who was presented with a Golden Jubilee certificate and medal, marking an extraordinary 50 years of membership and dedicated service to the Knights of St. Columba.
The evening successfully combined celebration with charity, concluding with a raffle draw to support the Knights’ ongoing commitment to fostering Vocations within the Diocese. The Annual Dinner once again demonstrated the strong sense of commitment and community that characterises the Knights of St Columba, as well as their dedication to serving both Church and society.
