The first ever re-union Conference of Junior Knights and Ladies of Marshall in the northern sector comprising the North, North East and North West regions on the theme: “The Marshallan and the new evangelization for the transmission of faith” was held from 26th – 28th August, 2016 at the St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School in Tamale. It was attended by more than 200 Junior Knights and Ladies from seven Junior Councils and Courts namely; 14J Queen of Heaven, OLA Cathedral (Tamale), 39J Holy Mother of God (Bolgatanga), 64J Queen of Confessors (Damongo), 69J Holy Virgin of Virgins (Navrongo), 80J Mary Gate of Heaven, Holy Cross Parish (Tamale), 25J Cause of Our Joy (Wa) and 35J House of God (Jirapa).
The Supreme Council was represented at the reunion Conference by Worthy Bro. Malex Alebikiya, Assistant Supreme Youth Coordinator (North) while the Grand Court was represented by Respected Lady Sis. Rose Kasei, Assistant Grand Propagandist (Northern Regions). Also in attendance were Regional Youth Coordinators, Organisers, Grand Knights, Noble Ladies, Senior Officers, Knights and Ladies from the adult Councils and Courts to which the Junior Councils and Courts are affiliated.
The 3-day reunion Conference was opened by Sis. Rebecca Yankson, the Regional Youth Coordinator of the North Regional Court who said it is being organised as part of the activities to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Knights of Marshall. She said the reunion was an important formation programme for the Junior Knights and Ladies and encouraged them to actively participate in it, expressing hope that subsequent reunions would bring together Junior Knights and Ladies from the entire northern sector. She urged participating regions to support the winner of the zonal quiz competition to annexe the crown in the national quiz competition.
Addressing the Junior Knights and Ladies, Worthy Bro. Malex Alebikiya congratulated them for coming together, saying the reunion was an opportunity to reflect on the future of the Noble Order. He said the Supreme Council and Grand Court have reflected on the theme for the 90th Anniversary Celebration which has also been replicated for the reunion and what can be done to achieve it and have also set four key objectives as we envision the future of the Junior Order; namely the deepening of the spiritual growth and development of the Marshallan, carrying out more tangible works of charity underpinned by fraternal love and devotion, renewing the spirit of Catholicism among Marshallans informed by a deeper understanding in the knowledge of our faith and doctrine (including Bible readings and the social teachings of the Church) and pursuing expansion and growth of the Noble Order through spirit-led lifestyles by every Marshallan. He said the relevance of the Junior Order must be grounded on a solid formation, saying the Junior Knights and Ladies must be imbued with honesty, truthfulness, be courageous and knowledgeable in their faith, committed and loyal to the Church and Country among other virtues, advising them to be Good Ambassadors of the Noble Order by being respectful, law-abiding and eschew vandalism and examination malpractices.
He drew attention to the outcome of the Organisers Forum held in Kumasi recently which decried the growing indiscipline among some Junior Knights and Ladies as a result of coying from outside the Church, adding that a Code of Conduct to guide the grown-ups among the Juniors Order was in the offing, hinting that they may be transferred to adult Councils and Courts. He disclosed that the forum also recommended the following measures to streamline the activities of the Junior Order, that is, Junior Grand Knights and Noble Ladies are not to be allowed to wear their gowns and caps outside the Temple and or to take photographs inside or outside the Temple, Juniors Knights are not allowed to wear a beard, drink alcohol or wed in their uniforms. Additionally, all Junior Order social activities must not go beyond 6pm and must always be supervised by Organisers.
He said the forum also proposed the formation of the Tertiary Students Marshallan Association with the objective of bringing together grown-ups Junior Knights and Ladies not ready to join the adult Councils and Courts to prevent them from joining other non-Catholic Associations or groups on their campuses. Hence he advised them to identify and join Junior Orders closer to their institutions.
RL Sis. Rose Kasei stated that 90 years of the existence of the Knights of Marshall gives the Noble Order cause for celebration, urging the Junior Knights and Ladies to use the reunion to envision the future of the Junior Order and map out strategies for realizing the vision. She also advised them to use the occasion to fraternize, saying the Noble Order is fortunate to have a vibrant youth going forward as a Catholic friendly Society.
Worthy Bro. Francis Ayaaba, the Regional Youth Coordinator (North East), advised the Junior Knights and Ladies to shun indiscipline behaviour and prove themselves worthy Junior Knights and Ladies of the Noble Order whether in school, Church and the society at large. Bro. Vitalis Diedong, the Regional Youth Coordinator (North West) hailed the novelty reunion and suggested that it be celebrated every 4-years.
The high point of the reunion Conference was the North East Region winning the zonal quiz competition and by this feat, the right to represent the three regions at the national quiz competition as part of the activities to climax the 90th anniversary of the Knights of Marshall slated for Sekondi on 12th November, 2016. The pair of Junior Bro. Stephen Aniah and Junior Sis. Edwina Atogabanea of 69J Holy Virgin of Virgins (Navrongo), produced a stunning display of brain power in the third and final round to amass 114 points, overhauling Junior Bro. Francis Osei-Tutu and Junior Sis. Elvira Terbobri of 80J Mary Gate of Heaven, (Tamale) representing the North Region who came second with 112 points in a thrilling cliff-hanger. Junior Bro. Hermans Kapiiri and Junior Sis. Noella Dassah of 25J Cause of Our Joy (Wa) representing the North West, came third with 101 points.
The reunion Conference was climaxed with the Celebration of a thanksgiving Mass at the Our Lady of Annunciation (OLA) Cathedral officiated by Rev. Fr. Boniface Maasoayele, Director of the Centre for Pastoral Formation and a Curate of the Cathedral.
Addressing the congregation to round up the reunion, Worthy Bro. Malex stressed the need to form the youth and urged parents to support their children’s formation by encouraging them to join the Junior Order or other youth groups in Church or risk having them drift and succumb to negative influences. He declared the reunion Conference duly closed.
BY: BRO. FRANCIS E. MONNIE