REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES , 2024
The Schoenstatt Movement is one of the new movements in the Catholic Church; it was founded by Father Joseph Kentenich (1885-1968) and gets its name from its origin, the international place of pilgrimage at Schoenstatt near Koblenz, Germany. Within the international movement there are more than 25 different communities of clergy, religious and laity serving the work of evangelisation, active on every continent.
The essential, central facility and focal point of Schoenstatt at Kearsley, Bolton is the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Mother Thrice Admirable. This tiny, beautiful chapel, with seating for only 24 persons, is a copy of the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt, Germany and is one of over 200 such shrines worldwide. Located down a secluded driveway off busy Manchester Road, it stands in a magnificent setting overlooking the Irwell Valley and the Pennine Hills of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. It has become an amenity for people of all faiths and none, to relax there, reflect, perhaps to pray and certainly to enjoy its peace and tranquillity. The Shrine was built by the Charity in 2000.
It is estimated that at least 1500 visits have been made to the Shrine on a casual basis during 2024 including visitors from overseas. There is an established programme of daily Mass celebrated by the Schoenstatt Fathers, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a revival of the old tradition of reciting the Angelus at mid-day and at six in the evening, accompanied by the ringing of the Shrine bell. Labour costs for maintenance of the Shrine and the surrounding gardens, is freely provided by voluntary workers as an invaluable labour of love.
Another facility at the site is that of Kearsley Mount Cottage, an old, former farmhouse, purchased by the Diocese of Salford, and leased to the Charity for use as meeting rooms and for recreational purposes. The cottage has three bedrooms that enable anyone who wishes, to visit the Shrine and to have an overnight stay on a self-catering basis. There were few bookings of the cottage during the year from individuals and groups, including interdenominational groups. In a similar manner to that of the Shrine, voluntary workers provide for the maintenance of the cottage and its gardens. The gardens of the cottage provide a play area for children and a picnic facility. Anew feature largely completed during 2020 was a sensory garden.
Another building on the site, owned and maintained by the Diocese of Salford, is that of the church hall of Saint John Fisher Parish, Kearsley. The Schoenstatt Fathers provide pastoral care of this parish community in addition to their services to the Charity. The church hall is used for the larger gatherings of the Charity and the Parish such as for Sunday Mass, Christmas and summer fairs and conferences. The local Anglican and Methodist Churches also make use of the hall.
A large group of just under fifty people enjoyed a family week at Castlerigg in the Lake District in August. In accordance with tradition, the costs for children and unwaged young people were subsidised by approximately £4,000.00.
Total income for the year was £159,867.64 and total expenditure £75,917.25. Income was a good deal higher than normal largely due to the receipt of three legacies totalling £136,720.65. The trustees gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Joan Evans, Agnes Conroy and Bernard Dunn. Tax relief on gift aid received was £2,823.98. In terms of expenditure a major refurbishment of the exterior of Kearsley Mount Cottage amounted to £35,397.00. At the end of the year the sum of bank balances amounted to £133,743.53.
There is no restricted income to record and the trustees, some years ago, determined to maintain a reserve amount of £10,000 against unforeseen or unexpected contingencies.
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2110812025 Page I Account Balan As of 3111212024 Account Totsl Bank and Cash Accounts l. Main Account 2. Covenant Accourt 3. Designated Funds 4, Schcenststt 2CNJ aub 7. Cash TreaSur 8. Cheques Treasurer 9. Current Account c. Kearsley Mount Cottage e. Euro Treasurer f. St John Fisher Church Hall g. Green P•Jx (Petty Cash) k. Kearsley Presbytery s. Shrine Chapel Totsl 66nk aThl Cash P£counts 4,187.61 3,843.48 1,931.44 123,781.¢)0 133.7y3.i3 Total Assets 133,743.53 Net Worth 133,743.i3
2110812025 Page I Income and Spendlng Between OII0112024 afKI 3111212024 Sukategory Total Income Covenants c2 Covenant standlng Orders Total Covenants Donations dl C()nations StsrKling Orders d2 Lknnation5 General d2M Donation Box d5 Family Days/Weeks d8 Jubilee 2025 Total Donations Fund Ralslng Recelpts fls Plety Stsll r2 200 aub Substhptions rotal Fund Raising Ripts Interest 13 Bank Total Interest Legacles/Loans 11 Legacies Total LegacLoanS Tax Refunds Income - Unassigned Total Income calor1e$ ortes 6,210.00 6,210.00 48.00 635.00 3,260.43 5,CK)6.00 240.00 9,189.43 1,961.00 1,756.00 3,717.00 1,158.58 1.158.58 136,720.65 36,720.6 j 2,823.98 159,867.64 rfes Administration al WagelAllowan a2E Electricty a2G Gas/Heating a2W Water & Sewerage a3m Posiage MAGS a3t Telephonenvllntemet a5b Bank Charges Tol31 AhminratIOn Benefit Payments bly Youth & Famil5 Tota18enefit Payments Fund Raising Costs els Piety Stsll e2 Prizes 200 aub Total Fund RaLgrwJ Costs 13 Loans Repald 13S Schoenstatt Fathers Total 13 Loans Repaid 750.Crt) 2.202.40 5.103.87 438.12 162.75 3,280,66 22.30 11,960.10 9,139.IKI 9,139.1)0 3,190.96 785.00 3.975.9tr 1,800.00 I.6.(K) Prope h2 Property RAtes h4 Property Maintenen H4GS Gas Servicing h4M Shrine Maintenen h4Y MaIntenan, Cage Totsl Property Total Experse Cate9)rles 3,024.19 35.397.00 1,035.00 8,366.00 1,220.00 75,917.25 GfarKi Total 83,950.39
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Year ended 2024 Cash at bank and in hand at beginning of year (if any) £ 49,793.14 Excess of receipts over payments for the year (if any) on: Non-capital Capital £ 83,950.39 SUB-TOTAL £ 133,743.53 Excess of payments over receipts for the year (if any) on: Non-capital Capital Bank overdraft at beginning of year (if any) SUB-TOTAL Cash at bank and in hand (I-J) at end of year or Bank overdraft less cash in hand (J-l) at end of year £ 133,743.53
CHAIUTY COMMISSION STATEMENf OF ACCOUNT NAME OF CHARITY: THE SCHOENSTArr MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND AND WALES PLACE: ST. JOHN FISHEIL MANCHESTER ROAD, KEARSLEY, BOLTON BL4 8QQ COUNTY: GREATER MANCHESTER CHARITY COMMISSION REFERENCE NO. 1014537 STATEMENT OF Accouwf for year ending: 31 DECEMBER 2024 Section l. PARTICULARS OF TRUSTEES as at end of financial year. Note: The Trustees and Officers do not have any contracts or material arrangements with the Charity, nor haTre they received any remuneration for their services except for the claim of legitimate expenses. The following Trustees were elected at an Annual Genernl Meeting of the Charity on 9 July 2011 Name Address Post Code Mr DJ Ganley (ChairtTreasurer) 76 Hill Lane, Blackley. Manchester Mr. J Higgins (Resigned 2020) Mr. B Madden 3 Fernholme CourL Grange Avenue, Oldham Mr. KWA Ostmeier 2 Grotton Meadows, Grotton, Oldham Mr. G Russell (Resigned 2015) M9 6PF OL8 4EJ OL4 5RQ Mr. Ganley replaced Mr. Madden as Treasurer in April 2016 Mr. J Higgins resigned as a trustee in September 2020 Major Organisations with whom the Charity works: Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers (AKA) Schoenstatt Patres Regiohaus, Berg Sion 6 Valendar/Rhein, Gerniany D56179 Salford Rotnan Catholic Diocesan Trustees Wardley Hall Worsley, Manchester M28 2ND (Registered Charity 250037)
Adrian Auton - 13 Woodhill Drive, Prestwich, Bury. M25 OBF th 24 October 2025 Trustees Schoenstatt England St John Fisher Presbytery Manchester Rd Kearsley Bolton BL4 8QQ Statement of Financial Accuracy Dear Trustees Based on my review of the accounting records and financial information provided, I confirm that the financial statements of Schoenstatt England for the period ending 31" December 2024 present, to the best of my knowledge and belief, a fair and asOnable representation of the Trust's financial position. I confirm that all material information known to me has been appropriately disclosed. While this confirmation does not constitute a formal audit opinion, the financial statements can be reasonably considered accurate and free from material misstatement. Yours Sincerely Adrian Auton