Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) Registered Charity 297891 Statement of Financial Activities & Annual Report 2024
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31st December 2024 Contents Page Charity Details Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to Financial Statements 9-13
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31S1 December 2024 Charity Details Name of Charty: soCas Sanctae Crucis Also known as" The SOcty of the Holy Cross Registered Charity number.. 297891 Registered Addres5 of Charity.. The Clergy House. 62 Quakers Hall Lane. Sevenoaks. TN13 3TX Trustees.. Fr Carl Schaefer SSC Fr Simon Clark SSC Fr Robin Jones SSC Fr James Mowbray SSC Bankers.. C.Hoare & Co 37 Fleet Street, London. EC4P 4DQ Investment Managers.. CCLA 1 Angel Lane. London. EC4P 3AB Independent Examiner.. Fr. Bary C.C. Compton ACA Bary Compton & Co Chartered Accountants 14 Hallsland Way, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 9AL
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31 $1 December 2024 Trustees, Report The trustees present their report with the finanaal statements of the tharty for the year ended 31 Oecember 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to chanties preparing their accounts in accordance wrth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 (effective 1 January 2019). Governance of the Society A Master General, wtto is elected from the various Provincial Masters. govems the Society. He maintains a Council consisting of himself, the Provincial Masters, a Secretary General and a Treasurer General. In the past year these have been.. Fr. Nwlas Spicer SSC Fr. Simon Clark SSC Fr. Robin Jones SSC Fr. Cad Schaefer SSC Fr. Bpn Andf&WS SSC Fr. 8arry Swain SSC Fr. Grahame Bak1ock SSC Master General Sec*eiary General Trere1 General Prowncial Master England & SeoiiaThJ pronal Master for Wales Prownoal Master ollhe AJvta$ Pron0a1 Master olAustraL8y A Master who is elected every four years by the members ofthe Province govems the Province of England and Scotland. He forms an Execut¢ve and Counryl to Govem the Sou'ety, ensuring Ihat those appointed have the riecessary skills. In the past year this has consisted of.. Fr. Carf Schaefer SSC" Fr. SirTW Clark SSC" Fr. Robin Je5 SSC" Fr Jeremy Sheehy SSC Fr. Giles Orton SSC Fr. Jame5 Hill SSC Fr Peter Edwards SSC Fr John Eldrid98 SSC Fr Philip O'Reilly SSC Fr Mark Gilbtrrt SSC Fr. JamÈs Mowbray SSC. Pro?r1 Masw EThJbnLI & ScottaThl Provint•al Secyetary Provirtsl Treasurer Regi(thal Wic8r for the North Regional Wicar forlhe mlandS RegiMal Wicar for London atKI the Easi Re981 Wicar for Ihe Soulh West Regthal Vicar for kne Soulh Missth Committee Officer Communicabons Offir Trustee The previous Masters of England and Scouand sit on the Council. In 2023 these were.. Fr. Dad Houlding SSC Fr. N018$ sper SSC 'These serve as the Irustees of the Souety. Trustees are appointed by Ihe existtng trustees, in consultation with the Master, ensuring they have suitsble skills lo run the charity and mplY with appropriate legislation. Aims of the Society The Society is governed under the stslutes adopted in 1981 and has as ils ch8rit8ble objects- To strengthen and consolidate the spiritual life of ils members according to Catholic belief and practi. To maintain and extend the Catholic farth and disapline. and to defend truth against error. To unite its members in a special nd of mutual charity arising from their common faith.
Societas Sanctae Crucis he Society of the Holy Cross) 31st December 2024 Statement on Public Benefit In setting objectNes and planning for actNitses, the Trustees have gNen due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission rdatsng lo public benefrt. induding the guidance 'Publi¢ benefit.. running a charity IPB21'. In this year the Society has continued to support the spiritual life of ils members through Chapters. As well as regional Synods. The Master, his Council. Regional and Local Vicars have continued lo assist the brethren of the Society in their lives as priests in all things spiritual and temporal. Granls of £8.200 were made through Mission Direct to assist missionary activity. The majority of the members are engaged in parish work, often in disadvantaged locations. As members of the established Church. all wilhoul exception. are free to call on their services and frequently do. The Society supports them in this work. Risk Management The Iruslees conduct an annual survey of the si9nifi(3nt risks to whith the Society mighl be exposed. They are currently satisfied that adequate controls are in place. The Trustees, Report After a ProvFncial Synod in 2023 Ihe MO normal round of regi¢al syntyjs were held. The Southwest Synod was al St Marychurch on Founder's Day. the Northem Syrtod at S. Wilfred's HarroJale on the 23° May. the Midlands at Holy Angels, Hoar Cross on the 11" June. Finally. the London and SoLthem Synod was held on the 3rd October al S.Bamabas Hove. Attendance was particularty good at Ihe Northem and LOdOnouthern Synods. Thanks are due lo those who hosted and aanged these s1(j$. As is customary. Acta, the magazine of the Sou"ety. was printed iw1 in the year. at FowndeT5 Day and 8t Assumptionts"de. Ihe second time in an expanded format. The Swiety's Mison Committee was aGb"ve and grants lotalling some £8.2th). as staled 8bove. were rnade lo a variety of USe$ and aGtivilies, enabling small level mission work lo be undertaken. These included." Sl Matthew's Carver Street St Oswald's, Tile Hill All Saint's, Lincoln Sl John's Higham St George's Preston Sl Nicholas., Fleckney St Mary's, Willsden Chichester Dio¢esan Pilgrimage Group St Michael's. Abbey WocJ £350 £350 £350 £350 £300 £350 £350 £500 £350 Goldthorpe Parish Churc, St Columba, Anfield Family Fest IExeter Parish of Swindon New Town St PetrtK Hollacombe Fesbval Exeter YcKJth Pilgrimage Group St James,, Col¢hesler St Pelerfs, Horbury S Anne's. DeY £350 £350 £500 £500 £40LI £500 £350 £350 £350 This was a significant increase on the previous year. The Mission Committee ¢onb"nues lo find ways to suptK)rt the brethren in missional activity. Income for Mission Direct was £4.085, almost double being given in grants. It rerT7ains the policy of the ScLiety that every penny raised for Mission Direci wll go in grants. and any SLlPPOrt costs or cos15 of raising ftjnds come from the S(Kiety's general fund rather than restricted Mission Direct monies_ Expenditure of £23.598 was made versvs income of £159.111. This differential was largely due to legacies,. a very generous one frorn Fr Donald Strachan SSC and one from Fr Timothy Liscomb SSC. 11 ha5 been the FK)Iicy of the Master's Council to invesl such bequests in the CCLA funds to allow for inueased inrne for Ihe work ol the Society and Mission Direct. The Masters Council. on behalf of the Trustees. reviewed the Society's investrnents. currenly held in two accounts in the CCLA CBF Investment Fund Ilncomel. They noted that these had almosl recovered their previous years. losses. The Master's Coun1 in investments seeks lo balance income wth caprtal growth. along wlh an understanding that monies are appropriately invested. It judges the COIF income funds as ttjmmensurale wth that aim. Expenses lotslling £3,6171£2,27512023 were reimbursed tr) 4 Trustees {3 in 2023} in relation to Irdvel, hospitality and function of office. The rnaloty of the Society's life is lived in the various ¢hapters throughout the country. These contrnue to meet monthly or bi-monthly and to sUPPOrt the brethren by mean5 that are t)olh spiritual and lernporal. The Master
Societas Sanctse Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31 sl December 2024 ¢onlinues his visits to various chapters around the country to uphold and assist them in their keeping of the rule and their common life together. The reports delivered at Synod and Master's Couficil by the chaptets. are critical in helping the Master and his nCIl engage vthh and understand the needs of the brethren. The Soaety of the Holy Cross continues to be the oldest and original Sooety kn the Church of England for priests who live and work under Rule. It exists to incxease the spirituality of the clergy. supporting them in all matters spiritual and temporal, and lo support them in preachifig. teaching and liwng the Catholic faith in their parishes, to evangelise the people, and to work for the eventual reunion of all Christians. Fr Cart Schaefer SSC- Provincial Master Fr Robin Jones SSC- Treasurer 101h June 2025
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31s1 December 2024 Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees I report lo the Tnjstees on my examination of the accounts of Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) for the year ended 31" Drnber 2024 which are set (yjt on pages 7 10 13. Respor¢sibilities and basis of the report. As Trustee5 of the Society you are resp)nsible for the prepar8tion of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe Act'l and the SORP Accounting and Reporting by CharFties. My examination was canied out in accordance with the General Direth"ons gNen by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also ir*dudes consideration of any unusual ttem5 or disclosures in the accounts and the seeking of explanations from the Trustees cx)nceming such matters. The procedures undertaken to not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the 8C(x)unls present 8 Irue and fair view- and the report is limited lo those matter5 set out in the statement below. Independent exarniner's statemenL I have completed my examination_ I confirm that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. that accountsng rerdS were not kept in respect of the Souety as required by section 130 of the Act,. or that the accounts do not accord with those records.. or that the accounts do not comply wrth the applicable requirements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than the requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view. which is not a matter considered as part of an independent eXaMinatn. I have no concems and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper UrerStanding of the accounts to be reached. Fr. Bary C.C. Compton ACA Barry Compton & Co Chartered Accounlanls 14 Hallsland Way. Oxted, Surrey. RH8 9AL
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31SI December 2024 Statement of Financial Activities Not• Unrestrictad Funds £ R95trid•d Endobvment Total FuThds £ Funds £ 2024 £ Ttstal 2023 £ Incoming R¢sour Donations & legaues InrNe from charitae actimties Other trading athviti68 Invesltnent IncA)me 146.677 2.450 424 3.113 4.335 151,012 2.450 424 5.525 17,991 4,732 1,495 5,015 2.412 Totsl Incoming R•sourc•s 152.664 ,747 159,411 29.233 Rgsour¢•s oxpend8LI Purchases for Resale Expendilure on Charitable Activilies Grants and Oonations Governan costs Independent Examinalion 8ank Charges 2.856 8.329 11.678 650 385 4.665 4.475 24.749 350 382 129 9.847 1.837 10 385 Total ReSOtsO5 Ex nd•d 13,B61 10,037 23.898 34,621 lusl d&fi¢it •ar 138,803 135.513 5,388 Transfers TMnsfer5 between funds- in T¥ansfer5 etn funds- 2.7ry) 2.700 12,7(101 12.71KJI OtherrKognised y8ins/losses Gainsllb55esl investrnen Net rnOV8m8ni in 1.571 4.017 15.903 138,549 15901 1,571 139.530 9,705 Total Fund$ at 1 Janua 110.4SB . 249.007 18A92 78.12$ 79,696 207,075 346.605 . 197,370 2417,075 Total Funds at 31. D•cember 17902 All activities relate lo continuing activities. This Statement of Financial Adivities includes all gains and losses reccwJnised in the year. The notes of pages 9 10 13 form an Integral part of these Financial Stslements.
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31SI December 2024 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Resknc Fd5 £ Endo%wnenl Funds £ Total Total 2023 £ Fwds £ 2024 £ FIXED ASSETS InV1nIS 10 109.310 70.210 179,S20 175.503 CURRENT ASSETS Cash ai Bank arKI in Hon 142.¢YJ3 20.6 172.125 33.629 Debtor5 12 142.663 9.486 172.785 33,629 Credilor5'. Amoun15 falirbJ due within o ar 13 I2.) 12.7341 15,7001 12,0571 Nel Current Assets 139.697 17,902 9.486 167,085 31,572 Totsl Net A55els 249.1)07 17.gD2 79.696 346.605 207.075 Represented by". CHARITY FUNDS 14 249,007 17.902 79,696 346.605 207,075 The financral statements were approved by the Trustees on 10 June 2025and approved on their behalf by.. Fr Carf Schaefer- Master Fr Robin Jones - Treasurer The notes on pages 9 to 15 fomi an integral part of these financial statements io
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31S1 December 2024 Notes to the Financial Statements Accounting Policies 1.1 Basis of preparatlon of financial slaternents The financial stslemenls have been prepared in accordan with the acwunting policies sel out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's goveming document. the Charitses Act 2011 and Accounting and ReFK)rting by Charities.. Statement of RecorTbmended Practice applicable to chanties preparing accounts in accordance with the applicable Financial Rewrting Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland IFRS 102}. 1.2 Funds Accountlng General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of ihe Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for specific purposes. Assets and Liabilities are attn'buled to appropriate funds. Restricted and Endowment Funds are those lo be used in aca)rdance th the specific requirements of the donors or which have been raised by the charity for p2cUlar purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fvnd. The aim and use of each restn'cled fund and the endowment fund is set out below. The Ala$t¢r Gort•ral'$ Fund- These are feslricted funds rx)ntribuLed by the Provinces ofwales. The Arneri¢8S, Au5tralasia, and ErKJlaThJ and Scouand to be spent by thè Master ¢kneral in his work. Mission Direct- These a restricted fvnd5 to be st[ upon Mts&on tivitieS as recommended by the Mission Commrttee in consultatK)n wrth the Maslerfs Council. Mission Direct Endowment- This is an endowment fund set up using existing restricted Mission DireGt Monies to provide an ongoing incorre for the making of grants by Ihe MissK)n Difect Corrmittee. The Provincial Masterf$ Discretionary Fund- These ale restrKted monies to be spent by the Provincial Master of England and Scouand as he sees fit. within the aims of Ihe Charity. Tht SSC Conferences and Synods Fund- These are monies gNen fcff conferences arxl training, such as 'Leading your Churth into growth,. 'Stand up for Jesus, and Sync*Js. The G•n•ral Fund- These are unrestrKt8d Nwiès. which may be spent by the Provi% of England and Scouand as reQui. 1.3 Incornlng ResoUe5 All incoming resources are recognized where the charity is legally entiued lo the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. 1.4 Resources Expended All expenditure Is accounted for on an accnjals basis and has been induded under expense categories that aggregale all costs for allocation to the relevant aCtivi"e5. Where costs cannot be direcuy attributed to particular aclivitses they have been allocated on a basis consislent with the use of the resources. 1.5 Investments Investments are staled at market value. any adjuslmenl lo the previous years. figures being slated in the Slalemenl of Financial Activrties. following the Master's Council's review. 1.6 Reserves
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31st December 2024 The soety maintains Reserves of al least six months worth of monies, required to fvnd the activities of the Society. Notes to the Financial Statements UM•slth¢led£ RestrlGted£ Enth)¥ty E 2024Tol•l £ 2123 Total £ Note 2.. DONAnoNS & LEGACIES Master General's Inci)pne Gift Aide¢ Subscnplws Income Tax RecovwdblÈon Subscnptions Non-Gift Aided SubscnptiS Donation5 Donations for Mission Direct Gift Aided Income Tax Rettherable on Missn Direct Oonalions lor min Direct N-Gift -Aided Mission Dired Cdlectvjns 250 11.485 2.533 629 10,822 881 11.485 2.533 836 836 1.734 2.530 1.660 825 825 745 730 1.435 BÈquèsts 131.523 131.523 Donations and legacies Totals 146.377 4.635 151,012 17,991 Not• 3: INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTMTIES Retroat Income 2,450 2.450 4,732 Note 4: TRADING INCOME Sale trf Books. Crosses. •tc. 424 424 1.495 Nots 5.. INVESTMENT INCOME Bank InierÈsl CCLA DendS 147 507 1.J5 218 4,871 4.797 Investment Inwme Tota15 3,113 2.412 5,525 5,015 Totéi inrorning Resour¢• 152.364 7.047 159.411 29,233 12
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31SI December 2024 Notes to the Financial Statements Unitstri¢tsd£ Resirl¢ted E 2024 Totsi £ 20223Tolal £ Note 5.. Expenditure on Charitsble Activities Retreat C051S 4.665 Charltable aclivilios Totats 2.856 2.856 4,665 Note 6.. GRANTS & DONAnONS Mission Oirecl Grant5 OttTrer t)onaLs 8.2 129 129 25 Grants and Donations Totals 8.2 8.329 4.475 Note 7: GOVERNANCE COSTS Pusey Gui Prowncial Mastees Expenses Master General's Exp&nses Secretary's Expen%s rreasure¢s Expense5 Ma$i&¢s Council and Execulive Intematwal Synod Expenses SouthlLondon Synod Mid12nds Synod Northern Synod Soijth West Synod ACTA Master'5 Counul Residential Publicabofts Mailing 235 235 523 859 1.707 276 180 4.085 1.837 1,837 303 2.037 3Q3 2.037 1.677 1.120 1,012 1.071 1.475 1.677 1.120 1.012 1.071 1.475 15.666 1.372 171 171 10 81 GovemanGe Costs Totals 9.841 1,837 11.678 24,749 Ngt• 8." Indèpendent Examination Annual Fee 650 650 350 Independent Fee Totals 650 650 350 Note 9.. Bank Charges Bank Charyes 385 382 13
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31st December 2024 Bank Chargos Totals 385 385 382 Notes to the Financial Statements 2024 T•tsi £ 2023Totsi£ Note 10.. INVESTMENTS CBF SSC Invesknent 109.310 109,310 106.864 CBF Mi55ion Direct Endowft 70.210 70.210 68.639 Invesimentln¢om Totals 109.310 70,210 179,520 175,503 Note 11: CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND Cury8nl Acthunt 110.0531 149,967 7.461 12,5921 149.967 8.928 Bank Dewsit Accwnt Mission D1cl Deposit Account Master General's Deposit Account Petty Cash 13.2921 8.1 9.810 15.757 15.757 14,763 710 128 Tot•l$ 142.003 20.836 172.125 33.629 Not• 12: DEBTORS Retreat meY 660 Totals Note 13: Creditors Independent Examiners Fee 350 350 aster General's Expensts 1.634 1.707 Retreat Costs 2,616 2.616 Mission Direct Grants t.1(* 1.1C#) Totals 2.734 5,71XI 2,057 14
Societas Sanctae Crucis (The Society of the Holy Cross) 31 St Dember 2024 Notes to the Financial Statements Note 14: CHARITY FUNDS Fund aTrJ type BaL¢8 at 1.1.24 IrK(KThng Outgoi Transfers Gains and Losses Balance at 31.12.24 Unr85trict Gtnéial FLsnd 110.509 152.664 113,8611 12700 249,058 PestriGted Mission Direct SSC Conferencès. Synods, eic. Provinaal MaStS oiscretiary Fd aster General's Fund 6.497 I8.2) 1.863 1.157 66 14.765 1.157 13.652 250 11.8371 27t)O Sub40tals 18.441 6,747 110,0371 2700 17,857 Endowmgnt Mission Direct 78.125 1.$71 79,696 Totals 207.075 159.411 123.8981 4,017 346.605 15