Knights of Columbus maintain tradition of bell ringing started by the late Monsignor McCann

John McNeer, of Newton, likes to keep things organized and orderly. In a folder where he keeps all of the information he has on the late Monsignor Thomas McCann of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he pulls out a single sheet of paper, and he hands it to me. There are several other copies tucked away in the folder.

It is a list of names, and although it is no naughty or nice list I’m sure McNeer has checked it twice nonetheless. The names are of his fellow members in the local Knights of Columbus group. And next to the names are times and three locations: Hy-Vee, Fareway and Theisen’s. Each one-hour block is filled.

For the past several years, the Knights of Columbus have volunteered to be bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. McNeer, in his booming and jovial tone, tells me it is in large part due to Monsignor McCann and his long tenure on the Salvation Army Board. McNeer is a board member, too. As am I.

“The Knights of Columbus have been doing this for years and years,” McNeer said. “And it started with Monsignor McCann! Do you know Monsignor McCann?”

Well, of course, I didn’t. But I knew John would fill me in. He had a whole folder you know. McCann was a strong supporter for the Salvation Army for many years, as well as many other community organizations like the YMCA and the Rotary Club. He encouraged his fellow Knights to ring bells during the holidays.

“It’s been a longstanding tradition,” McNeer said to me. “And I think it ought to be recognized. I think he ought to recognized.”

According to McNeer’s biographical account of the late monsignor — who died in 1979 at the age of 97 — McCann was ordained a priest in Baltimore in 1908. He came to Iowa shortly after, first serving as an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport before becoming a pastor in Newton in 1910.

McCann taught English, Latin and Greek at Dowling Junior College in Des Moines. He was instrumental in forming the Knights of Columbus Council #2663 in the late 1920s and served on numerous local boards and clubs. He received a Community Service Award for his service to the community in 1940.

“One thing I always admired about Father McCann was his involvement in our community, going well beyond his own congregation,” McNeer said. “…These activities and many more helped bring about a great ecumenical movement between the churches in our community, which lasts to this very day.”