By Frank H. Ellis, Special To The Bulletin

CARROLLTON—Relatives, friends, parishioners and area residents continue to remember the late Msgr. Michael J. Regan. That remembrance took a special turn this August.

Members of the Knights of Columbus headquartered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church officially changed the name of their council to honor their late longtime chaplain and pastor.

Chartered as the West Georgia Council #8731 in 1984, the council functioned under that name until early August. Msgr. Regan died on Aug. 8, 1999 after 27 years as the church’s spiritual leader. Upon his death, members of the council, with Kent Collins serving as Grand Knight, decided to request an official change of name in order to memorialize and honor Msgr. Regan.

The national headquarters of the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Conn., was contacted, requesting permission to adopt the new name for the council. In due time Collins received the official documents allowing the change.

On Aug. 5, the Saturday before the first anniversary of Msgr. Regan’s death, the local Knights gathered to solemnize the change following Mass celebrated by Father John Farrelly, pastor and current chaplain.

Two of Msgr. Regan’s sisters from the Philadelphia area, Rita Buchy and Mary Fitzgerald, and their husbands came for the occasion. Each was presented with a framed copy of the official document highlighted with a photograph of their brother. A memento was also sent to a third sister, Ann Sharkey, who was unable to attend.

Bill Maddox is the current Grand Knight of the council.