Eastern Link
August 2020
If you or your Circle is doing anything that might be of interest to other Circles, social activities, new ideas, keynote speakers coming up, helpful tips, or just of general interest, please share that information and photos (if possible) through Eastern Link by emailing p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au
Without your stories Eastern Link doesn't exist.
Contents:
| St Mary of The Cross MacKillop - the Patron Saint for Australian Catenians - Media Release The Australian National Council of The Catenian Association and the Sisters of St Joseph today announce that St Mary of The Cross MacKillop will become The Catenians' Patron Saint for Australia on 8 August 2020, the Solemnity of the Saint. |
The adoption of our new Patron Saint for Australian Catenians – St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop  The adoption of our new Patron Saint for Australian Catenians – St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop - which was formalised in an agreement between the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites) and the Australian National Council during the recording of a Mass to celebrate her Feast Day solemnity. |
The Story of Mary MacKillop  By Sr Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader Sisters of Saint Joseph. On 15 January, 1842 Mary MacKillop was born of Scottish immigrant parents Alexander MacKillop and Flora MacDonald in Fitzroy Melbourne. Mary was the eldest of eight children. She was well educated by her father who had spent some years studying for the priesthood in Rome and Scotland. Through his own choosing he decided not to continue to ordination. |
A Catenian connection with Mary Mackillop My name is Howard Drake a Catenian member of UK Sutton Coldfield 232 circle and I am the great grandson of Angus Macdonald. About 5 years ago my daughter who was looking into our ancestry connected with a distant cousin who had done a great deal of research into our family history and had managed to establish that Angus Macdonald's mother was called Clementina Macdonald and she and her siblings were direct cousins to Mary MacKillop's mother Flora Macdonald ... |
A Challenge from scripture for Catenians? Watching this weeks homily on our parish Facebook channel, I heard a challenge from Fr John, for me and for us Catenians, and a potential way forward? A challenge to be inclusive, to be welcoming to all, to not exclude the outsiders, to be Catholic but as catholics in the universal sense. As Catholics should we exclude any 'outsiders', whether by gender, religious affiliation or economic circumstance? |
Catenian Intercessory Rosary  A "Catenian Intercessory Rosary" will be held for all Catenian Brothersand families woeldwide through Zoom Video conference. Brothers from all countries are encouraged to kindly join in and participate. This is a good medium to help us connect with each other through prayers in these turbulent times. |
Your "Never Alone" with Province 21 Catenians' Circle of Friends Choir  With CoVid19 restrictions having forced Circles to cancel face to face meetings and Catenians to self isolate a group of us got together "virtually" and formed the Circle of Friends Choir as a way of maintaining contact and boosting morale. Choir organizer, Province 21 Membership Officer Graham Short, inspired by Mullumbimby's Dustyesky "fake" Russian choir, recalled that Canberra brother Phil Murray was the composer of Never Alone (Circle of Friends). |
Br. Michael Tan - a Catenian Deacon I had become aware in the course of caring for the dying as a doctor that some of the most difficult and complex medical issues involved the care of abuse survivors. Many of these abuse survivors are too angry with the Church to accept the ministry of a priest or pastoral associate. Yet, their anger cannot be simply labelled as a 'mental health' issue. |
Catenians And Catholicity  We profess to being 'proudly Catholic'. But what does this demand of us? One aspect is adhering to Church teaching – not following blindly; but doing our best to understand it before deciding prayerfully on our response. As lay people, it is essential that we understand Church teachings about the laity and lay associations. |
| News from Provincial Council Meeting No 136 held by Zoom teleconference on Monday 20 July 2020 An overview of topics discussed and reports submitted at the recent Provincial Council meeting. |
Catholic Men's Gathering  The ACBC National Catholic Men's Gathering for 2020 is being offered as a free event for registered participants. This modified program is delivered in one introductory session (25 minutes) and four pre-recorded modules of approximately 1 hour in length. |
St Benedicts Catholic Church Broadway  St Benedict's Catholic church was constructed between 1845 and 1856, to a design by British architect AW Pugin for Archbishop Polding. The site had been prepared from 1841 and the foundation stone for the church was laid by Archbishop Polding on 21 July 1845. A school house, where lessons began in 1838, stood adjacent to the church. |
Nicholas Moore to speak at Harbourside North in September Nicholas Moore is the former CEO of Macquarie Bank and Chair of Centre for Independent Studies, Willow, Screen Australia, Sydney Opera House, The Smith Family, National Catholic Education Commission and Member UNSW Business School Advisory Council. Nicholas Moore is a parishioner of Sydney Harbour North Parishes |
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News from around the Circles |
| Regular Circle Social activities are coming back to life This will be a regular page on Eastern Link listing all circles' regular activities, walks, coffee, lunches etc. Please include you circle activities in you newsletter or send the details to p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au for inclusion on the list |
Prayers for ... Please remeber in your prayers members from various Circles listed |
St Mary of The Cross MacKillop - the Patron Saint for Australian Catenians - Media Release
The Australian National Council of The Catenian Association and the Sisters of St Joseph today announce that St Mary of The Cross MacKillop will become The Catenians' Patron Saint for Australia on 8 August 2020, the Solemnity of the Saint.
The Catenian Association is an international fraternity of Catholic laymen. Founded in Manchester in 1908, it was established in Australia in 1971 and now has approximately 900 Australian members.
Speaking from the Mary MacKillop Chapel North Sydney following a Mass to celebrate St. Mary MacKillop's feast day, the Association's Australian National President, George Kazs, said that following the beatification of Mary MacKillop in 1995, Australian Catenians have adopted the practice of seeking her intercession at the commencement of meetings and when new members joins the fraternity.
Since then, Sisters of the Congregation through their generous support have enriched the spiritual life of Catenians through encountering the charism of St Mary MacKillop - her faith in a loving and provident God, her uniquely Australian response to God's call to provide for those in need, her respect for the dignity of all and her affection for her Sisters and for those she served.
These encounters have opened Catenians to the possibility that life as a Catenian can be lived with a uniquely Australian spirituality within an international context. That, like St Mary MacKillop, a Catenian can be truly Australian and strive to be genuinely holy, he said.
Through her example of prayerful and attentively listening for the movement of the Holy Spirit, Australian Catenians have discerned that an Australian expression of Catenian spirituality is a spirituality of interdependence, one lived through faith, friendship, respect and service. A spirituality that reflects the charism of St Mary MacKillop.
The Association wished to acknowledge that the Australian expression of Catenian spirituality reflects the charism of St Mary MacKillop by adopting her as its Patron Saint for Australia and requested the Congregation to support it in making this acknowledgment.
The Congregation has agreed to support the Association in acknowledging its adoption of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop as its patron Saint for Australia by its representatives joining with members of the Association in a ritual of adoption held at the Saint's tomb during the celebration of a Mass of her Solemnity on 27 July 2020 and by joining with the Association in announcing its adoption of the Saint as its Patron Saint for Australia.
Speaking after the Mass Sister Monica Cavanagh rsj, the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, said that the Sisters are delighted to share this occasion with the Catenians. She went on to observe that from the earliest days of the Institute Mary MacKillop recognized the importance of establishing partnerships with people who supported her work and mission. Mary MacKillop's way of living the gospel in our Australian context aligns closely with values at the heart of what it means to be a Catenian. Her practical down to earth spirituality has much to offer the work of the Catenians in Australia today.
Enquiries:
Catenians:
George Kazs,
Australian National President,
anc.president@thecatenians.org.au
www.thecatenians.org.au
Sisters of Saint Joseph:
Sr. Kathleen Norman rsj,
Kathleen.Norman@sosj.org.au
www.sosj.org.au/
The adoption of our new Patron Saint for Australian Catenians – St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop
The adoption of our new Patron Saint for Australian Catenians – St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop - which was formalised in an agreement between the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites) and the Australian National Council during the recording of a Mass to celebrate her Feast Day solemnity.
The Mass and Ritual of Dedication was recorded in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney and was celebrated by a good friend of the Catenians – Fr. David Ranson, VG of the Broken Bay Diocese.
Click Mass Booklet if you wish to follow the Mass and Ritual of Dedication; if you use Universalis and would like to follow the Mass and Readings there make certain that it is set to the Australian Liturgical calendar and open the Mass for August 8. During the Mass we remembered those of our Brothers who had died since the 2018 Melbourne conference.
Bro. George Kazs (ANC President) and Sr. Monica Cavanagh rsj (Congregational Leader of the Josephites) sign the agreement
After communion Bro. George Kazs (ANC President) and Sr. Monica Cavanagh rsj (Congregational Leader of the Josephites) signed the agreement which formally brought Australian Catenians under the patronage of St. Mary MacKillop.
Proceedings then moved to around the tomb of St. Mary MacKillop where we prayed and sought her support and the Josephites presented us with a beautiful image of the Saint.
The ANC gratefully acknowledges the help of the many Catenians, Sisters of St. Joseph and friends who made the Mass and its recording possible, particularly Bro. Peter Tilbrook and Sr. Annie Bond rsj for developing the liturgy and the agreement; Fr. David Ranson for celebrating the Mass and Bros. Jim Keating and Paul Pearson for filming and photographing the Mass.
Sr. Monica Cavanagh rsj presents George Kazs with a beautiful image of the Saint in the presence of Fr. David Ranson.
Who was St. Mary MacKillop
While all Australian Catholics will know of St. Mary MacKillop, the same cannot be said of our wider Catenian brotherhood and the ANC was grateful that Sr. Monica offered to pen a short article about her that we could use in our publications. The article is in the August Catena and can also be read here.
Australian Catenians. You can read here the text from the start of the recording of the Mass where Bro. Ralph Fitzpatrick talks on behalf of the ANC about this journey.
Click on a thumbnail below and click the play button at the top right to start the slideshow.
https://thecatenians.org.au/province-21/eastern-link/august-2020#sigProIdf3648eaea4
The Story of Mary MacKillop
By SR Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader Sisters of Saint Joseph.
On 15 January, 1842 Mary MacKillop was born of Scottish immigrant parents Alexander MacKillop and Flora MacDonald in Fitzroy Melbourne.
Mary was the eldest of eight children. She was well educated by her father who had spent some years studying for the priesthood in Rome and Scotland. Through his own choosing he decided not to continue to ordination. Due to Alexander's inability to hold down a permanent job, the family was often without a home of their own, depending on relatives and friends to assist where they could.
From the age of sixteen, Mary assumed financial responsibility for her family, as a governess, a clerk for Sands and Kenny and as a teacher in Portland. In 1866 greatly inspired by Fr Julian Woods, Mary opened the first St Joseph's school in a disused stable in Penola.
In 1867, Mary took her first vows in Adelaide. Bishop Sheil approved the Rule for the new Congregation of Sisters, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Other young women soon came to join her. Together they opened schools for the working-class children in the poorer parts of our cities and in the isolated towns and communities across the newly emerging colonies of Australia. With the help of the Sisters other centres of care were established such as orphanages, refuges and houses of Providence for the destitute, lonely and sick. Mary MacKillop brought hope and love to those considered least in the Australian colonies of this period.
Throughout her life, Mary faced many painful experiences including excommunication in September 1871. In 1883 the affairs of the Institute were investigated by Bishop Reynolds of Adelaide. False accusations were made and yet Mary believed that in the end all would be well.
Some of the Bishops of her time felt that the Congregation should be under the control of each local Bishop. In order to sustain a sense of unity and common purpose in mission, Mary envisioned a Congregation over which the Congregational Leader would have responsibility for the day to day affairs of the Congregation and the appointment of Sisters to their local communities. In fact, Rome had given approval to such a style of leadership for the Congregation.
This caused conflict with some of the Bishops. In Brisbane, it meant the withdrawal of the Sisters from the diocese. In Bathurst it led to the establishment of a diocesan form of the Sisters of St Joseph. In these difficult times Mary refused to attack those who undermined her work. She was ever ready to forgive those who had wronged her.
Throughout her life she suffered ill health. She died on 8 August, 1909 at Mount Street North Sydney where she is now buried. On 19 January 1995 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Sydney and on 17 October 2010 was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.
Saint Mary MacKillop's holiness is marked by her deep love, her courage in the face of adversity, her willingness to forgive those who harmed her, her compassionate response to those who were in trouble and her constant trust in the God who walked the journey with her. One of her outstanding qualities was her strong leadership both within the Church and beyond.
The Cross was her constant companion, finding here the strength and courage to respond with hope and compassion to the many demands that being the Founder of a new Religious Institute demanded.
Her life continues to inspire people around the world in living faithfully the Gospel call to love.
A Catenian connection with Mary Mackillop
Howard and Jenny DrakeMy name is Howard Drake a Catenian member of UK Sutton Coldfield 232 circle and I am the great grandson of Angus Macdonald who worked in the drapery trade in Newark-on-Trent in the second half of the 19th century. Angus was born near Fort William in Scotland and as a child I heard stories of his early life in the Highlands from my own grandfather.
Angus' mother Clementina age 21 had died either in or shortly after giving birth to him in 1839 and the stories I had heard were of Angus then living with an Uncle who was a Catholic Priest called Fr Coll, (famous in the Highlands for his strength and stature) after a beating at the hands of his father and step brothers, and tales of brute strength and the hardship of life in the Highlands but we had very little real detail about his life in Scotland.
Chapel Cille Choirill and graves where many of the MacKillops and MacDonalds are buried, near Fort William,as recorded in the booklet written by Sr. Monica entitled Mary MacKillop’s Scotland.Then about 5 years ago my daughter who was looking into our ancestry connected with a distant cousin also a descendant of Angus on a genealogy forum and the story unfolded. This cousin had done a great deal of research into our family history and also had similar anecdotal evidence to us and through her years of research she had managed to establish that Angus Macdonald's mother was called Clementina Macdonald and she and her siblings were direct cousins to Mary MacKillop's mother Flora Macdonald and this is how we learned of our connection to St Mary of the Cross.
However, the main Clan records had expunged Clementina and therefore our whole side of the family! Undeterred this cousin put together a body of evidence to prove our family link to Mary MacKillop and attended the Canonisation in Rome where she met 3 other Macdonald descendants who had travelled from Fort William unaware of our connection.
Eventually we arranged a get together with this cousin and her mother and our families shared anecdotes and photos of the Macdonald side of our family it was a really lovely day. Shortly after this my wife and I took a holiday in Scotland and decided to try and follow up on some of the things we had unearthed, We discovered that the Sisters of St. Joseph had established a small Community in Fort William managed by Sr. Diane an inspiring nun who introduced us to more family members, who had also attended the cannonisation in Rome, we still remember the tea and cakes Sr. Diane set before us!
Finally, there may be Macdonald descendants who are Brothers living in Australia as at least one of Angus Macdonald's children emigrated, his name was Coll Macdonald and he died in Hamilton, Victoria in 1965 and I also have Macdonald cousins living in the Perth area of Western Australia who I am trying to connect with too, so who knows we may have to organise another family gathering.
I wonder if there are any Catenians among them?
A Challenge from scripture for Catenians?
An editorial by Paul Pearson
Watching this weeks homily on our parish Facebook channel, I heard a challenge from Fr John, for me and for us Catenians, and a potential way forward?
A challenge to be inclusive, to be welcoming to all, to not exclude the outsiders, to be Catholic but as catholics in the universal sense.
Can we expand our horizons to be truly inclusive, not leaving anybody out of the reach of the Catenian charism?
As Catholics should we exclude any 'outsiders', whether by gender, religious affiliation or economic circumstance?
Do we need to review using membership numbers as a measure of success?
There are 45 Circles in the UK down to ten members, circles in Province 21 are evaluating their positions with low numbers.
Can we begin measuring success by the people that we have an effect on, those we we include in our network?
Members will come when people join our social network, then want more, Manly have our first new member directly from our Friends of Catenians activities (walks and trivia nights) joining in August.
If we were to use this Covid time to investigate and model how we can include our non-Catenian parishioners, friends, neighbours in Catenian activities, instead of struggling to meet catering numbers, struggling to attract guest speakers, dinners (without meetings) could be social gatherings for a parish with an interesting guest speaker either at the regular venue or perhaps a more economical option?
In 'News from Around the Circles' and News from Provincial Council below there are conversations at several circles with some great alternatives being discussed and Graham Short has some good Post Covid options in his Membership Report.
It's time for some serious options to be offered for each circle to evaluate for their own particlar circumstances.
We can't continue doing the same things and expect a different result!
If we do nothing we die!
Catenian Intercessory Rosary
A "Catenian Intercessory Rosary" will be held for all Catenian Brothers and families worldwide through a Zoom Video conference.
Brothers from all countries are encouraged to join in and participate. This is a good medium to help us connect with each other through prayers in these turbulent times.
We are inviting you to pray the Rosary with us:
Topic: International Catenian Intercessry Rosary
Date: 29th August (Saturday)
Time:
2.30pm Bangladesh time
9.30am UK time
6.30pm Australian Eastern Time
4.30pm Australian Western Time
Duration: 45 minutes (max)
Join us via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82994865740
Meeting ID: 82994865740
Password: 843925
Your "Never Alone" with Province 21 Catenians' Circle of Friends Choir
With CoVid19 restrictions having forced Circles to cancel face to face meetings and Catenians to self isolate a group of us got together "virtually" and formed the Circle of Friends Choir as a way of maintaining contact and boosting morale.
Choir organizer, Province 21 Membership Officer Graham Short, inspired by Mullumbimby's Dustyesky "fake" Russian choir, recalled that Canberra brother Phil Murray was the composer of Never Alone (Circle of Friends).
Phil graciously granted permission for the Choir to do a "virtual" rendition, provided a sing-a-long soundtrack and the rest, with the masterful assistance of compiler Fergus Hides-Pearson, was history.
The Choir participants are from across Province 21 including from inaugural Circle City of Sydney, most northern Cairns, southern Canberra, nascent Brisbane Waters and Circles in between.
Thanks to choristers Peter O'Reilly and Frank Filocamo (City of Sydney), Phil Murray and John Eyers (Canberra), Peter Huby (The Hills and Brisbane Water), Mark Freeman (City of Cairns), Martin Stebbings (KuRingGai), Romano DiDonato (Manly), Mel Waters of Parramatta Circle, Graham Short (Harbourside North and Gold Coast Tweed).
Grateful acknowledgements to Phil Murray, e: phil@philmurraymusic.com and Fergus Hides-Pearson Master Trainer, e: Fergus@terracordis.com.au
View Province 21 Circle of Friends Choir 's rendition of Never Alone Video :
Never Alone (Circle Of Friends) – The Inside Story
By lyricist Phil Murray, Membership Officer, Circle 331, Canberra
I wrote this song in 2016 as an adjunct to our Circle's recruitment strategy.
We give a copy of the CD to every meeting guest as a surprise, to demonstrate what we are about and hopefully prod them to take the plunge and join.
As our Circle is aging, we were hoping that the song would appeal to men in their 40s and 50s and their wives who, we believe, play an important part in their husband's decision on joining.
One of the changes that many of us experience during our mid-life transition (mostly, in our 40s or later) is a shift of faith perspective – a movement from independent to inter-dependent faith.
As we are brought face to face with our personal limits, we begin to acknowledge our need for support and so become more open to others with different views and backgrounds, including in matters of faith. This inter-dependent approach to life and faith involves deeper inter-personal relationships and community.
The Catenian Association offers an experience based on inter-dependence – a faith community built upon strong, faith-based friendships among members and their families, through which each one continues to develop their person, their life and their faith.
The song presents a personal story built around this situation.
The singer is experiencing a mid-life transition. He has attended Catenian gatherings and is reporting what he thinks of these people.
He explains his frustration that he is not coping alone as well as he used to and, occasionally, even struggling with his faith.
When he attends Catenian meetings, he notices that they are coping better because their deeper friendships foster mutual support and help keep them true to their faith journey.
He realises that Catenians accept each other as equals by focusing on the person, rather than the person's role and status in society. In this way, deeper friendships, even in unlikely places, emerge. These friendships provide the companionship and trusting environment needed to learn from others and so grow as a person of faith.
Br. Michael Tan - a Catenian Deacon
Parramatta Circle's Michael Tan talks about his journey to the Deaconate.
What inspired you to become a Deacon?
I had become aware in the course of caring for the dying as a doctor that some of the most difficult and complex medical issues involved the care of abuse survivors.
Many of these abuse survivors are too angry with the Church to accept the ministry of a priest or pastoral associate. Yet, their anger cannot be simply labelled as a 'mental health' issue.
Their anger, disillusionment and sorrow reflect their need for healing from God, and forgiveness of the perpetrator and the church. This is so that they can be at peace with God, live in hope in the face of death and look forward to joining the communion of saints after death.
Clearly, this spiritual issue goes beyond the role of a medical professional. Hence, I decided to retire after a 30 year career in General Practice Palliative Care to take on a role in the formation of Catholic Health Care Professionals who are caring for the dying.
This was five years ago, and thanks be to God, is coming to an end as I enter the last phase of my formation before ordination.
What was involved?
The process initially consisted of a discernment process, which included an interview and psychological testing. Once accepted, I entered into the first stage of formation, known as aspirancy.
This first stage consisted of a 4-year process of human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual formation. Having just completed this phase, I have now been accepted into the second phase of formation by my bishop. This second phase is known as candidacy. Candidacy is the final phase of the journey to ordination, which should occur within the next twelve months.
What is the role of a Deacon?
The deacon is ordained by the bishop to be a herald of the Gospel – this is expressed in terms of believing what he reads (i.e. the Gospel), teaching what he believes and practising what he teaches. He is ordained for ministry, and not for priesthood. This means that the only things he cannot do that the priest can do is to consecrate the eucharist at Mass and hear Confession.
He is conformed through sacramental grace to Christ the servant. This means that he follows Jesus in obedience to the mission received from the Father. He serves the Church in Word, Sacrament and Charity.
What are the responsibilities of a Deacon?
At Mass, the deacon proclaims the Gospel and intercessory prayers on behalf of the people. He invites the people to exchange the sign of peace, and at the end of Mass, sends the people into the world to bring the Good News into their homes, workplaces, professional life, and everywhere in the world where they have influence. He can also celebrate baptisms, marriages and funerals.
While placed in a Parish, he has a Diocesan focus since he is ordained for ministry and not priesthood. This means that he is usually assigned to a Diocesan ministry such as youth, police, prison, or hospital chaplaincy.
Tell us bit about your background
I am originally from Malaysia. I grew up in a Chinese family, none of whom are Catholic. My parents sent me to a Catholic school with the De la Salle brothers in Malaysia. I then became a Catholic, having been baptised at the Easter vigil when I came to Australia in 1975.
I completed my final year of secondary schooling in Sydney before undertaking medical studies. Since graduation, I have completed postgraduate studies in Family Medicine, Theology and Professional Ethics.
I am married, with no children. Since retirement five years ago, I enjoy taking our dog for an hour's walk every morning for exercise.
Your Catenian journey so far?
I joined the Catenian Association in 2000 when I became a foundation brother of the City of Parramatta Circle in Province 21. I have taken on various roles on my Circle Council as well as on Provincial Council. This included Provincial Membership Officer, Chamberlain and Provincial President. I have also just rejoined the Provincial Council of Province 21 as Councillor for my home Circle.
Your current involvements?
Currently, I am the Conference Convenor for the Australian National Deacons Conference, to be held in 2021 in the Parramatta Diocese. All Catenian brothers, especially deacon brothers, are welcome to attend with their wives. Hopefully, travel restrictions will have lifted sufficiently by then.
I have also just been invited by some of my colleagues from when I was still in medical practice, to join a Flatten-the-Curve Faith-based-Communities Group, consisting of medical professionals and faith-based communities such as Catholic, Christian, Hindu and Muslim community leaders. The aim is to create a group that can ensure that the professional messages do not become too overwhelming or not understood well by the ordinary members of different faith communities.
Catenians And Catholicity
We profess to being 'proudly Catholic'. But what does this demand of us?
One aspect is adhering to Church teaching – not following blindly; but doing our best to understand it before deciding prayerfully on our response.
As lay people, it is essential that we understand Church teachings about the laity and lay associations.
To the Laity, the World
Vatican II defined the Church's mission as: 'proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the kingdom of Christ and of God' (Lumen Gentium (LG), 1964, n5).
Surprising many, lay people were assigned the 'principal role' in its establishment in the world (LG, 1964, n36) for 'They live…in each and every one of the world's occupations and callings and in the ordinary circumstances of social and family life…There they are called by God to contribute to the sanctification of the world from within, like leaven…' (LG, 1964, n31).
Lay people were to 'act directly in this domain and in their own way…and act on their own responsibility; everywhere and always they have to seek the justice of the kingdom of God' (Apostolicam Actuositatem (AA), 1965, n7).
This is simply common sense. World-wide, about 1 in 1,100 Catholics is ordained or in consecrated life. How can the Church's mission in the world be fulfilled unless lay people are committed to its pursuit?
Lay Associations and Church Mission
Vatican II stressed that lay associations 'are not ends in themselves; they are meant to be of service to the church's mission to the world' (AA, 1965, n19).
Nevertheless, the 'individual apostolate' remained paramount – 'the starting point and condition of all types of lay apostolate, including the organised apostolate; nothing can replace it…' (AA, 1965, n16).
Therefore, 'first' among lay associations were those 'which favour and promote a more intimate unity between the faith of the members and their everyday life' (AA, 1965, n19).
Lay Associations and Canon Law
Canon Law, revised after Vatican II, identifies two forms of association of the Christian faithful:
- Public associations 'erected' by ecclesiastical authority (Can. 301§3); and
- Private associations 'freely' founded by the Christian faithful (Can. 299§2).
The Catenian Association is a private association.
A private association may seek formal Church recognition at international, national or diocesan levels by submitting its statutes for approval (312§1). This appears to be voluntary (Cann. 215 and 299).
Whether a private association is formally recognised or not:
- Its statutes should outline its 'purpose or social objective…its seat, government, and conditions required for membership and which determine the manner of its acting, attentive, however, to the necessity or advantage of time and place.' (Can. 304§1).
- It should be founded and directed 'for purposes of charity or piety or for promotion of the Christian vocation in the world…' (Can. 215).
- Its title or name should be 'adapted to the usage of time and place, selected above all with regard to their intended purpose' (Can. 304§2).
- It should 'take care that the members of the association are duly formed to exercise the apostolate proper to the laity' (Can. 329).
Implications
I am not suggesting that we seek formal Church recognition, though this is open to us.
I am suggesting that, being 'proudly Catholic', we should understand why the Church regards the above aspects as important, consider them carefully and take them into account as we discern our Association's future.
To assist with this, in subsequent Eastern Link issues I will explore: Purpose; Membership Eligibility; Member Services; and Governance. I will identify in more detail what the Church recommends and why, as well as possible implications of following that advice.
Phil Murray BA (Econ), MA (Theol Stud)
Phil is Membership Officer, Canberra Circle 331 and author of 'Friends for Life: Catenians in the 21st Century', 2018. His career included 10 years as a senior manager in the Church's national peak body that supports its social welfare services throughout Australia.
News from Provincial Council Meeting No 136 held by Zoom teleconference on Monday 20 July 2020
An overview of topics discussed and reports submitted at the recent Provincial Council meeting.
Membership Report
Bro Graham Short spoke to a draft report forwarded by him to Provincial Secretary shortly before the meeting.
He recommended the following Membership Strategies:
- Individual members: That each Catenian be made aware of and charged with the responsibility to seek out and invite prospects to Catenian meetings/dinners.
- Reason: One on One recruitment is the most effective and employs the greatest number of recruiters.
- Circles/Groups: That each Circle/Group be charged with developing and implementing, in consultation with Province 21 Council/Membership Officer, its own Membership Strategy
- Reason: Circles/Groups must take ownership of Membership retention and growth by committing to what each believes is achievable.
- Province 21 Council:
- (a) that P21Council undertakes to make Membership retention and growth its No 1 priority and match that priority with adequate funding and resources.
- Reason: too much time is given over to procedural matters and not enough to on the ground action.
- (b) that Provincial Councillors be proactive, in their Circles, particularly with MOs, on membership retention and growth.
- Reason adds weight of Provincial Council.
- (c) that P21 Council communicate to ANC the necessity for its representatives on CC to express in strongest terms its concern at slow pace of reform, particularly in area of Membership eligibility, and the likelihood that ANC will need to take unilateral action should the matter not be resolved in a timely manner.
- Reason: ANC is there to give voice to Australian Catenians through its Circles/Province Council. The call for renewal has been strong and sustained in Australia for some years.
- (a) that P21Council undertakes to make Membership retention and growth its No 1 priority and match that priority with adequate funding and resources.
- Membership Eligibility. Bro Graham indicated his view that Membership be opened to women.
- Reason: Society has changed since Catenians were formed in 1908.
Women are no longer second class citizens but enjoy equal status in all walks of life, except in our case Catenians.
- Reason: Society has changed since Catenians were formed in 1908.
- Membership Retention: He recommended that Province Council/Area/ Circles/individuals be made aware of their responsibility and importance of maintaining contact and building friendships with both new and existing Catenians.
- Membership Growth: He recommended that membership growth be focused on all eligible age groups, ie 18 years and above, both within existing Circles and, where appropriate, by creation of new age specific Circles.
- New Circles/Groups: He recommended that support continue for the development of the new Circles at:
- (a)Brisbane Waters (NSW Central Coast) Coordinator Chris Vale, Sponsor Circle Hornsby
- (b) Lismore (NSW North Coast) Coordinator Graham Short, Sponsor Circle Gold Coast Tweed.
and also: - (c) Western Sydney mooted by Bro Frank Filocamo, likely Sponsor Circle City of Sydney;
and he also recommended that - (d) any new proposed Circle Group have a Coordinator and Sponsoring Circle.
- Resourcing: He requested that Circles submit estimates, to P21 Council via their Provincial Councillor, of resourcing required for support their Membership Strategies.
- Catenians Post Covid19
- Zoom meetings: Bro Graham commented that Zoom meetings are in their early days and have been adopted, as a matter of necessity, as a way of maintaining contact within and between Circles/Groups both within Province 21 and the UK, particularly for conducting meetings. He recommended that the potential for Zoom meetings to become the norm should be further examined.
- Reasons: Many Catenians have little interest in the formal meetings and endure them while awaiting the main focus, the dinner.
- Circle meetings could be called and held on Zoom on separate days/times to the dinner. Those who would normally be absent eg away on holiday, business or sick would be able to attend, if so inclined.
- Zoom meetings: Bro Graham commented that Zoom meetings are in their early days and have been adopted, as a matter of necessity, as a way of maintaining contact within and between Circles/Groups both within Province 21 and the UK, particularly for conducting meetings. He recommended that the potential for Zoom meetings to become the norm should be further examined.
The meeting discussed the Membership Strategies as proposed by Bro Graham.
Circle of Friends Choir – Bro Graham advised that this is almost at final presentation stage. Renditions now mainly completed. Photos are being sought of Catenian activities (but not of dinners).
Provincial Records Officer Report
As at 1 April 2020, there were 409 enrolled in Province 21 excluding joint enrolments. 8 lost since that date through resignation or death and 2 new members, so now 403.
Ku Ring Gai has had two enrolments, so the number would actually be 405.
Bro Paul Day reminded Brothers of the $150 payment from Development Funds for each new enrolment.
Director's Report
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop as patron saint
Mass to be held on Monday 27th July at the Mary MacKillop Chapel at North Sydney, This will be recorded and the recording released on 8 August 2020, the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St Mary MacKillop.
Association review consultation
Bro George advised that the ANC has made its submission to the Central Council Review Committee comprising himself and Bros Phil Brown (UK) and Eugene Das (India). The Committee is expected to meet and to make recommendations to Central Council.
Bro George indicated that Bro Phil Brown has advised him that he does not agree with various recommendations in the ANC submission,
He also advised that the Committee has not yet met and expressed concern that the Committee report to Central Council may not tackle the membership issues and only deal with administrative matters. He suggested that it may be necessary that he put in his own report.
He advised that the ANC would consider, at its August meeting, what approach the ANC would take if the CC doesn't accept the ANC view on membership expansion.
The meeting discussed these matters and the cultural differences inherent in an international organization such as the Catenian Association. It was noted that Australia circa 2020 is different from 1970, when cultural differences between Australia and the UK may not have been so great.
Bro George referred to materials being prepared by Sr Monica Kavanagh, head of the Josephites, about Mary MacKillop, and by Bros Peter Tilbrook and John Secker. Also reference to materials produced by Bro Phil Murray for Catena.
The meeting briefly discussed what benefits there were in being part of an international fellowship rather than becoming a separate organization.
President's Report
Zoom meeting with Circle Presidents
Bro Chris felt that his Zoom meeting with Circle Presidents was worthwhile and would like to have further such meetings in the future.
Province 20 Job Support project
He discussed the Province 20 Job Support Project, whereby Catenians provide assistance to Brothers and immediate family members seeking employment. He suggested that Province 21 should consider something similar and that it would seem ideal as a youth support project. Suggested that a committee be formed.
Bro Chris to:
- Obtain material from Province 20 on the Youth Support project for circulation to Councillors.
- Have the information about the Province 20 project placed on the ANC website.
- Prepare possible outline of a similar project in Province 21.
- Seek volunteers for a committee to look into such a project in Province 21.
Central Coast
Bro Chris indicated that he hoped to have meetings recommence in August and September and to inaugurate in October.
Discussion about the numbers allowed in clubs. Assumption is that we would be considered to be holding corporate events such that we could have up to 150 (based on the current Covid19 rules), subject to the 4 square metre rule.
Vice President's Report
8(i) Church Liaison and Social Events Committee
The committee will meet again in October when the Covid19 situation will hopefully have settled.
The meeting discussed the request made by Bro Michael Tan for Catenian support at the National Deacons conference to be held in Parramatta in October 2021. Bro Michael indicated that consideration of the nature of any such support could wait till when the CL and SE committee meets in October.
Bro Michael will be formally accepted as a candidate for the Diaconate on 27 September. Bro Chris formally congratulated Bro Michael on behalf of the Council.
ANC Conference 2021 Organising Committee
Noted that Exco had decided at its meeting on 13 July, that the Organising Committee should meet in October to recommence preparations for the ANC Conference, now to be held on 21 August 2021.
Province Calendar 2020
Province Events
Possible deferral all Province events - General discussion on possibly deferring all Province events for 12 months in view of current pandemic situation. Consensus was that it remains important to continue with activities bringing brothers together during this current difficult period and that events should not be deferred, if at all possible. Events should be held on line (eg using Zoom) if necessary and possible.
Province Mass - The Province Mass has now been set by Parramatta Circle for the 11am Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta on 20 September, followed by lunch at Parramatta Leagues Club.
Senior Appointments
Bro Secretary John noted that Bro George's term as Director must end on 31 March and that Bro Chris will have had two terms as President at that time. Paper on requirements of the Rules and Regulations concerning election of new Director and Province President noted.
Treasurer's Report
Financial Statements
Quarterly financial statements noted.
Australia had received $44,000 in development funds over the past two years. He also advised that Province 21's approved budget allocation for development funds for 2020-2021 was $14,400, but only $300 has been spent. He indicated that the Association's investment returns have been hit hard by the downturn caused by the pandemic. These investment returns are what is available as development funds. As a result, the Central Council Treasurer has asked Province 21 to reduce our $14,400 budget allocation. Bro Paul advises we could reduce to $9,100, but that this would probably be more than we will now need.
IT and Communications Reports
A public news section has been created on the Catenian website, especially for the Mary MacKillop material. Other material can however be placed in this section.
Eastern Link is now getting between 300 and 400 hits each monthly edition.
Provincial Councillor reports
Pittwater - Bro Peter McDonald indicated grave concerns with Pittwater Circle membership. Numbers at recent Zoom meeting (Pittwater's first such meeting) were quite low – only 15 when 30 normally attended face to face meetings. However numbers had been diminishing at recent pre Covid19 meetings. Bro Peter suggested a possible merger with Warringah Circle.
The meeting also discussed diminishing numbers at The Hills and Hornsby Circles.
Canberra – Bro John McWilliam advised that Canberra is considering a twinning arrangement with Mangalore Circle in India, though it is on the back burner at present due to the Covid19 situation.
City of Sydney – Having its next lunchtime function at the Occidental Hotel Wynyard on 18 August. All welcome.
Catholic Men's Gathering
The ACBC National Catholic Men's Gathering for 2020 was offered as a free event for registered participants. This modified program is delivered in one introductory session (25 minutes) and four pre-recorded modules of approximately 1 hour in length.
Catholic Men's Gathering - "Brothers, What Must We Do?" | Introduction
- Introduction and Welcome Jude Hennessy
- Opening Song and Prayer Tim Kirk/ Disciples of Jesus
- Official Welcome Archbishop Coleridge
2020 | Catholic Men's Gathering - "Brothers, What Must We Do? | Module 1
Session 1, Talk 1: Where Are All the Men? Daniel Ang
This session seeks to provide a starting point for the conversation about the evangelisation of men in the twenty first century.
Session 1, Talk 2: Why Gather Men? Peter Pellicaan
In Australia, only 38% of parishioners are men. 67% of attendees are not actively involved in Church, and the fastest declining demographic in our Church today is men between 25 and 45. There are now more atheists in Australia than Catholics and men are not typically proud of saying they go to Church, even if they are committed.
2020 | Catholic Men's Gathering - "Brothers, What Must We Do? | Module 2
Session 2: What is needed? Peter Shakhovskoy
Those of us who are baby boomers have witnessed Catholic attendance in our lifetime drop from 70% to 10% percent, the sexual abuse scandal in recent years has hit our credibility hard, very few young people make it into parish life, and the Covid crisis has dealt another powerful pause to our existence and relevance.
What is needed to turn around the current crisis in today's society for us as members of the Christian and Catholic Church? And what can each of us contribute? What does Jesus in the Gospels point to as key?
And, given that his is not the first time that the Church in society has faced such a storm what do the Saints and history teach us about our response?
2020 | Catholic Men's Gathering - "Brothers, What Must We Do? | Module 3
Session 3, Talk 1: A Men's Ministry Jude Hennessy
This session will detail personal examples of the impact of creating opportunities at local, parish and diocesan levels for men to hear the Gospel afresh from other men, to repent, encounter God powerfully and be embraced, built up and challenged by brothers in an ongoing way.
It will address a series of simple but vitally important questions about 'the why' and 'the how' of men's ministry, and consider the fruits that come from investing in such ministry efforts, including:
Why men's ministry is important and transformative? What are the key elements needed for a fruitful men's ministry? What are the fruits that come from investing in men's ministry?
The session will present the powerful accounts of men who have had their lives impacted and changed by brothers – of what happens when we create the opportunities for iron to sharpen iron.
It will conclude by encouraging participants to consider how doing some simple things to bring men together in a purposeful way – can help us to truly be the body of Christ, sons of 'the father' and a missional Church.
Session 3, Talk 2: Marked Men of Character Steve Lawrence
Drawing from compelling anecdotes of his life as a Hawthorn footballer, seasoned world traveller and enthusiastic educator, as well as his adolescent experience in a broken family, Steve humorously and intelligently weaves inspiring stories of heroism and hope that help men to discover their mission and purpose in life, and in doing so to make their mark on this world.
Steve provides a vision that encourages self-belief and a perspective that challenges misguided myths of masculinity, while engaging in the crucial dialogue about overcoming failure.
He calls men to be as tender as they are strong in their relationships, and leads them to discover their life purpose through the sincere gift of themselves and by serving others.
2020 | Catholic Men's Gathering - "Brothers, What Must We Do? | Module 4
Session 4: What Must We Do? Robert Falzon
The 4 Essentials—This is what we must do!!
- Personal Prayer every day including the scriptures: Personal Relationship with Jesus.
- Fellowship with others —Join a small group of men, share your life.
- Love those you have been given to love—Family/Wife/Children/Friends.
- Become a Disciple, Become a Missionary. Find ways to connect and reach those who do not regularly come to church. What is your compelling message? Do Gods Work.
St Benedicts Catholic Church Broadway
A continuing series of sketches and history by Graham Short, Province 21 Membership Officer from Harbourside North Circle
GOTHIC REVIVAL, 1852 A W Pugin Architect.
St Benedict's Catholic church was constructed between 1845 and 1856, to a design by British architect AW Pugin for Archbishop Polding. The site had been prepared from 1841 and the foundation stone for the church was laid by Archbishop Polding on 21 July 1845. A school house, where lessons began in 1838, stood adjacent to the church.
Pugin was one of England's most influential nineteenth-century architects, designing over 100 buildings in his short career, as well as thousands of decorative metalwork pieces, jewellery, furniture and wallpaper. [1] An advocate of the Gothic Revival style, Pugin was also responsible for much of the ornamentation and internal fitting of the British Houses of Parliament, as well as numerous churches throughout the United Kingdom. St Benedict's is one of only six Pugin designs (five of which were completed) in New South Wales and is the largest example of his work.
When opened, St Benedict's was a large church positioned in a prominent position on the corner of George Street West (Broadway) and Abercrombie Street. It was the second major Catholic church finished in colonial New South Wales. The new church included an eight-bay nave and a chancel with two and a half bays flanked by eastern chapels. A peal of bells was added in the 1850s and remains as one of the oldest in Australia.
Nicholas More to speak at Harbourside North in September
Nicholas Moore is the former CEO of Macquarie Bank and Chair of Centre for Independent Studies, Willow, Screen Australia, Sydney Opera House, The Smith Family, National Catholic Education Commission and Member UNSW Business School Advisory Council.
Nicholas Moore is a parishioner of Sydney Harbour North Parishes, was educated at St Ignatius College, Riverview and is a graduate of UNSW.
Province 21 Brothers are invited to attend the meeting then dinner with Nicholas Moore as Guest Speaker, at Harbourside North Catenians, Main Hall, Mosman Art Gallery and Community Centre on Thursday 10th September 6:45pm for 7:15pm Meeting, 8:00pm Dinner.
RSVP to graham.m.short@gmail.com
Graham Short
Circle President Harbourside North Catenians
News from around the Circles
Parramatta:
Parramatta Circle are advising of new meeting venue - St Joseph's Retreat Centre Baulkham Hills – same venue as for The Hills Circle.
The Province Mass has now been set by Parramatta Circle for the 11am Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta on 20 September, followed by lunch at Parramatta Leagues Club.
Carlingford:
The 10.00am Tuesday morning get-together at the Cucina de Luca, the Carmen Drive, Carlingford café and coffee shop has resumed, using the footpath seating to uphold social distancing.
Our membership remains at 26. There are several prospective visiting gentlemen from St. Agatha's, Christ the King and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes with whom we aim to resume contact as soon as our meeting protocols have settled in again.
Membership Committee – we have the start of a Membership Committee!! With Tony Vaz taking over as Membership Officer from April outgoing Membership Officer John O'Grady has volunteered to be the first member of his committee – so Brothers who will be next the volunteer?
Cairns:
A socially distanced Cairns July meeting, pictured from left; Brothers Michael Senior, Dean, Michael Junior and Matthew.
A socially distanced Cairns meeting, pictured from left; Brothers Michael Senior, Dean, Michael Junior and Matthew.
Brother President Joe Vella had a marvellous surprise when he arrived at his office on his 60th Birthday, his daughter's and staff had done a fantastic display of what he likes; Cars!!! We all know how much he loves his cars.
He does so many charitable works, he has helped so many people, always there for others who need support. He has been our President now for quite a few years, so pleased he joined our Circle, he certainly generates so much love and friendliness in our Circle, please keep on being our President Joe!!!
This is Simon Coolican's new mountain bike, an e-bike.
The first ride with a mate took 3 hours and was around 20 Klms. Still trying to perfect the jumps and creek crossings but having fun. Rode home and jumped into the pool in the middle of winter - I was so boiling hot and the pool was absolutely freezing.
Cary took this photo before I set off for the first ride, worried She may never see me in one piece again.
Harbourside North:
PRESIDENT'S MASS and DINNER, a Ladies Night was held on Thursday 13th August, the Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church Cardinal Street Mosman followed by Dinner at Sacred Heart Church Hall Cardinal Street Mosman.
Dates for your calendar - October 8 - Truthful Jones speaking competition hosted by Harbourside North Circle
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Unfortunately, with the situation in Victoria and the tightening of restrictions on clubs and restaurants in NSW in terms of number per booking, Council has decided it is not possible to restart physical Circle meetings at this time. We are working towards locking in a diverse range of guest speakers for our meetings over the coming months, and hopefully will have one for this August meeting.
July Circle Meeting on Zoom
We had 29 attendees at our Zoom Circle meeting on Monday, July 13th, including 4 UK Brothers and Frank Filacamo, President of City of Sydney Circle. The visiting Brothers from the UK were: Chris Richards, Marius Twomey and Barry Collins from Province 19 and Mark Carter from London Charterhouse. It was wonderful to have them join us in their mid-morning and hear their perspectives on life in the times of coronavirus. Again, we made use of Zoom's "breakout room" facility, which enabled some lively conversations before and after the meeting proper in smaller groups of 4-6 people. It seems that we are all getting more use to Zoom and it's providing a great vehicle for keeping us all connected, but we are all longing for the time we can get back to meeting in person and celebrating a meal together.
Manly: (Just some of the highlights of a newsletter packed full of local Manly Circle news)
Manly President Peter Williams, City of Sydney President Peter Gialouris, Provincial Vice President Paul Pears and Manly Catering officer Romano DiDonOOOResumption of face-to-face meetings on 15 July at Manly Golf Club was a relatively quiet affair with 11 Manly Brothers attending, plus City of Sydney Circle President Peter Gialouris also joined us. It was nonetheless a very enjoyable evening, including a thought-provoking discussion about growing the Association and the drive for new members, and other issues of interest.
A during, and after, dinner topic of discussion was the (never ending) drive for new members. This is important but has become a challenge for many Circles.
Networking/mentoring
City of Sydney Circle President Peter Gialouris suggested the idea of Circles returning a little more to their roots in terms of helping people find jobs, especially in this difficult COVID-19 time. The Catenians has traditionally been a great networking environment and perhaps this should be emphasised again at this time. While sharing a meal has always been an important part of being a Catenian, Peter thought that these days, sharing a meal was not necessarily a strong enough reason to join Catenians (that can be done elsewhere) – there needs to be more. Peter was very keen on the idea of the Catenians being a mentoring group – we certainly have the experience in our members.
Men's Breakfast
Paul Pearson suggested that one option might be for Manlyl Catenians to sponsor a Men's Breakfast at Manly/Freshwater parish as a method of gathering a group of men (or open to women as well, as women could TELL their husbands to join!) together to hear an interesting guest speaker and an opportunity to tag the talk with a Catenian speaker talking about what Catenians have to offer parishioners.
The key factor is the hook, an inspirational or a local speaker with a great story, someone to publicise in the lead-up to the breakfast as the motivator encouraging attendance. Manly Circle itself has an excellent contender (and a Manly parishioner) in David Addington who could talk on his work with the Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary.
Membership Officer Laurie de Ambrosis suggested timing is probably later this year or more likely next year. We would need to advertise the event in Parish newsletters, preferably over several weeks ahead of the event. The Catenians would need to supply the manpower eg shopping, set-up, cook BBQ, clean up, PR people to collect names, contact details, etc.
An inclusive model for Catenians in Australia?
Another suggestion for ongoing discussion was the possibility of a new inclusive model that could subtly change the focus of the Catenian Association without changing any rules.
The monthly meeting and dinner remaining the core of the association for men – no change for those who only want the meetings and connected dinner, perhaps fewer guest speakers allowing more time for discussions.
An inclusive organising committee could be appointed, with no membership constraints, to organize the family nights and any other Circle activities.
3 or 4 inclusive dinners with guest speakers, a larger audience making it easier to attract speakers, publicising these nights and the speakers in local parishes increasing the Catenian reach and profile and perhaps new members?
These speakers nights could be on the regular meeting night with the meeting being on Zoom the night before, just one suggested option for removing the meeting from a Ladies Night, or on an alternate night.
This may be a subtle change for those happy with the status quo, perhaps concentrating more on conversation and discussions without the intrusion of guest speakers at so many meetings.
The issue of any membership limitations (ladies) for any attendees at Circle activities is defused and anybody can be a visitor (Friend of Catenians) at the formal Circle meeting.
All of the above is food for continuing thought and discussion.
John ColwellJohn Colwell
We haven't seen John Colwell for a while, either at our virtual meetings or at Manly Golf Club, so it's great to see him looking so well (left). This photo of John was taken by one of the many carers who takes him walking twice a week for a couple of hours each time. As you can see, John is well physically and happy, although his memory keeps playing tricks on him.
Manly adventurers -
What social distancing looks like in Far North Queensland (left), courtesy of David Addington on Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is a suburb of Townsville, located 8 kms off its coastline.
Exciting times on the Manly Ferry! It was heading out the Heads towards NZ before a sharp left turn took it back towards Manly! The zig-zag was necessary to navigate the large swell rolling through the heads.The Hayes escape to the Blue Mountains – again!
Not for the first time this year, Terry and Ann Hayes recently "escaped" Sydney for some R and R at Mt Victoria. A very enjoyable several days
Very civilized – Terry and Ann at their favourite coffee shop in Mt Victoria.
Ann Hayes in front of the said coffee shop.
There was limited inside seating but it was such a superb day, sitting outside was a pleasure (and more COVID safe anyway).
Like so many other places of course, the commercial businesses in Mt Vic are doing it very tough. While there are definitely only so many coffees one can consume in one day, Terry and Ann are pleased to do what they can for the local economy.
Michael and Adriana Bowyer (right) recently went on a trip to the Blue Mountains/ Dubbo/Coonabarabran/Scone/Pokolbin. It was obviously a great trip. Adriana on what was an apparently freezing (but sunny!) day at The Three Sisters at Katoomba.
The Hills:
Due to an alternative proposal to be considered, the circle's discussions about their fu ure from last month are on hold. Awaiting comment from Parramatta regards proposal
Zoom visitors were invited to give comment,
Br Anthony Phillips (Chiswick & others)
- There are 45 Circles in UK with 10 or less members
- Cost of dinning is a concern concern
- Urgent need for review /action
- UK av. age 75
- Networking now more important than ever
- 60% not attending mass
Br Eugene Das (Andheri & P/matta)
- Av age of membership 50
- considers next 5 yrs very critical
- Circles vary greatly with their approach
- Association should consider a global meeting via Zoom
Br President, presented new member Br Campion Fernando with membership certificate, in response Br Campion gave comment based on his past experiences, that men especially youth, don't talk openly and a lot don't have time or interest .
Catenians have a role to play if correctly implemented.
Br President P21 – Chris Vale, Addressed various subject matter in an after dinner talk.
Summary of his points -
- September '19 workshop one of the most productive he has attended.
- Issue of membership been opened up to both genders. 18 -30 yr olds consider it is only natural for men & women to be together
- Consideration for a youth group on Central Coast up to 35 yrs of age
- We must consider the changing times when discussing our future.
- ANC report on Strategic Review is with Central Council, but not been received very well
- Essential that Circles have more autonomy
- Church support? or do we communicate effectively with the Church.
- Need during these times to use our resources to assist job seekers.
Q & A session followed Br Chris address, some of the points
- Other Church bodies better qualified to charter for family groups
- Cost to belong vs other groups with no charges
- We should "get to the point" and move on – too much talk
- Are we paying too much attention to membership at expense of forgetting who we are and what we can offer?
- Should get back to our roots and attract members by example e.g., networking.
City of Sydney:
Having its next lunchtime function at the Occidental Hotel Wynyard on 18 August. All welcome.
Regular Circle Social gatherings
This will be a regular page on Eastern Link listing all circles' regular activities, walks, coffee, lunches etc.
Please include you circle activities in your newsletter or send the details to p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au for inclusion on the list.
A typical scene that greets Manly's walkers every Tuesday and ThursdayCCCContact the various Circle secretaries if you would like to visit any activity -
Carlingford:
10.00am Tuesday mornings get-together at the Cucina de Luca, the Carmen Drive, Carlingford café and coffee shop, using the footpath seating to uphold social distancing.
Manly:
Walks along Manly Beach continue every Tuesday amd Thursday at 7:45am, starting from Queenscliff Surf Club to Shelley Beach and return.
Virtual Trivia, every second Tuesday via Zoom, contact manly.circle@thecatenians.org.au to join the next trivia night
Prayers for ...
Please remember in your prayers -
Carlingford:
Please remember Bro Don Mees in your prayers as he recovers from his recent hip surgery. He is now in the Westmead Rehabilitation Centre that has been subject to a complete COVID lock-down, but will soon allow very limited visits. Please contact the family before planning to visit.
Bro Lindsay Gazzard is recuperating at home after his knee replacement surgery and is now undergoing physio as he slowly returns to normal.
Please also remember in your prayers Bros. Stan Burgin, Bill Carpenter and Laurie Burns together with Jan Burgin, Patrick Wheeler (grandson of Barbara Kenny), Timothy Carpenter, and Christopher Carter.
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Our members, family and friends who are sick and in need of our prayers, Brothers Greg Scahill, John Szymanski, Ron Burke, Jack Garcia, Mike Tighe and Steve Swain.
Family members Mariles Garcia, Barbara Burke, David Gardener, Gayle and Suzie Meagher, Rebecca Davies, Madeleine Szymanski and daughter Kate McRea, Margaret Marshall and Brother Mike Tighe's daughter Karen.
Manly:
Very sad to report that Michael van Ommen passed away on 1 August 2020 in Wollongong. As mentioned previously, Michael's very strong faith had been a great comfort to him.
His funeral was on Thursday 6 August at St John Vianney, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong. The burial took place on Friday 7 August at French's Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Also, John Zemek's mother passed away recently.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Michael's family and friends and John Zemek and his family.