Eastern Link
December 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:
Date holder - 2021 Australian National Catenian Conference Planning is underway for the Covid-19 delayed Australian National Conference, to be held from Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd August in 2021 in North Sydney. |
A Christmas Message from our ANC President Our Catenian resilience has been tested especially in Australia with drought, bushfires, storms, smoke and currently Covid 19. Even with all this tumult and anxiety, its pleasing to see how our fellowship and friendship have shone though. And there are many examples of friends coming together, in person and virtually, to provide comfort and support. |
Little John Mug at Ku-ring-Gai in February The Little John Mug Competition will be hosted on 8 February 2021 by Ku-Ring-Gai Circle. This is the speaking competition where the incoming Presidents from Circles in Province 21 are asked to give a 5 minute speech on a topic chosen by the Provincial Secretary, the topic of which will be forwarded during January. |
"View Of The Church – From The Carpathia Or The Californian?" In a tragedy that has held power to fire the imagination for over a century, the RMS Titanic struck its fateful iceberg on the evening of April 15, 1912, and began to sink. By the morning 1,500 passengers and crew had been lost, and 710 saved. |
An Ode to Hornsby Our National President’s attempt at poetry was put on show at the Hornby 30th anniversary dinner on 3 December 2020. The challenge is can anyone do better?There are things about Hornsby, good and bad from now and past .. |
Cairns Car Rally 2020 The car rally was heaps of fun. We had 12 cars and 50 people attend on the day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves, all competing for the treasured first place. Shortly after taking off, the rally went to the top of Foley Rd at Clifton Beach where a spectacular vista across the coral sea could be seen. Then it was off to Chill Cafe for a marriage proposal. |
Area Council 31 Catenian Christmas Tree December 19th, 2020, 1900 hours India Standard Time (- 5:30 from AEDT) - Online Worldwide - Carol sing, Crib & Star Contest, live musical perfotmances and Presidents Potpourri. |
Member Services Article 4 in a Series by Phil Murray - In November's Eastern Link, I identified an underlying Catenian Purpose (Mission): To strengthen the lived faith of lay Catholics in the world, through faith-based friendship. To support their Purpose, Canon Law requires that lay associations: Include in their statutes 'conditions…which determine the manner of its acting, attentive, however, to the necessity or advantage of time and place.' (Can. 304§1); and |
St Columnkilles, Catholic Church, Woolloomooloo The church was designed by Sheerin and Hennessy, architects. It was blessed and opened on Sunday 15th August 1886 by the Cardinal. An outstanding internal feature of the church is the splendid marble altar, presented by Mrs Hughes of Elizabeth Bay. |
| News from around the Circles News taken from your distributed Circle Newsletters. |
|
Regular Circle Social gatherings |
Prayers for ... Please remember in your prayers our brothers and their families who have been unwell. |
Date holder - 2021 Australian National Catenian Conference
Planning is underway for the Covid-19 delayed Australian National Conferenc
e, to be held from Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd August in 2021, in North Sydney.
The conference will be an interactive hybrid event, being both live and live streamed and recorded for future viewing.
Updates on the conference program, including speakers and social events will be announced shortly.
A Christmas Message from our ANC President
Dear Brothers,
I am writing to you all and to your families, on behalf of our National Council, to wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
What a year it's been.
Our Catenian resilience has been tested especially in Australia with drought, bushfires, storms, smoke and currently Covid 19. Even with all this tumult and anxiety, its pleasing to see how our fellowship and friendship have shone though. And there are many examples of friends coming together, in person and virtually, to provide comfort and support.
I think that's testimony to our faith, hope and love and that's what sets us apart. No doubt many of us still have challenges to face as 2021 unfolds and like 2020, it will be a year we won't forget. And I'm thinking here of those brothers and families caring for loved ones, suffering anxiety and battling health issues.
Let's take comfort in a personal God who we know loves us and will care for us.
As we head into this most glorious feast of Christmas, the birthday of our Saviour, we should embrace with joy all that the season promises and look with hope to the new year.
Keep your families close and safe and look out for your friends and neighbours. And may the peace of Christ remain with you for ever.
Fraternally
George
G J Kazs
Little John Mug at Ku-ring-Gai in February
The Little John Mug Competition will be hosted on 8 February 2021 by Ku Ring Gai Circle.
The Little John Mug Competition will be hosted on 8 February 2021 by Ku Ring Gai Circle. This is the speaking competition where the incoming Presidents from Circles in Province 21 are asked to give a 5 minute speech on a topic chosen by the Provincial Secretary, the topic of which will be forwarded during January.
Details are as follows:
Date: Monday 8 February 2021. 6.45pm with meeting to commence at 7.15pm.
Venue: St Ives Club (formerly St Ives Bowling Club), Killeaton St, St Ives
Cost: $55 per person
(includes 2 course dinner and table wine. Preferred payment is via EFT before the night to the following account -
The Catenian Association Ku-ring-gai 284, BSB number 062784; Account number 1722 8200.
Please note "LJM - insert your name" with payment. Otherwise correct cash on the night.
Pre-dinner drinks purchased from the bar at attendees own additional cost
Dress: Jacket and tie
RSVP: Bro Andrew Sim
asim@simtecit.com
0419 812 112 (by Wednesday 3 February 2021).
Manly members wants and needs questionaire - the result - regular 2nd Friday lunches
In an effort to establish where our brothers were and what they wanted during Covid, Manly Circle emailed a couple of questions to its membership a few months ago.
We asked for responses for now or after Covid whether they would like more dinners, lunches, coffee gatherings, walks (we already have our Tuesday and Thursday walks) or any other activities or gathereings they might be interested in.
We felt it was important to do an email survey, to get individual responses and to get as many responses as possible with lower meeting attendances due to Covid - we got a 60% response rate!
The results of our survey can be seen here in our Powerpoint presentation.
The main result was a demand for a lunch connection.
All it took to start the ball rolling were two couples prepared to try a venue for lunch and judge whether it would have the options required - size, a varied menu (including gluten free options), parking and an opportunity to book a regular table or tables.
The lunches had begun, with the two couples, once the venue was confirmed, the invitation emails went out.
We've now had two 2nd Friday of the Month lunches, with 17 attending each, including some of our Friends of Catenians.
We now have 2 tables of 8 booked for every 2nd Friday of the month.
The lunches are low maintenance, no need for RSVPs, just a reminder email to our members, widows and Friends of Catenians in the lead up to each 2nd friday each month.
Could this extended casual social connection, our own members are looking for, be the perfect selling point and introduction for potential new members to Catenians?
"View Of The Church – From The Carpathia Or The Californian?"
A condensed version of a talk given at a Harbourside North dinner by Paul McLintock OA
Download the Word document to read the full talk here!
My topic tonight is perhaps a little cryptic. In a tragedy that has held power to fire the imagination for over a century, the RMS Titanic struck its fateful iceberg on the evening of April 15, 1912, and began to sink. By the morning 1,500 passengers and crew had been lost, and 710 saved. The human loss was exceptional, even in a world used to such events, made worse by the view that the ship was the finest product of its age – it was unsinkable and the event unthinkable. And yet, it sank.
My talk goes to the roles of two ships in the vicinity which were starkly contrasted.
The Carpathia was the hero, way out of sight but with a radio operator still at his radio, a captain willing to risk all to own the problem. He steamed through the night, aware of the risks, and rescued the 710.
The Californian was much closer and the radio operator was asleep and was not woken even when the flares from the Titanic were actually sighted. It watched from a distance, not being sure of what was at stake and apparently not wanting to find out. It took no part in the rescue that night.
Tonight I want to take the journey a little further by applying it to the issues I thought Catenians may be facing, but to do so I need to restate briefly how far I had reached in my earlier comments. Then I will return to my ships!
My starting point was a challenge from Fr David Ransom at the previous year's Aikenhead Conference that to be active in any ministry made you a leader of the church. This challenge was not hierarchical and it was not discretionary.
Paul McLintock OAI quickly realised that if I accepted that challenge I was way off course – my view of church leadership was that "they" were struggling – in fact "they" had dropped the ball – there was very little concept of "we" in the equation. I had bought tickets but nowhere near the stage.
The gospels have plenty of stories of spectators. One is the Epiphany where the religious leaders stand back in Jerusalem as very distant – and safe - spectators at the birth of Christ and the foreigners – the Magi – take the action, accept the risks, and own the opportunity in Bethlehem.
Now all of you here tonight, in spite of your involvement with the Catenians, will know there are very good reasons to dodge this responsibility for the church's future:
The church is paternalistic and our religious brains have long since atrophied,
Those senior in the structures we see most prominently may not welcome our arrival
Amateurs and sinners should stay out of this complex theology business, and
The direction of the whole enterprise is too contested – who wants to be a leader when everyone seems to have a different view on where to go?
Or even how will the claim of "Church leadership" go down with your friends at your next dinner party?
Each of you could all add more barriers of your own. So this initial reaction I picked up in the title of my first address - "Not I surely Lord".
But I was not certain that this initial reaction should have the last word, and to get past it I asked two questions – do I care enough to bother to break through and do I have anything to contribute – is there a need?
What we care about is deeply personal to each one of us, and is at the heart of Ignatian spirituality. I wonder sometimes whether any of us spend enough time on it. My approach to whether I cared was to ask a sequence of questions, and whilst the answers are only mine I think the questions work for everyone:
Do I believe I have a spiritual side?
Does it need nurturing or will it look after itself?
Does Jesus Christ give me the best nurturing framework or do I have a better one?
Is that nurturing best done in a community that journeys together and seeks to preserve and hand on that tradition, or can I go it alone?
Does God remain present in that community?
That discernment can be put as a simple sentence, but it has five distinct questions that I needed to answer in sequence. I think every human being needs to start on that sequence with real discernment worthy of Ignatius – of course your answers will decide if you get past the first one and stay on the same course, or head off on a different one. My answer for the first question was "I hope so" (an answer which draws from Fr Daven Day SJ and theologian John Haught) and the rest were answered "yes" - which meant I had no choice but to care.
So to the second question of whether the church needs the contribution of people like you and me, which takes me back to the Titanic.
It may seem a harsh symbol for the church in Australia today, but I suspect one of the few things that unite all of us with our vastly different views of where the church should head is a shared view that it is taking water quickly, and whilst it may not be sinking it is certainly in trouble. I argued last year that many of us shared a "view that our leadership has failed to live up to the challenge of presenting Christ here and present in the Australian community, with joy and confidence".
Sharing a view is fine, of course, but sharing responsibility is much tougher, and "our" leadership can't stop with the bishops but has to include all of us.
Finally, if you are willing to take this journey and accept that you have found yourself, even unwittingly, with some level of responsibility you will get to the point of asking what changes of approach does it encourage, and then what am I supposed to be leading? Where is my church as a Mosman Catenian?
Firstly I think we all have to recognise that to varying extents we are on the Californian, and perhaps it is worth asking how we got there. I suspect it has been coming for a very long time, and a remarkable quote from St Pope Pius X picked up in Fr Brian Lucas's Church Administration Handbook gives you a hint:
"The Church is by its very nature an unequal society: it comprises two categories of person, the pastors and the flock. In the hierarchy alone reside the power and authority necessary to move and direct all the members of the society to its end. As for the many, they have no other right than to let themselves be guided and so follow their pastors in docility. "
If that does not dispatch you off to the Californian you must be very resilient – and that is a quote not from medieval times but 1906 – just over 50 years before Vatican II changed it all and told us to change ships.
If the church is the people of God, and your leadership comes from your role as parishioner, or Catenian member, or parent or student, teacher or board member, then that is where you are first called to serve. And in that service you will convey, with the power of the Holy Spirit, the joy of the Christian community and the relevance of Christ at its centre.
May I finish by applying this call to leadership with my understanding of what Pope Francis is asking us to do, and how that should prepare us for opportunities like the Plenary Council. It seems clear that this Papacy is not about a revolution in rules and structures, but one of heart and culture. It seeks to open the Church to the Spirit, and break down the worship of the past. Such a task is monumental, but also potentially frustrating if we define our Church as being the rules and the structure. And if we judge the Plenary Council on the same lines we are bound to be disappointed, and likely to snuggle back into the Californian deck chairs.
But if we approach this time of our history with the openness of Francis, with the joy of being part of the people of God, seeing church in the fellowship of your Circle and Parish, and believing that we are still Christ present in Mosman, inspired by the Spirit, then I think we have made the long jump into the better ship.
An Ode to Hornsby
Our National President’s attempt at poetry was put on show at the Hornby 30th anniversary dinner on 3 December 2020. The challenge is can anyone do better?
There are things about Hornsby, good and bad from now and past
And now and then a story that, if luck is good, will last
We have stories of our heroes and things that cause us pain
All of these tales deserve their place and repeating once again
Your 30-year history is filled with many tales of friendship true
Brothers Bolster, Whitbread, Vale, O’Connor and Moses too
We celebrate your achievements, inauguration to note
And add your proximity and loyalty to the Parramatta Eels who surely get your vote
But every now and then there comes a story to excite
A modest tale about bad luck, quietly put right
So let me now recount to you a story that, although made locally
Will not loom large on the national stage, but should do so here in Hornsby
A bloke called Chris went out one night to really celebrate
His birthday at a local place, he’d just turned sixty eight (or was that seventy eight?
Determined that all would be well and no rules would he break
He caught a taxi to and fro (he planned an “innocent” headache!)
The night went well, the food was good, the drink flowed fast and free
Our Chris basked in the knowledge that he’d dodged the RBT
Got safe back home and went to bed content that all was well
And woke the next day feeling like the Scarlet Pimpernel
Then came a knock upon his door, a man, in tones forth rite
“I’m your taxi driver, Pat, I drove you twice last night
“I do not wish to worry you, nor wanting to be funny
“But do you, perhaps, think you might have lost a little money?”
Chris went pale, his heart went wild and he dashed to find his purse
It’s true he was some hundred$ down and he began to curse
“Don’t worry, Chris” said Pat, the man, with gentleness and glee
“I found it in my taxi and I have it here with me”.
So when next you stroll up Peats Ferry Road, past westfield and dianna ferrari
Step into the Blue Gum pub and ask for a champagne campari
For in that place will you find the man who saved the day for Chris?
No, not on your life but don’t say a word to Chris’ s wife,
For Pat is any catenian steadfast and true
And like any catenian he will stand by you.
Cairns Car Rally 2020
a report from organiser Br Simon Coolican
Team MarinoThe car rally was heaps of fun. We had 12 cars and 50 people attend on the day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves, all competing for the treasured first place.
Shortly after taking off, the rally went to the top of Foley Rd at Clifton Beach where a spectacular vista across the coral sea could be seen. Then it was off to Chill Cafe for a marriage proposal.
Team ParrishSoon after it was back on to the Captain Cook highway for more spotting. One thing they needed to spot was "Assassinated Sam". He could be found on a dirt road, Rifle Range Road at Oak Beach. Here they could locate Sam Marino shot to pieces - well, one of his recent political corflutes anyway. Then it was onto Mossman for some golf followed by some basketball at Cooya Beach. Then into Port Douglas for some final spotting before landing at Thala Beach Nature Reserve for the lunch and fellowship.
The winners this time was Team Marino (Sam and Linda Marino with Ron and Leeah Tong {friends of Sam and Linda}).
The second placed team was Team Parrish/Devenish (Matt Parrish, Steve Devenish and Shaun Lisle {Matts Brother in law}) I asked the winners to put their "number one" finger in the air as they posed for the photo and I asked the runners up to put two fingers in the air. Toby and his friend Alex looked after the golf at Mossman and got everyone sorted there. Brother Simon PS. I am going to put together a little movie of the days events so everyone can see all of the marriage proposals and golf and basketball shots etc. Some really funny videos and pictures to be seen.
What a fabulous event our car rally was again, Thanks Brother Simon for organising it, I know a lot of work went into it, the preparation, the planning etc is enormous, well done Simon and your family. I must apologise, I cannot give all the names as there is competitors I do not recognise, but were there to support our Brothers and their loved ones.
Area Council 31 Catenian Christmas Tree
December 19th, 2020, 1900 hours India Standard Time (- 5:30 from AEDT)
Online Worldwide
Carol singing, Crib & Star Contest, live musical perfotmances and Presidents Potpourri.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS FOR CRIB & STAR CONTESTS:
A) Crib Made-At-Home Contest (Process):
- Each participating team has to whatsapp us a video clip of 3 to 4 minutes showing teamwork making the CRIB at home. The crib should essentially have the figurines of Jesus, Mary & Joseph.
- Once the CRIB is ready whatsapp us two images of the same completed CRIB.
- Each Circle can send in only one entry.
B) Star Made-At-Home Contest (Process):
- Each participating team has to whatsapp us a video clip of 3 to 4 minutes showing teamwork making the star at home.
- Once the STAR is ready whatsapp in two images of the same completed STAR.
- Each Circle can send in only one entry.
Entries for both the CRIB & STAR contests will begin on December 9th and close on December 16th, 2100 hrs IST.
We would welcome your assistance with the following:
- Any Circles willing to volunteer a 3 to 4 minutes Dance performance.
- Any Circles willing to volunteer an Instrumental & Vocal performance of about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Any Circles willing to sponsor token gifts and prizes to winners & participants.
- Presidents who would volunteer to participate in the Presidential Potpourri.
# All volunteers should communicate what they would like to do by December 12th, 2100 hrs. IST
# All communication in this regard should be directed to:
- Bro Eugene Das: eugenedas@gmail.com / Whatsapp Cell Num: +91 98338 94438
- Bro Romi Furtado: romifurtado15@gmail.com / Whatsapp Cell Num: +91 99301 85013
Member Services
Article 4 in a Series by Phil Murray
In September's Catena, I identified an underlying Catenian Purpose (Mission):
To strengthen the lived faith of lay Catholics in the world, through faith-based friendship.
To support their Purpose, Canon Law requires that lay associations:
- Include in their statutes 'conditions…which determine the manner of its acting, attentive, however, to the necessity or advantage of time and place.' (Can. 304§1); and
- 'take care that the members of the association are duly formed to exercise the apostolate proper to the laity' (Can. 329).
Flexibility
Responding to time and place requires local flexibility.
Vatican II noted: 'It will not always be a wise procedure…to transfer indiscriminately into some particular country forms that have originated in another' (Apostolicam Actuositatem (AA), 1965, n19). Yet, we have done this repeatedly.
This principle applies locally, too. No two places are the same. To realise our Purpose, methods must differ from place-to-place and from time-to-time. A one-size-fits-all model is a recipe, at best, for mediocrity.
The need for flexibility is pervasive. This article focuses on the components of the Purpose of strategic importance in realising that Purpose.
Attracting Lay Catholics
Overall, membership is aging and falling. The Association needs more, especially younger, members. Including women, as suggested in my previous article, would:
- Lead to immediate increases through enrolment of women;
- Lead to increased membership among men who would not join a men-only group; and
- Help attract younger couples. As young families are time-poor, free time often becomes family time. New Circle types and activities with a family focus are needed to attract younger members, both men and women.
Building Faith-based Friendships
Our various activities bring members together so that faith-based friendships develop (see diagram).
Activities need to be tailored to members' needs. This is best determined at a local (Circle) level. For younger members, this may include less formal (and less costly) meetings, dinners and family activities.
If women were accepted as members, activities could be variously for men and women, men only, women
only and families.
Strengthening Lived Faith (Formation)
Through faith-based friendships, we encounter Christ in each other, learning from each other and becoming 'better' in living out our faith in our lives – formed 'to exercise the apostolate proper to the laity' (Can. 329).
This positive method has shortcomings: sharing lived faith experiences is left to chance; and potential benefits are limited to members' knowledge and experience.
Needed improvements include:
- Issuing members with a handbook outlining (AA, 1965, n31a,b&c):
a. The Church's teaching on the laity;
b. The Church's social teaching as the basis for improving society; and
c. How Catenian services help members live out their faith in their lives. - Increasing the focus in dinner talks on: faith topics; local issues of concern or injustice; and members' lived faith experience. Dinner table discussion could explore a topic's relevance to members' lives.
- Encouraging members to participate in programs that help them identify their spiritual gifts and how God calls them to use their gifts for others' benefit: 'each member of the lay faithful should always be fully aware of being a 'member of the Church' yet entrusted with a unique task which cannot be done by another and which is to be fulfilled for the good of all' (Pope St John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 1988, n28).
Implications
To realise our Purpose in each locality:
- Circles need the flexibility to experiment. Emphasis must shift from compliance to flexibility.
- We need to do more to form and support members for their lay vocations in the world.
Such change will demand new forms of Governance – to be explored in a subsequent article.
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.
St Columnkilles, Catholic Church, Woolloomooloo
Continuing a series of regular contributions from Graham Short, Province 21 Membership Officer and Harbourside North President
St Columbkille’s Church, McElhone Street, Woolloomooloo.
Gothic Revival, 1885.
The church was designed by Sheerin and Hennessy, architects. It was blessed and opened on Sunday 15th August 1886 by the Cardinal. An outstanding internal feature of the church is the splendid marble altar, presented by Mrs Hughes of Elizabeth Bay.
St Columbkille's originally functioned as a church-school, the school during the week being staffed by the Sisters of Charity, and Mass being celebrated on Sundays by one of the Cathedral priests. Woolloomooloo has never had a separate Parish: St Columbkille's is a "chapel of ease" in the Cathedral Parish.
Once the only church in Woolloomooloo, it was built for the large Irish population the suburb who once lived in the area. It was named for a sixth century Irish monk.
The Altar was donated by Mrs Hughes.
News from around the Circles
Cairns:
Parents Rebecca and Joel recently brought along Odin to be baptised at Sacred Heart Church accompanied by family and friends. Thank-you for sharing this precious moment in Odin's life with Northern Beaches parishioners. Father Neil conducted the ceremony. Odin has not been very well, so lovely to see him on the road to recovery. Prayers do work!!!
Hi from Gazza and Cathy. Another day cruising around Cape Tribulation ... the 4 metre croc was just lazing about on the bank.. his much smaller lady friend was lurking about in the shallows.
Perfect day on the reef ... we did a snorkelling tour with Ocean Safari to Mackay Reef off Cape Tribulation. Classic day with 4knot winds and great visibility ... turtles sharks fish clams starfish .... absolutely fantastic. (What a fab time Cathy and Gazza had).
Carlingford:
Carlingfords weekly coffee club continues every Tuesday at the Cucina de Luca, the Carmen Drive, Carlingford café and coffee shop.January meeting
Our first dinner meeting for 2021 will be a Joint Meeting with the Hills Circle at CBSRC on Tuesday 19th January 2021 at 6.45 for 7.15pm.
Apologies must be sent to philipgallagher@tpg.com.au, preferably by SMS or email, by noon, Friday 15th January, 2021.
Your failure to apologise will mean that a meal is ordered for you and you will be expected to pay for it.
Membership
Our membership remains at 26. A membership application has been received from Mr Frank Gelonesi and his installation is planned at our January 2021 Circle meeting.
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 early in 2021 when our face-to-face meeting protocols have settled in again.
Harbourside North:
January 14th 2021 - Joint Circle meeting with Manly Circle (including Griffiths Virgona Shield trivia competition) will be hosted by Harbourside North this year at our normal venue Mosman Community Centre and Art Gallery.
Manly:
Our meeting and dinner on Wednesday, 18 November 2020 was an enjoyable night, despite NSW losing the 2020 State of Origin! And oh yes there was a fire alarm during the meeting which delayed proceedings a little (but not much). The following photos reflect the night.
Second Friday of the month lunches are up and running, demand identified in our recent survey of members has resulted in the regular monthly lunch which kicked off in November with 17 joining the gathering at Wakehurst Golf Club.
In the Blue Mountains and further West
On a recent visit to the Blue Mountains, Mike and Maryanne Guy and Terry and Ann Hayes took tea (and coffee), and delicious scones, at the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms .
Then on a visit to the Bathurst Rail Museum both couples took a 2nd Class carriage to … well…. nowhere! The Museum was terrific and well worth the visit.
City of Sydney:
City of Sydney Christmas Mass
We had 19 Catenian Pilgrims attending the Mass at St Benedict's Monastery Chapel at Arcadia today. It was well worth the trip.
Fr Michael's Mass and Homily did not disappoint, and the readers, Peter O'Reilly, Ron Daly, Brian Skinner, Fr Michael and Peter Tilbrook all added to the readings and gave them the full spiritual meaning. We managed to get the "blue tooth" speaker to work and play the Catenian Choir song – with the "circle of friends" lyrics completing the Mass. Well worth the trip on its own.
Then the lunch and gathering afterwards – it just got better. Great food, wine and company.
Many thanks to everyone who made the effort to be at the Mass and lunch today and for helping out where you could.
The Benedictine Monastery is set on a small farm in Arcadia , it is 1.5 hours driving time from Blakehurst via the M-2 motorway , Pennant Hills rd , through Dural and Galston as shown on your map.
The website shows the Chapel which is situated on acreage behind the Benedictine Church.
It is a great peaceful venue for our Catenian Mass for 2020.
Regular Circle Social gatherings
Please contact the various Circle secretaries if you would like to visit -
Carlingford:
11:00am 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 7:15am, starting from Queenscliff Surf Club to Shelley Beach and return.
2nd Friday Lunch, every second Friday of the month at Wakehurst Golf Club.
Tuesday Night Trivia will hopefully start again in February 2021 after almost a year of virtual trivia nights.
If your circle is having any regular activities lease email newsletter@thecatenians.org.au to be included in this list.
Prayers for ...
Carlingford:
Bro Don Mees continues to improve and has now taken up permanent residence at Calvary Aged Care, Ryde. Daughter Helen from Brisbane is visiting during his transition and hopes to be able to bring Don to our Christmas function.
If any Brother is able to visit Don, please ring Helen on 0419 786 730 to discuss times and access protocols.
Bro Lindsay Gazzard is rehabilitating at home after his successful left knee replacement.
It is hoped that knee replacements are not contagious. Our Welfare Officer, Bro Ken Morton, who lives in the same street as Bro Lindsay, has also recently had a left knee replacement and is now in rehabilitation at Lakeview.. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Ken.
Please also remember in your prayers Bros. Stan Burgin, Laurie Burns and Bill Carpenter together with Jan Burgin, Patrick Wheeler (grandson of Barbara Kenny), Timothy Carpenter, and Christopher Carter.
Manly:
We remember in our prayers all Manly Brothers who have been unwell.
Bro Chris Micallef has been somewhat in the wars in recent times. After recovering from a fall and broken shoulder, he has unfortunately had several toes amputated. Chris advised on 9 Sept that he had been moved to the Rehabilitation Section at Mona Vale Hospital. Latest news is that Chris is to move into a nursing home. Details will be forwarded when known.
Chris joined us via Zoom for our meeting on 21 October which was great.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris.
Bro Jim Rush is due to have a heart operation in early January at St Vincent's Hospital. He is in very good spirits while he awaits the results of the latest round of tests, our thoughts and prayers are with him and Liz.
Ku-Ring-Gai:
It is with great sadness that we advise that Br Jack Garcia (of Ku-ring-gai Circle) died peacefully at the SAN yesterday morning. Jack was in palliative care after a long illness, which he bore cheerfully and without complaint. Quite a few of his Catenian Brothers were able to visit or call Jack in recent days to say goodbye.
Please pray for Jack's soul and for his wife Mariles and family at this sad time.
Br Jack Garcia's funeral service will be at Corpus Christi, St Ives at 10.30am this Friday, December 18, followed by a service at Northern Suburbs Crematorium in the North Chapel at 12.15pm.