Eastern Link
January 2021
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:
Will The Association Realise The Promise Of The 2016 Restructuring For Australian Catenians the success of the proposal to restructure the Association in 2016 held considerable promise. The creation of National Councils, empowered and capable of running the affairs of the Association within their particular jurisdictions, and an overarching Central Council was resonant of the nation's federal governance structure; a structure which has proved both robust and successful for, now, 120 years. |
Province 21 Golf Day 12th March at Gordon Golf Club  The annual competition will be held on Friday 12 March 7.30 tee off at Gordon Golf Course but please note the change in venue to the Gordon Golf Course instead of Muirfield. |
| Victorian Area Council Joint Circle meeting in January The January meeting for Victorian Circles will be a joint Victorian Area Circle meeting to be held on Wednesday 20 January 2021, at Natalie's Restaurant and Bar, 669 Maroondah Highway, Mitcham |
Positive vibes from Province 20 membership workshop Twenty-two brothers representing most Province 20 circles came away from a membership/expansion workshop held on Saturday 31 October 2020 with renewed confidence about the future. Facilitated by Provincial Vice President and Chair of the Provincial Membership and Expansion Committee, Chris Downey, brothers shared a range of successful approaches to recruitment and retention pursued by their own circles generating a free exchange of established and fresh ideas. |
Trek for Timor - A Catenian's mission  Province 21 Secretary John Tweedie reports on the Blue Mountains Virtual Trek for Timor 2020 in which he recently participated. Because of my involvement with the virtual Trek for Timor, the year 2020 will be a memorable one for me, in a very positive way. I was one of over 100 people who put their thinking caps on and came up with various ways to trek and thereby raise funds for the Blue Mountains supported projects in Hatobuilico - East Timor. This was after bushfires, washaways and Covid put paid to the normal Trek for Timor fundraiser. |
| Governance Article 5 in a Series by Phil Murray - To support their Purpose, Canon Law requires that lay associations have: 'statutes which define…its seat' and 'government…attentive, however, to the necessity or advantage of time and place.' (Can. 304§1); and 'a title or name…adapted to the usage of time and place, selected above all with regard to their intended purpose' (Can. 304§2). |
St Canice's Catholic Church Rushcutters Bay Continuing a series of regular contributions from Graham Short, Province 21 Membership Officer and Harbourside North President GOTHIC REVIVAL,1889, John Bede Barlow Architect. St. Canice's was opened in 1889. The architect was John Bede Barlow. Other churches of Barlow include those in Marrickville, Paddington and Rose Bay. |
News from around the circles A return visitor to Cairns December meeting, a report on the Harbourside North Christmas dinner and an ad for a circle photographer and reports on the Ku-Ring-Gai and Manly Christmas Dinners |
| Regular Circle Social gatherings Add your circle's regular lunches, coffee catch-ups, and activities to the list, you might get some visitors from other circles. |
| Prayers for ... Please remember in your prayers our brothers and their families who have been unwell. |
Will The Association Realise The Promise Of The 2016 Restructuring
For Australian Catenians the success of the proposal to restructure the Association in 2016 held considerable promise.
The creation of National Councils, empowered and capable of running the affairs of the Association within their particular jurisdictions, and an overarching Central Council was resonant of the nation's federal governance structure; a structure which has proved both robust and successful for, now, 120 years. However, there was an acceptance that the new structure would not reach maturity until the increasingly international nature of the Association was reflected by the creation of at least another National Council.
With the establishing of the International Regional Council that maturity has emerged and with it the imperative for the Great Britain National Council and the Australian National Council to take the steps necessary to ensure that the Association not only survives but prospers in their respective jurisdictions.
These steps can only be successful if they produce outcomes which are meaningful and appropriate within the culture of the particular jurisdiction, while at the same time ensuring that the Association can demonstrate its relevance as a lay association within the local Church.
Since the promising events of 2016 it has become increasingly apparent that, at least in Australia, there is an acceleration in the rate at which the window of opportunity for taking these steps is closing.
Brothers should expect that at the Australian National Conference in August this year, if not before, the process of considering constitutional changes which would enable the National Councils to govern their jurisdictions in ways which are meaningful and appropriate to their national culture and relevant to the mission of their national Church will be commenced.
This will be the first occasion on which brothers are asked to consider how cultural diversity and differing approaches to Church ministry are to be accommodated within the Association's governing structures. It will be a test of the Association's maturity as an international Catholic lay fraternity.
It will be a time for prayerful discernment as the Holy Spirit moves us to decision.
A useful starting point for this process of discernment would be to consider how the Church accommodates cultural diversity.
On the Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday 27 December 2020, Pope Francis announced that the Church will commence a period of reflection focused on the family and conjugal love commencing on the Feast of St Joseph, 19 March 2021. The announcement, made on the fifth anniversary of his exhortation "Amoris Laetitia", will be an opportunity to focus more closely on the contents of that document.
At the beginning of the document His Holiness observes that not every question can be settled by the magisterium - "Each country or region…can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs" (AL: 3).
Since this statement is reflective of the Universal Church, it would seem appropriate for brothers to be guided by it when considering the constitutional future of the Association, which is of that Universal Church. In the meantime, let us follow the example of St Mary MacKillop and listen attentively for the movements of the Holy Spirit.
Peter Tilbrook
City of Sydney Circle
Province 21 Chamberlain
Member of the 2021 Australian National Conference organising committee.
Province 21 Golf Day 12th March at Gordon Golf Course
The annual competition will be held on Friday 12 March 7.30, tee off at Gordon Golf Course, please note the change in venue to the Gordon Golf Course instead of Muirfield.
The Muirfield Club has recently started holding a members' Comp on Fridays and it will be impractical for us to comply with their speed of play requirements.
Fortunately, the Gordon course is available and welcoming of our attendance.
Our planning is predicated upon the current Covid requirements but could change if the NSW situation were to deteriorate.
The registration forms and competition details will be distributed in late January.
We will continue with our previous approach to encouraging ladies and visitors' participation.
For more information, please contact -
Stim Robinson
stimrobinson@hotmail.com
Victorian Area Council Joint Circle meeting in January
The January meeting for Victorian Circles will be a joint Victorian Area Circle meeting to be held on Wednesday 20 January 2021.
The venue for the joint meeting is:
Natalie's Restaurant and Bar
669 Maroondah Highway,
Mitcham
The dinner fee for food and drinks is $45 per person.
I would greatly appreciate it if I could get confirmation of attendance by Monday 18 January 2021.
For more information contact -
Jeremy Morrison
jemmorrison5@gmail.com
Positive vibes from Province 20 membership workshop
Chris Downey, Provincial Vice-PresidentTwenty-two brothers representing most Province 20 circles came away from a membership/expansion workshop held on Saturday 31 October 2020 with renewed confidence about the future. Facilitated by Provincial Vice President and Chair of the Provincial Membership and Expansion Committee, Chris Downey, brothers shared a range of successful approaches to recruitment and retention pursued by their own circles generating a free exchange of established and fresh ideas.
Despite the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, all circles reported some recruitment activity during the calendar year, with several circles achieving exceptional results.
Personal approach yields best results
Shared experiences from circles were consistent that formal presentations at Masses did not bring about positive results immediately, but were useful in raising the Catenian profile within parishes. Most success was brought about by personal approaches followed up by an invitation to attend a circle meeting soon after the contact was established.
Other useful techniques included Catenian support of parish activities such as morning teas and working bees with brothers wearing name badges.
Financial incentives
Brothers were reminded of an ongoing commitment by Central Council to provide financial assistance of $150 to circles for every new member installed with no restrictions on how these funds were to be utilised whether in funding recruitment expenses such as complimentary dinners or reduced subscription fees in the initial period of membership.
Successful recruitment processes
Current and former membership officers who had achieved success in their roles willingly shared useful techniques that resulted in the recruitment of new members, including involving wives when potential members were considering joining.
Informative statistics provided by John Sutton and Ralph Fitzpatrick revealed that the current average of age of members is around 73 years, highlighting the need to target men 10 years or more below this average.
It was agreed that, given the average age of the existing membership base, it is imperative that during the next twenty years the Province needs to actively recruit younger men for the survival of the Association.
Retention
The vital necessity of mentoring new members, retaining their interest and invigorating long-established members whose interest may be waning was identified at the workshop as a process that needed to be actively pursued by all circles.
It was acknowledged that to ensure circle meetings and activities are relevant and appealing to members it is important to regularly determine their interests and "likes" and "dislikes" about meetings, dinners, events and social functions. In this regard in September 2020 Liwara Circle surveyed brothers with a discussion paper inviting responses to a 12-point questionnaire and where relevant comments and opinions. Dianella Circle subsequently carried out a similar exercise. Some of the responses in both circles were implemented immediately, particularly relating to formality, dress code and regalia. A summary of results from the Liwara Circle survey has been included on the facing page.
There was general consensus from workshop participants that circles need to be "in-touch" with their members about meeting processes, dinners and social functions and to be responsive to meeting their needs.
Diversification of membership
Cliff Chalon presented statistics on Australia's population, both post-WWII and in more recent years including immigration from all sources, but especially Catholic countries.
In the course of discussion, it was generally agreed that the Association needed to be more diverse, moving from the traditional Anglo-Saxon base to recruit more Catholic men from parts of Asia, Africa and the sub-continent. With diversity comes inclusiveness and it was stressed that all new members need to be welcomed and included in circle activities and Council roles.
Expansion plans
Chris Downey provided details of the Provincial Membership and Expansion Committee's plans for expansion into urban growth corridors, leveraging off existing circles. He said that the geographic areas to be targeted for growth and expansion had been identified in the committee's 2019 "Recruitment and Expansion Report".
It was noted that some area of circle growth are "near-city", but most are in the extensive population growth corridors north and south and southeast of Perth where new housing, schools, some parishes and Mass centres now operate.
Chris outlined how satellite circles close to or aligned with growth corridors could adopt these areas for expansion and then form Catenian Groups with a later view of them becoming new Circles. He said that this would be a medium to long-term proposition.
Action plans for 2021/22
Workshop participants were challenged to prepare and adopt an Action Plan for membership within their region; a leadership task for Circle Councils to draft and then present to members with three targeted dimensions:
Recruitment
Retention
Expansion
Trek for Timor - A Catenian's Mission
Province 21 Secretary John Tweedie reports on the Blue Mountains Virtual Trek for Timor 2020 in which he recently participated.
Dave Ludenia, Aunty Carol Cooper, Lesley Sammon, David Sheen, and Councillor Romola Hollywood farewell John Tweedie (centre) and friends as they leave Wentworth Falls for his last day of walking 120km from Chatswood to Blackheath.Because of my involvement with the virtual Trek for Timor, the year 2020 will be a memorable one for me, in a very positive way. I was one of over 100 people who put their thinking caps on and came up with various ways to trek and thereby raise funds for the Blue Mountains supported projects in Hatobuilico - East Timor. This was after bushfires, washaways and Covid put paid to the normal Trek for Timor fundraiser.
Thanks to Catenian supporters, and others through donations, and fellow trekkers, including Brothers Graham Short and Jim Phelan who joined me on various legs of my week long, 153km trek from Chatswood to Blackheath, it really was a wonderful experience. I was absolutely delighted to be able to raise $9,000 of the magnificent overall sum of $82,000. This will be well used over the next 2 years for the various projects in East Timor.
And I have become quite fit in the process.
Read the full story of the trek in the Blue Mountains Gazette here (but note the reference to my trek only being 120kms was a typo).
Governance
Article 5 in a Series by Phil Murray
To support their Purpose, Canon Law requires that lay associations have:
'statutes which define…its seat' and 'government…attentive, however, to the necessity or advantage of
time and place.' (Can. 304§1); and
'a title or name…adapted to the usage of time and place, selected above all with regard to their intended
purpose' (Can. 304§2).
Subsidiarity
Emphasis on time and place stresses the importance of subsidiarity:
'…a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good' (Pope St John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, 1991, n48).
Higher organisational levels should empower, not control, local levels.
Catenian Authority
Values 5 and 6 acknowledge this principle:
- 'We will always recognise that the Circle with its Brothers and their families is the most important entity of the Association.'
- 'We will ensure that the Association's governing bodies do all that is possible to enable each Circle to flourish.'
However, higher levels retain authority.
Our Constitution, Rules and Regulations are a top-down straitjacket, offering little flexibility to respond to local circumstances. For example:
Constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority. Proposing locally needed change is unlikely to succeed as it means convincing a large majority of members world-wide, most of whom have no understanding of the locality.
This unwieldy process is a massive disincentive to innovation, obstructing Circles from complying with Church teaching and contributing more fully to the Church's mission.
This anomalous situation must change. Unfortunately, the things needing to change (Constitution, Rules and Regulations) are the very obstructions to its achievement – a veritable Catch 22!
Association Title
The word 'Catenian' is a great title for the Association. Derived from catena meaning 'chain', it highlights the friendly links throughout. It has drawbacks when promoting membership, especially to younger people:
It can be perceived as 'old world'.
It carries no obvious meaning in English.
It does not adequately communicate our Purpose as the Church requires.
Yet, many members are attached to it and, in many localities, the name is known and respected.
A way forward involves retaining the Association's name while allowing Circles to adopt alternative Service Titles or Trading Names reflecting time, place and Purpose (e.g., Faith for Life) – akin to corporations trading under various names in different markets.
Governance Alternatives
Two options are suggested:
Amending the Constitution, Rules and Regulations giving Circles, or diocesan Circle groups, the authority to determine local arrangements (Membership, Member Services, Trading Name, meeting practices etc) with higher levels offering support and coordination.
Establishing Circles, or diocesan Circle groups, as autonomous private associations affiliating at higher levels for mutual support. Catenian members would be local associations, not individuals, that could seek recognition, advantageously, within each diocese:
- Local Bishops would then know the Association well and may support it, aiding the Association's development.
- Changes could be made readily without the lengthy, labour-intensive processes and uncertain outcomes involved in wider organisational change – processes obstructing improvement, wasting resources and lessening contribution to Church mission.
- Launch of 'new' diocesan bodies would offer fruitful opportunities for promotion.
Indeed, both models could co-exist within the Association.
Implications
Radical devolution in Governance will provide flexibility to respond to local circumstances and meet the needs of all members, not only older members, leading to increased membership.
Without this, falling membership will continue and Circles will begin to 'go it alone' leading eventually to
the Association's demise.
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 Canice's Catholic Church Rushcutters Bay
Continuing a series of regular sketch skecontributions from Graham Short, Province 21 Membership Officer and Harbourside North President
GOTHIC REVIVAL,1889, John Bede Barlow Architect.
St. Canice's was opened in 1889. The architect was John Bede Barlow. Other churches of Barlow include those in Marrickville, Paddington and Rose Bay.
St. Canice was an early Irish monk and it is likely that the name was chosen by Cardinal Moran, the first Irish Archbishop of Sydney.
At the beginning it served as a chapel of ease for the parish of Darlinghurst. Later it was serviced from St. Mary's Cathedral. In 1940 a presbytery was built and resident priests were provided for the church.
Even then it did not become the centre of an ordinary parish, being controlled by an administrator until very recent times. The Jesuits arrived in the parish in 1990.
Early History:
St Canice's early history coincided with 'the Irish Phase' of our Sydney Catholic story – which began in September 1884 when the man who would become our first Cardinal, the Irish Patrick Moran, reached the city.
Moran was very much the diocesan Priest. There is good reason to think that Moran may have contemplated the building of our church very soon after he came to Sydney.
Within a few weeks of his arrival he took a party of Sydney laymen to Manly by boat, to show them land where he planned to build a residence and an expensive seminary.
Our founding father, John Hughes, was in that group, and it is possible that the idea of buying the land for St Canice may have grown out of this early meeting.
This was a time of population growth in Sydney. Its population, had trebled between 1870 and 1891, and by the 1880s would have been approaching the 400,000 mark.
In May 1885, Moran was summoned back to Rome, where he was made a Cardinal – Australia's first.
While Moran was overseas the land for St Canice's was bought by John Hughes, and he presented it to the church.
In what is said to have been his last piece of serious business, paid the princely £3,500 for our land here. But, sadly, in that time he also died, and was not there to greet the new Cardinal on his return.
After John Hughes death in 1885, his wife, Susan decided to proceed with the church in Roslyn Street, and pay half its building costs, as a memorial to her husband. In a move that turned out to be inspired, she also proposed a family relative, John Bede Barlow, as a suitable architect for the new church.
Barlow was a nephew, but also a friend. He was a working architect in Sydney, but still only in his twenties, and was yet to make his mark in his profession.
One remarkable thing about the church Barlow planned, and which we are in at this moment, is that it stands today almost exactly as it was when it opened. It is 'historic' in that special sense, that we see it now as it was then – even more so after the sensitive restoration work done by Father Steve over recent years.
The name, 'Saint Canice', was given to our church in a very personal decision by Patrick Francis Moran, Australia's first Cardinal. He was totally devoted to the man, and even wrote a little book about him.
News from around the Circles
Brothers Chris, Gavin and visitor Jim.Cairns:
Brother President Joe and Brother Vice-President Simon having a laugh, it is so good to see that our Brothers really enjoy our meetings, and each other’s company, just amazing BrotherhoodOur December Circle meeting again was a very good meeting with quite a lot of items dealt with.
We had visitor former Brother Jim Callahan join us and he will be re-joining our Circle again soon, welcome back Jim, it will be a pleasure for you to re-join our Circle.
Brother Vice-President Simon has mentioned that we will be meeting up for a lunch get-together sometime in January, the same as we did last year.
At the moment, we have a total of three new Brothers in the pipeline, which is super for our Circle.
Our Brothers are a very well-bonded Circle and we are always ready to welcome new Brothers into it. We always know who we are inviting to visit us for a meeting and dinner. / Peter
Harbourside North:
Christmas Ladies night December 10th
Our December Ladies night was a first for our Circle. With Covid restrictions governing the way we can now hold our meetings, we welcomed the ladies to join us for the meeting, as well as for dinner. Our Circle is perhaps playing catch up here as other Circles had adopted this practice well before the Covid outbreak. Brothers may like to consider continuance of such arrangements in the Post-Covid world.
Also we had the great news that our guest Martin Ryan was applying for membership of the Circle.
Position vacant - Circle photographer
It is always hit and miss in our Circle as to whether anyone takes photos to record Circle occasions such as the enrolment of a new member, an after dinner speaker or a ladies or clergy night. It is great when we are able to record any such events in our subsequent newsletters with photos. We need someone to put up their hand to act as our Circle photographer. ANYONE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER?
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Change of date: The January Joint Meeting and Dinner with Hornsby Circle will now be held on Monday, January 18th (3rd Monday) at the St Ives Club from 6.45pm for 7.15pm start.
December 14th Christmas Function Ladies Night
L to R: Malcolm McEwan, Karen McEwan, Kevin Rickard, Elaine Rickard, Martin Stebbings, Gen Stebbings, Noelene Johnson and Mike Tighe53 Brothers, their wives and wives of deceased brothers gathered at the St Ives Club to celebrate the Ku-ring-gai Circle's annual Christmas celebration.
It was the first Ladies Night we had been able to have since March. Everybody was very happy to be there and celebrated with a welcoming glass of 'bubbles' and appetizers. It was a beautiful evening and many were able to gather outside before dinner.
Guests received a small gift of Christmas chocolates at the table and settled down to a wonderful two course meal of Christmas fare provided by Debbie and her catering team.
It was a great evening and everyone really enjoyed getting the opportunity to converse with each other face to face.
It also happened to be Br Chris Pitts 70th birthday party and we were able to sing him 'Happy Birthday'. Chris responded by thanking everybody for coming to "his party"!
Above: Nearly
Manly:
The Christmas shirts have it – the hats weren’t bad either! Terry Hayes, John Colwell, Mike Guy and our visitor Rick Mirabito.2020 Christmas celebrations at Manly Circle: a great night after a VERY difficult and trying year!
Fr John Sullivan (left) accepting a gift from Manly President Peter WilliamsOn 16 December 2020, after Mass at St Kieran's Church, celebrated by Fr John Sullivan OSA, around 50 people enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration at Manly Golf Club.
A wonderful night was had by all at the Christmas gathering. We saw many people we had not seen for some time which was really great
Regular Circle Social gatherings
If your circle is doing any regular activities lease email newsletter@thecatenians.org.au to be included in this list, allowing brothers from other circles the opportunity to join in.
Please contact the various Circle secretaries if you would like to visit -
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:
2nd Friday lunch: Every 2nd Friday of the month, join us for lunch at12 noon at the scenic Wakehurst Golf Club, Upper Clontarf Street,
Seaforth. We sit out on the verandah in the socially distanced fresh air enjoying the wonderfully diverse menu, everything from $5 sandwiches, hamburgers, spinach tarts to $25 steaks.
Walks along Manly Beach continue every Tuesday amd Thursday at 7:15am, starting from Queenscliff Surf Club to Shelley Beach and return.
Virtual Trivia, every second Tuesday via Zoom.
Your Prayer's are needed for …
Cairns:
Please Lord Bless all our City of Cairns Circle Brothers and their loved ones, especially Brother Lui and Pam's little grandson Odin & Brother Tony McInnes Mum Marie Jose who is very unwell at the moment.
Brother Angelo's father Giuseppe who is unwell at the moment.
Brother Mark Cavicchiolo's mum RIP who recently passed away, and Brother Stephen Devenish's family after Stephen losing his mum Carmel RIP,
and for Fr Neil and his family after losing his mum Elizabeth RIP.
Brother Mark Freeman's mum Judy RIP who recently passed away.
please pray for all the families who have lost ones recently.
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Vale Jack Garcia
11.1934 – 14.12.2020
Jack's smiling face and good humour graced Ku-ring-gai Circle meetings for 34 years. We all marvelled at his ability to bear his afflictions these past few years with such good grace, until "God had his ro om ready".
Our sympathies and prayers are for his wife Mariles and their extended family.
May he rest in peace.
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. Chris has moved to the WG Taylor Village Nursing Home in Narrabeen, like everyone, Chris has been challenged by the Covid restrictions as he continues travelling to his regular dialysis at Northern Beaches.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris.
Bro Jim Rush has been having health issues with his heart. Latest is that tests have been done and there is a possibility Jim may have an operation to sort things out in February at St Vincent's Hospital. He is in very good spirits and our thoughts and prayers are with him and Liz.