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Content for Eastern Link is gathered from circle newsletters and notice of meetings, could circle and group secretaries please add p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au to your distribution list, we can also publicise your meetings if a calendar of upcoming speakers and events is included in your circle newsletter.

Contributions to Eastern Link are welcome, if you have an article that might be of interest please send a Word document and any photos to p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au   

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Contents:

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Truthful Jones Cup at City of Sydney Circle The Truthful Jones Cup to be hosted by  the City of Sydney Circle 263 (Australia's first Circle) at the Occidental Hotel, First floor Cnr. York and Erskine Streets SYDNEY, on Wednesday 2nd October 2019 at 6:45 pm for 7:15 pm.

Provincial Mass hosted by Hornsby Circle The 2019 Provincial Mass was held at Holy Name Wahroonga on Saturday 3rd August 2019 and was exeptionally and well attended. Father David Ranson and Father Anselam Lakra concelebrated mass to about 70 Catenians as well as Holy Name parishioners.

Lunch with Cairns Circle's Peter Cash in sunny Bournemouth My wife Nuala I caught up with Cairns Brother Peter Cash in his hometown of Bournemouth on our recent trip to the UK. Peter has not been well recently but is on the road to full recovery. After many years of producing the original Eastern Link, Peter still produces the Cairns circle newsletter as well as the local Cairns parish newsletter, both from Bournemouth.

Giving back to the community - Harare North Circle's Rosary project The Rosary Project is about the personal touch when handing over rosaries and rosary cards to Catholic school students. With the permission of the senior teaching staff, members of the circle also hand out Catholic moral code cards where applicable. The project began at St George's College in Harare.

Catenians Do Lunch at the Occidental As Australia's foundation Circle, it's not surprising that City of Sydney Circle has an increasing number of brothers who find it difficult to attend evening meetings regularly. To enable these brothers, their wives and carers to continue to share in the friendship of the Circle and to maintain contact with friends, the Circle  held a Catenians Do Lunch gathering  on the last Tuesday of August.

A volunteering request from CatholicCare Province 21 has received a request for help from CatholicCare, they need some volunteers to man the fundraising BBQs at Harris Farm Markets at Willoughby, Lindfield and Manly

Canberra Circle's Truthful Jones Event There were three contestants for the Circle's version of the Truthful Jones event at their August meeting. Mike Trevethan spoke about his spooky encounters, John McWilliam about the origin of mayonnaise (or should it be mahonnaise because of its links to Port Mahon in Menorca?) and John Eyers about his working life that might have been.

Malta Week 2019 - Malta gains Provincial status This year is special for Catenianism in Malta & Gozo. Central Council has agreed to upgrade the Area of Malta & Gozo to Provincial status. So the Malta Week Committee has prepared a special, bumper week with a difference!

Cairns welcomes a new member Cairns President Br Joe enrolled and elcomed new Brother Mario to our June meeting. Mario has visted us a few times over the last few months. Gavin Williamson from Pittwater circle was a visitor who was joined by Matthew Brennan the Principal of St Augustines College in Cairns.

Manly welcomes a new Brother Manly Circle President Mike Guy welcomes new Manly Brother Greg Smith at their July meeting. Greg went through the RCIA program at St Kierans, Manly Vale, and is now proudly in possession of a brand new Manly Circle tie.

A Manly Tie makes it to Reigate Circle During a recent visit to the UK to visit our daughter and her fiance, on the recommendation of fellow provincial coucillor and joint member (with Ku-Ring-Gai), Martin Stebbings, I visited a Reigate Circle meeting.

Gold Coast Tweed celebrates 100 meetings with a Gateau cutting ceremony   Gold Coast Tweed members were joined by 19 visitors as they celebrated their 100th meeting with style.

250 meetings for Harbourside North A group of Manly Brothers (the sponsor of the original Mosman Circle's beginning) and their wives joined Harbourside North Circle's 250th celebration meeting on 11 July 2019. It was a wonderful night of recollections.

Prayers for ... Please remember in your prayers ...

Province 21 Workshop - 14 September 2019 - Issues flowing from the Woodford SWG Review Report This paper has been prepared by a committee of Province Council to contribute to the process of discernment by focusing on those issues, conclusions and recommendations in the Report which either relate to the Association's mission, vision, purpose and identity or on which there is a need for consultation with Circles and their members.

 The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catenian Association.

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Truthful Jones Cup at City of Sydney Circle

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This year to be hosted by  the City of Sydney Circle 263 (Australia's first Circle) at the Occidental Hotel, First floor Cnr. York and Erskine Streets SYDNEY, on Wednesday 2nd October 2019 at 6:45 pm for 7:15 pm.

Contestants choose their own topics and in a light hearted, humorous manner recount a story which, though feasible, might be less than believable.

Circle Presidents please organise one of your raconteur brother to come with supporters to win this Provincial Trophy.

The Occidental Hotel is a half block from Wynyard Station and on York Street for bus routes.

Parking with the light rail is at a premium but you can be lucky!!

THE COST OF THE NIGHT IS $55.00 PER PERSON PAYBLE AT MEETING.
(Entrée, Main, dessert and wines)

Please please RSVP by Tuesday 26th September 2019 to Peter O'Reilly peteror37@bigpond.com 0423.059.633 or John Crawford jcrawford@vjr.com.au 0419.608. 888

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Provincial Mass hosted by Hornsby Circle

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Father David Ranson and Father Anselam Lakra concelebrated mass to about 70 Catenians as well as Holy Name parishioners.The 2019 Provincial Mass was held at Holy Name Wahroonga on Saturday 3rd August 2019 and was exeptionally and well attended.

Father David Ranson and Father Anselam Lakra concelebrated mass to about 70 Catenians as well as Holy Name parishioners.

After the Mass everybody adjourned to Warrawee Bowling Club for a very enjoyable meal and an evenning of celebrations.

 

 

 

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Lunch with Cairns Circle's Peter Cash in sunny Bournemouth

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a contribution by Paul Pearson, Manly Circle

After many years of communicating with Peter via email, my wife Nuala I caught up with Cairns Brother Peter Cash in his hometown of Bournemouth on our recent trip to the UK.

Peter has not been well recently but is on the road to full recovery.

After many years of producing the original Eastern Link, Peter still produces the Cairns circle newsletter as well as the local Cairns parish newsletter, both from Bournemouth.

Over lunch Peter shared some of his story including his journey from the UK to Cairns, starting Cairns Circle and his return to the UK and still contributing to life in Cairns.

"My late wife Caroline and I fell in love with Australia in the early 90's, we first brought over seven children for a holiday, some of the children were our foster children who lived with us, so, we thought let's take them on a holiday of a lifetime. We had a wonderful time along with the children, they found NZ too cold though!!!

The next year we did the same again, but there were more of us!!!

After visiting Australia many times we bought a holiday home in Clifton Beach which is just north of Cairns, and our local Church was Holy Cross.

One day, I was standing having a cuppa after Mass and one of the parishioners came over and held me in conversation about what I did in the UK, I told him many projects which I was involved with and also I was a member of the Catenian Association, naturally he had never heard of us!!

I said I was thinking of starting one here!!! So the next week, myself and Brian the parishioner called in the Priest's office to talk to him about it, this would have been December 2005.

Our luck was in!!!! We struck gold!!!

Fr Neil Muir was the priest and he knew exactly what I was talking about, he had done his master's at London University and had attended a couple of Circle meetings in the London area!!! He said that tomorrow evening's Mass Bishop James was attending and why don't we approach him about setting up a Circle in Cairns.

The next evening, Bishop James pulled up in his car outside Church, I was waiting for him, and opened his car door and started to talk to him about the Catenians, he reply was; "What would you like from me", I said; "Your Blessing", he replied; "you have it".

That was the beginning of Cairns Circle.

I returned to the UK soon after this and got the ball rolling, I was in contact with John Secker who was a tremendous help, his advice was just so good,

In February 2006 we organised a Workshop about the Catenians in the Cathedral rooms in Cairns, Fr Neil provided me with a list of names to approach about joining our Catenian Group and suggested names of Circle Officers, some are still in that position today.

In June 2006 we were inaugurated as a Group and became Circle in 2008. The help and support from our Brothers has been amazing which enabled us to reach our goal.

We have a tremendous relationship with our Clergy and we get invited to major conferences held by the Diocese, we are also invited to the Synod every year. We appear on the Diocese website. Every December we have our meeting and dinner with Bishop James at his house and our wives are all invited, we also have mid-summer BBQ there as well with Bishop James.

Fr Neil is still our Circle Chaplain and both he and Bishop James have shown tremendous support for the Catenians.

I was PC and MO for City of Cairns Circle until recently but have had to stand down because of health issues.

My Mother Circle is City of Cairns and I am a joint member of Poole Circle (close to Bournemouth) in the UK.

I feel very honoured and privileged to know so many genuine Brothers who are so dedicated to helping others less fortunate than themselves."

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Giving back to the community - Harare North Circle's Rosary project

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The Rosary Project Committee, left to right: Cliff Welch, Bobby Connolly, Butch Rodrigues and Dave GarHarare is the capital of Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa known for its dramatic landscape and diverse wildlife, much of it within parks, reserves and safari areas. With a population of over 17 million it is the home of the Catenian Association Harare North Circle, which has embarked on a unique rosary project in its way of supporting the Catholic faith in its community.

The Rosary Project is about the personal touch when handing over rosaries and rosary cards to Catholic school students. With the permission of the senior teaching staff, members of the circle also hand out Catholic moral code cards where applicable. The project began at St George's College in Harare.

The project action committee is actively supported by past circle Presidents, Council, all members and their wives.

The main objective of the project is to keep young Catholics in the Church for the rest of their lives. At each presentation, pupils are addressed by any of the brothers in attendance or their wives, in some instances reciting personal experiences with their rosaries.

"We will have succeeded if we keep them in the faith for the rest of their lives," writes the project committee in its progress report.

"If we keep young people in the faith the young men in the church may well want to join our brotherhood, although recruitment is not our driving objective. We hope that the young ladies will want their husbands to join our brotherhood."

"The project is fully funded by circle members who have adopted a pledge to 'sacrifice to make our faith stronger in the next generations', but we very much welcome donations from any wellwishers wanting to support this important intervention. This project is evergreen and will continue in perpetuity. It is the circle's charity project."

"Our circle Treasurer will welcome any donations into our foreign currency account. These funds are used to purchase rosary cards and the components to manufacture the rosaries."

Achievements so far
Rosaries and cards have been handed to 300 students at St George's College and 272 to pupils at the Dominican Convent where the rosaries were made with blue beads being the Convent's colours and were blessed beforehand by Father Paul Edwards SJ.

It is surprising that, considering that the Convent is a Catholic school out of the two forms of approximately 120 girls each there are only 38 Catholic girls per form.

Cliff Welch handing out rosariesBrother Cliff Welch supported by his son, Jarryd and daughter, Boedene, distributed the rosaries and rosary cards in the Convent's chapel. They were assisted by Brother Butch Rodrigues and by Convent old girls, Margie Crnkovic, Kathi Jordan, Colleen D'Silva and Muffet Studdard. Another old girl and daughter of Harare Circle's President, Rob Demblon took photographs.

In Zimbabwe the Jesuits alone administer to over 25 Catholic institutions, which gives Harare Circle a target of distributing nearly 3,000 rosaries a year. The circle Rosary Project Committee's intention is to target all Catholic institutions in the country. In May 2019 the committee distributed to a third school, St Ignatius College at Chishawasha, just outside Harare.

Members of Harare Circle pray the Rosary after Mass at St George's College on the last Sunday of each month.

October 2019 Tour to Southern Africa – all welcome

New Director for Development Areas John Rayer (a Past Grand President) will be touring the African circles in October, spending two days attending meetings and local events in each city:

Johannesburg 5 - 6 October, Bulawayo 7 - 8 October, Harare 9 - 11 October. Ongoing tours are at the discretion of individual tourists. DDA John will present 60th Anniversary certificates to Bulawayo Circle 187 and Harare Circle 188, in 1959 the first circles inaugurated outside the UK; also, a 60th Anniversary certificate and medallion to Brother Arthur Douie of Harare Circle.

The respective Bulawayo and Harare Circle meetings will be attended by two delegates from Morogoro in Tanzania on a reciprocal fact finding tour as a prelude to a group or circle being formed in that city. Past SAVAC Chairman Clemence Muzondo and current Chairman Kim Robertson visited Morogoro in January 2019 and were satisfied that this opportunity would be a success.

Contact Gerry Barton for further information at glbarton25@bigpond.com

Any donations for the Rosary Project should be made through circles who should forward (via Province) to the ANC Treasurer for payment to Head Office which is co-ordinating all donations.

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Catenians Do Lunch at the Occidental

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As Australia's foundation Circle, it's not surprising that City of Sydney Circle has an increasing number of brothers who find it difficult to attend evening meetings regularly. 

To enable these brothers, their wives and carers to continue to share in the friendship of the Circle and to maintain contact with friends, the Circle  held a Catenians Do Lunch gathering  on the last Tuesday of August.

Because of its long association with the Circle, its convenient location for public transport  and its accessibility to  central business district offices, the venue chosen for the gathering was the Occidental Hotel in York Street. 

Circle Vice  President Peter Gialourus coordinated arrangements for the gathering and welcomed eleven brothers and ladies. Given the attendance and number of apologies for a function held at relatively short notice, Catenians Do Lunch at the Occidental seems likely to become a regular feature of the Circle's social programme. 

Of course, visitors and friends will always be welcome !

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A volunteering request from CatholicCare

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CathicCare have requested help from the Catenians to man BBQs to support their Gift of Goodness initiative, promoted through the Sydney Catholic Schools and Harris Farm Markets.

 

The funds raised are to be used to purchase fresh fruit, veggies and grocery items which are given as hampers to CatholicCare Sydney clients for Christmas – approx. 400 hampers.

The BBQs will be Bunnings type fund raising sausage sizzles located at Harris Farm Markets at Willoughby, Lindfield and Manly on both the Saturday and Sunday of each weekend from 2 November to 15 December.

As well as fresh Christmas food hampers, surplus funds go to cover the cost of additional services that assist families experiencing:

• Relationship breakdowns
• Parenting challenges
• Ageing and loneliness
• Disabilities both intellectual and physical
• Addictions to drugs, alcohol and gambling
• Mental health concerns

To make this fundraising effort a success CatholicCare will need -

3 x volunteers 10am – 1pm per store per Saturday and Sunday, each week for the 7 weekends
3 x volunteers 12.30pm – 3.30pm per store per Saturday and Sunday, each week for 7 weekends

Catholic Care has approached other Catholic organisations as well, as they will need quite a number of volunteers to successfully man the barbeques on the various weekends.

Province 21 Council executive has decided to ask Circles if they will consider supporting this initiative, contributing to the good works of CatholicCare.

Advice is being sent to Circle Secretaries asking them to publicise this request in their Circles.  That advice includes detail from CatholicCare and a schedule showing each of the weekends in question.

If you're able to give some time to help CatholicCare please get in touch with your Circle secretary.  He can supply you with a copy of the schedule of dates so that you can fill in days and times that may suit you.

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Canberra Circle's Truthful Jones Event

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The Circle’s Truthful Jones contestants (L to R): Mike Trevethan, John McWilliam and winner John EyersThere were three contestants for the Circle's version of the Truthful Jones event at their August meeting.

Mike Trevethan spoke about his spooky encounters, John McWilliam about the origin of mayonnaise (or should it be mahonnaise because of its links to Port Mahon in Menorca?) and John Eyers about his working life that might have been.

All-inall it was a most entertaining evening.

John Eyers won the event and has won the right to represent the Circle at the Provincial event on 2 October at the City of Sydney Circle. Go along and support him!

 

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Malta Week 2019 - Malta gains Provincial status

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This year is special for Catenianism in Malta & Gozo. Central Council has agreed to upgrade the Area of Malta & Gozo to Provincial status.

So the Malta Week Committee has prepared a special, bumper week with a difference!

Malta Week 2019 will include a three-day visit to Sicily visiting places like Modica (baroque buildings), Ragusa (a hilltop city), Taormina (a Greco-Roman tourist capital hilltop town), Castelmola (most beautiful village), Mount Etna (active conical volcano) and Catania (ancient port city).

A tour is available for Malta Week, 9 – 17 November 2019 (including a 3 day visit to Sicily) in the company of incoming Director Development Areas, Br. John Rayer and his wife Anne.

The tour includes:

• 8 Nights stay (5 in Malta and 3 in Sicily) in one of the official Malta Week hotels
• Bed and Full Buffet Breakfast
• All transfers in Malta, Gozo and Sicily.
• Transport to and from official Malta & Sicily hotels for all functions.
• All tours, lunches and dinners as on programme overleaf.
• Ferry boat trip Malta / Gozo / Malta
• Air ticket Malta / Sicily / Malta including 10kg hand luggage and 23kg checked in luggage
• All Malta and Sicily taxes.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Contact the Malta Week Booking Co-ordinator – Bro. Joe Caruana
Letter: "Clarach", Triq San Gwann L-Evanġelista, Baħar ic-Ċagħaq, NXR 5203 – Malta
Email: joe@clarach.com.mt
Telephone: + 356 2137 5085
Mobile: + 356 9995 0252

Please read the Malta Week legal status document which can be downloaded here (45Kb docx). 

Download the tour brochure here (8.07MB PDF).

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Cairns welcomes a new member

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New Brother Mario, Br Tony Oro and President Joe Vella.Cairns President Br Joe enrolled and elcomed new Brother, Mario, to our June meeting.
Visiting Brother Gavin Williamson from Pittwater Circle and Br Tony

Mario has visted us a few times over the last few months.

Gavin Williamson from Pittwater circle was a visitor who was joined by Matthew Brennan the Principal of St Augustines College in Cairns.

 

 

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Manly welcomes a new Brother

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Manly Circle President Mike Guy (right) welcomed new Manly Brother Greg Smith at their July meeting.

Greg went through the RCIA program at St Kierans, Manly Vale, and is now proudly in possession of a brand new Manly Circle tie.

He hails from Bilgola Plateau and he and his wife Kerrie have already attended several Catenian Friends functions, getting to know circle members and their wives.

Manly Circle warmly welcomes Greg and Kerrie.

 

  

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A Manly Tie makes it to Reigate Circle in the UK

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a contribution by Paul Pearson

Reigate President Gerry O'Dwyer receives his Manly Circle tie from Manly's Provincial Councillor Paul PearsonDuring a recent visit to the UK to visit our daughter and her fiance, on the recommendation of fellow provincial coucillor and joint member (with Ku-Ring-Gai), Martin Stebbings, I visited a Reigate Circle meeting.

The Catenian welcome began with Reigate Vice President Br. David Thorp offering a pint of the locally brewed Reigate Bitter, which was gratefully accepted.

It was a pleasant surprise to meet with another Reigate member, Strategy Working Group head Peter Woodford, who I'd been communicating with during the SWG process, Peter is very supportive of the upcoming P21 workshop and looking forward to hearing of the results.

Always being interested the way other circles work, Reigate President Br. Gerry O'Dwyer runs a relaxed informal meeting that covers the usual prayers and reports process that includes all of the many social activities and any welfare issues with efficiency and great humour, with nothing missed, a great model.

The meeting was also attended by 3 visitors, including an Aussie, all looking at becoming members.

Attending the Reigate meeting was a great experience proving the Catenian brotherhood is certainly active in the UK.

I'd recommend a visit to any circle at home or abroad, we all do things a little differently and you're always made very welcome.

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Gold Coast Tweed celebrates 100 meetings with a Gateau cutting ceremony

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 Gold Coast Tweed members were joined by 19 visitors as they celebrated their 100th meeting with style.

A report from Provincial Membership Officer Graham Short begins -

"You'll get the drift from attached photos that GCT's 100th wasn't a usual dinner.

I think the 'T' in Tweed would better be replaced by Thespians.... 

In addition P21 President Chris Vale told jokes,  GCT President Seamus McCarthy and his wife Marie Therese explained origin of the Beatles "She loves you yea yea yea" Robyn Denny did karaoke while shedding "ex boyfriend's" left behinds. Another Brother literally took his "case" to court, then lost it (handle only) then went to higher court by climbing a step ladder.

The Celebratory Gateau was piped in and ceremoniously cut by a congo line of Presidents, you get the drift."

The Gateau cutting team:  All Provincial Presidents and Circle Presidents who were in attendance - Brothers Chris Vale, Provincial President;  Lawrence Lawlor, Previous Provincial President;  Graham Short, Previous Provincial President; Andrew Denny, Circle President;  Peter Cossins, Circle President; Kevin Devine, Circle President;  Paul Bellhouse, Circle President;  Current President Seamus McCarthy (on microphone).

 We have approx. 17 parishes in our Circle (some having more than one church). 

4 priests were in attendance and left with an exciting impression of Catenians.

The night included A Fairy tale Romance - a skit on Cinderella, "Lady Cats" who took part:  Mandy Cossins, Robyn Denny, Marie Therese McCarthy

The attendees, when surveyed by one of the brothers, who shall remain nameless, brandishing a blood stained meat cleaver, all agreed that the evening went off very well and all enjoyed themselves, and are eagerly awaiting our 200th meeting.

The disclaimer from the program (shown below) says it all about the fun on the night.

DISCLAIMER:
The compilers of this programme will accept any and all plaudits for its information, layout, originality, ie, the good stuff!  BUT will accept no blame whatsoever for any inaccuracies or offensive comments, ie, the NOT so good stuff!   SO THERE! 

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Gold Coast Tweed Circle 100th meeting in pictures.

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250 meetings for Harbourside North

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  A group of Manly Brothers (the sponsor of the original Mosman Circle's beginning) and their wives joined Harbourside North Circle's 250th celebration meeting on 11 July 2019. It was a wonderful night of recollections.

Harbourside North (formerly Mosman) Circle 330, History from foundation 1997 to 2019

The Beginning

Mosman Circle, No 330 of The Catenian Association, was inaugurated on Thursday 23rd October, 1997 by Grand President, John Barrie. The meeting was held at the Mosman RSL Club.

Mosman Circle was sponsored by Manly Circle 322 (President Brian Hamer), Province 21 (Rob Young, Jim Rush, John Secker, Phil Davies).

Inauguration dinner Mosman Circle 23 October 1997 Seated, Grand President John Barrie, Foundation President Bill Windred , Monsignor Eugene Harley, Jim Rush. Standing GB Hargreaves, Brendan O’Connell, Rob Young, Phil Davies.Brendan O'Connell was instrumental in the setting up of the Circle and has continued as a joint member since.

The first Mosman Circle President was Bill Windred;
The first Mosman Circle brother was David de Mestre;
The first Manly-Mosman Circle joint brother was
Tony Abbott.

Foundation members were :
David de Mestre, Norman Brunskill, Peter Burke, John Coll, Peter Delaney, Richard Doherty, Peter Drake, Warwick Halcrow, Kevin Harrold, Bill Hannan, John Kearney, Michael Killian, Michael Oei, John Renshaw, Kevin Robinson, Graham Short, Ed Shuttleworth, Jim Sutherland, Phil Virgona, Peter Warnes, Stefan Wisniowski

The following Manly members were foundation joint members:
Tony Abbott, Nick Anastasia, Rob Butler, David Finkel, Kevin Hadley, Louis Johnson, Warwick Jones, Peter Kennedy, Brendan O'Connell, Laurie Ryan, Tony Shannon, Bill Windred, Peter Quattroville.

The first Circle Council comprised:
Bill Windred (President), Peter Kennedy (Vice President),
Brendan O'Connell (Secretary) Nick Anastasia (Treasurer),
Graham Short (Membership), Warwick Jones (Registrar),
Laurie Ryan (Provincial Councillor).

Mosman Circle held its second meeting-dinner at the Neutral Bay Club moving to the Mosman Community Centre, Thursday 8th April 1999 where it has remained ever since.

Name Change 2017
The name of the Circle was changed to Harbourside North effective on 12 October 2017.

Circle Presidents 1997-2019

1997-1998 Bill Windred
1998-1999 Bill Windred
1999-2000 Peter Warnes
2000-2001 Nick Anastasia
2001-2002 Nick Anastasia
2002-2003 Paul Brady
2003-2004 Phil Virgona
2004-2005 Graham Short
2005-2006 Richard Doherty
2006-2007 John Tweedie
2007-2008 Mike McEvoy
2008-2009 Mike McEvoy
2009-2010 Alan Gorman
2010-2011 Ed van Riet
2011-2012 Peter Finn
2012-2013 Peter Finn
2013-2014 Rob van Aalst
2014-2015 Len Lozina
2015-2016 Len Lozina
2016-2017 Peter Walden
2017-2018 Peter Walden
2018-2019 Len Lozina
2019-2020 Len Lozina

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Prayers for ...

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Please remember in your prayers -

 Recently deceased:
Brother Brian Delaney from Carlingford Circle. 

 
Carlingford:
Bros. Stan Burgin, Bill Carpenter and Ian McMaster, together with Jan Burgin; all are doing it tough at the moment particularly Bill (0438 722 379) and Ian (0407 105 649) who are currently hospitalised, need our prayers and would welcome some calls/visits. Also, continue to pray for Patrick Wheeler (grandson of Barbara Kenny), Timothy Carpenter, and Christopher Carter.

Manly:
Michael Van Ommen (now living in Wollongong) has been on a second course of chemo but is still very positive.
While in Wollongong recently, Bob Rigon had a coffee catch-up with Michael. Bob said Michael was in good spirits (isn't he always!) and said he missed his Manly Brothers. "Tell them I'm still here", Michael said. Bob said Michael looked really well and they enjoyed an hour-long chat about many things. Michael is very involved in church work, being an acolyte and reader in the Cathedral in Wollongong, a member of the St Vincent de Paul and a catechist.

City of Sydney:
Susan Crawford has been very ill and had an operation at St. Vincent's Hospital done by a neurosurgeon. Susan was in intensive care ward for a period but has been transferred across the road for neuro-rehabilitation. John has been off work and visiting the hospital regularly. Our prayers are continuing for Susan's complete recovery.

Pittwater:
Our current "prayer list" consists of Margaret and Barry McNamara; Jacqui and Russell Collins; Peter McDonald and Josephine Pezzano ; Chris Micallef ; Bob and Val Whittaker; Bob and Shirley Basham; Lionel and Maureen Stacey; Pat and Betty Quinn; Bob and Marita Dartnell and grandson Anthony; Garry Gleeson; Gordon Rorke; Merv and Margaret Schloeffel; Keith Norris and Kevin Cullen. All are in need of our prayers.

The Hills:
Br Milan & Mary; Br Paul Roberts B.I.L,-Arun; Br Peter Huby's brother- Anthony & Sylvia Fagan.

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Province 21 Workshop - 14 September 2019 - Issues flowing from the Woodford SWG Review Report

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A copy of Central Council's Strategy Work Group Woodford Report is available on line and is essential background reading for this Workshop – see under "Strategic Review" in the "Members" section: https://www.thecatenians.org.au/strategic-review  A copy of the Central Council Chairman's annual report incorporating the Australian National Council's assessment of the way forward is also relevant, particularly as it relates to an Association mission and the need for consultation with members.  That report is also available at the same link. 

Provincial Council considered that the issues, conclusions and recommendations identified in the SWG Report were not sufficiently focused to facilitate an effective discernment of the next steps and so resolved to convene this Workshop.

This paper has been prepared by a committee of Province Council to contribute to the process of discernment by focusing on those issues, conclusions and recommendations in the Report which either relate to the Association's mission, vision, purpose and identity or on which there is a need for consultation with Circles and their members.

We have purposely left out the structural and strategic issues raised in the Report because we consider that, consistent with the principal of subsidiarity, these higher-level questions should best be dealt with by Province/Area Councils and the ANC.  However, we recognize that there is momentum for change at the Circle level and a need for Circles and members to develop some ownership of new ideas and to identify ways of dealing with their local situations.

Normally when a discernment process like this is undertaken the first question is to establish the end result – i.e.: what outcome are we looking for?  The answer to this question is twofold: 

• to clarify the reforms desired; and
• to establish the extent of support for those key reform issues.

While this paper suggests some issues in the Report for consideration by the Workshop, it is appreciated that members / participants who may have other issues in mind may wish to bring those issues to attention. Every endeavor will be made to accommodate those issues. 

The Committee suggests that at the heart of this process is one key issue - Do we need to go further than the Report implies by establishing what support there is for a governance structure which would allow those Circles which so wish to do things differently and what might those 'things' be?  We need to keep in mind that we're probably not going to get another chance to undertake a process like this again … ever! 

To assist in achieving a focused discernment, the questions/statements which follow are short, sharp and to the point – when responding we suggest applying the KISS principal and keep it simple.

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ESTABLISHING MISSION, VISION, PURPOSE AND IDENTITY

Question/statement –

(A) Mission:

The Catenians should adopt a simplified, easily remembered and marketable mission statement – The following Mission Statement has been proposed by the ANC.

 "To contribute to Christ's mission through Catholic faith-based friendship."

• Agree / Disagree with general statement – Suggestions?

• Agree / Disagree with ANC Mission Statement – Suggestions?

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(B) Vision, Purpose and Identity

(B1) The Catenians should adopt a clear and concise definition of who we are and what we do. This should state our 'unique selling points'. A credit card sized artefact, already in use in some parts of the Association, could be produced and made available across the entire Association.

Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

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(B2) Is the following diagramme, used on cards distributed to Catenians in Australia, a concise representation of who we are and what we do.

Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

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(B3) Drawing on the answer to B2, what is a clear and concise definition of who we are and what we do.

Suggestion?

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(B4) Should the Association have a single international strapline to be used with the Catenian logo or is it acceptable to have several different straplines

Single strapline / Several straplines – Suggestions?

SWG comment – There is a proliferation of different representations of the Catenian Mission, Vision and Purpose. The Association should have a single overarching representation and identity as a good shorthand but permit some deviation in appropriate circumstances for specific activities.

Australian comment -ANC agrees that while the concept of vision and logo straplines can and should be developed by each jurisdiction, including by CC, the concept of mission should be universal

Committee Comment – These questions are at the heart of the Review process and are potentially of existential significance for the Association. 

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RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

Question/Statement –

(A) There is an urgent need to explain and promote the mission and purpose of the Association, to both the members of the Association and to the Catholic world at large.

Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

Australian comment - ANC agrees

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 (B) Should the Association (more than individual members)  show more active support for the Church in parishes and generally in public, primarily by extending our faith based friendship to fellow parishioners, particularly our priests?

Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

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(C) Should Circles extend our faith based friendship to fellow parishioners, by:

• sponsoring/leading parish events, and/or
• inviting our fellow parishioners to Circle social events

I - Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

II - Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?

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(D) The optional role of Circle Chaplain should be recognised formally in the rules of the Association and become a membership option.

Agree / Disagree – Comment?

SWG comment - The Catenian Association is not a Catholic Organisation but is an organisation of Catholics acknowledged by the Church hierarchy as fulfilling a valued role within the Church. The Association (more than individual members) should show more active support for the Church in parishes and generally in public.

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 MEMBERSHIP

Question/Statement –
(A) To provide an opportunity to expand our Faith based friendships, should the Association adopt a class of "Associate Member" – which might also be called Friends of Catenians - who can attend meetings and participate fully in Circle social programs but would not be eligible to stand for office as President or Provincial Councilor or higher offices.

Agree / Disagree – Comment?

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(B) Should the governance framework be such as to allow those Circles which so wish to include certain new membership categories (Eg: "Associate Member", Chaplain)? Or: Should there be an Association wide position?

Circles/ Association wide position – Comment?

Committee Comment – Participants are invited to consider which option is more consistent with governance based on subsidiarity.

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 (B1) Similarly, should the governance framework be such as to allow those Circles which so wish to include people who are not Catholics as members? Or: should non-Catholics be excluded from membership?

Non Catholics members in Circles which so wish/ Only Catholic members  – Comment?

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(B2) Specifically, how might or should we include the following when living our Mission:

• People who are Non-Catholics, generally
  • Suggestions?
• Catholic Women, generally
  • Suggestions
• Non Catholic spouses of Catholic women
  • Suggestions?
• Clergy, generally
  • Suggestions?
• Lapsed Catholics and/or those identifying as Catholic
  • Suggestions
• Non Catholic friends (male and/or female)
  • Suggestions
• Husbands and wives as joint members
  • Suggestions

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C Should the governance framework be such as to allow the formation of self- governing "Associated Bodies" to accommodate young Catholics (Eg: University students), the members of which would be either Friends of Catenians or  "Associate Members" (depending on the governance framework for membership decided upon)

Agree / Disagree – Suggestions? 

Committee Comment - The concept is, firstly, because the Circle is foundational Friends or Associate Members must be attached to a Circle.  Secondly, an Associated Body would be a self-governing body of Friends or Associate Members attached to one or more Circles with a mentoring brother or brothers on its Council.

SWG comment – 1 A number of additional sources of membership are suggested: lapsed Catholics, Catholic women, non-Catholic spouses of Catholic women, clergy members, and non-Catholic Friends of Catenians. Some members are concerned about having different classes of membership. They would prefer a single class of membership. Others disagree.
2 There are, however, many members who wish to retain the men only membership criteria.
3 While some basic governance arrangements would need to be preserved across the Association, most such matters would, consistent with the principle of subsidiarity, modern management philosophy and social priorities in the 21st century, be left to Circles to manage. 

Such an approach is not seen as creating a new one size fits all membership model for the Association or as requiring any existing Circle to change its modus operandi or membership criteria against members wishes.  Rather, it provides an opportunity and a framework for those Circles, including new ones, who wish to, to develop a complementary arrangement which better suits their needs.

4 Question / Statement –
Using the current meeting framework, should Circles have the freedom to use meeting / prayer wording appropriate to local social norms.  Specifically:

• Do you think the current (new and revised) Handbook now available on the website provides adequate flexibility for Circles to tailor their meeting procedures to suit their local needs?

Agree / Disagree – Comment?

• Do you think Circles should have greater freedom to determine such arrangements and, if so, should there be a common framework of essential features (Eg: certain prayer types and reports)?

Agree / Disagree – Comment?

SWG comment -
1 - Several areas for modernisation have already been covered and are within the decision making capability of Provinces and Circles. Recommendation – Just Do It - including:
Format for Circle Meetings; Social events and activities; Circle visiting; Supporting Parishes, Clergy and the Church as a whole; Helping others – Association charities, local charities, working with the local community; Work with young Catholics, youth, students, bursary candidates.  

2 The aim must be to improve the Circle ambience and make it something of value and worthwhile for prospective members to join.

Committee Comment – A New Handbook is now available on the website. Province 21 Council has requested Circles to review the Circle meeting procedures in the new Handbook and to form a view as to whether the alternatives provided provide the flexibility to accommodate the meeting procedures that are presently being followed.

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