CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Who is this with Robert Thompson?

Answers to Provincial President Terence.

GARSTANG'S CAROL CONCERT

Garstang Circle hosted the annual carol concert at the Garstang Country hotel. Choirs from across Province 10 took part, and the Ladies of Province 10 choir delighted everyone with  special guest appearance. We were also very pleased to welcome National President Phil Brown and his wife to the concert.

The President and Brothers of Garstang Circle wish everyone in Province 10 a very happy and holy Christmas and look forward to hearing you all singing again next year.

Province 10 Ladies choir

Accrington Circle's choir

GB National President (wearing Santa hat) and Provincial President in full voice

Garstang Circle's choir

LSA CIRCLE'S FAMILY CHRISTMAS LUNCH

The numbers at our traditional Family Christmas Sunday lunch this year were staggering -130+.  There were a good number of children, grand children and great-grand children of Brothers all who eagerly awaited the arrival  of Santa Claus.  With the help of his Elf, Santa very generously gave presents to all the children and a few older ones.  Following the excellent meal and Santa's visit we enjoyed a good raffle and a sing-a-long of popular carols accompanied by a very accomplished pianist.  We also entertained Provincial President Terence and Sandra Donnelly as they were unable to be at our Ladies Day earlier in the year.

President Mike King thanking Santa Claus and Elf

PRESENTATION & CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT LONGRIDGE

On a cold wet Thursday 12th December 2019 members and friends of Longridge Circle came together in Faith and Friendship to congratulate Malachy and Mary Conlon for sharing 40 years in the Association.

President Richard recounted some early events in Malachy's life as examples of the sort of man who from humble beginnings built, with his four brothers, a multi million pound business. He then presented Malachy and Mary with a framed copy of their scroll.

It is a measure of Malachy's character, that, a few days earlier having had a bad fall and spending the night in A&E, here he was accepting the accolades of those present along with the enthusiastic applause in his usual courteous and "what's all the fuss about" way. His few words of thanks were delivered with that Irish twinkle in his eye. 

Numbers were a little down on previous years probably due to events elsewhere, not least a little matter of a General Election

However 63 sat down to a wonderful 3 course, non conventional, Christmas celebratory meal of a starter of prawns & smoked salmon, for mains the famous New Drop Duckling with all associated trimmings followed by Christmas Pudding in Brandy Sauce or the equally famous New Drop Crumble with Custard. 

The entertainment that followed was beyond expectations. Gil and Lisa Hughes (our most recent members) volunteered their three children to accompany the singing.

 That's Peter (11years) on the piano, Olivia (13years) on the basson and Samuel (9years) on the cello. All three are through to the final audition for entry to Chethams School of Music in Manchester and their playing explained why!

The programme started with a lively rendering of Jingle Bells and we then listened to a rendition of Little Drummer Boy. A rousing rendition of Adeste Fideles followed with the children's version of When a Child is Born causing a few present to pretend they'd something in their eye. 

The trio of cello, bassoon and French Horn for the "12 days"

Among many highlights was a playing out of the 12 Days of Christmas with each table trying to outdo the others with their enthusiastic miming of the various gifts. The evening came to a close with a joyous singing together of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Circle's grateful thanks to Samuel, Peter, Olivia, Gil and Lisa.

President Richard & Helen and all at Longridge 286 wish all in Province 10 and beyond a wonderful happy and holy Christmas and wish them all happiness in 2020.

Broughton in Craven Circle Christmas party.

 Broughton-in-Craven Circle enjoyed an excellent festive evening on 12th December at the Tempest Arms, Elslack. 

Brothers, wives and guests consumed Christmas Dinner, sang carols and had a great evening. 

Thanks to Circle President, Franklin and Deirdre for a fantastic year so far. We look forward to 2020 with confidence that our Circle will continue to go from strength to strength.

Broughton in Craven support 'Catholic Care'

During Immediate Past President Michael Limbs' year in office, Broughton-in-Craven Circle have raised funds to help the work of Catholic Care within the Leeds Diocese. 

Activities also included a share from a sponsored running of the Three Peaks by Chris Beesley, our Provincial Councillor. 

Mandy from Catholic Care, who works to support schools in our area, notably at St. Stephen's RC Primary School, Skipton, came along to receive the cheque from Michael. She spoke briefly about the organisation and expressed the gratitude of Catholic Care for the donation of £300.

Brother Franklin Schutz, this year's President, is hoping to raise money for the continued Education of a South American student whom he supported last time he was our President. It is hoped that the young man can come to England to practise his language skills at some point in the future. 

The Circle are proud to support both very worthwhile causes. 

(Photo)

Circle President Franklin Schutz, Mandy, case worker for Catholic Care and Michael Limbs our Immediate Past President. 

LSA 'D' DAYS

Lytham St Annes Circle after meeting entertainment event in October following our normal meal with our Ladies was a DEBATE. There was no vote taken afterwards as the purpose of the debate was to stimulate future thoughts on the various discussions taking place outside our Circle.

 

“This house considers whether the Central Council and GB National Council should allow individual Circles to enrol women as full members of their Circle and hence of the Association.”

FOR the Motion: Brother Elwyn Smith                       AGAINST the Motion: Brother Mike O’Malley

Here is a summary of the main arguments expressed.

FOR

Pope John XXIII coined the term ‘aggiornamento’, meaning bringing up-to-date by renewal and adaptation, in his call for the Second Vatican Council and this has resonated through the Church ever since. This debate is not about trying to redress the decline in numbers within GBNC Circles or about encouraging wives and widows who are already a part of our Catenian Family. It is about others who are not here, but might like to be here in future, benefiting their lives, their faith, their families, friendships and the future of our Association. This debate is about moving from a policy of exclusion, about embracing inclusion in the future vision of our Association and being more reflective of our times. It is about embracing a more inclusive approach on social issues and the reality of the current active, largely female, lay members of our parishes, throughout Great Britain. Together, let us bring our Association up-to-date by being open and unafraid to change. As Saint John Henry Newman wrote “to live is to change”.    

AGAINST

While accepting the need for change in our Association, I believe that the proposed Revolutionary change is a step too far. The changes in and to our Association that I have observed during my 46 years of membership, have been evolutionary in nature, accepted by the membership, and have helped to broaden the appeal of, and goodwill within our Association. Despite being concerned for the long term future of our Association, at this point in time, my watchword is “if it ain't broke don't fix it.”

 

After the November meeting the entertainment was our DOMINOES Championship.  It’s a knockout competition played with players drawn against each other by referee Mike O’Malley.  Each couple play the best of three until eventually it came down to the final.  The Ladies final was between two of our own ladies with Helene Smith beating Anne-Marie O'Malley. The Men’s final was between the VPs, Provincial VP Bernard Swarbrick of Broughton-in-Craven and LSA Circle VP Charles Murphy. and the winner was ... Bernard.  Congratulations to all.