Preston 144 go to the Races!

A small group of brothers and wives from Preston & District Circle made their annual 'pilgrimage' to Cartmel Races 

for the Betfair Barbecue Raceday recently.

('Betfair'! That's a joke!)

Brother Ennis O'Donnell....waiting for the 'OFF!'

"Barbecue?   Of course.... it's summer!

Helen and Anita... discussing the finer points of steeple-chasing?

"They're ready for the OFF, Ennis!"

(...and so are we, in this weather!)

"That's mine! The one at the back!"
The bookie wins again!

Longridge Circle raises £1524.54 for Alzheimer's Society

 Longridge Circle have, over the last twelve months, been fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society after President Steve Hardacre nominated them as his Charity during his year of office April 2014 to April 2015..

Throughout that year they held a series of events, which included a Race night, Summer BBQ and Dinner to name but a few.

 Brother Steve  said  ‘All the events were a huge success and our thanks must go to everyone who supported them.  The Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. I am very proud that our fundraising efforts for the charity will help to make a real difference.’

Sue Swire Community Fundraiser Cumbria & Lancashire at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to Steve for selecting us and to all the Catenian members for their efforts in raising this fabulous amount. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of others to help us support people to live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow'.

Picture shows Community Fundraiser Sue Swire Cumbria & Lancashire Alzheimer's Society & Immediate Past President Brother Steve Hardacre

Preston 14 Dan Ryan

A tense evening of rivalry down at the Conservative Club accompanied by copious amounts of cheating resulted in our popular winner this year, Brother Paul Garstang. 

A bigger 'thank you' to the vast crowd for staying awake!

Bastille Day in Preston!

The Presidents of four Preston Circles – Peter Western of Preston (14)(red beret), Hedley Corcoran of Preston and District (144), Arthur Whitlock of Preston South (235) and Mike Neill of South Ribble (347), together with the Brothers from the four Circles and 56 visiting brothers enjoyed the pleasure of the company of Grand President, Peter Woodford, at their joint meeting to celebrate 'Le Quatorze Juillet'. The four Circle Presidents and Grand President are pictured as they are about to enjoy an excellent French themed meal. Vive la difference!

The Broughton Catholic Charitable Society

A new website has now been completed for the Broughton Society, which is a significant step change for the Society. 

If you are already a member of the BCCS then please take a look by clicking on the banner above. 

If you are not a member but would like to know more about it and how to join, this can all be found by clicking on the banner above!

Two new Brothers for Longridge Circle

President Michael Sweetmore enrolled two new Brothers at the Longridge Circle meeting on the 21^st July, which was a Ladies evening. They are Ted Donnelly, who is a retired Judge, married to Janis and John Cosgrove, a Quantity Surveyor married to Alison. They were given a warm welcome at the meeting, which was followed by a three-course dinner at the New Drop Inn. The meeting was attended by Provincial President Ken Dennis and Province 10 Director Mark Conroy.

Picture shows Provincial 10 Director Mark Conroy, John Cosgrove, Longridge President Michael Sweetmore, Ted Donnelly and Provincial President Ken Dennis.

Picture shows John Cosgrove with wife Alison, President Michael Sweetmore and Ted Donnelly with wife Janis

Lytham St Annes Lourdes Bursary Awards

Four of the youth going on the Lancaster Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on Friday 24 July 2015 from the Lytham St Annes Circle area received cheques recently.


Alice Smith receiving her cheque at St Joseph's, Ansdell from Bro. President Adrian Crook
in the presence of Fr David Burns 

Charlotte Reilly receiving her cheque from Bro. Adrian with Lay Chaplain Paula Burgess
and Bro. Robert Thompson in attendance



Matt McGivern and Jennifer Wilson received their awards fro Bro. Mike King at St Anne’s Church, Westby

 





Support for Lourdes pilgrimage

Circle 235 (Preston South) recently responded to a request from no less than 11 young people in the area for support to enable them to attend the annual Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage. 

Brothers kindly agreed to top up the funds the youngsters had already raised to help them on their way. One of the group’s fundraisers is the sale of cakes at St. Teresa’s in Penwortham, which is especially popular with parishioners who haven’t managed breakfast before the 09:15 Mass!

Brother President, Arthur Whitlock and Father Austin Griffin, parish Priest at St Teresa’s were invited to All Hallows, Catholic High School in Penwortham to present the cheques to some of the group who include past as well as present pupils.

Brother Arthur commented “It‘s great to see young people so actively involved in the wider Catholic community. As well as giving invaluable support to the pilgrimage they develop personally in so many ways”.  

Blackburn with Ribble Valley's Bursary Award

The presentation of Bursary Award to Sarah Basquill. She is a second year student at Durham and is going to work at an orphanage in Peru. The priest is Fr. Leo Heakin at St. Mary’s in Langho. with Bro. President Charles Murphy.

Brother Rod Cartner R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of 

Brother Rod Cartner

of North Lancashire Circle.

Please remember Brother Rod, his wife Eileeen and their family in your prayers.

May he rest in peace.

Details of Brother Rod’s funeral are as follows ;

The Requiem  Mass will be at Our Lady of Lourdes, Carnforth on 23rd July at 11am, followed by a burial at St Mary’s Yealand Conyers.  

There will be refreshments/lunch afterwards. Please would any Brothers intending to attend please let Brother John Calnan know as Eileen has requested an indication of numbers.

Fr. Austin Griffin's Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Golden Jubilee

Brothers of Preston 235 circle where honoured recently to play a part in the Golden Jubilee celebrations for Father Austin Griffin, Parish Priest at St. Teresa’s in Penwortham, Preston, who was ordained back in 1965. Father Austin spent 25 years as an Army chaplain and was attached to the Parachute Regiment from 1972 up until leaving the army 19 years ago when he moved to Penwortham to take up the up the role of Parish Priest. 

 

Suitably timed on Father’s Day, a special Mass at St. Teresa’s was concelebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelley, Bishop Vincent Malone and no less than nine clergy including Father Austin. Many of the Brothers of the circle are parishioners at St Teresa’s carrying out numerous duties which we all know are essential to keep a parish running on a day to day basis.

Father Austin is a strong supporter of our Association and his after-dinner speeches at Clergy Nights are the stuff of legend. Encounters with royals from around the world as well as ‘top brass’ from the Army all feature.

Following the Mass, around 300 parishioners and guests including Father Austin’s family continued the celebrations in the church grounds where Brother President Arthur Whitlock presented Father with a bottle of ‘matured holy water’ on behalf of the Brothers.

Three new Brothers for Preston South Circle

Three new Brothers for Preston South

Preston 235 circle recently enrolled three new brothers with Brother President, Arthur Whitlock extending a warm welcome to Nigel Francis, Geoff Todhunter and John Simpson to both the circle and the society.

Nigel a retired police officer has 20 years’ service in both the Metropolitan and Merseyside services combined. Upon retirement in 2002 he took up a role with the Catholic Caring Services managing the Offender Management Programme and now both Nigel and his wife Angela work in senior management roles within the care home sector. Nigel cites his interests as any form of motorsport, architecture and world travel.

John and his wife Wendy live locally and both run successful businesses in their own rite, John as a painter and decorator and Wendy who has a long and well established hairdressing salon in Penwortham.

Geoff and his wife Helen also live in Penwortham and since his retirement from the aerospace industry where he was a procurement manager he has had more time to devote to his family and the ‘odd round of golf’ whenever he gets the chance. As part of being an active member of the St. Teresa’s, parish in Penwortham Geoff is a regular reader at mass.

The installation of the Brothers marked the end of a successful period of office as membership officer for Brother Arthur during which the circle has seen many new brothers installed. Brother Peter Gildert now picks up the membership officers role with the prospect of more visiting gentlemen joining the circle in the near future. 

Brother John McNab receives his 50 years' scroll

At Burnley Circle's July meeting Grand President presented Brother John McNabb with his 50 year scroll. He is pictired here with Brother Jim Livesey (Circle President) and Brother Mark Conroy (Director)

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Accrington Circle's Football Competition

On 19^th.June, Accrington Catenian Circle sponsored a 5-a-side football competition open to all the Catholic primary schools in the area. The event, held at St.Oswald’s School in Accrington, was organised by Mr. Jeff Brown, the Headteacher of the school. Jeff is a member of Accrington Circle. Ten mixed teams of boys and girls took part in a competitive, yet friendly, manner and they also made short work of the half-time refreshments. The final between St.Charles, Rishton and St.Wulstans’s, Great Harwood, was an exciting affair with the score 2-2 at the end of normal time. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, St.Charles won by the narrowest of margins 2-1. As the event was such a huge success it is hoped to hold the competition annually.

The photograph shows the President of Accrington Circle, Jack Emmett, with members of the victorious St. Charles' team.