Preston & District Circle's Clergy Night

Below the pictures is the text of Brother President's address to the clergy at the beginning of the evening

Good evening Reverend Canons, Reverend Fathers, Reverend Deacons, Brothers and Guests.

I am delighted to welcome you all here this evening to The Cottage and to The Preston & District Catenian Circle Clergy Night.

This is an evening where we have the opportunity to thank the clergy for the work they do in the parishes and communities and the pastoral support they give to us all.

At each of our Circle meetings we pray for the shepherds who care for the flock, minister at the altar and are ardent and gentle servants of the Gospel.

We would like to thank you for the guidance you provide to us in your ministry and to the friendship and support you give to us all.

You are warmly welcomed here tonight and I am sure you will enjoy our company and hospitality during the evening.

I would also like to welcome Mike and Phil who have joined us tonight as visiting gentlemen.

Both Mike and Phil came to our circle meeting last week and I am delighted you are able to join us here tonight you are most welcome.

If I could just say one or two words about the association and in particular our circle.

I think there are a few views of the Catenians in catholic circles

·              They are only interested in eating and drinking, a catholic dining club

·              It’s only for the retired

·              It’s only for the well to do

·             They don’t appear to do anything for the church

I can assure you all of these are myths.

Our meetings are social affairs, and we do eat together as friends after the formal part of the evening concludes.

This is a great way to meet new people from all walks of life, who share the common of bond of being a Catholic.

We have a great mix of ages and people from all walks of life in our circle, with Damien here our youngest member who has three small children, through to our oldest member who is 88. Through joining together both at meetings and social functions, such as tonight, a common bond is made.

As a circle we ensure a Mass is said each year for vocations to the religious life. This year this took place in at St Andrew’s in Cottam in August and was very well attended by our Brothers.

We also respect our former members who have sadly passed away. Next month we will celebrate the mass for deceased Brothers in which both current members of our circle, and widows of Brother who have died join together.

We ensure are widows are invited to our functions and are very much part of our circle. This is a real benefit of being a Catenian, the support and friendship continues even after the sad passing away of a loved one.

This year we raised over £2000 for the Metanoia group in Preston which will support a new homeless initiative in the coming months.

Previously we have supported the SVP, Mary’s Meals and Gift 92.

As an association we also have two national charities.

A bursary fund which supports young people when volunteering, including trips to Lourdes.

Indeed, If you have young people going to Lourdes within your parish we will be able to support them with a small grant to cover some of their costs.

Last year over £100,000 nationally was given as grants covering work in 53 countries.

We also support a national benevolent fund which provides assistance to Brothers and widows who may need some financial aid.

You will generally find that Catenians are active members of the parish.

So I can assure you the myths of the Association are just that.

I can say these things as a relatively new member of the Association with my first visit to a Catenian meeting in August 2012.

I had little knowledge of the Association and went with slight trepidation having heard some of these myths.

However, from my first meeting in 2012 I have met with nothing but friendship & kindness.

I have met many people who I can now call friends, not only in our own circle but across Province.

I look forward to our meetings and events and value all the friendships I have made.

The motto of our association is ‘Strengthening family life through friendship and faith’.

We are all part of an association that promotes these value actively and I am very privileged to call myself a Catenian and proud to call the Brothers in the circle my friends.

We have a common bond, whether young or old or working or retired and that bond is our Catholic faith which is so ably supported by our clergy.

We have a thriving circle, and by bringing new Brothers into the association this will continue.

I would ask Reverend Canons & Fathers to look in their own parishes, and if you do see someone who you feel would enjoy our company, then please get in touch with us.

To that end, before you leave tonight I have a small pack for each of the clergy attending. It includes some leaflets about the Catenians, a poster for your noticeboard and some inserts for your newsletters. .

Our membership officer is Shaun Horsfield and his details are contained on the leaflets and posters.

I hope you will be able to accommodate some of this information in your own parishes.

As I said before you are all very warmly welcome this evening and I look forward to speaking with many of you during the night.

Two Brothers would normally be with us for Clergy Night.

As we know Brother Anthony is now recuperating following his heart attack last Thursday  and sounded in good form when I spoke with him last night and Brother Andrew has his bypass operation in two week’s time.

So as we remember these two Brothers in our own prayers, could I ask you all please to stand as Canon Adrian will lead us in grace