The Catenian Association is an international body of proudly Catholic laymen and permanent deacons who meet at least once a month in local groups called Circles, to enjoy each other's company and thereby strengthen their family life through friendship, faith and fun! It is open to practising Catholic laymen from the age of 18 years. Many of the Circles’ activities involve the members’ wives and families.
These photographs were taken by Bro. Paul Abbott, the official Association photographer. Paul also took the group photo of most of province standing at the entrance to the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel shown on the first set of conference photos.
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| The moment of the transfer of power. |
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| Well done! |
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| Province 10 at the Conference reception |
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| Lytham St Annes Circle at the Conference reception |
The Phil Morris Darts & Dominoes annual competition took place again at BAE's Canberra Club, Salmesbury. Whilst the numbers were lower than in the past the evening was a great success. The hotpot and apple pie for £7 was a bonus.
Westmorland Circle celebrated its 40th anniversary on 30 May 2023 at the Stonecross Manor, Kendal and as part of the celebrations two 40-year scrolls were presented to two founder members, Paul Bates and John Kitchen. This was a lunch time event as the Circle now normally meet in the afternoon. To help the circle celebrate there were various Provincial Officers, including the Provincial President, Circle Presidents and other members from circles around Province.
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| Jose & Paul Bates, Director Terence Donnelly, John & Christine Kitchen |
The annual conference and AGM was held in Sheffield where Mark Conroy was installed as GB National President. The photo below, taken outside the entrance to the conference hotel, Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria, shows most of those from Province 10 that attended.
Mark & Maxine Conroy (centre) with Terry & Janet Hephrun (left) and Peter & Margaret Nuttall
A week after organising his successful Provincial weekend Bro. John Waddingham handed over the reins of Province to Bro. PGP Mike O'Malley. The event took place at Ferrari's Restaurant on Sunday 2 April and after the excellent meal the proceeding began.
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| 'Retiring' Provincial President Bro. John Waddingham |
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| Incoming Provincial President Bro. PGP Mike O'Malley |
Following the changeover of power, each incoming Circle President, or their representative, introducded themselves and their lady and gave a brief summary of their main events for the coming year. Below are two of the photos taken during this part of the evening.
Initially 65 rooms had been booked at Celtic Manor Hotel, Caernarfon but some had to cancel due to illness etc.
Those who did attend the event had a marvelous time. Some spent the Saturday traveling by narrow gauge steam train the 25 miles to Portmadoc and back through the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park on the first day of its operation in 2023. Others visited the nearby magnificent castle, drove onto Anglesey, went to Conwy [that's the Welsh spelling].
The Gala dinner was excellent and the dancing superb with just the right music for those assembled.
The Mass on the Sunday morning was celebrated by the local priest and was a really joyous occasion.
Also, two Chorley Brothers received scrolls and miniatures to mark their 40 years’ membership of the Association, all with Chorley Circle. Eddie Brierley should have received his in June 2022, but Covid struck, and Eddie decided to postpone his presentation to coincide with that of his good friend, Brother Bob Hodgson. In fact, Bob should have received his in January but he was out of the country, at his daughter’s wedding. Bob now lives in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, but remains a member of Chorley Circle, and made the journey specifically to receive the presentation. 34 Brothers and Ladies enjoyed dinner to celebrate the occasion. Bob (on the left) and Eddie (on the right) are photographed receiving their scrolls from Chorley President, Peter Hughes, and Director of Province 10 and Chorley Brother, Terence Donnelly, respectively.
