The Catenian Association
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Chester Circle No.134
Catenian Association
100 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SHARED FAITH
The Catenian association has always been primarily a social organisation, through which deep and lasting friendships have been formed.
Uniquely these friendships are built on the firm foundation of shared faith
How many Catholics do you really know
Do you have many Catholic friends, or do you simply nod and smile at fellow worshipers in Mass.
If you are a convert or recently returned to the Church, or have moved for your job, the chances are you have few Catholic Friends with whom you can socialise
What then is the Catenian Association?
We are an international association of Catholics who meet socially every month, There are no restrictions based on occupation race or income
Membership of the Catenians is open to practicing Catholics aged 21 and over.
What we are not!
We are not a secret organisation ( on your second visit, you can sit in on a meeting)
We are not a mutual preferment society, individuals do not join for business gain or promotion (which is contrary to our Catholic ethos anyway)
Except for special reasons we are not a fund-raising organisation
OUR AIMS
FAITH
FAMILY
FRIENDSHIP
FUN
FAITH (1)
We are proudly Catholic, and although most certainly not a Catholic action group, we try to promote a Catholic viewpoint in the secular world.
Our meetings start and finish with prayer
FAITH (2)
We help young Catholics
Masses are arranged for vocations and deceased brothers, and on President’s Sunday
On Clergy night we entertain our clergy to dinner to thank them for all they do for us
FAMILY (1)
Our wives (and where appropriate children) and widows are involved in most of our social events.
FAMILY (2)
In Chester our ladies also independently organise a lunch or dinner on alternate months in a variety of restaurants, together with sisters, widows and friends
FRIENDSHIP
As well as the close bonds within our Circle, Catenians are encouraged to visit other circles
Mostly this is local, but an enrolled member travelling on holiday or business, can visit any Circle in this country or abroad, thus building an ever widening group of friends
FUN
We are primarily SOCIAL, the range of activities varies, but as well as the monthly dinner other typical activities are: Bridge, golf, bird watching, walks, river trips, wine tasting, treasure hunt, quizzes, and of course a formal Dinner Dance
Monthly meetings
Chester Circle meets on the third Thursday of each month, at Vicars Cross Golf Club
Structure & Membership (1)
There are some 10,500 members around the world, who address each other as Brother, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Hong Kong, Malta, South Africa, Zambia & Zimbabwe.
The use of the term brother may sound old fashioned, but it does embody the very close bonds of friendship which exist amongst Catenians
Structure & Membership (2)
Catena is Latin for `Chain’
The chain has some 320 links or branches called Circles
Circles are grouped geographically in Provinces & in the UK there are 21 Provinces
Chester Circle is in Province 4
Province 4 Structure (1)
Province 4 is centred around the Wirral and Liverpool and there are eleven Circles located in the area from St. Helens in the north-east, to Chester and Abergele (N.Wales) in the south.
Province 4 Structure (2)
These eleven Circles are generally known by the names of the places & locations upon which they are based:
Birkenhead, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Liverpool ( 3 Circles), North Wales, Ormskirk, St.Helens, Southport, Wallasey,
Administration (1)
Circles & Circle Councils
Provincial Councils
Grand Council
(Grand Council maintains an office in Coventry)
Administration(2)
Each level is led by a President (advised by a council)
That is Circle President, Provincial President and Grand President as appropriate
Provincial activities
Visiting other Circles at their monthly meetings
Participating in other Circle’s social functions
Provincial weekend
Annual Provincial Mass
Provincial bowls and Golf (four events each summer)
Provincial Public Speaking contest for young people
National & international activities
Annual Association Conference
Grand President’s annual international visit to either Australia or Africa
Malta week
Golf in UK, Ireland & France
Catenian Caravanning Fellowship
Annual Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Catena
Each member receives the monthly magazine of the association
Obligations of Membership (1)
To remain a practising Catholic
To attend Circle meetings regularly unless prevented for good reason
To endeavour to actively participate in the social programme
To attend the President’s and other Masses
Obligations of Membership (2)
To visit sick brothers & to pray for those who have died
To endeavour if practical to visit other circles.
To accept office, when practicable, and to take an active part & interest in the affairs of the Association
To promote & sponsor suitable candidates for membership
Joining
procedure
(3 to 4 months)
Attend minimum of three Circle meetings as an observer
Attend formal & social functions (with wife & family as appropriate)
Complete an application form for presentation to & approval by Circle Council
Financial considerations
Annual subscription is £120 (Usually paid monthly)
Made up of:
circle subscription £78
Catena costs £15
Capitation fee (to HO) £7
Total subscription £120
Other expenses
Circle dinners
Visits to other Circles
Social events
Dress code
Typically for monthly meeting lounge suits or sports jacket with tie
Next Step
Why not come along to our next meeting and see just how friendly it is!
The members of Chester Circle thank you for your interest
For more information please contact the Circle Membership Officer:
Kevin Prendergast
01244 681816
roskev@btinternet.com