Our 600th meeting in words!

A time to meet friends old and new

Unable to choose which of the two sets of superb photos below to grace with my less than superb prose, in the end I've decided to create an entirely new post for the write-up of Crawley Circle's 600th meeting...

The meeting took place last Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Crawley, preceded by a champagne Reception for the ladies and visitors and followed by a three course dinner and speeches.  I can't of course comment on the meeting itself, but I am given to understand that it went very well.  I can comment on the other two parts of the evening which were thoroughly enjoyable.  It was fantastic to see such a big gathering (over 160 in total, I believe) - the gentlemen looking distinguished, as ever, in their black ties and the ladies all radiant in lovely "posh frocks"!  The fellowship and support that are such a feature of Catenian life were tangible, especially in the presence of so many visitors and guests from other Circles.  Our three course dinner of salad, salmon (it was Friday after all) and lemon torte was both delicious and served with great politesse by the hotel staff.

Even on the golf course
those Catenians look natty

Unfortunately Bishop Kieran Conry was unable to join us due to an overrunning event in Stoke and heavy traffic delays, but it was a pleasure to welcome the Catenian Association Grand President Bro John Mottram and other distinguished Brothers such as the Grand Vice-President, Provincial President, Vice-President and Director, with their lady wives.  Bro Circle President Edek spoke after dinner, mentioning the importance of our Catholic beliefs as the ground of our identity and activities as Catenians and the pillars of faith, family and fellowship around which Catenian life revolves (and getting in a few jokey jibes at lawyers and golf players along the way, taken I am sure in good spirit!  Bro Andrew and Stella, you were spared this time as a joke about bee keeping was written out of the final script... I'm sure it can be revived for a future occasion though).  Bro Edek proposed a toast to the ladies and guests which was replied to by Bro Grand President John Mottram.  Bro Dominic Moorhouse offered "a brief history of Crawley Circle" which was most interesting.  

The end result - no sign of those legs
paddling frantically away

Although the event ran as smoothly as well-oiled clockwork on the night, an awful lot of hard and at times stressful work had gone into the organisation; or to use another simile, it was a classic case of a beautiful swan apparently gliding effortlessly along whilst under the waters its legs were paddling twenty to the dozen!  The swan's legs in this instance were Bro Vice-President Mark Forster, who together with Bro Mike Newman, Bro Roy Martin and MC Bro Gerry Lydon (and I'm sure others too) did the Circle proud.  Thank you, and well done.

Thank you, in fact, to all who attended the evening and to all those who were unable to attend but who are a part of the Catenian Association and particularly of our province and of Crawley Circle.  I know you will all agree with me when I say that last Friday's fantastic celebrations were in essence a reflection of the goodwill, fellowship and community spirit that is "the Catenians".

Your humble scribe is off on pilgrimage to Lourdes tomorrow with Arundel & Brighton Diocese.  I will be sure to remember all Catenians and their families in prayer at the grotto.

More Photos - 600th Celebration

Photos: Sajith Peiris

600th Meeting Celebration 20th July 2012

The Grand President and Grand Vice President with the members of Crawley Circle

Setting up

Brother "Two Pints" Newman

Brother President Edek gets distracted while waiting to lead the top table in

Married bliss

Brother Dominic enthralls his audience with tales of derring-do

The Grand President's Speech

The guests toast the members of Crawley Catenians

Every man needs a good valet

Photos: Mark Forster

Mass for Deceased Wives, Storrington, 15 July 2012

Yesterday saw the annual Provincial Mass for Deceased Catenian Wives take place at the Catholic Parish of Our Lady of England in Storrington.  The parish is served by the Norbertines and the church forms part of the Priory of the Norbertine Community (also known as Premonstratensians or "White Canons"). It is a lovely place as the photos show.  Do visit their website for more information about the Priory and the Norbertines.

Below is the church; above you can see the current priest in charge (who I believe is named Fr John Wisdom O.Proem and is "on loan" from the Norbertine Community at Chelmsford; my sincere apologies to him if I have got his name wrong) leading us in procession up the hill to the outdoor shrine of Our Lady of England at the end of Mass.  The weather was unusually kind for the time of year (!) and the views over the gently rolling countryside beautiful as we gathered in a semicircle around Our Lady's statue to recite an Angelus led by the Provincial President, Bro Joe Fackler.

The Mass was as ever a beautiful and moving celebration of the lives of those who were once known and loved so well and who will be known and loved once more in Heaven.  Having spoken of our happy duty to pray for the deceased and support each other in grief, Fr John in his homily also reminded us, as individuals and as the Catenian Association, of our duty to know our faith and to proclaim it to others in the light of two thousand years of Church tradition.

Afterwards everyone gathered for tea and biscuits in the refectory, cloisters and the enclosed cloister garden.  The lovely surroundings and the sunshine made an excellent setting for an afternoon of convivality, as the photos show; a time to catch up with friends from other Circles and make new ones.

Conspiracy?  Thankfully Bro Philip Gidman has got it
all under control.  Just listen carefully...

Bro Mike is equally struck both by the beauty of Our Lady
in her tranquil garden and the fact that the sun is shining!

Faith and friendship

More conspiracy??!!  Maybe Bro Philip's plans have been rumbled

There's nothing like a good bit of gossip with the girls...

...or the boys!

Saint Who?  Never heard of her

No amount of pretend halos will ever see Saint Anneli of Horsham figure in the canon, I'm afraid, but this was such a moving and meaningful occasion that perhaps we all came away just a little bit better for having attended.  A big "thank you" to the parish and Priory at Storrington and to all who helped organise this poignant but also enjoyable event. I hope that it was a time of comfort for many as well as a way of contributing to the spiritual welfare of the deceased who, as Fr John remarked in his sermon, will surely thank us for our prayers when we meet again and who remain forever a part of the Catenian Association.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

 May they rest in peace.

Amen.

Fun times galore

Let it never be said that Crawley Catenian Circle doesn't know how to enjoy itself.  We're virtually party animals.  To vindicate this statement, I'll draw attention to three recent much-enjoyed events!  (Apologies for the lack of "live" photos - I believe Bro President has some from the Race Night which I'll post up when I can prise them off his 'phone.  Many thanks to Bros Sajith and Mark who have now provided me with some President's Sunday pictures.)

President's Sunday (24 June)

After a Mass graciously and sensitively celebrated by Fr Terry Martin at St Edward's in Pound Hill, we repaired to Iris Jordan's house in Three Bridges for a most marvellous barbecue!  Iris excelled herself as hostess and we were treated to a lavish selection of burgers, sausages, salads and more, with a variety of delicious puds to follow.  Needless to say the wine and beer flowed freely too and Iris' beautiful garden provided the perfect backdrop.  Thank you very much Iris, her family and all helpers.  A very convivial occasion and a heartening start to Bro Edek's year as President.

Thank you Fr Terry for joining us
to celebrate Mass

Bro President Edek reads

Bro Mark circulates with the raffle
tickets, extorting gently persuading
everyone to dip into their pockets

You'll always find Bro Mike
in the kitchen at parties
(selflessly serving the rest of us)

The perfect setting -
Iris' gorgeous garden

Don't know what Margaret's saying, but
she sure knows how to hold her audience

Should've gone to Specsavers?

A good crowd has gathered to enjoy Iris'
hospitality (oh look, Bro Mark's still
at it with his raffle tickets)

Never let it be said that Catenians aren't
patriotic!

And finally... Bro Mark is forced to cough
up a return for all that raffle money.  Iris
helps him distribute the prizes

Thank you to all who worked hard to
give us such a lovely afternoon

 
St Wilfrid's Race Night (15 June)

Great fun!  A substantial table of Catenians (substantial in number, I mean!!) supported this event which Crawley Circle had helped to sponsor.  Bets were placed freely and whilst Bro Edek and myself managed to end the evening well down on our luck and money, I'm happy to say that this was not the case with everyone.  Doreen Newell in particular had a shrewd eye for a winner and I'd have done much better just to copy all her bets! What with all the excitement we worked up quite an appetite and a fish and chip supper was much appreciated.  Well done Sarah Gildea and St Wilfrid's for a good night out, which I believe raised about £800 for the school (please correct me if I'm wrong, Bro Mark).

Ladies' lunch at Ifield Golf Club (11 July)
The Catenian Association isn't just about the gentlemen but very much includes their wives and families in its embrace.  The Ladies' lunch was an excellent example of this.  I am very grateful to Margaret Georgeson and Ann Mullarkey for picking up what should really have been my responsibility and organising a lovely lunch outing for the ladies and guests.  The food and setting were both very agreeable and a good time was had by all.  I would also like to register an official and very big "thank you" for the proceeds of the Raffle (£104.80) which were kindly donated to Aila's Fund.  (As the icing on our family's cake, I also won a bottle of vodka in the aforementioned raffle!  A rare event as I'm usually about as lucky in raffles as I am at horse racing bets.)

I believe that ladies' events are a really important dimension of Circle activities and think it would be fantastic if we could put some more in the diary over the next months - I am hoping to be in a position to be involved with their organisation once the autumn term is underway.

And it doesn't stop there...

A glance at the Calendar page on the blogsite will show how active our Circle is.  Coming up on 20 July, of course, is our 600th Meeting, which I'm quite sure will be a night to remember.  Party on, Crawley Circle!