Happy New Year from Bro President!

Our current Circle President, Bro Edek, would like to wish his Catenian brothers, their families and our Circle widows all the best for 2013.

'A couple of days late, for which I apologise, but I’d like to wish all members of Crawley Circle and any other Catenians reading this – in fact, all our readers! – a very Happy New Year.  Anneli and I sincerely pray that God will bless you and yours richly in 2013.

'As I write, today - 3rd January - is the Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus, that name in which lies the hope, and the only hope, of the salvation of humankind.  It is the name under whose banner the Catenian Association goes forth to witness to our Catholic values in the world, particularly those of our motto – “Strengthening family life through friendship and faith”.  You don’t need me to enumerate here the multitude of ways in which family life is under attack these days, and even friendship can often be founded on quite a superficial basis.  In fact human relationships in general suffer from the onslaught of the individualistic “me” mentality that is so prevalent these days, when it’s all about “self-fulfilment” and “what’s right for me” because (as a major cosmetic company frequently reminds us in order to sell its products) “I’m worth it”.

'The harsh truth, of course, is that in and of our sinful selves we aren’t worth it – or more accurately, we are only worth it insofar as we are God’s beloved children, created and redeemed by Him.  That’s why the “faith” component of our motto is so important; in fact, it’s what gives meaning and orientation to “family life” and “friendship”.  Only through faith in Christ are we truly given the strength to resist the many pressures towards selfishness that society brings to bear on us.  By keeping the Holy Name of Jesus before our eyes we are reorientated outwards, towards God and others, and set free from the prison of self.

'It really helps to have like-minded companions supporting us in our endeavours to live a good Catholic life.  As I mentioned earlier, as the Catenian Association we go forth under the banner of the Holy Name of Jesus.  It’s just that – a banner, not a flag, and as such is not designed to be carried alone!  As we sally forth into 2013, let’s give thanks to God for the Catenian Association and in particular for our own Province and Circle and let’s pray for each other.

'I leave you with a poem that many of you may know (famously quoted by King George VI as part of his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire) but which I think can’t be beaten as an expression of trust in God for the year ahead.'

 
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.  
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

 
 
So heart be still: 
What need our little life 
Our human life to know, 
If God hath comprehension? 
In all the dizzy strife 
Of things both high and low, 
God hideth His intention.