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!

On Monday evening we visited Seaford Circle, who were fresh from their victory in the Bill Gower Trophy. Many thanks to them for a very enjoyable evening.

Entering the venue

Brother President Edek says farewell to his last £10 note

"I'm only here for the beer" - Brother George Powell

Brothers Denis Cronin (Seaford), Andrew Brzezina and Edek Figura

Bill Gower Night at Bexhill - 6 July

Before the meeting: Laurie Harding, Michael Georgeson, Peter Mullarky

Seaford President Paul Allen accepts the Bill Gower Trophy
 from Bexhill President Albert Dunlop

Bexhill President Albert Dunlop gives a rather precarious speech

Folding the raffle tickets. The raffle raised over £400

Our sole victory of the evening: our Provincial Councillor Gerry Lydon
 wins the President's Special Prize in the raffle

Brother Andrew Brzezina

Brother Laurie Harding

Brother George Powell

St John's Horsham Refurbishment

St John's Horsham is now empty.

We are worshipping in the Church Hall.

The Stations of the Cross are in storage in the Presbytery.

Catenian National Conference

Bro President wearing the
obligatory Conference Hat

Last weekend saw Catenians from around the UK gather for the annual National Conference, this year held in Eastbourne.  Your humble scribe and her husband (Bro President Edek) drove down from Horsham to attend on Saturday, but Bros Mike and Dominic together with Bro Dominic's wife Emily made a weekend of it and lodged in Eastbourne to attend the full Conference.

The Conference proper took place on Saturday morning with further Brothers from Crawley Circle in attendance - Bros Gerry, Peter and George.  I am told that it was a very interesting morning with various new ideas being suggested, including the possibility of a Young Catenians movement.  A slightly less formal structure to the monthly meetings was also mooted, with less time taken up by "business" and more by networking, friendship and support.  The aim underlying it all was to find ways of taking the Catenian Association forwards in our changing modern world - whilst being sure to retain its underlying ethos, dignity and many of the traditions of which Brothers are justifiably proud - and attracting a new influx of Brothers.

Tours to Arundel Castle, Brighton Royal Pavilion and Charleston Farmhouse were arranged for delegates' wives whilst all this was being discussed, although I believe some of the ladies opted for the delights of the local shopping scene instead!

Bro Mike with guest Lorna

Saturday evening saw two social functions taking place, one being a formal banquet at the Grand Hotel hosted by the Grand President with entertainment by comedian Don MacLean.  The other, which we attended, was a Carnival Dinner at the Winter Gardens Floral Hall, hosted by the Grand Vice-President; at this we had the pleasure of dancing to a 16-piece dance orchestra headed up by Chris Smith (lead trombone on Frank Sinatra's European tours).  Bros Edek, Mike and Dominic, together with Emily, Emily's friend Lorna, myself, Dominic's father David and his wife Imelda made up a table; we had a thoroughly good time in true carnival spirit, as I think the photos reveal.  There was some consternation as to whether any food would fit onto a table already laden with party poppers, whistles and those long balloons you are meant to blow up and then let fly around the room (which we did, repeatedly).  Thankfully however the waiters did manage to find enough room to serve an excellent three course dinner!

The Conference was rounded off with Mass in the Congress Theatre on Sunday morning, which I'm quite sure was an inspiring occasion and a fitting conclusion to a weekend of "Faith, Fellowship and Fun at the Friendly Conference".

Emily, Bro Dominic,  David and Imelda

Crawley Circle AGM

Don't look so smug boys - this is nothing on
what Crawley Catenians had to eat last night

Last night saw the annual Crawley Circle AGM take place at St Edward's church in Pound Hill.  I'm sorry I haven't any photos, so those unable to attend will have to imagine the atmosphere of bonhomie in the church hall whilst refreshments were partaken of.  We ladies, of course, had an entire evening of bonhomie, whilst the gentlemen had to take themselves off and do some serious stuff for the first part of the evening.  However Bro Edek assures me that it was very enjoyable serious stuff!

A respectable turnout not only made for a good evening but ensured that plenty of food was brought for the buffet.  There was, in particular, an abundance of every type of quiche one could wish for!  Yum. St Edward's Social Club bar (I wish we had one of those at St John's... Any chance of its being included in the refurbishment plans?!) was open, so everyone was well watered as well as fed.

I particularly hope Bro Steve Thornton had a nice time.  Although he tried to keep it under his hat, it emerged towards the end of the evening that it was in fact his birthday and he was made to stand up whilst we all sang to him.

During the AGM itself, Bro Edek presented the previous year's Vice-Presidential Report.  I thought this would be a good occasion to take one last look back over the Catenian Year 2011-12 and therefore present a summary of it.  Should you wish to read the original, I would just mention that it is three pages long (well it was an action-packed year), but I'm sure Bro Edek would be pleased to let you have a copy!

**********

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bro Mike on his year as President and would like to thank him for his friendship, support and leadership throughout the year.  It has been a privilege to work with him and his will be a very hard act to follow.  Many thanks too to the Social Committee and the various individual Brothers who have organised a year of fantastic events for us, and to all Brothers, their wives and our Circle widows for coming along and supporting them.  I would also, of course, like to welcome Mark Forster as the new Circle Vice-President and wish him every success for the forthcoming year.

The proposed new Crawley Circle
croquet team kit

"The Circle has been very active throughout the year, starting off with the Provincial One-Ball Croquet competition held last April in Southwick.  The Crawley team won the competition - well done to Bro Mike, Bro David Innes and his wife Irene, and guest player Bro John Goulding!

"Not quite as successful in terms of trophies, but equally enjoyable, was the Provincial Darts Competition at Patcham.  Our team of Bros Mike, Phil Gidman, Chris Smith and myself provided a gallant display of arrow-throwing but unfortunately insufficient darts hit the right parts of the board at the right times.  We were consoled however by the discovery that the fish and chip supper included mushy peas!

"The Provincial AGM was also in April and whilst a few Brothers did attend from Crawley, I'm pleased to report that there was a better turnout at the 2012-13 AGM.  Our Circle AGM in May saw a record turnout.

"In June our Croquet team (consisting once more of the multi-talented Bro Mike, this time accompanied by Bros Laurie, Peter M and Gerry) was pipped at the post in Southwick, narrowly missing out to Haywards Heath for the Arthur McKivett Rose Bowl.  This event is proving to be so popular that the Circle has entered two teams this year!

"The annual Mass for Deceased Wives was held in Storrington later in June and, as always, was a very moving occasion.  It was well attended by Crawley Circle.  I would encourage all Brothers to try to attend this.

"Peter Frisby organised the Alternate Benny O'Shea and Foley Niblick golf tournaments which I understand were again a great success.  Peter commended the generosity of Brothers who were unable to attend the Foley Niblick but still made donations.

"President's Sunday took place at the end of June at the Holbrook Club in Horsham.  It was very well attended and the weather was glorious which meant we could enjoy the delicious buffet sitting outside.  The occasion began with Mass said by Fr Terry Martin.

"In July we had the pleasure of another Garden Party hosted by Diane Foley, who kindly welcomed us into her garden.  Despite the damp weather turning the Garden Party into a Conservatory Party, I am assured that the event was hugely enjoyed by all!

"In August the prospect of going to jail become a reality as Bro Laurie organised a trip for lunch at the Clink Restaurant in High Down Prison.  The Clink offers training in a real work environment for prisoners and an opportunity to change people's perception of prisoners and attract potential employers.  This event was such a success that at the end, Bro Gerry remained on the wrong side of the bars!  (He has since been released, with a caution.)

"August saw another big event too - a tour of the Houses of Parliament.  A group of 20 Brothers and wives met in London and were treated to an excellent guided tour by a very entertaining Liverpudlian guide.  The day then continued with lunch at the onsite Westminster Cafe followed by a tour of the Jewel Tower, one of only two buildings from the medieval Palace of Westminster to survive the fire of 1834.  A fascinating outing.

These clergy know how
to enjoy themselves

"In September a group of 30 Brothers, ladies and friends flocked to the Capitol Theatre in Horsham to see Death by Fatal Murder starring Dirty Den from Eastenders and Herr Flick from 'Allo 'Allo.  A number of the group met earlier to enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at the China Brasserie.  All in all a great night out!

"October, as always, brought us Clergy Night: well attended by said clergy, including Frs Richard Biggerstaff and Aaron Spinelli who had only arrived in St John's parish the previous month.  This was the first event at our new venue of Ghyll Manor and despite a few teething problems (such as no Guinness!) the evening was enjoyed by all present, especially the clergy and Sisters.

"Clergy Night was followed swiftly by the Mass for Deceased Brothers in Patcham.  We had a relatively strong turnout but as there is still room for improvement, I would encourage Brothers to make a special effort to come to this Mass in future.

"In November we contested the inaugural Barry Jordan Trophy - a newly-created Tri-Circle competition between Crawley, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.  The format selected this year was Pig Racing.  Brothers and ladies from all three Circles gathered at St Edward's Hall and enjoyed a spectacular night of racing, though some were surprised to discover that the pigs were small and furry and ran on batteries!  (Real ones next year, perhaps.)  A grand total of £500 was raised which was split between the three President's Charities, with Haywards Heath emerging as narrow winners of the trophy.  At the same time the Michael Lydon Trophy was contested between Horsham and East Grinstead, based on the pig racing results.  Unfortunately our betting strategies led to our relinquishing the trophy to East Grinstead!

Elegance is always the order
of the day at Catenian events

"A merrie olde tyme was had by about 70 of us at the Christmas Dinner in Ghyll Manor, where there was much relief to see that the Guinness had now made an appearance.  At the end of the evening, Bro Bernard Smith accompanied a rousing chorus of carols on a keyboard kindly brought along by Bro Mike (who presumably will be doing a stint himself next time round...?!).  The evening was rounded off in true Catenian tradition with an enthusiastic rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

"January saw another moving occasion when the Circle meeting was preceded by the Mass for Deceased Wives of Crawley Circle, said by Fr Terry at St Theodore's in Gossops Green.

"The Provincial Quiz was held in February and there was a healthy turnout for it.  Bro Gerry was Quiz Master for the evening and delivered both questions and answers with suitable aplomb!  Brighton Regency carried away the honours, but one of the Crawley teams came a respectable (and close) third.

"In March we had what is quickly becoming a fixture on the Calendar - an evening meal organised by Bro Laurie.  On this occasion, he chose not to risk Bro Gerry getting embroiled in further trouble and arranged a delicious and convivial meal at the Silver Wok in Horsham.

"We had four after-Circle suppers during the year at which we had the pleasure of the Circle ladies' company.  This year we plan to have two more such suppers, but in addition we will also be holding two further informal social lunch events with the ladies and friends.  Watch this space (and the up-to-date Events Calendar on the blog).

"Many of these events have been reported on in more detail on the blog over the past months.  All in all, an excellent Catenian year packed with the requisite friendship and faith - and more than a little fun!"

An idea to start off your Queen's Jubilee celebrations

The Catenian Association Defends Traditional Marriage

Did you know that the Catenian Association was represented last night in a meeting in central London, called "to discuss how Catholics and others should oppose the Government's proposed same-sex marriage legislation"?  Many organisations, mostly Catholic, were represented at this meeting which was convened and chaired by the Chairman of the Catholic Union, Jamie Bogle (husband of Joanna).

You can read more over at "A Reluctant Sinner", who writes, "Without going into the details of what was discussed, it's fair to say that last night's meeting was extremely fruitful. Those present managed to lay some important foundations for a Catholic campaign to preserve the traditional and natural definition of marriage. Each representative was given the opportunity to share his or her views about the current proposed legislation, and all present were also encouraged to offer ideas as to how the Catholic – and wider – community should go about defending the current definition of marriage."

Have you signed the Coalition for Marriage petition yet?  If not, please do add your own voice in support of traditional marriage and family life, and do so; the petition can be found here.  C4M also has useful guidance for writing to your MP on the issue at the same link.

President's Charity 2012-13

With Bro Edek's term as Crawley Circle President due to commence this week, we thought you might appreciate some information about this year's President's Charity.

We will be supporting Just Different.  This is a charity set up in 2008 by Toby Hewson, a young man suffering from cerebral palsy, to educate children and young people about the world of disability and thus promote positive social attitudes towards disabled people.  Just Different take interactive workshops on disability - written, produced and presented by disabled people - into mainstream schools.  One of Horsham's Catholic primary schools, St John's, recently enjoyed one of their workshops which was very well received.

Toby Hewson, Just Different's founder

Bro Edek and I have found from our experience with our daughter Aila that out of the many challenges facing disabled people, one of the most crippling can be the fear of whether other people will be able to relate to them.  Will those they meet be able to see past the wheelchair to the "ordinary" person within?  How will this affect their working relationships?  How easy will it be to make friends?  Unfortunately their fears are not always unfounded, but this isn't necessarily because people bear ill-will towards them or are prejudiced.  Often it is because of simple misunderstanding which means that others aren't quite sure what to do, say or expect.

By working with young people, Just Different is tackling this problem at grass roots level.  A generation of youngsters growing up today with an understanding and appreciation of disabled people will lead to a truly inclusive society tomorrow.

Just Different offer their workshops free of formal charge, although they ask a suggested donation from the schools they visit.  They are keen to keep things on this basis and avoid charging large fees which many might find unaffordable, thus restricting access to their life-changing message.  However they need financial support - to, in their own words, "pay for the recruitment and training of disabled presenters, the travel costs associated with reaching the schools, workshop equipment and workshop development, so that we can bring about the changes we feel so passionately about."  They are therefore seeking voluntary forms of financial giving to support their costs.

Bro Edek and I also feel passionately about the aims and values of this charity and hope you will too.  To read more about them, visit www.justdifferent.org.

"We see a world in which difference is always valued. The earlier children and young people begin to learn about disability, the more likely they are to just accept it as a normal part of the world they live in for the rest of their lives. JustDifferent workshops demonstrate to children and young people that disabled people can achieve, participate and lead normal lives."

The Just Different team: "We may look or appear different
on the outside, but we are all the same on the inside".