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".

A job well done

Good job,boys!

I'm sure everyone is dying to know how they did, so... I'm pleased to report that Bro President Mike and Bro Vice-President Edek did sterling work with the coffee and bacon this morning at our "cobs, cakes and cards" breakfast sale at St John's! 

Thank you very much, Brothers, for your hard work; particularly to Bro Mike for giving up a long, sunny Sunday morning to help us.  It is very much appreciated.  Thank you too to everyone who supported the event.  Nearly £300 was raised for Aila's Fund.

Let the Presidents take your order

Bro Mike has put in long years of
parish service in this capacity

This coming Sunday morning (22 April), why not save your appetite for a delicious bacon and egg breakfast at St John's RC Church, Horsham?  We will be serving bacon (and/or egg) rolls and coffee in the church hall after 9am Mass.  There will also be a cake sale and handcrafted greetings cards to purchase.  All proceeds will be going to "Aila's Fund".

Bro Edek's bacon is cooked...
don't worry, it tastes second to none

The catering will be headed up by Bro President Mike as Coffee Maker In Chief (thank you, Bro Mike) and Bro Vice-President Edek as Head Bacon Chef.  Both men have many years of experience and expertise in their roles, so if you're around, please do come along and let them serve you up a tasty treat!

Happy Easter!

A little early, but in anticipation of tonight's Easter Vigil & First Mass of the Resurrection, may I take this opportunity to wish all Catenians (and indeed all readers of this blog) a Very Happy Easter!

The BBC News website carries a report today that Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, will in his Easter Sunday sermon urge his flock to "wear proudly a symbol of the Cross of Christ" each day of their lives.  This, of course, comes in the wake of controversy over whether Christians should be permitted to wear a cross in the workplace, with two British Airways employees taking the issue to the European Court of Human Rights.

The comments in the combox are mixed but, predictably, some are positively hostile towards Christianity.  Some writers feel that by wearing a cross or crucifix, we are trying to show that we think we're somehow "better" than everyone else and that we are going to get to heaven whilst the masses are not; others rebuke Christians for being preoccupied about their right to wear a symbol whilst not behaving in a way that demonstrates love and compassion to others; some have a very basic misunderstanding of the foundational truths of our faith. 

I don't often wear a crucifix but this is for reasons of vanity (another necklace matches my outfit better!) or forgetfulness/laziness in the morning.  I think it's a good thing to do, but it does pose a challenge to us, i.e. that we conform our lives to the symbol we are wearing...  Well, I suggested a challenge to us all after the Incoming Presidents' evening in Worthing and another at the beginning of Holy Week, so why not a third challenge for Easter!  Let's wear a cross with pride, but above all let's make sure that in everything we do and say, our lives are a real witness of our belief in the Risen Christ and of the love and grace He makes available to all people - and that we know sufficient about the teachings of our faith to be able to enlighten others (the Catholic faith is actually very reasonable). 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)

All readers will be glad to reflect that Mark and Lucy are expected back from Australia soon. I'm sure that your blog editor will then keep a stern eye on me so that I don't have a chance to think up any more "Catenian challenges"....!

Happy Easter, again. Surrexit Christus, alleluia!

A Catenian "challenge" for Holy Week!

As we enter Holy Week, here is the Editorial of today's pro-life newsletter in St John's parish, Horsham.  I reproduce it here as a meditation because I think com-passion (i.e. "suffering with") is something that Catenians do, and should do, very well.  It can be seen for example in their concern for the widows of their Circles and in their fundraising efforts.  As such, Catenians are doing their bit towards building a worldview that sees the answer to suffering as the effort to walk with those who are treading their own Way of the Cross and, by bearing their burdens with them in lots of big and little ways, make them feel life is still worth living even in the midst of pain and incapacity.

"The Catenians.  Strengthening [all] life through friendship and faith."  We're doing well I think, but we can always do more!

* * * * * * * *

Holy Week... Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final days of His life, when, for our sakes, He will voluntarily shoulder a Cross as heavy as all the sins that ever were and ever will be committed, and will submit to suffering unto death.  Foolishness indeed to the world in general, as St Paul points out in 1 Corinthians, but to Christians “the power of God” – a pathway to blessings beyond imagination.

It is no different today.  Our society sees suffering as the evil to be avoided.  Death itself is preferable to it.  Not death arrived at through a process of seeing suffering through to the bitter end as Jesus did, but as an alternative, swallowed down quickly as a pill or potion or administered by lethal injection.  What happiness can there be when suffering makes its appearance on the scene?  What meaning and value can we find to our lives if they contain pain or severe physical limitations?

Seen through this perspective, euthanasia (or the abortion of a disabled foetus) becomes the compassionate – the only compassionate – option to offer the severely incapacitated.  The Catholic viewpoint, that we have no right to take our own or anyone else’s life whatever the circumstances, is seen as meaningless if not downright cruel.  Try to talk about the positive value of suffering and you are likely to be rhetorically stoned for, firstly, condemning someone to bear their pain no matter what and then for adding insult to injury by telling them suffering is good for their soul...

In fact this is the great message of Easter; that we will all find crosses, great or small, in our lives but that through faith in Christ those crosses – the things we most fear in life like pain, illness, paralysis - can be transformed into blessings.  What then is left to for us to be afraid of?  Encouraging someone to “hang on in there” is neither cruel nor pious nonsense because God “will not let you be put to the test beyond your strength but with any trial will also provide a way out by enabling you to put up with it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Where suffering abounds, grace abounds all the more, to slightly adapt the words of St Paul.

This isn’t an easy concept, especially as you probably have to walk some dark roads yourself before you can testify to the hidden light to be found there.  Such witnesses can be found.  Alison Davies is a sufferer from spina bifida who herself passed through a stage of wanting to die; now she works to promote a positive view of disability through No Less Human, a branch of SPUC.  Chelsea Zimmerman was paralysed from the chest down in a car accident whilst still a teenager; she is passionately pro-life and writes an inspirational blog, Reflections of a Paralytic.  Alison and Chelsea are witnesses to the light, people who have made – and are making – a difficult journey and learning along the way to value life all the more.  There are others like them, finding blessings and meaning blossoming like those hardy wild flowers one sees obstinately thriving between the rails of train lines or on rock faces.

Every flower must receive water and nourishment from somewhere, however.  As we meditate on what Holy Week can tell us about suffering and grace, can we also respond to the challenge it gives us?  Like Simon of Cyrene, Veronica and the women of Jerusalem, do we have hearts big enough to help shoulder the crosses of those who suffer so terribly -  showing them what comfort we can, weeping with them when the pain feels too much and, well, just loving them?  True compassion will always try to offer a reason to live, not a way to die.

*Perhaps it should be mentioned that this editorial is discussing unavoidable suffering.  Of course it is our duty to alleviate suffering and seek a cure wherever possible; but not at the price of deliberately taking a life.

Hail to all, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation

This being the blogsite of an organisation dedicated (as I love to repeat) to "strengthening family life through friendship and faith", we cannot let the Solemnity of the Annunciation go by without a mention!  This day marks the beginning of the Incarnation and of our final, definitive salvation - and that salvation takes place within the context of a family, the Holy Family.  What clearer indication do we need of God's will, not only that the family (based on the marriage of a man and a woman) should be the foundation of our society and of our growth as individual Christians, but that "family" is the context in which we should see the Church and all Christian organisations?

So - to my brothers and sisters in Christ, a very Happy Feast Day!

View from the Verandah

View from the verandah

While Anneli holds the fort so well, your Editor is busy doing nothing in the Queensland outback - the little town of Springsure to be exact - waiting for his daughter to produce his second grandchild.

The first thing that happened here after we arrived was a race meeting organized by the local Catholic church for the whole community - yes, real horses, not battery powered ones! Everyone in the area attended and they were all dressed up to the nines - the women as for a wedding, the men in smart Akubra hats.

I think it must be the friendliest place on earth. Everyone knows my daughter, who is the local physio, and I can't go anywhere without getting into conversation with someone.

The cliff at the right of the hills in the distance is called The Virgin's Rock, because there is a rock formation which looks exactly like the Madonna and child. As you'll have gathered the Catholic presence is strong here.

Thinking of you all!

Kind hospitality from Worthing & Chanctonbury Circle

Three members of Crawley Circle and two ladies enjoyed a night out at the Windsor Hotel in Worthing yesterday, courtesy of Worthing & Chanctonbury Circle.  Bro Mike Newman, Bro Peter Mullarky, Anne Mullarky and Bro Edek and myself were treated to generous hospitality and had a very pleasant evening indeed.  We were delighted that Bro Philip Gidman, a member of course of Crawley Circle as well as of Worthing & Chanctonbury, and Mrs Arleen Gidman were also present.

Each year Worthing & Chanctonbury Circle hosts a "Ladies' Night" meeting and dinner to which all the incoming Presidents of the Province are invited.  It's an excellent way for those about to take on the office to swap notes, receive advice and generally be bolstered up!  As outgoing Worthing & Chanctonbury President Bro Neville de Moraes pointed out in his Welcome to visiting brothers and guests, it's also a nice opportunity for incoming Presidents' wives to get to know a few faces and names from other Circles.

One of those poised to take up his Presidency was Bro Joe Fackler of Seaford Circle, who will be stepping up to the plate as Provincial President.  I don't know if he's at all daunted at the prospect but he seemed very relaxed as he responded to Bro Neville on behalf of visiting brothers and guests; he'll evidently be taking the upcoming year in his stride!

The only slightly negative note sounded during a fabulous evening came when Past President Bro Philip Gidman stood up to present the New Members' Cup for the past year (won by Hastings with three new members).  Crawley Circle had come joint second with Arundel, both achieving two new members.  Bro Philip drew a contrast between these figures and those achieved in neighbouring Provinces such as West London.  Figures in the north of the country tended to be higher generally than in the south-east and demonstrated that the Catenian Association is not - as it can sometimes be tempting to think in this part of the country - on the decline, but still very much a relevant and attractive organisation for modern men and their families.  It was time, Bro Philip suggested, to think seriously about how we can "up the ante" in our Province during the year ahead and get some fresh faces on board.

There's a challenge, not only for our new Presidents but for all Catenians and - as Bro Neville pointed out - their ladies too!  I'm sure it's one we can rise to.  Let's see how many more people we can introduce to the sort of friendly, generous and thoroughly Catholic fellowship that the five of us enjoyed last night.  Thank you very much Worthing & Chanctonbury.

Aila's Fund - little ways to help that make a big difference

As I have mentioned before, your VP (now soon to be President - gulp!) has a 16 year old daughter suffering from a disabling neurological condition, meaning that major house adaptations have to be made consisting of an extension to provide her with a downstairs bedroom and bathroom/WC.  Edek and I are looking at needing to raise £16,000+ towards this and have already been shown much kindness, generosity and support which is hugely appreciated.

There are a couple of ways in which anyone who would like to help can do so - small things but they are of enormous help.  Firstly, we have launched a "Buy A Brick" scheme.  For £5 you can buy one brick, for £12 three, for £20 five and then multiples thereof.  A very concrete way to be a part of Aila's future!

Secondly, we have silicone wristbands which are available for £1 each (plus 58p postage for up to five bands).  They come in red, blue, pink, teal and purple and in two sizes (the smaller size being most suitable for children and young teenagers).  Charity wristbands such as these are very popular and widely worn so do consider perhaps getting one or two for the cool young members of your family (or for the cool more mature ones come to that)!

Bricks and bracelets can both be purchased over at http://stjohnsprolife.blogspot.co.uk/p/ailas-fund.html where there is a "donate" button, or give me a ring on 01403 241859.

On Aila's behalf, thank you so very much.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy feast day to all Catenians of Irish descent - I'm sure you'll be celebrating tonight as only the Irish know how!  Particularly remembering Louise and Roy Martin who, as talented musicians, are hosting a St Patrick's Night evening of music and song in St John's Church hall in Horsham.  All proceeds will go to AVOCA, a charity which helps South Americans improve the quality of their lives through social and environmental projects.  I'm sure Crawley is going to see its share of festivities too!

St Patrick, pray for us.

Protecting marriage

Sometimes we become aware that just by being Catenians (or Catenian wives!), members of an organisation dedicated to "strengthening family life by friendship and faith", we are witnessing to certain values.  This witness is badly needed just now with many fiercely-fought attacks being waged against Christianity.  The hot topic of the moment, of course, is our Prime Minister's stated support for the legalisation of gay "marriage".  Those speaking out in public to defend the traditional definition of marriage have been subjected to all sorts of vitriol and even death threats.

Why is it so important to defend marriage as "the voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others for life” (Hyde v Hyde 1866)?  The arguments of our Catholic faith are well known to us: the procreative and unitive aspects of sexual intercourse cannot be artifically separated; sex is meant as a sacramental sign confined to marriage, because marriage was instituted both for companionship and intimacy and for procreation; all sexual activity outside of marriage is not according to the plan of God, and because homosexual acts can never be fruitful they must always lie outside the provenance of marriage and therefore are not licit.

In all sensitivity, we must acknowledge that we are asking homosexual people to make a huge sacrifice... but it is one that will help ground them in the reality of human nature and thus bring greater blessings.

That's all very well if you are Christian, but if not, then the arguments above can be dismissed as "simply theological".  Other, that is, than the one claiming that homosexual and heterosexual partnerships are essentially different and only the latter can be described as marriage.  Marriage, as a procreative and socially recognised union between male and female, is not only a common denominator in all cultures throughout all ages but actually preceded those cultures.  With its stable commitment, its ability to produce children and the familial networks it gave rise to, it preceded any form of "society" and formed the basic building-block for it.

A union of two persons of the same sex cannot do this.  If we try to force a false definition upon same-sex partnerships and call them "marriage", we have replaced an essential foundation stone of our societies - or to look at it another way, an essential glue that holds our societies together as cohesive structures - with a beast of a very different nature.  The only way for children to arise from such a partnership will be through some form of assisted reproduction like IVF or artificial insemination.  This will often lead to children not even knowing who their genetic parents are and will break down the whole structure of the extended family.  The family is already under threat, and we can see the results of its breakdown by just looking around us.

This isn't to say the state of being gay is in itself a sin, or that loving someone is a sin, or that gay people would make awful parents, none of which are true.  Neither is it a question of wanting to callously deny a certain group of people the right to love and intimacy because of some sort of "yuck" factor.  It's saying that homosexual sex can never equate to heterosexual sex and therefore we are dealing with two different partnerships, one of which can be described as marriage and one of which never can. In attempting to place them on equal footing by a false redefinition of marriage, we are denying a natural, fundamental human reality and jeopardising the future health of our societies.  Marriage is never a private matter between two individuals; it is an essentially public bond with wide social ramifications and we do well to remember that.

Just by faithfully living as Catholics, by being Catenians, we do much to witness to the importance of marriage and family life.  To take things one step further, check out the rationally-argued blog posts here and here, and please consider signing an online petition that has been launched by the Coalition for Marriage (just click the picture above).

Proud Parent

Danusia Brzezina

Brother Andrew Brzezina was a particularly proud parent last year after his daughter Danusia was in the news as the lawyer for a young Nigerian girl who had been trafficked and used as a slave for her "family".

Read the full story in the Evening Standard and The Law Society Gazette.

Ladies Night Video

To add to Anneli's report on the Ladies Night here is a short video of the event: