CATENA No.1092 - OCTOBER 2020 The Magazine of the Catenian Association - £2

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2 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Head Office Contact The Catenian Association 2nd Floor 1 Park House Station Square Coventry CV1 2FL Tel: 02476 224533 Fax: 02476 224544 [email protected]

Magazine Contact James Power Editor Beck House 77a King Street, Knutsford Cheshire WA16 6DX Mob: 07590 851 183 24 [email protected] [email protected]

05 16 Notes for Contributors National Secretary Helping Local Clinic Families in Need Contributions for publication are to be sent directly to the Editor by email: [email protected] 07 17 All distribution queries to Head Office, A Charming Knight Leicester and LAMP Coventry. Please contact the Editor if you have any questions about an article you 08 18-20 have sent in. The deadline for the next edition is the Youth Matters The Final Word first of the month prior to publication. When sending photographs via email please ensure that they are saved at 09 21 300dpi and as maximum quality JPEGs. 100 Years of Letters Please notify changes of address and Stella Maris Brothers’ deaths through Circle Secretary to Head Office, Coventry. 22 Magazine published by Catenian 10-11 Classfied Publications Ltd. Would Jesus Have Joined the Catenians? 23 Help the Hands Up For Environment 11 Bilbo Baggins Your magazine wrapper is easy Seeking to recycle so please consider Employment the environment. 24-25 Do you know, Catena’s printers Catena: Bringing are winners of the Environmental 12-13 People Together Company of the Year Award. News Roundup They use sustainably sourced paper and vegetable-based inks. 26-43 14-15 Around the Circles Membership Eligibility 44-51 In Memoriam

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 3 Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) is an agency of the Catholic Church. Despite the immense challenges posed by Covid-19, Stella Maris remains as active as possible, here in the UK and overseas. Please visit our website, Facebook site and other social media feeds to stay up to date with our activities. Also, we would urge you to look at our Centenary website: https://centenary.stellamaris.org.uk/ When your Circle is able to meet again, if you would like a speaker from Stella Maris, please contact us. If you are able to support us, through prayer or fi nancially, we would be most grateful. For donations or any offers of help please contact: In England and Wales [email protected] In Scotland [email protected]

Registered charity in England and Wales number 1069833. Registered charity in Scotland number SC043085. Registered company number 3320318.

4 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 FEATURE NATIONAL SECRETARY CLINIC David Lloyd invites Catenians to air their views to him directly

I am aware that other Brothers have felt in the past that their answers could save the Association. It stands to reason that they are not all necessarily right. It is equally the case that many of the ideas expressed are likely to be perfectly good ones. Perhaps good ideas have been put forward in the past and have been voted down by the membership – just because they came from Grand (National) Council. That is the reality of democracy I suppose. What does concern me is hearing of negative comments by Brothers on social media; what impression does this give to prospective visiting gentlemen? Since I took office in May, I have worked to try and improve communication between National Council and the members. I sought approval to launch Insights and intend to steadily grow this into a more effective tool. I believe in positive action. Starting from October, I propose to commence a monthly clinic and I invite Brothers to email me and book an appointment for a one-to-one meeting with me by Zoom. This will present every Brother with the opportunity to be heard. I cannot guarantee to solve every problem, but I I joined the Catenian Association in 1991. At one do promise to listen. I want Brothers to know that they can ask questions, make suggestions and offer criticism of my first meetings as a new Brother, my Circle directly to me, rather than on social media. mentor advised me that we had to hold a vote If there is sufficient demand I may make this a on a proposal from Grand Council. fortnightly event. He went on to advise me that it was customary to vote In the future I hope to be able to offer follow-up sessions against any such proposal. When I asked him: “What if it where I could facilitate the debate of a common theme is a good idea?” he replied, “It won’t be – it’s from Grand between Brothers and the relevant GBNC Council.” work group chairs. Although this tale sounds ridiculous, there does still seem I look forward to hearing from you, Brothers! to be an environment where whatever National Council tries to do, it is never good enough for some. We all love National Secretary Clinic the Association and the way in which sharing our faith in friendship strengthens it. We believe in taking care of our First Saturday of the month, starting 3 October, widows and of each other and we cherish the friendships 9.30am-12.30pm that being Catenians has enabled us to make. I want this Email [email protected] to continue and for more Catholic lay men to have the for an individual appointment (20 mins). same opportunity to experience these simple pleasures. Reading the articles in last month’s Catena, I was struck by a sense of frustration. It is never easy when a person is convinced they have all the answers but nobody wants to listen.

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Catenians Editorial Full-page_September 2020.indd 1 10/08/2020 12:10 FEATURE A CHARMING KNIGHT A tribute to the former editor of Catena, Leo Thomas Simmonds KCSG

Leo was born on 2 November 1930 and He served a term as president of the Radcliffe Old would have been 90 years of age this year. Boys Association, was a eucharistic minister at his local parish church, and for many years, an active member After schooling at Radcliffe College, he attended London of the Catholic Union. University before doing his national service in the His Roman Catholic faith was always important to him. Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, where he was He became a knight commander of the Holy Sepulchre commissioned as an officer. After the army, Leo joined the of Jerusalem, supporting impoverished Christians in the Sunday Express newspaper, where he became general Holy Land. He was made a knight commander of the manager before, in due course, joining the board of the Order of St Gregory the Great by the late Saint John Paul Evening Standard as a director, where he remained II in recognition of his many years’ service to the Catholic until his retirement. Church and to Catholic associations. When Leo relocated to London, he joined the Challoner Leo had five children: Veronica, Nicholas and Christopher Club, a Roman Catholic establishment in Knightsbridge, by his first wife, Barbara Simmonds, and Leonora and where some years later he was appointed to the board Patrick by his second wife, Mary Clare Simmonds. of management, which he served for many years. Sadly, Nicholas predeceased his father. Leo’s late father was a Catenian. Under the influence Leo was a staunch friend, an erudite after-dinner speaker, of his father and his close friend, Jack Sowerby, also a and a most agreeable companion. He was always good member of the Challoner Club and a City of Westminster company and loved his family and friends. From time to Circle Catenian, he was initiated as a member of that time, he enjoyed entertaining at the Garrick Club in Covent Circle when the late Sir Alan Davies, a former lord mayor Garden, of which he was a valued member for many years. of the City of London, was president. In a period of over 55 years of membership, Leo served as president of City Sadly, Leo contracted coronavirus, which caused his of Westminster Circle on two separate occasions. In due demise. Because of the pandemic, a restricted congregation course he followed the late Bernard Kirchner as editor attended his funeral service, held at his parish church of of Catena magazine, a post he held for some 27 years. Our Lady Queen of Peace, Sheen Road, Richmond. He is He was the main motivator of the Catenian Bursary Fund, very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time. In due of which he subsequently became chairman. He also course, it is hoped to hold a memorial Mass as a fitting served on his Circle’s Benevolent Board. tribute to this charming knight and delightful human being, who was greatly loved by his many friends. We pray for Leo became a parish and then a borough councillor in Leo and the members of his family that with God’s grace, Wandsworth and fought an unsuccessful election as a we shall all meet merrily again in heaven one day and how Conservative candidate for the Wandsworth constituency. exciting that will be. May he rest in peace OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 7 FEATURE YOUTH MATTERS Peter Harrington, Stourbridge Circle, asks how we can stem the rise of non-believers

A youth club weekend away in Malvern, which produced many happy liaisons, a priest and a son-in-law!

Or should it be: youth really matters? As our As a group, Catenians are providing excellent support children and grandchildren go back to school through the Bursary Fund, with financial donations to students who give their time to missionary activity. after lockdown, our thoughts and prayers go The challenges and rewards for school success stories out to the amazing schools, teachers and staff. and the brilliant public speaking competitions are excellent ways in which we help. These projects help hundreds of Some of us are teachers, have been teachers and are young Catholics who generally are encouraged by their governors of schools. There is a mighty challenge here Catholic parents, but there are millions of young people not just for these heroes, but for us Brothers, going forward who are not being reached. with ideas and means to support them. Let us hope that the Catenians can inspire and help with the mission of Sadly, according to recent statistics, 50% of year 11 education and a love for our Christian faith. students in Catholic schools are declaring themselves non-believers. There are very few Catholic parish youth Looking back on my previous article about youth, and clubs and sodalities (guides, scouts, music groups, sports how it was so easy to find the love in our parishes, let teams) which foster the faith in friendships and helping us ask: “How do we stem the flow of non-belief?” This others. We know the well-worn phrase that “people are too is a worldwide situation, as we all know. The challenge busy these days”. It truly is not the reason. We have raised of science and media raises questions in our minds, families and shared activities with our children, which is so and provides persuasive information to our young people. rewarding and healthy for us. I call it the lost secret As individuals, how can we make a difference? A lot of of socialising. what we can do depends on the strength of our faith, and our willingness to try something. Can we break the mould and start a fresh pattern? You have heard it before Brothers: “I have a dream.”

8 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 FEATURE 100 YEARS OF STELLA MARIS The Catholic seafarers’ charity celebrates its centenary

Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) was The Vatican has produced a set of special stamps founded in Glasgow in 1920 and is preparing to to mark this historic milestone. celebrate the 100th anniversary of its foundation. Many Catenians volunteer for the charity: one is Glasgow artist, Brendan Berry, whose painting The Spring was As the pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church for part of the Lentfest exhibition through the Archdiocese seafarers, it now operates in 55 countries throughout of Glasgow Arts Project. The theme for the exhibition the world, supporting more than a million seafarers, was The Sea, to reflect the Stella Maris centenary. fishers and their families every year. Brendan painted The Spring as a visual metaphor of From humble beginnings on 4 October 100 years ago, what Stella Maris means to seafarers. The scene depicts the charity has built up a global network of ship-visiting a pool with a spring of fresh water, and a person reaching on a scale quite unlike any other maritime organisation. into the pool to slake their thirst, scooping water using For those experiencing the precarious nature of working a scallop shell. at sea, Stella Maris offers spiritual and practical assistance, An eagerly-awaited Catenian fundraising event ranging from hospital visits and dealing with abandoned for the charity will take place on the evening of crews to helping resolve contract issues. Friday 9 October, when Mr Brian Wilson CBE will host a Every year, there are more than 1000 Stella Maris Zoom talk for Province 22 (Scotland). Mr Wilson, a former chaplains and volunteers in 316 ports around the world, politician, is a director of Celtic FC and chairman of Harris visiting over 70,000 ships. Tweed Hebrides. Their support is invaluable. Many seafarers spend nine All donations will go towards supporting the important work months or more away from home, finding themselves cut of Stella Maris. It is hoped that many members and guests off from loved ones and families, so they greatly appreciate will join, with other Circles most welcome to participate. this ‘home away from home’. If you would like to join Brian Wilson’s Zoom talk, To mark the beginning of the charity’s centenary year, or purchase a print of Brendan’s painting, please there will be a Mass in St Mungo’s Church in Glasgow contact Euan McArthur, Scotland development officer at 3pm on Sunday 4 October, which will be livestreamed. for Stella Maris, on 07720 093155 or Catenians are warmly invited to participate in this [email protected] special Mass. For details on how to do so, please Martin Foley, national director of Stella Maris UK, see apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/ comments: “The Catenians have been fantastic supporters or facebook.com/StellaMarisorg/ nearer the time. of Stella Maris over the years, for which we are enormously grateful. I would like to invite all Catenians to join us in celebrating 100 years of Stella Maris and to continue their support so that we can continue to serve seafarers, fishers and their families.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 9 FEATURE WOULD JESUS HAVE JOINED THE CATENIANS? Michael Stothart wonders whether Jesus would join the Catenians if He were on Earth today

Why did I rejoin in 1999? I was asked to join and thought I would give it a go. Also, I had just retired and was trying to fill the gap in the span of relationships that I had always taken for granted. Leaving work ends this and creates a need which requires new ways of meeting it. The surprising thing when I came along to my first meetings was that it was precisely what I had despised about Catenianism in 1969 that I found most appealing about it 30 years later. It was not that the Association had changed, but that I had. The charming prejudices and silly rituals have survived more or less intact. Meetings still tend to be about meetings. But, as you know, none of this is of the least importance. What matters is friendship, companionship, fellowship, brotherhood, being there for other people, other people being there Taken at face value, the idea is ludicrous for you. because of matters of appearance and dress: When we are asked why we are Catenians, we are Jesus would stand out a bit. Apart from that, perhaps tempted to fall back on saying we pray together He spent his time with the lost, outcasts, (we do), pray for each other, living and dead (we do), that we support charities (we do). But the main thing about sinners – wait a minute, there may be some the Catenians is that it promotes friendship. We live in mileage in this after all. a world that hasn’t much time for friendship. We live in fragmented communities with little opportunity for doing I propose to look at the matter seriously, because it may what a community should do: share its gifts. The gift we throw some light on how we regard membership of the share is ourselves. I have come to realise more and more Catenians, as well as how we look on Jesus Himself. how important this is. Maybe the Church, which has a rich Catenians theology about love, could do a little more work on the I joined Aylesbury Circle in 1999, and was a Catenian as theology of friendship. far back as 1965 when I enrolled in Darlington Circle. How do we see Jesus in this context? Had I stayed a member, I would now be a grand old man • Jesus had a genius for friendship: “I call you friends.” with a 50-year badge. However, I was dissatisfied and left How many other rabbis or people in the Old the Association when my work brought me to Hemel Testament or the New Testament name three of their Hempstead in 1969 and I found no Circle there. friends, let alone 12 or 20? Why was I dissatisfied? Because the Circle appeared • There is good Gospel precedent for people sitting to me not to do anything. Debates about the charitable down sharing a meal together. The Last Supper was purposes of the Catenians were scotched at birth; a genuine party, sharing friendship against all the odds. meetings seemed to be about nothing, with an agenda which was not an agenda at all. We did far less than the • It was no accident that the Lord chose the eucharist Lions or Rotary, which seemed to live out a vision of as the centre of our unity. Maybe it is a pity that it helping others less fortunate. OK, we met some nice has become so formalised over the centuries. people, but I already knew many nice people through • Jesus went to weddings and helped out when my work. Anyway, I was busy and had two small children, the bride’s father goofed over the drinks. and other claims upon my time, energy and resources.

10 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 • Heaven, about we know nothing, was compared All I am suggesting, is that relationships, friendships, frequently to a feast, not so much I guess for the food looking out for those around us as well as in the third as for the good company. world, are much closer to the heart of the purpose of our lives and the centre of the Christian Gospel than • Jesus was roundly criticised by his opponents because I would have imagined 30 years ago. He and His friends seemed to be enjoying themselves. We read in Luke that He was compared unfavourably Two final reflections with the disciples of John the Baptist, who fasted and • We say grace together because Jesus told us that were pretty earnest and terrible (like one of my former whenever we are gathered together in His name, parish priests, who would have eaten locusts and wild He is with us. In a real sense, He joins the Catenians honey if he’d been able to find any). I can’t imagine John every time we have a meeting. the Baptist wanting to join the Catenians: too much the • Finally, Jesus was never a passive member of anything. rugged puritan. Jesus’ disciples had huge demands If He were a Catenian today, He would be sure to offer made on them, but they knew how to have fun. insights that would transform the Association. I wonder Don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking asceticism. For what they might be. those who choose it, it too meets needs and provides satisfactions. I’m not suggesting that the only Catholic society of any worth is the Catenians. There’s a place for the St Vincent de Paul and CAFOD and all organisations that directly help those in need (as we do ourselves).

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

Daughter of Catenian (22) Good joint honours degree Son of Catenian (23) recently graduated with degree in in maths and art history. Birmingham based. Interested Accounting and Finance (2:1). Interesting CV. Based in Surrey, in graduate schemes in either accountancy or quantity but open to relocation. Seeks suitable employment as trainee surveying nationwide. Also interested in work experience investment analyst or similar position. S/0920/19 in either accountancy or quantity surveying West Midlands Son of Catenian (43) A versatile and solution-focused sales area D/1020/06 manager / senior account manager with 20 years’ experience Catenian (51) certified PRINCE2 project manager. and an adept facility for heading complex operations, leading Non-practising solicitor. Former tax senior manager with teams, generating sales revenue, and achieving sustained KPMG and Deloitte working on incentive schemes, UK and success. Open to UK location. S/0920/08 multinational. Subsequently consultant advising high-profile campaigns on strategy and governance. Based in West Midlands but willing to relocate. B/0420/06 The Catenian Association Group on LinkedIn, the business-oriented Catenian (49) Doctoral researcher with MSc Information social networking site, exists Systems, Qualified ITIL instructor foundation and intermediate to assist Brothers and family / PRINCE2 Instructor / service management / Networking / members in need of careers Satellite / desktop support / operations management. Seeking advice or employment position as IT manager, business analysis, data analysis, IT opportunities. operations manager, project manager. B/0420/19 The Group provides careers and employment related networking Catenian solicitor, compliance officer. Numerate, thorough. opportunities for Brothers and, Finance and business problem solver in largest law firm and through them, family members. investment banks plus innovation/IP start-ups. Making things Membership of the Group is closed simple, simply making things happen. Total business solutions. and unlisted, i.e. by approval only. Certainty of results; speed; cost. B/0820/02 The Group needs more members in Son of Catenian (21) recent history graduate from King’s order to achieve its purpose. Brothers College, London (2:1 predicted). Interested in legal training are urged to open a LinkedIn account, contracts, the civil service, and tax audit / accountancy. and to include in their profile as much relevant information as possible Experience in teaching mathematics at secondary school regarding personal qualifications, level. Seeking full time employment in Solihull / Birmingham. skills and career experience. S/0820/06 Brothers with a LinkedIn account Daughter of Catenian (22) BE in software engineering can email me if they wish to join (Information Technology) from Athlone Institute of Technology, the Group, and I will send them Ireland, seeks fulltime employment in the marketing and sales an invitation. / business field. ROI preferred, but willing to relocate to UK. Peter Western D/0820/364 01995 643101 [email protected]

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 11 FEATURE NEWS ROUNDUP Brought to you in partnership with The Tablet

Hidden Church Museum in Amsterdam is Saved General News Amsterdam has saved the Our Lord in the Attic museum Catholic Charities Warn of Increased after a petition urged the city to keep open the 17th Numbers Facing Poverty century hidden church that Catholics had to use when The end of the government’s furlough scheme “will take the city barred them from holding public liturgies. The many people into unemployment and debt, and increase church was built in 1663 on the top three floors of a the number people who are homeless,” director of Caritas merchant’s canal house in the city centre because the Salford, Mark Wiggin, told The Tablet. “Without a living Calvinist municipal council at that time banned all public minimum basic income, many new people will face Masses and other religious celebrations for Catholics. poverty,” he warned. He felt that, combined with reductions in frontline local authority services, the six-week wait The Pope to transfer benefits to Universal Credit, and the sanctions imposed for defaulting on their regulations, there is a Pope Ready to Sign New Encyclical for Post-Covid Age hostile environment to anyone unable to speak up for Pope Francis is to release a new encyclical which is themselves or who is not technologically literate. expected to focus on what the world should look like following the Covid-19 pandemic. The 83-year-old Roman Priest Among Christians Arrested at Extinction Rebellion pontiff will travel to Assisi to sign the document, in what Three clergy and five lay Christians were arrested while will be his first trip outside Rome since the coronavirus taking part in Extinction Rebellion protests. The eight were struck Italy. The Vatican said on 5 September that the part of Christian Climate Action (CCA), an ecumenical encyclical will be titled Fratelli tutti, or Brothers all, and group within the Extinction Rebellion movement, taking will be on “fraternity and social friendship”. part in the protests in central London that began on 1 September. Sue Hampton, a Quaker, was among dozens of people arrested during a blockade outside a printworks Coronavirus in Hertfordshire that prevented some copies of national Common Good Must Motivate Search newspapers from reaching newsstands. She was charged for Vaccine, says Pope with obstruction of the public highway. The common good and not political or economic gain should be at the heart of the race to find a vaccine for Church Income ‘In Freefall’ Covid-19, Pope Francis has said. During his weekly The Church in Ireland’s income is “in freefall” and the general audience, the Pope said that “we see partisan pandemic’s restrictions on public worship may send the interests emerging” in the search for a vaccine, and some Church’s downward decline “spiralling out of control”, people “are taking advantage of the situation to instigate Father Brendan Hoban has warned. Writing in his weekly divisions: by seeking economic or political advantages, column in the Western People newspaper, the co-founder generating or exacerbating conflicts”. of the Association of Catholic Priests noted that only a tiny percentage of Catholics can attend weekly Mass due to As ‘Lockdown 2’ Hits, Survey Shows the current health and safety restrictions. But as most Many Prefer Mass Online church collections take place at Sunday Mass, “the Most Catholics supported the decision to close churches income of the Catholic Church is now in freefall and during lockdown, a new survey has revealed. It came as will be [it appears] for some time.” many churches resumed Sunday and weekday services with social distancing measures in place, and ceased Manchester Nun on Path to Sainthood livestreaming of Mass. But the return to a ‘new normal’ A 19th century religious sister, Elizabeth Prout, is expected is again under threat with the announcement of what to take a step on the road to canonisation later this year. is being called ‘lockdown 2’, after prime minister Boris ‘Mother’ Elizabeth of Manchester, as she is known, could Johnson announced a ban on social gatherings of six be declared venerable soon, The Times has reported. or more. Vatican approval for this step could come after a formal declaration of Prout’s heroic virtue for her work among the poor of Victorian England.

12 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Mother Teresa has “New Relevance” During Pandemic Former Head of Philippine Bishops Dies Cardinal Luis Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis, of Covid-19 Complications has praised the example of St Teresa of Kolkata, as Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan, Catholics from around the world paid tribute to the saint former president of the Philippine bishops’ conference, on the anniversary of her death. Tagle, aged 63, noted has died in a Manila hospital after complications from in a conversation with Vatican Media the way in which Covid-19, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the the ‘Mother of the Poor’ presents a criticism of our way Philippines announced. of life in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. “Has the All stories have been reproduced by kind permission of pandemic awakened the instinct of love in us,” the Cardinal The Tablet. All content correct at time of going to press. asked, “or has it made us impersonal?” Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila, argued that the intrinsic link between Mother Teresa’s life of faith and her charitable works should lead us to ask deeper questions of ourselves. 180 reasons to subscribe to The Tablet

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OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 13 MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY This month Phil Murray, Canberra Circle, suggests changes to the Association to reflect modern society

In September’s Catena, I identified an underlying Time and Place Purpose (Mission) evident in our Association’s In 1908, when the Association was founded in the UK, documents and history, and consistent with society was male-dominated. In seeking to overcome Church teaching: the discrimination Catholics experienced in business and employment, the focus on men’s needs through To strengthen the lived faith of lay Catholics in the world, a male-only Association made sense. through faith-based friendship. Today, in western society, things are very different. To support their Purpose, Canon Law requires that lay For instance, women’s labour force participation has associations include in their statutes ‘conditions required increased from 34% to 73% since 1931 (UK) and from for membership … attentive, however, to the necessity 34% to 61% since 1961 (Australia). If the Association or advantage of time and place’ (Can. 304§1). were being founded today, would male-only membership be appropriate?

14 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Influencing 21st Century Non-practising Catholics Western Society In Australia, Mass attendance fell from 74% (1954) to 11.8% (2016) – similar to many countries (UK data Our service to members builds faith-based friendships inaccessible). through which we influence each other’s lived faith so that, in turn, each can better influence society. However, Excluding non-practising Catholics from membership limiting membership to practising Catholic men leads to no longer makes sense, though few may wish to join: male-orientated spirituality (the way we live in response • Non-attenders’ faith may still influence their lives, to our faith). contributing to our Purpose and the Church’s mission. St Paul said that, to be effective, we must be credible Membership will improve their lived faith and may lead to those we seek to influence: ‘I became like a Jew to win some to return to Mass attendance. over the Jews … I became like one outside the law … to win over those outside the law … I became weak, to win over the weak … I have become all things to all, to save Implications at least some’ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). In 21st century western society, to fulfil our Purpose In gender-inclusive societies, to be credible among those (Mission) and contribute effectively to the Church’s we seek to influence, both men and women need to be mission, membership must be open to: enriched by exposure to the lived faith of both genders, • All baptised lay Catholics aged 18 years or more developing gender-inclusive spirituality. Accordingly, and their non-Catholic spouses. in 1965, Vatican II stressed: Gender-inclusive membership would not preclude • ‘That women and men, working in harmony, should gender-specific activities. This will be considered renew the temporal order and make it increasingly more subsequently in Catena under Member Services. perfect: such is God’s design for the world.’ (Apostolicam Actuositatem (AA), 1965, n7) • ‘Since in our days women are taking an increasingly Phil Murray BA (Econ), MA (Theol Stud) active share in the entire life of society, it is very Phil is membership officer of Canberra Circle and author important that their participation in the various sectors of Friends for Life: Catenians in the 21st Century, 2018. of the church’s apostolate should likewise develop.’ His career included ten years as a senior manager in (AA, 1965, n9) the Church’s national peak body that supports its social welfare services throughout Australia. Fifty-five years on, responding to this important principle by accepting women as members, is long overdue. Not doing so is harmful to the Church’s mission in today’s world.

Couple Spirituality Most Catenians are married. Vatican II noted: ‘married and family life … sanctified by a special sacrament…has a special value’ in the laity’s ‘prophetic office’ of influencing society (Lumen Gentium (LG), 1964, n35); ‘...family cares should not be foreign to their spirituality’ (AA, 1965, n4). Male-dominant spirituality is not ideal for married couples. We do them a disservice by developing primarily the husband’s spirituality. Even though some members’ spouses are non-Catholics, they share sacramental marriage. To reject the non-Catholic would inhibit development of the Catholic’s and the couple’s spirituality inherent in their sacramental bond.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 15 HELPING OTHERS HELPING LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED Andrew Egan tells Catena how an idea was turned into action at Harrow Circle

The idea of targeting Catholic families in need was underscored in discussions with several parish priests and the dean in our Circle area. While the poor and needy can be present in any parish, it was suggested that we direct our offers of financial help to local Catholic schools where quite a number of children and families need ongoing support. Contact was made with the chief executive of the local Catholic schools trust and with individual school heads. We chose to target Catholic primary schools in the first instance. A donation of £300 was made to one school that An initiative to help needy local families gathered operates its own food bank and meals service, and traction at Harrow Circle after over £1,000 was £200 was donated to each of four other Catholic primary schools that collectively support 25 families in need. donated by Brothers in just four weeks – money The aim of our president’s charity for 2020/21 is ‘helping saved from not attending Circle dinners or buying local families’. Supporting our primary schools, their drinks at the bar! children and families in real need, fulfils that aim. Pope Francis, in an interview with a British journalist, To complement this action, we have set up a page on warned us that the poor have become “part of the the JustGiving website where members can donate, landscape” and that the current pandemic has only anonymously if so wished. Though donations made do made the disparity between rich and poor ever wider. not qualify for Gift Aid, as they are not going to a registered charity, we feel that that this is a small price to pay for Financial problems were a fact of life for many families giving directly where help is most needed and it allows before the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, but with for greatly simplified administration. the furloughing of so many people, plus rising job losses, there is an urgent need for crisis financial assistance It is hoped that member generosity will continue, with to help those less fortunate than us. This is well our next target being to reach £2,000. demonstrated by the increasing use of food banks, If you wish to find out more, click on https://bit.ly/2VXh7pQ both locally and nationwide.

16 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 FEATURE LEICESTER AND LAMP A mental health charity celebrates 30 years

Leicester Circle selected LAMP as their charity Emma Brine, an intern, collated the charity’s archive of the year, and carried out various fundraising and wrote the book based on her research. It covers achievements such as The Van Project, an information events, including the age-old staple, the raffle. van which travelled around the county providing The money raised has been sent to the charity to information about mental health, and the Genesis support the publication of a book celebrating its history project, which gave people living with mental health for its 30-year anniversary. The book is filled with issues opportunities to have a say on their care. information about mental health over the past 30 years. The impact of government mental health policies is examined, both nationally and locally. Three types of LAMP (Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project) advocacy are highlighted, and interviews and personal is Leicester’s longest-running mental health charity. stories from employees at LAMP and their clients It provides independent advocacy to people with mental are included. health issues and their carers. They encourage clients to work on their confidence and to speak out about the The book has been published online at DMU Press, support and care they need. LAMP provides information and it is hoped that printed copies will be available shortly. and support, and organises and attends community events The archive is held at De Montfort University Special to help challenge stigma, increase awareness and help Collections and will be available for the public to view those whose lives are affected by mental health difficulties. when circumstances allow. Unusually, the relationship of the Circle with the charity has involved not just offering financial support, but also professional skills and networks to help them achieve their aims and highlight their message.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 17 MISCELLANY THE FINAL WORD

Cartoon by Tom Morris, Cardiff Circle. For more information please see: www.tomverse.uk

Children’s Jokes Quotes about Autumn

I don’t trust stairs. Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. They’re always up to something. ― Albert Camus Why did the scarecrow win an award? No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace Because he was outstanding in his field. as I have seen in one autumnal face. I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. ― John Donne It’s impossible to put down. Autumn... the year’s last, loveliest smile. I had a neck brace fitted years ago and I’ve never ― John Howard Bryant looked back since. I cannot endure to waste anything so precious What’s brown and sticky? A stick. as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. ― Nathaniel Hawthorne Why can’t you hear a psychiatrist using the bathroom? Because the ‘p’ is silent. Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons. I ordered a chicken and an egg online. ― Jim Bishop I’ll let you know. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, I was going to tell a time-travelling joke, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun but you guys didn’t like it. ― John Keats

18 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Pub Quiz Quick Crossword

1. What year did the Titanic sink in the Atlantic Ocean on 15 April, on its maiden voyage from Southampton? 2. What is the title of the first ever Carry On film made and released in 1958? 3. Which metal was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825? 4. What is the capital of Portugal? 5. Who invented the tin can for preserving food in 1810? 6. How many sides does a hexagon have? 7. In which decade did the potato famine strike Ireland? 8. Which country was the first ever winner of the Eurovision Song Contest? 9. Canaletto painted which famous watery city? 10. How many Oscars did Alfred Hitchcock win? Answers on page 20 Compiled by David Bates, Colchester Circle Across 7 A get-together (6) Overheard in London 8 Odd one out (6) 9 A ride on horseback (4) during lockdown 10 Its full of females (8) 11 Sunrise to sunset (7) I wish I had a dog during the lockdown. Then I 13 Go off the straight and narrow (5) remember - a dog is for life, not just for a global 15 Go too fast (5) pandemic. 17 Bucket and spade land? (7) 20 A soft return over the net at tennis (4,4) During this Covid business, I realised just how 21 Trip up (4) annoying my husband is. I forced him to go to work 23 Relax (6) in the garden office and guess what, he told me it’s 24 Get (6) called a media hub. Muppet. You know, I got used to how I smelt when I don’t get out Down of my dressing gown all week. I’m a bit like a fine wine, 1 Sort of seat (4) you know, the kind that smell like a farm yard. 2 Batsman takes guard in front of one (6) 3 My leach (anagram) (7) 4 Put right (5) 5 Accompany (6) 6 Administered after a minor accident (5,3) Sudoku Solution 1 12 Clear (8) 14 Decorate lavishly (7) 16 Liveliness of mind or spirit (6) 18 Sort of pin (6) 19 Severely censure (5) 22 Cut of meat (4)

Answers on page 20 Sudoku puzzle kindly created by Des Boksan-Cullen © Catenian Publications Limited.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 19 MISCELLANY

Across Catena Challenge 7 Yon Dane worried and worried (7) 8 Repeated fruit rubbish (7) 10 Benefactor took beginner to find fish (8) 11 Relish a muddle (6) 12 Confirms Bruno is not in his cage (5,3) 13 Genoa canvas (4) 15 Best ale brewed originally from Liverpool (7) 17 Pretty successful (7) 20 Honest firm (4) 22 Disturb dense air in the front passenger’s position (8) 25 Agree to being launched (6) 26 Strange relation from Japan? (8) 27 Common gene Richard had (7) 28 No northern beer-can be return easily on such a surface (7)

Down 1 Way of looking that may not be right (5) 2 Do reduce troops that enter and register (8) 3 Western church official becomes metalworker (6) 4 Meandering path cat and I take to get some bread (8) 5 Calculator that a BA customer may take aboard (6) Compiled by David Bates, Colchester Circle 6 Showy fish ain’t damaged (9) 9 Before he was head of a religious order (5) 14 Indeed the paper industry is suffering (9) 16 Scientist from the Nineties (8) 18 Surprising unsteadiness, without fizz, Catenian Sudoku 1 in the state of undress (8) 19 No transport available for the return of pig product (5) 21 The Spanish, too, make up a team (6) 23 Oddly seating soon to be available for unmissable musical (6) 24 Capital is below standard (5)

Answers on page 21

Quick Crossword Solutions Across 7 Social, 8 Misfit, 9 Hack, 10 Henhouse, 11 Daytime, 13 Stray, 15 Speed, 17 Seaside, 20 Drop shot, 21 Fall, 23 Unwind, 24 Obtain

Down 1 Sofa, 2 Wicket, 3 Alchemy, 4 Amend, 5 Escort, 6 First aid, 12 Apparent, 14 Festoon, 16 Esprit, 18 Safety, 19 Chide, 22 Loin Sudoku puzzle kindly created by Des Boksan-Cullen © Catenian Publications Limited. Answers on page 19 Pub Quiz If you have a budding comedian or poet in your Answers Circle, please contact Catena and send in your 1. 1912 2. Carry on Sergeant 3. Aluminium 4. Lisbon ideas for this section of the magazine. 5. Peter Durand 6. Six 7. 1840s 8. Switzerland 9. Venice 10. One

20 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 LETTERS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR When sending letters to appear in Catena please contact the Editor (not Head Office):James Power, Beck House, 77a King Street, Knutsford WA16 6DX. Tel: 07590 851183 Email: [email protected]

Reference is made to several events in Chatter in 2019. Yes, the Central Council Strategy Correction Churches Working Group reported in July 2019, Sir, In the article Remembering St Teresa of but it takes time for follow down to Calcutta in the August edition of Catena, the Sir, The effect of any chatter in a church is Circle and member level. With Covid-19 portrait picture on page 29 is of St Teresa substantially minimised by playing the organ paralysing Catenian activities, surely as a young girl, not of Cecilia. before start of the Mass, at Communion and the Great Britain National Council at recessional. However, this is not always can’t be criticised for not acting within possible. 12 months. Malcolm Cussell London Northern Heights Circle I can’t judge what is behind the thinking Armando de Sousa in the article, so I look forward to meeting the author in the future, and listening to his Catenian story. Perhaps there is unrest in The Future of A New Direction: some Catenian Provinces of which I am Membership A Response not aware. I get no hint of any such unrest Sir, I read Anthony Phillip’s article in the in my own four northwest Provinces. I made September edition of Catena and the many Sir, Unless we continue to modernise, visits in all four northwest Provinces during comments and correspondence it prompted we may fail, but not for the reasons given 2019/20, lastly visiting Manchester no.1 in Catenian groups on social media. in the article. The Catenian Association has Circle in March 2020, just before lockdown. Sadly, I agree with all the concerns. I write been gradually modernising, step by step, To quote one paragraph: ‘The size, over the last 70+ years. as a veteran of many membership initiatives effectiveness and efficiency of the National with Stephen Lake and John Butterworth Mike O’Malley, past grand president Council … is an area of concern. The (and currently PMO for Province 14). and member of Lytham St Annes Circle, role and duties of directors and provincial I’m afraid I see little progress in facing up to provided a good summary of many of these presidents should be re-examined. Many what is a membership emergency in Great changes in Catena, April 2020. members regard the Association as top Britain and Ireland. Anthony’s article and I feel the strongly-worded article, criticising heavy and centrally controlled.’ the subsequent comments are the latest the Great Britain National Council and In contrast, I have been very happy with in a long line of requests for something particularly our provincial directors, lacks the role played by my own Province director, to be done. evidence. all of my four provincial presidents and the The Catenians are amazing. At our best we It seems to me there is a contradiction last four Great Britain national presidents, enhance the lives of our families and our between wanting a clearer ‘chain of clearly hard-working, and all of whom found friends. We need a strategy that will grow command’, and ‘more effective time to visit my Circle during their year of our membership. Next month I will publish subsidiarity’; but then wanting that office. We have three past grand presidents a short article with a number of suggestions subsidiarity controlled by stating that ‘very as members of Lytham St Annes Circle and which I hope will help. few Provinces currently review their Circles’ I am continually impressed by the time they performance’. Are Provinces being asked to still commit and visits which they still make monitor each Circle’s right to apply to maintain the tightly-knit web of our Sean Duff subsidiarity? Association. North London Circle To quote one of the last paragraphs: Please, more evidence as to actually ‘Members want a revised national executive what members want. with fewer members, a newly defined role of Catena Challenge director, a chain of command and effective Solutions Elwyn Smith Across leadership. We need younger members Lytham St Annes Circle in authority. All in Province and National 7 Annoyed, 8 Rhubarb, 10 Flounder, Councils should retire at 65 years 11 Pickle, 12 Bears out, 13 Sail, 15 Beatles, 17 Winning, 20 True, of age.’ Stop Press 22 Nearside, 25 Assent, 26 Oriental, I am 67. I have only been a Catenian for Congratulations to David Arundale, 27 Generic, 28 Nonslip four years, so am understandably upset director of province 19, who was by the statement. I am an avid follower of voted GBNC president elect on Down Catenian meetings, Circle visits, including 11 September 2020. 1 Angle, 2 Document, 3 Welder, to other Provinces, the annual conference, 4 Chapatti, 5 Abacus, 6 Brilliant, politics, administration and governance. I Congratulations also go to Roger Lillie, 9 Prior, 14 Depressed, 16 Einstein, am not aware that Great Britain Catenian director of province 11, the new 18 Nudeness, 19 Bacon, 21 Eleven, members as a whole actually want a single GBNC vice president elect. 23 Saigon, 24 Paris one of these claims.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 21 CLASSIFIED

Please support YOUR magazine by advertising in CATENA. Contact: James Power, Beck House, 77a King Street, Knutsford WA16 6DX Email: [email protected] England Italy

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22 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 FEATURE HANDS UP FOR BILBO BAGGINS Bill Johnson, North Warwickshire Circle, follows in the footsteps of fantasy fiction

The small pond (often appears on TV)

Mary Johnson, Carmel Duffy, Liz Salmon, Bill Johnson, Eve Hands, ‘Bilbo’, and Carvings of One of the childhood Ian Salmon strange creatures homes of JRR Tolkien

It was a pleasant sunny afternoon in July In 1966 Tolkien described the scene: ‘There was an old when we were invited by Bilbo Baggins mill that really did grind corn with two millers, a great big pond with swans on it, a sandpit, a wonderful dell with (aka Harold Hands) to take a guided tour flowers, a few old-fashioned village houses and, further of JRR Tolkien’s childhood playground, away, a stream with another mill. I always knew it would Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog. go – and it did.’ Sadly today, one needs as much imagination as Tolkien to envisage the scenes he conjured Together with Bilbo, there were eight of us – Ian Salmon up in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, as a result and his wife Liz (Birmingham Circle), my wife Mary and of the piecemeal development of low quality housing on me, plus Eve Hands (North Warwickshire Circle) and two the fields adjacent to the Bog. lifelong friends of ours from Bury, Lancashire, Brendan Bilbo led us through a couple of these dingy streets, and Carmel Duffy. to access the Bog itself. All at once we were transformed We assembled at Sarehole Mill (sadly closed due to into the world of imagination that Tolkien himself must Covid-19). There Bilbo gave us an introductory talk about have experienced. A National Lottery grant of £376,500 JRR Tolkien and the origins of the Mill. Sarehole Mill was in 2010 rescued the Bog from the developers’ clutches built in 1765 on the site of an even older mill, Biddle’s Mill, and the site was opened up as a place of scientific and which dated back to 1540. Sarehole was used mostly to environmental interest. grind corn. Matthew Boulton’s father rented the Mill and Duckboards were installed, allowing our intrepid band to Sarehole farm in 1756. When his father died, Boulton used wander safely, taking in the forestry charms that Tolkien the Mill for making buttons and for metal rolling until he would have seen. moved his operations to Handsworth in 1761. By the Mill, the Coldbath Brook, a tributary of the nearby River Cole, We could have stayed all afternoon in this wonderland. flows from Coldbath Pool through a culvert, through There were tree trunks with exotic carvings of creatures Moseley Bog as an open stream, then to the millpond. and a small pond covered in vivid green vegetation. This pond started life as a small pit to the northeast The western half of the nature reserve had been used by of the former Great Pool, (now drained), which was the Birmingham City Council as a landfill site from the 1930s original millpond. to the 1960s, when it was converted into a playing field for Moseley Grammar School. Always damp and unsuitable, from the 1980s it has been allowed to revert to woodland. The eastern half of the site was not affected by the landfill.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 23 FEATURE CATENA: BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER In these strange and uncertain times, it’s heartening to learn of connections made and memories evoked by articles in our magazine

Gaetano and Patricia in his garden

A recent issue featured an article about how, “My brother David Gordon and his wife Catherine have after 70 years, Catena reunited two members. lived at Priestnall Road since 2002. They purchased the house from Mrs Albert Eustace, who lived there after After spotting a story about John Cox of Wilmslow Circle, purchasing the house from Mrs Torkington (previously Peter Walsh, president of the Victorian Circle in Australia Walsh, and Peter’s mother) in 1947; 55 years, wow! and a member of the Australian National Council, She was delighted to sell the house to David and explained how, as a child, he lived at Priestnall Road, Catherine as she wished them to have a happy family Heaton Moor in what is now Greater Manchester. home, like she’d had for so many years. Although this was back in 1944-1947, he remembered “David is an executive in the motor trade industry and the people at number 12: the Cox family. Catherine is executive head teacher at The Catholic After Peter contacted John, the latter remembered his Federation of Holy Name and Our Lady’s Schools in next-door neighbours, saying: “When we first met, you Manchester. They have two children, James, studying were also with your mother, I remember distinctly two at Xaverian Sixth Form College and Katie, at Priestnall very nice children and your mother, a smart-looking lady.” High School. They continue to be very happy at Priestnall Now another link to Priestnall Road has emerged, Road and love community life in Heaton Moor. Their as Patricia Scappaticci, daughter-in-law of Gaetano next-door neighbours at 12 are the Wood family, with Scappaticci (Didsbury and Wilmslow Circles), explains. young daughters at St Winifred’s Primary School.” “When I picked up my favourite read, Catena (July 2020), When we’re all in need of positive news, Catena is I was delighted to read A Reunion and thought you’d delighted to have played its part in reuniting people like to pass the end of the story onto the Walsh and who have connections to one house. Cox families. “I think families moving into the house wanted somewhere special to live, where they could create an environment in which to bring their children up with love, care and provide the best opportunities possible,” Patricia says. “I believe this was through strong Catholic beliefs, teachings and values. All the families have very happy memories of living on Priestnall Road.” 24 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Katie,David,James and Family get together at Priestnall Road Catherine in their garden

So, what is so special about this house? “The Cox family were at the forefront, recognising and addressing the problems facing vulnerable men, and Patricia says: “As soon as you enter this ‘old house’, provided the first accommodation schemes. They went you sense a happy history. I suppose the fact that it’s big on to create Mary & Joseph House which today is and light also creates a feeling of wellbeing. The house unique – a centre of excellence providing the best possible pre-Covid was a hub for family and friends for happy social service for men with alcohol and related health problems.” gatherings and will be again, in the future. Heaton Moor is a special community with many people living in the area for As for Catena itself, Patricia says that she has become years. There is a strong sense of community amongst fam- more focused on the role of the magazine over the last ily and friends, [not least because of the] Church and great couple of years, “mainly prompted by the wonderful schools. Supported by excellent sports clubs, they all help support given to my father-in-law since losing his beloved to create this happy, vibrant community, along with plenty wife Memmina. Gaetano has been a Catenian for the of leisure and social venues.” last 43 years. Members have been truly amazing with telephone calls and visits pre-Covid, and socially distanced As we have also reported in Catena, for more than four visiting more recently. They’ve taken Gaetano to Circle decades John Cox has been chairman of the trustees meetings and encouraged him to join meetings through of Mary & Joseph House in Ancoats, Manchester. He Zoom during the pandemic. I’ve been so impressed by took over from his father, Joseph, who died in 1977 after their care, compassion and empathy which has been a establishing the organisation in 1963. Today the centre tower of strength for Gaetano during recent years.” is home to men with mental health conditions and alcohol-related brain damage, many of whom have She adds: “I enjoy reading stories about the great spiritual been affected by homelessness. and practical work carried out by Catenians across the world. Closer to home, the support for young people Patricia says: “Reading about the Cox family also brought and fundraising efforts by Catenians and their families back memories of my long career in social housing and is inspirational. Finally, it’s a pleasure to read the tributes overseeing services for homeless people and families to the many wonderful Catenians who have died but left a with Manchester City Council. I was made aware in the lasting mark on their communities through lives well lived.” early 1980s about the important role the Cox family played in services for homeless people through the charitable foundation they created. OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 25 AROUND THE CIRCLES FATHER’S DAY MANLY-STYLE Manly Catenians celebrates in sweet style

The Hayes family celebrate Father’s Day in the sunshine Kathryn Hayes’ magnificent DAD cake

David Addington enjoys a very different Father’s Day in North Queensland

The McCarney family prepares a sweet feast for John

Catenian Terry Hayes spent the day at his son The adventurous couple recently visited Tarzali, which Andrew’s house and enjoyed a rather special is a rural village 22km southeast of Atherton and 8km south of Malanda. They stayed on a 140-acre property, ‘dad’ cake, lovingly created by Kathryn. which was almost entirely rainforest. Sticking with the theme, John McCarney also enjoyed According to David, North Queensland is an incredible a well-deserved day of indulgence, thanks to his part of Australia: “In 50 kilometres you can go from granddaughters Sarah, Dylan and April, who rainforest, getting four metres of rain a year, to savannah, enthusiastically helped Anne to prepare some where there is only 80-89 centimetres a year.” delicious Father’s Day desserts. During their trip, David and Mary-Anne went to Lake For David Addington, however, Father’s Day was very Barrine for a five-kilometre walk. Halfway round the lake different this year. He and wife, Mary-Anne decided they met Cliff Frith, who is an ornithologist and a world to escape the Sydney winter and enjoyed two months’ expert on birds of paradise and bowerbirds. He has Covid-free holiday in North Queensland. He said: made a number of films with David Attenborough. They “We saw so many beautiful sights and animals – walked with him for the rest of the trip as he pointed out too many to report.” various species and identified bird calls.

26 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 AROUND THE CIRCLES CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE GLOBE IN A DAY Charterhouse Brother, Mark Carter’s virtual travels

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese Mark started at 15:30 UK time, at Goa’s Dona Paula explorer who organised the Spanish expedition Circle, accompanied by Charterhouse’s marketing and membership officer, Warren Edwardes. to the East Indies from 1519 to 1522, resulting Dona Paula is a former village, and tourist destination in the first circumnavigation of the Earth, which in the suburbs of Panaji, Goa, India. It is home to the was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano. National Institute of Oceanography, and alongside it lie Goa University and the International Centre Goa. He died in Mactan, in the Philippines. Earlier, in March 1505, at the age of 25, Magellan enlisted in the fleet of At 19:00 UK time, Mark Zoomed across to his home 22 ships sent to host Francisco de Almeida as the first Circle of London Charterhouse, who meet on the first viceroy of Portuguese India. He remained there for eight Tuesday of the month via Zoom now, but pre-Covid years, in Goa, Cochin and Quilon. met in London’s Holborn, close to the British Museum in Bloomsbury, London. Captain James Cook was a British explorer who made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three Early the next day, on Wednesday 2 September at 10:00 voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved UK time, Mark finished his round trip at City of Sydney the first recorded European contact with the eastern Circle, Australia’s first Catenian Circle. coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the Sydney was the conclusion to his Zoom-visiting marathon first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook to see how many Circles he could visit in 24 hours. was attacked and killed in 1779, during his third exploratory voyage in the Pacific, while attempting to kidnap the Island Mark says: “I was aiming to collect the air miles, but the of Hawaii’s monarch. Circle council didn’t allow this. Using Zoom is a good way of visiting Circles that are usually impossible to get to. London Charterhouse’s Mark Carter, who originated in It’s easy as you don’t have to get out of your chair, and West Bromwich (we understand that this is somewhere it’s good value.” north of Watford), made his own circumnavigation of the Catenian world on 1 September via Zoom – in Unlike Magellan and Cook, Mark arrived home safely. 24 hours.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 27 AROUND THE CIRCLES MAKING MASKS FOR CHARITY

The families of two Epsom Circle Catenians The masks are made with 100% cotton, with a middle are taking on the virus one mask at a time – layer which is a fine weave filter, fully complying with requirements by the World Health Organisation. while raising funds for the president’s charity. They are made in three different sizes for women, men Irene Herbonet and Colette Totman are parishioners and children, and come in a variety of patterns. All the at St Joseph’s, Epsom, and members of a group called masks are washable and reversible. It takes around The Creative Card Ladies. 20-30 minutes to make each mask, from cutting-out They had been making greetings cards for sale in the to completion. Irene, Collette and the St Joseph’s team parish, with proceeds going to a mission in Zambia have produced more than 600 masks since they started run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Divine Motherhood. the project. With the arrival of coronavirus and lockdown, Irene, Masks are just £5 each. Colette and the team turned their talents to making face “We’ve had many cases where satisfied customers have masks for sale to parishioners and others. ordered more masks for family and friends,” said Teddy Over £3,000 has so far been raised from sales, and they Totman, former Epsom Circle president. are now offering the masks more widely. To order a mask, contact Irene Herbonnet: Profits will now be divided equally between The Manna [email protected] Society, which cares for homeless people in London, and the Franciscan Sisters of the Divine Motherhood in Zambia. The Manna Society is the charity choice of Alvin David, Epsom Circle’s president.

28 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 AROUND THE CIRCLES LIFE STORY OF A DEDICATED BROTHER

He then served five years in the South African army, completing an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, and rising to the rank of corporal. In 1968 Barry left the army to investigate the big wide world. He spent a year touring England, Scotland and Europe with a friend in a Mini panel van. Seven months of this trip were spent in England where he worked on a hop farm, picked and packed apples and pears in Kent, and worked in a small engineering works making secret components for the admiralty. “My only claim to international fame occurred at this time of my life,” said Barry. “I appeared in the audience on Barry and Elizabeth Webb British television with the Beatles when they made a video for Top of the Pops singing Hey Jude. Interwoven with all these adventures I met, wooed and won my wife, Elizabeth, A Catenian for more than 30 years, Barry Webb who was also travelling overseas.” joined Liwara Circle in November 1989 and after The couple were married in Salisbury, Rhodesia and serving for 12 months as membership officer, he settled in Durban, where Barry spent a year as a maintenance fitter in a jute mill. After this he turned spent the ensuing 12 years as secretary. his hand to teaching, firstly apprentices and then A founder member of Joondalup Circle in February 2005, mechanical engineering technicians. He lectured on he is now in his 13th year as secretary. subjects that most people would never have heard of, such as mechanics of machines, applied In 2018/19 Barry served as both president and secretary thermodynamics and mechanotechnics. of the Circle and he was also welfare officer for three years. He was a founder member of the Province 20 In 1986 the couple migrated to Australia to provide a more Youth Support Fund when it was established in 2007 secure future for their three children, Duncan, Geoffrey and has been its secretary for 13 years. and Mary. Barry spent 21 years at Newman College, where he taught mathematics, religion, technical drawing “One of the highlights of my career as Liwara secretary and computer-aided drawing. was being presented with a headlamp when I began to experience difficulty reading notices and minutes at “I have taught the children of a large number of Catenians meetings – I thought the lights at the venue were fading. over the years,” he commented. “I am now retired from I discovered later that I had cataracts. Following an full-time teaching but for many years after retirement, operation, I can now see clearly.” I continued to do relief teaching at various high schools, as well as some private tutoring. I also worked for the Ronald He added: “Another highlight occurred after I was MacDonald Foundation as a maths tutor for ten years.” presented with the dreaded wooden spoon for the fourth time, compelling Liwara Council to make a decision that Barry’s interests are sport, reading, doing quizzes and it would no longer be awarded to hardworking secretaries. crossword puzzles. He told Catena: “I played grade cricket Hence my motto: he who’s made no mistakes has done for 25 years as a wicketkeeper and batsman but never nothing.” scored a century. My father was an avid cricket follower, hence my initials are LBW, Lynn Barry Webb. I also played Born in Durban, South Africa as the middle child of three soccer for the army side and was secretary of a cricket siblings, his father was a career soldier in the army pay club in Durban for nine years. I coached junior soccer and corps and his mother was a shop assistant at the local cricket in South Africa and Perth for a number of years and military general store. was a qualified soccer referee. Now I’m an armchair critic Barry spent most of his primary school days at the local for almost all sports and I’m enjoying retirement. government school in Voortrekkerhogte, near Pretoria. Who says life is uneventful and dull?” This was followed by two years at the Christian Boys College in Pretoria before moving on to the local technical college, where he matriculated after completing mechanical engineering studies. OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 29 AROUND THE CIRCLES HARARE CIRCLE’S HYBRID INSTALLATION Walter Mangezi reports from Zimbabwe

Past president Arthur Douie (61 years a Catenian) President Frank Douie installs vice president with his son, Frank Douie, talking to Solihull Circle Mike Juru with Charles Jones looking on Brothers on Zoom

President Frank Douie (middle) being installed by Catenians during the Circle meeting which took place president Paul Rowan (left), with Charles Jones outdoors to improve aeration and social distancing (right) looking on

President Paul Rowan welcomed the few The meeting had visiting Brothers from Harare North Brothers who were physically present and those and Solihull Circles, who joined on the Zoom platform. on the Zoom platform to the installation meeting Harare North Circle attendees included president Bob Connolly, vice president Keeron D’Silva, three past for the incoming 2020/21 Council. presidents and the secretary. Special guest John Vanden With the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in Bossche, past president of Solihull and Harare Circles, Harare, the Council held a hybrid installation meeting attended with his Solihull Brothers, including president for the new office bearers. Tony Anslow and vice president Chris Loughran. The new office bearers present, president Frank Douie and vice president Mike Juru, took their oath of office. Regis Chawatama will be installed later as chamberlain.

30 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Tim Manning presents the cheque to Virtual cheque presentation by Bernard Margaret Thomas, supporter relationship to Helena Wallis of HOE Mencap manager at Thames Hospice

Support for Heart A Gift to Thames Hospice Thames Hospice was the beneficiary of a charitable of England Mencap donation of £2,300 from Maidenhead Catenians at Past president, Bernard Baxter chose Heart of England a cheque presentation that took place in August, Mencap as his charity for the year 2019/20, and at the soon-to-be-opened, state of the art building during that period the members really dug deep to overlooking Bray Lake, Windsor Road, Maidenhead. provide support. They set about helping to restore the The donation was made in response to an appeal once flourishing allotments on the site of a Heart of to the local community, seeking funds for specialist England Mencap’s supported living settings, at Eastwell equipment including oxygen concentrators, one House in Shipston Road, Stratford. Working with staff of which will be purchased with this gift. and local people with learning disabilities who call Eastwell House home, they cleared grass, dug out Immediate past president of Maidenhead Circle, Tim beds, built raised beds, painted sheds and cleared Manning chose Thames Hospice as his president’s the greenhouse ready for planting. charity for 2019/20 and presented the cheque to Margaret Thomas, supporter relationship manager. Now their support has gone further with the donation Thanking Maidenhead Catenians, Margaret said: of £4,275 raised through raffles and events. Helena “Without you and others like you, there would be Wallis, chief executive of Heart of England Mencap, no support for those facing end-of-life care said: “We can’t say a big enough thank you to the and life-limiting conditions in our community.” Catenian Association for their incredible support. This was the second consecutive year that Thames “Not only have they raised a really significant amount for Hospice has been the designated recipient of funds a small charity like ours, but they have also made such raised by Maidenhead Catenians through their president’s a difference to the lives of the people we support by charity, a similar sum having been donated in 2018/19. enriching the gardens at Eastwell and providing a wonderful new opportunity for everyone to enjoy and Kevin McGarry benefit from growing their own fruit and vegetables. “We’re now hoping this very generous donation can further improve the outdoor space at Eastwell House and are looking at how we can use it to develop a therapy garden there, to benefit people across our services.”

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 31 AROUND THE CIRCLES

Jessica and Mark Fenton, Lynnette Wilson, Judith Gardiner and Eveline Coates Jeff De Silva with Father Anibal Leite Da Cunha

Bouvard’s Night of Nights Fish and Chips and Bouvard Circle’s August meeting and dinner at the Café Coast restaurant was an outstanding success Pizza to get Restarted with several notable highlights, reports Max Gardiner. Emerging from restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Canning Circle combined its postponed annual general It was the first dinner meeting with ladies for over six meeting with a clergy night of fish and chips and pizza months and, a rarity for Bouvard, six visiting Brothers from at the St Pius X parish hall in Manning. other Province 20 Circles were in attendance, headlined by provincial president Lou Daily of Dianella Circle. It was a capacity meeting with regulations restricting The other visitors were Vern Scanlan, president of Dianella gatherings to a maximum of 40 people. The Circle Circle, Colin Purcell, president City of Mandurah Circle, welcomed Father Anibal Leite Da Cunha, parish priest at Dianella’s Gerry Butler, Liwara’s John Weselman and City Hamilton Hill, Father Geoff Aldous, parish priest at Baldivis of Mandurah’s Peter Bygrave. The meeting was enhanced and Father Daniel Boyd, parish priest at Kwinana. Guests by the enrolment of new member, Graeme Weselman. included three parishioners from Kwinana parish and two Graeme is the brother of Liwara’s John Wesleman, from Baldivis parish. Also in attendance were six visiting who travelled to Mandurah for the special occasion. Catenians from other Province 20 Circles: Murray Harrington, Pat McManus, Jim Phillips and Mike Taylor To cap off a well attended and enjoyable evening, the of Como Circle, Chris Downey of Darling Range Circle guest speaker was Jessica Fenton, an impressive young and provincial president, Lou Daily. lady and the recipient of a Catenian Charity scholarship to study medicine at the University of Western Australia. Despite the long break between meetings, Canning’s Jessica, who attended the dinner with her father Mark, welfare and hospitality officer, Doug Williams was quick provided an interesting insight into her studies and to return to his best form, freely handing out door prizes aspirations for the future. and Anzac biscuits for everyone, and birthday gifts for Sean O’Hara and Russell Godsall. Jeff De Silva and Keith Morgan kept everyone entertained with some delightful after dinner jokes, while Lou Daily provided an outline of the Province 20 job support project. Province 20’s membership and expansion officer, Chris Downey also addressed the meeting, seeking Canning’s help to establish new Circles in the southern corridor of Perth.

32 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 AROUND THE CIRCLES LUCKY TO BE ALIVE Future Catenian, Chris Downey tells the story of how he walked away from a plane crash

I pointed this out to my friend who said: “Cessna gauges are notoriously unreliable.” Immediately after that and still about two nautical miles from the airport fence, the engine failed and the propeller stopped in front of us, horizontally stationary. We descended like a stone, but under control, about 1,800 feet towards the ground. The pilot made a mayday call and instructed me to open the right-hand door so that we wouldn’t be trapped on our imminent crash landing. The air buffeting from our steep descent was incredible, so I held the door open with my leg out. Ahead I could see a large fire tender (LFT) rushing from A Cessna light aircraft similar to the the airport. Just before we reached the ground, the pilot one Chris flew in to Rosemary Island rounded out nicely and we arrived, crashing through the spinifex, saltbush and light trees, well short of the airport fence. In July 1972, I was working in Port Hedland We nosed over but on quickly releasing our seat belts for the Department of Civil Aviation as a flight and vacating the aircraft, it settled down on its main service officer responsible for remote area wheels, cushioned by vegetation debris. We didn’t need to communications. rush our exit; there was no fire, although the arrival of the LFT with silver suited fireman manning the foam turret was Although I was due to be married in the September of that reassuring. There were no injuries to pilot or passenger year, the public service, in its infinite wisdom, transferred and the C150 only needed some panel beating after being me there early. towed back by the LFT to the tarmac. The greater injury was to the pilot’s pride, allowing the plane to run out of fuel, The weather in the Pilbara in winter is beautiful, so a but to his defence, and mine, the investigation revealed a colleague and I agreed to hire a Cessna 150 light aircraft distorted tacho cable working erratically and not showing and fly to Rosemary Island for a camping and fishing our true revolutions per minute. overnighter. The flight is about 130 nautical miles, some of which is over water. It was perfect weather for flying, At the time, my fiancée Monica worked in HM Customs with few clouds, free of hot air ‘bumps’ and what appeared in Perth, where private phone calls were not welcomed to be only a minor headwind blowing off the sea. Sitting in during the working day. So, when I rang her to short-circuit the right-hand seat, I commented to my friend on the fuel flow. the news item, that invaluable women’s intuition told her straight away that something was wrong and her words “No worries,” he said, “it’s the headwind, we’ll have can’t be printed here. The pilot and I had some dues to a tail wind on the way back.” pay to the entire Department of Civil Aviation family at Of more concern was the landing on Rosemary Island, the airport’s wet canteen. flying across the top of a small hill at the northern end then full flaps and reduction of power to sit the plane down between sand dunes and stopping within 1,000 feet. It was a perfectly executed landing and we set up camp, put out the fishing lines and enjoyed a few cold beers. The fish escaped our attention, but the sandflies didn’t, so we were up early next morning from our swags to pack the aircraft. Take-off wasn’t as challenging as the landing; we cleared the lower end of the strip, pointed in the right direction and headed for home. We finished our over-water segment A near miss for and flew past Wedgefield, but the fuel gauges, which I Chris Downey had been monitoring, seemed to be stuck on near empty.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 33 AROUND THE CIRCLES

Dr Graham Mahony

Socially distanced coffee in the sunshine

Plenary Council Coffee in the Park, 2020 on Hold Covid-19 Style The first Plenary Council Assembly has been postponed After an enforced break, Dianella Circle took advantage of until October 2021 due to the global pandemic, reports the easing of Covid restrictions for communal gatherings. Dr Graham Mahony, Fremantle Brother and Province 20 Brothers celebrated the return to some sort of normality councillor. with a much-needed coffee in the park. Members adhered The outcomes from the Phase 2 Listening and to social distancing rules, forming groups in separate Discernment sessions were processed by the Writing and locations for a fun morning. Those gathered did their best Discernment Groups and have resulted in the production to keep conversation in a happy and good-humoured vein, of six thematic discernment papers, which will form the with plenty of jokes and sharing of fun experiences, while basis of the agenda for the first assembly in October 2021. trying to avoid discussion about the pandemic. It was a successful occasion, with everyone welcoming the chance The Perth archdiocesan coordinator of Plenary Council to have a good time together. 2020, Tony Giglia has advised that Archbishop Costelloe is drafting a paper on discernment with an accompanying video which can be used in conjunction with the six thematic papers. The papers can be reviewed at https://plenarycouncil. catholic.org.au/continuing-thejourney-of-discernment

Richard Finucane, Graham Mahony, John Sutton and Alex Banovich

Back together: Barry Webb, Jim Doherty, Andrew Swanson and Les Croxford Emerging from Isolation After a long break due to Covid-enforced self-isolation, Fremantle Circle’s Executive Council was back in action Out of Isolation at Last in June preparing for life after the pandemic. Thanks to the generosity of hosts Marlene and John Monkhouse, Joondalup Brothers finally emerged from isolation to enjoy a fantastic evening of fellowship and a wonderful home-cooked meal.

34 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Peter Kora leads the crowd in Circle friends share a winter warmer a rendition of the Australian anthem

Winter Wear the Norm Calling Australia Home An excellent turnout of 48 Dianella Brothers, wives and for July Soup Night friends enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the Circle’s first Normal dress standards were thrown aside in July night back at the Mount Lawley Golf Club after lockdown. for Darling Range’s winter soup night, which this year The social committee went to great lengths to make it a was held at the Lesmurdie church hall. fun night and to help members and guests feel part of a A cold night in the middle of winter is the perfect time to close-knit Circle that will stay strong and develop through meet and enjoy a bowl of hot soup from a selection of at the current health crisis. least four different varieties along with fresh, crusty bread Introducing the theme, Norm Thompson gave a short buns. Brothers always take time and a competitive pride in outline of the night’s proceedings. He spoke about how coming up with a range of flavours, which accounts for the he had experienced some personal falling-off in recent high attendance at the hotly anticipated annual function. months. He also explained the steps he had taken to Over delicious homemade soup and a few drinks with overcome his negative thoughts and realise how fortunate friends, Brothers were pleased to learn that donations he and his fellow members are to be not just Australians, from the Circle’s Dick Rosair Bursary Fund had been but Catenians and Western Australians too. paid to St Brigid’s College and Mazenod College. Setting the scene, vice president Peter Kora kicked These were applied to help one family to remain at a off proceedings by donning his Australian umbrella cap. Catholic college and to help other families experiencing With an Aussie flag in hand, he asked everyone to raise financial stress as a result of Covid-19. One of the main the flag on their table and sing the Australian anthem. aims of the bursary fund is that recipients get to use the They were joined on screen by the Seekers, who are money to meet their own needs, rather than to subsidise also Australian. school fees, which is now mainly covered by the schools. Roma Bamford, wife of Brother Wally, was celebrating her birthday on the night of the dinner and was given warm congratulations. When Roma declined to give her age, MEETING NOTICE members and guests did some guessing and settled on 25. It was a fun night and the icing on the cake was City of Salford Circle meeting Tuesday 22 September 2020 dessert, which was decorated with a small Aussie flag. at 7pm. Please contact secretary at [email protected] for access and registration.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 35 AROUND THE CIRCLES CLERGY NIGHT AMIDST A PANDEMIC Looking after each other

Wives enjoying the evening Brothers and clergy share a lighter moment

Valentine with his wife and clergy Brothers and clergy sharing a drink

The Harare Circle clergy night in Zimbabwe was Humans are social beings, and have a core purpose of held in March at the Harare Club, situated in the connecting with and loving their fellow human beings. Matthew 22 v 37-40 summarises our purpose: ‘Love the middle of the central business area along Third Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul Street, overlooking the Africa Unity Square. and with all your mind.’ This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your The Brothers had their usual meeting whilst spouses and neighbour as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets clergy socialised over drinks. At the end of the meeting, hang on these two commandments. dinner was served. The clergy raised the importance of spiritual and mental health in the midst of the Covid-19 During the pandemic we are called to focus on our pandemic. The pandemic causes a lot of fear, fuelled purpose. Spirituality gives us a system or doctrine of by media which focuses more on the deaths than on the developing resilience where we develop our love of God. majority who have minimal symptoms. Isolation during The resilience comes with the generation of faith and quarantine and lockdown also generates anxiety and hope; those with faith and hope are less likely to be depression. overwhelmed by fear of the coronavirus. This is the time us to take stock of our physical, social, spiritual and mental health.

36 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Tom Dowling, Brian Arculus, John Murray, Much loved City of Perth Brother, Phil Zeid Phil Zeid, Michael Yip and John Hicks

The Reality of Being Making a Difference A change of venue and a move to lunchtime meetings has a Prisoner at Home proved a popular innovation for City of Perth Catenians. Prison has always had a clear meaning throughout history: The new venue at Newman Siena Centre is closer to home a place of isolation from society in a penal setting. For the for all members and within easy reach of the northern and elderly, being a prisoner in one’s own home can also be western suburb Circles, as well as being an attractive, a reality, and the current pandemic has probably given accommodating place. The Circle has also switched its all of us a new sense of what a prison our homes can be. meeting times to the middle of the day to avoid travel at Phil Zeid, who recently announced his retirement as City night and leave evenings free for home and family. of Perth Circle’s welfare officer, is one person who has A highlight of the Circle’s July meeting was the installation always understood the terrible feelings of isolation of sick of new Brother, John Hicks. Catenians and their families. He has served as welfare officer with distinction from just a few years after he joined the Association in 1988. This was acknowledged in 2015 when he was awarded honorary life membership of the Circle. The brilliance of his service is widely recognised, not only by City of Perth Brothers, but across Province 20 and the Association. Features of his routine include visiting the sick in hospital or at home and following up by phone and email during convalescence. He sends birthday and anniversary cards to Brothers and their wives, as well as to widows. Even when his own health is flagging, Phil strives to keep in touch with others and his cheerful and positive approach to his own health issues is inspirational. David Duncan-Skingle celebrates with wife Fran and David Arundale Phil even remembers those, like Elliott Levitt, a former City of Perth member who moved on to join Joondalup Circle. I clearly remember accompanying Phil on two trips to visit Elliott, during which he taught me that he is a rally driver 40th Celebrations at heart. The first trip was hair-raising; the second, I drove. Congratulations to David Duncan-Skingle of Kingston Circle on 40 years with the Association. I’m not sure when, why or how Phil developed his great sense of looking after and making others feel loved, but David’s scroll was presented by GBNC president elect, I know that if City of Perth Circle has nothing else to David Arundale, at his home in Hampton Court. offer Province 20, we can always claim to ‘own’ Phil Zeid. During his long Catenian career, David has been Phil has written an interesting and financially successful president of Seaford Circle, Wimbledon Circle story of his life, which has run to two editions. Phil, old and Kingston-upon-Thames and District Circle. friend, I stand taller when you are around; you make me We are hoping that when coronavirus restrictions are feel good. lifted, we will all be able to get together for a celebration,” Ian Moncrieff said Kingston president, Brian Towler.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 37 AROUND THE CIRCLES

Mike Wright, Vince Sinagra and Pat Winton

Pizza Night at St Simon Peter Parish With the Circle’s normal venue at RAAFA Cambrai in lockdown, Joondalup’s July meeting and informal pizza feast was held at St Simon Peter Parish Centre in Ocean Reef. Although it was a cold, wet winter’s night, 17 hardy Brothers braved the Arctic conditions for a most enjoyable evening. Special guests were St Simon Peter parish priest, Father Francis Kot and visiting Brother, Tony Friedlieb of Liwara Circle. John Hollywood and Father Francis extended a warm welcome to members and talked about the history of the Salvatorians, which began in Australia in 1961. Clearly Harold has a bit more growing to do! In 1966 the new St Anthony’s Church, together with accommodation for priests and the parish centre, opened in Bellevue. The parish of St Anthony was the only Sunflowers Salvatorian centre in Australia until 1982, when Father Harold Hands has been keeping busy during lockdown Aloysius McDonagh became the parish priest in in his garden, cultivating amongst other things a row Esperance. of sunflowers planted at the end of March. The tallest In the late 1970s, prompted by the shortage of numbers, now stands 12 foot 6 inches from the ground. the British Province of the Salvatorians passed on its This achievement is surpassed by the current record ministry in Australia to the vibrant Polish Province. Thanks for the tallest sunflower in Britain, held by Richard Hope to its wonderful support, they have been able to expand of Wigan, who set the record in 2012 with a whopping and undertake pastoral care in a number of parishes in 26 foot tall flower. The tallest sunflower in the world Perth and country areas of Australia. was grown by Hans-Peter Schiffer of Westfalen, Germany St Simon Peter parish at Ocean Reef was founded in and measured a staggering 30 foot 1 inch in 2014. 1985, with Father Simon Carson as parish priest. The first Mass was held at Prendiville College and Archbishop Barry Hickey opened the church, parish centre and presbytery on 19 December 1999. Father Francis Kot has been parish priest at St Simon Peter for six years. Thanks go to parishioner and Joondalup Brother, John Hollywood for organising the venue, and to John Monkhouse for arranging the much-appreciated, delicious pizzas.

38 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Father Owen, as he prefers to be known, retires after Priest’s Retirement 55 years as a priest, the last 19 of which were served at Market Harborough’s Our Lady of Victories Presentation Catholic Church. The presentation took place after his Market Harborough Circle were pleased to present last Sunday Mass as parish priest and was made by their parish priest, the Very Reverend Canon Circle president Bill Kerr. In thanking Father Owen Owen O’Neill, with a gift to mark his retirement. for his dedicated service to the parish and the wider community in Harborough, Bill wished Father Owen a long and happy retirement. The gift comprised three framed prints of the Church of Our Lady of Victories and the iconic image of Market Harborough’s 1614 Old Grammar School. The third picture is a lovely portrait of Father Owen blessing a happy couple at a recent wedding. A major highlight of Father Owen’s time as parish priest was his management of major building alterations to the church, a Grade 2 listed building, effectively doubling its size and capacity, whilst retaining its fine Victorian features and architecture. In thanking the Circle, Father Owen said he looked Bill Kerr making the presentation to Father Owen forward to his retirement and getting in many more rounds of golf.

Making a Difference Andheri Circle’s Derrick Dsouza was one of the first in line to give blood at a recent blood donation camp. Catenian Mass for Schools The camp was organised by Andheri Brother, Eugene Das’ A special Mass of thanks was said for the brilliant WWH (We Will Help) Charitable Foundation, in conjunction school staff in our Catholic schools throughout Province 6, with SDSMM and Bombay Municipal Corporation. who have been bravely working in many creative ways “Everyone was able to donate blood safely and had the throughout the pandemic to support the children and wonderful opportunity to save a life,” explained Derrick. families in their school communities. “Despite the many challenges of attracting blood donors, The Mass was celebrated at St Chad’s Cathedral, especially during a pandemic, and with blood supplies Birmingham in July at 12.15am by Monsignor Timothy running very low in the local blood banks, an impressive Menezes, dean of the cathedral. The livestreaming 67 volunteers came forward to donate. of this special Mass was recorded and is available “Each donor received a certificate and a donor card. on the cathedral’s website: It was very well conducted by volunteers, who expertly www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-chads-cathedral-birmingham manned the registration desk and issued donor cards. I was delighted to be able to make a difference.”

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 39 AROUND THE CIRCLES

Paul Pearson, John McCarney and his daughter-in-law, Mike and Maryanne in the Warrumbungles Melissa on a perfect Manly walking day. at Breadknife after a 5km steep walk

Walk On Out and About The now famous Manly Catenians Friends 5km walk Manly Circle’s Mike and Maryanne Guy recently embarked along Manly Beach continues every Tuesday and Thursday on a tour of New South Wales. morning at 7.45am. The group meets at Queenscliff Surf The intrepid travellers started at Nelson Bay and then Club and walks to Shelley Beach and back, which takes headed west to the Warrumbungles, Lightning Ridge, approximately an hour. Everyone is welcome. Moree and other parts of the state, which is on the east coast of Australia.

Sydney, resplendent in the sunshine

Manly Circle brains on display Morning Beauty In these unprecedented times, it’s good to have a Virtual Trivia reminder of just how wonderful our planet is. Andrew Hayes, son of Manly Catenian, goes out on his bike every Manly Circle’s virtual trivia continues – and it’s been day before work and took this stunning photo of Sydney virtually great! on a recent ride. The Circle is hosting trivia quizzes every other Tuesday, which has been a great success. Brothers are encouraged to join via the Zoom app; the more brainpower the better.

40 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 AROUND THE CIRCLES PÉTANQUE IN JERSEY

Jersey Catenians meet for pétanque

Pétanque on the UK’s most southerly site Paul Nicolle examines the measure

On a sunny day in September, members Pétanque is a form of boules, where the object is to toss and wives of Jersey Circle met at Le Hocq, hollow metal balls, approximately 3 inches in diameter and weighing 1.5lbs, and to get them as close as possible a beautiful area on the south coast of the to a small target ball, called the jack or cochonnet. island, for their first game of pétanque. Unlike bowls or boules, the player stays in a fixed circle After some expert guidance on the basic rules and and tosses the ball, rather than rolling it. The back of the techniques involved, teams of three were formed and hand faces forward and a slight back spin can be induced were soon absorbed in friendly rivalry. to help stop the ball on landing. Virtually any gravelly surface works with little or no surface preparation. After an enjoyable morning session, everyone retired to the Le Hocq Inn for lunch and refreshments. Jersey This classic French game is great if you’re looking for president, Paul Nicolle presented a bottle of champagne a fun pastime to do with friends and family. It is easy to the coach, who kindly supplied the boules and has to learn and fun for people of all ages and skill levels. played the game for some 35 years, and chocolates to Paul Nicolle the ladies. The event proved very popular and is likely to become a regular feature in the Jersey Circle social calendar.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 41 AROUND THE CIRCLES 70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE Raise a glass to Jack and Pat Nash of Bishop’s Stortford Circle

Pat and Jack Nash celebrate Pat and Jack Nash on with a glass of champagne their wedding day in 1950

Earlier this year, right at the beginning of Reflecting on her wedding day, Pat remembered her lockdown, Bishop’s Stortford Catenian couple, beautiful high-neck, long-sleeve dress with a small train and a coronet of seed pearls with pale apricot and gold Jack and Pat Nash toasted 70 years of marriage roses. “It was a beautiful day,” she recalled. with a glass of Fortnum & Mason champagne – Fast-forward 70 years and the couple have four over the garden fence! children – Andrew, Elizabeth, Mary-Louise and Jonathan – six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Unable to celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary with a party for family and friends due to the coronavirus “We originally decided to have a party, but this coronavirus lockdown, Pat and Jack marked the event with their thing reared its ugly head so we couldn’t get to see Grange Road neighbours, maintaining a safe social anybody,” said Jack, who worked for a telecoms company distance. during his career, ending up as a design engineer. Pat was a crafts instructor at St Elizabeth’s Centre in Perry Green. Jack, 91, remembered that it was a beautiful, sunny day when he and 90-year-old Pat married at St Thomas’ “We had cards and packages from our children, including Church, Woodford Green, on 22 April 1950. He was 21 a hamper from Fortnum & Mason which contained a bottle and his bride was 20. George VI was king, Clement of champagne, so we were able to sit outside and share a Attlee was prime minister, and If I Knew You Were Comin’ toast with our neighbours. Our children all contacted us, so I’d’ve Baked a Cake by Eileen Barton topped the charts. we had nice chats over the phone.” “I remember going up from Sawbridgeworth on the bus, A Mass conducted by Father Peter Harris was held at and my parents were there and various friends. We had St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Windhill, with the service a celebration afterwards with cake at my wife’s mother’s streamed online. “Only the priest was there, but it was in house, also in Woodford,” Jack recalled. celebration of our anniversary,” said Jack. “Unfortunately we couldn’t watch it as we don’t have the technology.” “It was a nice day, bright and sunny, and we went off on the tube because we were going on to Guernsey for our And their secret to a long marriage? “We do everything honeymoon. There was a delay to the train, so we went together. We do gardening – Pat’s very good at that. She to a small cinema and saw a Tom and Jerry cartoon.” always says, ‘Row on a Monday and make up by Friday’.” Pat, originally from Leyton, was evacuated to Sheering Pat added: “You have to put up with one another and make during the Second World War with her younger brother, allowances on both sides. The children keep you together promising her mother as they bid their farewells that as well and we’re planning a party when this is all over.” she would never let them be separated – a promise Asked whether in 1950 he thought they would be together she managed to keep. She and Jack first met as 70 years later, Jack said: “You don’t think that far forward teenagers at the cinema in Sawbridgeworth. on the day. We’re very grateful for the fact we are able to be here and that our family are within reach.” With thanks to Hollie Ryder of The Bishop’s Stortford Independent 42 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020

PICNICKING IN PERSON

Pat and Jack Nash on their wedding day in 1950

Socially distanced picnic in the sunshine

On a gloriously sunny day in August, 20 “It was a wonderful afternoon and we really enjoyed members of Lytham St Anne’s Circle made a natter and a noggin,” said Charles. “If the weather improves, we may try again. The sun shines on the just, the short journey to Lytham Hall for a allegedly. We are also planning a Mass for deceased lunchtime picnic. Brothers in November.” “We had planned a socially distanced meal at Preston Lytham Hall is a Georgian country house built in the Grasshoppers rugby ground on the western border of Palladian style. Situated just a mile from the centre of Preston, but lockdown put a stop to that. The picnic Lytham, it was built by the Clifton family to replace an was suggested as an alternative at a Zoom Circle earlier building on land occupied by the monks of meeting,” explained president, Charles Murphy. Lytham Priory before the Dissolution of the Monasteries. “Zoom has its limitations, so we formed a WhatsApp The Cliftons were a prominent local Catholic family, who group and Peter Rickards organised a picnic at Lytham supported the community, building churches in nearby Hall, which is away from the beach and Lytham Green, St Anne’s on Sea. both of which attract out-of-town visitors.” In the last Catenian year, members of the Circle and It was the first time that the Circle had met physically their wives enjoyed a tour of the Grade 1 listed Hall, since lockdown and everyone was delighted to be which is currently being renovated. Organised by past reunited in person. With ten groups of people, there president Mike King, the group enjoyed lunch in the was ample room for everyone to gather in a large circle west wing before heading out on the tour. under the old oak tree in front of the Hall and wander “The knowledge of our guides, which covered the family about chatting after the picnic. history, made for an extremely interesting couple of hours,” said Mike. “Following the tour, we returned to the boardroom for a cream tea.”

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 43 IN MEMORIAM

ANTHONY (TONY) KEAST Tony resigned from the Association, then Shortly afterwards, he joined Ranks Hovis rejoined in September 1992, and became McDougall (RHM), who became his lifetime Tony was born on president for a second time in 1995/96. employer. He located to Harlow, and 18 September 1932 He went on to become provincial councillor after marrying Anne in 1969, they set up in Croydon and died in 1997/98 and provincial president in home there. As James progressed up the on 26 November 2004/05. An outstanding event of his year management ladder, they were blessed 2018. His Requiem as provincial president was an outing on with the births of James, Jill and Michael. was held in The John the River Thames, where he maintained a One of Jim’s memorable projects was Fisher School chapel, commentary on items of interest along the on Quorn, the well-known mycoprotein which was full for riverbanks. He acquired a reputation for co-developed by RHM and ICI. He was the occasion. During being a prodigious visitor to Circles inside involved in the commercialisation, scale-up Mass, members of his and outside the Province. of production and launch in 1985, as its family sang Mozart’s Ave Verum. National service in the Royal Navy gave uses were identified in human and animal Tony became a third generation Catenian Tony his sea legs and boating interests foods and as a yeast cell in the baking as his father, Richard (Dick) Keast was a remained with him throughout his life: industry. member of Croydon Circle. His grandfather inland with the Middle Thames Yacht Club, This led to further roles of increasing was Walter John Keast, a former Grand and out at sea around Poole. His longest responsibility in different areas of RHM’s Director who merited a mention in Peter serving boat was Ad Libitum, Latin for operations, including computing, finance Lane’s history of the Association as the ‘at pleasure’, which wholly summed up and distribution. As director of distribution, ‘father of Province 13’. his view of boating. he was responsible for ensuring that bread Tony was educated at The John Fisher He also enjoyed camping and caravanning, and rolls reached our tables in perfect School in Purley, initially as a boarder, although the family was less enthusiastic condition across the country. He held that while his father was serving with the Royal about erecting tents and awnings in gale position until retiring in 2006. Navy. The school had a huge influence on force winds than he was. Camping and In 1980, the family moved to Wokingham, him and a sense of belonging remained boating interests were combined at a site where they became members of Corpus throughout his life. He often recalled in Wareham, Dorset. For many years the Christi parish and the children attended playing cricket on the school fields and whole family stayed there, went boating St Teresa’s. Jim will be remembered for watching Spitfires flying from Croydon in Poole Harbour during the day and his contribution to parish life. For some airport. discussed the day’s events round the 20 years, he was involved in the marriage After leaving school, he found employment proverbial fire in the evenings. preparation programme, with many with plantation companies in the City and Another interest was singing in Gilbert and benefitting from his own example of a later was appointed accountant to Osmor Sullivan operettas. In his younger days, strong marriage. For eight years he was Ltd in Croydon, where he worked until he was a member of the Croydon Catholic the parish appointed member of school retirement. Operatic Society, which produced several governors and chairman of the parish Faith was of paramount importance to Tony, shows. finance committee. and family life was planned around Mass He is greatly missed by his Circle Brothers In 1982, Jim was a founder member attendance, which led to visiting far-flung and by his family. of Wokingham Circle. From the outset, parishes. In his early years, he was active Jim committed himself to Circle activities. in the Catholic community and strongly He was co-auditor 1983-85, treasurer May he rest in peace supported all the local Catholic schools. 1986-88 and served as president in As a teenager, he joined the scouts and 1988/89. He was a regular attendee at met Monica, who was in the guides. They JAMES STEVEN meetings and dinners, and a respected married in 1957, with a papal blessing, James Steven, or contributor to Circle life. and had a family of five children – all boys, Jim to all who knew Apart from regular attendance at Circle the first two being twins. Three of the him, was born in events, he and Anne enjoyed regular trips boys are Catenians, perpetuating a Keast Motherwell, Scotland to the West End for theatre and dining, and presence in the Association, which in two in 1946. His school both were regular bridge players. He also years’ time will have lasted for 100 years. years started at St enjoyed trips to sporting events with the Tony’s eleven grandchildren and six great Patrick’s Primary, boys: Twickenham, particularly if Scotland grandchildren made Tony exceedingly Shieldmuir, Wishaw, were playing, the occasional football match, proud. and after the family and sometimes horseracing at Windsor. moved to Irvine, Unhappily, Tony lost his wife Monica, his He also found time for reading, and his continued at St Michael’s RC Secondary one true love, when she died in December bookshelf contained many books on College, founded by the Sisters of the 2003. Tony missed her dreadfully for the theology, religious life, church practices Cross and Passion. At St Michael’s, in rest of his life. and the priesthood. Tony joined Croydon Circle in 1965, lower sixth, he met Anne, who became the love of his life. Jim had a full and active life, involving sponsored by his father and two members family, friends and his Catholic faith, On leaving school, Jim attended Glasgow who were also John Fisher School old mirroring the ethos of the Association. University and in 1968 gained a degree boys. Tony became Catena correspondent He was always a gentleman: kind and in biochemistry. in 1968/69, registrar in 1969/70, vice considerate with a distinctive Scottish president in 1970/71 and president in sense of humour. 1971/72.

44 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 It was only in recent months that his health A keen follower of motorsport, Erik attended He learned how to read architectural deteriorated, and he passed away on 28 the Monaco Grand Prix and witnessed drawings, compile bills of quantities, and June aged 74. the terrifying accident at Le Mans in 1955, gained site experience at a new airfield He will be sadly missed by all, particularly when a Mercedes ran into the crowd in Wales. by Anne, James, Jill, Michael, his four claiming the lives of 80 spectators. He also Frederick went on to become a chartered grandchildren and his many friends in the participated in the sport, winning trophies quantity surveyor with Wimpy Construction Circle and beyond. at club meetings. Erik became friends with and John Mowlem, and worked on the racing icons, and there is a photograph of His Requiem was at Corpus Christi, NatWest Tower and London City Airport. him with the late Sir Stirling Moss after his Wokingham on 22 July. Due to coronavirus, Frederick married Thelma, with whom he win at the 1955 Mille Miglia. attendance was limited. In writing to the had two children, Julian and Cecelia. Sadly, Circle, Anne gave thanks for the guard Erik was a wine connoisseur and became Frederick and Thelma’s life together was of honour as the family left the church, secretary of the wine brotherhood, Ordre cut short when Thelma passed away. des Chevaliers Bretvins. He was a member adding: ‘It was humbling and touching Frederick had a great interest in clocks and of the Verwood Wine Circle, produced his to see so many lining the road in honour became an accomplished horologist. He own wine and had many happy memories on his final journey and to say goodbye.’ mastered French polishing and was able of visiting France. His ashes will be interred in Scotland. to renovate and refinish cases as well as Those who die go no further from Erik was also a keen sailor, taking part in repair and rebuild mechanisms. He was us than God, and God is very near. the French festival of Brest 96, an event sufficiently accomplished that he developed attracting classic sailing boats and ships a working relationship with a firm of Egham of all sizes. He competed in the Round the jewellers and would undertake clock repairs May he rest in peace Isle of Wight Race and sailed with Robin for them. Knox Johnston on British Oxygen. Frederick married his second wife, Marion, ERIK JOHNSON As a retired journalist, Erik enjoyed writing with whom he travelled the world on many press releases supporting his interests, Erik Johnson cruises but, again, their time together was and was publicity officer for Poole Circle passed away on cut short when Marion sadly died of cancer. for many years. He also enjoyed taking 1 June, having been Frederick retired in 1989 and devoted photographs of Circle events. a member of Poole much of his time to his passion for sailing, Circle for 27 years. achieving his coastal skipper certificate in Erik’s beloved wife May he rest in peace July of that year. and sailing partner, Frederick joined Runnymede Circle in Dora predeceased FREDERICK HOLDER 1991. He was an enthusiastic Catenian him in 2019. He will from the outset, immersing himself in the Frederick was born be greatly missed by spiritual and social activities of the Circle. his daughter Laura, his grandson Ben, on 8 April 1932 and He became president of Runnymede Circle his great-grandson Hendrix (aged two by 1947 the family in 1994/95 and again in 1998/99. He was and of whom he was very proud), and lived in Windsor. He elected to Provincial Council and became the members of Poole Circle. was an accomplished violinist and a keen provincial vice president in 2002/03, then Erik was born on 15 August 1929 in artist. His ambition provincial president in 2003/04, one of just Birkenhead, and having moved south in was to become an four Runnymede Brothers to achieve that 1938, completed his Catholic education architect and he office. Gerald Soane of Sutton Circle was first at St Joseph’s Catholic Junior studied architecture grand president that year and Frederick School, Wealdstone and at the and building at Slough Technical College. joined him on his tour of Australia. Salvatorian Catholic College in Harrow. Frederick undertook some amateur Frederick then became a joint member Following national service in the Royal dramatics with his sister Evelyn and was of Tandridge Circle, whose numbers had Army Medical Corps, Erik trained as a introduced by the drama teacher to the been in decline, and undertook the role journalist. He worked at the Bedfordshire Wraysbury Skiff and Punting Club. He of president there. His commitment to Times, the Oxford Mail and the Watford became accomplished at punt racing, that Circle contributed to its renewal and, Observer, transferring to public relations winning some 32 trophies at regattas up happily, it is now thriving with a growing and and joining the London Press Exchange and down the Thames, including Henley, enthusiastic membership, many of whom as a junior public relations executive in where he won a silver cup at the Junior have fond memories of Frederick. January 1959. In due course, Erik was Championships Regatta. It was customary at the meal following headhunted by Mercedes-Benz (GB) Ltd, Runnymede Circle meetings for Frederick where he had a 25-year career assisting National service followed in 1950. He to be called upon to say grace, when with the launch of many of the company’s became a signals instructor in The Royal he would evoke for the Brothers the products. In the course of his work, he met Artillery and was posted to Wales, where image of Our Lord’s heavenly banquet. royals such as Prince Philip and Prince he learned to ride a motorbike over Frederick was a devout Christian who Michael of Kent. Erik retired in 1988. cross-country routes, and to dismantle and reassemble motorcycles. epitomised Christ’s humble humanity, and Erik researched and wrote The Dawn of he personified the genuine love of servant After national service, Frederick became Motoring to celebrate the centenary of the leadership. motorcar and described its introduction indentured to a firm of quantity surveyors into England in 1896. in Grafton Street, London W1.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 45 IN MEMORIAM

The Brothers left behind look forward to CHRIS MULLENS COLIN JOHNSON sharing his company at that divine meal in eternity, when we will once again join Southgate Circle was A large number Frederick at the heavenly banquet of saddened to learn of of Catenians which he so often spoke. the sudden death of representing most Chris Mullens Circles in Province 20 in March. attended a Requiem May he rest in peace Christopher Mullens Mass celebrating the was born in Palmers life of Colin Johnson GEORGE NEWTON Green in 1930, at All Saints Catholic On 25 July, City of the eldest of three Church, Greenwood Sydney Circle lost children of Bernard on 14 July. Colin was one of their founding and Violet Mullens. He attended the loving, caring husband of Pat, devoted members with the St Angela’s Prep School and went on to father of Christine, Marie, David, Carolyn death of George Finchley Grammar School. On leaving and Susan, father-in-law of Peter and Newton. George school he joined Midland Bank, now Nigel, the adoring Pop of twelve and turned the great age HSBC, where he had a long and successful Great Poppy of three. of 92 last April and career in a number of different roles, Colin was a committed member of Liwara had been a member including a five-year posting as branch Circle, although unable to attend meetings of the Circle since its manager on Cunard transatlantic liners. and functions in recent times due to his inauguration in July 1971. He was branch manager in Whetstone poor health. He was born in Bexley in 1928, lived in before his retirement in 1987. His Born in Geraldton on 17 January 1930, Kogarah and attended the Marist Brothers insightful assessments of people were Colin was the seventh child of Ethel and High School. He qualified as an accountant always a delight and one of his endearing Victor Johnson. The older children were and was in practice with his older brother, characteristics. often designated to care for ‘Baby Colin’, Jack, in Clarence Street, Sydney. He In 1957 he met Eileen (née Judge) and seriously restricting their social lives. He married Eileen and they had four children – they were married in 1962. He was a moved to Perth in 1936 where he went to John, Peter, Kieran and Paula. He worked wonderful father to three children – Helen, school in Highgate, then Christian Brothers in the pharmaceutical industry and on a management consultant, Philip, a College. Athletics was important to Colin: joining the Catenians was instrumental financial director, and Simon, an insurance he broke records and received many in bringing many of his Catholic clients broker – and he went on to have six awards, including the honour of being into the Association. At one stage, City of grandchildren, to whom he was totally all-round state champion in track and field. Sydney Circle was known as the ‘Catholic devoted, always supportive and When he finished school in 1948, Colin pharmacists’ club’. George was president immensely proud. joined the Commonwealth audit office and in 1980/81. Chris was always keen to help others in studied accounting by correspondence The Circle had met in two venues a myriad of ways, uncomplaining, unsung, to become an associate of the Australian when George suggested a move to the unsaid. You would only occasionally find auditor general’s office. He was promoted Occidental Hotel in February 1984. The out, perhaps years later, when you told through the ranks, ultimately achieving the Circle still meets at this traditional hotel someone else of an act of kindness and role of senior audit inspector, and he had and George has been catering officer for they would reveal what he had done for the honour of being appointed a fellow on all these years. George was an honourable, them, too. his retirement. hardworking, staunchly Catholic gentleman He followed in the footsteps of his father Colin enjoyed attending local dances, who adored his wife and family. He and two uncles, Maurice and Desmond, where Pat caught his eye. During their disdained overseas travel and was insistent and joined Southgate Circle. Chris courtship, he would see Pat safely home that the best vacations were on the Gold enjoyed all aspects of being a Catenian. on his prized motorbike. They were married Coast with his family. In particular, membership of the golf on 26 January 1953. It was joyous Requiem Mass on 3 August association gave him great pleasure, Their first home was in Manning, where at St Mary Magdalene Church, Rose especially when participating in games they lived until they built a home in Bay celebrating George’s long life, which at home and abroad and enjoying the Doubleview. During this time, they were was livestreamed, with many Catenians hospitality of each hosting golf club. blessed with five children, so in 1965, present. He will be sadly missed by City He was a member for over 40 years and needing a bigger home, they moved to of Sydney Circle. completely exemplified the tenets of faith, Woodlands, where they lived for 50 family and friendship as a devout Catholic happy years. May he rest in peace and true Catenian. Colin retired in 1988 after spending 40 years in the same office, but he continued May he rest in peace to work part-time in his early retirement, after passing university exams enabling him to work as an independent auditor.

46 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Travelling became a favourite pastime of His final move was back to Perth, with He was born in November 1938 in the Colin and Pat, with several trips across a career change to become marketing seaside town of Mombasa, Kenya. He was Australia and overseas trips to the USA director of FAL. the second youngest of eight children of and the United Kingdom. In later years they When he retired, Peter and Jocelyn Alexander and Rosinha Fonseca. bought a caravan and enjoyed many trips travelled to Europe, learning Italian and The family migrated to India, where Emeric exploring Western Australia. living in Barga, Italy for three months, received most of his early schooling. He The Church was very important to Colin, sharing some great adventures. Around only ever spoke fondly of his childhood a man of strong principles, faith and core this time, they began taking regular trips in India, despite the challenges there values. He was generous with his time, to the United States to see their son, Tim, must have been living in a large family helping the Church with accounting, who was playing tennis at the University with limited income. Emeric often told the fundraising and serving on many of Alabama. story of all eight children sharing one bed, committees. He loved family gatherings In 1991, Peter walked his daughter sleeping across it to fit everyone in and, and formed many wonderful friendships Rochelle down the aisle when she married as the children got taller, adding furniture with the Catenian Association, swimming Craig. Three years later he became to accommodate their dangling feet. with the ‘Polar Bears’ at Scarborough grandfather to Thomas, followed by Wesley Emeric completed his high school years beach and at the Doubleview Bowling Club. and Keeley. In 1999, Rochelle and Craig in Kenya, where he began his career as a moved with their growing family to the junior land surveyor, saving his money so May he rest in peace USA, and for the next 15 years Peter and that he could head off to London to further Jocelyn regularly travelled to see their his qualifications. PETER COLLERAN grandchildren and Tim, who by then had On returning to Nairobi, Emeric met Meryl moved to Kentucky. They were in the USA in 1968 and they were married on 18 July A Requiem Mass to for several important events: the birth of 1970. Their three sons were born in Kenya celebrate the life of Keeley, the grandchildren’s graduations and in 1984, the family left everything Como Circle’s Peter and Tim’s wedding to Gina in 2009. behind and migrated to Perth, where they Colleran was held at Peter will be remembered as a have lived in Wattle Grove for the last 36 St Benedict’s Catholic compassionate, generous and loyal friend, years. Church, Ardross on 18 who knew how to love and how to show it. June. Peter passed Emeric had many interests, including He had a strong Catholic faith, serving as away on 8 June, the travel, history and geography. He had a an acolyte, a role that was important to him, beloved husband of strong Catholic faith – he was perhaps not particularly giving communion to the sick Jocelyn, cherished the ‘shout from the street corner’ type of and frail. He enjoyed his involvement with and devoted father of Rochelle and Craig, Christian, but a man who never missed the Catenian Association, was a member of Tim and Gina, Carolyn, and grandfather to weekend Mass, always said grace before Probus and worked tirelessly as secretary Thomas, Wesley and Keeley. meals and who, even in his 80s could recite of the Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club. the post-rosary Memoraire prayer off by Peter joined Como Circle in 1999 and heart. served as vice president in 2000/01, president in 2001/02 and part of 2002/03, May he rest in peace Emeric will be remembered as a man with secretary from 2004 to 2006, and again for a great sense of humour and the ability three years from 2009. EMERIC FONSECA to make others laugh: not only adults, but babies and children. His famous party trick Peter was born on 22 May 1932 in East Darling Range Circle was to stick his tongue out and touch his Fremantle. He grew up working in the was saddened by nose, a trick that never failed to baffle any family bakery business and attending the loss of Emeric young child. Christian Brothers College where he swam, Fonseca, who passed His three sons recall fond memories of a boxed, played water polo and was dux of away peacefully at rich childhood, filled with family holidays the college in his final year. his home in Wattle and boundless opportunities. Emeric After high school, he worked in the bank Grove on 11 June, enjoyed being a grandfather. He was hands and travelled extensively, backpacking surrounded by his on, feeding, changing nappies and putting through countries in post-World War II wife Meryl, three sons his grandchildren down for naps. His first Europe. After returning, he worked with the and their families. granddaughter, Lia, named him “Emic”, a Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Emeric was a member of the Catenian title he tried to change over the years to and joined the St Vincent de Paul Society, Association for 23 years, serving for many Grandad Emic, but the name Emic became where he met Jocelyn. They were married years as the Circle’s chamberlain. He was well entrenched for all five grandkids. on 12 June 1961 and lived in Mosman a highly regarded member of the Circle, Park, then in Alfred Cove. attending virtually every meeting, except when prevented by his deteriorating health. In the late 1960s, he moved with his family May he rest in peace to Wollongong, New South Wales, then Emeric was 82 years of age and died just a to Sydney in 1974, living in Turramurra. month short of the 50th anniversary of his Peter continued to travel, this time with marriage to Meryl, which would have been Burroughs on business trips to North and on 18 July. South America.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 47 IN MEMORIAM

HARVEY PALMER Initially belonging to a pub band, later he Peter never remarried, dedicating himself formed his own band, Serve Chilled, with to his role as a single parent. His family Harvey Palmer died much younger confederates. They sounded was his whole world. peacefully at his great because they had the energy and He was an active member of the local home in Guildford enthusiasm of youth, a force their senior tennis and golf clubs, serving as captain, on 9 July. His sons leader could absorb and reflect back vice president and president of Muswell Hill and daughters had to them. Golf Club. spent the previous He could immediately relate to those night reminiscing at Peter joined London Northern Heights he met, a knack that made him good his bedside. Under Circle in October 1971, followed by his at dealing with customers, including the Covid-19 restrictions, brothers Michael and John, both of whom toughest customers he had to deal with family and friends predeceased him. He was a kind, generous in Ireland, his prospective wife Joan’s gathered on 22 July at St Pius X Church and hugely respected senior member of family! But he succeeded and became a in Merrow to celebrate his life before his the Circle. He was a regular attender at fully-fledged member of the clan. Harvey committal at Guildford Crematorium. meetings and always good company at and Joan built a shared life together that dinners. He served as president in 2002/03 Harvey was born in Gosport, Hampshire on included Annie and Ellie, daughters from and was presented with his 40-year scroll 7 May 1939, to Sydney and Margaret. He his first marriage, warmly welcomed their in 2011. As a lifelong golfer, he participated attended St John’s College in Portsmouth sons Stephen and Andrew, and later their in the Circle’s annual golf day every June. before embarking on a career in the lock wives Katie and Clair, along with parents, As a token of appreciation and in memory industry, initially with Chubb and later ME siblings, relatives and friends. No father of Michael and John, Peter gifted ‘The Duffell. In 1973 he met Joan, his wife, could have been happier or basked more Brooks’ claret jug to the Circle on behalf of while working in Dublin for a couple of in the recognition Stephen and Andrew the whole Brooks family. The trophy, to be years. They married in St Joseph’s Church, each received from Her Majesty and Her played for in perpetuity, is presented to the Guildford, in 1979. Majesty’s government. winning golfer at each year’s event. Until Since 1977 Harvey had lived in Guildford, His support of others as a Catenian and 2018, Peter presented the trophy himself, apart from a brief move to Wolverhampton. his generous friendship to all in the parish but due to his failing health in 2019, the He worshipped at St Pius X Church. community were only the most visible signs honour has passed to Chrissie Brooks, Invariably he would be found contributing of what was in his heart. Harvey was at John’s widow. to the Mass by strumming a double bass. ease with everyone and everyone was at Peter was diagnosed with small cell lung Harvey’s professional expertise maintaining ease with him because everyone saw his cancer in May 2019, and he spent his final the church locks was greatly appreciated unconditional acceptance. If Jesus sported months as much as possible at home with by the parish. He was also part of a team a goatee and strummed a double bass in his children and beloved grandchildren. that raised funds for a children’s feeding a jazz combo, he might have looked like He died in March aged 82. programme at St Pius X Church Harvey. in Georgetown, Guyana. Harvey joined Guildford Circle on 4 March May he rest in peace May he rest in peace 1998, and took on the roles of marshal and chamberlain with enthusiasm. TOM DELACEY PETER BROOKS He engaged with everyone positively: Tom was born in 1938 neighbours, shopkeepers, church groups, Peter Anthony in County Wicklow, music groups, sports clubs, the postman Brooks was born on the garden of Ireland, and the Catenians. You could trust Harvey 26 January 1938, the eldest of 12 and his dog Scruffy to spot something awry the youngest of six children. His parents, and do something about it. Local people children. After leaving Michael and Marcella, referred to his pleasantness and the time school, Peter joined had a tied cottage he had for people: it is no surprise that the family firm of in County Wicklow, nipping out for a paper would often take Summers Henderson but then they bought up to two hours. Harvey had a sense of Loss Adjusters, a cottage and some integrity. He always wanted to do the right where he obtained land and moved to Moy Valley in County thing, not just for himself but for everyone, his Chartered Institute of Loss Adjustors Kildare. The family still lives in the same family members or business associates. qualifications and worked his way up to cottage. senior partner. He stayed there for his Harvey was cool. Or at least, as cool Tom worked on all kinds of machinery for whole working life. He met his wife Sheila as an octogenarian can get! He paid local farmers, before visiting Southport in in 1965 and they married in January 1966, attention to the whole subject of cool, not 1956 for a holiday with his brother Kevin, settling in north London, not far from where just appearance. This was surely why he who died in New York in June. Kevin went he was born. gravitated to music, favouring the coolest back to the family home, but Tom stayed. Tragically, Sheila died suddenly and of all music – jazz. Even his instrument, He met Diane Murphy in 1959 and they unexpectedly in July 1974, leaving him the double bass, exuded coolness. Harvey married in 1962 in St Peter and Paul’s with their three small children. His sister could be at the centre of the whole sound, RC Church, Crosby, Merseyside. Their Margaret left her home in the USA to while hardly seeming to expend any effort daughters were born in Crosby: Maria in help him look after them, but she too died at all. 1964 and Vivienne in 1967. suddenly from a stroke in 1978.

48 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 In 1991, Tom started to work for himself In his early years, Alan was a keen TONY D’CHASE and gradually built up his business. squash player. Later he took up golf, He carried on working until 2018 when which he loved. Wakefield (West Riding) Circle was he started to wind down the business, Alan was a well-known character around saddened to hear finally retiring at the age of 81. Paul and Richard’s senior school. He of the death of Tony Tom enjoyed the Catenians, joining City was chairman of the PTA and the board ‘Antoine’ D’Chase on of Liverpool Circle on 13 November 1980 of governors and was a regular fixture on 3 March, after a short and so would have celebrated 40 years the rugby touchline on a Saturday morning. stay in hospital. He membership in November 2020. He was Alan and Jenny made many friends had been unwell for a great visitor and made lots of friends. during this period of their lives. some months and a He was a fabulous accordion player and His love of motor cars became apparent deterioration in his enlivened many Catenian functions and when he purchased an old American army cognitive skills had made communication Irish celebrations all over Merseyside, Willis jeep and spent many happy hours in more difficult and opportunities for meeting well into his seventies. He held the post the garage renovating it. The three children up less frequent. of marshal from April 2008 and was and all their friends still remember with Anthony John Charles D’Chase was born registrar in 2016/17. affection and amusement the rides they on 15 October 1938 in Lewisham, London, His Catholic faith was very strong and the had in it. They considered him a ‘top man’. but the family moved, first to Liverpool, then love and devotion to Diane, their children Once the children married and left home, to Exeter. After leaving school he joined the and granddaughters Georgina and Amy on Jenny’s retirement they fulfilled their RAF as a regular, which involved postings remained as strong until the day he died. wish to move to a more rural environment. at home and abroad, including Singapore He went into hospital in January but came Alan and Jenny maintained that moving to and Germany, where he met his wife, Mary home to die on Good Friday, 10 April. He St Mary Bourne in Hampshire was the best Sheila Gilbert, who was also serving in was buried with Diane’s parents in St Peter move of their lives. Despite being a London the forces. They married in Huddersfield and Paul’s RC Cemetery, adjacent to the boy at heart, Alan loved his long walks with in 1960 and their union produced two church where he and Diane married. the dog and revelled in the open spaces. daughters, Carolyn and Rachel. Alan joined London Central Circle in On leaving the RAF, Tony embarked on May he rest in peace November 1976 and transferred to Sutton a new career with the prison service, mid-Surrey Circle in May 1982, where he commencing at HMP Hull and moving on ALAN CUTBILL and Jenny participated fully. to a number of detachments within the Alan was often joined by his father, also a prison system, including at HMP McGilligan Alan was born on Catenian, at Sutton Circle meetings. Alan in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. 9 June 1946 in was known for his gregarious, outgoing Promoted to senior officer in 1972, he Chiswick, London, nature. moved to HMP Wakefield. He became where he lived until principle officer at HMP Wandsworth in he met Jenny. Aged Following his move to St Mary Bourne, London, then returned to Yorkshire for 17, Alan worked for he became a founder member of Andover his final move to HMP Leeds. On retiring Lloyds of London as Group, which later became Andover Circle. from the prison service, Tony took up the a broker, and met He served for many years as treasurer position of court usher at Leeds Crown and married Jenny, and finally as the Circle auditor. He was Court and his final job in a long career a theatre sister at presented with his 40th anniversary scroll was working for a firm of Leeds solicitors. St Mary’s, Paddington. Paul arrived in by Roger Lillie, director of Province 11, 1967 and Richard followed in 1969. Alan in November 2016. His outside interests included steam and Jenny lived in Turnham Green near Alan will be very much missed by all his railways: he was a patron of the Keighley- Chiswick before moving to Kent. family and six grandchildren. His larger Worth Valley heritage line and a regular visitor to the Critch Tram Museum in When Alan was headhunted by an than life character and presence leaves Derbyshire. He was a skiing enthusiast, American insurance company, the family a hole in their lives and Andover Circle. visiting the Bavarian Alps several times, moved to Brussels where the European He died in the early stages of lockdown, and in later years he enjoyed more leisurely headquarters were based. Jane was on 30 March. Regrettably, Brothers were holidays in Bulgaria. born there in 1972. Six happy years were unable to attend his funeral. spent in Brussels, including many visits to Tony joined Wakefield Circle in 2001, one European countries and fun holidays to of several Brothers from St Ignatius parish, May he rest in peace France. Alan joined the Brussels British Ossett, recruited by fellow parishioner, Rugby Club, where he trained, socialised the late Bob Walker. Regularly attending and enrolled the boys in the junior section. meetings and joining social events, his willingness to contribute fully for the good On his return from Brussels to Croydon, of the Circle resulted not surprisingly in him Alan commuted for many years to London, becoming president in 2004 and again in working for a number of re-insurance 2007. He was a man of strong faith, and companies. This involved travel to a variety both he and his wife for some years visited of countries, from Mexico to the Middle Lourdes on the annual Leeds diocesan East and Europe, with Israel being a pilgrimage. favourite destination.

OCTOBER 2020 • CATENA 49 IN MEMORIAM

In some respects, he was a private, When an enlarged Province 3 became BOB BARRON reticent individual, but he was a man unwieldy, Mike took on the role of provincial of principal who strongly supported his president and was instrumental in Bob was born in family in all aspects and aired his views setting up Province 3 South. Later, when Preston on 9 August uncompromisingly. As his son-in-law Doncaster Circle was struggling to fill posts, 1949. He was the first summed him up at his funeral service: he stepped into the breach and served a boy in the family and “Tony was like the taste for Marmite – second term as president. He encouraged 18 months younger some for, some against – but he had visiting throughout the Province and than Joan, with whom a heart of gold!” beyond, always offering to drive older he shared a simple but happy childhood. Tony’s funeral service at his parish of Brothers and persuading younger ones Over the next 15 St Ignatius, sadly was a simple ceremony to join them. years Bob became required by the diocese during the Covid Both he and Liz enjoyed travelling abroad brother to John, Peter, Chris, and Richard. pandemic, restricted to family only, so with Catenian friends, visiting France, there was no opportunity for his Catenian Spain, Morocco, South Africa, India and Growing up, Bob had a love of nature and friends to attend. He will be missed by Goa. They entertained Catenian golfing the outdoors which stayed with him. In his his wife Sheila, his daughters, sons-in-law friends Charlie Blake, Tom Keegan and early years he developed a keen interest in and grandchildren. their wives at their villa in Javea, frequently birds, a passion that continued throughout inviting Father Harney to join them so they his life. He also loved fishing. could enjoy daily Mass in the house. Bob spent much of his childhood playing May he rest in peace In 1969 he was appointed a West Riding with friends – cricket in the street or building rope swings in Bluebell Woods. He MICHAEL MITCHELL magistrate, serving as chairman of the family panel and deputy chairman of the enjoyed swimming, hiking and camping, Michael was born bench. Fellow magistrates recall him and during one cold winter in 1963, sliding in Brockley, south as someone who encouraged newer on the ice on the River Ribble. He started London on 20 August magistrates to contribute to deliberations supporting Preston North End as a boy in 1927, the younger son and one whose wisdom and innate the days of Tom Finney, whom he much of Richard and Ruby common sense always shone through. admired. Mitchell. In the 1990s, he became a director of Bob gained a scholarship to Preston During the war, he Doncaster Health Authority, chairing the Grammar School which gave him joined the RAF and audit committee. the opportunity to satisfy his thirst for trained in Canada, knowledge, his interest in sport and nature, Mike loved fast cars, especially his gaining his wings on and to develop other interests, including two-seater blue Jaguar. He played golf Armistice Day, 1945. He enjoyed service chess. Bob started his civil engineering regularly, giving an annual prize of a week life in Egypt and recalled with amusement degree at Liverpool University one month in his Spanish villa. that his boy valet used to shake out his after his 17th birthday. His days in Liverpool shoes every morning to ensure there were He and Liz celebrated their golden wedding were incredibly happy. Not only was it no scorpions lurking in the toes. in 2006, but he was sadly widowed in the the home of the Beatles and his second December. Post-war he gained a place at Birmingham favourite football team, but towards the end University, where he met his wife, Liz. Not wishing to travel alone, he eventually of his first term in 1966 he met his wife, invited Margaret Wade, widow of a Moira. Holiday jobs included working on Armed with an economics degree, he longstanding Catenian friend, Owen the construction of Preston bus station, and joined Unilever and liked to claim that he Wade from Grimsby Circle, to join him on on a dredger on the River Ribble to keep “sold Wall’s ice cream”. trips to Tenerife. Once they entered their the port at Preston open, which he really Later he joined Jarvis and Womack, a 80s, feeling less able to manage alone, enjoyed. family-owned roofing business established yet still not wishing to be a burden on On leaving Liverpool in 1969, Bob worked in Rotherham in 1870. On 11 August 1956 their respective families, it made perfect for Lancashire County Council, based in he married Elizabeth Womack and they sense for them to share a home and look Preston. He loved his job, worked for the had four children: Mark, Anna, Anthony and after each other. They continued to travel county for 40 years and became chief David. As a young family, they spent many regularly and had begun to enjoy cruises. engineer of Roads for Lancashire. holidays camping in France, frequently Thank goodness for Saga! with the family of Catenian friend, Gerry In 1971, Bob and Moira married at St Despite leading such a full life, Mike was Moverley. Nicholas’ Catholic Church, Leeds. Marrying essentially a shy man, but once he became Moira, his best friend and the love of his Mike’s Catholic faith and his commitment to your friend, he was a friend for life. He was life, was one of the happiest days of his life. family life were extremely important to him highly principled and extremely generous. They were married for over 48 years. and he joined Doncaster Circle in 1962. Mike died in May 2020 of pneumonia During his 58-year membership, he was exacerbated by Covid-19. As only the on the committee, served as president in family could attend his funeral, a Catholic 1970/71 and became a permanent member remembrance service will be held when of the Benevolence Board. His family lockdown restrictions are lifted. particularly remember the “amazing fun” of the treasure hunts and barn dances that Mike and Gerry organised. May he rest in peace

50 CATENA • OCTOBER 2020 Moira and Bob welcomed Louise in 1973, He was Catenian of the year in 2019, and and Lucy a few years later. Moira always a member of most teams in Longridge Apology and Correction said what a natural, fantastic father Bob Circle, from captaining the cricket team, In the September edition of Catena the was from day one. He put his family to bowling, darts and quiz teams. death of Philip Davies, Ku-Ring-Gai first. As Louise and Lucy grew up, he Bob took his cancer diagnosis six years Circle, was incorrectly notified. The always had the time and patience to help ago with the same strength of character Catena team apologises for this error. them with homework, revise for exams and optimism that he showed in all aspects Notifications of deceased members are and encourage their music practice. He of his life. He never complained to family or checked and compiled at the Catenian supported them at hours of music lessons friends about his illness and did everything head office in Coventry before being and concerts, took Louise to music festivals in his power to fight it and maintain his sent to the magazine. This matter has and Lucy to sports competitions all over active lifestyle, going to the gym and cycling. been taken seriously and steps have Lancashire. His bravery and stoicism meant that very been taken to ensure this does not Many of Bob’s closest friendships were few people were aware of the nature of his happen again. formed through the Catenians. He was illness until a few weeks before he died. His proud of the organisation, which he joined graveside service of thanksgiving was held in 1985, and was at the heart of Longridge at St Francis, Hill Chapel on 23 June and Circle. was attended by more than 100 people. He was president twice, provincial He will be sorely missed by family and councillor, chamberlain, and remained friends in Longridge Circle and beyond, treasurer until he died. but above all he will be missed by his “best friend and love of his life”, Moira.

May he rest in peace

Please keep the following deceased Brothers and their families in your prayers

2020 04 Bernard O’Donnell 12 Paul Mitchell May City of Salford Circle Malvern Circle

14 Michael Wright 05 Pat Ryan 14 Tony Walsh Wolverhampton Circle Barnsley Circle Chichester Circle

July 07 Ken Homewood 16 Stan Williams West Norfolk Circle Malvern Circle 25 George Newton City of Sydney Circle 08 Peter Duggan 19 Peter Rochford Solihull Circle Derby Circle 29 David King Cumberland West Circle 10 Mike Walsh 24 John Mayne City of Winchester Circle Darlington Circle 30 Desmond Harte Billericay Circle 12 Colin Brooks September Upminster Circle August 04 Ged Kerrigan 12 Mitch Mitchell Fremantle Circle 01 Michael Van Ommen Harrogate Circle Manly Circle

04 Bob Mallinder Garstang Circle

May we remind contributors that obituaries should not exceed 600 words. This is to allow as many obituaries to be included as possible. Please send obituaries by email, as contributions sent by post can be difficult to process and check. [email protected] May we remind all contributors to ensure obituaries have been checked with family members before sending to Catena. Please do not send photos of great sentimental value through the post.

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Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. Your Catenian circle must be mentioned at the time of booking or within 24hrs if an online booking. *Some elements are not commissionable, including room/travel upgrades and supplements, insurance premiums and bookings made through a third party (to include travel agents, online booking sites or any dedicated media partner departures) and any bookings where the Catenian Circle name was not mentioned at the time of b o o k i n g. A co m m is si o n i nvo i ce w i l l b e r e q u e s te d f ro m t h e C i rc le v ia a n e m a i l to t h e le a d n a m e o n t h e b o o k i n g , i n t h e m o n t h fo l low i n g t h a t of t h e d e p a r t u r e . Pay m e n t m a d e to yo u r C i rc le , for all that travel, within 28 days of receipt of invoice.