Eastern Link
July 2020
Contents:
St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) to become a patron Saint of the Association in Australia As you may have heard the Australian National Council and the Sisters of Saint Joseph have agreed that St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) should become a patron Saint of the Association in Australia. Prior to the restrictions imposed on every-day activities as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic it was the intent to formally consummate this during the Association's Sydney Conference Mass scheduled for Sunday August 23, 2020. With this now not possible, in collaboration with the Sisters the formal ceremony will now form part of a pre-recorded Mass which will "go to air" on St. Mary MacKillop's feast day – Saturday August 8, 2020. |
Province 20 Director appointed chairman of Central Council Liwara Circle Brother and Province 20 Director, Ralph Fitzpatrick was appointed Chairman of the Central Council of the Catenian Association on 19 June 2020, the first Catenian to hold this position from a Western Australian circle. Ralph joined the Association in November 1995 when he was in his mid 40s, married with two teenage sons and working full time. During the ensuing 25 years he has held a variety of positions in Liwara Circle, Province 20 and the Catenian Association. |
Who was St Thomas More? On 22 June the Church celebrated the feast of one of The Association's patron saints, the English martyr St Thomas More. The President of the St Thomas More Society in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Michael Mc Auly, has kindly agreed to Eastern Link reproducing his message to the Society's members on the occasion of the Feast in which he reflects on the life of the Saint and his spiritual disposition whilst in prison awaiting martyrdom. Michael is a Barrister of the Supreme Court of NSW and an Adjunct Professor in the Sydney Law School of Notre Dame University, Australia. |
What does St Mary MacKillop mean to the Catenian Association? St Mary MacKillop will formally become a patron saint of the Association in Australia on 8 August 2020. Having been exposed to her presence in Sydney, Penola and Eden, I do take inspiration from her life, trials and works. I can relate to her many painful experiences and to her belief that in the end all would be well. But it is clear that the end was achieved by hard work, persistence and inspiration. |
Eastern Link - an opportunity to share our stories! With latest figures showing a regular readership of around 300 to 400 every month, Eastern Link has quickly become a key source of news, and information sharing for Catenians in Province 21 and Area Victoria. Eastern Link is a great opportunity for Catenian Circles to keep up to date with what other Circles are doing, social activities and meetings etc. |
Blue Justice - A Book by Maroondah Circle's Phil Copsey Catenian author Phil Copsey retired from the Victoria Police Force in November 2016, after a little more than 42 years service. During that time he served in Uniform Stations, in the Highway Patrol, and finally the Special Events Service. His day to day service over that period has given him deep insight into the law & order aspects of the Melbourne city & suburban scene as well as two of our major highways out of the city. |
A Reunion - An article in Catena has brought two Catenians together again More than 70 years have elapsed since Peter Walsh and John Cox lived next door to each other. As a child, Peter Walsh, president of Victoria Area Council and a member of the Australian National Coucil, lived at 10 Priestnall Road, Heaton Moor in what is now Greater Manchaester. This was from about 1944 to 1947. |
| The Hills - First to Resume Live Face to Face Meetings - Incorporating Zoom We conducted our first live meeting at St Joseph's since Feb 20, plus we had brothers attend via Zoom. The success of both live and online attendees is borne out in the fact the circle witness the biggest rollout at a meeting for years. The incoming President (Victor Gauci) has moved that we continue with this joint approach for future meetings. The cost will be an extra $23.09 per month, since we booked the meeting for longer than the free 40 minutes - a very cheap investment. |
City of Sydney – Let's do lunch is back! When: 12 Noon on Tuesday 18 August, 2020 Where: Occidental Hotel, Fairmont Restaurant on Level 1 – same place as our meetings. Menu: A main course, sides and tea or coffee for $45. |
Charterhouse Centenary Jazz Concert, 27th July To mark the Centenary of the granting of the charter on 27th July 1920 to London Charterhouse, a Jazz concert has been arranged on Zoom. All brothers and their families are welcome. 27th July 2020 Centenary Jazz concert at 8pm BST, featuring Theo Jackson and Cherise Adam-Burnett. |
Nicholas Moore to speak at Harbourside North in September Nicholas Moore is the former CEO of Macquarie Bank and Chair of Centre for Independent Studies, Willow, Screen Australia, Sydney Opera House, The Smith Family, National Catholic Education Commission and Member UNSW Business School Advisory Council. Nicholas Moore is a parishioner of Sydney Harbour North Parishes |
Extraordinary Circle activities during Covid-19 and ongoing? What Circles are doing to keep connections going within our Catenian community during Covid-19 restrictions.Are small group gatherings the answer? |
News from around the Circles What's happenning Around the Circles in Province 21 |
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What's the alternative to Pulpit presentations and personal invitations as a recruitment tool? |
St Patricks Catholic Church , Church Hill, GOTHIC REVIVAL, 1844, John Frederick Hilly Archiect, Built in the early 1840s, St Patrick's stands in Sydney's historic Rocks area, with a history reaching back to the very beginnings of Catholic life in Australia. Inseparably linked with St Patrick's history is the name of William Davis, an Irishman transported for his part in anti-British uprisings in Ireland in 1798. Davis obtained land in The Rocks in 1809, and in the early years of the colony, |
| Boland Covid Quiz John Boland from Ku-Ring-Gai Circle created this quiz for a recent Ku-Ring-Gai meeting, apparently nobody is yet to get all of the answers. Can you be the first? |
Let's Get Cooking - No Bake Granola Bars No Bake Granola Bars Recipe - from the Cairns Circle Newsletter (edited by Peter Cash in sunny Bournemouth). Perfect for those grab-and-go mornings, our no-bake granola bars are a fantastic breakfast snack to keep you going until lunch. Simply prep a batch at the start of the week and store in an airtight container |
Vale Robert(Rob) Bernard Maybury AO.FCA - Boroondara Circle Rob was a member of Boroondara Circle (345) in Victoria and was a Past President (2 year Term) and was the current Auditor for a term of 5 years. He was an exceptional man and very eager to help others and assist his fellow man. |
| Vale George Newton, City of Sydney He was an inaugural brother in the Circle when formed on 22nd July 1971. He was President in 1980-81 and organised for the Circle to move to the Occidental Hotel on 1st February 1984. He was then our catering officer for all those years and only retired through ill health. |
Prayers for ... Please remember in your prayers - |
Letters? Can we start a Letters section, we're all looking for ideas on what we can do in these Covid-19 times and beyond, with gathering restrictions changing constantly, why not share your ideas on what we all can do to keep our Catenian community alive during these trying times?
Comments on articles are welcome, share your views on what you see in Eastern Link, agree or disagree, it would be great to hear from you.
All communication should be sent to Paul at p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au
St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) to become a patron Saint of the Association in Australia
by John Secker, Secretary, Australian National Council
As you may have heard the Australian National Council and the Sisters of Saint Joseph have agreed that St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) should become a patron Saint of the Association in Australia.
Prior to the restrictions imposed on every-day activities as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic it was the intent to formally consummate this during the Association's Sydney Conference Mass scheduled for Sunday August 23, 2020. With this now not possible, in collaboration with the Sisters the formal ceremony will now form part of a pre-recorded Mass which will "go to air" on St. Mary MacKillop's feast day – Saturday August 8, 2020.
The Mass, which will be that of her Solemnity, will be celebrated by Fr. David Ranson (well known to many Sydney based Catenians and the Vicar General of the Broken Bay Diocese) in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel (North Sydney) where she is buried . Given the constraints resulting from the pandemic it was not possible to open this Mass to all Australian Catenians and their families, however, it was the wish of the ANC that all Circles and Groups of the Association in Australia be afforded the opportunity to be represented in the congregation, accordingly invitations have been extended to all Circle and Group Presidents to join with members of the ANC, members of the councils of Province 20, 21 and Victorian Area together with representatives of the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Mary MacKillop Place from 3:45pm to about 5:30pm on July 27. The ANC does, of course, recognize that government health regulations as well as the tyranny of distance will likely prevent many from availing of this opportunity.
The ANC will be making the Mass available to Catenians across the world via YouTube (details of how to connect with this Mass will be made available once recording and editing is completed) just before 6pm AEST (the time has been chosen as it is within waking hours for most Catenians across the world) on St. Mary MacKillop's feast day – Saturday August 8, 2020 and, on behalf of the ANC, I encourage you, your Brother Catenians and families to come together then (to the extent that COVID-19 regulations in allow) to "participate" in the Mass.
Province 20 Director appointed chairman of Central Council
Liwara Circle Brother and Province 20 Director, Ralph Fitzpatrick was appointed Chairman of the Central Council of the Catenian Association on 19 June 2020, the first Catenian to hold this position from a Western Australian circle.
Ralph joined the Association in November 1995 when he was in his mid 40s, married with two teenage sons and working full time. During the ensuing 25 years he has held a variety of positions in Liwara Circle, Province 20 and the Catenian Association. His current roles include Director of Province 20, Vice President of the Australian National Council, Director of The Catenian Association Limited, Director of Catena Publications Limited, Director of the Catenian Association Australia Limited and now Chairman of Central Council. These positions keep Ralph extremely busy and allow him to utilize his experience gained from his working life.
Ralph was born on 20 December 1949 in Perth, Western Australia and has lived in WA all his life. His parents Ron and Albertine (Tine) Fitzpatrick met in Penang, Malaysia. Ron was a prisoner of war in Singapore for five years during the Second World War and Tine spent the war years in Penang. In 1947, a couple of months after they married, they migrated to WA. Ralph is their second child and has two brothers and one sister. Their home was always filled with people, as their family was the "go to" place for visiting families from Malaysia.
Ralph attended Holy Family School in Como and then Christian Brothers College Perth, which later became Trinity College. In 1966 he was dux of the college. He then studied at the University of Western Australia and gained a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in mathematics and applied mathematics followed by a postgraduate Diploma in Computation. At this time computing was in its infancy.
After leaving university Ralph commenced work in 1971 with the WA State Public Service Board in the Organisation and Methods (O&M) section and studied part-time to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in accounting. After seven years in the O&M section he spent 18 months as a Senior Industrial Officer at the Public Service Board performing duties which included advocacy before the State and Federal Industrial Commissions, briefing counsel to appear in the WA Supreme Court and appearing on behalf of the State Government in the National Wage Case.
In 1981 Ralph was appointed Executive Officer to the WA Government Computer Policy Committee, which liaised with the Computing Division of Treasurer and the Public Service Board on all State Government computing and information technology matters. This was early days for computers in business. Following the establishment in 1984 of the Department of Computing and Information Technology (DOCIT), Ralph held several positions within the department.
In 1986 he was seconded for 18 months to the Functional Review Committee as Review Coordinator. He returned to DOCIT as Senior Consultant and then as Manager, Consultancy and Review Branch. During this time Ralph was a regular IT advisor to the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet and was a member of the Tender Board. When DOCIT was disbanded in 1991, Ralph was transferred to the Department of State Services where he continued as Manager of the Consultancy and Review Branch and Assistant Director of State Information Technology.
In 1991 Ralph took a voluntary redundancy offer and enjoyed two years at home while also working part-time with his wife Liana in their Amway business. In 1992 he travelled to Indonesia for the launch of this business.
Realising her was too young to retire, Ralph started work in 1993 for Acctser (now called Classic Information Systems). Three years later Ralph and a colleague bought the business. He was now part owner and Managing Director and the business went from strength to strength. Ralph and his partner built the company from a small accounting software business to a successful international software development company specialising in accounting software for mining, exploration and oil companies.
Ralph's work involved a large amount of travel to mining sites within Australia and overseas to Africa and the Philippines. Even while working, Ralph was actively involved in All Saints Catholic Church in Greenwood for more than ten years serving as a committee member, Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairman of the Finance Committee.
After 21 years in the Public Service and 21 years working in software design and development he retired in 2014.
Liana and Ralph wholeheartedly recommend membership of the Association to anyone considering joining.In 1970 while at university he met Liana who had just started a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in mathematics. They married in the Trinity College Chapel in May 1972 and lived in South Perth for a year before buying a new house in Duncraig where they have lived for 47 years, although many renovations have occurred during this time. They have two sons, Tony born in 1977 and Alan born in 1980. During their earlier years Ralph travelled a lot for work. In one year he had 25 business trips and Tony could tell where his dad was going by the time of day that he left home to catch a plane (e.g. 5 am was Kalgoorlie, 11 pm was Melbourne, etc.).
His mother and father nurtured Ralph's love of hockey, which he played at school and later for the Trinity Hockey Club. Ralph was President and Treasurer of the hockey club where he and Liana received the joint Best Clubman award. Both Tony and Alan attended Trinity College and Ralph passed on his love of hockey to them. Injuries and work travel put an end to his playing days in 2004 and now he enjoys watching his sons and grandsons play.
Liana is involved in family history and has been an active member of the Western Australian Genealogical Society for 15 years and six years as President. Her contribution to the Society was recognised in 2019 when she was awarded life membership.
Ralph and Liana are a good partnership and support each other in their endeavours. Even though they have busy schedules they visit all Province 20 circles at least once each year and attend Catenian events whenever possible.
In 2006 when Mike O'Malley led the Grand President's tour of Western Australia Ralph and Liana were introduced to the wider Catenian world and it marked the beginning of their involvement in Catenian events nationally and internationally.
They have attended all six Australian Conferences and nine international Catenian Conferences; the first for the 100-year celebrations in Manchester in 2008 and every year since 2012. They were booked to attend the conference in Aberdeen in May 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. They espouse the benefits of attending local, provincial and international events and visiting Catenians when travelling. The Catenian friendships they have made are very strong and extend all around Australia, Great Britain, India and Malta. Their friendships and face-to-face meetings make it easier when Ralph attends meetings to discuss Catenian issues via phone, email, Skype or Zoom.
Ralph has recently been re-elected Director of Province 20 for a further term of three years so is likely to be involved for at least five years to come on the Australian National Council and Central Council.
Liana and Ralph wholeheartedly recommend membership of the Association to anyone considering joining. Ralph is always mindful of the advice he was given by a friend of his father when he asked if he had heard of the Catenians. He said: "Ralph, just join. It will be the best decision you ever make," and it was (apart from marrying Liana, of course!)
Ralphs Catenian journey -
Joined Liwara Circle 1995
Liwara Circle Registrar 2003
Liwara Circle Council 2003-2012
Liwara Circle Vice President 2005/06
Liwara Circle President 2006/07
Liwara Circle Provincial Councillor 2009/10
Provincial Vice President 2011/12
Provincial President 2012/13
Province 20 Membership and Expansion Officer 2013-2015
Australian Committee (Auscom) 2012-2016
Information Technology sub-committee of Auscom (AusIT) 2012-2015
Province 20 Director 2016 – current
Grand Council for six months prior to restructure 2016
Australian National Council since inception 2016-current
Australian National Council President 2017-2019
Catenian Central Council June 2017-current
Who was St Thomas More?
On 22 June the Church celebrated the feast of one of The Association's patron saints, the English martyr St Thomas More.
The President of the St Thomas More Society in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Michael Mc Auly, has kindly agreed to Eastern Link reproducing his message to the Society's members on the occasion of the Feast in which he reflects on the life of the Saint and his spiritual disposition whilst in prison awaiting martyrdom. Michael is a Barrister of the Supreme Court of NSW and an Adjunct Professor in the Sydney Law School of Notre Dame University, Australia.
Life
The story of St Thomas More is well known but worth repeating. Saint Thomas More was born in 1478. He died in 1535 at the age of fifty-seven.
Early Years
More's father was a lawyer, and, later, a judge. More spent only two years at Oxford University before his father (who was a pragmatist) insisted More enrol at New Inn, where, for two years, More commenced his study of English law. From 1496 to 1502 More was a student at Lincoln's Inn. In 1502 More was called to the bar. Despite not having obtained a degree from Oxford, More became proficient in Greek and Latin. More was a proponent of the "new learning", emphasising a return to the Greek and Latin classics. More gave a series of lectures on St Augustine's City of God. More toyed with a religious vocation, spending 1503 and 1504 living near the Carthusian monastery in London, taking part in the life of the Carthusian monks. But the life of a Carthusian monk was not for More.
Marriage and Family In 1505
More married Jane Colt. They had three daughters and one son, Margaret, Elizabeth, Cicely, and John. Unfortunately, More's wife, Jane, died in 1511. More, in accordance with the custom of the time, wanting a mother for his children, promptly married a widow somewhat older than himself, Alice Middleton. Alice brought with her a daughter from her former marriage. More, at some stage, became the guardian of two orphans – Anne Cresacre and Margaret Giggs. So, there were eventually seven children in the More household. More insisted on giving his daughters the same excellent classical education he gave his son – unusual in that age.
Utopia
In 1516 More wrote the classic of world literature, Utopia.
Professional Life
More was a lawyer, a parliamentarian, an administrator, a judge, and a diplomat. This was a time when the concept of the separation of powers – legislative, executive, and judicial – was unknownMore moved effortlessly to positions of greater and greater responsibility. More became Speaker of the House of Commons - and, in 1525, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, having executive and judicial responsibility for much of northern England. From 1529 to 1532 More was Lord Chancellor.
Hidden Life of Prayer and Penance
At some stage, it would seem, More became a member of the Third Order of St Francis. Although a layman, More lived a hidden life of fervent prayer and penance.
Imprisonment, Trial and Death
More was imprisoned in the Tower of London from 13 April 1534 until his execution on 6 July 1535. More's trial for treason on 1 July 1535 was a kangaroo court. Only after his conviction for treason did More state his conscientious conviction that, as Catholic teaching had always held, the Pope is the Head of the Church on earth, the Vicar of Christ. More went to his death for his faith, at a time when the renaissance popes were far from the saintly examples provided by, say, the twentieth century popes – Pope Pius XII, Pope St John XXIII, Pope St Paul VI, and Pope St John Paul II.
To understand the hidden depths of St Thomas More, one needs to look at his Tower writings, written when More was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Only there can one understand the hidden More.
St Thomas More went to his death, Henry VIII's good servant, but God's first. More went to his death with good humour, born of an understanding that there is more to life than family, intellectual achievement, riches, and power, and that our ultimate goal is not in this life.
St Thomas More is the patron saint of statesmen and politicians, lawyers, and those who have difficult marriages.
Letter to Daughter Margaret
The liturgy provides for our reading an excerpt from a letter written in prison by More to his daughter, Margaret:
Although I know well, Margaret, that because of my past wickedness I deserve to be abandoned by God, I cannot but trust in his merciful goodness. His grace has strengthened me until now and made me content to lose goods, land, and life as well, rather than to swear against my conscience.
God's grace has given the king a gracious frame of mind toward me, so that as yet he has taken from me nothing but my liberty. In doing this His Majesty has done me such great good with respect to spiritual profit that I trust that among all the great benefits he has heaped so abundantly upon me I count my imprisonment the very greatest. I cannot, therefore, mistrust the grace of God.
By the merits of his bitter passion joined to mine and far surpassing in merit for me all that I can suffer myself, his bounteous goodness shall release me from the pains of purgatory and shall increase my reward in heaven besides.
I will not mistrust him, Meg, though I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear. I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.
And finally, Margaret, I know this well: that without my fault he will not let me be lost. I shall, therefore, with good hope commit myself wholly to him. And if he permits me to perish for my faults, then I shall serve as praise for his justice. But in good faith, Meg, I trust that his tender pity shall keep my poor soul safe and make me commend his mercy.
And, therefore, my own good daughter, do not let your mind be troubled over anything that shall happen to me in this world. Nothing can come but what God wills. And I am very sure that whatever that be, however bad it may seem, it shall indeed be the best.
Modern historical research confirms the Church's judgment of More's heroic sanctity. Yet More was not without his faults, and was, in many ways, a man of his time. Sanctity involves struggle against oneself, against one's evil tendencies, against one's faults, despite one's flaws. That is a lesson More leaves for each of us.
Watch the St Thomas More Memorial Mass held on June 18 2020
What does St Mary MacKillop mean to the Catenian Association?
By George Kazs, ANC President
St Mary MacKillop will formally become a patron saint of the Association in Australia on 8 August 2020.
Having been exposed to her presence in Sydney, Penola and Eden, I do take inspiration from her life, trials and works. I can relate to her many painful experiences and to her belief that in the end all would be well. But it is clear that the end was achieved by hard work, persistence and inspiration.
From a personal perspective, and having enjoyed membership in the Association for many years, I can see the personal, social and spiritual benefit of an international lay catholic organisation providing a faith-based friendship platform for the development of its members to the good of both the church and society.
Our history shows, and our membership is committed to our charism of faith based friendship. This is what differentiates us from other social and religious groups. I suggest that through our baptism and faith, our ends are the same, but our means are different.
But does that mean our faith-based friendship is a static concept?
Or should it grow and develop both personally and organisationally?
Our church and our society have changed significantly since our foundation in 1908.
There are some who consider that the changes do not go far enough.
You have only to witness the various and recent protest movements, changes in corporate and civil law as well as changes within our Church to realise today is very different to yesterday and tomorrow will be different again.
Can we say that our Association continues to respond to the needs of members, existing and prospective, amidst such change?
Given recent reductions to our numbers and changes in our social demographics, it seems not. One of the challenges I have been grappling with, in the context of my various leadership roles in the Association, is the vision for the Association in the medium term (ten years).
If we think about it, we can all envisage the future - changes might relate to technology, the environment and to society – and the full impact of Covid 19 and its successors has yet to be felt.
For some of us, the future might seem bleak. This is where inspiration might kick in.
St Mary MacKillop firmly believed that in the end all would be well but change was necessary.
Through her example of prayerful and attentively listening for the movement of the Holy Spirit, the Association and its members in Australia have discerned that an Australian expression of the spirituality of the Catenian experience is a spirituality of interdependence, one lived through faith, friendship, respect and service.
Our Association model was right for its time. And many today consider that what has served us for 110 years should continue to be our vision for the future – what I might call, a bastion of light; a stronghold or fortress within our society against all its trials and tribulations; a pillar of the Church.
Unfortunately, many in our church and society are not attracted to such an exclusive view. And no amount of proselytising or publicity seems to have any impact on the growth and development of the Association.
It's like mixing the same ingredients and expecting to bake a different cake!
The development of the Association in India is perhaps an exception but its integration into the Association as a whole seems to have some way to go. This reflects one of our challenges – the management of cultural and social differences. Those differences exist across all countries and we are finding our unique expression through a spirituality that reflects the charism of St Mary MacKillop.
So, another option is to envision the Association as providing a safe haven for all lay Catholics to develop faith-based friendships – what I might call, an inclusive network. I suggest that such an inclusive network, open to young and old, male and female, through which members can learn from each other to improve their faith including via faith, social, charitable, business and learning networks, would genuinely enable members to contribute to a better and more just world and society. And enjoy the journey.
Rather than seeking to explain to the clergy, prospective members and parishioners that while we are proudly catholic and support youth and families, we are exclusively for men only, we should welcome all the laity to share in our fellowship and friendship. We all have special needs but in the eyes of society and God, we are all equal.
How good would that be as a pulpit presentation?
All our Circles are joined in common bonds and values and such a network can be a powerful force for good in the world. Our circles should, however, be free to develop membership, meeting and activity arrangements best suited to their needs as committed, active Catholics. So, my vision is the Association of the future should be accommodating of all the laity and like modern society should be able to welcome men only, women only and what we might call community Circles all being part of the Association network.
This would take us to a new level. One where our friendships and supports would have no barriers to growth and development.
Might I suggest we all reflect and pray about these matters and trust in the Holy Spirit to give us guidance, wisdom and discernment in these challenging times.
Eastern Link - an opportunity to share our stories!
With latest figures showing a regular readership of around 300 to 400 every month, Eastern Link has quickly become a key source of news, and information sharing for Catenians in Province 21 and Area Victoria.
Eastern Link is a great opportunity for Catenian Circles to keep up to date with what other Circles are doing, social activities and meetings etc. as well as news from ANC, Province and Area news.
Most stories in Eastern Link are submitted from contributors or sourced from Circle newsletters, so the editor is reliant on you and your Circle Secretary for stories and the information we share.
In Eastern Link, we have the ideal communication tool, an opportunity to share information for the benefit of everybody in Province 21 and Area Victoria on a monthly basis.
Province is taking advantage of the wide readership by publishing in Eastern Link the Province 21 Council minutes for those interested.
Circles can continue to share news of their activities and everybody can benefit from the wide readership by –
- If you aren't sharing your newsletter with the other Circle Secretaries, please ensure you add p21.circle.secretaries@thecatenians.org.au to your distribution list for your Circle newsletter or notice of meeting. This is the major source of articles for Eastern Link
Photo taken on a phone by the waitress - Manly walkers went to lunch recently.If your Circle has an interesting speaker coming up, who might attract visitors, Eastern Link is published in the middle of the month and would welcome the opportunity to publicise your speaker and meeting. Alternatively, send an email to p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au if the newsletter doesn't fit the timing for the distribution of Eastern Link- If you enrol a new member, take a photo of them with your Circle President and with his sponsor if you can (waist up photos are best so we can see the faces) and include in your Circle newsletter and/or send to Eastern Link
- Take some photos at any social gathering (phones are perfect), overall shots and a couple with 4 to 6 people (with names)
If your Circle is not mentioned in Eastern Link, particularly in the Around the Circles section, it probably means your newsletter is not getting to the editor.
Blue Justice - A Book by Maroondah Circle's Phil Copsey
By Paul McCulloch at Maroondah Circle.
Catenian author Phil Copsey retired from the Victoria Police Force in November 2016, after a little more than 42 years service. During that time he served in Uniform Stations, in the Highway Patrol, and finally the Special Events Service.
His day to day service over that period has given him deep insight into the law & order aspects of the Melbourne city & suburban scene as well as two of our major highways out of the city.
Service in Special Events covered large city demonstrations, and events such as the Grand Prix, both Albert Park & Phillip Island, the Sun Cycling Tour (Melbourne to Warrnambool, Royal & Presidential Visits, & major concerts at the MCG.
At the time of our last National Conference in Melbourne, it was Bro. Phil, who conducted a comprehensive tour of the MCG for our overseas & interstate visitors.
Blue Justice was completed two years ago, and launched as an electronic book through Amazon Kindle. After approaching a number of publishers, Phil decided to self publish. He has since been 'picked up' as an author by In Case of Emergency Press, and the book is going to press in early July.
Phil joined the Maroondah Circle in December 2015 and has served three terms as our vibrant Vice President. He remains an active member of our Circle and will be taking up a counselling role with retired police members.
About Blue Justice -
Sergeant Tony Signorotto had worked his career through the old school of Carlton ---The days of Victoria Bitter, pizza, Ford Falcon GT's and Holden Monaro GTS's. The days of the big V8's. The only thing that came in two litres in the 24 hour vibrating suburb of Carlton in those days was milk and juice!
His problem was that he was now still working--- in the days of skinny lattes, focaccias, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Where turf wars were no longer sorted behind the façade of Trades Hall and where legality came out of the barrel of a semi- auto. No questions asked. No complaints received.\
Available to download to Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Blue-Justice-Phil-Copsey-ebook/dp/B079HTL7B5
AND, another book is on the way!
A Reunion - An article in Catena has brought two Catenians together again
More than 70 years have elapsed since Peter Walsh and John Cox lived next door to each other.
Agnes, Angela, Winefride and Peter in 1947.As a child, Peter Walsh, president of Victoria Area Council and a member of the Australian National Coucil, lived at 10 Priestnall Road, Heaton Moor in what is now Greater Manchaester. This was from about 1944 to 1947. Peter was just eight years old when his family moved away, but he remembers the people at number 12 and the fact that he and his sister Angela played with the younger siblings, Beernard, Agnes and Winefride. He also recalls an older sister Frances and John Cox of Wilslow Circle.
John Cox After spotting a story about John in Catena, Peter contacted his childhood neighbour. He wrote: "That was a period of my life when a lot happenned quickly. My parents were living in London when we children were born. My father was away in the army when our house was bombed in 1944 and my mother moved us up to Heaton Moor to be close to her mother and sisters. We were living in Sunnyfield Road when, in September 1944, we received word that my father had been killed in action in Italy. Shortly afterwards my mother bought number 10 and we moved next to you."
A year or two later Peter's mother married Herbert Torkington, who was in the Merchant Navy at the time, but both Peter and his sister retained the surname Walsh. Peter was at school at St Winifred's Convent but, in September 1947, he started at St Ambrose in Hale Barns which prompted the family's move to Hale Barns in late 1947/early 1948.
They became parishioners of St Vincent's, Altrincham, and his sister is still there.
In his message to John, Peter wrote: " I remember your father giving us a talk at the University Catholic Society about the Catenians. I started work on Teeside, married there, joined the Catenians, and moved to Harrogate, by which time we had three children. In 1975 we moved to Melbourne, Australia on a two-year secondment - and stayed. One son is chairman of his firm of solicitors, another is heavily into IT, and our daughter is a barrister. We have six granddaughters, whom we are enjoying in our retirement."
Peter and Deidre WalshHe continued: "On the day of my first communion, I remeber very clearly receiving a beautiful little leather-bound copy of The Key of Heaven from your family. I have it and treasure it still.
"I have many memories of 10 and 12 Preistnall Road: sitting in your kitchen with your mother: falling off a makeshift seesaw in your back garden ( I think Agnes was on the other end): learning to ride my little two-wheeler on the road outside; being knocked off the same bike at the gates of St Winifred's Convent playing with the Keegans from around the corner; learning to serve Mass with Fr Lynch. Bit one thing sticks out very clearly. As I was becoming accustomed to school homework, my mother used to encourage me with words to the effect: 'If you work hard you will be able to do well at HSC and go to university, just like John Cox.' The advice worked! I believe your parents were very helpful to my mother. I will never forget the Cox family.'
On receiving Peter's email, John passed it round his family who were deepy impressed. John, now 89 and living in Hale, replied:
"At first I could not place anybody that lived next door to me that would have any reference to Catena or Australia. Then James (editor of Catena) mentioned Preistnall Road and it hit me immediately: I could see you, your sister and your mother when my father introduced our family to you. And so the picture (above), as you can see, is you and your sister as I can remember as if it was yesterday.
When we first met, you were with your mother; I remember distinctly two very nice children and your mother, a very smart-looking lady.It wasn't until after we first met that my father told us that your daddy had been killed in Italy in the war. I can remember to this day thinking what a sad thing, two young children and a mothe with no father."
John continued: "Your reference to my father and the Cox family is obviously still with you after all these years. I can see how you progressed from schoolboy to university, Harrogate, getting married and then Australia. And then, of course, joining the Catenian Association. My father Joseph was Grand President in 1968/69. Whilst I was preparing this letter a day or two ago, the June Catena magazine arrived and I immediately picked you out from the article."
The Hills - First to Resume Live Face to Face Meetings - Incorporating Zoom
A report from The Hills Secretary Paul Despoges
We conducted our first live meeting at St Joseph's since Feb 20, plus we had brothers attend via Zoom. The success of both live and online attendees is borne out in the fact the circle witness the biggest rollout at a meeting for years.
The incoming President (Victor Gauci) has moved that we continue with this joint approach for future meetings. The cost will be an extra $23.09 per month, since we booked the meeting for longer than the free 40 minutes - a very cheap investment for the rewards.
I should further add that the topic for discussion on the evening "Our Circle's Future", was well debated, with all the Zoom attendee's requested to give their comments prior to the conclusion of the meeting, which each of them did, with excellent comment from the UK brothers. One comment that certainly highlighted, that with the use of new technology, we can now have a guest speaker irrespective of our size. E.g., a speaker from a UK circle on Zoom. The brothers at St Joseph's gave their comments over dinner on the subject.
I should add I believe that due to the use of Zoom within the monthly meeting, it very much killed the thoughts as promoted by our President , i.e., we should consider 3 options for our future 1) amalgamate with another circle 2) dissolve the circle 3) continue for rest of Catenian year then resolve our future.
Its now my task to summaries the discussion then circulate this month to the membership and request their vote on the 3 options .
Summary of attendees:
| Present at St Joseph's | 11 |
| Circle brothers on Zoom | 3 |
| Circle visitor | 1 |
| Visiting brothers ex UK | 4 |
As for the logistics, with the use of Zoom, which was restricted to the meeting section of the evening. We used a laptop connected to the centre's overhead projector and sound system. This enabled all present in the room to see the Zoom attendee's and have no difficulty with hearing them, especially since a few of our brothers having hearing issues.
To enable brothers on Zoom to feel totally as though they were in the room we did not set the room up in the traditional layout of a Circle instead we had a long table across the room at which sat the treasurer, President, V-P, Secretary and Marshal, then flanking each side of the table brothers sat. The laptop was positioned about 20 ft in front of the long table, back far enough to capture everyone present.
City of Sydney – Let's do lunch is back!
The COVID-19 virus and the related restrictions needed to protect everyone have kept us isolated since our last lunch in February. Now with the easing of restrictions we are planning a lunchtime get together in August.
We need to be careful and keep to all the COVID-19 protocols.
This will not be a formal meeting and all are welcome - brothers, wives, family and friends.
The details are:
When: 12 Noon on Tuesday 18 August, 2020
Where: Occidental Hotel, Fairmont Restaurant on Level 1 – same place as our meetings.
Menu: A main course, sides and tea or coffee for $45.
Lunch will include:
Choice of 2 main courses selected from the Chef's Specials for August, and Two Sides to share.
Extras: Drinks, additional sides, dessert or any other additions are optional and you can order and pay for these extras as you wish.
RSVP: Reply to Peter Gialouris at peter.gialouris@cadtre.com.au or on 0400 332 495 by Monday 10 August, 2020.
We're pleased to offer Catenians - brothers, wives, family and friends, an opportunity to continue to share in the friendship of our Circle and The Catenians.
A chance to catch up and share stories of how we have been coping in these challenging and historic times.
In particular, those brothers who can no longer make the evening meetings and dinner, including their family and our friends, lunch can be a more convenient way to catch up.
Help out a "brother or sister in need" and share a car, a cab/uber or travel together and make the trip to the Occidental a little easier and a bit more enjoyable.
So please reply early and let us know if you would like to catch up in this way, either on this occasion or in the future.
Charterhouse Centenary Jazz Concert, 27th July
To mark the Centenary of the granting of the charter on 27th July 1920 to London Charterhouse, a Jazz concert has been arranged on Zoom.
All brothers and their families are welcome.
27th July 2020 Centenary Jazz concert at 8pm BST, featuring Theo Jackson and Cherise Adam-Burnett.
Theo Jackson
"One of the most interesting jazz vocalists and composers to emerge on the British scene in recent years" THE DAILY TELEGRAPH"
Theo is a British jazz songwriter, pianist and vocalist. He has released two albums, Jericho (2012), and Shoeless and the Girl (2015) and has toured the UK, performing at such venues as Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho and the 606 Club, performed in New Zealand and Germany, and made his American debut in November 2015, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Cherise Adam-Burnett
Since graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music in late 2017, Cherise has been invited to perform at many of the UK's most prestigious venues and festivals ranging from the BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall and the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C to Festival performances including the UK's Love Supreme Jazz Festival.
Following an incredibly successful 2019, which saw her win Vocalist of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards and perform at the Jazz Voice opening gala for the EFG London Jazz Festival alongside Corinne Bailey Rae and Cécile McLorin Salvant, hotly-tipped UK vocalist. Cherise has announced the release of her long-awaited debut EP 'Paradise'.
Zoom will open at 7.30, please sign in by 7.55pm as once the concert commences nobody can join, as the control of the event is taken over by the performers.Apply to dining@catenians.org.uk for login details.
See London Charterhouse's blog for articles on the pre-meeting Mass and Centenary Meeting
Nicholas More to speak at Harbourside North in September
Nicholas Moore is the former CEO of Macquarie Bank and Chair of Centre for Independent Studies, Willow, Screen Australia, Sydney Opera House, The Smith Family, National Catholic Education Commission and Member UNSW Business School Advisory Council.
Nicholas Moore is a parishioner of Sydney Harbour North Parishes, was educated at St Ignatius College, Riverview and is a graduate of UNSW.
Province 21 Brothers are invited to attend the meeting then dinner with Nicholas Moore as Guest Speaker, at Harbourside North Catenians, Main Hall, Mosman Art Gallery and Community Centre on Thursday 10th September 6:45pm for 7:15pm Meeting, 8:00pm Dinner.
RSVP to graham.m.short@gmail.com
Graham Short
Circle President Harbourside North Catenians
Extraordinary Circle activities during Covid-19 and ongoing?
As indicated below with a few Circles, small group gatherings, perhaps lunches could be an answer to restrictions at clubs and restaurants, as well as for those who may not be comfortable being out at night.
Canberra:
- In-person 'cluster' coffee monthly mornings resumed in July and these have been reasonably well attended. (Note: We have three clusters in the Circle, based on the geographic location of members.)
Hornsby:
- We're keen to have a Ladies night and also start some daytime lunches.
Pittwater:
- Sons and Daughters and Ladies night planned for Sept,but this will now be put on hold.
City of Sydney:
- On Tuesday, 18 August brothers, ladies and friends are invited to again gather for lunch at the Circle's usual meeting place, the Occidental Hotel. The lunch, the latest in a quarterly programme, is arranged to provide an opportunity for brothers who find it difficult to attend dinner meetings (and those who just enjoy lunch in convivial company) to continue to share in the friendship of the Circle.
Manly:
- Manly's walking group enjoyed a lunch at the local Thai restaurant. (picture taken by our waitress on a mobile phone)Tuesday and Thursday walks have restarted, we meet at 7:45am at Queenscliff Surf Club for a walk to Shelley Beach and return.
- Trivia night continue via Zoom every fortnight.
- Random lunches at a local Thai restaurant for small groups.
News from around the Circles
Cairns:
Cairns Brothers socially distance at their June meeting.So glad to be back to normal, it was a super meeting and it was nice being joined by Province 21 Membership Officer Brother Graham Short from Sydney. Thanks Brother Mark Freeman for setting it all up and a thank-you to Brother Tony McInnes for sending me the pics from the meeting.
Cairns Provincial Councillor Tony McInnes and wife Helena were out strolling on a beach walk recently on a Sunday, experiencing the crashing waves well-deserved relaxation Yorkey's Knob, a lovely place to visit.
Thanks for taking the picture Helena.
Canberra:
- Normal (in-person) Circle meetings are still suspended, but the Circle has now held two meetings using Zoom. Paul Pearson spoke at our June meeting on initiatives Manly Circle has taken over the past year or two. Our July meeting was attended by 'visitors' from Charterhouse Circle in the UK and from Mangaluru (Mangalore) Circle in India. These have worked reasonably well, but obviously do not permit much interaction between members.
- In-person 'cluster' coffee monthly mornings resumed in July and these have been reasonably well attended. (Note: We have three clusters in the Circle, based on the geographic location of members.)
- We are waiting to hear from the Canberra Southern Cross Club, where our monthly meetings are normally held, as to when we will be able to resume our monthly meetings.
- Mangaluru Circle has expressed an interest in twinning with Canberra Circle. This will be progressed once the current COVID-19 crisis eases.
Harbourside North:
Welcome Back!!!
After four months we are back to the real world. Looking forward to seeing you all. Zoom meetings have been an interesting way to keep in touch, but nothing beats the real thing.
Mosman met on Thursday 9 July 2020
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Brother Greg Scahill is seen here enjoying the attention of his lovely carers on his 96th birthday.Happy Birthday Greg!
On 22nd June, one of our only two remaining Charter members celebrated his 96th birthday at his nursing home. Brother Greg Scahill is seen here enjoying the attention of his lovely carers. No wonder he was smiling! Normally Greg would only be allowed a visitor every 2nd day, but a birthday exception was made and Greg's family members were able to visit him, albeit only one at a time.
June Circle Meeting on Zoom
We had 32 attendees at our 2nd Zoom Circle meeting, including 1 Brother from Reigate Circle in the UK (President Charles Hyatt) and 1 visiting gentlemen, Tony Luciano, linking in from Tasmania.
Before our regular Circle meeting, we also conducted our AGM and then enrolled our two new Brothers (well one recycled!), Dilip de Silva Wijeyeratne and Martin Dando (both pictured opposite), who had been waiting patiently for several months to be enrolled. Welcome Dilip and welcome back Martin!
Again, it was great to have one or two Brothers present who normally have difficulty attending regular meetings.
Thanks to our resident IT guru, Andrew Sim, we were able to take advantage of Zoom's "breakout room" capability, using it both before and after the Circle meeting to chat to each other in small groups and catch up on what's been happening in our lives during these Covid-19 times.
The Hills:
Following no meetings in March, April & May, we resumed our meetings in June at St. Joseph's combined with Zoom attendees. The meeting attendance was the highest for approx. 3 yrs. Only 3 unable to attend. Also, we had 4 UK visitors & a visiting gentleman all on Zoom. AGM was held, plus the installation of Pres & V-Pres. For 2020/21
Circle held a very productive discussion at the June meeting on the Circle's future path, due to declining membership. Summary been forward for members consideration. Note UK brothers joined the discussion with some very worthy points made.
City of Sydney:
City of Sydney met at The Occidental on Wednesday the first of July.
City of Sydney Circle had another successful Zoom Meeting on Wednesday 3rd June when 18 logged on in the comfort of our homes to see and talk with the brothers of our Circle. With the social distancing in place it is wonderful that technology can get us together and socialise! It was fantastic to have Bros. Guy Cassar, Max Cattle and Joe McGuinness on the screens when it is quite impossible for them to come to our gatherings in the city on our evenings. It was nearly miraculous that Zoom appeared on the scene for our period of isolation.
One plus for this way of meeting is that visitors from all over the World can log in and attend the meeting. We had the honour of welcoming Bros Graham Short (Prov. 21 Memb Officer) Bob Hussey (Cirencester Circle. Chairman Bursary Fund) Edward O'Donnell (Sterling West Lothian Circle, Pres G.B. Nat. Catenian Assoc.)John Holland (Chorley Circle 23) Malcolm Forster (SouthamptonCircle 12). I had the pleasure of emailing outvisit notices to these brothers for their halfway round the world visitations.
Bro. Geoff Byrne and Jacinta have been occupied with the caring for their grandchild especially during the lockdown but Geoff did email me to ask if he could invite Father Michael Kelly OSB to join us for dinner & tell us of his 12 years as Abbot General of the Sylestine Benedictines.
Bro. Terry McNamara sent a message to apologise for not making it to the May zoom meeting. He is having the devil's own job with NBN, Telstra and Westnet mainly due to his wanting to keep his old land line number. It has now been resolved so he should be joining into the June meeting.
Bro. Guy Cassar was mentioned above as attending our last virtual meeting and he looked and sounded very well although the grey beard was a bit of a surprise. He and Cecile are as well as senior citizens are supposed to be and making the most of the "stay at home" period on Australian and World life over the past 6-7 weeks.
Bro. Brian Skinner could not make it for the May meeting but will be installed on 3rd June 2020 as Vice President of the City of Sydney Circle. Brian was late home from the office last month - sent me an email about the link for the meeting - but I did not open it until later. Sorry Brian about the mix-up!
Manly:
Manly's Trivia nights continue via Zoom every fortnight, with Paul and Therese Weiss joining in from Canberra Circle recently.
Brian and Gai take a break. The bench is on top of the tailings heap behind the Broken Hill railway station.
Allan and Amanda Hickey with Brian Hamer.A NSW outback road trip for the Hamers from Manly and the Hickeys from Pittwater Circle.
Brian Hamer and his wife Gai, together with Alan and Amanda (Gai's sister) Hickey, have completed a 3,000km road trip around outback NSW, including Lightning Ridge, Nyngan, Brewarrina, Broken Hill and Menindee.
Brian said highlights included a pretty full Bogan River, the lake at Menindee, motoring over 3,000km with about 500km on unsealed roads. Had one flat tyre when they arrived in Nyngan.
A welcome offer of service in the Silverton Hotel.Not sure how Brian and Gai got up on to the BIG BENCH at Broken Hill but the view must have been great! The bench is on top of the tailings heap behind the Broken Hill railway station. Getting down again must have been a whole other story!
Some day care centres in the outback are a little different! The sign is inside the pub at Silverton!
"It was a great adventure", he said.
Blue Mountains getaway for the Hayes'
Terry and Ann Hayes recently travelled to the Blue Mountains for an "escape" from Sydney. They stayed at Mt Victoria and 
visited a number of places including Hartley, Lithgow, Tarana and Bathurst.
They found this nice little "doer-upper" at Hartley:
Parramatta:
The City of Parramatta Circle 333 is planning to resume face-to-face meetings as of the July meeting to be held next week, Thursday 23rd July 2020, assuming that any kind of lockdown does not resume in NSW.
We are no longer using our customary venue, Lachlan's at Old Government House. We will be trialing a prospective new venue, the St Joseph's Retreat Centre at 33 Barina Downs Road, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153 (this is the same venue at which The Hills Circle meets).
Our meetings remain on the fourth Thursday of the month, commencing at 6:45pm for dinner at 7pm and the meeting at 8:00pm.
The postponed Provincial Mass is now planned for the second half of September, pending the availability of Bishop Vincent to celebrate the Mass. As this is a normal Cathedral Mass, the readers, eucharistic ministers are set by the Cathedral roster. We are planning to have lunch at the nearby Parramatta Leagues Club
Carlingford:
Coffee Meetings on Tuesday mornings have resumed -with renewed participation.
Hornsby:
Circle Meetings have restarted in June with social distancing. Two meetings have been held since relaxation of isolation.
Our major issue is dinners as we usually have under 20 attending meetings, yet we have a minimum payment for 20. Council is looking into the matter.
What's the alternative to Pulpit presentations and personal invitations as a recruitment tool?
Following on from last months Eastern Link article 'Pulpit Presentations - What's the Problem?', what are the altenatives?
A personal invitation has a moderate success rate, but what about a group approach?
One option might be for local Catenians to sponsor a Men's Breakfast as a method of gathering a group of men together to hear an interesting guest speaker and an opportunity to tag the talk with a Catenian speaker talking about what Catenians have to offer parishioners.
The key factor is the hook, an inspirational or a local speaker with a great story, someone to publicise in the lead-up to the breakfast as the motivator encouraging attendance.
If you're struggling with the inspirational speaker, we have a ready made solution, we could talk with our friends at menALIVE https://www.menalive.org.au/
menALIVE is a National Catholic Ministry to Men which was founded out of a response to a great need in the hearts and lives of men, and a great need in the life of the Catholic Church.
The purpose of menALIVE is to bring men together, to renew their faith in God and to encourage them to become an active force of renewal in the Church.
The menAlive team specialise in giving inspirational talks to groups of men and hosting mens spiritual retreat weekends for parishes.
Catenians and menAlive are complimentary and already have a Memorandum of Understanding to work together, menAlive speak to the spiritual life of men, complementing the social support offered through Catenians.
menALIVE have teams in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane, give them a call on 07 3367 1402 or email: mail@menalive.org.au, tell them you're a Catenian.
A event such as a "menALIVE Mens Breakfast" - sponsored by Manly Catenians, not only positions Catenians as good citizens doing something for the men of the parish but creates an opportunity for casual connections and opportunities to chat to potential members as well as an opportunity to get contact details of all attending.
An event such as a mens breakfast involves a core group of organisers, a membership committee of say 4 or 5 plus some helpers on the day.
To have a successful event requires some organisation and decisions -
- support of the parish priest is critical
- Circle support on the day for the BBQ, set-up, serving and clean-up, as well as the mixing and mingling connecting with all guests
- pre-event publicity, say a month of consistent notices in the parish bulletin and the priest talking it up in the weekly announcements form the pulpit.
- the circle provides the breakfast - fruit juice, bacon, eggs, bread rolls and a fruit salad? (sausages add a huge extra cost)
- there should be a charge, either to cover costs or to make a donation to a worthy cause (another opportunity to publicise and have people feel good)
- organise RSVPs to the parish office if possible, it needs to be a parish event not a Catenian event
- create a survey for all attendees, suggested questions -
- name and email
- would you like more of these types of events?
- would you like different social events/gatherings
- what different events or gatherings would you like to attend
- more spiritual
- less spiritual
- ???????
Who are Catenians and what do we do, why would anybody want to join?
St Patricks Catholic Church , Church Hill,
A continuing series of sketches and articles by Graham Short, Harbourside North President and Provincial Membership Officer
GOTHIC REVIVAL, 1844, John Frederick Hilly Archiect
Built in the early 1840s, St Patrick's stands in Sydney's historic Rocks area, with a history reaching back to the very beginnings of Catholic life in Australia. Inseparably linked with St Patrick's history is the name of William Davis, an Irishman transported for his part in anti-British uprisings in Ireland in 1798. Davis obtained land in The Rocks in 1809, and in the early years of the colony, when there was no resident priest in Sydney, his home became a centre of Catholic prayer.
In 1840 William Davis donated the land on which St Patrick's is built, gifting that section of his 1809 grant bounded by Gloucester and Grosvenor Streets. The foundation stone was blessed on 25 August 1840, and the now elderly Davis astonished everyone when he came forward and placed a cheque for £1000 on the stone, an incredible sum in those days. Davis had prospered over the years through his business ventures, which included interests in grazing and licensed premises. Davis' donation was matched by an equal grant from the colonial government.
The plans for St Patrick's may have been loosely modelled on St Anthony's Church (1833) in Liverpool UK, and were drawn by William Fernyhough, a Sydney draughtsman. Unfortunately the design did not fit the site, so the architect John Frederick Hilly was employed to re-design the church and supervise its construction. Even then, the church porch extended beyond the street building line, and a special Act had to be passed through the NSW Legislative Council in 1840 to legitimise the encroachment.
Built by Andrew Ross & Co., the church was officially opened on 18 March, 1844, a date chosen in preference to March 17, the feast of St Patrick; organisers were persuaded to avoid St Patrick's day itself, lest the opening be marred by inebriated revellers and religious bigotry. Davis did not live to see the building completed, having died the previous August.
Boland Covid Quiz
John Boland from Ku-Ring-Gai Circle created this quiz for a recent Ku-Ring-Gai meeting, apparently nobody is yet to get all of the answers.
Can you be the first?
COVID TRIVIA QUIZ
Donload the questions as a Word document
Each correct answer to each part of a clue receives one point.
NOTE: There is the odd "trick" question!
Feel free to skip the 'Local Matters' if you aren't a local.
Category : Local matters
1. Question: Which of the 4 major retail banks does NOT have a branch in the St Ives Village Centre?
2. Q: Off which streets in Ku-ring-gai will be found the following?
A: (a) Avondale Golf Club:
(b) Avondale Pony Club:
(c) Avondale University College:
3. Q: In what suburb will be found?
(a) Terrey Hills Golf Club :
(b) Gordon Golf Club :
(c) Bayview Golf Club :
(d) Pymble Golf Club :
4. Q: Is St Ives Showground within the local government area of Ku-ring-gai- or Northern Beaches Council?
5. Q: Are there 2 or 3 National Parks which are at least partly within the LGA of Ku-ring-ai Council?
6. Q: In what year did the Dominican Friars leave the Parish of Wahroonga ?
7. Q: What are the names of the French inspired restaurants:
A: (a) On "the hill" at Pymble ?
(b) In a heritage building at Roseville ?
8. Q: Ku-ring-gai Council has 21 of these and fines apply for things which may happen there. What are they?
9. Q: Which two Councils effectively own Kimbriki Tip?
Category : Sport
10. Q: Grand Armee ,the racehorse, won the 2003 Doncaster Handicap and retired from racing c. 2005. having won more than $5.3m.
(a) By which flamboyant Sydney female horse trainer was he trained?
(b) The horse, a gelding, after retirement was retrained in which Olympic equestrian discipline with some modest success prior to his death from natural causes in 2017?
(c) Name the father of this horse's trainer , also a very successful trainer in Sydney for many years.
9. Q: (a) In what year were brown trout introduced into Australian waters?
(b) And in what State?
11. Q: Specify 2 significant ways in which the sport of Polo differs from Polocrosse?
12. Q. Name two famous Australian sports persons who have become Governors of an Australian State ? And the State ?
13. Q: Name 3 Australian Olympic medallists who have been elected to an Australian Parliament?
Category : Entertainment
14. Q: Would Judy's daughter pronounce her name "L-eee-za" or "L-eye-za?
15. Q: In The Mikado :
(a) Where did the 3 little maids hang out?
(b) The Lord High Executioner had a little what?
16. Q: (a) In a Savoy opera what was the Leader of the Queen's Navy's first job when he was a lad?
(b) And on what ship did he sail when he had got to the top?
17. (a) What happens to Puccini's Tosca and Mimi and Verdi's Violetta in the final acts of the operas in which they appear?
(b) Did Bizet's Carmen and Puccini's Butterfly fare any better?
18. Q: (a) Which character's "tiny hand" was frozen in Puccini's most popular opera?
(b) Who told her (in a famous aria said to be one of the most recorded arias ever)?
19. Q: Name the members of the "Rat Pack".
20. Q. Bing, Frank, Louis and Grace had a "swell party" together in a 1956 movie.
(a) Name the movie?
(b) Name the well known love song sung by Bing and Grace on board a boat in the movie?
21. Q: (a) Where did Audrey moon over breakfast in 1961?
(b) And what very popular love song (at the time) did she sing in the movie?
22. Q: Luciano Pavarotti was known as "King of the High Cs". What name was Joan Sutherland given by her fans after a stunning performance in Lucia di Lammermoor in Venice in 1959?
23. Q: A young unknown (but later famous) tenor came to Australia with a travelling opera company in 1965 for a series of performances with Joan Sutherland. Who was he?
24. Q. (a) Farrokh Bulsara changed his name to ?
(b) Who played the role of "Farrokh Bulsara" in a recent biopic and won an Oscar for his efforts?
25. Q: Who appeared in more than 30 Alfred Hitchcock movies?
26 Q: (a) What unusual "instruments" usually form part of an external festival performance of the "1812 Overture"?
(b) To signify the changing fortunes of the two main warring countries in the Battle of Borodino Tchaikovsky included within this Overture two "themes" competing with each other which were associated with those countries. What were those themes?
27. Q: To which famous racecourse did The Professor take Eliza in a hugely popular musical seen by a group of Ku-ring-gai Catenians 3 years ago?
28. Julie Covington and Elaine Page each recorded a very popular song c.1976 before composition of the musical in which that song was to be included.
Q: (a) What was the name of the musical?
(b) Who was the central character in that musical?
Category : General Knowledge
29.Q: The answers to the following clues are each a palindrome.
(a) A type of boat ?
(b) Even?
(c) Dear …?
(d) A pretty town in southern NSW ?
(e) It happens every day ?
(f) A girl's name (4 letters) ?
(g) A boy's name (4 letters) ?
(h) Municipal?
(I) A very popular singing group?
30. Q. (a) Other than France, name 3 countries from which troops joined La Grande Armee for its 1812 march into Russia?
(b) Did the Armee make it to Moscow?
31. Q: What do the following abbreviations mean:
(roles and awards)
(a) VC ……………………..……………………….(b) v-c ………………………………………..
( c ) MC ……………………………………………..(d) PC ………………………………………..
(e) KC …………………………………………….. ( f ) emcee ……………………………………
and the following, more likely to be found in emails:
(g) LOL
(h) PC
(i) PDA
32. Q: Can a will and power of attorney currently be signed and witnessed by way of electronic visual link?
33. Q. What name was first proposed by the Australian government for our decimal currency but rejected before the name "dollar" was adopted?
34. Q: Which 20th century British PM is the only person to have held the four offices of State in that country i.e. PM, Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary?
35. Q: (a) Who wrote and often performed the songs "Mrs Worthington" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen"?
(b) In what decade of the 20th century were they written?
36. Q. (a) In April were there more or fewer Catenians in Australia than at the start of the previous year as reported by CC?
(b) And by how many?
Download the answers when you're ready
Let's Get Cooking - No Bake Granola Bars
No Bake Granola Bars Recipe - from the Cairns Circle Newsletter
Perfect for those grab-and-go mornings, our no-bake granola bars are a fantastic breakfast snack to keep you going until lunch.
Simply prep a batch at the start of the week and store in an airtight container to take the stress out of your morning rush.
Ingredients…
- 200g Deglet Nour dates, pitted
- 75g maple syrup
- 4 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 250g granola
Method…
- In a blender, blitz the pitted Deglet Nour dates, maple syrup and peanut butter to a paste.
- Tip into a bowl and stir in the granola.
- Press the mixture into a lined 20cm square tin.
- Chill for 2 hrs, or until firm.
- Cut into bars to serve.
Tip: You can use any granola or muesli for this recipe - granola will give a crunchy, crumbly texture (break up any big clumps before mixing together), while muesli will be more soft and chewy.
Vale Robert (Rob) Bernard Maybury AO.FCA - Boroondara Circle
Rob was a member of Boroondara Circle (345) in Victoria and was a Past President (2 year Term) and was the current Auditor for a term of 5 years.
He was an exceptional man and very eager to help others and assist his fellow man.
Rob was appointed an AO (Order of Australia) for his services to the Financial Area of Business having established Credit Unions & Building Societies throughout Victoria and Overseas.He had great vision and ideas and was the instigator of setting up Banking facilities in Catholic Parishes and communities throughout Melbourne to assist parishioners purchase homes and consumer finance.
He established the YCW Co Op Network selling whitegoods and furniture and arranging special Government Loans at fixed interest rates which were better than the big Banks.
He graduated from Parade College in East Melbourne in 1943 and married Margaret in 1953(67 years of marriage) and they have been Members of Teams of Our Lady (Married Couple Movement) for approx 32 years.
Rob loved his wife, family and grandchildren who enjoyed many good holidays together at various 'Time Share' Resorts across Australia.
He was a devoted church attender and served on many Committees at St.Bridget"s Parish in Greythorn over many years.
Rob will be sadly missed by everyone.
Well done good and faithful servant.
Laurie Findlay.
Past Victoria Area Treasurer.
Vale George Newton, City of Sydney
Brothers since inauguration in 1971.By Peter O'Reilly, City of Sydney Secretary
I had the saddest of calls this morning to inform me of the death of Brother George Newton during the Friday night. George has been in nursing care for some time at St Luke's Hospital and died peacefully. His son Kieran rang to tell me of his passing.
He was an inaugural brother in the Circle when formed on 22nd July 1971.
He was President in 1980-81 and organised for the Circle to move to the Occidental Hotel on 1st February 1984. He was then our catering officer for all those years and only retired through ill health.
George Eileen and the boys.To his devoted wife Eileen we send our sympathy and to their wonderful family. Kieran was at the Occidental Hotel working on most of our meeting nights and always popped up and said hello.
Father Coffey with George and Eileen in 2011.George was the accountant for many of us for well on 50 years, always reliable and investigation free with the Tax Department. It was through George's clients that many of the first Catenians were drawn.
Personally George had been Peter O'Reilly and Ron Daly's accountant since 1961 when they commenced their partnership in pharmacy.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be made but hoped to be next Friday, 31st July at St Francis Church Paddington (Covid 19 restrictions?)
Vale George Newton, devoted husband, Catholic gentleman, father, grandfather, accountant and dedicated Catenian Brother.
There are so many memories of our times together and I have attached some photos going back to 1971.
Prayers for ...
Please remember in your prayers -
Former Provincial Director Br. Phil Davies and family after the recent loss of his wife Jan.
Ku-Ring-Gai:
Our members, family and friends who are sick and in need of our prayers
Brothers Greg Scahill, John Szymanski, Ron Burke, Jack Garcia, Mike Tighe and Steve Swain.
Family members Mariles Garcia, Barbara Burke, David Gardener, Gayle and Suzie Meagher, Jan and Rebecca Davies, Madeleine Szymanski and daughter Kate McRea, Margaret Marshall and Brother Mike Tighe's daughter Karen.
City of Sydney:
Brother Joe McGuinness has returned home from St Vincent's Hospital after suffering bad headaches and after CAT scans the bleed was discovered and he had to have it drained by drilling holes in his skull. Sounds awful but all went to plan and he is home with Ruth but not permitted to drive for some weeks. Joe we think that our prayers have been well and truly answered.
The Hills:
Br Milan & Mary Bohman, Paul Roberts – parents & B.I.L.
Manly:
After a long absence, not being able to make Manly's meetings after a move down to Woollongong to live with his son, Michael has been able to join our last few Zoom meetings but is getting frailer, so is in need of our continuing prayers.