Eastern Link
October 2019
Contributions to Eastern Link are welcome, if you have an article or photos from a meeting or event that might be of interest please send a Word document and any photos to p21.newsletter@thecatenians.org.au
Contents:
Fifth new member this year for Canberra At our September meeting, Chris Rule was enrolled as our fifth new member for this Catenian year. Welcome Chris. Chris was introduced to the Circle by one of our newer members, Leigh Palmer. |
Hosts win the Truthful Jones The City of Sydney Circle hosted ― and its representative, President Frank Filocamo ― won the Truthful Jones event after competition from Harbourside North, Pittwater, Carlingford, Hornsby, Manly, Ku-ring-gai and Canberra circles. |
Progress in Brisbane Waters Brother President Province 21 Chris Vale spoke to the brothers at the City of Sydney Circle on the progress of the Association in the Central Coast. It all commenced in February 2018 with the first contact with the two deaneries under Bishop Peter Comensoli who was the head of the Broken Bay diocese. |
| Province 21 Members Survey This survey will be presented for a response by brothers at Circle meetings before the end of the year. Province Council seeks responses from Circles and Members to the issues arising from Central Council's Woodford Strategy Work Group (SWG) Report set out in this paper. |
Carlingford wins the O'Connel Cup  History tells us that from 1985 to 1989 the Cup was held by Carlingford Circle. However, in order to break this nexus, in 1989, the rules were changed and since then the Cup has been held more evenly. Even though the rules were changed, this year, the Cup meeting, held at Manly Circle was won convincingly by Carlingford Circle with a score of 35. |
The Cairns Catenians Car Rally 2019  What a fabulous event this was, it could be a first in Catenian history; A Car Rally for our Circle. The teams had to get a photo of themselves jumping in the air at the Kuranda Range look-out. The Teams had to get a photo of themselves in front of the Big Peanut at Tolga (but they had to stand on one foot with their arms in the air). |
It's Spring, let's do lunch Catenians! Can't make the Circle's monthly meetings and dinners and would like to catch up more often? Just enjoy a convivial lunch with friends? Then, join the brothers, wives, family and friends of City of Sydney Circle for lunch at the Occidental! |
Province 21 Workshop on Issues flowing from the Woodford SWG Review Report Province 21 convened a workshop on September 14 seeking responses from Circles and Members to the issues arising from Central Council's Woodford Strategy Work Group (SWG) Report.Provincial President Chris Vale observed "22 brothers joined one of the best workshops for interaction among the participants in memory". |
Tony McInnes takes over as Cairns Provincial Councillor Br Tony McInnes was sworn in as Cairns Provincial Councillor by Provincial President Chris Vale at the recent Province 21 Workshop. After many years of service and some recent ill health, Peter Cash has stepped aside as Cairns Provincial Councillor, his place will be taken taken on regular skype call at council meetings. |
Catenian Holy Land Pilgrimage - 13th to 20th January 2020 During this fantastic 8 day, two centre - Nazareth and Bethlehem - pilgrimage, there will be visits to many religious sites, those situated around the Sea of Galilee, and those in Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. There will be a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, |
Innovation at a typical Cairns circle meeting To prove we already do things a little differently in our circle meetings, a couple of pictures from a Cairns circle meeting. Peter Cash on the video screen can be seen joining the meeting, live from Bournemouth, and a fantastic interpretation of a 'circle' dinner. |
Prayers for ... Please remember in your prayers ... |
The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Catenian Association.
Fifth new member this year for Canberra
At our September meeting, Chris Rule was enrolled as our fifth new member for this Catenian year.
Welcome Chris.
Chris was introduced to the Circle by one of our newer members, Leigh Palmer.
It is great to see that our new members are actively contributing to the vibrancy of the Circle in this way. It is also a wake-up call for longer serving members to endeavour to share our fellowship and faithbased friendship with other Catholic friends.
Hosts win the Truthful Jones
The City of Sydney Circle hosted ― and its representative, President Frank Filocamo ― won the Truthful Jones event on 2 October.
The evening was most enjoyable with several circles were represented at the event, including visitors from Harbourside North, Pittwater, Carlingford, Hornsby, Manly, Ku-ring-gai and Canberra circles.
There were 44 in attendance ― a good achievement by City of Sydney organisers.
Frank Filocomo's winning talk was on the subject of a happy tale of unexpected and generous hospitality that he had received while visiting the UK. It indicated how helpful Catenians are and the importance of the Catenian faith-based friendship.
https://www.thecatenians.org.au/province-21/eastern-link/october-2019#sigProId9aa818c1cc
Progress in Brisbane Waters
Brother President Province 21 Chris Vale spoke to the brothers at the City of Sydney Circle on the progress of the Association in the Central Coast.
It all commenced in February 2018 with the first contact with the two deaneries under Bishop Peter Comensoli who was the head of the Broken Bay diocese.
The first contact was with the Brisbane Waters Deanery with five priests and they were all enthusiastic.
Presentations were made in parishes and contacts made with 28 in Kincumber and 20 in Wyoming.
They were invited to a dinner with their wives as it was wise to include them in the first night introducing them all to the aims of the Association.
There were 58 at the first meeting with the third meeting yet to come.
They are having difficulty in procuring a reasonably priced venue ($55.00 for 3 courses with wine), Bro. Chris is confident that they have the foundation of a Circle and with assistance from Sydney brothers it should not be long before they can form a Circle.
Bro. Chris also reported on the Provincial Mass where 57 people attended.
On Saturday, 14 September members of Province 21 Council and representatives from a number of Circles met at the St Joseph’s Centre at Baulkham Hills to consider a Paper dealing with those issues flowing from the Report of the Review of the Association’s structures and governance conducted by the Strategy Work Group of Central Council under the leadership of brother Past Grand President Peter Woodward. The Paper, which dealt only with those issues in the Report relevant to the life of Circles,. was published in the September 2019 Edition of Eastern Link.
The principal outcome of the process of discernment at the Workshop was the identification of questions and relevant background information which Province 21 Council would ask Circles and individual brothers to consider and respond to by 30 November 2019. These are set out below.
Province Council seeks responses from Circles and Members to the issues arising from Central Council's Woodford Strategy Work Group (SWG) Report set out in this paper.
A copy of SWG Report is available on line and is essential background reading – see under "Strategic Review" in the "Members" section: https://www.thecatenians.org.au/strategic-review A copy of the Central Council Chairman's annual report incorporating the Australian National Council's assessment of the way forward is also relevant, particularly as it relates to an Association mission and the need for consultation with members. That report is also available at the same link.
It recognized that there is momentum for change at the Circle level and a need for Circles and members to develop some ownership of new ideas and to identify ways of dealing with their local situations.
Normally when a discernment process like this is undertaken the first question is to establish the end result – i.e.: what outcome are we looking for? The answer to this question is twofold:
- to clarify the reforms desired; and
- to establish the extent of support for those key reform issues.
It is important to remember, in considering these issues, that we need to adopt constitutional and other changes that allow the Association to adapt and evolve over coming years. It is inevitable that circles will adapt at their own pace; change will also not occur quickly.
The question we need to keep in mind is:
What do we think the Association will look like in 20 years time and so what changes should we be considering now to accommodate this?
1 Establishing Mission, Purpose and Identity
Background
The SWG Report indicated that there is a proliferation of different representations of the Catenian Mission, Vision and Purpose. It suggested that the Association should have a single overarching representation and identity as a good shorthand but permit some deviation in appropriate circumstances for specific activities.
The Australian National Councilhas indicated that it agrees that, while the concept of vision and logo straplines (eg 'Faith-based Friendship') can and should be developed by each jurisdiction, including by Central Council, the concept of Mission should be universal.
Without a clearly enunciated Mission Statement, it is difficult to identify the characteristics that distinguish us from other groups. And, without such a Mission Statement, it is difficult to 'market' ourselves to new members, to the Clergy and to others with whom we interact.
Article 1.1 of the Constitution is a very useful starting point in describing who we are. It states that:
"The Association is a global association of friends united by shared faith and values who support one another and their families, the Catholic Church and young people"
This is an abbreviated summary of most, but not all, elements of the Catenian Aims as set out in the Constitutional Documents. The main elements missing relate to support for charities and the for Catenian Bursary and Benevolent funds.
It is noted that our Catenian Aims and Values contain elements that are both inward looking (i.e. to the Association's members) and outward looking (to the broader Church community).
The ANC has identified 'faith-based friendship' as a fundamental element of our Catenian identity (hence the strapline referred to above).
In formulating a Mission Statement it is necessary to consider (1) Who God calls us to serve; and (2) How God calls us to serve.
Your views are sought on the following:
Question/statement –
1 (A) The Catenian Association should adopt a universal, simplified, easily remembered and marketable Mission Statement
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) God is calling us as Catenians to serve:
1 (B) 1. Each other
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 2. Our Families (Including widows of deceased brothers)
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 3. Young Catholics
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 4. Members of our parishes
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 5. Catholics generally
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 6. The Church
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (B) 7. Our communities (not necessarily Catholic)
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (C) God is calling us as Catenians to serve by offering fellowship, hospitality and support for those we serve.
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
1 (D) What are your views on the following possible draft mission statements?
Version I
Through friendship and shared faith, to support one another in living better lives as Catholics and, collectively, to support the Church and our Faith communities
Views / Suggestions?
Version II
To grow and strengthen the faith of lay Catholics through the hand of friendship
Views / Suggestions?
Version III
Through friendship, share our faith by offering companionship, hospitality and support to one another, our families and youth, the clergy, the Catholic church and others in need.
Views / Suggestions?
2 Relationship with the Church and Catholic Community
Your views are sought on the following:
Questions/Statements –
2 (A) There is an urgent need to explain and promote the mission and purpose of the Association, to both the members of the Association and to the Catholic world at large.
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
2 (B) Should the Association (more than individual members) show active support for the Church in parishes and generally in public, primarily by extending our faith based friendship to fellow parishioners, including our clergy?
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
2 (C) Should Circles extend our faith-based friendship to fellow parishioners by:
2 (C) 1. Assisting with, sponsoring or leading parish events?
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
and/or
2 (C) 2. Inviting our fellow parishioners to Circle social events?
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
3 Membership
Background
Currently only practising Catholic laymen aged 18 or older or Ordained Deacons are eligible for membership of the Association. The SWG Report considered possible expansion of membership eligibility requirements to allow for an expansion of potential membership. It considered whether a new category (or categories) of Associate members should be created by constitutional change. This could allow people who might currently be classified as "Friends of Catenians", to become members. Members of the SWG were held differing views on whether there should be different categories of membership in the Association.
If there are different membership categories, then it would be necessary to determine what rights and benefits would attach to each category. Matters for consideration in the Catenian context include:
- Would only full members be eligible to stand for office?
- Would only full members pay full fees (and is this fair on full members who would then bear a greater financial burden for the Circle)?
- Could persons eligible to be full members opt for associate membership thus avoiding the fees of full membership and the potential responsibilities of office attached to full membership?
- Would associate members have access to the Catenian benevolent fund (note that the benevolent fund is currently available to widows of deceased members).
Some SWG members felt that there should be only one category of membership such that, if the membership eligibility criteria were to be expanded, it should be on the basis that any person joining the Association should do so as a full member.
Separately, the Association in Province 21 has made approaches to organisations, such as the Australian Catholic University, with a view to facilitating the establishment of groups of young Catholics whom Circles may assist and mentor. The general response from the university is that it would not be possible to create a young persons groups of this type unless both young men and young women were included.
In addition, it is accepted that this type of group is unlikely to operate in the normal Circle structure. A different structure would seem essential with a self-governing body of young persons attached to a circle or circles, with a mentoring brother or brothers from the Circle Council. The members of the self-governing body would not necessarily be members of the Association.
Your views are sought on the following:
Questions –
3 (A) Should membership eligibility be expanded, to allow the following persons currently not eligible, to become members of the Association?
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Category |
Agree |
Disagree |
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All Catholic men (including those who do not identify as being 'practising' Catholics) |
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Catholic women |
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Members of the clergy |
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Non Catholic spouses of Catholic women. |
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Other non-Catholic Christians |
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Members of the community generally |
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Suggestions/Comments?
3 (B) If membership eligibility is expanded:
3 (B) 1. Should persons in all of the expanded categories of membership become Full Members?
Agree/Disagree – Comment?
OR
3 (B) 2. Should the Association adopt a category of "Associate Member" to accommodate some or all of the expanded categories of membership?
Agree / Disagree – Comment?
3 (C) If you agree that there should be an Associate category of membership, indicate, which form of membership would be appropriate for them.
| Category |
Full member |
Associate member |
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3 (C) 1. All Catholic men (including those who do not identify as being 'practising' Catholics) |
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3 (C) 2. Catholic women |
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3 (C) 3. Members of the clergy |
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3 (C) 4. Non Catholic spouses of Catholic women. |
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3 (C) 5. Other non-Catholic Christians |
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3 (C) 6. Members of the community generally |
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3 (D) Should the Catenian Association's governance framework be changed so as to allow the formation of self-governing "Associated Bodies" to accommodate groups such as young Catholics (e.g: university students).
Agree / Disagree – Suggestions?
4 Modernisation
Background
The Association has recently issued a revised Handbook and Manual of Procedure (see the Association website www.thecatenians.com Members area under the heading: 'Catenian Manual of Procedure'). As stated at p.45 of the Handbook and Manual of Procedure in connection with the procedure for Circle meetings:
'This document sets out the core procedure for a Circle meeting. This is the irreducible minimum which all members of the Association will recognise and expect wherever they attend a meeting. Circles may wish to include additional prayers to suit local circumstances and the nature of the meeting. Some alternative and additional prayers are included in Appendix 7.'
The Handbook and Manual of Procedure sets out standard meeting procedure and prayers in Appendix 1. Alternate and suggested additional prayers are in Appendix 7.
Meeting procedure format
The current meeting format under the Handbook is as follows:
- President's Opening of meeting
- Prayers
- Spiritual Reflection (if Circle has adopted this practice)
- Announcement of visitors
- President's welcome to visitors and response
- Apologies
- Circle Business
- Minutes (including matters arising)
- Reports (in the order set out in the Handbook)
- Motions for voting (if applicable)
- Elections (if applicable)
- Other business
- Close of meeting (including the Chamberlain calling the names of the Brothers present).
An alternate approach to that set out in the Handbook might involve a Circle in reordering items in the standard procedure.
Some reports would be deleted if not relevant for a particular Circle.
Prayers
The core procedure sets out the terms of the basic prayers including the invocation, the prayer for the sick and for Brothers in difficulty or need and the prayer for families. These do not provide for variation and are expected to be used at all meetings.
However, there are varying degrees of flexibility for all other prayers e.g. there are a number of different options for the prayer for vocations; the prayer for deceased brothers and family members allows for flexibility in approach and the De Profundis may be said in full or in abbreviated form.
Also, alternate responses are provided for, to recognise that the standard response used in the UK "Lord graciously hear us" is not generally used in Australia – where the usual response is "Lord hear out prayer". Provision is also included to allow for invocation of local saints (eg in Australia - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop).
In addition to the standard prayers, Circles are given to opportunity to use additional prayers. Whilst a large number of examples of such prayers are set out in Appendix 7 of the Handbook and Manual of Procedure, a Circle has flexibility to choose other additional prayers.
An alternate approach to that currently provided for in the Handbook might set out the existing framework for prayers, with the current prayers being provided as options only and with the Circle being permitted to use different prayers e.g. a different invocation prayer, prayer for the sick and for Brothers in difficulty or need, prayer for families, prayer for the dead.
Joint meetings
For joint meetings the relevant circles would need to negotiate which prayers or procedures were used as no one circle's view should be allowed to dominate in the joint meeting context.
Your views are sought on the following:
Questions –
4 (A) Is there adequate flexibility in the new and revised Handbook and Manual of Procedure to allow Circles to tailor their meeting procedures to suit their local needs?
Yes / No – Comment?
4 (B) If you do not agree that there is adequate flexibility for Circles to tailor their meeting procedures to suit their local needs, should there be a common framework of matters to be dealt with at a meeting, but with Circles having the ability to delete items not considered relevant and to change the order in which matters are to be dealt with?
Yes / No – Comment?
4 (C) Is there adequate flexibility in the new and revised Handbook and Manual of Procedure to allow Circles to tailor their prayers to suit their local needs?
Yes / No – Comment?
4 (D) If you do not consider there is adequate flexibility in the new and revised Handbook and Manual of Procedure to allow Circles to tailor their prayers to suit their local needs, should there be a common framework of types of prayer that Circles should be expected to follow at their Circle meetings (including suggested examples of prayers or alternate prayers), but with no compulsion as to the content of the types of prayers?
Yes / No – Comment?
If you would like to complete the survey as an individual download the Excel dicument here
Please email the completed form to p21.secretary@thecatenians.org.au
Carlingford wins the O'Connel Cup
Brendan O’Connell (right) presenting the O’Connell Cup to Carlingford President Warren ClarkeHistory tells us that from 1985 to 1989 the Cup was held by Carlingford Circle. However, in order to break this nexus, in 1989 the rules were changed and since then the Cup has been held more evenly.
Even though the rules were changed, this year, the Cup meeting, held at Manly Circle was won convincingly by Carlingford Circle with a score of 35.
Five brothers from the Circle attended the meeting lead by Circle President Warren Clarke.
| Circle | No. attending | Score |
| Carlingford | 5 | 35 |
| Ku-Ring-Gai | 4 | 13 |
| Parramatta | 1 | 10 |
| Hornsby | 1 | 7 |
| Pittwater | 2 | 5 |
| Harbourside North | 1 | 4 |
The Cairns Catenians Car Rally 2019
The teams had to get a photo of themselves jumping in the air at the Kuranda Range look-out.From race organiser Br Simon Coolican
There were a few things of note.
The teams had to get a photo of themselves jumping in the air at the Kuranda Range look-out.
The Teams had to get a photo of themselves in front of the Big Peanut at Tolga (but they had to stand on one foot with their arms in the air). They also could get the photo with anyone else in it for extra points. Hence a few random on the photos who none of us know.
The BBQ was held at Joe Vella's house.
Team Spencer/Fields won with a whopping 87 points and before the 3hr 30 minute time cap.
A typical clue -
LOOK:
A barn around here you need to find,
Have too much and you'll be blind,
Irish Dan has all the fun,
Bottles here are by the tonne.
Team Spencer/Fields won with a whopping 87 points and before the 3hr 30 minute time cap.Find what he guarantees? All up there were twelve Teams/Cars. So we had about 40 or 50 people attend.
A few Teams got dressed up for the event and looked great. It seems everyone had a blast.
What a fabulous event this was, it could be a first in Catenian history; A Car Rally for our Circle.
Thanks Brother Simon for organising it, I know a lot of work went into it.
Thanks Brother Joe for opening your house up and as you will see in the following pictures everyone there was enjoying themselves.
I must apologise, I cannot give all the names as there is competitors I do not recognise, but were there to support our Brothers and their loved ones.
Two future potential Brothers were also competing.
It's Spring, let's do lunch Catenians!
Can't make the Circle's monthly meetings and dinners and would like to catch up more often?
Just enjoy a convivial lunch with friends?
Then, join the brothers, wives, family and friends of City of Sydney Circle for lunch at the Occidental!
This will not be a formal meeting and all are welcome. So, if you can't make the monthly dinner meetings or would like to catch up for lunch, we will be having a lunch on Tuesday 19 November, 2019 at the Occidental Hotel.
The details are:
When: 12 Noon on Tuesday 19 November, 2019
Where: Occidental Hotel, Corner of York & Erskine Streets, Sydney in the Fairmont Restaurant on Level 1 – same place as our meetings.
Menu: A main course, sides and tea or coffee for $40.
Extras: Drinks, additional sides, dessert or any other additions are optional and you can order and pay for these extras as you wish.
RSVP: to Peter Gialouris at peter.gialouris@cadtre.com.au or on 0400 332 495 by Monday 11 November, 2019.
Following the success of our Circle's lunch-time get-together in August, we're pleased to offer brothers, wives, family and friends of Sydney area Circles, particularly those who can no longer make the evening meetings and dinner, their family and our friends an opportunity to continue to share in the friendship of The Catenians.
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.
Province 21 Workshop on Issues flowing from the Woodford SWG Review Report
Province 21 convened a workshop on September 14 seeking responses from Circles and Members to the issues arising from Central Council's Woodford Strategy Work Group (SWG) Report.
Provincial President Chris Vale observed "22 brothers joined one of the best workshops for interaction among the participants in memory".
Provincial Council considered that the issues, conclusions and recommendations identified in the SWG Report were not sufficiently focused to facilitate an effective discernment of the next steps.
The workshop participants formulated a survey to be undertaken by all Circles and Brothers to consider and provide responses to Province Council by 30 November 2019.
The survey will seek opinions on the crucial issues pertaining to the future of the Catenian Association in Australia.
How do we resolve the major issues of an aging membership, declining memberships, how do we relate to society and remain relevant in 2020 and beyond, do we reinvent ourselves and do we change or do we die?
A copy of SWG Report is available on line for background reading – see under "Strategic Review" in the "Members" section: https://www.thecatenians.org.au/strategic-review A copy of the Central Council Chairman's annual report incorporating the Australian National Council's assessment of the way forward is also relevant, particularly as it relates to an Association mission and the need for consultation with members. That report is also available at the same link.
The results of the workshop can be seen in the survey to which we're all about to contribute in a story above.
Tony McInnes takes over as Cairns Provincial Councillor
Br Tony McInnes was sworn in as Cairns Provincial Councillor by Provincial President Chris Vale at the recent Province 21 Workshop.
After many years of service and some recent ill health, Peter Cash has stepped aside as Cairns Provincial Councillor, his place will be taken taken on regular skype call at council meetings.
Catenian Holy Land Pilgrimage - 13th to 20th January 2020
During this fantastic 8 day, two centre - Nazareth and Bethlehem - pilgrimage, there will be visits to many religious sites, those situated around the Sea of Galilee, and those in Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. There will be a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, a walk along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, visits to Cana, the Church of the Annunciation and a visit to the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, to name but a few.
We will meet with the brothers of Nazareth circle and have dinner with them during our pilgrimage. Package price includes flights with British Airways, half-board hotel accommodation, daily lunch and all coach transfers in the Holy Land.
Prices are from £1560 per person, sharing a room. Travel insurance is £69 per person.
Led by John Rayer, Director for Development Areas, and Fr Stephen Myers spiritually.
In offering pilgrimages to the Holy Land it is our intention to support the Christians in Palestine and Israel by using, when and wherever possible, accommodation and services owned and provided by Christians.
For an online presentation, further details and to book, please visit: www.tangney-tours.com/catenians
Places are limited and early booking is recommended!
Details and booking forms are also on the Catenian website at www.thecatenians.com
Innovation at a typical Cairns circle meeting
To prove we already do things a little differently in our circle meetings, a couple of pictures from the September Cairns circle meeting.
Peter Cash, on the video screen, can be seen joining the meeting live from Bournemouth, and a fantastic interpretation of a 'circle' dinner.
Prayers for ...
Please remember in your prayers -
Recently deceased:
Ian McMaster from Carlingford Circle, former Provincial Treasurer.
Carlingford:
Please remember in your prayers Bros. Stan Burgin and Bill Carpenter together with Jan Burgin. Also, continue to pray for Patrick Wheeler (grandson of Barbara Kenny), Timothy Carpenter, and Christopher Carter.
Manly:
Michael Van Ommen; John McCarney's daughter Melissa rehabilitation from brain aneurysm surgery.
Pittwater:
The Hills:
Br Milan & Mary; Br Paul Roberts B.I.L, - Arun; Br Peter Huby's brother- Anthony.