Courtney McGrailPaul Monks describes the work of the Catenian Association
Paul Monks
The Catenian Association is an international brotherhood of Catholic business and professional men. We meet monthly in a relaxed and social environment to pray, socialise and encourage each other in our religious, family and business lives.
The Catenians were founded in 1908 by a group of Catholic men (mainly Irish) in the English Midlands. The association soon spread from the UK back to Ireland and today has members in Scotland, Wales, Australia, Africa, India, Goa and Malta, with over 10,000 members worldwide.
In an increasingly secular world, it is really important for Catholics to have the opportunity to relax in friendly company and be able to discuss issues relevant to Catholic family life in today’s society. It can be quite nice to enjoy being a Catholic without having to be ‘on guard’ all the time lest we accidentally offend someone!
Our relationship with the Catholic Church itself is quite interesting. Catenians support the Catholic Church and many members are involved in local parish activities. However, clergy and religious are not allowed to be members. This arrangement preserves Catenian independence, allowing us be very supportive of our Church, without in any way becoming subservient to it.
The association is non-political and is not a Catholic action pressure group.
Catenians are organised into local branches called ‘Circles’. In Ireland, we meet in Dublin, Cork and Enniskillen. Circle meetings always start and end with prayers and are conducted in a respectful manner with no bickering or politics allowed to mar the proceedings. Prayers for the sick and also deceased members of each Circle are said at every meeting.
The meetings usually last about an hour and are followed by lunch/dinner etc as appropriate. This format provides ideal opportunities to socialise and also entertain visitors from abroad.
Family and friends are made very welcome at many events on our social calendar. Events typically include:
Annual President’s Sunday:This special Sunday commences with Mass, attended by Circle members, families and friends. The Mass may be followed by lunch and possibly include a visit to some place of cultural interest or scenic beauty.
Annual Mass for Deceased Members: This Mass is celebrated each November. It is a solemn affair as we offer prayers for deceased members. Surviving widows are made especially welcome as our guests.
Annual Clergy Night: We invite local Christian clergy to dine with us as our guests on one special night each year. The speeches at this event always seem to be very humorous – possibly due to liberal supplies of good wine!
Various other social events are decided by each Circle.
This September our Cork Circle is celebrating its 500th meeting. A large contingent of visitors from Ireland and the UK is expected. Everyone will receive a really warm Irish welcome in Cork and it’s rumoured that a visit to a certain distillery might just be on the cards.
We retain a special place in our hearts for the widows of former members. We keep in touch with them throughout the year and invite them to many of our social gatherings.
Like most far flung organisations we have our own magazine, which is called Catena and it’s published monthly. It allows members (and their wives, of course!) to remain aware of events and news in Catenian circles worldwide. Happily, it’s actually a very good read.
Each year the current president of each Circle has the opportunity to select a charity of his choice, to benefit from contributions made by members of his Circle. This ensures that, over time, a wide range of charities benefit.
For the golfers in the association there is an active golf society and an Irish Catenian Golf Championship is held annually.
Catenians support youth volunteers working for Catholic charities active overseas. This benefits people in the country/community where the project is located and also the personal development of the individual concerned.
Our dedicated Catenian Bursary Fund invites applications from young people for financial support for their chosen projects. In 2014, grants were made across the association to over 900 applicants.
The most recent recipient of a bursary grant (in Ireland) is Eoin O’Loghlen of Ballyvaughan in Co. Clare.
Eoin recently set off to work on a project in Kenya. Some of our members met him recently to present a cheque from the Bursary Fund. On his return, Eoin will be invited to speak at dinner after a Circle Meeting about the project and his experiences. We look forward to this with great interest.
The Catenian Association also supports members and dependants who may be in difficulty or need. Our dedicated Benevolent Fund can provide financial assistance to alleviate their hardship.
Like most organisations, new blood is the most essential ingredient for continued existence! We are always pleased to consider applications from suitable candidates who must be practising Catholic men of good character and standing.
We usually invite applicants to dine with us so they can see what we’re like socially. Of course this means we get to know them a little better too – before any commitments are made.
If you (or anyone you think might be interested), would like to learn more about the Catenians in Ireland, please visit www.thecatenians.com. Otherwise, email us at: info@thecatenians.ie. Either way, we’d love to hear from you.