Catenians unite through celebration of annual Mass for deceased
Members of the Catenian Association of WA are pictured with Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton after the annual Mass for the deceased, held at St Mary’s Cathedral, 4 October 2015. Photo: Supplied
By Marco Ceccarelli
More than 200 people attended the annual Mass for deceased members of the Catenian Association of WA held on 4 October 2015 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.
Celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, the Mass featured as the most important event in the Catenian calendar and offered members an opportunity to unite in support of widows and family members of deceased Catenians.
This year, the Catenians were privileged to have Grand President Peter Woodford and his wife Ann, who travelled from the United Kingdom to visit the Catenians in Perth, attend the Mass.
The Grand President’s visit both encouraged Western Australian Catenians to continue living their life according to their association’s motto, ‘Strengthening Family Life through Friendship and Faith’, and brought members up to date with developments of the Catenians at an international level.
The Grand President was accompanied by a party of 16 UK Catenians, as well as six Eastern States Catenians with their spouses. The party had joined Mr Woodford on a two-week tour to Western Australia which included a visit to New Norcia and a trip to Busselton.
Province 20 Provincial President Geoff Prendergast and his wife, Deanna; Chairman of the Australian Committee George Kazs and his wife, Elaine, from Canberra; and Province 20 Director Gerry Barton and his wife, Lynn, also attended the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Sproxton drew on the central theme of the Synod of Bishops in Rome – the family – emphasising the importance of Catenian commitment to the family as a place of prayer, friendship and witness to the love of Christ.
Commenting on the event, Mr Barton stated that the Provincial Mass for deceased members of the association is undoubtedly one of the most significant events of the year.
“The fact that Grand President Peter Woodford could be with us this year made the event even more special. It showed even greater support to the widows of deceased members who still need our support.”
The Catenian Association in Australia provides practising Catholic laymen and their families with friendship, social activities and support.
Members meet socially at least once a month and refer to each other as 'brother'. This reflects the strength of the mutual support they give to each other and their families, which is based on the shared values of their Catholic belief and practice.
In an increasingly secular society, the association provides a haven for those facing challenges to their beliefs and moral values in their business, professional and family lives.
Through their membership, Catenians are helped to enjoy and fulfill their various vocations in life: firstly, as baptised Christians, and also in their family as a husband and father; in their chosen profession or workplace; within the civil community and within the Church.
The sssociation's name is derived from the Latin catena (a chain) with the Circles being the links in the chain. The emblem consists of a continuous chain of links surrounding a cross.
The City of Perth Circle was inaugurated in February 1977. A further 12 circles have since been inaugurated, including eight in Perth and others at Bouvard, Busselton, Mandurah and Northam.