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Catenians now in Adelaide

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For the first time in its 114 year history, the Catenian Association has established a formal presence in Adelaide.

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The Association is an international fraternity of Catholic laymen committed to their faith, their families and to supporting each other.

Founded in England in 1908, the association has 10,000 active members worldwide and is endorsed by the Vatican. Despite being well established on the east and west coast of Australia for nearly 50 years, the local chapter only began in March last year as a small group meeting in members’ homes.

However, it quickly grew to 28 members and is now recognised as a ‘Catenian Circle’, a milestone acknowledged with an official inauguration weekend on June 11 and 12.

Members and their families were joined by 21 Catenians and their wives from around Australia and overseas. Adelaide Archdiocese Vicar General, Fr Dean Marin, joined the celebrations and Fr Anthoni Adimai SdM celebrated Mass in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral.

Michael Cogman, provincial councillor Circle 387, said the Adelaide City Circle membership had an average age of 40, making it a relatively young and dynamic Catholic fraternity.

“Their faith is important to them, and the Church is central to their families,” Mr Cogman said.

“Members come from many cultures and professions, some are married whilst others are single, from 14 parishes across the Archdiocese.”

Mr Cogman said fraternity, faith, fun and family were the pillars of the Catenian Association and essential for a “balanced faith life”.

With members coming from Venezuela, England, Ireland, India, Philippines, Mexico, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong as well as Australia, the group is welcoming of Catholics who are new to Australia.

Many have children under the age of 18 and Mr Cogman said the Adelaide City Circle recognised the importance of ensuring Catholic children spent time and made friends with other Catholic children.

The Circle provides regular opportunities each year for members, their wives, and children to come together as “one big Catenian community for days full of fun, games and enjoyment”.

The Circle meets on the second Wednesday of each month, from 6.30pm – 9pm, except in December. These are members only events at which a short meeting is followed by dinner with a guest speaker on a topic related to the Church.

An annual membership fee of $120, plus a joining fee of $20, applies.

For more information, or to apply for membership, email Adelaide.city.circle@thecatenians.org.au or visit www.adelaidecatenians.org and follow the prompts.

 

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