About the Catenians

According to the ‘official’ leaflet, the Catenian Association is, simply put, an international brotherhood of Catholic laymen who meet socially, at least once a month, at local branches or ‘Circles’. Members refer to each other as ‘Brother’ reflecting the mutual support and sharing of common values found in the Association.

The Association has over 10,000 members in over 300 Circles across the UK, Ireland, Malta, India, Africa, Hong Kong, and Australia.

ASSOCIATION WEBSITE PROVINCE 3 NORTH

  • Rex Kirk Victory at last

    L-R Tony Brooks, Province 3S President; Thomas Parr; Tim Parr & Grant Peter

  • Provincial Snooker Competition

    L-R Brian Lynch, President of Bradford Circle; Phil Kitson and Martin Dearnley, Wakefield

  • Bradford welcomes Three New Brothers

    L-R Tony Milling (Provincial President); Tim Parr (Membership); Daniel Hughes; Mark Hopwood; Paul Sullivan; Brian Lynch (President); Grant Peter (Vice President)

  • Double Enrolment at Joint Meeting

    July 2018 at Joint meeting at Wetherby Circle
    Back Row: Tony Deighton (Province 3 Director), Gerard McShera (Sponsor), Paul Corcoran, Lol Tabori, Stephen Coherton (Sponsor)
    Front Row: Tony Milling (Provincial President), John Kelly (Wetherby President), Mike Cawley (Bradford Vice President).

  • 2018 Provincial Snooker Competition Finalists

    L-R Mike Starford; Mark Bolland; Chris Anderson; David Taylor

  • Welcoming Joseph Neal to the Circle

    L-R Tom Parr; Joseph Neal; Tim Parr

  • Tom Doyle receiving his 50th anniversary scroll from Grand President David Rowley

    L-R David Rowley, Grand President; Tom Doyle

2015 visit to Cork Circle

L-R: Brian & Maire Lynch, Mike & Bernadette Cawley, Ben Cowell, Claire & Tim Parr, Paul Mallinson (Leeds), Dennis & Susan Donnelly Huddersfield, and Dermot & Oonagh Lynch (Richmond & Twickenham)

BRADFORD BROTHERS

The Bradford Circle has some 33 members and meets on the first Monday of every month at the Bradford Club in Piecehall Yard (just off Kirkgate).

Our ages range from 25 to over 80 years old, some are retired; others work in the professions, in business or in commerce. There really is no hard and fast rule as to what akes a Catenian other than the fact that we share our faith and enjoy each other’s company.

Circle Meeting

Circle Meetings are held at 7:30pm on the first Monday of the month at the Bradford Club

Association meetings are concerned with the business of being Catenians. We always begin with prayers; for our Brothers (present and past), for vocations, for our families. We provide support to Brothers, widows and families who are ill; we look after the business of the Association; and we look to support the Church in its work in Bradford and further afield.

Bradford’s meetings are followed by the serious business of socialising. First point of call is, of course, the bar, followed by anything from snooker to music. After Circle activities in the past year have included quizzes (both informal, for amusement, and serious in the shape of the annual Rex Kirk quiz competed for between Yorkshire circles); a wine appreciation dinner (we always have something to eat – dinner or a buffet); presentations from Brothers and visitors on a whole range of subjects – some religious, some secular – some serious and some less so. Once in a while it’s also great just to sit down and have a drink, and enjoy the company.

Brothers’ commitment is to attend the monthly meetings; attendance at other Circle activities is optional but recommended.

Circle Council Members

Grant Peter

President

John Wilson

Secretary

Micheal Cawley

Pronvicial

Brian Lynch

Charity

Ben Cowell

Treasurer

David Stockdale

Chamberlain

Tim Parr

Past President & Membership Officer

BRADFORD’S SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Bradford has an active social programme outside of Circle meetings. This includes the Circle’s annual Dinner Dance in March; our annual Clergy Night when the Circle invites all the Bradford priests to a formal dinner at the Club; and a monthly Luncheon Club which tours the pubs of the area.

In addition each year’s President puts his stamp on the social programme, some recent and upcoming highlights include:-

  • Platinum Jubilee Celebration
  • ‘President’s Sunday’ – Mass followed by much partying!
  • American Themed dinner and Casino evening

Calendar

OUT AND ABOUT – IN PROVINCE

Bradford is in Province 3 (North) which is made up of 10 Circles in West and North Yorkshire. Every Circle’s programme of meetings and social events is open to brothers. Visiting other Circles (singly or en masse) is one of the joys of Catenian membership. The Province also organises its own events – Quarterly Masses for Deceased Brothers, an annual Family Day and the Provincial Weekend (to Brugge in 2012; to the Lake District in 2013, to London in 2014).

Brothers who work away can also take advantage of visiting Circles around the country. Dinner out and a warm welcome are infinitely preferable to a lonely hotel room.

FAMILIES

For those brothers who wish to, Bradford Circle tries to involve their families. Our Christmas lunch with Carols and Readings (and presents!) is always a great success and so is the annual theatre visit for children and grandchildren. In addition to these, we have family days out and ladies’ and family events as an integral part of our Circle programme every year.

Charitable Work

  • Bursary Fund

    Helping Young Catholics

    The Catenian Bursary Fund helps Catholics aged 16 to 24 take part in community-based projects at home and abroad, which have a clear benefit for others as well as for the participant. Applicants for grants do not need to have any connection to a member of the Catenian Association.

    For more details see the main Catenian Bursary Page