Friendship, family, faith and fun!
The Catenians are an association of Catholic men who choose to share their faith, friendship and interests through regular meetings and social activities of their local branch (or circle as it is known) and by extending that friendship through visits and contact with other circles, and through provincial and national events.
Aims include support of those in need, beginning with but not exclusive to, the welfare of other Circle and Association members; support of clergy and vocations; support for young Catholics by the Association’s Bursary Fund which offers encouragement with opportunities for young people ranging from assisting with pilgrimages to Lourdes, to undertaking projects in communities abroad and financial assistance to carry them out. A Public Speaking Competition is organised annually for Catholic senior school students with certificates and prizes for winners and runners up.
Charities are supported by raffles at major events and by individual donations. They include the Association Benevolent and Children’s Fund, a safety net for members and their families who find themselves in financial hardship, the Bursary Fund mentioned above and charities, both local and international, which are selected for support by each circle President during his year of office.
Welfare of those in the Circle (and in the wider Association) is always high on each Circle’s agenda and includes both practical and spiritual support, prayers being offered at meetings for those who are sick and for their families or carers. The spiritual support does not stop at the end of earthly life either but continues with a prayer for deceased members of the Circle at each meeting. Widows continue to be kept in contact and invited to Circle functions with practical support being made available to them when required.
In addition to the monthly meeting, the Circle regularly organises events for members, their families and friends. These include a summer barbecue, a ladies night, a games night, a Christmas lunch, visits to other Circles and our popular guided walks. Recent Chertsey and Three Rivers walks have been very enjoyable and informative, the next will be a guided ghost walk – no, it won’t be guided by a ghost! (unless plans go awry😱).
The Circle welcomes Catholic men of all ages who feel that the Association may have something worthwhile to offer them to make contact and to meet up with existing members to learn more, hopefully to be followed by a visit to a meeting to view the proceedings and to take the opportunity to meet Circle members and, if wished, to enjoy a meal with them after.
Runnymede Circle is the local branch for this parish.
We meet on the third Monday of each month at 7.30 pm at the Stanwell Hotel, 171 Town Lane, Stanwell, Staines TW19 7PW. The Circle and any visitors then share a meal in a convivial atmosphere following the meeting.
If you would like to know more about the Association please visit their website at https://www.thecatenians.com/visitors
For more information about Runnymede Circle please contact
John Mills on 07896 410709 or by email at John.mills53@hotmail.com.
The Parish of St Cuthbert, Egham 