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Travels with Province 12

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Every year or so, Swindon Catenians organize a short overseas trip for members, and this year from 9th – 12th of April some 44 members, guests and wives travelled to Arras, the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais region. The visit was based around the First World War Battle of Arras in 1917. LE DÈPART It was a dark and blustery morning at about 5 a.m. when 44 members, wives and guests from Oxford and Ascot & Sunningdale, assemebled at various departure points to join the coach for our “away weekend” in France. For the most part the weather looked reasonable, and all were excited about the prospect of what lay ahead.  Encouraged to ‘sit back and enjoy the ride’ by our dependable chauffer, Simon, we set out for a 3½ hour trip to the Port of Dover for our channel crossing.  Despite the warnings in the Press, going through French Customas and Immigration at Dover was relatively painless and we were soon abord our ferry for the short crossing to Calais. On arrival we then left the Port for the relaxed journey to our hotel in Arras, stopping on the way at Souchez to vsit the striking new museum to the First World War.  We then travelled on to Arras and settled into our hotel. SOUCHEZ The Museum at Souchez, set in the shadow of Vimy Ridge, the scene of the great achievements of the Canadians in the battle of Arras, is most certainly well worth a visit and is of a striking new design by the architect Pierre-Louis Falouci in black concrete and glass.  It complements the French national memorial to the whole 1914-18 conflict at Notre-Damme-de-Lorette, itself set on a hillside seemingly in part suspended in the air.   For us, this visit set the scene, for it looked at the 1914-18 conflict from a multi-national viewpoint whilst the rest of our tour would naturally focus more on the Commonwealth actions and actors.    DAY 2 Our second day was bright and sunny and, after our ‘Petit-déjeuner’ we departed our hotel for a full day of visits.  As a Catholic Christian organization, our day started with our knowledgeable tour leader and guide Bertie Morris leading us in a short prayer followed by a briefing on the background to the Battle of Arras in 1917. Then, reassured that we were in capable hands, Simon, our chauffer, maneuvered his very large bus around very small French streets and coped without complaint at a seeming absence of any form of parking restriction which made maneuvering his bus very difficult.  We eventually arrived at our first destination of the day – Carrière Wellington Carrière Wellington In November 1916, the British started preparing for the 1917 spring offensive in and around Arras. Their stroke of genius: to have the New Zealand tunnellers connect up the town’s medieval chalk extraction quarries with tunnels to create a network of underground barracks, large enough to accommodate up to 24,000 soldiers, and the plan was that the attacking force would be able to hide from the enemy and appear at H- hour from the ground. As a part of the tour you all have to wear first World War steel helmets which were very heavy and most uncomfortable! COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION Then we went on to visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Visitor Centre at Beauraines which offers a behind the scenes look at how the CWGC cares for 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth who died during the two World Wars.  There we learnt that each year to date their work continues both in the very high standard of maintenance of the memorials, and in the identification (if possible) and interment of human remains that are still found every year.  Those who established the Commission after the First World War determined that all military cemeteries should be like “an English garden” so that our fallen would lie ‘in a corner of a foreign field that was, forever, England’. AMIENS AND THE THIEPVAL NATIONAL MEMORIAL We travelled to Amiens for a light lunch in the sunshine and many of us took the opportunity of viewing the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens, the largest Cathedral (by volume) in France. The cathedral is situated on a slight ridge overlooking the River Somme in Amiens, the administrative capital of the Picardy region of France.  The Cathedral was built almost entirely between 1220 and 1270, an amazingly short period for such a magnificent structure. And then on the way back to our hotel in Arras we stopped at the Thiepval Memorial at the heart of the Somme battlefields. The Thiepval Memorial is the largest Commonwealth war memorial in the world, dedicated to over 72,000 British and South African soldiers with no known grave who died in the Battles of the Somme (1915–1918). Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and unveiled in 1932, it stands near the site of the former village which was a British target on the first day of the battle.   Several of our party were able to identify relatives whose names are inscribed on the memorial DAY 3 For Day three the party spilt into two parts – those who wished to have a rest day and “do their own thing” around Arras, and the others who wished to drive on more to look at the contribution of the ANZAC and particularly the Australians at Villers-Bretonneux. THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MEMORIAL The Australian National Memorial is located across the back of the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery and commemorates the Australian soldiers who served in France and Belgium during the 1914-18 conflict. The Memorial was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (who also designed the Thiepval Memorial) and was unveiled in 1938 by King George VI. Villers-Bretonneux became renowned on 23 April 1918 when the German advance during the Spring Offensive led to the capture of the town by German infantry and tanks. On the following day, the Australian 4th Division, supported by the Australian 5th Division, units of the

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Steps of Hope – A Catenian Walking for Caritas

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President of Wallasey Circle No 50, Pete Graham took on an unusual challenge last year. Between May and November, Pete walked from his home to all 23 Catholic churches within the Wirral Deanery areas to attend a Sunday Mass. In addition to raising money for his chosen charity Caritas-Diocese of Shrewsbury, the idea was to raise the profiles of Caritas and our own Association. “I thought it would allow me to tell a lot of people about the Catenians, in parishes where there are currently no members, whilst setting out some of the vital work our Diocese’s own charity does for young people.” While the charity supports many individuals and communities facing hardship and difficulties, Pete set out specifically to raise money to pay for support for children experiencing serious difficulties in school. “Trauma, bereavement, mental health and illness within families mean some children need specialist help, beyond the excellent pastoral care available in their local school. My wife Paula was headteacher at a local primary school and told me she had seen firsthand the life-changing impact Caritas’s support service can have on children.”  All of the churches are within 8.5 miles, but the total distance was about 84 miles, walked over 20 weekends. Pete figured the physical challenge would be significant enough for friends and family who don’t live locally or attend church to sponsor him, and that appeals in the different churches would also raise funds. That turned out to be right, with online giving raising £2,000 tbc, and the spoken appeals he was able to make in 17 of the churches raising a further £4,500. It is still possible to donate GiveTap Donation. Trish Spencer CEO of Caritas-Diocese of Shrewsbury said, “Steps of Hope worked because it was simple. One person’s idea and commitment sparked support for children and families across the Wirral. Parishes responded generously, and Peter’s conversations helped more people understand what Caritas, Catenians and parishes can achieve together.” Whilst raising the profile of our Association, Pete gathered some insights about the opportunities to recruit new members. “I’ve had the chance to speak to over 1,000 parishioners and I estimate that includes over 300 men. In many of the churches, there were no active members of our Association, which means there are significant opportunities for recruitment beyond our current member’s parishes. Pete has shared his observations with the neighbouring Circles on the Wirral (Birkenhead No 69 and Ellesmere Port No 273) and discussed the initiative with Brothers across Province 4. From a personal point of view Pete and his wife Paula, who accompanied him on most of the walks, found it was a rare opportunity to worship in other churches. Like many of other Catenian couples they are busy with their own parish almost every Sunday. Pete chronicled the project with photos and music on Instagram (@petegraham) “It was really inspiring to experience such a warm welcome, and to witness the generosity of Catholics in the different churches. We also picked up some nice ideas we have taken back to our own parish!” said Paula.   Photos: Fundraising Poster, Caritas Logo, Montage of the churches and Strava images, photo of Pete at St Joseph’s Seacombe.

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Roisin Boles“15,000 ft Skydive for CAFt”

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Roisin’s 15,000 ft Skydive for CAFt — A Leap to Remember! 🪂 On 9 December 2025, Roisin Boles, the daughter of Ray Boyles, Catenian member of Rochdale Circle, took on one of the most exhilarating challenges imaginable, a 15,000 ft skydive in aid of the Lourdes Children and Families Trust (CAFt). What began as a bold idea to plummet towards the earth at high speed quickly became an unforgettable achievement that’s now written into the story of community, courage and compassion. Lourdes Children and Families Trust (often referred to as CAFt), a UK charity that supports families, especially those with children who have additional needs, to enjoy pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes, France. 🪂 The Big Day Roisin stepped aboard that plane with a mix of excitement and nerves, the kind only someone gearing up to leap from 15,000 ft can understand. From the moment the aircraft climbed above the clouds to the final seconds of freefall, this wasn’t just a personal challenge: it was a mission with heart. Her freefall hurtled toward the ground at incredible speed, and when the parachute opened she didn’t just descend, she soared with purpose. Why It Mattered The goal was bigger than the jump itself. Every pound raised was a contribution to Lourdes Children and Families Trust, a charity that supports families, especially those with additional needs, with life-enriching pilgrimage experiences. These trips create treasured memories, giving young people and their loved ones a chance to connect, celebrate and find community. Celebrating the Supporters Thanks to the kindness and generosity of nearly 60 donors, Roisin’s page raised an incredible amount for CAFt, over £2,096 plus an extra £497.50 in Gift Aid. It’s inspiring to see how a community can rally around someone’s bold idea and turn it into real support for others. Every donation, from the smallest to the largest, helped make a difference. They weren’t just numbers; they were votes of confidence, encouragement, and belief in Roisin’s adventure and in the work of CAFt. What Comes Next Roisin’s jump is more than an event in the past, it’s a reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to incredible outcomes. Her story will inspire others considering their own charity challenges, proving that even the wildest ideas can have a purpose and meaning far beyond themselves. Thank you, Roisin, and thank you to everyone who supported her journey. You didn’t just help someone jump out of a plane; you helped families soar in their own ways.

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Following in the footsteps of Saint Columba

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On the back of the success of our 2024 pilgrimage following in the steps of St Cuthbert to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne plans are afoot for the Catenians to make a pilgrimage in 2026 that will follow in the footsteps of St Columba on the Islands of Iona and Mull.  The Isle of Iona Lying off the west coast of the Isle of Mull the tiny Isle of Iona, barely three miles long by one mile wide, has had an influence out of all proportion to its size on the establishment of Christianity in Scotland, England and throughout mainland Europe Iona’s place in history was secured in 563 AD when St. Columba, an Irish Monk, made the hazardous crossing from Ireland and arrived on its white sandy beaches with 12 followers, to established his mission.  On the island he built his first Celtic church and established a noted monastic community.  St Cuthbert, whose missionary way we followed last year from Melrose in Scotland to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, was a missionary member of that Celtic Christian community. Once settled, Columba set about converting most of pagan Scotland and northern England to the Christian faith.  Iona’s fame as a Celtic Christian missionary centre and outstanding place of learning eventually spread throughout all of Europe, turning the island and its monastery into a place of pilgrimage for several centuries to come. Iona became a sacred isle where kings of Scotland (48), Ireland (4) and Norway (8) were buried. Saint Columba Saint Columba (7 December 521 – 9 June 597) was an Irish abbot and missionary credited with spreading Christianity in present-day Scotland, and through his missionary disciples to most of northern Engalnd. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries. He is the Patron Saint of Derry. He was highly regarded by both the Gaels of Dál Riata and the Picts, and is remembered today as a Christian saint and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Columba reportedly studied under some of Ireland’s most prominent church figures and founded several monasteries in the country. Around 563 he and his twelve companions crossed to Dunaverty near Southend, Argyll in Kintore before settling in Iona in Scotland, then part of the Irish kingdom of Dál Riata, where they founded a new abbey as a base for spreading Christianity among the northernPictish kingdoms who were pagan. He remained active in Irish politics, though he spent most of the remainder of his life in Scotland. Three surviving early medieval Latin hymns may be attributed to him Vita Columbae The main source of information about Saint Columba’s life is the Vita Columbae (i.e. “Life of Columba”), a hagiography written in the style of “saint’s lives” narratives that had become widespread throughout medieval Europe. Compiled and drafted by scribes and clergymen, these accounts were written in Latin and served as written collections of the deeds and miracles attributed to the saint, both during his or her life or after death. The canonization of a saint, especially one who had lived on the fringes of the medieval Christian world like Saint Columba, required a well-written hagiography to be submitted to Rome to gain approval from the Catholic Church The Isle of Mull The Pilgrimage The pilgrimage, like the previous walking pilgrimage to Lindisfarne, will take the form of an 6-8 day period walking around Iona and Mull to visit all the important sites.  As there is no formal walking route across the island of Mull, plans are being developed to arrange two days of walking in Oban area, three days walking on the island of Mull from a base in the town of Tobermory and the two final days on the Holy island of Iona where St Columba was based during his missionary journeys. Due to the difficulty of acquiring sufficient accommodation on Iona for those wishing to participate a provisional booking of six double and six single rooms at the Argyle Hotel has been made on Iona for two nights for the nights of 21st & 22nd April 2027 The Pilgrimage is a walking pilgrimage and will require stamina and fitness. How to express an interest? If members or their families are interested in joining the group for any part of the walk especially the section on Iona then please could they let pilgrimage organizer Andrew Sowerby know as soon as possible so the bookings can be confirmed and the detailed planning can take place. Circle Secretaries will be able to provide Andrew’s Email address. Please place the date of the pilgrimage in your diary now and let Andrew know of your interest as soon as possible.

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LEST WE FORGET

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Catenian Memorial at the National Arboretum – David Rowley – Past Great Britain National President with his family. As we approach November 11th, our thoughts turn to those brave men and women who gave their lives in conflicts. This week, Eileen and I visited the National Memorial Arboretum which is not too far from where we live. Our main focus was to remember my grandfather George Henry Rowley who was killed on the Somme in the first world war. As we walked down the vast central drive of the Arboretum, the trees were showing their Autumn colours. We passed the new memorial dedicated by the King only this week. On the left an army of people were putting together a massive garden of remembrance with hundreds, maybe thousands of crosses in the shape of a giant poppy. We have been to the Arboretum many times but on this occasion we both felt very moved by the scene. It truly is a marvellous place. Then, walking by the river, we were soon able to see the striking Catenian Memorial nestling on the edge of the trees. What impresses me most about our memorial is how pristine it always looks. This is down to Allan, our stonemason who designed it to be self cleaning requiring very little maintenance. We duly paid our respects to grandfather George, also remembering his wife Mary and two young children whose lives were devastated by his loss. At the same time we remembered all those Catenians and their families similarly affected. It was also an opportunity to pray for all those we had lost within the family and many Catenians. I also got to thinking of the significance of this memorial as something permanent which symbolises our Association as a beacon of friendship and support. If you haven’t been to the Arboretum, it is easy to find just off the A38 between Lichfield and Derby. There are lots of brown signs, A moving day and may all those we remember rest in peace. Catenian Memorial at the National Arboretum – Eileen Rowley

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The Icon of Our Lady of Victories

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On the 7th October 2025 a party of Catenians led by Great Britain National President Gerry McCormack, joined with our friends the Defence Catholic Military Association (CMA) and the charity Aid to the Church in Need at the Defence Catholic Cathedral Church of St Michael and George at Aldershot for a service of blessing and dedication of the CMA’s new icon of their patroness, Our Lady of Victories. The icon From its establishment in 2018, the CMA has had Our Lady of Victories as its spiritual patroness. Since its inception the CMA has been looking to acquire a suitable visual representation of Our Lady of Victories – but they are hard to find.  So, a plan was devised to commission the world’s very first icon to her.  Knowing of the school of Eastern Catholic Iconographers in the Ukraine, the CMA approached the charity, Aid to the Church in Need, to seek their help as facilitators to help arrange the commission. Contact was established through a Ukrainian intermediary, but the war currently raging in the country made things very difficult.  After many setbacks, trials and dangers, the Icon was eventually commissioned and written by the iconographers, working under wartime conditions of great risk and danger.  They used traditional egg-tempera and gold on a wooden base to produce the wonderful icon.  Eventually, in what was itself a miraculous journey, that was fraught with difficulty and danger, the completed icon was transported out of the Ukraine and delivered to the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the UK. What the icon writers have written will endure both as a testament to their skill, prayerfulness, dedication and bravery and to the close and enduring relationship that has been established between the British and Ukrainian armed forces.  The icon will act as a symbol of the common dedication and veneration of both the British and Ukrainian people for Our Lady. Catenian involvement The Icon cost a considerable sum to procure, most of which was raised by the CMA members themselves who conducted a crowd-funding initiative, but, knowing of the support of the Catenian Association, the CMA invited the Catenians to help.  Working through Roger Lillie, the past National President who signed the Associations memorandum of affiliation with the CMA, individual Catenians, particularly those with a personal connection with HM Armed Forces, were asked to consider making a personal donation, and so the necessary funds were provided. Pictured are Captain Francis Osborn, Chair of the CMA, and Gerry McCormack, Great Britain President of the Catenian Association. What is an Icon? Icons are representations of the Heavenly. They are expressions of Orthodox Faith, teaching, and worship. Therefore, Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. Icons can only be created with the blessing of the Church, as they are writings of Truth, created prayerfully – indeed, the very act of their creation is a prayer. Purpose of Icons The Orthodox Church uses icons to assist in worship. Icons are a ‘window to heaven’ and they help us to focus our thought on the divine things. While the icons still contain material aspects, like paint and colour, we are taught not to reject our physical life but instead to transform it, as was done by the holy people represented by the icons. It is important to note that the icons themselves are venerated only, not worshipped; we only worship God in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The service of Blessing and Dedication The Icon was blessed and dedicated by the Right Reverend Kenneth Nowakowski, OBE, Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family, London, and The Right Reverend Paul Mason, Bishop-in-Ordinary to His Majesty’s Armed Forces. The service of Blessing of the icon was held in the Defence Catholic Cathedral in Aldershot, and led by the Bishop-in-Ordinary to HM Armed Forces, the Right Reverend Paul Mason. The icon itself was blessed by the Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparch of the Holy Family, The Right Reverend Kenneth Nowakowski OBE. After a reading from the Book of the Apocalypse, Chapter 12, verses 1-9, Bishop Paul in his homily reflected on the figure of Mary – not as a meek, mild and mourning figure, but as a warrior who cast out Satan and opened the gates of heaven.  Truly an apt patroness for the CMA.    In Blessing the icon, Bishop Ken prayed  “ … as we look upon the likeness with the eyes of the body, we may with the eyes of the mind meditate upon her holiness and be led to imitate her deeds.” The future The permanent home of the Icon will be in the Defence Catholic Cathedral in Aldershot, but in the immediate future the Icon is set to tour UK defence establishments around the world, so that it can be seen and venerated by serving Catholics in the military, wherever their service takes them. All images credit to Albert Rhodes.

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Bath Circle President’s Sunday

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It was a wet start to Bath Circle President’s Sunday when some 35 members, partners and guests gathered with Bath President Gervase O’Donovan and his wife Sue at the fabulous Basilica of St Gregory the Great, better known as Downside Abbey, in Somerset, home to the adjacent famous Downside Catholic Public School. Downside Abbey is the senior Benedictine monastery of the English Benedictine Congregation. Originally founded in Douai, in 1606, the community of St Gregory the Great settled at Downside in Somerset in 1814.  Within a decade the community had adjusted to their life at Downside, and by 1823 had opened a chapel and new school buildings; designed by Henry Goodridge in the Gothic style to recall medieval monastic life. Members and their friends gathered to hear a most beautiful mass said for us by the Abbot of Downside, the Right Reverend DOM Nick Wetz, OSB. Sadly, the monastic congregation at Downside has now moved to Belmont Abbey in Herefordshire, but we were pleased to learn that the Abbey will continue to be used as a church and place of worship for both the adjacent public school and local congregation for years to come. Singing was accompanied by the Abbey Church’s magnificent great organ, one of the finest examples of John Compton’s work.  Dating from 1931, and therefore a fairly early instrument it has all the typical Compton tonal flare and innovation that had already become his trademark. The tone is helped by the Abbey’s very generous acoustic which in turn lends grandeur to the sound and makes for both a magical and moving experience for the listener.After Mass the party, accompanied by Abbot Nick, repaired to the Holcombe Inn, a local restaurant, for a delightful and excellent lunch.  In true fashion, late morning, the rain departed – the sun came out – and all was well with the world.

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Brave the Cold embrace the Bold…

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Catenian Bob Hussey muses on the claimed benefits of wild swimming If you’re anything like me, then the idea of braving the winter cold in swim shorts, in public, might seem daunting. You might even prefer the task of navigating the aisles at your local supermarket despite the seemingly random and time-consuming nature of it. But – I’m still going to try to convince you of the benefits of throwing off your warm clothes and engaging in cold-water swimming.  This has come to the fore in my life recently as my son-in-law has taken it up and swears by it.  (Note – no first-hand experience!)  But his enthusiasm did intrigue me, so I thought I’d investigate. It appears that the practice of standing shivering on some river bank or beside some pool or lake before throwing yourself into the water is very popular and has claimed health benefits. Avoid Extremes My first tip though would be to avoid the extremes!  One of the most important advocates of cold-water swimming is a chap called Wim Hof, also known as ‘The Ice man’. Wim considers himself an extreme athlete and has achieved many feats in the cold including running a half marathon above the Artic Circle barefoot and standing in a container covered with ice for almost 2 hours. No, I suggest you go for the gentler approach and perhaps the best way might be to join a local cold-water swimming group?  There are many all over the country and there will certainly be one not too far from you.  To find out more, head to www.wildswimming.co.uk or www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com   The Benefits So, what are the claimed benefits?  Well, there are many, many, claims online, but most seem to include: •         Improve your mood The most frequently reported benefit of cold-water swimming is the boost it can give to your mood. Experts have found that regular cold-water exposure could improve mental health problems such as anxiety and depression – the reasons behind this aren’t yet entirely clear, but research is ongoing to understand the effects of cold water on our minds. One theory is that it may reduce our stress reaction, in other words making our mind and body more resilient to external stressors, or that cold water is anti-inflammatory, leading to improvements in mental and physical health. •         Connect to nature Many wild swimmers say that whilst you are in the water surrounded by water and wildlife it gives you a sense of intense mindfulness which is difficult to achieve in any other activity. This is because when swimming all you can think about is the ‘here and now’ – your movement in the water, your physical surroundings and whether your body is warm enough (or whether it is time to get out!). •          Potential benefits to metabolism There have been scientific reports of benefits to the metabolism from cold water exposure, for example through the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in our bodies. BAT is considered a ‘healthier’ type of fat in our bodies, which can help keep us warm by turning glucose and fatty acids in our blood into heat •          Pain reduction There is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that cold water exposure is beneficial for those living with chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis. This effect may be due to the reduction of inflammatory markers in the body or may simply be due to a ‘numbing effect’ caused by the cold on our bodies (similar to applying an ice pack). •          Enhanced recovery Exercise can lead to pain and sore muscles, also known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Many elite athletes use cold therapy, some even take ice baths, but the jury is out as to whether this is better than heat therapy. Experts also highlight that this treatment may not be appropriate for all types of exercise. Is it for me? So, will I “practice what I preach” and take up cold-water swimming?  Well – in a word – no.  Whilst I admire the tenacity and determination of my son-in-law, it’s not for me – but it may be for you? 

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