Pictured at the Visitors Cup joint meeting left to right: City of Perth Circle President, John Murray, the Most Rev. Timothy Costelloe, Fremantle Circle President, Dick Finucane, Como Circle President, Michael Taylor and Canning Circle President, Russell Godsall. Photo: Vic Rogue.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB was recently guest of honour at the Catenian Association of WA Province 20 Visitors Cup on 18 March.
More than 100 Catenian Brothers attended the event, held at the Swan Yacht Club in East Fremantle, as a collaborative event conducted in a joint meeting format involving the host Fremantle Circle and Canning, Como, and City of Perth Circles.
Graham Mahony (Fremantle Circle) introduced the Perth Archbishop on behalf of the Catenians, acknowledging the support His Grace provides to the Association.
Mr Mahony mentioned the important role Archbishop Costelloe has as President of the Catholic Church of Australia’s Plenary Council 2021, and the ongoing support Catenians have for the forthcoming Council.
In his address, Archbishop Costelloe provided an eloquent overview of the planning and preparation for the first session of the multi-modal Plenary Council scheduled for October 2021, leading to the second session in July 2022.
“His commitment to the process was clearly expressed providing confidence that that it would provide a clear way forward for Catholics in Australia.”
“His speech was appropriate and enlightening,” Mr Mahony said.
Left to right: Canning President, Russell Godsall, Como President, Michael Taylor, Provincial President, Lou Daily, The Most Rev. Timothy Costelloe, Fremantle President Dick Finucane, Central Council Chairman, Ralph Fitzpatrick and City of Perth President, John Murray. Photo: Vic Rogue.
Archbishop Costelloe commented that he was impressed with the Catholic men present, their breadth and depth of lay activities, and strong support of the Church.
Provincial President Lou Daily thanked the Archbishop of Perth on behalf of members, again acknowledging the support and encouragement given to the Catenian Association by the Catholic Church both at diocesan level and from Parish Priests.
A Catenian Brother since 2002, Mr Daily informed The Record that their bi-annual convocations were not often blessed with a bishop as the special guest.
“It was good for him to get out and see how the Catenians operate, I think he may have been surprised by the numbers we had there, and we appreciated the talk he gave – it was well received,” Mr Daily stated.
“We do a lot of charity work; we still sponsor students with scholarships to advance their careers. We are here to help the clergy; all they have to do is ask.”
Fremantle Circle President Dick Finucane chaired the meeting with Fremantle Circle’s Alex Banovich as the Master of Ceremonies. Special guests included Central Council and Director Province 20 Chairman Ralph Fitzpatrick and Life Member Gerry Barton.
Fremantle Circle President, Dick Finucane presenting the Visitors Cup to Canning Circle President, Russell Godsall with Master of Ceremonies, Alex Banovich watching on. Photo: Vic Rogue.
During the evening, Mr Fitzpatrick presented 40-year Membership certificates to John Moore and John Walsh, both of City of Perth Circle.
In the absence of Elliott Levitt (Joondalup Circle), Barry Webb accepted a 40-year certificate on his behalf for presentation to him at a later date.
The coveted Visitors Cup, awarded bi-annually to the circle in Province 20 best represented at the event, was won by Canning Circle by only two points from runners-up, City of Perth Circle.
Fremantle Circle Treasurer Kevin Hefron and Secretary John Sutton worked tirelessly to produce programmes, registrations, seating arrangements, and door prizes as well as ongoing coordination with the Swan Yacht Club.
Fremantle Circle shared the profit made from the function with the Province 20 Youth Support Fund, and Mr Hefron subsequently made a presentation of $500 to Fund Treasurer Geoff Prendergast.
Since its commencement 14 years ago, the Fund has made grants totalling $70,000 to 167 young people supporting the development of their faith, education, or career.