HISTORY OF THE CATENIAN ROSARY GROUP. As at 20th January 2010
This history is being written so that, in the future, anyone who is interested can know the truth of how the group commenced and has developed.
The June 2002 issue of Catena had a picture of Don & Nina Strivens of Norwich Circle No 86, James & Elinor Crighton of Dundee & Perth Circle No 110 and Eugene & May Doyle of Poole Circle No 244. They were on the Cruise Liner Aurora and Nina had formed a Rosary Group to which all the Catholics on board were invited to join. The article accompanying the picture mentioned that William & Muriel Britto of Norwood Circle No 88 had also joined the cruise at Singapore.
The heading of the Catena picture and article was ‘Rosary Group All at Sea!’ This struck a chord in the mind of Michael Blackburn of the Halifax Circle No 170. Michael loves the Rosary, finds it a very prayerful and peaceful way of praying, as well as giving the opportunity of meditating on the life of Jesus and Mary. Into Michael’s head came the thought ‘What about the landlubbers?’ Would it be an idea to gather together anyone interested in Holy Rosary and commence a Catenian Rosary Group?
The first thing to be done was to contact all those mentioned in the June Catena article commencing with Nina Strivens who had had the original idea. All those contacted were in favour of the idea of a Catenian Group. Including Michael that gave nine potential members of the proposed group.
But Michael was able to increase that number. A few years earlier, while on holiday, Michael had picked up a Diocesan Newspaper of the Northampton Diocese. In it were details of an Anti-Abortion Rosary Crusade which was organised by a Mrs Anna Row. Following a letter to Catena several Catenians had joined that Crusade and now they were contacted to ask whether they would be in favour of a Catenian Rosary Group. This brought the number of those interested to twenty-one. In the October 2002 Catena the group was announced.
The Original members were:-
Michael Blackburn Halifax Circle; William & Muriel Britto Norwood Circle; James & Elinor Crighton Dundee & Perth Circle; Eugene & May Doyle Poole Circle.; Michael & Margaret Foster Scarborough Circle; Robin Haig Wilmslow Circle; John & Veronica Hall Leeds 3 Circle; Wilf L Jones Nottingham 20 Circle; Brian & Celine McGill Purley Circle; Don & Nina Strivens Norwich & District Circle; David & Geraldine Stuart Hull Circle; William & Noreen White Somerset West Circle.
What we did not know was that The Holy Father had designated October 2002 to October 2003 as “The Year of The Holy Rosary”. Dare we suggest that it was guidance from the Holy Spirit and Our Lady which led to this ‘coincidence’?
Starting a new Group is not easy. What should the group be called? What should be its ‘terms of reference?’ ‘How should it be promoted?’ Many telephone calls later it was agreed that, as a matter of courtesy, we should ask Grand Council for permission to use the name ‘Catenian’. This was granted and the Group became known as The Catenian Rosary Group.
During the early days Robin Haig gave a lot of advice and it was only later that Michael discovered that Robin is a Solicitor. So, thanks to Robin, his sound advice helped the group to start on a firm foundation.
One of the first to join the Group were Michael & Diana Borg Cardona of the Victoria Gozo Circle. Since then other members of that Circle have joined including children proving that in Malta ‘the family Rosary’ is alive and well.
Others soon joined and among them were Gerry & Betty McDevitt of the Richmond and Twickenham Circle. We were looking for a ‘Membership Certificate’ and Gerry suggested adapting a leaflet which he had edited and used for his Church’s Rosary Group. That proved very successful and has since been superseded.
Also joining in the early days was Bernard Gallagher of the Birmingham 9 Circle who, through his contact with Medjugorje, where he organises pilgrimages, and his Medjugorje Magazine, has a wealth of knowledge which he freely shared to enable to Catenian Rosary Group to benefit.
Another early member was Michael Hull of the Wigan Circle. Michael has proved to be excellent at obtaining new members. The Wigan Circle is very supportive of the Rosary Group. As well as many brothers they also have wives, family members and an Anglican lady praying the Catenian Rosary. Since then Albert Eckersley has joined and visits other Circles tirelessly in obtaining new members. The City of Salford Circle also has many members and they and Wigan vie for being the Circle with the most members.
Joining in the early days was John Mahon of the Stourbridge Circle. John is in his eighties and has retired to Donegal in Eire to live with his step-daughter. John had spent his working life with the Halifax Building Society so he was interested to note that Michael lived in Halifax. They discovered that they both had mutual acquaintances in ‘The Halifax’ and much time was spent on the ‘phone and in letters recounting their knowledge of what used to be called ‘The Largest Building Society in the World’ before it converted to a Bank. There is a coincidence worth noting that the inaugural meeting of The Halifax Building Society took place in The Oak Room of The Old Cock Hotel which is the same room where the Halifax Circle No 170 was inaugurated in April 1954 It was John’s suggestion that the Rosary Group should have Exhibition Stands at the AGMs. Michael had never heard of AGM Exhibition Stands and had to do some quick telephoning around to find out whether such a thing was possible at fairly short notice at the Harrogate 2003 AGM.. Province 3 Director John Clarke gave permission for a stand to be made available and several Harrogate brothers, especially Francis Downing, answered questions and made the whole event fairly easy to arrange.
In Michael’s parish there is a retired Catholic Painter and Decorator, Bernard. Michael contacted him to ask advice “Where can I find someone to prepare and paint some sign boards for an Exhibition Stand?” “I’ll do them for you” was the unexpected reply. Michael obtained the blank boards took them to Bernard and, a few days later, collected the finished product. To the question “What’s the damages?” the answer was “I’ve done it for Our Lady.”
The AGM itself was very exciting. Especially for someone like Michael who had never previously done anything like it! Michael Hull from Wigan came to help and was a tower of strength. He accosted potential customers, sent them to Michael who signed them up! Michael Hull’s wife, Elsie, assisted by ensuring that the two Michaels were supplied with drinks! Also helping was John Winterburn of the Harrogate Circle who was able to accost the local brothers! John’s wife, Josephine, was standing by in case any need emerged. Between them the two Michaels and John managed to obtain fifty-nine new members.
On Saturday 10th May Coadjutor Bishop Roche came to address the brothers. At the end of his address, as he came down the walkway, he looked across and saw The Catenian Rosary Group Stand. He raised his hand in the air as a sign of approval and came to the stall for a chat. Afterwards Michael wrote and thanked him. His reply said that on his Ad Limina visit to the Holy Father in October 2003 he would tell the Holy Father of what we are doing! Amazing! Since then the exhibition stand has been taken to the Liverpool 2004 AGM the Torquay 2005 AGM (where it attracted the attention of His Eminence James Francis Cardinal Stafford), the Cardiff AGM 2007 the 2008 100h Anniversary AGM in Manchester and the Harrogate 2009 AGM.
Up to now the Catena Editor, Gil Whale, has not been mentioned. He is mentioned now, not only because he and his wife Sue came to visit the Harrogate 2003 Catenian Stand and join the Rosary Group but, without Gil’s support in Catena, the Rosary Group would never have got started. Gil gave us space at the start and has continued to be very supportive. We are ever grateful to him.
In the first few months of The Group we had different Petitions for each month though one wise brother had told Michael that it would probably not work. He was right. It sounds practical but depends on getting that information to all members of the group. As the group expands it would become ever more difficult and, eventually, after more telephone calls and letters, it was decided that each month’s petition would be for ‘Our Lady’s Intentions,’ except in May when it will be for ‘The Catenian Association and Those Taking Office.’
In February 2003 we were joined by Jim Bunce of the Swale Circle. Jim came up with the idea of having postcards printed which could be used by prospective members. Jim had these printed and donated them to the Group along with a supply of ‘Aid to the Church in Need Rosary Cards’ which contain the new Mysteries of Light. Jim contributed a supply of these useful additions to our paper work. The postcards have been extremely successful.
By February 2003 we had had no members from Australia. It was just at the time when Australia had beaten England at Cricket, Soccer and Rugby. So a letter was sent to John Secker, the Director of Province 21 who is a member of the City of Parramata Circle, pointing out that despite all their wins the Catenian score, at that time, was England 67 Australia Nil! That did it! By return John and his wife Philippa joined the group and since then Brendan McGurk of the City of Perth Circle and Joe Coffey from Fremantle have joined. Brendan McGurk is a tower of strength and never misses the opportunity of mentioning the Rosary Group in The Western Link of which is the editor. Since then brothers from several other Australian Circles have joined.
Also joining were Tom Canning and his wife Veronica who live in Canada and belong to the Bournemouth Circle.
During the first few months of the Group a special Petition had been offered for the Circles in Zimbabwe, who, due to the tense political situation in that country, were having an extremely difficult time. The Front Cover of the March 2003 edition of Catena showed a huge queue of cars, completely blocking a wide street, all trying to get to a filling station for petrol. Except that the picture proved it, it would have been unbelievable to think that such circumstances existed.
In the May 2003 issue of Catena Mike Glenshaw of the Bulawayo Circle wrote explaining his Circle’s love of the Holy Rosary. They pray the Rosary before every meeting and also in the months of May and October and in times of drought or whenever other stressful obstacles are thrown in their way. That has to be the guiding light for all Circles to follow. Sadly, because we don’t live with their pressures, it is unlikely that any U. K .Circles will follow that lead. Mike, his wife Sylvia, and several other Bulawayo brothers and wives have joined the Rosary Group. Harare and North Harare also have Rosary Group members. .
On the 31st July 2003 John Hall died. He and his wife Veronica were founder members of The Catenian Rosary Group having previously joined the Anti Abortion Rosary Crusade. John died very suddenly and without a chance to say ‘au revoir’ to Veronica who has been very brave. Since then members Allison Williams, wife of Alban Williams of the Bulawayo Circle, and Brian McDonnell of the Weybridge Circle have also gone to their eternal reward. As the Rosary Group grows it will become more difficult to maintain a list of the deceased. Therefore it has been decided not to delete the names of the deceased from the Rosary List. They will surely continue their Rosaries in everlasting eternity.
In July 2004 the Halifax Circle commenced supporting the Rosary Group by praying a Decade of the Rosary at the end of every meeting and by making voluntary donations towards expenses. That support, both spiritual and financial, has been greatly appreciated. No charge is made to join the Catenian Rosary Group.
Following Halifax Circle’s May 2008 meeting when Grand President David Taylor was present Bradford and Wigan Circles agreed to commence praying a decade at the end of their meetings as do Strathkelvin, Bulawayo and Lusaka Circles . Chorley Circle has also commenced praying a decade at the start of their Circle prayers.
Postage represents a large ongoing expense and from 2006 a brother who wishes to remain anonymous has provided us with postage stamps. We are indebted to him for his kindness.
In January 2007 Bro. Albert Eckersley of the Wigan Circle agreed to assist in organising the promotion of the Rosary Group. His efforts have proved very successful and due to him the Rosary Group was able to meet its target of 1,000 members to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Association.
In November 2008 Brother John Williams of Saint Helens Circle No. 21 included a mention of the Rosary Group in promotional material which he is preparing on behalf of his Circle. As far as we know this is a ‘first’. Will others follow Bro John’s lead?
In early January 2009 we received an e-mail from Brother Deacon Tony Cunningham of Bracknell Forest Circle. Brother Tony is working with Aboriginal people in a poor diocese in the Northern Territory of Australia. He has an urgent need for Rosaries. This need was reported in a letter to Catena and the response was amazing. Within four months Brother Tony had received over 5,000 Rosaries and since then the total has exceeded 7,000. Our Australian Brothers made a substantial contribution to this total.
On reflection we must realise that Our Lady knew that these Rosaries were lying idle in drawers and cupboards and just needed to get them into the hands of those who pray them with devotion. Bro. Tony reports many lapsed, both Aboriginal and white, have returned to their faith due to the Rosaries.
As of June 2009 Bro. Tony has sufficient Rosaries for the time being so we are turning our attention to the Circles in Johannesburg, Zimbabwe and Zambia. We hope to have a similar success as with Australia but will need more searching of drawers and cupboards to supply the needs!
As at the 20th January 2010 The Catenian Rosary Group has 1069 members from 228 Circles.