18th Eastern Link - Province 20 Catenians of Western Australia

EASTERN LINK The Catenian Association Strengthening family life through friendship and faith PROVINCE 21
One Heart Many Voices Catenian Help Continued…
The conference, had as its focus the sharing of visions of mission by those in leadership roles in
dioceses, parishes, religious communities, lay organisations and church agencies. It attracted over
350 delegates from all over Australia and was again a wonderful opportunity to obtain exposure for
our Association among the broader Catholic community. At the same time it presented us with an
opportunity to help cement the fraternal love that binds us as Catenian Brothers, by serving fellow
Catholics (both religious and lay) who are themselves involved in service both in Australia and
globally.
In writing about the conference, one member of the organizing committee
Fr Noel Connolly said that:
“there was an energy and equality that only mission can bring. We are collaborating in
something much larger than ourselves, God’s life and mission in the world.

 

In recent
decades the Church has spent considerable effort on developing its identity but identity
alone is often seen in opposition to others and can divide. There is a much more vibrant
sense of identity that comes from mission and service and I believe we had more than a
glimpse of that during our three days together.”
These sentiments were felt by us, even as volunteers. In particular we experienced a real sense of
identity with the delegates and presenters as fellow Catholics working to build the reign of God, as
we helped them make their way to their presentations and workshops, assisted them with
registration and with storing their luggage and carried out the many other functions that helped the
conference run so smoothly. There was some complexity in the conference organisation as
workshops were held concurrently in two different city buildings, two blocks apart. Our involvement
was invaluable in ensuring that delegates reached their workshops safely and on time.
A total of 13 Catenian Brothers and two family members carried out these many different functions
during the three days of the conference. The Catenians were Br Ron Daly (City of Sydney), Br Pat
Moran (Hornsby), Br Brendan O’Connell (Hornsby, Manly, Mosman), Br Paul Despoges (Castle Hill),
Br Peter Huby (Castle Hill), Br Laurie de Ambrosis (Manly), Br Luke Keighery (Ku Ring Gai), Br Jon
Horan (Ku-Ring-Gai), Br Albert Pinelli (Mosman), Br Graham Short (Mosman, Gold Coast Tweed), Br
Mike McEvoy (Mosman), Br John Tweedie (Mosman) and Br John Donnelly (Warringah). Some
brothers worked for one day, some for two and one for all three days. In addition Pamela and
Katherine Tweedie (wife and daughter of Br John Tweedie) both assisted for one day each. Whilst
we had some hectic moments, the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
One Heart Many Voices Catenian Help Continued…
JUNE Page 17 2013