Catenian Italian Night in St Robert’s church hall.

Catenian Outing to Belsay Castle

Some Catenians with their wives at Belsay Hall

What is The Catenian Association?
The Catenian Association is an international brotherhood of practising Catholic laymen who meet socially, at least once a month, in local branches, known as Circles. Members refer to each other as ‘brother’. This reflects the strength of the mutual support they give to each other and their families, which is based on the shared values of their Catholic belief and practice. In an increasingly secular society, the Association provides a sociable and supporting haven (an oasis of calm) for those facing challenges to their beliefs and moral values in their business, professional and family lives. Through their membership Catenians are helped to enjoy and fulfill their various vocations in life. Firstly as baptised Christians and also in their family as a husband and father; in their chosen profession or workplace; within the civil community and within the church.

The Association’s name is derived from the Latin ‘Catena’ (a chain) with the Circles being the links in the chain. The emblem consists of a continuous chain of links surrounding a cross. This symbolizes that our Catholic faith is at the centre of all we do.

The Association is not a fund raising agent for the Catholic Church, nor is it a Catholic action group. However, it is a group of active Catholics. On an individual basis, Catenians take an active part in the life of their parishes and many play a leading role in their dioceses and Catholic lay organisations locally and nationally. The Association is non-political though Catenians are prominent in many aspects of public life and service.

The Aims of the Association

• to foster brotherly love among the members.
• to develop social bonds among the members and their families.
• to advance the interests of members and their dependants by individual or collective action.
• to advance the interests of young Catholics and to assist them in the choice or pursuit of a career.
• to establish, maintain and administer benevolent funds.
• to promote and support The Catenian Association Benevolent and Children’s Fund (“the Benevolent Fund”) and the Catenian Bursary Fund.*

Bursary Fund
Helping young people discover themselves while helping others
The Catenian Bursary Fund helps Catholics aged 16 to 24 take part in community-based projects at home and abroad, which have a clear benefit for others as well as for the participant. Applicants for grants do not need to have any connection to a member of the Catenian Association.

This charitable fund administered by Trustees on behalf of the Catenian Association fulfils one of its original core aims: “to advance the interests of young Catholics and to assist them in their choice or pursuit of their career’.
Grants are made to contribute to necessary travel and living costs, which may be incurred by taking part in a voluntary project. Grants are never made to cover the whole cost.

There is no preferred duration for the projects. Each application is considered on its merits but grants are not paid to help pay for part of an applicant’s educational course such as a medical elective. Recipients are required to provide a written report on their project, preferably with photographs of the work undertaken. Some are later published in the Association’s monthly magazine ‘Catena’ or the Fund’s annual report to publicise the work of the Bursary Fund.
The Trustees usually meet to discuss grant applications five times a year. Grants are not made retrospectively so applications must be made in good time. The Trustees may make any enquiries they deem necessary in coming to their decision.
“It was an experience I shall never forget and has in fact changed my career intentions.”