De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Louise and I had a lovely lunch on Sunday with my brothers from the Southend Circle of the Catenian's and their wives. We were joined by my son Michael as well, who wasn't terribly enthusiastic at the prospect initially, but pleasingly, said he really enjoyed the whole experience as we walked the dog together afterwards. He bravely gave the after dinner speech to the gathering, a speech he has honed after several orations, the first of which took place in May last year . His speech is quite personal, and quite deep. It is about the experience of losing his sister in 2009, and how his faith has helped him, and indeed all of us to cope with this tragedy. Michael confidently addressing the gathering. You can probably tell from the faces around the table that the speech doesn't pull many punches. I have read through an earlier draft, but have not heard him deliver it himself. Louise had warned me that I would find it difficult, but enthusiastic and proud of my son, I...

 We had an excellent Catenian meeting last night. It was great to meet up with the brothers after a month and catch up on how everyone has been. We meet every month at the Park View Suite , who always do us proud with a wonderful dinner, and last night was certainly no exception, with a sumptuous three course meal, brushcetta, followed by roast lamb and chocolate souffle with mint ice-cream. Lots of visiting gentlemen from  Chelmsford's Catenian Circle and Steve Webb was also present, director of Brentwood Catholic Children's Society . Steve Webb with Archbishop Vincent Nichols Brentwood Catholic Children's Society provides counseling for children and young adults up to the age of eighteen, regardless of their beliefs, together with their families, who could be experiencing emotional difficulties.It was started in 1984 by Mgr. John Armitage, much beloved priest of our diocese, who, following the closure of the Children’s Homes in Basildon, adopted the role of ...

On Thursday my dear friend and business partner Andrew & I were enrolled in Southend-On-Sea Catenian Association at the Park View Suite , Chalkwell. The Catenians is an international association of Catholic laymen which aims to foster brotherly love among members, develop social bonds among members and their families, advance the interests of the members and their dependants, assist young Catholics in their choice or pursuit of a career and to establish, maintain and administer benevolent funds. The association was started in 1910 by John O'Donnell, inspired by a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Louis Charles Casartelli , Bishop of Salford. Bishop Casartelli set out his stall with his first Pastoral Letter entitled ‘The Signs of the Times’, written a month after his consecration. He urged Catholic laymen “to go forth to all the interests of the commonwealth of which we are part”, going on to say that he wanted the laity to play their role “…in matters social, municipal, ph...