Welcome to Southampton Catenian Circle
Welcome to the Southampton Circle website.
The Catenian Association is an international network of Catholic men, sharing and strengthening the common bond of faith through friendship and family. Mutual support of our fellow members, their families and widows is at the heart of our Association. Its members belong to ‘Circles’ and these Circles are grouped in ‘Provinces’. Here in Southampton, ours is one of the founding Circles, established in 1913, and we belong to Province 11 which extends as far as Fleet, Portsmouth and Weymouth.
Each Circle meets and dines on a monthly basis. We meet on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 pm at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Southampton. Our evening begins with a short meeting to discuss Circle business, followed by a two-course dinner.
Some members take up Circles offices such as President or Secretary. Our wives, partners and widows join us every other month (starting in February). They are invited to sit in on the meetings or attend their own reception, and then join us for the dinner. (In the event of a Bank Holiday Monday, the meeting is put back to the following Monday). We visit other Circles within Province and beyond, and welcome return visits from them.
Events and lunches feature regularly on Circle social programmes to which members’ family and friends are always welcome. Southampton Circle has a monthly lunch club and organises groups outings to a variety of venues. Southampton wives, partners and widows get fully involved in Circle activities and they also meet up for an afternoon tea in Romsey every month.
The Catenian Association is committed to supporting charities and has established active links with our local parishes and Catholic youth. Each Circle President chooses a charity for his year of office. An Association Bursary Fund provides discretionary assistance to young for pilgrimages and voluntary work overseas. Southampton was the first Circle to have an affiliation with CathSoc: we host annual barbecues for Southampton students, raise money for their summer pilgrimages and hold careers advice evenings for leavers.
Southampton Circle warmly welcomes Catholic men who would like the opportunity of joining us and building lifelong friendships with us and our families. If you are interested in our Circle, you would be most welcome to come along to our meeting and dining evenings with no commitment required. Wives and partners are also welcome to accompany you at a ladies night. Please go to the ’Meetings’ page for more details. Our ‘Membership’ page also provide additional information and frequently asked questions.
Southampton Circle President, Malcolm Forster
It is second time around for Malcolm, who was first Circle President in 2004/05 and Malcolm has brought the same enthusiasm and energy to the office as he did 19 years ago. He has committed to working with our Membership team and 3 enrolments have been achieved in the past year. Malcolm and his late wife, Rita, were teachers and he enthusiastically supports our Youth Team, promoting and attending many CathSoc events. ‘Three Strikes Forster’ even beat the students at their own game when they invited us to ten pin bowling. Malcolm understands the loneliness of widowhood and maintains regular contact with our widowers and widows, encouraging them to attend events. A sociable chap, he makes a great double act with his Vice-President, Harry, as they visit Circles around Province. Their 25 year age-gap proves that there is no barrier with ages in the Catenians! And then there are his jokes; it is worth attending a Circle Dinner just for those alone! A committed Catenian, Southampton Circle considers itself very lucky to have Malcolm as Circle President this year.