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Regional Speaker Competition

The Regional Public Speaking Competition organised on behalf of Province 4 took place on 20th March 2026 at Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Childwall on 20th March 2026
As always the standard was remarkably high, and this was commented on by the Chairman of the Judges in his summary and critique after the speeches were concluded and before the results were announced
A total of 6 schools were represented on the night and the St.Helens local winner  Layla Gallagher of Carmel College acquitted herself extremely well with an emotional speech extolling the virtues of reading books as opposed to film as part of life’s true educational process. Her speech was entitled “Beyond the Credits, Why Books Endure.” Layla was adjudged to be placed a very creditable 3rd, and enthused that she would undoubtedly enter again next year. Thanks too must go the tutorial advice given to her and others  by by the staff at Carmel College.
A number of St.Helens Brothers were in attendance, as was the relatively new Archbishop of Liverpool who was suitably impressed by the event, and praised the Catenians organisation for the creditable work they do in advancing the interests and development of young Catholics in the community.

Audience with the Mayor

After being invited to, and attending, St Helens Catenians 1250th meeting, the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Severiano Gomez-Aspron MBE, invited members of the St Helens Catenians and their wives to meet with him at St Helens Town Hall so that he could reciprocate the hospitality he received at the Catenians meeting. He, therefore, hosted a group of six Catenians and four wives, providing tea and cake and a most illuminating talk and tour of the town hall.

The talk outlines the illustrious history of the building including the three fires which shaped the development of St Helens Town Hall. The mayor also talked us through the art work and artifacts in his chambers, ranging from 18th Century maps and paintings to 21st Century recording by local bands together with gifts from St Helens twin cities of Stuggart in Germany and Chalon sur Seine in France. The mayor then gave us an enlightening tour of the building including the council chamber, the attached concert hall and the beautiful stained glass windows between these.

Everyone attending was extremely impressed by the town hall and wished to thank the mayor for giving up his valuable time to host our little group.

Public Speaking Competition

Every year St Helens Catenians sponsor a school public speakers competition. The 2026 event was held at Carmel College on 25th February 2026. Nine speakers took part. Given all the speakers were from Lower Sixth, the standard was remarkably high, and a credit to them all and the staff involved in coaching them at Carmel College. All bodes well for the future.
The winner was Layla Gallagher, whose topic was “Beyond the credits, why books endure.” She is currently studying Classics and Dual Applied Science, and has an ambition to study Archaeology at University. She will now go forward to the regional final in Liverpool on 20th March.

St Helens Catenians 1250th Meeting

On Saturday Evening 7th February, at The Mercure St Helens Hotel, Catenian Circle 21 celebrated their 1250th meeting and one hundred and eleven years in the town of St Helens.

The evening began at 6.30pm when Archbishop John Sherrington celebrated Mass together with five concelebrants and one hundred and thirty Catenians wives and guests. The Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Severiano Gomez-Aspron MBE joined our celebrations and the Catenian National President, Gerry McCormack and his wife Anna were our Principal Guests.

A short Circle Meeting followed chaired by Acting President Stephen Whitehouse in the presence of sixty-six Catenians from Scotland, Ascot, Berkshire, Manchester, Lincoln, North Wales, Lytham-St-Annes, Crewe, Wirral and St. Helens.

We acknowledged representatives of Liverpool Circle 4 and Wigan Circle 16 whose predecessors arrived in the town in 1914 when St Helens was inaugurated as the 21st Circle of the Catenian Association. Prayers were offered for Vocations, our Catenian Association, those members and family who had recently died together with those deceased members whose anniversaries occurred at this time. The meeting closed with a prayer for our Pope.

A three-course dinner with wine followed. We were joined by clergy who because of duties in their Parishes earlier in the evening were unable to join us for the Mass. The evening closed with a toast to the King, presentation of floral bouquets to the lady guests, and a gift of a St Helens Glass Vase to the National President.

Public Speaking Competition 25th February 2026

The local event sponsored by St.Helens Circle 21 is an entry to the Regional and  National  Public Speaking  Competitions. It will take place at Carmel College, Prescot Road,  St Helens, from  6pm on Wednesday 25th February 2026. The event is currently attracting major interest from pupils at the College and it is expected that there will be at least 6+ candidates.
Each candidate will speak for between 3 minutes and 40 seconds and 4 minutes and 20 seconds, on one of a number of subjects  provided for them, with marking on the night from a panel of judges taking into consideration the time of the speech and the quality of performance. Candidate will be appraised beforehand of the marking procedure, and the first 3 in the judges opinion will receive a cash voucher. The winner  will take the trophy on behalf of the College, and progress to the regional final, to be held in Liverpool in march
In the past the standard of the speakers has been extremely high and the speakers , all new to public speaking, are to be applauded for their efforts.

St Helens Circle 21

1250th Meeting, Mass and Dinner

We are delighted to announce that we will celebrate our
1250th meeting on Saturday 7 February 2026.
To mark this special occasion, Mass will be celebrated
by His Grace John Sherrington, the Archbishop of Liverpool,
in the presence of the Great Britain National President

Gerry McCormack and his wife Anna.
The Mass, meeting and dinner will be held at
the Mercure Hotel, Linkway West, St Helens.
Registration from 6pm, Mass 6.30pm,
Meeting 7.30, Dinner 8pm.
Dress code: black tie with decorations.

Cost: £35

Bookings: Please contact Frank Firth
f.firth@outlook.com 07488 392338

1250th Meeting

We will be celebrating our 1250th meeting at the Mercure Hotel on Saturday February 7 beginning at 6 30 pm.
The evening will begin with Mass celebrated by His Grace the Archbishop. The priests of the deanery are invited to concelebrate.
After mass, the meeting will take place. All Catenian guests from other circles will be able to attend as visitors and clergy can attend as guests. The hotel will place a bar and seating at the disposal of wives and others who are not attending the meeting.
After the meeting, there will be a three course dinner.

Memorial Mass

Before our November meeting the Catenians of St Helens Circle and their wives attended a mass held for the deceased brothers of the circle and for all Catenians across the globe. The mass was celebrated by Fr Swanson from St Bartholomew’s Church in Rainhill.

St Helens Catenians International Marbles

President Brian congratulates Brother Paul on his victory in our annual international marbles competition.

Ladies Night November 22nd 2025

St. Helens Circle 21 Catenians

Ladies’ Night

6.30pm for Dinner at 7.00pm 22nd November  2025

Mercure St Helens Hotel

Linkway West

St Helens

WA10 1NG

Entertainment from Singer Scott Johns

Cost: £30.00 per person

Please contact  Bro. Frank Firth, on 07488 392338.

or email f.firth@outlook.com

with your meal preferences by 24th October

Dress: Black Tie or Dark Suit

Carriages Midnight

The event is open to brothers, their wives and friends.

 

Menu

To Start

Chicken & Leek Terrine

Or

Smoked Fish Roulade

Main Course

Pan Fried Chicken Fillet with herb farce, fondant potatoes and seasonal  vegetables

Or

Classic Roast Rib of Beef

Served with Yorkshire pudding, fondant  potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Or

Baked cod loin with crushed  new potatoes ,wilted greens and spinach sauce

Desserts

Chocolate orange torte with sticky marmalade sauce

Or

Wild berry cheesecake served with raspberry coulis

To Follow

Coffee/ Tea

Vegetarian and special diets can be accommodated on request.

Fyles’ Features

kyle from st helens Brother Bernard Fyles is a retired headmaster with a background in classics and modern
languages-from poems to short stories, see the links below…”I have always dabbled in writing for my own amusement and for the benefit of the children at school. I have been fortunate enough to get some of my work published in various magazines and anthologies over the years. I started writing  really to try to
provide models of short stories, essays and poems for the children I was teaching and I became fascinated by the challenge of putting words on paper in the hope that someone else would find them interesting”.

I joined the St Helens Circle several years ago and I’ve had a great time
since. I hope my fellow Catenians will enjoy my contribution to the
website.

 

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