A post by the 2025-26 President of the Wokingham Catenians, Stefan Dahmann:

Well, the best-laid plans of mice and presidents of the Wokingham Catenians often go astray! At the end of May, as we celebrated our fantastic 500th meeting, I was all set to deliver a heartfelt personal testimony about what being a member means to me. Picture the scene: me, poised, ready to wax lyrical… and then… the cold I had kindly been donated by my daughter and my voice decided otherwise. Let’s just say I was happy that other speakers had been lined up anyway. (The photo shows my holding up my prepared notes to demonstrate that I am not just chickening out)

One of those was David Lumsden, a long-standing member of over 40 years! He shared his own powerful journey with the Association. His reflections on his personal history and experiences resonated deeply with everyone present. And here’s the slightly spooky (but not so surprising) bit: the gist of his conclusion sounds remarkably like what I had intended to say!

So, while my planned speech remains un-spoken (until now!), I thought I’d offer my perspective as a slightly younger member – a mere 15-odd years under my Catenian belt. It’s a view from a slightly different angle (for those that were present), perhaps, but one that leads to a very similar destination.

You see, I do a lot of things in my life with a variety of people, but when I really think about it, a surprising number of those folks happen to be Catenians. Let me elaborate:

I enjoy a good laugh and a pint with many people (almost anybody you might say), but some of the heartiest chuckles and best pub conversations happen with Catenians.

I love a good meal and lively company, and many of my most enjoyable dinners, filled with camaraderie and good cheer, are with fellow Catenians.

I occasionally attempt to watch football (often via questionable streaming links or freezing in actual grounds!), and often, I’m sharing the agony and ecstasy with a bunch of Catenians.

I cherish memories of family events when the kids were smaller – and many of those fun-filled gatherings involved Catenian families, building friendships that span generations.

But it’s not all just good times and dodgy Wi-Fi. There’s a deeper current that runs through the Catenian brotherhood:

Over the years I have been a member of several prayer groups but the current (and hopefully final) one is filled with Catenians (plus one Anglican for balance). In that group and at our Catenian Meetings we pray for others, and I have personally experienced that it’s incredibly comforting when my intentions were also included, e.g. when my mother was gravely ill and after she had died. Just in recent weeks I had another occasion where I have taken enormous consolation from the groups’ prayers for a friend who died way too early. Those prayers can come from any-body – but the fact is that most of the bodies doing the praying are fellow Catenians.

Many men serve in our parish of Corpus Christi in various ministries, on committees, etc – by far not all Catenians but a significant number of them are, leading by example.

Over the years I have looked up to many Catenians as role models: they’ve shown me how to be kind, how to be of service to the community, and occasionally even offered glimpses into leadership and what it truly means to be a gentleman. (The fact I needed role models in these areas might be a story for another time…!)

I’ve even experienced the tangible support during tough times. On two separate occasions when redundancy loomed, it was fellow Catenians who offered invaluable support and advice which gave me confidence to face those situations.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the readiness to help and be there for each other within our Circle, a genuine commitment that goes beyond just socialising.

Some of my best mates are Catenians – people I can rely on not just for a good time, but for support when the serious stuff hits the fan.

And here’s a surprising one: my wife, Julia, has her own mental ‘top 5 Catenian’ list of people she feels she could lean on if she ever needed to. (What’s that all about, why does she think that might ever be necessary?!) It is a bit of joke, but I think there is a core idea here that she would apply in reality: She’s clearly observed the character and reliability within our group, giving her a real sense of confidence.
Btw: She re-asses membership of that list constantly, so never take your place on it for granted!

Even more unexpectedly, I’ve found an amazing comfort in the way funerals are handled within the Catenian family. There’s a real sense of respect, support for the bereaved, and a genuine community coming together to honour a deceased member and support their widows, not just for a couple of weeks but life-long!

So, is it just a coincidence that Catenians play such a prominent part in so many areas of my personal life? I genuinely don’t think so, in fact, I am pretty sure it’s the opposite!

Becoming a Catenian has been a fantastic decision and being a member has simply brought tremendous benefits for me and my family. It’s a blend of camaraderie, shared faith, and a genuine commitment to supporting one another and our community – for me it is simply a place where I belong!

In short, I truly believe we’re doing something right here in the Association and in our Wokingham Circle, and that’s why, despite the occasional missed speech, I remain a committed and proud Catenian!

If I may just briefly put it in a spiritual way: The Catenian Association is a simple but most effective way to come close to Jesus' prayer "May they all be one"! (Climbing back off my high horse now)

If you’re already a Catenian in another group, come and visit us!

But if you’re not yet a member but are interested in learning more about the Catenians, please reach out to us! We welcome new members who share our values and are looking for a supportive and engaging community. Contact us today and become part of something truly special.