The Inauguration of a new Catenian Circle took place at Scotch Corner Hotel on the 31st May. Hambleton Circle was inaugurated as the first new circle in the second century of the Catenian Association. This worldwide movement began 100 years ago in Manchester and continues to grow and prosper. Hambleton made a little bit of history in being honoured as the first circle and will be followed late in the year by a new circle in Australia.

Bishop Terence Drainey led the celebration Mass at SS Joseph and Francis Xavier Church in Richmond, helped by the parish priests from Leyburn; Fr. Pat O’Neil, Northallerton; Fr. James Blenkinsopp and Catterick Garrison; Fr.T.J. Forbes Turner.

The inauguration was conducted by the Catenian Association Grand President David Taylor and was followed by a celebratory lunch where Mr. Taylor, Bob O’Brien the Provincial President and Robert Hughes the new President of Hambleton Circle delivered speeches.

Robert Hughes reflected on the changes that had taken place in the world in the last hundred years of the Catenians illustrated by the fact that in 1908 Henry Ford built his first Model T Car and it was also the year that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were killed.

He also said that he wanted the new circle to be held up as a glowing example of faith and fellowship working together, taking what was best in the past and adapting this to the future.