The Catenian Association, an international brotherhood of Catholic men, was founded in Manchester in 1908 to provide the means for Catholic laymen in the professions, commerce and the public services to meet socially and to make a full contribution to the life of the religious and secular community. There are some 10,000 members in the UK, Australia, Africa, Malta, Ireland and Hong Kong. Our friendship is not just that gained by dining and enjoying social bonds but by caring for each other in sickness and in health, by caring for our widows and by helping those of our membership who have suffered by misfortune. We have a Benevolent Fund for those in need of help and a Bursary Fund designed to help young Catholics seeking to help others. However, the Association does not concern itself with political issues as such, nor is it involved corporately in Catholic Action, though its members are active and committed Catholics.