The 2023 AUS National Conference held in Perth in October was a great success. There were many special moments and we have received many compliments from so many attendees.

The Welcome function saw approximately 100 Catenians and wives join together to meet, catch up with old friends and make new friendships. Next day was a morning of informative, entertaining and thought-provoking workshops followed by a pub lunch. That night we witnessed the start of a new Catenian group of young men.

The actual Conference on the Saturday morning had a number of reports, motions and prayers. The afternoon session started with a very informative presentation on dementia by Prof Ralph Martins who gave us much to think about. This was followed by Tim McMillan, a respected WA Journalist who interviewed four young people who have received support from Catenians: a newly ordained priest, a doctor, a winner of the Speak for Faith competition and a young man who was helped to attend the World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. It was wonderful hearing about their achievements and their genuine gratitude to Catenians for helping them. Saturday night was the relaxed Conference dinner where awards were presented including the announcement of two Honorary Life Memberships awarded by Australian National Council.

A highlight on Sunday was attending Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral which was concelebrated by Father John Herbert OSB, Abbot of the Benedictine Community

of New Norcia, Father Sean Fernandez, Dean and Administrator of St Mary’s Cathedral and newly ordained Father Sheldon Burke CRS. It was wonderful to see three priests from different orders celebrate the Mass together and then have all three join us for the farewell lunch in Kings Park overlooking the city and Swan River.

Although the official conference ended on Sunday, tours to New Norcia on Monday in 36° heat and the Swan Valley on a slightly cooler Tuesday were a great time to see attractions near Perth and share time together in a smaller group.

More details of each function will be forthcoming in the Conference booklet, out soon. All the workshops and Saturday sessions were recorded and will be published to the Australian Catenian youtube channel in due course. These will be made available to all Catenians through a link over the next few weeks.

The Conference planning committee have shown what great team work means. They have worked freely and tirelessly for the last 14 months so Province 20 could host the conference: everything from the theme, writing articles, advertising, budgeting, sponsorship, venues, catering, speakers, topics, communicating with members, plus more; they worked together and supported each other. Huge thanks go to Terry Reilly, Liana Fitzpatrick, Harry Muller, Lou Daily, Chris Downey, Kath Reilly, Ralph Fitzpatrick and Keith Morgan for their dedication and many hours given to make the conference a great success.