Wokingham Catenians

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The Wokingham Catenians - Where Catholic men build lasting friendships, support each other, and serve our community through faith and fellowship.

04/11/2026

A gentle, sincere invitation for our parish and local community this coming weekend. 🕊️☕

This Saturday, the St Vincent de Paul (SVP) group at Corpus Christi is organising a special Mass for the Anointing of the Sick.

Three of our own Catenian brothers are active members of the Wokingham SVP, and we are proud to support them in highlighting this quiet, deeply comforting sacrament.

Whether you are facing illness, coping with the challenges of aging, preparing for medical treatment, or simply feeling in need of spiritual strength and healing, this Mass is for you. Carers, family members, and parishioners wishing to pray alongside them are equally welcome.
* When: Saturday, 7th November at 10:30 AM
* Where: Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wokingham
* Afterwards: Warm refreshments, coffee, tea, and biscuits in the Keenan Rooms
* Need a Lift? If you or someone you know would like to attend but needs assistance with transport, please contact the SVP group on [insert phone number], and the team will be very glad to help arrange a lift.

The Anointing of the Sick is not just for the final stages of life; it is a sacrament of comfort, courage, and peace for anyone carrying a heavy physical or emotional burden.

Please do pass this invitation on to any friends, neighbours, or family members who might appreciate the sacrament, a quiet moment of prayer, or simply a warm cup of tea and friendly conversation afterwards.

03/11/2026

We tried to find the common theme connecting our November calendar. We failed completely. 🗺️🎖️🍽️🍺

Look, we usually try to pretend our monthly schedule is part of a grand, sophisticated cultural masterplan.

Then we looked at the November whiteboard:
An away trip to Oxfordshire, a tactical WWII military history lecture, our regular monthly dinner, and a casual pint at the pub.

We spent twenty minutes trying to connect the dots: Is it a secret military logistics simulation disguised as a social club? Are we training for an invasion of Bicester Village?

Turns out, no. It’s just how the Wokingham Catenians do November:
* Thursday, 12th Nov | The Great Expedition to Bicester 🚗💨
Packing our passports and heading over the county border to visit our fellow brothers in Bicester. Proof that we occasionally venture outside the Wokingham bubble without needing a sat-nav rescue team.
* Sunday, 22nd Nov | The ABF Talk: "Thunder Run Meiktila 1945" 🎖️🔥
Supporting the Army Benevolent Fund with a gripping lecture on one of the most audacious armoured thrusts of the Burma Campaign. Essential listening for history buffs, military enthusiasts, or anyone who thinks modern traffic on the A329 is a tactical challenge.
* Monday, 23rd Nov | The Monthly Circle Meeting 🍽️👔
Our flagship gathering at East Berkshire Golf Club. Proper sit-down dinner, catching up on Circle business, zero initiation rituals, and the usual high-stakes debate over who had the best golf handicap this year.
* Friday, 27th Nov | Last Friday of the Month Drinks 🍻💬
The lowest-friction fixture in the diary. No agendas, no formal jackets, no speeches—just pulling up a stool at the local, grabbing a pint, and decompressing after a long working week.

Zero thematic consistency. 100% good company.

If your November routine could use a little variety—whether that’s learning about WWII Sherman tanks or just grabbing a quiet b**r with some solid local blokes—you’re always welcome to join us.

👉 See our full fixture list or come along as a guest: https://buff.ly/msNIjVe

30/10/2026

Today, we had to say our final goodbyes to one of our longest-standing and dearest brothers, Jim.

While our hearts are heavy with sadness, we are filled with immense gratitude for everything Jim brought to Wokingham, to our parish, and to our Circle across more than 40 years of dedicated fellowship. He was a cornerstone of our community, a true friend to so many, and we can only begin to imagine the profound void he leaves behind for his family.

Earlier today, our members joined family and friendds at Corpus Christi in Wokingham for his funeral, to celebrate his life, pray for his soul, and stand beside his loved ones.

Being part of this Circle means sharing laughter, dinners, and good times—but moments like today remind us of what truly matters. We are a brotherhood that shows up for one another and our families through every chapter of life, in times of sorrow just as in times of joy.

Please keep Jim, his family, and all who loved him in your prayers. May he rest in peace. ✝️

29/10/2026

**Surviving a room of 40 middle-aged men: A masterclass in teenage bravery 👏🍽️👔**

When we promised our October Guest Night wouldn’t involve awkward initiation rituals or high-pressure recruitment tactics, we meant it.

Even so, walking into a dining room packed with over forty boisterous local men at East Berkshire Golf Club is enough to test anyone’s nerves—especially when you’re a teenager.

On Monday night, the star of the evening was a member’s teenage son who stepped up, dressed sharp, and joined his dad at the top table.

Far from hiding behind a smartphone screen, he was genuinely eager to see what his dad’s Circle actually gets up to. What followed wasn’t a lecture from the older generation, but a fantastic two-way street:

* Real Curiosity Meets Open Ears 🤝
He wanted to experience the evening firsthand and understand what brings 40+ men together month after month. In return, the table was fascinated to hear his perspective on the world, his take on things, and his honest feedback on the whole evening.
* A Proper Exchange of Views 🗣️✨
The Church often talks about "reaching the next generation" through endless committees and surveys. On Monday, it was refreshingly simple: pulling up a chair, asking a young man what he thought, listening with genuine respect, and trading stories across the age divide.
* Pride and Character 👨‍👦
He took the gentle ribbing in his stride, held his own in every conversation, and proved an absolute credit to his dad. Seeing that mutual pride between father and son across the dinner table is what this association is truly about.

A huge thank you to our guest of honor for keeping us sharp, bringing down our average age considerably, and reminding us that great fellowship knows no age limit.

(And yes: he survived the entire evening without anyone trying to sign him up).
(And also yes: Our SM team was once again asleep, so no photos were taken and we had to create one just to catch your attention. No youngsters were harmed in the creation of this image though, we promise!)

👉 Catch up on what else we’re up to this autumn: https://buff.ly/EnymeRU

27/10/2026

**"Honestly? I practically pushed him out the front door." 🚪👀👟**

If you ask the wives and partners of the Wokingham Catenians why they support the group, you won't get a speech about fraternal tradition or constitution bylaws.

You’ll get the honest truth: it gets their husbands out of the house once a month, off the sofa, and returns them in a noticeably better mood.

Modern life means men tend to bring work stress, commute fatigue, and household to-do lists straight to the kitchen table. Having a regular, immovable night out with proper mates isn't a luxury—it’s essential maintenance.

Here is why the partners in our Circle are usually the ones making sure the diary stays clear for the fourth Monday of the month:

* The Mood Reset Button: Leaving the laptop shut and spending three hours laughing around a table at East Berkshire Golf Club works far better than any self-help podcast. He comes home recharged, de-stressed, and human again.
* It’s Not Just a "Boys’ Club": From lively Ladies’ Nights and summer barbecues to canal trips, theatre visits, and Christmas dinners, partners are right at the centre of our wider social calendar. You gain a whole circle of local friends, too.
* A Quiet Community in Your Corner: When family life gets bumpy—illness, hospital runs, or practical emergencies—it’s not just the men who rally. The wider Catenian family steps up with lifts, meals, prayers, and genuine support without having to be asked twice.

So, if you’re a local Catholic bloke who has been promising to "get out more" for the last three years: this is your cue.

And if you’re a partner reading this while looking at a husband who desperately needs a night off from DIY and screens? Feel free to leave this post open on his phone, hand him his car keys, and tell him we’ll buy his first drink.

👉 Find out how easy it is to come along as a guest:https://buff.ly/EnymeRU

23/10/2026

When was the last time you made a genuine mate who’s there for you when Reading FC don't get promoted—again? ⚽🍺🤦‍♂️

Jokes aside, life has a habit of throwing far tougher curveballs than another heartbreak at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Redundancy notices. Health scares. Relationship stress. The relentless grind of the daily commute, or simply staring at the kitchen ceiling wondering where all your free time went.
When things get tricky, most men retreat into their shell, text a thumbs-up emoji to an old school group chat, and keep it all bottled up.

That is why the Wokingham Catenians exist.

No secret handshakes. No bizarre ceremonies. Just 40+ local Catholic men who understand that navigating modern life is a lot easier when you’re not doing it solo:

* Egos Left at the Door: Tradesmen, teachers, retirees, accountants, and young dads. Nobody cares about job titles or pay packets; we care about the person behind them.

* Guaranteed Good Nights Out: A proper sit-down meal at East Berkshire Golf Club, curry nights, family outings, and casual pub debriefs with men who genuinely ask how you are—and stick around to hear the answer.

* A Quiet Safety Net: Whether you need practical help, a sounding board, a lift when you’re stuck, or just a pint with someone who gets it, you have an entire brotherhood in your corner.

You don’t have to sign your life away. Just come along as our guest, let us buy your first drink, and see what you think.

👉 Drop us a message or find out more: https://buff.ly/EnymeRU

22/10/2026

Two simple ways to do some proper good this season (without the high-pressure sales pitch). ☕🎄✨

Charity appeals usually come with a familiar script: someone rattles a bucket, makes you feel guilty, and aggressively tries to sign you up for a lifetime direct debit before you’ve even had your coffee.

Not these two.

Over the coming weeks, a couple of extraordinary local charities very close to our Circle’s heart are hosting events that are brilliantly run, deeply personal, and well worth an hour of your diary:

* Tomorrow | The Chat That Could Save a Life (Reading Prostate Cancer Support Group) 🩺💙
President Nickson’s chosen charity is hosting a completely free, informal awareness session. No clinical white coats, no terrifying medical jargon, and zero awkwardness—just ordinary, friendly blokes sitting down over a cuppa to talk about risks, early signs, and practical prevention in plain English. If you’ve been putting off asking a question for months, this is the easiest room in Berkshire to get an honest answer.

* Tuesday, 1st December | Carols by Candlelight (Launchpad Reading) 🕯️🎶
Regulars will remember our proud support for Launchpad, Reading’s frontline homelessness charity. They are kicking off the festive season with their annual Christmas Carol Concert. It’s a ticketed fundraiser, but every penny goes directly to keeping vulnerable people warm, fed, and housed. Expect roaring choruses, atmospheric candlelight, mince pies, and that rare December evening where the holiday rush actually pauses for something that matters.
Supporting local causes doesn't always have to be complicated: sometimes it’s an overdue five-minute chat about your own health, and sometimes it’s buying a ticket to sing carols by candlelight for folks who need a helping hand.

Whether you pop in tomorrow morning or grab a ticket for the December concert, let’s show both teams just how generous our local community can be.

👉 Keep up with all our community outings and events: https://buff.ly/aViGdzQ

20/10/2026

The most important 90 seconds a bloke can spend on a Saturday morning. 💙🩺

Let’s be completely honest: as men, our default setting for health advice is usually "ignore it, have a cup of tea, and hope it goes away."
Which is exactly why what happened on Broad Street in Reading this past Saturday was so crucial.

Our President, Nickson, headed into the town centre on 17th October to catch up with his chosen charity for the year—the Reading Prostate Cancer Support Group (RPCSG)—during their massive public awareness campaign.

Instead of waiting for men to find them, the RPCSG team set up shop right in the thick of the Saturday shopping crowd. Nickson joined the team at their stand, spent time chatting with the volunteers, and saw their life-saving work firsthand:

* Breaking the Awkward Silence: No medical jargon, no clinical lectures—just friendly, ordinary guys having straight-talking, five-minute conversations with passers-by about risks, symptoms, and testing.
* Real Men, Real Stories: Nickson spoke with several group members on the day, learning more about the incredible peer-to-peer support they offer local men and families navigating a diagnosis across Berkshire.
* The Reality Check: Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men, but caught early, the survival rates are remarkably high. The single biggest obstacle isn't medicine; it’s men not getting checked.

It’s easy to pick a charity for a presidential year and simply write a cheque at the end of it. It’s another thing entirely to stand on the high street alongside volunteers who are actively working to save lives in our community.

A huge thank you to the brilliant team at RPCSG for having Nickson down, and more importantly, for doing the hard yards out on the pavement.

If you or a bloke you care about has been putting off a check-up: take this as your official sign to get it sorted.

👉 Learn more about the group or get in touch for support: https://buff.ly/6iBNFp7

16/10/2026

**Proof we don’t just sit around in robes chanting: October Guest Night is here! 🍷🤝🍽️**

Every month, we tell our families and friends that we’re heading out to our Catenian meeting. And every month, we suspect you wonder what on earth we actually do for three hours on a Monday evening.

On Monday, 26th October, we’re pulling back the curtain.

It’s our annual **October Guest Night**, and every member has been instructed to bring along a personal guest—a son, a brother, a dad, an in-law, or a good mate.

To be completely upfront: this is not a high-pressure recruitment drive.

Nobody is cornering you with a pen, handing you a 20-page application form, or testing you on Latin catechisms. The goal is much simpler than that:

* Show, Don’t Tell: Let our nearest and dearest see firsthand why we enjoy this Circle so much.
* Proper Food & Drink: Enjoy a superb sit-down dinner and a few drinks at East Berkshire Golf Club without anyone having to do the washing up.
* Genuine Company: Experience the real heart of Catenian life—warm conversation, easy laughs, and a room full of good men who genuinely look out for one another.

If a member has asked you to come along, say yes! Let him buy you a drink, introduce you to the gang, and treat you to a fantastic night out.

And if you’re a local Catholic bloke who follows this page and doesn't know a member personally yet? Don't let that stop you—consider this your official personal invite. Drop us a message, and we'll arrange a seat (and a pint) with your name on it.

Good company, great food, zero pressure.

👉 Members: make sure your guest is booked in: https://buff.ly/qM91N2B

14/10/2026

A quick chat that could literally save a life: Catch our President's Charity in Reading this Saturday 💙🩺

Gentlemen, we all know the drill: when the car makes a strange rattling noise, we drop everything and get it to the garage. But when it comes to checking in on our own health? We are world champions at putting it off until next month.

This weekend, there are no excuses.

Our Circle President, Nickson, has chosen the Reading Prostate Cancer Support Group (RPCSG) as his official charity appeal this year—and this Saturday, 17th October, they are bringing vital awareness straight to the high street.

* Where: Broad Street, Reading (right opposite Marks & Spencer) 📍
* When: Saturday, 17th October 2026, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm 🕘
* What’s happening: The RPCSG team will be out in force with their information stand, packed with plain-English leaflets, clear guidance, and friendly, knowledgeable volunteers ready to answer any questions you might have.

Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men in the UK, yet catching it early makes all the difference in the world.

Whether you’re out doing your Saturday shopping in Reading, grabbing a coffee, or just passing through, take five minutes to stop by the stand. Pick up a leaflet for yourself, your dad, your brother, your husband, or a mate. No fuss, no awkwardness—just honest, life-saving advice from people who care.

Please share this post to help us spread the word across the local community!

👉 Find out more about the group and their vital work: https://buff.ly/6iBNFp7

Address

Wokingham
RG456BD

Telephone

+441182114130

Website

https://linktr.ee/wokcat

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