At Home to Province – Hosted by Streetly Circle
The Amazing Interview With A Sutton Coldfield Priest
Approximately 50 Sutton Coldfield Catenians wives and guests enjoyed a memorable occasion on the night of the June circle meeting on Monday 13th June listening to Father Michael Ho Huu Nghia Parish Priest of Holy Trinity, Sutton Coldfield being interviewed by Past President Peter Westbrook. The theme of the interview were the surprises he has experienced and the people he would he invite to dinner and why.
One of Father Michael’s most significant experiences was as a ‘boat person’ fleeing Vietnam. Along with 76 other people, they endured 17 days at sea. Towards the end of that period, a lady gave birth to a child in front of everyone in the boat. Father Michael prayed for a rescue and vowed that if they were rescued he would ‘try to be good man all his life’. Right on cue, a British ship rescued them the following day. For the first time he experienced British tea and perhaps more importantly the compassion the crew showed them. This surprised him as he had seen very little of it before! Indeed one of the things he loves about the British is the amount of compassion shown to other people; another great surprise.
Whilst most of his boat comrades opted for settlement in the USA, Canada or Australia, Father Michael was determined to go to the UK as he had been rescued by a British ship. He was temporarily settled at Eccleshall in Staffordshire (which ironically is Celtic for Church place) where he was surprised to hear a fellow inmate state that he had left one hell to go to another, owing to the weather. However, he was surprised when this fellow inmate stayed and became an eminent surgeon in Manchester. It was whilst at Eccleshall, a local catholic priest Father Sandy Brown came to see them all and offered comfort and any treats. Father Michael asked for a bible, not only for his Christian faith but also to help him learn English. 20 years later, Father Michael received an immense surprise when listening to Father Brown recount the story of him giving a bible to some poor Vietnamese refugee in Eccleshall, and this resulted in that person learning more about Christianity resulting in him becoming a priest. The astonished congregation then heard Father Michael say afterwards that he was that poor Vietnamese refugee!
Father Michael, studied in Rome for the priesthood and was surprised to meet Pope John Paul the second on a number if occasions and recounted how the Pope addressed him and remembered him. He was there when the Pope was shot and subsequently forgave the perpetrator. A great inspiration for the young aspiring priest.
On being asked who he would invite to dinner, Father Michael equivocated but when pressed said it would be Archbishop Bernard Langley of Birmingham , Daniel Hurd, Father Gwilym Lloyd of St Anne’s Streetly (a longstanding friend). When reminded that this was still short a list he desperately added two more Peter and Sandra Westbrook. When asked about what the meal would be, he recounted Archbishop Bernard’s visit to Holy Trinity when he clearly enjoyed Fish and Chips from a local fish and chip shop.
The interview lasted an hour but could have lasted many more, as it was clearly apparent that many more anecdotes and stories were still to be explored. The audience were captivated by Father Michaels’ humility, experiences and of course his humour. It was an excellent evening.
MALVERN CIRCLE CELEBRATES QUEEN’S JUBILEE
PICTURED ARE MEMBERS OF MALVERN CIRCLE HAVING A GREAT AFTERNOON WITH FOOD, DRINK AND MUSIC TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIG DAY. WE WERE ACCOMPANIED BY PRIESTS FROM LOCAL PARISHES. THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE LADIES OF THE CIRCLE WHO CONTRIBUTED BY PROVIDING THE REFRESHMENTS, SHELTER IN THE FORM OF GAZEBOS AND MARQUEES AND THE GARDEN SPACE PROVIDED BY DIANE AND MIKE WALSH.
Over 100 years of Membership…..
On Wednesday 18 May, Kenilworth Circle were honoured to receive the first official visit by new GBNP Roger Lillie and his wife Margaret. National President Roger had been invited by Kenilworth Circle to present a 50 year scroll to Brother Henry Whiteman. Henry was not only joined by his wife Lucy but also by his brother David from Stratford upon Avon Circle.
Between Henry and David, they share over 100 years of Catenian membership and it was lovely to welcome David to see Henry receive his scroll from the National President.
January 2022 – Sir Matthew Baggott Give Talk to North Warwickshire
In January 2022, the former Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland gave Brothers and their wives a talk about been a Christain and a member of the Police Service.
Sir Matthew first gave an appraisal of his career, starting in South London before moving up the ranks, getting special training , before becoming Assistant Chief Constable in West Midlands, then appointed to be Chief Constable in Leicestershire, and finally then in 2009 been appointed Chief Constable of the Police Service in Northern Ireland.
Sir Matthew gave a humorous speech including what it was like have both the late Iain Paisley and Martin McGuinness as his bosses on the The Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Sir Matthew gave an insight on what it is like to be Christian and a member of the Police Service during his talk.
Sir Matthew gave the circle a funny Prince Philip quip and meeting his heroes the Obama’s during the White House St Patrick Day Dinner.
Sir Matthew gave the circle a brief outline of his post retirement work which involves working with the Cardinal Vincent Nicholls and Vatican on Anti Slavery issues.