Christmas Carvery – Monday 9th December, 2019.

A very successful Christmas Carvery was held after a brief Circle meeting on Monday 9th December, 2019, attended by 55 Brothers, wives and guests.

Circle Guests: Peter Devine, Director, Province 4 and Gill Devine. Paul Hewitt, Provincial President and Lynne Hewitt.

Also present were three priests: Canon Aidan (St Clare’s Parish), Fr Ron (St Charles Parish) and Fr Neil Ritchie (Catholic Chaplaincy to the Liverpool Universities) 

The Circle was able to donate £250.00 to the Catholic Chaplaincy to assist in funding a retreat organised by the Chaplaincy for Catholic members of the University. A cheque was presented to Father Neil Ritchie.

After dinner we heard from Freda Kelly, who gave a very interesting talk on her time with Brian Epstein and the Beatles. Freda Kelly was secretary to Brian Epstein and the The Beatles from 1962 through 1972, and president of the group’s official fan club. Kelly worked with the band as it rose from local popularity to world-wide fame, and through its dissolution. She is a native of Liverpool and former member of St Clare’s Parish. For further reading go to this page from the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/17/beatles-secretary-freda-kelly-story

The Circle held is annual collection of shoe boxes and gift bags for the Apostleship of the Sea. These Christmas gifts are well appreciated by seafarers away from home in a foreign port. Brother Ian Hollows briefly described the work of the Apostleship and thanked the Circle for its generosity.