THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS

New Zealand Tablet, 22 July 1909, Page 1132

THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS

The Right Rev. Mgr. O'Brien presided at a meeting of the executive committee in connection with the third Australasian Catholic Congress at St. Mary's Chapter .House, Sydney, on Monday, July 5. Monsignor O'Brien said that secretaries had been appointed in every diocese of Australia, and to the circulars which had been despatched throughout the State a very encouraging response had been made. His Eminence the Cardinal had written to many intelligent citizens, who had promised interesting papers. Even if it were not possible to read all the papers, they would be printed in the Congress volume. The ladies* executive committee had held a meeting that afternoon, which he believed was most successful. The ladies had decided to reserve the Town Hall for the Monday and Wednesday in Congress week. The conversazione had been fixed for the Monday, in order that the Congressionalists would have an opportunity of forming acquaintance with each other. The grand musical festival would take place on the Wednesday, and this would mean a pleasant break in the middle of the week. All members of the. Congress would receive invitations for both functions. In about nine weeks' time the Congress would take place, and he (Monsignor O'Brien) was pleased to say that all over Australia people were making inquiries as to the reduction in railway, steamers' fares, and hotel accommodation, and ho thought that it would be advisable to form a sub-committee to look into these matters. After discussion a sub-committee was appointed to make inquiries under these headings. Monsignor O'Haran said that the donations had totalled £190. The ladies' committee was working very hard, and instead of organising card or other social functions to raise money the ladies had opened subscription lists to meet the expenses of Town Hall engagements in connection with the conversazione and musical festival, and he was suto that they would make their part very successful. In conclusion, Monsignor O'Haran said that Mist

Amy Castles and Miss Kate Rooney had signified their willingness to sing at the musical festival during Congress week. The Hon. Thomas Hughes observed that it would soon |jf % 9 time for the Catholic laity to bestir themselves in connection with the invitation lunch to be tendered to the Australian Hierarchy and clergy on the opening day of the Congress. He also promised to present a report on the different sections and sub-sections to be dealt with during Congress, also a list of the papers promised and received. Communications relating to the Congress may be sent to the secretaries, Monsignor O'Brien and the Hon. Thomas Hughes, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney; or to the local secretaries in other States. The secretaries in New Zealand are, so far as wo are aware at present, Rev. Dr. Cleary (Dunedin), Vei-y Rev. Father Power (Hawera), Very Rev. Dean Crinaty, V.G. (St. Mary's, Manchester street, Christohnreh), diocese of Christchurch, and Very Rev. Father Mahoney (Onehunga), diocese of Auckland.