CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 22 May 1913, Page 35

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.)

The Dominion Executive will meet on Tuesday next, when some very important business in connection with the Bible-in-schools movement will be discussed. The Executive considers that the time has now arrived when it should take some action in the matter, and assist the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary in his efforts on behalf of the Catholics of New Zealand.

The date for the formation of the Wellington Diocesan Council has not yet been definitely fixed, but it will be probably about the end of the present month. The secretary is daily receiving advices of the formation of branches, and also some very encouraging reports from those already in existence. There is no doubt that the Catholic Federation’is now firmly established in New Zealand, and will, as it has done in Victoria, be a power for good in New Zealand.

DUNEDIN.

On Sunday afternoon the members of the Cathedral .and South Dunedin parish committees of the Catholic Federation assembled in St. Joseph's Hall, when his Lordship the Bishop of Auckland addressed them on the work of the Catholic Federation. Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, and there was a representative attendance. His Lordship, after dealing with the objects of the Federation, gave an account of its progress in Auckland, and of the methods adopted to extend , it in the outlying portions of the diocese. His Lordly ' ship referred to the necessity that existed for such an organisation, and to the various ways in which the branches might prove useful and helpful to the clergy. After his Lordship had answered several questions regarding the working of the Federation, he was, on the motion of Mr. J. B. Callan, jun., accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his encouraging and instructive address.

LINCOLN.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

A branch of the Catholic Federation has been established at Lincoln. A most successful meeting, consisting of almost all the Catholics of the parish, was held to inaugurate the branch, and all present became members. The few who were unavoidably absent have signified their intention of joining, so that the Catholic Federation as far as this district is concerned is bound to be a success. The Rev. Father O’Connor addressed the meeting, and, after explaining the object and aim of the Federation, he pointed out its necessities and advantages. The following officers were elected : President, Rev. Father O'Connor; vice-presidents— Messrs. Georg© Cunneen, James Doherty, and Patrick Henly; general committee—Messrs M. F. Ryan, and T. Cunneen (Hibernians), Miss Leathern and Mrs J. Henly (Altar Society), Messrs. T. Somerville, J. McCormack, M. Corrigan, T. Henly, M. Ryan, sen., J. O’Neil treasurer, Mr. M. F. Ryan; secretary, Mr. J. Cunneen.

FOXTON.

(From our travelling correspondent.) A well attended meeting of the Foxton parishioners was held last week for the purpose of forming a branch of the Catholic Federation in the town. The Rev. Father Dore, who presided, explained the aims and objects of the Federation, and urged the necessity and desirability of having a branch in Foxton. He, in a very able address, dealt with the origin of the movement from the time that Windthorst in Germany conceived his great idea of uniting for their 'own"defence the then scattered and disorganised Catholics into one solid body. Father Dore showed how in other countries the Catholics, by uniting, were able to mould and direct public opinion on many of the problems of the day. Other addresses of a practical nature were given by Messrs. P. Hennessy, Jackson, Spellman, and J. J. Moriarty (N.Z. Tablet), and on the motion of Messrs. Jackson and Hennessy it was enthusiastically carried that a branch of the Catholic Federation be formed in Foxton. On Father Dore inviting those who wished to become members to do so, it is pleasing to remark that all in the hall at once gave in their names. On the parish committee the local societies will have the following as their representatives: Altar Society, Mesdames Curtis and Berthold; Sacred Heart Society, Messrs. P. Hennessy and F. Hooker, sen.; St. Vincent de Paul Society, Messrs. J. Golder and J. Hurley. Mr. Jackson was appointed secretary, and the officers will be elected at the next meeting. It is also proposed to have a branch at Shannon.

WAIROA.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On Sunday, May 11, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in St. Peter's Church, for the purpose of forming a branch of the Catholic Federation, when about 100 members were enrolled. The following officers were elected:President, Rev. Father Lepretre, S.M. ; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. A. Broad and J. Buchanan; treasurer, Mr. A. Curtayne; secretary, Mr. T. B. Lyons; delegates from the Hibernian Society, Messrs. Dinnan and Broad ; Children of Mary, Misses D. Corkill and Hird; Altar Society, Miss A. J. Davy and Mrs. J. Moloney; parish committee —Messrs. J. Buchanan, H. L. Harker, J. J. Parker, M. McCashin, A. Curtayne, and T. B. Lyons. The rev. president addressed the meeting, and dealt with the aims and objects of the Federation. After a good canvass of the district, which is a scattered one, it is hoped that there will be 300 members enrolled before the next meeting.