CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 24 September 1914, Page 29

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CATHEDRAL PARISH COMMITTEE. (From our Christchurch correspondent.) The ordinary meeting of the Cathedral Parish Committee was held on last Monday evening in the Federation rooms, Wiltshire Buildings. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., presided, and there was an excellent attendance. Subscriptions representing 135 renewals and new members were recorded. It was decided to hire, with a view of recommending its ultimate purchase, of a large tent for the celebration• of Mass and as an institute for the Catholic members of the Expeditionary Force now encamped on Canterbury Park. The secretary undertook, on behalf of the Diocesan Council Executive, to defray the cost for one month, the duration of the present arrangement. The tent was erected during the week, and Captain-Chap-lain McMenamin celebrated Mass in it on Sunday. A printed sign bearing the words ‘ Catholic Federation Tent ,is affixed over the entrance, and for the purposes of an institute seats, tables, hanging lamps, etc., have been supplied, together with literature and other necessaries. At this stage of the meeting Captain-Chaplain McMenamin was received, and presided 'for the remainder of the business in place of - the very rev. chairman, Who had another appointment. The military chaplain was given a very cordial welcome, and was assured that th<v branch esteemed it a distinct favor that he should devote a portion of his busy time to presiding at the meeting. Appreciation was expressed at his self-sacri-fice in readily responding to the call of duty to face the dangers and privations incidental to the greatestand fiercest war ever known, to watch over the spiritual interests of the brave Catholic manhood, who were soon to be engaged in a life-and-death struggle. The best wishes and sincerest prayers of all would accompany him, whilst the ardent hope was expressed that with God’s help he would return safe and sound to renew his position among the clergy. Father McMenamin first of all expressed his gratitude for what the Federation had decided to do for the men at the camp. Whilst encamped on the Show Grounds the need of a tent did not exist, ,as the buildings there could be utilised. On the present situation there was no such suitable accommodation, hence the boon that would be conferred by the possession of a tent with such holding capacity as that' proposed to be erected. He was, he said, very greatly impressed at the business way in which the Cathedral branch of the Federation was conducted, and its evident vitality, as seen by the large number of new subscriptions handed in as the result of but a few weeks’ energetic canvass. To him it had been quite a pleasure to preside for a short while at the meeting and become acquainted with the members and their methods of work. He desired to express his heartfelt thanks for the welcome accorded him. With the assistance of Divine Providence, he hoped himself and those going from New Zealand would eventually return. , i A sub-committee of the branch met again on last Saturday evening, when the whole Cathedral parish area "was mapped out in convenient blocks for a house-to-house visitation by members; and it is | hoped that within a month or two no Catholic will bo found who has not had the opportunity afforded of joining the Federation. ' . " - . AUCKLAND DIOCESAN COUNCIL. Federation matters are at the present time very brisk in Auckland. In connection with the big concentration camp at Epsom the Auckland officials are kept busily engaged in visiting the Federation’s marquee and attending to the -wants of the Catholic troops *in the way of keeping up their supply of writing materials and frequently giving them a change of literature. In this connection the Diocesan Executive desire to thank all members who have contributed literature/for the IXX€U •

On Saturday evening last a musical entertainment was arranged by St. Benedict’s Catholic Club, under the auspices of the Catholic Federation, in the Federation marquee at the camp, and was much appreciated by the men.. The following contributed items: Messrs. F. G. Bourke, J. Lonergan, E. Casey, Toye, Mason, Simpson, Dodd, King, O’Malley, Owens, with Mr. P. Clarke as accompanist. In accordance with a resolution moved by the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary at the recent big Catholic meeting in Wellington, that those present should pledge themselves to ‘ promote and further strengthen the Catholic Federation by every possible means,’ the diocesan secretary (Mr. F. G. J. Temm) suggested to the diocesan executive at the last meeting that the officers should periodically visit those branches easily accessible, and assist them in the work of organising and stirring up enthusiasm in Federation matters. It was finally resolved that the diocesan officials should take up this matter. The parish secretary of Ellerslie wrote, inviting the diocesan executive to visit he local branch at Howick on Sunday, October 4. It was decided to accede to the request, several officers signifying their willingness to go to Howick on the date suggested. Mr. M. G. Tully, assistant diocesan secretary, has resigned office on the diocesan executive. His resignation was received with regret, and the secretary was instructed, when advising Mr. Tully of the acceptance of his resignation, to convey to him the thanks of the committee for his past services to the Federation. OTAHUHU. On Friday evening, September 17, a general meeting of the Otahuhu branch was held in the Public Hall. The attendance, though not large, was a very enthusiastic one. Rev. Father Buckley presided. The main purpose of the meeting was to hear addresses on the Federation by the diocesan officials. Messrs. B. McLaughlin (president), A. Rose (vice-president), and Temm (diocesan secretary) were present, and each spoke upon the question of the organisation and federation of the Catholic people. The various speeches putting forward the different phases of the question were listened to attentively throughout, at the conclusion of which the meeting elected a new committee to carry out the work of the Federation in the parish. The Rev. Father Buckley considered that the Federation was primarily a lay organisation, and though it was necessary for the clergy to always be associated with any Catholic institutions, he considered the laymen should be in the forefront and in the bat -line, taking a leading part. He therefore was of opinion that it was preferable for a layman to-be president of the branch, though he would ever be ready to render what assistance was in his power, and he would consider himself an ex-officio .member of the committee. On this suggestion Mr. J. Gillies "was elected president, with the following members as a committee: Messrs. G. - McEvoy, E. Carter, J. O’Connell, T. Drumm, Mesdames Burton, Maddigan, and Miss E. McGee. The various other Catholic societies are to elect their representatives later. Mr. Gillies, the newly-elected president, moved a vote of thanks to the visiting officials for their very interesting addresses, stating he was much impressed with all that. was said, and would endeavor, to follow the lines of action and tpolicy suggested that evening, hoping that in the near future Otahuhu would' be one of the most flourishing branches in , the diocese. Mr. B. McLaughlin moved a . vote of thanks to the Rev. Father Buckley for presiding over -the meeting. During the evening musical items were interspersed with the proceedings by Mrs. Maddigan and Messrs. Gillies and E. Owens, who were thanked for their contributions.