CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 8 July 1915, Page 35

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

SACRED HEART PARISH, WELLINGTON. fThe parishioners of the Thorndon parish assembled in large numbers at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Sunday for the purpose of electing their representalives on the local committee of the New Zealand Catholic Federation. Stirring addresses were delivered by —among others —his Grace Archbishop Redwood, who expressed his sincere gratification at the work that had been done by the committee and the Federation during his absence from the Dominion ; by the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Adm., chairman of the committee, and several lay members of the organisation, including Mr. G. Girling-Butcher, organising secretary of the Federation, and Messrs. R. P. Flangahan and Walsh, all of whom stressed the need for the organisation of the members of the Church in defence of their interests. More than usual interest was taken in the election of the committee, which resulted in Messrs. M. Walsh, R. Sievers, J. E. Fitzgerald, J. McGowan, and McKeowea being returned.

,ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH, WELLINGTON. St. Joseph’s parish committee met at the presbytery, Patterson street, on Wednesday, June 23, the Rev. Father Barra being in the chair. Messrs.' A. Cassie and Parsonage were elected delegates to the annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Council. The remits for the annual meeting were discussed at length, and the delegates instructed accordingly. The question of entertaining visiting delegates while in the city was discussed, and it was decided to suggest to the diocesan executive to call a meeting of the delegates from the city parishes to consider the matter. The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Joseph’s parish will bo held after devotions on Sunday, July 11, when it is hoped there will be a big attendance. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. ' The following is the report of St. Mary’s parish committee for the six mouths ended June 30:—-During the* past six months the committee have given very strict attention to the enrolment of members, and as a result have to report a total membership to date of 544. This success is in no small measure due to the visit of Mr. Girling-Butcher. Much greater interest is being taken in Federation matters by the general body of Catholics since he delivered his instructive address at St. Mary’s. * This branch was represented by Miss Geaney at the half-yearly meeting of the Diocesan Council at Timaru on January 18, who brought the matter of the Catholic Girls’ Club under the notice of the meeting, and received hearty support - from the council. it is to be regretted that the club is not at present working, under the auspices of the Federation. Arrangements haYe befen made for a supply of Catholic Truth Society’s pamphlets which .will be distributed'at

the various ( churches in the parish, wifen they come to hand. Monetary tassistance was given for the erection of a building at the Trelitham Camp for the use of the chaplains and men. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board elections were taken up in a zealous manner by individual members of this committee, who are to be congratulated on the success attained. Monetary 'assistance towards this object was given by the branch. The establishment of a parochial library is now engaging the attention of the committee, and several valuable donations towards it have been received from members. The yearly meeting of parishioners was held on May 23, at which there was a good attendance, and as a result of a ballot the following were elected to represent the parish for the ensuing year:—Miss Geaney, Messrs. J. J. O’Gorman, F. Del any, E. T. Daly, C. Courtney, and E. Wall. Mr. Delany has since resigned. Francis Hills, S.M., President.