ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, NAPIER

New Zealand Tablet, 5 August 1915, Page 45

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, NAPIER

The following is the annual report of the St. Patrick’s branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Napier:—The conference have pleasure in submitting their third annual report and balance sheet, but before going into detail we desire to make slight reference to the cruel war in which Britain became embroiled on ‘August 4, 1914, and in this connection we merely wish to solicit the prayers of all for a speedy termination and a lasting peace. The men’s branch shows an increase from thirty to thirty-five members, of -whom four are honorary. The membership of the ladies’ guild numbers twelve, so that those desiring to assist either branches of this noble self-sacrificing society should not fail to do so at once. The two branches are quite separate. The men meet weekly on Sundays, at St. Patrick’s, Napier, and at St. Mary’s, Port Ahuriri, alternately. The ladies meet weekly, on Fridays, in St. Patrick’s Hall. The men’s branch, amongst other duties, pay weekly visits to the hospital, and occasional visits to -the old people’s home, besides seeing to the dissemination of wholesome literature. The ladies visit the*poor in their homes and have regular weekly sewing bees, making garments for those in need, irrespective of creed. 'ln particular, the ladies have shown out prominently during the war, as the calls on their time, making garments for members of Expeditionary Forces, have been enormous. The men’s branch, in two ‘popular shilling euchre parties,’ run during the year under review, realised no less a sum than .£2l 19s, all of which was handed over to the town clerk for the noble Belgians, the heroes of the great war. It is hoped to have more euchre parties during the 1915 season, in fact, steps are being taken to that end. The distribution of Catholic literature is one of the chief objects of the society, boxes of pamphlets being placed at the doors of churches for the purpose. Relief has also been given to a number of deserving cases which have been brought under the notice of the society. It is the intention of the society to promote by every means in its power the welfare of Catholic primary education. The boys’ guild was commenced during the year with a membership of 26, the object being to get the lads at school to take an interest in the society. The members make a monthly Communion one of their obligations, and the first Sunday of each month is devoted to this purpose. We wish to mention that no one connected with this society gets any remuneration whatever, and also that there are no fees or charges made to those joining its membership. Everything is quite voluntary, and all money or kind, such as clothing, food, etc., is—under the most careful supervision-—given to the deserving poor, for. as St. Paul says, ' The, poor we have always with us.’ The receipts for the year ended February 28, 1915, were, including £29 18s 6d brought forward, £/3 19s fid, the principal items being—charity sermon collection, £lB 15s; half proceeds of collection in church on behalf of relief fund, £l2; collection at meetings, £9 15s lid. The expenditure during the same period was .£47 9s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £26 8s 4d. The principal item of expenditure was a sum of £l2 17s fid spent on groceries, clothing, etc., for the needy.