ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH COMMITTEE, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, 4 July 1918, Page 22

ST. JOSEPH'S PARISH COMMITTEE, WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) A very large and enthusiastic meeting of St. Joseph's Catholic Federation Committee took place on last Sunday evening for the purpose of transacting the business of the annual meeting and for the election of a committee for the ensuing year. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., presided.' Mr. Nolan (secretary) read the report and balance-sheet, which disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. During the year the committee established, under the "direction and guidance of Father Hurley, a parish library, which was largely availed of and much appreciated by the members. The committee also undertook a course of study under the Social Study Guild, and several debates had been held. The committee also instituted quarterly meetings ; and with the object of making such meetings interesting lantern and slides were purchased, and already several illustrated lectures have been, given. The membership had increased, and the finances were in a satisfactory condition: .*•''' -

' Mr. W. F. Johnson moved t the adoption of the report, and in an able and stirring manner spoke on the disabilities which > Catholics were suffering in the matter of education. His 6peech was made most effective and' convincing by the figures which he quoted being thrown on the screen by means of the lantern, operated by Father Hurley. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.' Mr. M. J. Reardon also supported the resolution, and said that the most important matter he considered the Federation. should undertake was the education question. He was glad that steps were being taken to establish scholarships by the Federation, but he would be glad to see such scholarships awarded to the worthy children of poor parents, and especially country children, where the advantages of a good Catholic primary education could not be had, as in the case of the cities. He trusted also that Catholics would not educate their children simply for the purpose of securing a Government position, but to get their children to acquire .learning for learning's sake. lie instanced Ireland as a striking example of this. Mr. J. J. L. Burke also briefly supported the motion, and pointed out the need for organisation, and urged every Catholic in the parish to join the Federation. Brother Egbert (principal of the Marist Brothers' School, Newtown) also supported the motion ; and in speaking of Catholic education laid stress on the fact that vocations for the' Brotherhood were scarce, and the number of aspirants in the Novitiate in New South Wales, which supplied New Zealand with Brothers, was very small. How, then, were they to keep Catholic schools going if they- could not get the men to teach ? He appealed, therefore, to the fathers and mothers present to encourage their sons to join the Brotherhood. He (the speaker) had been a member of the Order for the past 25 years, and had enjoyed every moment of it. In conclusion, he wished St. Joseph's Parish Committee every success. Father Hurley, in thanking those present for their attendance and patient hearing, congratulated the speakers on the views enunciated. He trusted that Brother Egbert's appeal would not go unrewarded, and urged his hearers to pray for vocations to the Brotherhood, so that a goodly supply of young men would be available to carry on the great and noble work of Catholic education. The election of the committee was then proceeded with, and one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in the parish terminated in vote's of thanks being tendered to Father Hurley and the retiring committee.