N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1919, Page 23

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

V( J E( ,, ST.. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL BRANCH; r'H;c.Tliej sixth .annual meeting of St. Joseph's Cathedral branch of. the N.Z. ; Catholic Federation was held after devotions on last Sunday evening, in St. Joseph's Hall. In" the absence through indisposition of the president (Very Rev.,, J. Coffey, Diocesan Administrator), Father Ardagh presided. There was a fairly large attendance. The annual report, read by the secretary (Mr. E. Sandys) showed that 11 ordinary and three special meetings had been held during the period tinder review. The membership of the branch showed an increase of 300, and the statement of accounts a credit balance of £53 lis 3d, an increase of £ll 12s 9d oh last year. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman congratulated the branch on, its increased membership, and the evidence of renewed interest in Federation 'affairs, and complimented the secretary and members of the committee on the success that bad attended their efforts in the various undertakings of the past year. Mr. M. Reddington, in seconding the motion, congratulated all concerned on the flourishing state of the branch, and mentioned several matters which, in his opinion, required -the attention of the Federation. Messrs. T. J. Hussey, T. Drumm, and D. Whelan also spoke, after which the report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. Officebearers for tho ensuing year were appointed as follows: President, Very Rev. J. Coffey, Diocesan Administrator; ice-presidents, Messrs. T. J. Hussey and M. Millar secretary, Mr. E. Sandys (re-elected); treasurer, Mrs. W. Duffy (re-elected); committee, Mesdames J. J. Dunne and M- Lennon, Misses A. Brady, E. Kennedy, and A. Mc:_Cready, Messrs. J. Airey, T. Drumm, R. Millar, and M. Reddington; delegates to Diocesan Council, Messrs. J. Airey and M. Reddington. Representatives of the various Catholic organisations so far appointed include:H.A.C.B. Society, Messrs. J. Ford and J. O'Connor; St. Joseph's Men's Club, Messrs. J. P. Dunn and C. L'Estrange; Children of Mary, Misses S. and H. McQuillan. At meetings held after Mass at the suburban churches of St. Joseph's parish on Sunday the following committees were elected: —Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kaikorai, Mesdames T. Hill and Gebbie, Miss Heffernan, Messrs. P. Henaghan, W. Brown, and D. Creed; Miss Heffernan and Mr. D. Creed were appointed delegates to St. Joseph's Cathedral Parish Committee. Church -of St. Francis Xavier, Mornington, Mrs. W. Easton, Miss J. O'Farrell, Messrs. J. O'Neill, D. Whelan, P. Carolin, and W..T. .Easton; Messrs D. Whelan and W. T. Easton were appointed delegates to St. Joseph's Cathedral Parish Committee. . , , i -■•-; \' TIMARU BRANCH. .' The first meeting of the newly-appointed Parish Committee of the Catholic Federation was held at the Priory on 17th inst. (writes our own correspondent). Father Bartley, S.M. (president) presided, and in welcoming the delegates expressed the hope that all would work with the greatest zeal in the interests of the Federation. Dr. J. R. Loughnan and Mr. M. J. O'Brien were elected vice-presidents, and Father Bartley, Dr. Loughnan, and Mr. .1. P. Leigh were appointed delegates to the Diocesan Council. It was decided to apply for a grant from the Field Service Fund to provide for the conveyance to Mass of Catholic soldiers from the Orthopaedic Hospital, this institution being a distance of four miles from the Church of the Sacred Heart. Federation Sundays, for enrolment of members, were arranged -for. June 28 and July 6, when it is anticipated that all will avail themselves of the opportunity of enlisting under the banner of the Catholic Federation. NELSON BRANCH. The most numerously attended and enthusiastic meeting of the above branch since its inception was held in St. Mary's Hall on Sunday evening, Juno 15. The report and balance sheet were read and adopted. The membership : was shown to be 526, an increase of 158 for the town. The . amount remitted to the Diocesan Council constituted a record for Nelson. During the year a complete register of Catholics had been compiled. Socials were held during the winter months, the proceeds of which (£44) had been distributed among parish works. Catholic literature was circulated in the country districts by the committee. The committee was pleased to record the absolute fairness of the local press. The boarding-out of Catholic children from orphanages had been an object of especial watchfulness. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows . —President, Father McGrath (re-elected); vice-pre-sidents,- Messrs. M. J. Levy and D. Dunphy; secretary and treasurer, Mr. M. A. Mcßride; committee, Mesdames Dew, Dunphy, O'Donnell, Silk, and Stevens, Misses Finnigan, Frank, ,and Niall, Messrs Armstrong, Barry, Crequer, Hickey B Housiaux, O'Donnell, and Ryder; social committee, Misses Brooks, Finnigan, and Housiaux, Messrs. Finnigan, Ryder, and Wallace; delegate to Diocesan Council, lather Mcß'wrfclf: -The president -urged on members the desirability of their taking* part in public welfare movements, and

specially stressed the valuable work of the Plunket Society. Mesdames W. O'Donnell ; and S. Stevens ; were ? nominated as ' the branch's candidates ■'. for the i Plunket Society Committee. -' (Both have since been | elected.) ; The ~ erection of a memorial' to fallen*soldiers was discussed, and steps are to be taken to install! a stained-glass window in St. Mary's Church. .'The care of the; graves of priests and religious interred in Nelson was entrusted to the incoming committee, and a collection was taken up to put in order the grave of Brother Mary. It was decided to histitxite an N.Z. Tablet "drive," to increase the list of parish : subscribers. . It was also resolved to 'continue the distribution of C.T.S. publications, and to provide copies of Faith of Our Fathers and the Question Box for many possible converts among parties to mixed marriages in town and country. The president outlined the scheme proposed by Mr. J. Beck (Education Department) for dealing with Catholic orphan children, which members generally endorsed. 'Several speakers were of opinion that the period of residence in institutions should be extended to 12 months, and it was finally decided that the delegate bring the matter before the Diocesan Council. Special arrangements are to be made for a successful Federation Sunday. A highly interesting meeting terminated with the customary votes of thanks to the chairman and outgoing officers. ..-.--.•.- The following circular has been issued by the Nelson branch of : the . Catholic Federation, preparatory to the approaching Federation Sunday: —A great effort is now being made to increase the membership of the Federation in view of further important work which is being undertaken. Chief in this is the scholarship scheme, which can only succeed by the -enrolment of every Catholic '] among its financial members. The Nelson branch intends to strain every nerve to secure special consideration for country children, who, in this scattered district, are at a serious disadvantage in the matter of Catholic education. The claims of the orphans will also be specially urged. You know the ideals of the Federation promote justice, charity, and goodwill, and with these virtues always uppermost, it aims particularly at the furthering of Catholic interests. It has been blessed and encouraged in this work by the Holy Father and the Apostolic Delegate, while the bishops of the province are its guides. To know this is surely to realise that it is deserving of the sympathy and co-operation of every Catholic. Many educational grievances have been redressed through the agency of the Federation, and it hopes for still further success. Nothing can be done without organised effort, for as long as the weak will suffer the strong will oppress. It is worthy of note that for war work the N.2.C.F. has raised £SOOO, thus enabling our army chaplains to relieve cases of distress and furnish comforts for the troops. We are confident you will show your sympathy with the movement by enrolling now. It is so easy to forget. The small subscription (1/-) you will never miss, but for tho cause it matters.