Catholic University Students' Guild, Wellington

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 41, 18 October 1923, Page 17

Catholic University Students' Guild, Wellington

, ; N • , (Contributed.) '""'-I The Catholic University Students' Guild held its final meeting of the year at St. Patrick's College on Sunday, October 7, at 2.30 p.m. The guild took occasion of its annual general meeting to give a reception to his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., D.D., its patron. In spite of the extremely bad weather, there weTe between 70 and 80 present. Given fine weather, it was expected that at least 100 would be "present. A number of the city clergy were in - attendance, and included: Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Rev. Father Mahony, S.M., Rev. Father Fallon, and the college staff. The president of the guild, Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert, S.M., M.A., welcomed his Grace, who was received with applause. The secretary then presented the annual report as follows:

Your Grace,' Rev. Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen, — gives us great pleasure to present the second annual report of the Catholic University Students' Guild. In April of 1922 this guild was established in the belief that, under the present educational system in New Zealand it had become a necessity for the growing body of Catholic University students. In its first year, the work was in the nature of an experiment. It was begun under your Grace's patronage and with the encouragement of his Grace the Coad-jutor-Archbishop. Begun as an experiment we had reason to think that it would be permanent. The first annual report recorded an average attendance at 12 meetings of between 50 and 60 members. The present year showed a marked advance in- membership. We are pleased to report that at 11 meetings the average attendance was 70 members. -

In general, the constitution of the guild has remained unaltered. The meetings took place every fortnight during three terms corresponding to the three terms at Victoria University College. The meeting place was. St. Patrick's College. At the ordinary meetings, the reading of minutes, an address or addresses, and answers to the Question Box occupied one hour. This intellectual work was followed by/afternoon tea and a social gathering. This latter part of the programme was considered as only less in importance than the intellectual part. Students attending the guild come from every district in New Zealand and have no general meeting place. This social gathering in a small way was a substitute for ■ the social intercourse of Hostel or Catholic Hall.

The office-bearers were elected on April 8 as follows: President, Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert, S.M., M.A.; vice-pre-sident, Mr. T. P. Cleary, LL.B.; hon. sec. and treasurer;' Rev. B. J. Ryan, S.M., M.A.; committee, Miss M. Pigou, Messrs. Giles, Grogan, and Mcßae.

Altogether there were eleven meetings. One -had to be abandoned on account of bad weather only meeting postponed in the two years. The programme of lectures was as follows:

First Term. April BElection of officers; address on Objects and Opportunity f of Guild (Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert. April 22 — Existence and Nature of God (Rev. B. J. Ryan): May 6 —lmmortality of the Soul (Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert); Origin of the Bible (Rev. B. J. Ryan; May 22 —Meeting postponed on account of rain. Second Term. —June 3 —Providence of Goal (Rev. B. J. Ryan;. Answers to Question Box (Rev. B. Kingan); Introduction to Evolution (Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert). June Historical Account of the Growth of the Theory of Evolution (Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert) Answers to Question Box. July I—Spiritisml—Spiritism (Rev. B. Kingan; Answers to Question Box. July 15 Evolution and the Catholic Position (Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert) July 29 —Lourdes (Rev. B. J. Gondrjuger. Third Term. Septembe- 9—-Faith Healing (Rev. B. J. Ryan). September r 23The Book of : Genesis : and Evolution .-(Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert). October 7—General Meeting; Annual Report. • ; \;.i-\i''-•■.• -..■*-.. ,■%''■"■.- ' : '■■' '.• ! •'■'■'; -'■■

It will be observed that almost all the lectures dealt with" fundamental questions in Christian apologetics. At times the subjects may , have appeared . beyond the reading of many students. - But it was felt that the work was necessary. v Now, ; more than ever before, it is necessary -to supply the fundamental proofs of religion. '_ The subjects were often philosophical and abstruse and for that reason strange to ; younger students.' But it was thought" best to

attack the problem at its roots. ; We count the lectures": successful if they introduced the Christian and Catholic aspect of the problems; if they acted as an antidote against the agnostic view,' if created courage to hold to Catholic standards and formed the basis of future leisured reading.--,, ..•'../.:,;. ■;. ■"■ ''.''■,■.:•' " """^.i

Other activities —(i) An innovation was the C.U.S.G. dance held in St. Francis's Hall, -Hill Street, in July. For this function a committee was set up, including Misses Pigou,. McAteer, Craig, and • Cameron, Messrs. Cleary, Grogan, Giles, Malfroy, Haigh, and Mcßae (secretary). In spite of the influenza outbreak, the dance was a great success socially, and paid for itself comfortably. The unanimous opinion voted the dance an annual function!

(ii) The O.U.S.G. supported the European Students' Relief Fund. Mr. F. Haigh explained its purpose, and a collection was made, a substantial sum being sent to the organisers of relief. ~ .

(iii) It is hoped that there will be sufficient funds in hand to form the nucleus of the cost of publishing this year a pamphlet containing the activities of the guild and the more important lectures.

Financially the guild is in a sound position. The subscription was continued at its old rate and this has met expenses and left a credit balance. (Details omitted.)

We close this report with satisfaction. The guild seems to meet a need in 'the Catholic body. If higher secular training builds the leaders of our country, no work could be nobler in object than-to strive to raise, the standard of Christian knowledge at least to a standard equal to that of secular knowledge. Only thus can- they acquire that balance of mind, that full education which makes the really great leader. Christian principles alone can bring back to modern thought and action, the qualities of • solidity and logic, and therefore of permanence." The Catholic stands amidst endless questioning-about even the existence of God; ho sees the best in tradition flung aside the conventions shattered and morality fast disappearing. Science too often claims to be godless, literature is a shifting morass. The Church alone stands firm on the rock of truth. It has been our province.and our privilege to strive to unfold that truth. Looking forward to the day -..when the doors of a Catholic hall will be opened, we have made a beginning of the work. Thanks to the encouragement of our patron, his Grace happily present with us to-day, and to the Coadjutor-Archbishop, we can report that the work is flourishing. • " ...... j-j

After the report had been read, his Grace the Archbishop addressed the gathering. He immediately grasped his audience and spoke magnificently. He fully agreed that the work was a grave necessity in the modern world. Statistics showed the rapid advance of irreligion in such great countries as England and U.S.A. He was delighted to see that the lectures had gone deep into the foundations of religion. The whole object of the guild met'with his fullest approval and he felt gratified to see St. Patrick's. College not only teaching youth, but teaching older students. He had written on its foundation stone nearly 40 years ago, Sectare Fidem. The extension of the school's activity was in line with its best traditions. In spite of his great age, his Grace spoke with vigor. His old fire was there and all his eloquence. Altogether, his address made this the most memorable occasion of the year.

'Father Gilbert thanked the Archbishop for coming to address the students. He said that he had never heard his Grace speak with more vigor and eloquence . ; "

Mr. Grogan spoke on behalf of the students. He said' they felt very grateful to his Grace for his patronage and for his presence that day. He thought it an • exftellenV opportunity, for his Grace to see the work that was being done through the guild. His remarks were received with applause. ;. - . ' - ' » , Mr. A. Mcßae then proposed a ■ rote of thanks to the president and the staff of 'St.. Patrick's College: They were all grateful for the lectures on problems which every student met in his reading. . They -were also most grateful for the kindness shown. them in±he social life of the guild and to the matron of the college (Mrs. N. Chamness) and her staff for their entertainment '■■■ at tea. • '^

o His Grace the/ Archbishop then gave Benediction of the. Blessed Sacrament in the college chapel.;. * -

Afternoon tea followed,, and music and games. During the afternoon the ■ college orchestra, conducted '' b r y P. Cullen, played*selections.,--, ''\.: . '■... \- : Vf . *'-'