St. Vincent de Paul Society

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 15, 10 April 1924, Page 26

St. Vincent de Paul Society

PARTICULAR COUNCIL OF DUNEDIN. The first annaul meeting of the re-organised Society of St. Vincent de Paul, was held in St. Joseph's Hall, on Monday evening week. There was a large attendance of members representing the various conferences' and of the Ladies' Auxiliaries within the circumscription of the Particular Council of Dunedin. The president occupied the chair, and among those present were his Lordship the Bishop, Rev*. J. Foley, Adm. (chaplain), and Rev. J. Delany, South Dunedin. In extending a very hearty welcome to his Lordship the Bishop to the meeting and on his return from the Old Land, the president said that the date of the annual meeting had been advanced a month to allow of the Bishop's presence. At his Lordship's desire 13 months ago the society had been re-organised, and there now existed, besides the ladies' branches which had carried on the good work for many years, five men's conferences, and all were actively engaged, in perfect harmony and unison, in carrying out the work of the society in conformity with its rules. Although absent during'the period* under review, the members were assured that the Bishop's thoughts were with them, and now that his Lordship had returned, his observations during his travels and wide -experience in the society's pursuits would, they knew, be generously and most helpfully placed at their disposal. "No more eloquent address," said the president, "could be presented to their Bishop than the first general report issued by the members of the society, and it is with much pleasure that I now hand his Lordship a copy." The report and statement of accounts (as printed in March 27 issue of the Tablet) were then read and adopted. Commenting on these, the president paid a tribute to the society's district nurse (Nurse Boys) for the excellent manner in which she is discharging the duties of her exacting and always arduous office. The good results of this phase of the society's activities had amply justified the nurse's appointment, and her assistance, working in co-operation with the ladies, was of incalculable value. Although not mentioned in the report, the president referred in appreciative terms to the fine work performed by the pupils of the Dominican Nuns in conducting, under the auspices of the society, a Sunday school for children many of whom were not so favorably placed as are those who attend Catholic schools; and the teaching of Christian doctrine to them is an especially strong feature. This guild, which usually presents a report of its own at the close of the year, is supervised by the clergy and nuns., At the present time there are upwards of 40 children receiving instruction at the hands of the members. Fitting acknowledgement was also made of the surprising amount of good work accomplished by the Ladies' Auxiliaries, of the gratuitous services of the society's legal representatives doctors, and of the assistance rendered by the different ■organisations of the city. His Lordship the Bishop said he also was of opinion that the most useful and pleasurable address the brothers and sisters of the society could offer him was a copy of their report showing the splendid record of their first year's activities, and he very warmly congratulated them on the fine work they were, doing in the interests of those who needed assistance. While not losing sight of the primary objective of their society—the sanotification of their own —the members were at the same time, while engaged in the corporal and spiritual well-being of their less fortunate brethern, doing God's work. His Lordship then spoke on phases of Catholic activity that came under his notic\ during his recent travels; also on the work of the society, more especially iii regard to Sydney where it was very strong and influential. Replying later to a vote of thanks tendered to him for his address, the Bishop said he was deeply interested in the society, and not alone by help and encouragement but by ether means, he would avail himself of any opportunity of showing this. * . Rev. Father Foley complimented the members on the good results of their year's work, and more especially on what they had done during the distressful flood of last April. Great.'edification was derived from their endeavors on that occasion, and the labors of the nurse were a- revelation. - v -".' ~-'. .... - - "