Hibernian Society

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1924, Page 25

Hibernian Society

ST. JOSEPH’S BRANCH, DON ED IN. •- * • 7 , . At the conclusion of the routine' business at the recent fortnightly meeting of St. Joseph’s branch of the Hibernian - Society, his Lordship the Bishop entered 'the meeting room,- . and was very enthusiastically-greeted; _ _ -■ Bro. J. J. Marlow, sen. (District Deputy), addressing the Bishop, said: “On behalf of the Hibernian brothers and sisters, I desire to assure your Lordship of the pleasure it gives us to Welcome you again in our midst. Nowhere will ■you receive a warmer • welcome and rightly so, as from the ■ first day you entered the .Dominion your Lordship showed . an interest in the Hibernian Society which was most gratifying and encouraging, and this interest oil your part has many tiineg since i been manifested. Your Lordship will be pleased ; to learn of ;the steady and thoro%h progress : of St. : ' Joseph’s branch, which now hi ay be'clawed among the ;strongest; in-the Dominion. t The baiioh’s latest?prdgfti&ivd

movement is the establishment of a ladies’ branch /and in. this the right spirit is being shown. In founding this branch | (St. Dominic’s) a want long : felt is being removed, and with the number, available of those suitable for/ member- - ship... success is .assured. 1 The = Hibernian Parliament is to meet at Westport in the near future, at which, it is hoped, an era of active propaganda in - the interests of increased

membership will be inaugurated. In - this ;' regard Friendly Societies, as a whole are ' renewing efforts- which were interrupted by the war and the unsettled conditions which followed,: and the Hibernian,. Society must not be behind others in their endeavors.” No Catholic young man (said Bro. Marlow) can afford to remain outside a benefit society, and, when making a choice one embracing a wholly Catholic membership should undoubtedly have the preference. / St. Joseph’s branch (he continued) had recently celebrated its golden jubilee, and Bro. Marlow asked the Bishop’s accept/ ance of a beautifully bound and inscribed copy of the souvenir booklet issued on that occasion. The District Deputy conveyed, on behalf of the members, the best wishes of the society to his Lordship, and appreciation of the sustained interest, he manifested in Hibernianism.

In responding, the Bishop said he was very glad to have the pretty souvenir of the branch’s * jubilee, and although absent during several : celebrations of- a similar nature in the city he was present in spirit. He was pleased at the advances made by the society, and especially so in seeeing a ladies’ branch established. His Lordship entirely endorsed Bro~Marlow’s remarks regarding membership in a Catholic benefit society remain outside showed a want of foresight to say the leastand he hoped great progress in enrolment of members would .be one of the results of the District Meeeting. -His Lordship then spoke, at length on his recent travels and experiences, and in conclusion said the- society’s work for Faith and * Fatherland would always have his-sympathy and support. The society was worthily fostering the traditions of the Old Land, and, with God’s blessing, the work in future would far’surpass what has been done in the past. On the motion of Bro. Marlow a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Bishop for his interesting and encouraging address. .*■' '