A "MOTHERS' PARTY”

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 49

A "MOTHERS' PARTY”

(Contributed.) On Thursday Nov. 12.25 under .S. Vincent* de Paul. S. Joseph’s Hall was the scene of a “Mother’s Party.” ■. At 230 pm. 32. Mothers arrived with 130. much washed, clean shirted, party frilled children to spend the afternoon (think of the washing and dressing at home!) After the stiffness had worn off, engendered by new frocks, shyness, and watching each other, the children were handed over to some young ladies of S. V. de Paul Junior Branch at S. Dominic’s, who led them so splendidly in various games that there was no doubt of their tongues having returned like Bo Peep’s sheep. By /this time his Lordship the Bishop always most kind and encouraging to “the Mothers” arrived. After a little conversation with visitors, tea, a very generous one was acceptable to great and small: several ladies of charity assisting to see that all were attended to. The great event came at last. The stage of the big Mall wore a festive air: on one side a small simple Altar before the Mother’s much prized Statue of Our Lady and Child, decorated t with flowers and 7 lighted candles; on the other a loaded gift Tree; dressed by the S. Dominic girls, its fruit donated by kind friends. bather Xmas busy just now sent Miss Christmas his little girl, to take his place, looking very sweet in red and snow flakes. The helpers set to work to satisfy the demands of the big small crowd. When all had returned several times, there were still inquests for something for a brother or sister in hospital. As for the babies “Sarah Mary,” Mary Ann, Francis Vincent, and all the rest of them, they had their share. Nor were the Mothers themselves forgotten, a small parcel of “usefuls” was ready for each of them. A hum of satisfaction, settled down over the Hall when his Lordship cam© to the stage. After a few kindly words he presented, from the Mothers, a most useful . searchlight torch to Nurse Boys, who has . tried to Mother Mothers’ every Thursday afternoon for some months and she replied expressing her thanks. A second presentation followed to Miss O’Rorke, and Mrs. Higgins. These ladies have most faithfully taken up the tea arrangements as their work, enabling Nurse to attend to individual wants of women with small homes, many mouths to feed and clothe, husbands out of work sick children, etc. Will Catholic Mothers in better circumstances remember things they think past using can make many a poorer home tidy and easier for some one else. And the Mothers patch, mend, and make for themselves and each other, old clothes are unpicked and remade. Nothing is wasted. The Ladies’ Guilds also give assistance as required. :VS Tf common sense governs your habits of life, you will live well, eat well,' sleep well, work well, and gain hanpiness according to your deserts. Litte ills must go. ,It is from the little ills that big ones grow. The commonsense thing to do is to remove He