CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 8

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation commenced yesterday morning at St. Patrick's llall, Boulcott Street The Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., vice-president, ivas in the chair, and the following representatives of Parish Committees were present:— Dannevirke, Miss Hyan; I'eilding, Mr. J. P. Kavanagh; Hastings, Rev. Ji'atlier O'Donnell, .Mr. Dennett; liawera, Mr. L. 0. Hooker, Mr. James Bartlett; Levin, Mrs. 11. A. Mac Donald; Hamua, Mr. J. Dougherty, All-. Donnelly; Napier, Major Halpin, Mr. Keenan, 'Nelson, Kev. Father Bartley; Petone, llev. Father Quealey; Paliiatua, Mr. E. Sullivan, Mr.' J. ,1. Beech; 'Wanganuii, Mr. W. Luxford; St. Anne's, Wellington, Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, 5.11., Mr. J. E.' Gamble, Mr. P. D. Eoskins; St. Gerard's, Mr. W. F. John6on; St. Mary's, Very liev ■ Father O'Comiell, S.M., Mr. M'Keown, Air. M'Phee; St. Joseph's, Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Miss A. Wheeler; Mr. W. Gamble; Tliorndon, Rev. Father Smyth, S.M., Mr. ft. Sievers, Sir. AI. Walsh; Woodville, Mr. G. li. Redwood, Mr. D. J. Leahy; Waipawa, Mr. J. Duggan; Wairoa, Major Halpin. • !

His Grace Arcnbishop Redwood briefly addressed the council, and wished its deliberations ' every success. dis Grace read a most interesting letter from His l.ordship liishop Clear.v, giving an account of. his journey through America and on to Italy. His Lordsnip asserted that his health was greatly improved, and that lie was making tha best use of the tour. His Grace concluded by giving the federation his best blessing and support. •

His Grace Archbishop O'Sliea addressed the council, making geueral reference to the success the federation had achieved during the past year. The membership in the diocese had greatly increased, and -his Grace was pleased to see that, the clergy .in most parishes in the diocese were, taking an active and earnest interest ill its welfare. His Grace also referred to the success of the several activities of the federation, such as the establishment of a hostel, etc., and was pleased to see that proposals w(:ro ijiade to give the members of the council a little more opportunity for meeting each other away from busn^ss. Tho treasurer's report showed a substantial balance, in spite of the fact fchnt, owiii" to. the alteration of dates of the end of the financial year,, members had been granted eighteen months' rncrnbeiship, at tile cost of one year'ts subscription. Many of the country parishes had done exceedingly well, and in some casts had more than doubled the membership over last returns. j Tlie Catholic Immigration Committee reported that oversea vessels had been met in every case, and new arrivals made ivelcome, and,given even- possible assistance. The Women's Hostel Board reported that the expectations of its founders had been greatly- exceeded, and that it was difficult to find accommodation et the hostel for all who applied. The treasurer of the Hostel Board, reported that donalions of <£n ss. each had been sreceived from His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, and Mr. E. Sullivan, Paliiatua. Considerable attention was »iven to the subject of organisation, and it was agreed chat every encouragement be given to members of general committees to visit! other committees, and to placo before 1 tho members the necessity for organisation and combination. In this direction it was suggested that tha Archdiocese might well be divided into smaller areas, having interests in common, fiomewhat oil tho lines of the old provincial boundaries.

The report of the Education District for the past year came under review, and it was agreed that the figures contained In that return be placfld bnforn each parish committee. • ' -"

A vote of condolence with a member of the council—Mr. Cnssio—in the loss of bis youngest daughter, was • agreed to, and the secretary was directed to convey the sympathy of the council to that Sji.MiUeman.

The election of officers for the ensuing year a 4 follow^: —President, .Archbishop Redwood; Yicei-presiderits. Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., and Mr. .T. Diip»nn* (re-elected); hon. secretary. Mr. W. F. '.Tohnson : treasurer. Major Ifalnin (both re-elected); executive committee,JlewA 1!. Sipver.c. .1. E. Gamble, T. J. M'Casker, M. AValsh, A. Cassie. J. Corry, ,V. P. Kavanazh, and W. Lux ford.

The Very Rev. Dean Power, jfessrs. Duggan, and AValsh were electr-d to re-present-the-council oil the. Dominion Council. Messrs. Sicvers and, Corry were re-elected auditors.