CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 21 August 1913, Page 29

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON. -: The Dominion Executive met last Thursday at the presbytery, Patterson street, Mr. Geo. GirlingButcher presiding. Mr. Kennedy, treasurer of the Ormond branch, who is on a visit to Wellington, was present. It was decided to interview the Hierarchy on the occasion of their visit to Wellington, and to lay before them matters of interest. It was decided to call in the petitions, both signed and unsigned forms, and the secretary was instructed to circularise each parish for that purpose. A communication was received from the Catholic Federation of Victoria seeking the co-operation of the New Zealand Federation in obtaining a visit from the Rev. Father Bernard Vaughan, S.J., to Australia and New Zealand. It was decided to refer the matter to the Hierarchy for the necessary permission. It was also decided to refer remits in connection with immigration and literature from the Dominion Council to diocesan councils for action. The Executive is still in communication with the Government in respect to the subsidy for housing of immigrant girls. The question of organisation will be dealt with at the next meeting. It is feared that parish committees are not fully alive to the extreme importance of enrolling every Catholic. Some are of ..the opinion that there is not enough work for parish committees. This is a fallacy, and shows that people who talk like this are. not conversant with the . aims, and objects of : the Federation. If the work of enrolling every Catholic is complete, there is the work of disseminating Catholic literature. What is being done -to increase the circulation of Catholic newspapers How many in the parish are, for instance, subscribing to the N.Z. Tablet ? What is being done to circulate Catholic Truth Society publications Is the committee catering for the welfare of Catholic societies, such, for instance, as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Hibernian Society, and young men’s clubs? There, is plenty of work to do, and if each committee has' zealous and devoted officers, it will be a labor of love, to , see the Church progressing in their respective parishes. The committees will shortly be supplied with the amended copies of the constitution and rules, and also reports of the Dominion Council meeting, recently held in Wellington.