CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 23 August 1917, Page 23

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Diocesan Council Executive ws held on Tuesday evening, August 14. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., presided, and there was an excellent attendance of members. The Very Rev. chairman welcomed the members of the new executive, and expressed the hope that their deliberations during the year would be beneficial to the Federation, as in many respects it would be an eventful year. Correspondence was received from Hawarden, Pleasant Point, and Lyttelton branches notifying change of secretaries. Regret was expressed at the changes, and the secretary was instructed to forward letters of appreciation to the retiring officers. The remits on the agenda paper for the Dominion Council meeting were considered, and the delegates advised of the opinions of the executive. The action of the secretary in making an appeal on behalf of the field service fund to a country “Soldier’s Guild’’ was approved, and although refused on the score of it being a denominational appeal, it is understood that the fund will benefit indirectly to the extent of £lO. Mr. M. Garty was elected auditor to the diocesan council. Dues to the Dominion Council, amounting to £37 Is, and several smaller accounts were passed for payment. TAIERIBRANCH. The annual meeting of the Taieri branch of the Catholic Federation was held in the convent school on August 19. Considerable enthusiasm was shown by the congregation, and the school was full, notwithstanding that the weather was wet and cold. Last year’s statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £4 16s 6d, of which £4 was voted to the Catholic field service fund, leaving a small working balance of 16s fid. The president (Rev. Father Morkane) exhorted all to become members of the Federation, and in response to a circular letter from the diocesan secretary that some assistance be’given to the Catholic field service fund, asked those assembled to subscribe as freely to this laudable object as their circumstances permitted. A committee was appointed for the ensuing year, and it was decided to take up a collection in aid of the field service fund as early as possible. Some of the younger members showed considerable energy and promise, and no doubt the membershin for the coming year will equal, if not exceed any of the past years. ST. JOSEPH’S BRANCH, DUNEDIN. The parish committee of St. Joseph’s branch of the Catholic Federation was held in St. Joseph’s Hall on last Sunday evening. Mr. J. Hally (vice-president) presided, and there was a good representative attendance. Several sectional reports were handed in, and the secretary (Mr. J. Airey) intimated that the enrolment for the present year to date numbered about 700 members. It was resolved to energetically continue canvassing, so that the objective set at the annual meeting may be attained. In this connection it was decided to resume the enrolment of members at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sundays. It was resolved to convene a general meeting of the laymen of the parish after Vespers on next Sunday evening in St. Joseph’s Hall in connection with the Military Service Act in its application to the clergy, religious Brothers, and ecclesiastical students. A committee was appointed to arrange details.