SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

New Zealand Tablet, 23 August 1917, Page 33

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

LADIES’ AUXILIARIES, WELLINGTON^ A The quarterly general meeting of the Society of St. Vincent do Paul Ladies’ Auxiliaries was held on July 19 (Feast of St. Vincent de Paul) in St. Patrick’s Hall. There were 28 members present, also the Rev. Fathers Hurley, S.M., Adm. (spiritual 'director), S. Mahony, S.M., Dignan, S.M., Venning, S.M., and M. Devoy, S.M. An apology for absence was received from Mrs. O’Kane (secretary of St. Mary’s SewingGuild). Mrs. Chamnes presided. A circular letter from Bro. the Hon. L. F. Heydon (president of the Superior Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Sydney) was read, in which he urged the New Zealand Conferences to get in closer touch with the' women’s auxiliaries in Australia. The reports, which were read by the acting-secretary (Mrs. L. Reichel), showed a generally marked improvement on those of the previous quarter and were the subject of congratulatory remarks by the president. Attention was directed by the secretary to the absence of reports from one of the smaller district conferences owing to insufficiency of work. The secretary also urged an earnest appeal to parish conferences to co-operate as far as possible in the good work, especially in regard to cases where the assistance of the clergy was needed. In pursuance’ of a previous resolution suggested by the spiritual director, the first of a series of addresses suitable to such gatherings of charitable workers was given at the Easter meeting by the Rev. Father Venning. S.M., who spoke on the practical subject of sick-visiting. At the meeting now under notice the spiritual director (Rev. Father Hurley) gave the occasional address, his theme being that of charity —a most appropriate one for the feast of the day. He dwelt upon the subject .in a most inspiring manner, showing how charity is the fundamental and all-pervading principle of the societ}’, which latter he likened to a vineyard set apart from the noise and ambitions of a restless world, where special souls were called to labor in patience and self-sacrifice for the spiritual and temporal needs of their neighbors. lie instanced the need of patience and perseverance against the many failures and disappointments to be met with in the different phases of the work, and concluded with an ardent appeal to all present to be faithful to their holy vocation and zealous in finding work for their different conferences, having a special solicitude for sinners, and those in spiritual need. Rev. Father Dignan (whose presence at the meeting was much appreciated by the Thorndon Conference) apologised for his absence from previous council meetings, ; warmly congratulated the members on the manifest activity and good work, and promised in future always to give the local conference his most zealous cooperation. Rev. Father M. Devoy (chaplain of St. Anne’s) expressed himself highly edified and pleased with the work of the conferences, which he said deserved every support. Nowadays too much was being done on a human _ principle, consequently such work, inspired by higher motives, had his most hearty wishes for its continuance and success. An election of office-bearers resulted as.follows: President, Mrs. Oscar Ellis; vice-president, Mrs. O’Leary joint secretaries, Mesdames Chamnes and L. Reichel; treasurer, Mrs. Pearce J. Newton. A vote of appreciation was unanimously passed to the Rev. Father Hurley for his impressive address. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mrs. Phelan on the death of her mother; also to the relatives of the late Mr. Patrick Toohill, whose wife (also deceased) was for many years a zealous member of the auxiliaries. The following is the half-yearly report:St. Mary’s Visiting —Meetings (weekly) held, 23 ; average attendance at each, 6-; visits paid to poor and sick in their homes, 169; orders (grocery, etc.) issued, 34. Two girls were committed to Mount Magdala, and 13 infants taken for baptism. The hospital

has been visited weekly, also the Home of Compassion, Ohiro.. Home,- Clifton Hospital, Gaol. An infant was secured entrance at Home of Compassion, also two - others committed through the court. ' Rosaries, medals, etc., have been distributed where Required. This conference has a Mass offered weekly for fallen soldiers ; also an occasional Mass for friendless hospital cases.- The conference desires to express sincere gratitude for donations received, as follows:—Mrs. Kent, Mrs. McCardell, and Mr. McWilliams, each .£1; Mrs.' O’Neil, £3; Nurse O’Hagan, 10s. The men’s conferences, .£5, and regular* share in the poor-box fund. In return, £2 has been donated to the Home of Compassion, 10s to the hospital, and 10s to Alexandra Home. ‘ X ' v St. Mary’s Sewing Guild. — Meetings, 22 ; attendance much improved ; four new members. Garments made, 158; given out, .72 new, 122 second-hand. Special assistance given to 10 cases ; 9 yards material given out ; parcels received, 3 new, 5 second-hand. The guild desires to thank all benefactors, especially Mesdames McCarthy, sen., Rolleston, and J. J. L. Burke, also Miss Flannery and Nurse O’Hagan. With regret the guild records: the death of its first, president, Mrs. Butler, who, up to the time of her death, took a practical interest in the guild. Sacred Heart Conference, Thorndon.— guild—meetings, 12 ; attendance at each, 4 ; visits paid, 8. One Mass subscribed for; orders for coal and groceries issued. A home found with the Sisters of the Poor, Auckland, for an old lady; Clifton Hospital visited. Sewing Guild.-Meetings were held every Thursday. Garments made, 38 ; distributed, new and secondhand, 74 : habits made, 2: given out, 1. .... St. Anne’s Sewing and Visiting Guild, Newtown. — Meetings. 13; visits, 16; garments made, 54; distributed, 40 new, 3 second-hand : 3 yards material ; 5 infants taken for baptism ; one new hon. member joined. This conference, which hitherto has been inclined to confine its labors "to a narrow limit, shows by the last quarter’s report, a marked improvement, especially in the matter of spiritual cases.