St. Vincent de Paul Society

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLVIII, Issue 35, 1 September 1921, Page 27

St. Vincent de Paul Society

ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL CONFERENCE, DUNEDIN.

The annual meeting of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was held at St. Joseph s Hall on last Monday evening. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin, presided, the Very Rev. Lather Coffey, Adm. (chaplain) was present, and there was a large attendance of members of the society, including representatives of St. Patrick’s Conference (South Dunedin), the Sacred Heart Conference (Northeast Valley), and the Conference of the Immaculate Conception (Kaikorai). Following was the annual report and statement of accounts, which were adopted; In presenting our 38th annual report, we wish to record a useful amount of work performed during the year. The usual fortnightly Tuesday sewing meetings were held, the average attendance for the year being 11—all good needlewomen and a large quantity of new garments were made and disused clothing converted to suitable use. Our many friends have been very generous in supplying material and clothing in good repair. In this connection the society would welcome further helpers at the sewing meetings, as the necessity for having ample stocks of clothing always ready for an emergency was never greater than at the present time. Donors may leave parcels with the sacristan at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. During the year the society welcomed the arrival of our new Bishop, Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, who was a noted helper in St. Vincent de Paul work while in Australia. We notice with pleasure the formation of a conference during the year in connection with St. Dominic’s College, and trust it will meet with success, particularly in the work of establishing Christian doctrine classes and making up of useful garments. At Christmas time, with the help of the Dominican Nuns and pupils, our conference was able to hold a Christmas tree and treat for the children of the Sisters of Mercy Orphanage, South Dunedin. During the year our city lost a very valuable helper in the cause of charity, Mrs. M. Gordon. The deceased lady belonged to the Congregational Guild, and at all times worked amicably with our members. A letter of sympathy was sent to her husband (Captain Gordon) from our society. Our thanks are due to the many in town and country who helped during the year j to Very Rev. Father Coffey, always willing to help to his utmost; to the Cathedral clergy, the medical

and legal profession, the Convalescent Guild, the Society, for the Protection of Women and Children, the St. John Ambulance Association, the women patrols, Rev. Mr. Gumming and Rev. Mr, King. The year’s operations are summarised hereunder; — 150 grocery orders and'loo coal orders were issued; 40 pairs new boots and shoes, 50 pairs second-hand boots and shoes, 6 pairs new blankets, 400 second-hand garments, 530 new garments, 300 yards flannelette, 25 yards flannel, 4 men’s suits in perfect order, 3 boys’ suits (new), 1 overcoat (new), and 10 overcoats second-hand) were distributed, also 1 box clothing to Mount Magdala, various parcels of new clothing to different institutions, sheets, towels, pillow-cases, furniture, etc. A very considerable amount of work in the betterment of the social and religious conditions of individuals has been’ accomplished during the year, no fewer than 18 persons having come within the influence of the members of the conference and received all that was needful, the results in every instance being eminently satisfactory. The sick have been visited in their homes, while hospitals, sanatoria, and many other institutions, also the Court, have been attended to.

The balance sheet was as follows; Receipts— balance forward, £3B 14s 8d; subscriptions (members) and donations, £2l 7s 8d; poor-box, £49 12s 3d; other sources, £80; total, £lB9 14s 7d. Expenditure Groceries, £47 2s 10d; coal, £ls 5s 3d; boots, £l4 Is Sd ; drapery, £42 3s lOd; sundries (including meat, medicine, board, train and steamer fares,* and incidentals), £59 13s 2d. Credit balance, £ll 7s 2d.

After introducing his Lordship the Bishop, Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, very heartily congratulated the members of the conference on the splendid results of the year’s work. He noticed what ho described as a markedly forward step in the activities of the society—the enlisting of the services of the young in the work. It was very pleasing and gratifying to see that the pupils of St. Dominic’s Priory had become associated with the conference, and he trusted they would never relax their efforts. No work was more worthy than that for the poor: it was God’s work, and the merits attached thereto were exceedingly great. Another work in which the activities of the young could be directed was in the teaching of Christian doctrine to those who were not so favorably placed as themselves. This was a very pressing need, and he (the speaker) hoped soon to be in a position to establish Sunday schools in several localities in and about the city. Father Coffey explained the various sources from which the society’s revenue was derived, and gave an encouraging account of its future prospects. He also expressed pleasure at the return of Mrs. Jackson from her recent travels abroad and her resumption of the great work she and her fellow members were doing in this city.

His Lordship Dr. "Whyte said he was always pleased to meet the people who were doing the work of the parish, and hence it was a great pleasure to him to be present that evening to see the ladies of the St. Vincent de Paul Society assembled in such large numbers to report on their activities during the year. He was impressed with the enormous amount of good work they had done, and they certainly deserved the warmest commendation. His Lordship said he was keenly interested in the work of the Society of St. Vincent do Paul in Sydney, and gave an interesting account of the operations of the society in and around that city. There, of course, the workers were all men,, and he would like to see the Catholic men of Dunedin engaged in similar work. The operations of the society in Sydney were very extensive, and the conferences had a numerous membership. This was evident at the quarterly meetings, which were on some occasions attended by 1000 men. He congratulated the ladies on the great work they were doing for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, therefore realising the motto of the society, “Sanctify yourself—Help the poor.”

The office-bearers are: President, Mrs. M. A. Jackson ;. vice-president, Mrs. E. Mowat; treasurer, Mrs. J. Hally; wardrobe-keeper, Miss O’Rourke; secretary, v Mrs. T. J. Hussey. y