ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 8, 4 March 1925, Page 31

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, AUCKLAND

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR’S OPERATIONS. (From our own correspondent.) \ v I have before me a copy of the Particular Council’s report for the year ended Decemher 31, 1924. It is a carefully prepared and comprehensive report of the operations of the society in Auckland. The statement of accounts showed that a total sum of £631 Os 3d was expended, leaving a balance in hand of £lO2 6s Id. During the year a change in the personnel of the office-bearers of the society took place. Mr. C. Little, who has been connected with the council for many years, was obliged to resign the office of president through illhealth. His association began with the inception of the society sixteen years ago. He has left an imperishable record of good work behind him. In the capacity of vice-presi-dent, Mr. Little is keeping in touch with .-■y, the Council. M*.. Mr} M. Kelly, who has taken up the office of president, is a worthy successor to his late chiefs and is carrying on the great work with unabated enthusiasm and zeal which must command success. Mr. Kelly has long been counted with the society as secretary, and Mr. P. Barry now fills that position. The Boys’ Guild is successfully progressing under the patronage of the Brothers, and a most edifying sight is the regular attendance at Holy Communion of the guild members

with the Brothers.

The Auckland Rugby Union has shown its practical sympathy with the society by making a generous donation to its funds.

The report specially mentions the great work done by the Rev. Father Buckley in regard to rescue work. Father Buckley is noted for his great efforts in the cause of humanity.

The pilgrimage to the Little Sisters ';f the Poor this year was a very successful visit, being well attended by the city and suburban conferences. The society was not able to ha /e a representative present at the triennial congress at Melbourne, but felicitations were sent.

Special thanks are accorded his Lordship Bishop Liston, the spiritual director, Archdeacon Holbrook and others' of the clergy their keen interest displayed in the so-K-ciety. The ladies' conference has also well earned the appreciation of the council for :V the great help accorded.

The statistical information compiled and embodied in the report strikingly indicates the valuable work done by the members. The

roll of membership shows 59 (including active and honorary) 220 new cases,were attended to during the year some 680 persons were relieved; 494 visits were made to the poor in their own homes and assistance given; medical aid cases, 4; clothing and boots distributed to 99 persons; lodging and meals provided for 158; books and Catholic papers distributed, 2838; visits to hospitals, gaols, blind institute, asylum, and Costley Home, 444.

The above is sufficient testimony to the great work done by members, and the value that such a society is to the Auckland community.

■n-i r • i. , *n Bishop Liston’s Address. The meeting at which the report and balance sheet were submitted was presided over by his Lordship Bishop Liston, who, in addressing those present, stated that it was his happy privilege to extend a welcome to the members of St. Vincent de Paul Society at its 17th annual meeting. The Bishop said that it was indeed hard to find something fresh to say on this occasion. Everything seemed to have been done to continue the

good work that had persistently characterised the previous efforts of the members. It was worthy of every commendation and support. One and all should offer up their thanks to God for keeping alive the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The Bishop detailed the remarkable amount of work carried out in visiting the hospital, blind institute, homes of the poor, and the amount of relief given; and also stressed the splendid act of generosity achieved by the society in donating £IOO towards refurnishing the Takapuna Boys' Orphanage. Moreover it was pleasant to see that the operations of the society had

extended as far as giving help to the Deaf Mutes' School at Castlehill, Sydney; to the Leper Hospital at Fiji; Mt. Magdala Home, Christchurch; St. Mary's Anglican Home, Otahuhu; the Little Sisters of the Poor; the Catholic Girls' Orphanage, Onehunga; Avondale, Thames, Coromandel, Devonport, and King Country. Rosaries and catechisms were distributed at Pakatoa, Rotorua, and the Evelyn Firth Home for Soldiers.

In conclusion his Lordship enumerated the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and asked all present to seek God's blessing on their activities for the ensuing year—l92s. Captain Plunkett, associated with society work at Auckland, who was present, stated that it was a great pleasure to him to be again amongst old friends in this work, and expressed his surprise and gratification at the magnitude of the operations of the society. In his travels in the Old Country, Captain Plunkett said that it was of much

•r iii. , . ~ . a l ox interest to him to note the work of St Vmcent de Pan societies, and he found that no better work was being done than in Auckiana. une instance came under his notice .1,, -j j n .. that he considered worth repeating. At Glasgow in a very small parish something like £5 a week was being contributed by the congregation to the objects of the St. Vincent

de Paul Society. A great sacrifice was being ma e /. le f e peop e but it indicated the wonderful spirit that actuated them in helpin & is cause.