The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-04

Of poor people had felt the benef-
cent effects Of its kindly ministra-
tiOns.
No mercenary spirit, no banker
ing after worldly applause, no
d e sire for self-aggrandizement
stood sponsor at the baptism Of the
new society. Love Of God was the
dominant note in the hearts of it's
founders and coupled with that
was the broadcast and most unself-
ish charity for the poor and help
less. These were the mainsprings
of its activity. It began it's work
humbly and obscurely; but dur
ing the intervening three-quarters
Of century the idea underlying
it has spread and st. Vincent de
Paul Societies have grown and
multiplied like the proverbial mus
tard seed. They are found in all
parts of the world. They have
taken deep root in our own coun-
try and have carried on their char
liable work without show or
ostentation, expanding for the
amelioration of the lot of the poor
every cent contributed for that
purpose. Some, no doubt, have
abused this charity; but no genu-
inc case Of poverty has ever
applied in vain for relief.
In the city of St. Paul branches
of this society have been estab-
lished in many parishes and have
done good work along the lines of
material relief. A Particular
Council was organized to exercise
general supervision, as a sort of
clearing house, over the subordi-
nate branches and each year it dis
tributes no inconsiderable sums in
charity. The officers of the Par
ticular Council are Right Reverend
Bishop Lawler, Spiritual Director
James G. Nolan, President;
Charles j. P. Young, Vice Presi-
dent; Nicholas Mandl, Treasurer
| and Anton Ritz, Secretary.
For the first time in the history
Of this Particular Council an
appeal was sent out to charitably-
disposed persons some months ago.
Usually the contributions neces-
sary to carry on it's work come
from the members by assessment
or otherwise, but owing to changed
conditions it was deemed advis-
able to solicit support from those
who did not belong to the Society
but who were interested in its
work. AS a result the treasury
has been increased by nearly sew
en- hundred dollars. A portion of
this amount has been placed at
the disposal of the Rev. James
Donahoe, City Missionary, to aid
him in his Juvenile Court work,
and the rest will be expended to
carry out the general purpose OF
the Society.
1t is to be regretted, however,
that more of our Catholic people
of means and influence do not take
: an interest in the work of the ST.
Vincent de Paul Society. It's mem
bership should be many times
more than it is at present
Then the work which it carries on
would press less heavily upon all
concerned because there would
be many more willing hands to
help support the burden. Surely
the charity which made possible
the glorious record Of the st. Vim.
cent de Paul in days gone by is
not dead among us. Even If it
burns less brightly than it did in
former years its embers can be
famed into fame If our intelli.
gent and well-to-do Catholics will
, only turn their attention a little
more earnestly to this phase OF
Catholic endeavor which promises
so much not merely for the mate.
rial benefit of the recipients OF
charity but also for the spiritual
welfare IF those who make this