The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-06-20

One of the most commendable re-
suits of the benefcent activity of the
Guild of Catholic Women of ST. Paul
was the establishment of the Catholic
Guild Hall as home for Catholic
girls who are obliged to work for
wages too small to permit them to
live in the ordinary boarding houses
and keep up appearances.
The Catholic Guild Hall was planned
by the Guild of Catholic Women.
After due consideration of the project
it's board of directors, at meeting
held at the Commercial Club rooms,
January IS, 1912, took the first definite
step that led to the selection of a
building which would temporarily pro-
vide them with the space needed to
begin this good work. On February
20, it was decided to lease the Mealy
home, 574 ST. Peter Street, and on
March 1 carpenters, plumbers and
decorators began to make the neces-
sary changes, and put it in proper
shape for the opening day, March goth.
of time and money to make this resi-
'dence a real home for homeless girls,
and seemed to consider it privilege
to labor at the difficult task of getting
it ready in so short time. Who
can forget the joy that overspread sur
prised faces as group after group in
spected the new home on the opening
day? The active workers received the
hearty congratulations of all who saw
it for the first time. The promoters
of the object were happy over the
outcome of their earnest efforts.
Mrs. Gowan is the matron in charge
of the Guild Hail. The executive board
of the Guild, under it's capable chair
man, Mrs. C. J. McConville, does not
leave anything to chance, but exercises
continual supervision over the Guild
Hall and it's patrons. Provision is
made for a daily visitor from the
board, who inspects every part of the
house and sees to the proper manage
ment of everything that concerns the
comfort and health of the girls. Atten-
some diversion; and efforts have been
made to provide high class entertain
ment for the roomers and their
friends. Added to the usual means of
passing the time pleasantly, there is
an Eat home" evening which is held
once a week. At these Eat homes
some of the leading artists of the city
have given gladly the best in their
repertories to appreciative audiences.
On those occasions the working girl
has an opportunity to meet men and
women of social standing who are
frequently invited to enjoy the hos
pitality at the Guild Hall at such
times.
The Guild Hall has accommodations
for thirty boarders. At present there
are five less than the full number. 1t
does not admit any girl as boarder
who receives more than ten dollars a
week. The rates for board and room
range from $3.50 to $500 week. AS
it is impossible for girls to get similar
accommodations elsewhere at the
lowest charge made by the Guild Hall,
the number of applications is usually
far in excess of the capacity of the
house. Although little more than two
years has elapsed since the Catholic
Guild Hall was opened there is need
of much larger building.
The Guild of Catholic Women de-
sires country parents to know that it's
members are willing to act the part
of true friends to their daughters on
arrival in the city. Even if the Guild
Hall is filled when a stranger seeks
admittance, she will be directed to a
respectable rooming house, and every
effort will be made to befriend her.
AS the Guild is able to secure employ
ment for many, stranger can be
placed in a good position, or given
helpful direction which only those well
acquainted with the city can give.
Information regarding lodging and
meals may be had from the matron of
the Catholic Guild Hall. Cards telling
about this girls home have been sent
to the Reverend Clergy throughout
the state, and any girl who intends
coming to the city should procure one
of these cards from her pastor and
come direct to those who, imbued with
the right spirit of charity, are DESTROYS
of becoming true friends of mex
perienced girls.