Norwich bulletin., 1922-04-29
CATHOLIC WoMEN'S COUNCIL
 REPORTS EXTENSIVE -WO

Miss Mary Shannon was elected presi dent of Norwich branch, Connecticut Council of Catholic Women, Friday even ing at the councils annual meeting held at St. Mary's T. A. B.. hall, succeeding Miss Jane Mahoney, who has held the office for the past tyear. During the evening the members of the council heard a splendid address on The Foreign Born Women of Connecticut by Miss Mar guerite Hickey of the state department of Americanization.
 The meeting, which had a very large attendance, opened with a. vocal solo by Henry LaFontaine. Other numbers of the entertainment program were as fol- lows: Violin solo, Miss Rose Driscou ; solo dance Miss Frances Heneauit; piano solo, Miss Mary Shannon; selections, Mercier council orchestra.
 Miss Hickey. the speaker, was intro duced by Miss Mahoney. Miss Hickey spoke on The Foreign Born Women of Connecticut, picturing the typical Italian home, giving examples of Italian dialect and telling stories of her personal ex- periences while visiting the homes of the foreign born residents of the state.
 Miss Hickey in ner talk said we should teach the foreigners about America and acquaint them with American customs She spoke of the Pilgrims who braved the hardships of an unknown and unsettled country and said that, in a way, the for elgners are just as courageous as they were. They come to d strange country with a strange language and strange cus- toms to make their future home. Some times we forget we owe them respect.
 Miss Hickey told of the classes con- ducted last year in Stamford. Hartford and Thompsonville for the bettering Of conditions among the foreigners This year, she said, there are 72 classes being conducted in different parts of the state. South Manchester has a home" teacher who conducts IA classes. She visits va rious homes where these classes are held She is not a volunteer worker but Is paid by the town.
 The Connecticut Council of Catholic Women of New Haven and Meriden have taken up this work among the foreign born women of their towns Miss Hickey was given vote of thanks at the close of her talk.
 The annual business meeting of the council followed, with Miss Mahoney pre- siding. Miss Anna McGrory, the secre- tary, read her annual report, which was accepted, and the annual report of the treasurer. Miss Grace Reed, which was also accepted, showed a balance of $374.34 on hand.
 The nominating committee, headed by Mrs. William T. McGarry. presented the following names for the new executive committee:
 St. Patricl1's parish-Mrs Joseph Mayo. Mrs. Thomas Burns Miss Mary shannon, Mrs. Patrick F. Sweeney and Miss Anna McGrory.
 St. Marys' parish-Mrs. James Purdon Mrs. D. F.. Connor, Mrs. Thomas Shea, Mrs. J. B. Caron and Miss Sadie Driscoli Norwich Town-Miss Agnes White and Miss Nellie Kingsley. Honorary member | Miss Jane Mahoney.
 The committee report was accepted and | the above ladies declared elected The election of new officers resulted as follows: President, Miss Mary Shannon vice president. Miss May Mahen; secre- tary. Miss Anna McGrory; treasurer I Miss Agnes White.
 Hospital Visitation.
 The hospital visitation committees re- | port, prepared by Miss Mary Shannon 1 was read as follows:
 At the organization of the Norwich i council over year ago Miss Boylan sug- | gested that one thing we might do was l to appoint committees to visit the locaI l hospitals. When we asked her what kind | of work was to be done there, she said
 
 i is needed"
 F. So we first thought it wise to confer with the head of each institution and state our case, being very anxious to dc nothing in the beginning whic might in- terfere with hospital rules. etc. We were most cordially received by some of the superintendents, although some did not understand at first the kind of work we were trying to do. However, in each institution we have found our way to the friendless and neg lected. which is all we asked
 At the state hospital for the insane i there are now over 1,500 patients. We have received eight names from Hartford, one from Meriden council, one from Waterbury, five from Norwich l friends. Twenty-one visits have been made. and besides the jellies, candy, etc We have brought, we have had requests for rosary beads and other religious ar. | ticles which we have been able to fur nish.
 There is a great deal of work to be