The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1956-06-01

recognized fhe need for modi-
flying and expanding the ssen-
eisx and institutions Of mercy
and charity in the Diocese"
On Sept. Is, 1945, Bishop Rea-
dy established the Catholic We'll
fare Bureau, giving it response
bility for coordinating and direct
ing a program of charity to meet
the needs of the people of the
Diocese.
Family Counselling agencies
were set up and distressed and
bewildered families were helped
to marshal their own resources
and provide care for themselves.
Foster homes were sought;
child care experts believing that
every preschool child should be
cared for in a family.
Representatives of the Bureau
visited public and private agen-
cies to explain the services of
the Bureau and ask that all agen-
cies follow closely the state regu-
lations regarding ch il DIR en- S
rights to care by agencies and
institutions of their own religion.
Branch Offices Set Up
While the central office could
serve the people of the Central
Deanery, it was difficult to reach
the people at distance from Co
lumbus. In 1949 and 1850 branch
offices were opened in Newark
and GAINESVILLE.
Increasing their interest and
activity in community welfare
work, Catholic laymen and lay
women participated in such COM
munity projects as the Ohio Com
mission on Children and Youth,
the Governors Committee for
Refugees, the United Hospitals
Expansion Committee, the Coun-
Gil of Social Agencies, the Com
munity Chest, the United Appeals
and the Advisory Board of the
County Welfare Department.
The programs of the children's
institutions underwent a change.
The "mass" care of children was
changed to group-care.
Saint Euphrasia School center
ed its activities on helping the
adolescent girl. They strengthen
ed their academic program and
obtained a class "a" rating from
the Ohio Department of Educa-
ton.
Initiation Hits
During the 10 years from 1945
to 1855 initiation nearly doubled
the cost of living. The Diocesan
institutions needed increased fl
nancial support.
Through the efforts and help
of lay advisory boards substantial
increases were obtained from the
Community Chest in Columbus
and a new source of income was
secured from the United Funds in
Newark and GAINESVILLE.
Approximately $4,000 was
granted to the Diocesan institu-
tions in 1855 compared to $50, 400
received by four Catholic Insti-
tutionS in 1945.
Medical care and shelter to
many unwed mothers was pro-
vided. Pleas came from an aver
age of 100 girls each year from
1945 to 1855. They were helped
without distinction of race, col
or or religion. More than 80 came
from distant cities, each to re-
ceive protection and care at st.
AIMS Infant and Maternity
Home.
Sick Visited
The Dominican Sisters of the
Sick Poor continued their noble
work of visiting the homes of
poor persons who are unable to
pay for nursing care.
Bishop Ready also turned his
attention to caring for the grow
ing number of elderly people who
could not care for themselves. In
1949 he established st. Raphaeps
Home for the Aged which now
provides care and shelter for 80
residents.
| st. Rita's Home for Working
Girls was converted into a home
for the aged In 1949. The Car
melite Sisters also staff this
home for so guests.
Community Recreation services
were established, the Diocesan
Guidance center set up; ST. Vim.
cent de Paul society reactivated;
a diocesan resettlement commit
tee named and clothing and food
campaigns organized, all during
this 10 year period.
In addition, the people of the
diocese helped in the operation
of the U.S.0., served on commit
tees TO aid servicemen, and
worked on a National Catholic
Community service committee to
provide help for the patients at
the Veterans Hospital in Chilli
cothe.
The report concluded with Q
prayer to Almighty God TO "con,
tinue to shower His graces on the
poor and their helpers, lay and
religious, In the Diocese of Co
llumbus."