On This Day, 26 September 1917

Birmingham Daily Post

Wednesday 26 September 1917

THE CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN’S SOCIETY

CO-OPERATION WITH THE YMCA

At the bi-monthly conference of the Catholic Young Men’s Societies in the Birmingham Archdiocese, held at Erdington Abbey, Brother F. J. Rudman presiding, reports from various parishes in Birmingham, Warwick, and Coventry showed continued activity in the religious and social work of the societies, several branches making concentrated efforts on behalf of boys. A revival of the society’s activity at St. Ambrose’s Kidderminster, was noted with satisfaction.

The President read a letter received from Archbishop McIntyre, who assured the C.Y.M.S. of his great interest in their undertakings. He trusted to be with them at an early date to resume the great work they all had at heart. It is felt that the presence of Archbishop McIntyre would be a powerful stimulus to the C.Y.M.S. in Birmingham.

A discussion upon the report of the deputation to the Y.M.C.A. with reference to their proposals to deal with men on the demobilisation of our soldiers after the war produced a general feeling that the great problem of providing our men must be tackled with energy, and that every Catholic solider on his return should be put in touch with some suitable society.

Father Lambert Nolle pointed out that if there could be a union of effort between the C.Y.M.S. and the Y.M.C.A., it would doubtless secure more satisfactory results.

Canon Wheatley proposed, and it was agreed, that the Executive Committee should still further consider the Y.M.C.A. scheme, and if possible indicate some definite lines of co-operation consistent with the Catholic principles of the C.Y.M.S. It was also decided to begin an organisation movement to spread the C.Y.M.S. in other towns of the Birmingham Archdiocese.