IS IN THE RED
By Peter OkeII
DESPITE an increase both in membership and in the sale of pamphlets. the Salford Diocesan branch of the Catholic Truth Society is in the red. This is revealed in the Society's annual report for 1962-63, just published, which shows that although. membership of the Society went up by about 30 per cent-front 1.896 to 2,330-and the sale of pamphlets increased from 136.000 to 148,000, the Society showed a trading loss of £1,871 I Is. 10d. on the year's working.
The Society's new premises in
South King Street are only a
short distance from the old, but they are in a less prominent position, and this is said to have taken the edge off trade as a whole. Shortage of space has limited the library facilities, and there are no longer the same facilities for looking at books and pamphlets.
In a bid to increase book sales, the Society has joined the Booksellers' and Publishers' Associations, which means that they can now sell and exchange book tokens.
The Secretary, Fr. Thomas Manley. told me that everything possible is being done to put the society in a better financial position.
The Society is making an all-out drive to recruit new members, particularly among the younger generation. Dr. E. J. Popham, President of the Salford C.T.S., has been visiting schools both in and outside the diocese. explaining the work of the Society and showing exhibitions of pamphlets. It is hoped that many schools will become box tenders and help the society.
Parishes have also been visited and questionnaires sent out to parish priests asking them about the state of the Society in their areas.
Steps have also been taken to decentralise the work of the Society,
and local sections of the C.T.S. have been started in several towns, including Burnley and Blackburn. In the New Year it is hoped to start local branches in Bolton and the Manchester area.
Top selling pamphlets in the past year were "My Mass". 4.000 copies; Simple Prayer Books. 10.000; and Catechisms, 13.000.
ForrrNcrre : Thc C.T.S. are staging a rally in honour of the 40 English and Welsh Martyrs at Samlesbury Hall, near Blackburn, former home of the Southworth family. on Sunday. September 1. 3.30 p.m.
Bishop Foley of Lancaster Will offer open-air Mass and Preach on the Martyrs.