NEWS OF THE GUILDS

Catholic Evidence
21 Pitches, 31 Meetings a Week
The Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Evidence Guild was held on Friday, October 29. His Eminence Cardinal Hinsley presided.
A crowded meeting listened with interest to the Secretary's Report and the Cardinal's warm congratulations on the work of the In his report the Secretary said : " The Guild is now twenty years old and next year we have to celebrate its coming of age. We have settled into our stride and take for granted what might be called the steady job of teaching the Faith in season and out of season.
" The guild runs 31 meetings per week at 21 pitches. The work is carried on right through the year, winter and summer, with the exception of one pitch which is definitely a summer pitch.
" We are getting bigger crowds than ever, who are showing great interest and by their questions keep the speakers always on the alert.
" Needless to say this year has been full of interest for our speakers and it is more than ever apparent that the people of this country are sheep without a shepherd. This fact was brought out during the week of the crisis, for the crowds by their questions showed that they were worried about things in general and were anxious to learn something definite about the fundamental things that matter."
The Secretary then referred to the training courses, and made grateful acknowledgments to the many priests who help in these matters, and announced that four former members of the Westminster Guild were to receive the tonsure on the morrow, Saturday, October 29.
Continuing his report, he said: " Although the Guild exists primarily to lecture out-of-doors, there have been occasions when speakers have been asked to address the members of non-Catholic Societies. Such invitations increased during the past year. Speakers have addressed indoor meetings under the auspices of the National Secular Society on the " Existence of God "; th Society of Friends, on the " Catholic Approach to Religion and Life "; Toe H; Lloyds Bank, Limited; Park Chapel, Crouch End; Christ Church, Crouch End. Many Catholic Societies also have asked us to send speakers to address them; also the Rover Scouts and various Catholic parishes.
Printers' Guild
An association of Catholics devoted specifically to visiting and making friends of fellow Catholics and others in the Public Assistance Institutions is very desirable.
This suggestion was made by Mr. E. Sullivan at the conclusion of an address on " Who is my Neighbour?" to the Printers' Guild of St. John at a meeting held in the hall of the Sacred Heart Convent, Horseferry Road, London, last Sunday.
Mr. Sullivan, who is chairman of the Public Assistance Committee of the London County Council, showed how a cornplete reorientation of policy in dealing Guild with poor persons had come about in recent
years. On his own Council everything possible was being done to remove the stigma attaching to the " Poor Law," and he gave a wealth of detail to illustrate his point.
On the question of the Embankment " sleepers-out," Mr. Sullivan said sympathy for them was misplaced. There was no need for it. A special Welfare Office had been opened under the Charing Cross railway bridge to give all information to homeless and destitute people.
The Printers' Guild is open to all Catholics in the printing and allied trades, and information may be had from the Clerk, 13, Turner Buildings, S.W.1.
Bristol Transport Guild
Of a Retreat and Other Things
The Bristol Catholic Transport Guild, following the Annual Conference of Catholic Transport Guilds. which was held for the first time in Bristol on Sunday, October 25, took their Annual Retreat with the Benedictines at the Priory at Prinknash. Gloucester.
This is the second Retreat made there in the three years of the Bristol Guild's existence, and the effects of this one-day Retreat have been marked.
As 'Busmen and Railwaymen they are very much in the world during the year and tl :s day in which they " invade " the 100 per cent. Catholic tranquillity of the Priory is long remembered as a day apart from the world.
We are delighted to learn that one of our younger members has decided to enter the Order, and whilst we shall miss his living example, we shall have consolation in thankfulness in knowing that we have contributed to this " power-house of prayer."
The Father Abbot spoke to the Guild for some minutes before their leaving, telling them that it was planned to make this house a Retreat House, when the Order took up the building of the Abbey on ground nearby. His Lordship the Bishop of Clifton had given his Blessing to the scheme.
Interval Club
Actors' and Musicians' Retreat
A large number of actors and musicians attended the Day of Recollection, arranged by the Interval Club, at the Holy Child Convent, Cavendish Square, on Sunday last.
The MasS and Benediction were sung by the Interval Club choir, and Mass was served by an actor and by a member of the Catholic Musicians' Guild. Conferences were given by Fr. Francis Devas, Si., the club chaplain, and Fr. Mangan. S.J.
Some very interesting questions were raised after the conferences, dealing with war and spiritualism.
In the evening most of the retreatants dined at the Interval Club, and spent the evening entertained by music, songs, and an interesting description of the Budapest Congress, given by Eugene Leahy, who had represented the club there. Fr. Devas presided,