PIONEERING SOCIAL GUILD COUNCIL

REPORTS ON MGR. GODFREY TO
"LONDON'S SCHOOL OF
SOCIAL STUDIES" Were Arrested
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EAST LONDON COUNCIL OF THE C.S.G.
The first genpral meeting of the East London Council of the Catholic Social Guild was held on Friday last, dune 30, at Limehouse Town Hall.
Special interest attaches to the activities of this group of the Guild because it is under their auspices that the East London School of Catholic Social Studies was inaugurated.
The activities and rapid growth
of interest in this, Londons' only organised school of Catholic Social Studies, which doubled the numbers of its students within a month, were fully described in the CATHOLIC HERALD Ronne time back.
The school, which is at present housed at the Schools of SS. Joseph and Mary, Wade Street, meets on two evenings a week and runs four organised courses of lectures.
A Doctrinal Course covering Morals, Apologetics and Church History, a Special Doctrinal Course covering Scripture and Liturgy, a Course in Social Science, and the fourth in Economics.
Bishop Mathew's Interest
It was revealed at the meeting that Mgr. David Mathew, Bishop Auxiliary of Westminster, has consented to become President of the Administrative Board for the year 1939-40; and Fr. John Murray, S.J., the editor of the Month and a well-known preacher, is the Chairman. .
" I think it is an excellent idea," said Fr. Murray, interviewed by the CATHOLIC HERALD, " and one which has great possibilities." It is interesting to note the scope the work at this East London School of Catholic Studies is giving Catholic students from the London School of Economics, several of whom have taken an active part in the work of the School in the past term and look forward to the coming session.
"It is something definite in Catholic Action that they can do, for which their special qualifications particle/arty suit them."
Tribute To Founder
The Secretary, Mr Patrick Fagan, to whose indefatigable labours the success of the School is in no small measure due, presenting his report, paid a warm tribute to Fr. C. C. Clump, S.J., whose continued labours on behalf of the C.S.G. led him to found the School he felt was so badly needed.
Fr. Clump was also largely responsible for the first organised Week-end School of Social Studies under the auspices of the Guild at Woodford Green over the Whitsun holiday.
Rivals In The North
Fr. Clump has now returned to India, but the work he has founded promises to go from strength to strength and give London a School of Social Studies as active and effective in bringing the social doctrines of the Church to the young worker as the flourishing institutions in Manchester, Blackburn, Bolton and Liverpool.
The average attendance at the classes has been about 30 and the ages of the students ranged from 18 to 26. " They are all tremendously keen," I was told.
Another pleasing feature mentioned in the report was the loyal and wholehearted co-operation the Guild had received in the matter of the School from other Catholic organisations.
The year finished showing a slight credit. balance—which, when it Is remembered that the fees for the course are— to be within reach of those it is intended for—as low as 2d. a lecture, is a great achievement.
This balance is destined for " the development of the School."
The Circle set out in their report their ambition to see a Study Circle in every parish; these would feed the School. For this end they intend to concentrate on pushing the Social Guild and all its works.
" The presence among the pioneers of the East London College of one or two members of the Guild who have passed through the workers' college, Oxford, is significant. These men and women are anxious to multiply in their own districts the advantages of sound training in Catholic studies," I was told.
The East London Circle are looking forward to the " Michaelmas Term," which opens on Monday, September 11, to consolidate the work of the first year.
The Administrative Board of the School for the year 1939-40, which was elected at the meeting, is constituted as follows: President : Mgr. David Mathew, Bishop of Aeliae.
Chairman : Fr. John Murray, S.J. Vice-Chairman : Mr J. Branagan. Director of Studies : Mr R. Brech. Treasurer : Mr J. McCarthy. Miss M. M. Cullen is the member on the Board representing the staff.