New Catholic Centre — Ozanam House, Blessed by the Bishop — Work of St. Vincent De Paul Society

Galway Observer, September 13, 1930

Ozanam House which is situated in St. Augustine Street, is a commodious building and will in future be the headquarters of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a centre of other Catholic societies in Galway.

His Lordship was met at Ozanam House by two troops of the Galway Catholic Boy scouts who formed a guard of honour and were inspected by his Lordship before he entered the premises.

His Lordship who was accompanied by R. Rev Dean Considine, P.P., V.G., blessed the building in presence of a large number of prominent citizens, and clergy, and representatives of Galway University and other colleges, also members of the Urban Council and Co. Council, and other public bodies.

Mr. John M. Leech; President of the Galway Particular Council, said — "This day has been long looked forward to by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Galway — the day when suitable premises would be available for the activities of the Society. The necessity for a building where persons, intersected in Catholic social interests may meet has long been felt, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who have now so many activities in the city, considered it was part of their duty to provide such a hall. The need for this building was frequently referred to by your Lordship's illustrious predecessor, who took such an interest in the work of the Society, and your Lordship has also favored the acquisition of suitable premises to house the activities of the Society, and your presence here today is proof if such were needed of your approval of the steps taken by the Society. Our Right Reverend Dean has also shared the opinion that there was a need for this building and in our Councils has advocated and approved of the undertaking and given us much helpful advice with regard to this house.

"We have now seven conferences of the Society in Galway under the direction of the Particular Council. The activities of all these Conferences we hope in time to be directed from here. In addition, this is not a mere formality that I am the Apostleship of the Sea, a branch of which was recently formed in Galway, and with the extension of the shipping at our port the work of the branch will prove helpful to our Catholic men whose lives are spent at Sea. The Catholic Boy Scout movement is extending in Galway, and to the movement it is intended to give sufficient accommodation. Many of these boys are members of our Juvenile Conferences, and the training they get in the movement will fit them as worthy members of the Senior Conferences.