The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom was established in 1891. Fr David Waring had become a White Cross Ransomer, and H C Tierney, editor of the Welshman and described as one of the leading Catholics of the town was appointed District Ransomer for Carmarthen.
In 1896 permission was given to establish the Apostleship of Prayer and the League of the Sacred Heart.
In May 1909 the Catholic Mothers Needlework Guild was started in Carmarthen, with Fr George Dobson elected as honorary President. Meetings were held each week in two rooms in Quay Side. It brought non- Catholics in contact with the priests. Two converts were under instruction and both of these were ascribed to the good influence of the Guild.
The Confraternity of the Passion for the men was established during the Mission preached in the church by Fr Hilary, Provincial Consultor, in 1910. It enabled people living in the world to become affiliated to the Passionist Order and partake of all its spiritual advantages by wearing the Black Scapular of the Passion and following certain simple rules.
The Carmarthen Celtic Football Club was granted use of a field at the rear of the White Horse Hotel, Priory Street its games and sports for the term of five months beginning Dec 1st 1926, at a rent of £1 per month.
A youth team, the Shamrock Rovers A.F.C. played in a field behind the church in the 1930s.
The Association for the Propagation of the Faith was formally established in the parish on October 21st 1928. Seven special members were enrolled paying their first an- nual membership subscriptions of £1-1-0 each. 101 Ordinary members enrolled, subscriptions 2/6, per an- num, 60 children became Associates of the Holy Childhood.
1938 saw the setting up of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine study circle at the express wish of the Bishop. The inaugural meeting was held in St Mary’s Assembly Hall on Wednesday January 12th when Fr Rector presided. Twenty eight members were present at the first meeting.
Catholic Boy Scouts Troop – (6th Carmarthen); One of the first acts of Fr John Francis as parish priest was the formation of a Catholic Boy Scouts Troop in the parish, and also the formation from amongst the younger Catholic boys of a ‘Cubs’ section to take their place afterwards in the Scouts Troop.
The investiture of the 6th Carmarthen Troop took place on the after- noon of St Patrick’s day in the Scouts Den, (1940) on the occasion of the presentation of the Scout’s highest award to Patrol Alec Tobin (a Catholic boy Scout already in the Scouts) for bravery and great endurance of pain and suffering caused by many eye operations. Names of 6th Carmarthen: James Davies, Stephen Thomas, Patrol Leaders; 1. Lawrence McCarthy, 2. Geoffrey Power, 3. Arnold Thomas, 4. E Rogers, 5. Gerald Murphy, 6. Derek Murphy, 7. I Hannigan 8. Gerald Davies 9. J Davies
In February 1945 a Boys Club was formed in St Mary’s Hall under the care of Sr Henri and Fr Rector as Chaplain. About a dozen boys of school age enjoyed various indoor games on Thursday evenings until 7.30 when they attended devotions.
In November 1948 Fr Anthony started a Youth Club in the parish which was very successful – meetings were held on Tuesday and on Sundays after devotions. It brought many young people out to Benediction. Various games were provided in the Hall for their amusement – also refreshments.
On January 4th 1953 the Legion of Mary was founded in the parish with Father Canice appointed as its Spiritual Director.
The Union of Catholic Mothers was formed in Carmarthen in 1953. On 10th May 1953 the first general Rally of the Union of Catholic Mothers of the whole of south Wales was held at St Mary’s Retreat.
A Youth Club was formed on November 30th 1961, with Fr Timothy in charge. ‘We hope by this club to keep the school leavers and Grammar School children more together and keep them away from the non-Catholic clubs in town. The enthusiastic beginning and the spirit of Fr Timothy give high hopes for the success of this venture’.
In January 1966 the Youth Club to be known as the Cardijn Youth Centre was blessed and opened by the Very Rev Fr Bonaventure, C.P. First Provincial Consultor. The Young Christian Workers (YCW) based on the
Cardijn Centre established sections in Swansea, Newcastle Emlyn, Burry Port, Llanelli and Cardiff. Bishop Petit requested a a YCW section in every parish.
Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Ken Davies
In the early 1960’s Fr. Marcellus was instrumental in the building of new club rooms for the Catholic Men’s Association.
A Church choir was reformed in January 1971. Everyone who could
sing was eligible. The appeal urged that ‘no matter how indifferent a
singer you may be, the singing of hymns with sincerity is a most helpful and beautiful way of praising God, and everyone in the congregation is urged to ‘Have a go’. Don’t be shy: sing up as loud as you like; the louder the better! Be enthusiastic in the worship of your Creator – sing!’ It was announced that there would be singing at all Masses.
On 9th April 1972 it was announced that a Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul had been set up in our parish. This movement of charity and apostolate whose aims to visit and help those who are in need, wherever this is possible.
A Boxing Club started in October 1979. It catered for Boys from the age of 7 years in the Youth Club building, under the auspices of St Mary’s Club.
A Junior Presidium of the Legion of Mary for young people aged 12- 18 held its first meeting on 21st May 1984.
A new Parish Centre containing a small parish hall, a clubroom and billiard room was officially opened by Bishop Hannigan on the 6th November, 1984.
