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\ • I I PAGE 4—THE BULLETIN, September o, j.ay9 JOSEPH BREIG WHAT TO DO ABOUT Ml. K I have no settled convictions about what Khrushchev should be shown in the U. S., or about whether his visit might do some good, or will inevitably do harm. I do know, however — and so do you —what would be the most effective thing that the people of America and the rest of the America and the rest of the world could do. That would be to pray — really pray, fervently and trust ingly. * I mean, pray that God’s will be done. That is the best pos sible prayer for the good of ev ery nation and every individ ual — including you and me and Khrushchev. The point is that God loves each of us boundlessly, and knows precisely what is best for us, and has the power to bring it about. I REALIZE that I am not say ing anything new. But I am saying something that tends to be forgotten. And it is enor mously more important than iebating about whether Khru shchev should visit a super- * Sarket, or a steel plant, or a de fense installation, or a typical American home — whatever that is. Vice President Nixon, I think, made an excellent point when he proposed to Khrushchev that they drink a toast to talk ing, “because if we’re talking we won’t have war.” Nixon also said that Khrushchev has a de lusion that millions of Ameri cans are anxious to revolt and establish communism in this country, and needs to see for himself that this is not true. Valuable also was the earlier advice of Cardinal Ottaviani, head of the Sacred Congrega tion of the Holy Office. He said that the Soviet Union must not be isolated. If it were, it would feel itself under siege, and re vive its revolutionary fervor. Free nations must continue ne gotiations, while guarding against fatal concessions. “The most important thing is to keep contact — not to close the Sov iet Union off.” NEVERTHELESS, I sympa thize also — and deeply —with to the U. S. are used by com munist officials to play on our emotions, idealisms and vani ties, solely for the purpose of undoing us. All those opinions, however— along with countless others, ex pressed by writers, politicians and “the man of the street” are after all mere human judg ments, subject to human falli bility, and above all to the hu man frality of seeing only one part or another part of the whole picture. Even cardinals and archbishops, when speaking on temporal affairs, may be grievously mistaken. But it is certain that God can end the menacing tensions of the cold war, and establish peace and international coope ration. FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO, God promised precisely that, if v/e would turn to Him with confidence and try to live ac cording to His will. At Fatima in Portugal, the Virgin Mary was sent by God to three shepherd children. She disclosed to them that World War I, then in progress would end soon, but that a more frightful world war would come not long afterward. The Virgin said to the chil dren that “Russia will spread her errors through the world, giving rise to wars and perse cutions.” Her words were spoken before the communists seized Russia and began using it as their instrument of lies and ag gressions. THE VIRGIN EEGGED man kind to turn to God. To bring this about, she asked us to pray the Rosary, to consecrate our selves to her Immaculate Heart, to receive Communion on the first Saturday of each month, and to offer sacrifices to God. Finally, she gave the children her pledge, “My Immaculate Heart will triumph: Russia will be converted, and an era of peace will be granted to man kind.” Cardinal Cushing of Boston, therefore, took the completely logical step with respect to Khrushchev’s visit to America. He opposed the invitation, but once it was issued, he announc ed a novena in honor of Our Lady of Fatima, to begin the day Khrushchev arrives. We could be wrong on every thing else concerning this visit; Theology For The Layman the position of Archbishop Wil- but we cannot make a mistake liam O. Brady of St. Paul. He by following Cardinal Cushing’s denounced the invitation to lead. And doing that will be a Khrushchev as “stupid” and trillion times more profitable “shameful,” because such visits than denouncing Khrushchev. (By F. J. Sheed) CHRIST, GOD AND MAN (1) Understanding what Christ is — in so far as a beginning of understanding may be made here below — is essential to understanding what He does. We can, of course, decide not to bother with understanding, to build our whole spirit ual life upon love and obe dience. T h i s attitude may be at best pro- found intel lectual ' humility, at worst total intellectual unconcern. Either way it is impoveresh- ment, a refusal of nourishment which the soul should have. To be willing to die for the truth that Christ is God is a glorious thing, but there is no glory in holding the phrase simply as a phrase, the riches in it never made our own. Christ was a carpenter, the sort of man whom any of the neighbors could have called upon to make a plough or a doorframe. There was one such in every village of Palestine. What was special about this one is that at the same time He was infinite God, who had made all things of nothing (including the customer whose order He was executing, including in deed His own body and soul), who enlightened every man that came into this world. To say as much as this is to speak a mys tery. We must begin to -know what we are saying. The key to our making the reality our own lies in the dis tinction between person and na ture. If possible, read over arti cles eleven and twelve, where these terms are examined for the light they shed upon the doctrine of the Trinity. On the chance that that may not be possible for all readers, let us look at some points of the dis tinction here. The nature any thing has decides what it is — to take the example closest to us, we who possess a human na ture, a union of spiritual soul and matter, are men. But na ture, though it answers the ques tion what, does not answer the (Continued on Page 5) By Brian Cronin 1. Immediately prior to his election, Pope John XXIII was: (a) Archbishop of Milan? (b) Vatican Secretary of State? (c) Patriarch of Venice? (d) Papal Delegate to France? 2. Presenting the infant Jesus at the Temple, the Holy Family met a holy, old man who had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen Jesus, His name was: (a) Saul? (b) Simon? (c) Simeon? (d) Samuel? 3. To whom did God give the answer “My name is ‘I am’ ”? .(a) Peter? (b) Moses? (c) Pilate? (d) Noah? 4. The feast of Candlemas, on which candles are blessed in a special ceremony, commemorates: (a) The Presentation? (b) The finding of the child Jesus? (c) The Circumcision? (d) The Annunciation? 5. The lati'n words ‘Missa Cantata’ refer to: (a) A book of hymns? (b) A missal? (c) A sung Mass? (d) A choir? 6. Who found the relics of the True Cross in Jerusalem about 318? (a) St. Helena? (b) St. Veronica? .(c) St. An thony? (d) St. Christopher? 7. The Bible records that God said on the First Day: (a) “Let there be a firmament between the water”? (b) “Let the waters be full of life . . .”? (c) “Let there be light”? (d) “Let the waters collect in one place . . .”? St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was the foundress of: (a) The Poor Clares? (b) The Sisters of Charity? (c) The Mission ary Sisters of the Sacred Heart? (d) The Sisters of St. Francis? 8 Give yourself 10 marks for each correct answer below. Rating: 80-Excellent; 70,-Very Good; 60-Good; 50-Fair. Answers: 1 (c); 2 (c); 3 (b); 6 (a); 7 (c); 8 (c). 4 (a); 5 (c); SHARING OUR TREASURE Good Example Leads Wife Into Church By REV. JOHN A. O'BRIEN, Ph. D. ., (University of Noire Dame) Jottings ... (By BARBARA C. JENCKS) (By David Q. Lipiak) Q. Would you please list for me ihe rules for meeting and ad dressing a bishop? Recently I was present at a public ceremony at which a bishop was a guest of honor. Although all who were there were Catholic laymen, I was amazed at the number who had no idea at all as to how to greet the bishop. A few of the men even used the word "Sir." And while we're on the subject, how does one address a Monsi gnor? And when addressing a priest, when does one use "Fa ther" as distinguished from "Reverend?" A. When meeting an archbishop in his province, or a bishop in his diocese, Catholics should genuflect on the right knee and kiss the episcopal ring (this is done simply by placing the lips to the ring). The proper term of address is “Your Excellency.” The less formal titles “Arch- bishon” and “Bishop” are also widely used and acceptable, ex cept of course on more solemn occasions, such as during the public introduction of a bishop before an audience. Cer+mnlv it is highly improper for Catholics to call a bishop “Sir.” MONSIGNORS may be ad dressed as such (i. e., “Monsi gnor” N. N., or simply ’’Monsi gnor”), though on formal occa sions, the full title should be used (i. e.. “Right Reverend Monsignor” N. N., or “Very Rev erend Monsignor” N. N., as the case may be). The fact as to whether a monsignor possesses the title “Right Reverend” or “Very Reverend” should be checked before an introduction, if possible. The vast majority of monsignors here have the title “Right Reverend,” however. PRIESTS are addressed ordi narily as “Father.” The formal title is “Reverend Father” or “Reverend” (assuming that (Continued on Page 5) • "America ought to be friend of the whole world, instead it is the country that is least liked.” So says French Domini can Raymond Bruckberger, au thor of the widely acclaimed “Image of America.” The French priest reports that only silence surrounded his book’s publica tion in France as there is a “con spiracy of silence issued for bidding anyone to speak intel ligently of America. If you try to disturb the myth that Ameri ca is barbarous; you are shoved aside.” This he reports in a re cent N. Y. Times interview. It is not difficult to trace the source of the myth which is rather universal in Europe. We can blame those in charge of circulating American books and movies abroad. In short, the blame can be placed at the State Department’s door. America’s stock appears to be up in Rus sia but the myth is perpetuated on the pages of “Pravda” and in the Russian libraries and movies houses while our exhibit there hails the common man. Even the art we feature under lines the ugly myth. While, we would assume the role of Sir Gallahad on the world scene, too much of the world sees us as a nation of sybarites, drunks, juvenile deliquents, murderers, lynchers, anti-semites, labor racketeers, crooked politicians and sex maniacs, thanks to our books anti movies. • NEWMAN once said that we cannot write a sinless literature about a sinful man. Current American novelists are apt to be far more concerned with the evils, the abberations than the commonplace. There are a few American books which do pres ent us as humans, less than the angels and better than the beasts. Why are they not more widely circulated? We spend billions M defense and good will tours while we are sabo taged in this most important area. Several years ago in this column I repeated a plea of a German girl for books “about nice Americans.” Spoonfed on criminal gangland stores and racial prejudice and adultry then she grew to hate and fear Americans. After the war, she found out that Americans were far different than the characters who walked the pages of the novels she had read. “Lolita” succeeded “Peyton Place” on the best-seller list last year and to gether they are probably doing the rounds on the American bookshelves abroad. Book pub lishers seemed to delight in re porting that “Peyton Place” neared the all-time sale figure of “The Holy Bible.” Today, they continue to report the sky scrapping figures in the mucky ■ scamper after “Lady Chatterer’s Lover” which is hardly being read for literary style or a view of English chateau life. The only consolation perhaps is that it is not written by an American. • RECENTLY, a Boston tele vision station conducted a pro gram entitled: “Reading List for Khruschev,” for his American visit. Unfortunately, I saw the notice of the program too late but I have wondered what books were suggested. Few of the current bestsellers show us other than ugly Americans. Ex ception would be the best sel ling Harry Golden books “Only in America” and “For Two Cents Plain.” There are of course the old standbys: Mark Twain, Thoreau, Henry James. Heading my list would be the works of Thomas Wolfe but the translation job would cer tainly be a nightmare. More re cently I would suggest James A. Gee’s Pultizer Prize winner of 1957, “Death in the Family.” (Coat-imied on Page 5) By Rev. John A. O'Brien, Ph. D. (University of Notre Dame) Do you want to win a soul for Christ? If so, set a good example and bear witness to the truth, beauty and holiness of your Faith when the occasion offers. Soon you will be kind ling the spark that will lead a pilgrim across the Church’s spa cious t h r e s- hold. This is illustrated by the experience of Bonnie Jean Wilson of Grand Haven, Michigan. “I was reared as a Methodist,” related Bonnie, “attended Sun day School and sang in the choir. While attending high school I met Victor McFadden and soon we began to date. I found that Vic was a devout Catholic who not only practiced his religion but also loved it. When I visited his home, I was struck by the holy pictures, the prayers before and after meals, and its religious atmosphere. “On our dates Vic would often tell me how much his religion meant to him, and would ex plain some of its teachings .Then, when Christmas came, he took me to Midnight Mass and gave me a missal so I could follow it. While I didn’t understand all the ceremonies, I was deeply impressed by the reverence and devotion of the worshippers. In deed I had the feeling that this was truly the house of God. “Vic joined the marines and was sent to Korea. I missed him greatly and found some relief by attending Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s and using the mis sal he gave me. I continued to visit his family and got some additional pointers on how to use the missal from his sister. They too encouraged me to pray that Vic would come back alive from the Korean conflict. “He did, but he was severely wounded. When he was receiv ing the last rites in Korea, he shook his head and told the “Comforting too is the knowl edge that through the sacra ments streams of grace come to us, sanctifying our souls and strengthening us to meet all dan gers. Especially appealing is the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the tabernacle. In the Mass He is offered up as a Victim for man’s redemption and in Holy Communion He comes into our souls to nourish and strengthen us. “Overwhelming too is the evi dence of the divine foundation of the Catholic Church 15 cen turies before a single Protestant sect saw the light of day. Here was the fullness of divine truth for which I had so long been groping. I could delay no longer. I was received into the Church by Father O’Hara and received my first Holy Communion at Christmas Midnight Mass. “What memories of that first Christmas Mass I attended with Vic years ago flooded my soul. No longer was I a stranger, on the outside looking in but, along with Vic and our four children, a member of Christ’s true Church — His Mystical Body.” Father O’Brien will he grate ful to readers ivho know of any one who has won two or more converts if they will send the names and addresses of such per sons to him at Notre Dame Uni versity, Notre Dame, Indiana. EMPHASIS ON FATHER’S ROLE IS URGED AT NCCW MEETING Risks In Khrushchev Visit THE BACKDROP chaplain that he would pull through. Invalided back to the states, Vic was sent to the Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, where more shrapnel was taken from his body and he was fitted with an artificial left hand. “I went out there, took pre marital instructions from Fa ther Patrick Stack in Castro Valley and we were married in June 1951. Later I took a com plete course from Father Ed ward O’Hara back in Grand Haven. Here I learned the beau tiful truth that the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ and that its members are incorpo rated into His living body and share His divine life. A great many American ob servers, in and out of Congress, have grave misgivings about the forthcoming visit of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the United States. These skep tics have se rious doubts that the visit will accom plish the ends the President and his advis ers have in mind. They are apprehensive lest a face- to-face encounter with the wily communist leader may confuse the American people, reduce their awareness of the commun ist threat and encourage a false sense of security. SUPPOSED IGNORANCE The justification most fre quently offered for President Eisenhower’s invitation to the Soviet Premier to visit the United States is that such a vis it will correct dangerous mis conceptions about this country which exist in the Kremlin. Recent visitors to the Soviet Union, notably Vice President Nixon and former Governor Averell Harriman, of New York, have reported that Khrushchev is woefully uninformed about the military and economic strength of the United States. Their story is that the Soviet leader believes that our system of private enterprise is on the verge of collapse, our defenses far inferior to his own, and our people^ out of sympathy with their government’s policy with By JOHN C. O’BRIEN respect to the cold war. Although the Soviet Union maintains a perceptive Ambas sador in the United States and two deputy premiers have re cently toured our country, they are so in awe of the Soviet dic tator, the American visitors have reported, that they have not dared to tell their boss any thing about the United States that would conflict with his pre conceived notions. Without reflecting on the judgment of either the Vice President or former Governor Harriman, many qualified American observers, have con fessed to difficulty in accept ing the reports of Khrushchev’s supposed abysmal ignorance. These observers doubt that a brief visit, crowded with state functions, will achieve the re education of the Soviet leader that the sponsors of the visit hope for. Nothing in the way of mili tary strength that may fall un der Khrushchev’s eye is likely, the skeptics maintain, to equal the information the Kremlin al ready has gleaned through one of the most intelligent and effi cient spy systems in the world. Khrushchev already has at his fingertips complete and accu rate information about our mil itary potential. INTERPRETATION Nor, suggest the critics of the proposed visit, will a tour of the United States add to the Soviet Premier’s knowledge of the capacity of the American economy. There is every indica tion that already he fully recog nizes our superiority. On many occasions he has acknowledged it and repeatedly he has held up the American economy to his own people as the model which they must seek to emu late. If we hope to impress Khru shchev by the geographical size of the United States, we may expect to be disappointed. For the Soviet Union is teritorially more expansive than the United States. Undoubtedly, Khrushchev will be impressed by the high standard of living in this coun try, by the conveniences and the luxuries available to American workmen. But the question is whether he will in terpret this as a sign of strength, as the Administration hopes, or as a sign of weakness, frivolousness and softness. See ing us seemingly engaged in an endless pursuit of ease and com fort, will he conclude that we are incapable of the sacrifices and the discipline necessary for the defense of our liberties? There is even the chance, cri tics of the visit point out, that the Soviet dictator will mistake friendliness for fear, kindness for softness and courteousness for submissiveness. Will he con clude that we welcome him with politeness because we dare not offend a leader who com mands so much military might? Now that the decision to en tertain the commmunist leader has been taken, we must go through with it. We all can hope that the visit will do no harm, if it does no good. But the risks are real and very great. Father Wharton’* ATCHISON, Kansas — A concerted effort to “put father back in the home” was recom mended by participants in a regional training conference of the National Council of Cath olic Women at Mt. St. Scholas tics College here. Some 250 Catholic women from 14 dioceses in the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Iowa attended the confer ence. Its theme was:.“The Cath olic Woman . . . Her Commun ities ... A Design for Partici pation.” tration on removing discrimina tion in housing as a core prob lem in interracial relations. “A belief in the inherent growth potential of each indi vidual, regardless of age,” was emphasized in the workshop on the aging. The group asked that we view “old age not as the end of life as years decline, but as the period of self-fulfillment in which may be enjoyed deep and abiding satisfaction.” On the international level, ex tensive citizen support of the World Refugee Year was rec- The recommendation for ommended. Prayers for the sne- family-centered parish activi- cess of the year as well as sup- ties, emphasizing the comple- P°H of NCCW’s foreign relief mentary roles of mother and project’s to assist refugee fam- father in the family, was made hies through Catholic Relief in a workshop on youth and Services — National Catholic child welfare. Welfare Conference were rec- Participants studying Inter- ommended for parish organi- group relations urged concen- ~zation action. ~ FUCHSIAS IN THE DARK Trying to illustrate in my ser mon how God answers our pray ers in His own way, I pointed out that He knows which of us grows best in sunlight, and which of us must have shade. “You know you plant roses in the sunlight,” I said, “but if you want your fuchsias to grow, they must be kept in a shady nook.” After Mass a lady came up to me, face radiant. “Father,” she said, “I’m so grateful for your splendid sermon.” I must admit my heart glowed for a moment. But then she went on fervently: “Yes, I never knew before just what was the matter with my fuchsias.” This little incident demon strates three things: we should take praise with a grain of salt, people may digest the frosting of the sermon and not eat the cake, and fuchsias grow in the dark. However, I stand by my original point: God knows best how to answer our prayers. Often we fail to realize this. That’s why some assume a what’s-the-use attitude and give up praying. Or they begin to put only half a heart into their prayers when they’re not an swered Air Mail, Special Angel. It’s a lopsided view of prayer, anyway, that considers it just asking for something. This is only one part of prayer. It’s like going to the beach and sticking your little toe in the water. You’re missing the best part. Prayer life — whether public like the Mass, or private like a quick plea for strength to sur vive the kids — consists pri marily adoring God. It is an acknowledgement of our de pendence on our Creator. Another part of prayer should be thanking God. Even if we’re sure everyone else gets all the “breaks,” we can thank Him for the breath of life in us, for our family and friends, or for the cool weather after a hot spell. Telling our Savior how sorry we are for our sins should be an element of our prayer. Let’s hope you’re not one of those who feel that their halos are already polished un. If we’re honest, we must admit we fall seven times daily. Maybe more. Then, last and least, we come to asking for things. This feature is obviously the least important because there’s more selfishness in it. Not that we can’t be sel fish about the right things. You can put in petitions aplenty if you carry out the following sug gestions, which I call Robert’s Rules of Rogation. Attention to prayer is the first requisite. If you don’t keep your eyes on the road, you really don’t care if the car goes off of it. If you talk to the Lord while View from tis© Hcciorj you’re admiring the fruit bowl hat atop the woman in front of you, you’re among the gang Christ referred to when He said: “These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Might as well be at the hall park if our mind is there. Maybe you’re the type whose mind flits from “aardvark” to “zymur- gy.” Perhaps you often find your prayer like this: “Hail, Mary, full of grace ... I wonder if I put out the lights at home . . . the Lord is with thee . . . my, that’s a pretty chasuble the priest is wearing ...” There’s still hope, however, as long as you keep pushing out those un wanted thoughts. In fact, the struggle can make the prayer quite pleasing to God. Another tip for thoughtful prayer: don’t neglect pre-prayer preparation. Try to get in the mood. If you’re squabbling with the wife all the way to church, it’s no wonder you find it hard to concentrate on Mass. And reverent posture — not that Sunday Slouch so popular for church pews — will help the soul to kneel up straight. Humility, too, is an essential quality of prayer. If you want something from the boss, you don’t saunter into his office un announced, prop your feet on his desk and loudly demand a raise. But we sometimes mental ly saunter into God’s office, slouch down and demand some thing. We’re beggars in prayer, because the Lord doesn’t real ly owe us a thing. Except a clout, maybe. ^ Remember our Lord’s parable 1 about the Pharisee and the j Publican? The modern Phari- ■ see’s prayer is just about as worthless as the old boy’s; “Many graces are coming to me, Lord, because I gave generously to the Charities collection, I bought my wife a box of candy, I received Communion this month, and I didn’t scream at the kids this week.” The Pub lican’s grief over his own sin fulness it better — for all of us. Perseverance, or perhaps we t might call it stick-to-it-ive-ness, is another must in our prayers. If we give up after a refusal or a delay in the response, we’re just poor sports. The Savior told a parable about a man who kept knocking on his neighbor’s door until he gave him the three loaves of bread he wanted. This isn’t a divine invitation to make pests of ourselves. The story means simply we should not give up if the answer to our prayer is slow in coming. The reply might be on its way by slow boat around the Cape of Good Hope. St. Monica, to give a classic example, stormed heaven in be half of her wayward son for 18 years. Thank heaven she didn’t stop after 16. Her prayers paid off in her son’s eventual conver sion, and he became that great bishop and doctor of the Church, St. Augustine. So confidence, joined to a resignation to God’s will, is a sure-fire formula. Even the best prayer won’t necessarily bring automatic results, of course. If it did, there would be a run on prayer like the world has never seen. Even Khrushchev would try his hand at it. The sure secret of success in supplication is sincerity. Not everyone can be quite like the little boy who, when his prayer for snow was answered, looked up into the sky and cried, “Atta boy, God. Keep up the good work.” But we can all try to imitate such sincerity which surely gets top priority in the heavenly courts. Ittllrtut 416 8TH ST., AUGUSTA, GA. Published fortnightly by the Catholic Laymen’s Association of Georgia, Inc., with the Approbation of the Most Reverend Arch bishop-Bishop of Savannah, The Most Reverend Bishop of Atlanta and the Right Reverend Abbot Ordinary of Belmont. Subscription price $3.00 per year. Second class mail privileges authorized at Monroe, Georgia. Send notice of change of address to P. O. Box 320, Monroe, Georgia. REV. FRANCIS J. DONOHUE REV. R. DONALD KIERNAN Editor Savannah Edition Editor Atlanta Edition JOHN MARK WALTER Managing Editor Vol. 40 Saturday, September 5, 1959 No. 7 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 1958-1959 GEORGE GINGELL, Columbus President MRS. DAN HARRIS, Macon Vice-President TOM GRIFFIN, Atlanta Vice-President NICK CAMERIO, IMacon Secretary JOHN T. BUCKLEY, Augusta Treasurer ALVIN M. McAULIFFE, Augusta Auditor JOHN MARKWALTER, Augusta Executive Secretary MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta Financial Secretary