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Serving Georgia's 88 Southern Counties Vol. 40, No. 24 DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH MONROE, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1960 Published By The Catholic Laymen's Ass'n of Georgia 10c Per Copy — $3 a Yeai op JVicuonougn s tion Address iiISfil St. Paul, who was gifted with the vivid power of expression, described the Bishop as a stew ard in God’s house whose con duct must be beyond reproach. In addition, the self-styled Apos tle stated in essence that the Bishop, too, should possess the qualities of fatherly understand ing, tireless zeal, charity tem pered with justice, faultless in tegrity, and devoid of 'all com- ‘ promise' even in the face of threats and persecutions. Perhaps the most glorious title given to Bishops is that esteem ed prerogative of being succes sor to the Apostles, whom God directed to guide the early Church. When we allude to the Bishops of_ the Church as suc cessors of the Apostles, we are in reality not only confirming a dogmatic truth but at the same time indicating the historical source of their ministry, their teaching and their power. One of the early Church writ ers called the Bishop the “ap pearance of God” because he had been given the apostolic mandate to represent God to his people, to perpetuate the holy priest hood "and to be a laver of sal vation to the faithful. Pope Pius XII, of happy memory, in his treatise on the Mystical Body, proclaimed that Bishops are un ited by a very special bond to the Divine Head. Each one, as a true Shepherd, feeds the flock entrusted to him and rules in the name of Christ. It is the Bishop who gives unity to the Diocese; it is the Bishop, assisted by his priests, who preserves holiness in the portion of the Lord’s vineyard committed to his care. The role of the Bishop is a most responsible one because he has an integral part in the su preme mission of the Church to govern, to sanctify and to teach. The Bishop of a Diocese is the official teacher, the competent legislator and the Shepherd and Father of the faithful. From Apostolic times to the present Bishops have ruled the Church of Christ, conscious of the Lord’s words that . His Church will last until the end of time. On all sides, too, we are confronted with the heroic ex amples of Bishops, especially in those countries where the rights of God and man are suppressed and trampled under foot. Even in these areas of ruthless perse cution the Bishops have never ceased to promote the Church of Christ and to be harbingers of His peace, even though as con fessors and martyrs of the faith they have been exposed to pris on, exile and even death. All of these heroic men of God and staunch champions of the faith have stood forth resolutely like a light on the mountain which cannot be dimmed, because Christ gave that fire eternal light when He died on the cross. Every Bishop charged with the flock of Christ, whether in per secution or in freedom, must keep inviolate sound and ortho dox doctrine; must be the de fender of morality; bring about the effective correction of abus es; engender and promote un derstanding, docility and love of God, and prudently inaugu rate whatever measures are nec essary and profitable for the ad vancement of the faith. Thanks be to God, our beloved country which was founded un der the banner of freedom and liberty is not torn asunder by religious persecution. Thanks be to God, our country is guided by a constitution which welcomes the persecuted and the homeless. Thanks be to God, in our coun try Bishops of the Church of God are free to exercise unim peded their sacred functions. Our American way of life is clear because we trust in God. We are one nation indivisible under God with liberty and jus tice for all. When Our Holy Father grac iously deigned to appoint me the tenth Bishop of this venerable See of Savannah I was filled with respectful gratitude for such a signal honor. The new duties imposed upon me are gi gantic in potential. With a con scious recognition of my inabili ties, I pray that Almighty God in His Divine Providence will give me the necessary graces to dispatch my duties with spi ritual dedication and steadfast devotion. The Bishop, priests, re ligious and faithful of a Diocese must work as one, for only in such concerted unity will God’s Holy Name be glorified. The Diocese of Savannah, which dates back to 1850, is quite extensive in area, embrac ing 37,000 square miles. Within the confines of this ecclesiastical territory are included 88 coun ties, of which number only 16 have resident priests. There is an overall population of 1,700,- 000 people and less than 2% are Catholics. These statistics are most challenging because they tell what has been done in the past and what must be accom plished in the future. The Diocese of Savannah is rich in spiritual traditions. Nine Bishops have already served this Diocese and, through their he- SAVANNAH—Two Savannah Seminarians will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on Satur day, May 7th at 9 A. M., in the Cathedral of St. John the Bap tist, Savannah. Ordaining pre late will be the Most Rev. Tho mas J. McDonough, D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Savannah, The two men are the Rev. Mr. REV. MR. LUCREE Lawrence A. Lucree and the Rev. Mr. John J.-Fitspatrick. The youngest of six sons, Fa ther Lucree is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Lucree of 218 Liberty Street, Savannah. Born April 12, 1934, Father Lucree is a graduate of Cathedral Day School and Benedictine Military School. He received his Asso ciate of Arts degree at St. Ber nard Seminary, St. Bernard, Alabama before matriculating at St. Mary’s Seminary in Bal timore. After finishing his Phi losophy course there, the new Savannah Priest entered on Theology studies at St. Mary’s Major Seminary at Roland Park, Maryland in 1956. Father Lucree will celebrate his first Solemn Mass on Sun day, May 15th at 10:00 A. M. in the Cathedral at Savannah. Assisting the newly ordained Priest will be The' Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James McNamara, P.A., V.F., Rector of the Cathedral, roic and sacrificial deeds, have carved out an impressive spi ritual history which is scored with apostolic missionary la bors. From Bishop Gartland, the first Bishop of Savannah, to Archbishop O’Hara, the ninth Bishop, the works of Christ have been multiplied many times over. This Diocese, even though large in territory, can boast of churches and schools in many of her most rural areas. Long be fore I came to Georgia as Aux iliary Bishop I was told about the unselfish work of the priests, the religious and the laity. Dur ing the past three years I have, at first hand, witnessed this in spiring devotion, which sustains me now as I assume new respon sibilities in this Diocese. Three years ago, when I came among you, I stated that I had no pretentious program except to preach the word of God, which must be manifest among all people if we are to obtain peace of heart and unity among all nations. This is still my pro gram and I dedicate myself un reservedly to you and the ex pansion of Christ’s Church in the Diocese of Savannah. This morning, amidst this beautiful ceremony, my heart is exceed ingly thankful for the honors conferred upon me and I am truly conscious of all those per- (Continued on Page 5) Assistant Priest. The Rev. Jos eph F. Ware, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Milledgeviile, Ga., will be Deacon and the Rev. Creston J. Tawes, assistant pas tor of St. Peter’s Church, Beau fort, South Carolina, will be Subdeacon. Master of cere monies will be the Rev. Her bert J. Wellmeier, assistant rec tor of the Cathedral. Preacher for the First Mass will be Bish op Thomas J. McDonough. A reception will be held for Father Lucree on Sunday, May 15th at the Cathedral Day School from 4:00 P. M. to 6:00 P. M. The Rev. John J. Fitzpatrick is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Fitzpatrick, Sr., of 11 East 33rd Street, Savannah. He has one sister, Miss Mary Pauline Fitzpatrick. Father Fitzpatrick was born August 7th,. 1934 and attended Cathedral Day School, graduat ing in 1948. For the next four years, he attended Benedictine Military School in Savannah and entered St. Bernard Semi nary, St. Bernard, Alabama in 1952. In 1956 Father Fitzpatrick REV. MR. FITZPATRICK received a Bachelor of Arts De gree from St. Mary’s Seminary, house of Philosophy, Paca Street, Baltimore, and began his Theology studies at St. Mary’s (Continued on Page 5) Ordination For 2 Savannahians SAVANNAH—The Most Rev. Egidio Vagnozzi, Ph.D., S.T.D., J.C.D., Apostolic Delegate to the United States was the featured speaker at a dinner, highlight ing the festivities which follow ed the Installation of the Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough as Bishop of Savannah. More than 800 were in at tendance at the banquet, larg est ever given in the seventy year history of Savannah’s De- Soto Hotel. Presiding was the Right Rev erend Monsignor T. James Mc Namara, P.A., V.F., Rector of the Cathedral and general Chairman of the Installation proceedings and program. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Bourke, V.F., Pastor of St. Mary’s-on-the-Hill Church, Au gusta, first speaker on the pro gram lauded the Priests who have come to serve the Catho lics of Georgia from other parts of the country and from over seas, but asserted that the fu ture of the Church in this state lies in the hands Of priests who are yet to come and who are p “Georgians, of Georgia born.” He characterized the progress of the Diocese during the past three years as “the most re- marakable in its history,” ansi singled out the founding of the Minor Seminary of St. John Vianney, at Savannah as “the most wonderful and most cour ageous undertaking in the one hundred and ten year history of our Diocese.” Bishop McDonough, before introducing the principal speak er, thanked “the good priests and good people of the Diocese, who have been such a help to me” and asked the continued cooperation and prayers of all “to help me in the spread of God’s kingdom here in Geor gia.” Commenting on the solemnity of the occasion, Bishop Mc Donough recalled that at his ordination to the Priesthood, “I was shocked and astounded that such a wonderful thing was happening to me. For, to be a Priest of God is and always has been my greatest joy.” The newly installed Savan nah Bishop warmly thanked Monsignor McNamara, “w h o has done such a wonderful job in arranging the entire program of my installation. The beauti ful coordination of all the com mittees—the timing and smooth ness of everything, from begin ning to end are his doing,” he said, adding that when he first received word of his appoint ment from the Holy See in March, the Cathedral Rector had approached him and offered “to do anything I can to help you in the arrangements.” “And the job he has done is truly amazing,” said the Bishop. Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, the principal speaker for the dinner was introduced by Bish op McDonough. “No better appointment could be made than Bishop Mc Donough,” he said, adding “In him you have a Bishop you know and love.” The V a t ic a n representative recalled that he had served two or three years under Pope John XXIII while he was Nuncio to France. “When we disagreed on something he called me ‘the American’ because of my stay in Washington,” Archbishop Vagnozzi said. When Archbishop Cigonani became Cardinal and left the Washington post vacant, Pope John naturally turned to “the American,” he quipped. Monsignor McNamara thanked the committee chairmen and co- chairmen and their committees, as well as “the City officials, Mayor Mingledorff, the Police kpmtdk Installing Prelate J.C.D. MOST REV. THOMAS J. McDONOUGH, D.D. TENTH BISHOP OF SAVANNAH "No man assumes the office of Bishop for himself. No man holds the seat of government in a Diocese because of his natural gifts or abilities. No man proclaims himself Bishop, nor does he ask the respect, honor and affection traditions concede to the Bishop and his office because of himself alone. "But he can and does claim these happy perquisites of a Bishop’s life, because he has assumed the Bishop’s post by another s command and appointment, confident that when the Pope so decides, Christ ratifies and confirms and fortifies whatever has been done for the good of His glorious church.’’ (Archbishop William O. Brady, St. Paul, Minn.) Archbishop Brady might well have been speaking for the people of the Diocese of Savannah. For we feel certain that all our people, clergy, religious and laity are deeply aivare that God, Himself, has chosen Bishop McDonough for great responsibility. All of us pledge ourselves, with all loyalty and affection, to do everything in our power to help him shepherd the sheep of God. And we offer the sincere, assurance of our prayers that the burdens which his office imposes may rest as lightly upon his shoulders an honors always have. SAVANNAH—T h e splendor of ancient Pagentry marked the installation of His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough as the tenth Bishop of the 110 year old Diocese of Savannah on Wednesday, April 27th. The Most Reverend Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States presided at the colorful ceremonies which formally installed Bishop Mc Donough as the successor to Archbishop Gerald P. O’Hara, who resigned the See in Novem ber of 1959. Archbishop Vag nozzi was also the Celebrant of the Solemn Pontifical Mass which followed. An impressive part of the centuries-old rites was the pro cession of four Abbots, nine Bishops and two Archbishops who preceded the new Savan nah Ordinary into Savannah’s historical Cathedral.. Adding to the color and solemnity of the procession were almost two hundred Priests and Prelates, fourteen Savannah Seminarians, six Papal Knights, dozens of Fourth degree Knights of Co lumbus in full regalia, and the grey and white clad cadet offi cers of Benedictine Military Academy in Savannah. The pro cession was led by a color guard composed of personnel from Fort Stewart and Hunter Air Force Base. Hundreds of Sisters and lay- people, including the Mayor and other dignitaries of the city of Savannah crowded into the Ca thedral to witness rites last per formed here twenty-five years ago at the installation of Arch bishop O’Hara. The formal installation took place when Archbishop Vag nozzi, accompanied by two chaplains escorted Bishop Mc Donough from the altar to the episcopal throne. There, attired in precious mitre and with crozier in hand Bishop Mc Donough gave his blessing to all. Then the assembled clergy of the Diocese, Secular and Reli gious knelt, one by one, before the Bishop and kissed his ring as a pledge of their loyalty and obedience. Ministers to Bishop Mc Donough were Rt. Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Bourke, V.F., pastor of St. Mary’s-on-the-Hill Church, Augusta and Vicar Forane of the Augusta Deanery, Assistant Priest. Serving as his Chaplains were the Rt. Rev. Msgr Martin J. McDonough and the Rev. William F. McDonough, the Bishop’s brothers, both from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Chancellor of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Andrew J. McDonald, J.C.D., was Master of Ceremonies, assisted by the Rev. Herbert J. Wellmeier assistant Rector of the Cathedral, the Rev. John J. Cuddy, pastor of St. Michael’s Church, Savannah Beach and Diocesan Superinten dent of Schools, and the Rev. William V. Coleman, rector of the Minor Seminary of St. John Vianney, Grimball Point. The installation ceremony was brought to a close with the choir chanting of the “Te Deus Laudamus” (We Praise Thee, O God) followed by the prayers of thanksgiving, chanted by the Apostolic Delegate. During the Solemn Mass which followed, Bishop Mc Donough, presided at a tempor ary throne, erected for the oc casion, accompanied by his two brothers, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Martin J. McDonough and Rev. William J. McDonough. Celebrant of the Mass was Archbishop Vagnozzi, assisted by the Very Rev. John D. Toomey, S.T.L., pastor of St. James Church, Savannah who was Deacon and the Very Rev. Bede Lightner, O.S.B., Prior of the Benedictine Community at Savannah, Subdeacon. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James Mc Namara, V.F., P.A., Rector of the Cathedral and newly ap pointed Vicar General of the Diocese was the Archbishop’s Assistant Priest. Deacons of Honor were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Bren nan, pastor of Blessed Sacra ment Church, Savannah and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas I. Shee han, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Macon, Ga. Ceremonies were under the direction of the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Gerald V. McDevitt, J.C.D., Secretary to Archbishop Vab- nozzi. Preacher for the Mass was Bishop McDonough. “Perhaps the most glorious title given to Bishops,” he said, “is that es teemed prerogative of being successors to the Apostles, whom God directed to guide the early Church . . . Every Bishop charged with the flock of Christ, whether in persecu tion or in freedom, must keep Inviolate, sound and orthodox doctrine; must be the deiender of morality . . . and prudenuy inaugurate whatever measures are necessary and profitable for the advancement of the faith.” The Bishop voiced his thankful ness that in this country the Bishops are free to exercise un impeded their sacred functions and asserted that “Our Ameri can way of life is clear because we trust in God.” Music for the Installation ceremony and the Mass was provided by the James V. Copps Memorial Choir of the Cathe- dray, under the direction of Mr. E. J. Deacy, Choirmaster, as sisted by Mrs. Joheps C. Sch- reck, Cathedral organist. . T. JAMES McNAMARA APPOINTED VICAR GENERAL SAVANNAH—The Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James McNamara, V.F., P.A., rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has been named to the post of Vicar General of the Diocese of Sa vannah, it was announced by Bishop Thomas J. McDonough. The announcement came imme diately after the formal reading of the official Papal documents turning over the reins of the Savannah See to its new Ordi nary. A4.S. and Fire Departments, without which our tasks would have been immeasurably greater.” Chamber music, played dur ing banquet was under the di rection of Mr. Fred G. Weigand. Vocal selections were rendered by Mrs. Thomas Trapani, ac companied at the piano by Mrs. Jos. C. Schreck. According to the Canon Law of the Church, whenever the ad ministration of a diocese de mands it, the bishop should ap point a vicar-general, who en joys the jurisdictional powers of the bishop throughout the dio cese. The vicar-general’s appoint ment is the result of the bishop’s personal choice. As a rule there is but one vicar-general in a Diocese, except in some cases where the Diocese is extremely large or where there is a diver sity of Rites. The vicar-general has, by vir tue of his office, jurisdiction over the entire diocese in spirit ual and temporal matters to the extent of the Bishop’s own juris diction, except in those affairs which the Bishop has reserved to himself, or which by law re quire a special mandate from at Liturgical functions, the vicar-general has precedence over all other priests. The jurisdiction of the vicar- general expires by his resigna tion, or at the will of the Bishop. Monsignor McNamara, or dained in 1924, has held many important offices in the Diocese of Savannah, being rector of the Cathedral, a member of the Board of Diocesan Consultors, Censor Librorum for the Dio cese, a Pro-Synodal Judge, Vicar Forane of the Savannah Deanery and a former Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. MSGR. McNAMARA the Bishop. On ceremonial occasions and INSTALLATION SUPPLEMENT A special 28 page supplement is included with this issue of The Bulletin.