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Georgia's 88
Southern Counties
Vol. 42, No. 9
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1961
Published By The
Cat-holic Laymen's
Ass'n of Georgia
10c Per Copy — $3 A Year
GOAL OF THE
GONFRATERNITV DRIVE
OCTOBER, 1961
1. St. John Vianney Minor Seminary and the education
of young men for the Sacred Priesthood:
Beyond any doubt, the most critical need in the Diocese
of Savannah is the need for priests. The Church in this Diocese
can extend its influence over the souls of men only through a
numerous and holy group of priests. Over the last four years,
prayers and sacrifices as numerous as the sands of the sea
shore have risen to God in behalf of this great need. Nor has
God turned a deaf ear to our plea. In 1959, St. John Vianney
Minor Seminary in Savannah opened its doors to the young
men of the Diocese who heard Christ say to them, “Come, fol
low Me and I will make you to be fishers of men.” Not only
in its expanded physical plant, but also in its numbers and qua
lity of students, the seminary has been successful beyond our
fondest dreams. Right here in our midst, we have the cradle
of the priests who will serve us in the future. Including the
generous beneficence of the Catholic Community Center of
Savannah, we have not had to have a major drive for funds
to support this program. The funds necessary have come to
us through the Bishop’s Confraternity of the Laity. For no
other reason, than the seminary itself, you should open your
heart and your purse to the support of the Bishop’s Confra
ternity of the Laity.
$30,000.00
2. The orphans and dependent children of the Diocese of
Savannah:
“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, for of such is
the Kingdom of Heaven,” said Our Divine Savior. In every
part of the world today, children bear the brunt of suffering
and misery caused by irresponsible parents. This little flock
must always be close to the Shepherd of souls in a Diocese.
Our dependent girls receive the loving care of the Sisters of
Mercy and shelter at St. Mary’s Home in Savannah. Our boys
receive the care they need from the Sisters of St. Joseph and
are sheltered at St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Washington, Georgia.
No one can turn a deaf ear to the plea of a homeless child. Your
support of the Bishop’s Confraternity of the Laity is your an-
answer to the plea of these homeless children.
$15,000.00
3. The Bulletin:
With the advance of science in modern times, men are at
tempting to reshape the civilization of the world. Unfortunate
ly, those who control more than one third of the population
of the world are determined to draw all men away from God.
Truth is the outstanding deterrent to these men. Did not Christ
Himself say, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life?” Armed
with the truth, the Catholic of today can participate in the re
shaping of the world. He can bring all men to the light and
knowledge of Christ Himself. He need not shrink from the
challenge that atheism presents to him. In our Diocese, we are
fortunate to have a Catholic Newspaper, a current exponent of
the truths of Christ as they apply to the problems of modern
man. Your support of The Bulletin through the Bishop’s Con
fraternity of the Laity gives you an opportunity to spread the
truth of Christianity to all who sit in the shadows of darkness.
$10,000.00
4. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist—the Mother
Church in the Diocese of Savannah:
Any one who visits the city of Savannah is immediately
inspired by our Cathedral Church. In recent years, a great
transformation has taken place in its exterior. Not only have
the outer walls been cleaned, but a new plaza and entrance
have been completed. There is still much work to do on the
Cathedral. The parishioners of this parish, while few in num
ber, have contributed heroically to its beautification. Since
it is a symbol of our Diocese, it is only fitting that every Cath
olic should participate in its renovation. Your contribution to
the Bishop’s Confraternity of the Laity will give you an oppor
tunity to participate in this renovation.
$30,000.00
5. Mission Churches:
If you have never lived in an area where there is no Cath
olic Church, you cannot begin to appreciate the blessings that
come to a Community when the first Catholic Church is erect
ed in that area. During the past several years, Waynesboro,
Millen, Glennville, Sylvania and Claxton have had this ex
perience. Under construction are Mission Chapels in Lyons,
Vidalia, Louisville and Camilla. Your contribution to the
Bishop’s Confraternity of the Laity enables you to participate
in the joy and inspiration of bringing a House of God into
a churchless area.
$25/000.00
6. Contingency Fund:
There are many areas in the Diocese which do not have
enough Catholics to make it possible for them to support the
spiritual programs of the Church. We who live in areas where
we have our priests, our churches and our schools must be rea
dy to help those in need. From this Contingency Fund, the
Bishop is able to assist with minor repairs, the purchase of au
tomobiles, and the payment of insurance in the small Mission
areas.
$25,000.00
7. Carmel:
Some three years ago, the Diocese was blessed with the
contemplative order of Carmelite Nuns, located at Coffee Bluff
outside the city of Savannah. If anything will change the world
and the course of events, it is prayer. These nuns day and
night pray for the spiritual welfare of our Diocese and for all
of the people in it. In establishing this foundation, the Car
melite Sisters accepted a debt of almost. $100,000.00. The pres
ent debt amounts to $90,000.00. They depend exclusively on
the generosity of our Catholic people. In thanksgiving to God
for the spiritual benefits of the presence of these nuns, we ask
$5,000.00 a year towards the liquidation of their debt.
$5,000.00
BISHOP LAUDS WORK OF
SAVANNAH BENEDICTINES
Diocesan
Program
Impressive
As a result of the successful
1960 fund raising campaign of
the Bishop’s Confraternity of
the Laity, mission chapels have
been erected during the past
year in Millen, Waynesboro,
and Glennville, and three more
chapels are under construction
at Lyons, Vidalia, and Louis
ville. A building contract was
recently awarded for a chapel
in Camilla.
The church at Lyons, Sacred
Heart, will be dedicated on
October 8th. Dedication cere
monies for the Chapel of St.
Joan of Arc, in Louisville will
be held on November 12th.
Plans are underway for mis
sion churches in Americus and
Quitman.
Immaculate Conception
Church, Dublin has been re
furbished in preparation for
its 50th anniversary, which
will be celebrated on Novem
ber 5th. The chuhch of St. Wil
liam at St. Simon’s Island has
recently been enlarged and ad
ditions have been made for
Pacelli High School in Colum
bus.
A new church for St. Bene
dict’s, Columbus, was complet
ed during the year.
Ground-breaking ceremonies
for the Aquinas High School
Gymnasium will be held in
Augusta on October 15th.
High point of the Diocesan
building program for 1961 was
the construction of the new
buildings at St. John Vinney
Minor Seminary, Savannah.
The new structures provide
housing, dining, library and
laboratory facilities for the
seminary’s fifty students, as
well as living quarters for two
priests and office space for the
seminary rector.
Aquinas Lists
8 Georgians
On Faculty
AUGUSTA — Eight of the
Religious on the faculty of
Aquinas High School, Augusta,
are native Georgians.
For the first time since the
opening of Aquinas, two Mar-
ist Brothers who are native
Georgians have been assigned
to the faculty. They are Bro
ther Richard Aloysius and
Brother Anthony Richardson.
Brother Richard came to
Aquinas from St. Joseph’s
Academy in Brownville, Tex
as and Brother Anthony from
the Philippine Islands. Both
these Brothers are graduates
of the Marist School for Boys
which was formerly in Sav
annah.
The entire Religious faculty
of the girls’ division is native
to Georgia.
Sister Mary James McDon
ald, Sister Mary Raymond Mc
Mahon, Sister Victoria Marie
Ogilvie are all graduates of
St. Vincent’s Academy, Sav
annah.
Sister Mary Bernard
Schweers and Sister Anne
Richard Brotherton are gradu
ates of the former Mt. St. Jos
eph Academy, Augusta.
Sister Mary John Dillard is
a graduate of the former Sac
red Heart High School, Atlan
ta.
Editorial Comment 4
Book Reviews 2
Backdrop 4
Obituaries 5
Marriages 2
Challenge U. S.
"To Sufferings" 5
Question Box 4
Savannah DCCW
Moats Oct. 8th
SAVANNAH — The Fall
meeting of the Savannah
Deanery Council of Catho
lic Women will be held
Sunday, October 8th, at 4:15
p. m. in the Cathedral Day
School.
SAVANNAH — His Excel
lency, Bishop Thomas J. Mc
Donough, has expressed “great
joy” in the establishment of an
independent Priory of the
Benedictine Fathers in the
Diocese of Savannah.
An election was held by the
Benedictine Community in
Savannah on September 14th,
and the Rev. ' Bede Lightner,
O.S.B., principal of Benedic
tine Military School was elect
ed Prior of the community.
“The Benedictine Fathers,”
the Bishop said, “have given
generously of themselves to
the development of the spirit
ual life of the city of Savan
nah. The young men who have
been privileged to attend Ben
edictine High School in the
See city have been the recipi
ents of an education which
will be of inestimable value
in their vocational pursuits.
Consequently our priests and
our people who have recogniz
ed the contributions of the
Benedictine Fathers for fifty-
three years are especially
pleased to behold the new rec
ognition for devoted and sac
rificial service.
“In the days ahead we are
confident, with God’s help,
that the Benedictine commun-
(Continued on Page 6)
“WE MUST BUILD FOR TOMORROW”
BISHOP'S OFFICE
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
225 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia
My dear People:
With a joyous heart I come before you to announce the annual Bishop’s Con
fraternity of the Laity Campaign. The happenings of the past year by way of
building up the faith in the Diocese of Savannah, both spiritually and materially,
are directly attributable to the supreme generosity of our people to this appeal.
The new churches established; the sites for future parishes acquired; the establish
ment of catechetical centers, are a great source of inspiration to all of us.
Undoubtedly, however, the most articulate progress has been made in build
ing up our native priestly vocations climaxed in the construction of our new Sem
inary of St. John Vianney.
The response of our people with their prayers has been unprecedented. Then,
too, my trip to Ireland for students and priests, this summer, exceeded my greatest
expectations. In all of these ventures I have been sustained and greatly encouraged
by your devotion, your understanding and, above all, your prayers.
We of today must also build for tomorrow. The better we provide our people
with the tools of our Ruth, thf; most assured will we be of the future of the Church
in our Diocese.
When you are asked to contribute to the forthcoming Bishop’s Confraternity
Drive, think in terms of the needs of the Church and be sacrifically generous.
When you are traveling through the State look at the new chapels which have been
erected and you then, with me, will thank God for the Bishop’s Confraternity Drive.
It is impossible for me to tell you adequately of my deep appreciation of
all the help which you have given me since my appointment as your Bishop. The
best way I know is to assure you of a daily memento in my Mass and prayers.
Imparting to you my blessing, I am,
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Bishop of Savannah.
Independent Priory For
Savannah Benedictines
Bishop's Letter Cites
Increased Vocations,
New Seminary Building
SAVANNAH — Sunday, October 1st is “kick-off”
day for the third annual campaign for funds, conducted
by the Bishop’s Confraternity of the Laity. A letter
from the Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough will be
read at all the Masses throughout the diocese on Sunday
and follow-up announcements will be made at Masses
on Sunday, October 8th.
SAVANNAH — The Bene
dictine community of Savan
nah, affiliated for over 50
years with Belmont Abbey,
Belmont, N. C., is now an in
dependent conventual priory.
This is the first step toward
the formation of a Benedictine
Abbey in the Diocese of Sav
annah. The Sacred Heart Pri
ory is no longer under the
direct jurisdiction of Belmont
Abbey.
The Very Rev. Bede Light
ner, O.S.B., principal of Ben
edictine Military School in
Savannah, was, on September
14, elected by the community
as the first conventual prior.
Abbot Walter Coggin, O.S.B.,
of Belmont presided over cere
monies marking the independ
ence. Archabbot Denis Stritt-
matter, O.S.B. of St. Vincent
Archabbey, Latrobe, Pa., pre
sided at the election of the
prior. Archabbot Strittmatter
is the president of the Ameri
can Cassinese Congregation of
Benedictines to which Sacred
Heart Priory will belong.
The move will bring full
monastic life to the new con
ventual priory and will enable
the monks there to concentrate
on their work in the diocese.
Savannnah men entering the
Benedictine Order will be able
to remain in their native dio
cese.
Plans are underway for a
new monnastery to be built
along with the new Benedic
tine School.
Each parish will organize
teams of workers, who will be
instructed in the system of
making a door-to-door solicita
tion of parishioners. These
workers will call on all Cath-
MOST REV. THOMAS
j. McDonough, d.d., j.c.d.
olic homes of the Diocese be
tween 1:00 p. m. and 5:00 p. m.
on Sunday, October 15th for
contributions.
Each wage earner will be
asked to contribute a mini
mum of $25.00. It is expected
says Bishop McDonough, “that
those who are blessed by God
in a very special way are ex
pected to give larger contribu
tions.”
The annual campaign for
funds was instituted three
years ago, as a means of avoid
ing large scale, long term fund
raising drives, such as the 1955
drive for more than one mil
lion dollars.
The goal of the campaign is
$140,000.00. Beneficiaries will
be St. John Vianney Minor
Seminary and a vocational
fund for the tuition and sup
port of Savannah seminarians
at St. John Vianney and other
Seminaries; the orphans and
dependent children of the Dio
cese; The Bulletin, diocesan
newspaper; the renovation
fund of the Diocesan Cathe
dral; the Mission Church
building program; the Carmel
ite Monastery at Savannah;
and a contingency fund to aid
small mission parishes, too
small to provide for their own
needs. The contingency fund
provides for minor repairs, the
purchase and maintenance of
automobiles, and the payment
j Seminary j
Dedication |
SAVANNAH — The new •
St. John Vianney Minor
Seminary will be formally
dedicated by His Excellen
cy, Bishop Thomas J. Mc
Donough on Sunday, Octo-§§
fiber 1st at 2:30 p. m.
The new Seminary build
ings will provide living
quarters, dining room, lib
rary and laboratory facili
ties for the fifty students
now in attendance. They
will also house administra-
tive offices of the Seminary.
Included with this issue
of THE BULLETIN is a spe
cial section devoted to St.
John Vianney Minor Semi
nary.
of insurance premiums in these
small mission areas.
$30,000.00 will be allocated
for St. John Vianney Minor
Seminary and the education of
young men for the priesthood.
There are presently 50 stu
dents at St. John Vianney Sem
inary in Savannah, and 30 stu
dying for the Savannah Dio
cese in other seminaries, in
this country and in Ireland.
It is estimated that tuition
costs alone will reach $50,000.-
00 dollars during the 1961-1962
school year, due to increased
seminary enrollment. The dio
cese pays tuition costs as well
as living costs for seminarians
whose families are unable to
pay.
Dependent children of the
diocese, living at St. Mary’s
Home in Savannah and at St.
Joseph’s Orphanage, Washing
ton, Georgia, will receive $15,-
000.00.
$10,000.00 is earmarked for
the diocesan newspaper, The
Bulletin. This paper is sent
into every home in the Diocese
and is supported principally
by an annual collection, taken
up throughout the diocese. The
allocation from the Confrater
nity of the Laity is added to
enable the paper to meet its
annual costs.
An extensive renovation pro
gram at the Cathedral of St.
John the Baptist was begun
two years ago. It is estimated
that the total cost of the pro
ject will be $250,000.00. The
Diocese has pledged $150,000.-
00 over a five year period. The
Cathedral’s yearly allocation
from the Confraternity Drive
is $30,000.00. At a clergy con
ference on September 15th,
Bishop McDonough reminded
priests that for many years,
Cathedral parish had “borne
the brunt of the cost of mis
sion activity in this Diocese.
The diocese is only repaying
what the Cathedral has, in the
past, given to the Diocese.”
It is the announced policy
of the Savannah Diocese to
build Mission Chapels in rural
areas where there are even a
small number of Catholics.
During the past four years,
chapels have been erected at
Waynesboro, Millen, Glenn
ville, Sylvania and Claxton.
Chapels are presently under
construction in Lyons, Vidalia,
and Louisville, and contract
was recently awarded for the
building of a chapel in Ca
milla.
The Mission Church fund
will receive $25,000.00.
The Carmelite Monastery in
Savannah is a beneficiary of
the Confraternity Drive for the
first time. In establishing their
foundation, the Carmelite Sis
ters accepted a debt of almost
$100,000.00. The present debt
amounts to ninety thousand
dollars. The Diocese will con
tribute $5,000.00 yearly toward
the liquidation of their debt.
The Contingency fund will
receive $25,000.00.
Bishop McDonough has ex
pressed confidence “that God
will abundantly bless the work
of the Confraternity of the
Laity this year, as He has in
past years.” “On the whole,”
he said, “our people have ac
cepted this yearly drive and
look upon it as a comparative
ly easy way of meeting the
expenses of the Diocese, and it
is certain that if everyone in
every parish participates to the
best of his ability, and from
a real love for God and His
Holy Church, we will greatly
exceed our goal of $140,000.00.”
MEMBERS OF THE NEW BENEDICTINE PRIORY — The Benedictine community
priests are (seated, first row) Father Norbert McGowan, Father Prior Bede, Archabbot
Strittmatter, Father Stephen Dowd; (standing, second row) Father Aloysius Wachter,
Father Terence Kernan, Father Peter Trizzino, Father Timothy Flaherty, Father Damian
Muldowney; (third row) Father Christopher Johann, Father Luke Bain and Father An
drew Doris.—(Photo Robert McDonald).