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DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION Serving Georgia's 88 Southern Counties Published By The Catholic Laymen's Ass'n of Georgia OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH Vol. 42, No. 18 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1962 10c Per Copy — $3 A Year Cathedral P.T.A. Hears Father Bede SAVANNAH — Rev. Bede Lightner, O.S.B., Prior of the local Benedictine Community, was the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Ca thedral Home and School As sociation. Father Bede gave a most interesting talk on the history of the Benedictine Or der and what they have tried to accomplish in the past 59 years in the way of contribut ing towards the culture and education of the young men of Savannah. Father Bede spoke of future plans for the new school and the mon astery for the training of young men for the priesthood. The fifth grade students presented the evening’s enter tainment with a play, the theme of which was “Happy Holidays,” under the direction of Mrs. Melroy and Mrs. Jos eph Schreck. Mrs. Melroy’s class also won the monthly at tendance prize. Sister Martina Joseph, Prin cipal, reported that the results of the mid-year examinations . would be made known within the next two weeks. Sister re quested the parents’ coopera tion in seeing that the children attend the special Mass on the first Sunday of each month. A pre-school vision test will be given on February 13th and 14th and parents interested were asked to contact Mrs. Mary Shearouse, Health Chair man. Mr. Tom Walsh, Athletic As sociation President, announced that the Father-Son night was a complete success and that a Mother-Daughter night would be held during February. Vatican City Daily Hits Castro's Claim (Radio, NCWC News Service) VATICAN CITY — Vatican City’s daily newspaper has contested the claim of Cuba’s self-confessed Marxist premier that full religious freedom pre vails in Cuba. L’Osservatore Romano quot ed Premier Fidel Castro in an interview he gave journalists on January 17, as saying: “Re ligious functions are celebrat ed with the greatest freedom. Citizens attend them without fearing anything and priests perform their pastoral min istry freely and in peace.” The Vatican City daily pointed out in reply that all Catholic schools in Cuba have been expropriated, that Aux iliary Bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal of Havana and 130 priests have been expelled, that no Catholic press func tions and that an antireligious and anti-Catholic campaign is in full progress in the press and over radio and television. The newspaper emphasized that religious freedom does not consist solely in freedom to at tend or celebrate Mass. “For Christians there is also the duty of living in harmony with their Faith, of educating their children in the religion of their fathers, in a word, of giving testimony of their pro found convictions in everyday life, both individual and so cial;” it stated. As for freedom to attend religious functions, the news paper noted that before Castro there were 700 priests in Cuba. Today there are 135. Consider ing that Cuba was short of priests before Castro, the newspaper asks, how can the few remaining ones minister to the entire Catholic population? L’Osservatore Romano re called that His Holiness Pope John XXIII recently sent com memorative medals to Cuban President Osvaldo Dorticos in recognition to Cuba’s partici pation in the Pope’s 80th birth day celebrations. The newspaper commented: “We would like to express the ardent wish that responsible leaders of this noble country may . . . grant, out of respect for the most sacred rights of the nation and for its moral and civic progress, real and true freedom of profession and expression.” Diocesan Council Board Meets Feb. 7 SAVANNAH — The Savan nah Diocesan Council Board of Directors will hold their semi annual luncheon meeting on Wednesday, February 7th, at 12:30 p. m. at the Moose Club, Macon. Board members are request ed to make their reservations not later than February 1st with Mrs. E. H. Buck, 452 Rog ers Ave, Macon. L 1962 VOCATIONS PROGRAM OPENS ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ CATHOLIC LIFE REFORM - KEY TO CHRISTIAN UNITY Catholics, Protestants Share Blame For Split (NCWC News Service) WASHINGTON — The spi ritual reform of Catholic life on all levels is the key neces sary to open the door to Chris tian unity, a priest said at a Unity Octave observance here. The face of the Catholic Church as presented to the world is not what it could be, said Father George Tavard, A.A., in a sermon (Jan. 21) at the National Shrine of the Im maculate Conception. The Assumptionist priest, a consultor to the Vatican Sec retariat for Promoting Chris tian Unity, spoke on the fourth day of the Chair of Unity Oc tave observance, an annual worldwide prayer movement for religious unity. He asserted that both Cath olics and Protestants are to blame for Christian disunity. “Luther would never have been led to oppose Biblical faith and personal merit,” he stated, “if the Catholic theolo gy of his time had not been steeped in nominalism, and the piety of his period in semi- Pelagianism.” (Pelegianism is a doctrine which denies the concept of original sin.) Father Tavard, a native of Nancy, France, now in resi dence at St. Mary’s College, Pittsburgh, explained that “there is a sense in which we ourselves, living today, share the. responsibility of the churchmen of the 16th centu ry.” “We share their blindness to the spiritual world, which is our blindness when we let our selves be lured by the shining lights, the attractions, the fa cilities of modern times . . . We are, in some sense, partak ers in the responsibilities for the schisms and heresies of the past, because we still fall, though perhaps to a lesser ex tent, into the shortcomings, the frailties, the mistakes of our forefathers.” “We share the reluctance of our forefathers,” said Father Tavard, “to reform the Church in its head and members when we ourselves are so slow to listen to the appeals of His Holiness Pope John XXIII to reform the Church by reform ing our lives and thus to re store her to her pristine beau ty.” The question of reconcilia tion of Lutherans and Calvin ists with the Catholic Church is certainly a dogmatic one, he asserted, “but doctrinal agree ment cannot even be envision ed as long as a previous spirit ual problem has not been solv ed.” “The spiritual reform of Catholic life is prerequisite,” he stressed. Father Tavard then pointed out that the Catholic Church appears as follows to those who are not members of it: —“The face of the Catholic Church ... is not the face of oneness shown in the collegi- ality of her government. —“It is not the face of holi ness presented by her saints. —“It is not the face of cath olicity manifested in her mis sionary zeal to convert all na tions . . . —“It is not the face of apos- tolicity, which shines in her origin and in the See of Rome, from which the Apostle Peter still governs the Church in the person of his successors.” “The face of the Catholic Church as seen by those about it is simply a reflection of ourselves, individually and col lectively,” Father Tavard con tinued. “The level at which the Church .’]/• judged to be one or divided, uoly or unholy, Cath olic or provincial, apostolic or sectarian, is the level of each parish, each school, each fam ily, each individual. “On the eve of the Second Vatican Council which ... is destined to initiate a reform of Catholic life, let us examine our conscience as to what ex tent each one of us has con tributed to the need for re form. And let us resolve to fulfill our task and function in the reform which . His Holi ness John XXIII has invited us to undertake.” And such a function does not involve the use of the sword but of the Cross, he stated. “We are providentially call ed, as members of the Church,” said Father Tavard, “to reject the use of the sword to which our forefathers had recourse to solve the Protestant prob lem, and to die by the Cross. This is, ultimately, the condi tion that will make the recon ciliation of Protestants and Catholics conceivable.” MR. DAVID SHEPHERD, driver for Savannah’s Little Sisters of the Poor for twenty-five years is shown above with Home’s Superior and Sister Mary Michael. DAVID SHEPHERD, DRIVER FOR SISTERS, HONORED SAVANNAH — Mr. David Shepherd has been driver for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Savannah for the Poor in Savannah for 25 years. In all that time he has never had an accident. In recognition of a quarter of a century’s employment, during which he has been not only the Sisters’ driver, but also the chief maintenance man of the Little Sisters Home, Mr. Shepherd was hon ored at a special Mass, cele brated by the Rev. Brendan Dooly, O.S.B., on January 11th. The Mass was celebrated in the Home’s chapel and John Shepherd, David’s youngest son, served as acolyte. Shortly after Mr. Shepherd’s long record of service and driving safely was recognized by the Sisters, he was chosen as Savannah’s ‘Safe Driver of the Week’ by Lieutenant Rob ert Funk of the Savannah Pol ice Department. ST. JOHN VIANNEY MINOR SEMINARY (w In ’fU /NIHIL SINK DEO\J \ (07 ^ qJO) BISHOP'S OFFICE 225 Abercorn Street Savannah, Georgia January 28, 1962 My dear People: Of all the works of God, none is more wonderous than the Catholic Priest hood. “The priest,” in the words of Saint John Eudes, “is given the power to conse crate the Lord of Majestry. His lips bless Him. His hands hold Him. His tongue proclaims Him.” He is indeed another Christ breathing new life into a tired world. It is through the priest that we receive Christ in Holy Communion. His hand is raised in absolution. His words comfort the dying. In a word he is Christ present in our world. So important is the priest that without him the Church can hardly continue. Without him there can be neither Mass, nor confession, nor words of comfort to the dying. What an honor to be a priest of Jesus Christ! Yet, in spite of his great dignity, the priest is, as Saint Paul tells us, “taken from among men.” It is mankind that supplies the material which God and His Church mold into the priestly character. Being a man himself, the priest can more readily understand the thoughts of men and more easily penetrate into the mysteries of the human heart. The closer a priest is to his people, the better he can serve them. Nothing can take the place of priests sprung from among the families they serve. We continue to be faced with a critical need in this Diocese. We must produce more vocations to the Priesthood or the Faith of our people will grow old. We must find receptive young hearts and set them ablaze with a fire of sacrificial love of God, making them willing to devote their entire lives to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. No gift to the Church, however great, can take the place of this gift, the priest. We must continue our intensive program of prayer and sacrifice. We must fall upon our knees and beseech from God not merely vocations but the grace of courage to follow the call of Christ. We must strengthen young hearts with help won by our sacrifices and our prayers. Our words of encouragement must go out to young men who seek to become priests. Our counsel must be that of Holy Mother Church, guiding young men who have the signs of a vocation toward the seminary where they may discover whether or not God has called them to Himself. In a word each of us must become vitally interested in the subject of priestly vocations. I am going to ask each of you to say the prayer for vocations each day, if possible, in a family group as you say your night prayers—Father, Mother and children all kneeling together in prayer before Almighty God, the Father of us all. May I also ask you to receive Communion each Sunday from now until Easter. With these two great acts of prayer on our part who can doubt that God will continue to bless our efforts? Assuring you and your families of my everlasting gratitude for your every prayer and sacrifice, and imparting to you my blessing, I remain, Devotedly yours in Christ, 7* Bishop of Savannah. Camp Villa Readies For SAVANNAH—The summer schedule for Camp Villa Marie recently made public will in clude eleven weeks of activity for the youth of the Savannah and surrounding dioceses. The summer will open with a two-week program for chil dren in the Savannah area who are not in Catholic schools. This is a day-camp program which includes relig ious instruction for a greater part of the day. All children not in Catholic schools are in vited to attend. Applications are made through local par ishes. The second encampment, this time a boarding camp, is Mari© Summer held for the children in areas other than the Savannah one for children not in Catholic schools. This was the original purpose of the camp and still serves as one of its main ac tivities. Children from the whole of South Georgia spend three weeks learning and playing under the oaks at Vil la Marie. Three weeks of recreation camp will follow. The dates for these sessions are: July 22-July 28. July 29-August 4. August 4-August 11. These sessions of camp are all recreation sessions. Boys (Continued on Page 6) Knights Demand United Nations Block Red Try WASHINGTON, (NC) — A Knights of Columbus assem bly’s resolution calling on the U. S. government to oppose admission of Red China to the United Nations was placed in the Congressional Record. Rep. Seymour Halpern of New York placed the resolu tion of the Long Island gen eral assembly, fourth degree knights, in the Record. He commended the K. of C.’s “tra dition of fervent patriotism.” SAVANNAH—The 1962 Campaign for Vocations to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Savannah opened with letter from His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough, Bishop of Savannah. The letter was read at all Masses in every Parish and Mission Church of the Diocese on Sunday, January 28th. Special cards were distribut ed at all the Masses, containing the official prayer of the Dio cese, for vocations to the Priesthood. According to an announce ment from the Savannah Chancery, a program of inter views will be conducted in all the Parochial and Catholic high schools of the Diocese. Boys in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades of grammar school and* seniors in high school will hear vocation talks and will receive private inter views by priests representing Bishop McDonough. During the vocations cam paign, which comes to a close in March, two Sunday sermons will deal with the Priesthood one concerning the nature and dignity of the Priesthood, and the other concerning the signs of a vocation. In his letter, Bishop Mc Donough urged a continued program of “Prayer and sac rifice” which, he said, would undoubtedly win not only the Grace of many more vocations to the Priesthood in the Dio cese, but would also bring to those boys and young men who think they might have a vocation, the courage to enter the Seminary, where they may find out whether or not “God is calling them to Himself.” Bishop McDonough asked that the Prayer for Vocations be said every day, if possible, in family groups — “Father, Mother, and children, to gether.” He also urged that everyone receive Holy Communion ev ery Sunday, “Between now and Easter.” Since the beginning of the annual Vocations Campaign, four years ago, the number of boys applying for the Prepara tory Seminary has sharply in- bishop McDonough \ • creased, and a new and mod ern Seminary has been con structed at Grimball Point in Savannah, at the site of the former St. Thomas Vocational School. Annual Installation Banquet For St. Paul’s Altar Society DOUGLAS — Saint Paul’s Altar Society held its annual installation banquet at the “I Like It” restaurant. Mrs. James Nahara installed these new officers in an im pressive ceremony: Miss Lou ise Hanna, president; Mrs. M. J. Lott, vice president; Mrs. Edward Smith, secretary; Mrs. Alfred Lott, treasurer. Following her installation, Miss Hanna expressed appre ciation in being elected to head the organization for 1962 and pledged her best to fulfill the executive and spiritual du ties. She also expressed appreci ation for all the members to the outgoing president, Mrs. George Jordan, with a gift from the Altar Society. Father Moran, pastor of St. Paul’s, extended sincere thanks to all outgoing officers of the Altar Society and to the members for the outstand ing work and program the Society accomplished in 1961. Father Flater, assistant pastor, also spoke to the group re viewing the need for coopera tion on the part of all officers and members of any organiza tion to achieve its goals. He stressed particularly the spiritual duties of members and officers. Special guests at the meet ing were James Cofu, outgo ing president of Saint Paul’s Holy Name Society, and Bob Mauphin, newly installed pres ident of the Holy Name Socie ty who was introduced by Mr. Cofu. Present at the installation dinner were, Father Moran, Father Flater, Miss Louise Hanna, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Book Reviews 5 Question Box 4 Obituaries -— 3 Marriages 3 Underdeveloped Nations 2 Doris Answers Youth 4 Youth Club Helps Mother Lott, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lott, Mrs. James Nahara, Mr. and Mrs. George Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. James Cofu, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Mauphin, Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Lott, Mrs. John Nahara, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hanna, Mr. and Mrs. George Hanna, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Hanna and Mrs. Marie Rags dale. St. Joseph’s Graduates Win High Ratings 1 SAVANNAH — A Savannah girl ranked among the highest scoring candidates in Georgia in the examination given for the licensing of professional registered nurses last fall, it was announced recently. Miss Margaret Kay Stegin, who graduated from the St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in August, received the highest scores of all 300 state candidates in the fields of surgical and obstetrical nursing. Another St. Joseph’s alum na, Miss Mary Helen Johnson, scored second highest in the state in medical nursing. The scores were forwarded by the State Board of Examin ers of Nurses in Atlanta to Sister Mary Bonaventure, di rector of the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. Miss Stegin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stegin of 1319 E. 55th St., is currently on duty at St. Joseph’s Hos pital. She was voted “Out standing Student” of the 1961 class and was editor of the school’s annual. Miss Johnson, the daughter of Mr. arid Mrs. James Joseph Johnson of 408 E. 29th St., is presently undergoing addition al training in Atlanta for the puropse of returning to Chat ham County as a Public Health nurse. Both girls are graduates of St. Vincent’s Academy.