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Serving Georgia's 88 Southern Counties Vol. 42, No. 19 DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1962 Published By The Catholic Laymen's Ass'n of Georgia 10c Per Copy — $3 A Year COVERS FIVE YEAR PERIOD FROM 1957 - 1962 bishop McDonough issues report ON DIOCESAN GROWTH AND PROGRESS 84 Seminarians In U. S. And Ireland Our seminarians are located in the following seminaries: St. John Vianney Seminary, Savannah. St. Bernard’s, Rochester, New York. St. • John’s Seminary, Little Rock, Arkansas. The Josephinum, Worthing ton, Ohio. St. Charles Seminary, Ca- tonville, Maryland. 12 ORDAINED IN 5 YEARS The most critical need in the Diocese is priests. God is bless ing the continued prayers of our religious and laity. More young men are studying for the Sacred Priesthood. The following were ordained as “other Christs” during 1957- 1962. Rev. William V. Coleman, Rev. Edward Frank, Rev. »G£~~' yo J^mes, Rev. Joseph Stranc, Rev. John Fallon, Rev. Walter di Francesco, Rev. Pe rot Fiero, Rev. Lawrence Lu- cree, Rev. John Fitzpatrick, Rev. John Noel O’Rourke, Rev. Kevin Boland, Rev. Ste phen Connolly. lew Parishes 1. St. Joseph’s, Augusta. 2. Our Lady of the Assump tion, Sylvania. 3. St. Christopher, Claxton. 4. Our Lady of Lourdes, Col umbus. 5. St. Joseph’s, Waycross. 6. St. Benedict’s, Columbus. 7. St. Anne’s, Columbus. St. Mary’s Seminary, Paca Street, Baltimore, Maryland. St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park, Baltimore, Maryland. Sjt. Mary’s Seminary, St. Mary, Kentucky. Maynooth Seminary, Dublin, Ireland. All Hallows Seminary, Dub lin, Ireland. St. Patrick’s Seminary, Car- low, Ireland. Mount Melleray Seminary, Ireland. St. Peter’s Seminary, Wex ford, Ireland. NEWSISTERS IN DIOCESE 1. Carmeliie Sisters: The Sisters have established the Monastery of Our Lady of Confidence in Savannah. This is a contemplative Order. The Sisters are continually praying for the spiritual advancement of the Diocese of Savannah. 2. The Gienmary Sisters are located iri Statesboro. Their major work is teaching cate chism to the children in the counties committed to the care of the Gienmary Fathers. 3. The Ursuline Sisters, at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Columbus, came to the Dio- ces from Cork, Ireland. Their work in Ireland is exception ally well known. It is equally appreciated in Columbus, Ga. 4. Franciscan Sisters of Atonement conduct a cateche tical school at St. Paul’s Par ish, Douglas. These three Sis ters instruct the chlidren and parents in Douglas and the surrounding missions. CARMEL PRAYS FOR DIOCESE On June 6, 1958, Bishop Thomas J. McDonough cele brated a Pontifical Low Mass which marked the beginning of the Carmelite Foundation in Savannah. The Savannah Carmel is known by the name of “Our Lady of Confidence.” The choice of the name is a tribute to the Most Reverend Arch bishop Gerald P. O’Hara, who studied at the Roman Semi nary where the Chapel houses the miraculous painting of Our Lady Of Confidence. The Convent is located on Coffee Bluff overlooking the river. Formerly a private resi dence, the building has been renovated and a chapel added to the north side. The Chapel is life’s center for the Discalced Carmelite Sisters, who pursue a clois tered life of prayer, work and penance. Here, in the Savan nah Carmel, the Sisters follow the centuries old Rule which has given to the world such outstanding Saints as Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Simon Stock and, within the last seventy years. Therese of Lisieux, familiarly known as “The Little Flower.” ’ The Sisters of the Savannah Carmel, as do Carmelite Sis ters the world over, follow the example of “The Little Flo wer.” Their day to day lives of Liturgical observance, pray er, work and penance are of fered for the spiritual welare o the Diocese o Savannah and for the speedy realization of the express desire of Christ “that they all may be one” . . . that “there shall be but one flock and one shepherd.” Carmeliie Sisters, who have established Monastery near Savannah, are shown in rare photo taken before Cloister was "sealed" BISHOP'S OFFICE 225 Abercorn Street Savannah, Georgia To the Priests, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Savannah: Dearly Beloved in Christ: Five years ago, through the Providence of Almighty God, I came to Savannah with the faculties of a Residential Bishop. Two years ago, His Holiness, Popp John XXIII, appointed me the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah. The period of 1957-1962 was truly one of expansion for the Church in South Georgia. Daily, I am grateful to Our Eucharistic King for being His instrument, in bringing Him to the eighty-eight counties which comprise this jurisdiction. So much has happened during the past five years, that I felt compelled to relate some of them to you. The work of expansion, both spiritually and materially, would have been greatly impeded without the prayers, the material assistance, the cooperation and understanding of you, my cherished flock. May the future open up new opportunities for His honor and glory. In enumerating incidents and relating details, there is always the danger of failing to give adequate recognition to some and perhaps over-emphasizing the works of others. This is not at all the purpose of this report. During the past five years* you know how genuinely I appreciated even the smallest effort, in behalf of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the Diocese. This favorable summation of the growth of the past five years would not have been possible without the courageous dedication made by the Bishops, Priests, Religious and Laity since the establishment of this Diocese. We of today are building upon the heroic sacrifices of yesterday. We beg Our Divine Savior, that the future growth of the Church will benefit immeasurably through our prayerful and united cooperation. If we work for God, unreservedly, the seeds of faith which we plant will yield fruit in abundance. Expressing anew my deepest gratitude and promising you a daily remem brance in my Mass, I am, with my paternal blessing, Devotedly yours in Christ, WL- Bishop of Savannah. HIS EXCELLENCY, THE MOST REVEREND THOMAS J. McDONGUGH, BISHOP OF SAVANNAH. Over $8,000,000 Spent On Building, Expansion SAVANNAH — His Excel lency, the Most Reverend Tho mas J. McDonough has releas ed a report on Diocesan ex pansion, material and spiritu al, during the past five years. The report reveals that up wards of eight and one-half million dollars have been spent by the diocese, parishes, and diocesan institutions on building, expansion and major renovation programs during a period from February, 1957 to February, 1962. In addition to the large building and expansion pro gram, the report also deals with increased vocations to the priesthood, advances in Catho lic education, growth of mis sion areas, addition of new parishes, entry of new com munities of men and women religious into the diocese, and increased membership in Cath olic societies and organiza tions. New construction in the Diocese of Savannah includes 16 churches, nine schools, five convents, a Monastery for the Carmelite Sisters at Savan nah, and a Friary for the Franciscan priests at Ameri- cus. Said Bishop McDonough, “The most important single construction, of course, is the new minor seminary of St. John Vianney. It is the crown ing achievement of our Dio cesan building program. For, from this Seminary, please God, will come many priests to serve the needs of an ever growing Catholic population. And, of course, without priests, the Church simply cannot grow.” Other buildings include the Chancery, rectories, school au ditoriums and cafeterias, par ish halls, and a new gymnasi um, now under construction at Aquinas High School in Au gusta. Bishop McDonough’s report also shows that seven new parishes have been established since 1957 and that the num ber of priests working in the diocese has risen from 72 five years ago to 82 today. Also, in the period covered by the report, one new Community of priests and four new Com munities of sisters have come to the Savannah Diocese. Notable growth is also in dicated in Catholic organiza tions, such as the Catholic Youth Organization, the Dio cesan Council of Catholic Wo men, the Knights of Columbus, and the Legion of Mary. At least two new diocesan organizations have been estab lished — Saint Mary’s Home Guild and The Serra Club. An intensive program de signed to promote and devel op vocations to the diocesan priesthood, instituted in 1959, has brought a sharp rise in the number of seminarians study ing for Savannah. While there were only 18 in 1957, there are 84 today. Commenting on his report, Bishop McDonough said, “The growth which our Diocese has experienced over the past five years is truly amazing, but I don’t think it is at all sur prising. Actually, it could not have been otherwise. “During the past five years, our people — clergy, religious, and laity alike — have been called upon often for their generous prayers and sacrific es. They have responded with dedication and enthusiasm. And God, Who will not be out done in generosity, has given the increase to their labors. “I am sure that our people will derive much satisfaction from this report of the pro gress of the Church in our Diocese, which they have made possible. I feel certain, too, that they will find in it, encouragement for the work which lies ahead —the work of continuing the spread of the Kingdom of God in the eighty-eight counties of this Diocese until the desire of Our Blessed Lord is fulfilled, “And there shall be but one flock and one Shepherd.” Editors Note: Full details of Bishop McDonough's report will be found throughout this edition of THE BULLETIN. IVe regret that, due to limita tions of space, some news items sent to us by correspondents cannot be published at this time. IVe regret, too, that it is im possible to publish pictures of all building, expansion, and renovation projects undertaken during the past five years. We have chosen a limited number, which we believe typify Dio cesan growth since 1957. EXTENSIVE FIVE YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Seventy-five new projects, including new buildings and extensive renovations,' have been completed during the past five years. These are herewith enumerated accord ing to the various Deaneries. SAVANNAH DEANERY: 1. Renovation to the Cathedral of St. John the Bap tist, Savannah. 2. New Minor Seminary of Saint John Vianney, Sa vannah. 3. Construction of new Chancery, Savannah. 4. Acquisition of Bishop’s home, Savannah. 5. New church St. James Parish, Savannah. 6. Extensive addition to St. James School, Savannah. 7. New Notre Dame Information Center, Savannah. 8. New Camp Villa Marie, Savannah. 9. Acquisition of new Carmelite Monastery, Savannah, plus extensive repairs, additions and renovations. 10. New wing to Blessed Sacrament School, Savannah. 11. Construction of auditorium-gymnasium-cafeteria, Blessed Sacrament School, Savannah. 12. Construction of new rectory Blessed Sacrament Parish, Savannah. 13. Construction of new school St. Vincent’s Academy, plus major improvements to existing buildings, Savannah. 14. Major improvements to Sisters’ convent, St. Vin cent’s Academy, Savannah, highlighted by a new chapel. 15. Construction of new church St. Anthony’s Parish, Savannah. 16. Complete renovation of Chapel, Little Sisters of the Poor, Savannah; also many renovations to Home. 17. Acquisition of large tract of land by Sacred Heart Priory, Savannah, (Benedictine Fathers). Upon this site will be constructed the new Benedictine High School. 18. New addition to St. Pius X High School, Savannah. 19. Construction of new school Nativity Parish, Sa vannah, (Thunderbolt). 20. Purchase of house for Youth Center, Nativity Parish, (Thunderbolt). 21. Construction of new convent St. Michael’s Parish, Savannah Beach. 22. Construction of Mercy by the Sea, Sisters of Mercy, Savannah Beach. 23. Construction of new school, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Brunswick. 24. Construction of auditorium-cafeteria, St. Francis Xavier, Brunswick. 25. New addition to St. William’s Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia. 26. Construction of new Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Mary’s, Ga. AUGUSTA DEANERY: 27. Purchase new convent St. Matthew’s Parish, Statesboro. ' 28. Construction of Church of Our Lady of the As sumption, Sylvania. 29. Construction new rectory Our Lady of the Assump tion, Sylvania. 30. Construction new parish hall Our Lady of the Assumption, Sylvania. 31. Construction new church, St. Christopher, Claxton. 32. Construction new rectory, St. Christopher, Claxton. 33. Construction new parish hall, St. Christopher, 34. Construction new Church of St. Bernadette, Millen. 35. Construction new Church of the Sacred Heart, Waynesboro. 36. Construction new Church of St. Joan of Arc, Louisville. 37. Construction new Church of the Sacred Heart, Lyons. 38. Construction new Church of St. Jude, Glennville. 39. Construction new rectory St. Joseph’s Parish, Augusta. 40. Construction new hall St. Joseph’s Parish, Augusta. 41. Construction Aquinas High School, Augusta. 42. Construction new gymnasium Aquinas High School, Augusta, (now under construction). 43. Construction residence for Brothers teaching at Aquinas High School, Augusta. 44. Construction of new school-auditorium-cafeteria, St. Mary’s on the Hill, Augusta. 45. Construction new rectory St. Patrick’s Parish, Augusta. 46. Construction auditorium - cafeteria, Immaculate Conception Parish, Augusta. (Continued on Page 2)