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DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH EDITION
J.
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
Published By The
Catholic Laymen's
Ass'n of Georgia
Vol. 43, No. 9
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1962
10c Per Copy — $3 A Year
Asks For Intensified Devotional And Prayer Life
BISHOP ISSUES CALL FOR BROAD SPIRITUAL
PROGRAM IN DIOCESE DURING VATICAN COUNCIL
Bishop's Office
Diocese or Savannah
225 Abeecobn Street
Savannah, Geohoia
September 26, 1962
Dearly beloved in Christ:
Pope John XXIII, shortly after his Coronation, announced plans for the Second Vatican
Council. His proclamation was heralded by the whole Christian world. The preparatory work
for the Council, required indefatigable work and peerless scrutiny. Every Catholic Bishop
was presented with a questionnaire, inviting him to present to the Holy Father suggested top
ics for conciliar consideration. During the past thirty-three months these replies have been
carefully considered, together with the recommendations of the Bishops who were especially
appointed, because of outstanding talents, to work intimately in the preparatory sessions.
The United States was represented by almost two score Bishops and theologians. Through
out all of these tedious but demanding preparations, Our Sovereign Pontiff had been
significantly identified with the workings of each Commission. The volume of work already
completed speaks eloquently of the total dedication of the participants. The Second Vatican
Council will, undoubtedly, be recorded in history as the masterpiece of all time.
The Vicar of Christ on earth summarily enunciated the purpose of the Council when he
announced it to the whole world.
"First, there must be a Council to reform the Church and revive the spirit
of the Gospel; then we shall be able to understand our separated brethren
and they will understand us."
Only after deep deliberation and thorough scrutiny, and finally, approval of the work of the
preparatory Commission, did the Supreme Pontiff solemnly call to Rome the Catholic Bishops
of the world. In December of last year, the Successor to St. Peter announced joyously that
the Second Vatican Council will open on October 11th, the feast of the Maternity of Our
Blessed Lady. All the Bishops of the world will converge on Rome and it is estimated that
almost 3,000 will be in attendance.
The famous Basilica of Saint Peter, constructed over the mortal remains of Saints
Peter and Paul, will be the scene of the major sessions of the Council. Undoubtedly the
spectacle will be overwhelming, because Bishops from every corner of the world, speaking
different languages and observing traditional customs, will assemble at the feet of the
Vicar of Christ on earth. Even though there may be diversity of language and custom, there
will prevail a unity and love of the One True Church never envisaged before.
John XXIII in His motu proprio "Approprinquante concilio" speaks of the large assemblage
of Bishops in these words:
"What inspires confidence in Our mind is the certainty that the Fathers of
the Council, though they differ according to nation, race and language, are
all Our brothers in Christ and all act in one single and similar spirit, so
that truly, according to the words of Jesus Christ, they will be able to shine
as the light of the world and will be able to produce fruits ‘in all goodness
and justice and truth’."
Obviously the agenda of the Council has been the subject of great speculation. Theologians,
Canonists and Liturgists, in learned treatises, have deftly presented what they believe will be
considered by the Fathers of the Council under the authority, wisdom and sanctity of Pope
John XXIII. We know, however, that such prognostications, however meritorious, are purely
conjectural. It is, nevertheless, a valid conclusion to assume that the decisions of the Council
will be in the best interest and spiritual welfare of the Church, founded by Christ upon His
Apostles. A Church that has been promised permanency; a Church founded for the salvation
of all mankind. You and I know that it is the desire of His Holiness to imbue all Christians
with a deeper love and a more profound knowledge of the Church. The Father of Christendom,
in a way so symbolical of His Pontificate, is intensely desirous of restoring to the Church
her pristine brillance. We must be one with the Church; we must effect a spiritual renais
sance in our own lives and in the lives of those who have lost God or strayed away from His
Divine Guidance.
"The Catholic Church", in the words of the Father of Christendom, "expects multiple
fruit from this great gathering. And she, who is the most holy spouse of Christ and the
mother and teacher of all people, desires above all else that the light of truth reaches all
her sons, including those who live far distant from her, so that they may always be more
fired by the ardor of charity."
The Ecumenical Council is for the whole Church. The Ecumenical Council is the voice of
Christ rallying us to the simplicity of the Cross, which transcends every other ambition.
Since the foundation of the Church twenty Ecumenical Councils have been convoked to com
bat error or to effect discipline. The twenty-first Ecumenical Council, to be known as the
Second Vatican Council, has not been summoned for any specific purpose. Again quoting His
Holiness:
"The aim of the Council is to make the clergy on every level shine with
a new holiness; to bring the main points and precepts of Christian Doc
trine to the people of God in the best possible way; to give to young peo
ple . . . sound training in how to live as they should; to foster the activi
ties of the social apostolate; and to nourish a deep missionary spirit."
We are living in a changing age when the tempo of our lives is greatly accelerated, when
material wealth is more important, when abuses are more prevalent. Our world, today, is
high-lighted by scientific advances which seek to conquer outer space; an age wherein
materialism and secularism are complemented by pagan ideas. The trust into the world be
yond seemingly forgets that God is the Creator of the Universe. The Church, although old,
is ever new and recognizes the importance of placing proper emphasis upon spiritual values.
The Church is endeavoring to prevent our world from fading into spiritual oblivion. Our
(Continued on Page 8)
PRAY FOR OUR
PRIESTLY DEAD
REV. ALEXANDER J. SEMMES
Sept. 27, 1898
REV. GEORGE S. O'BRIEN
Sept. 29, 1887
Oh God, Who didst give to
thy servants by their sacredotal
office, a share in the priest
hood of the Apostles, grant,
we implore, that they may
also be one of their company
forever in heaven. Through
Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Holy Name Directors Meet
SAVANNAH - The Southeast
ern Regional Convention of dio
cesan directors of the Holy
Name Society was held from
September 23rd to September
25th.
The directors from the
ecclesiastical provinces of Bal
timore and Atlanta were
present at this convention. Also
present were military chaplains
from this same area. Meetings
were held at the General Ogle
thorpe Hotel in Savannah.
Msgr. Toomey, the diocesan
director of the Holy Name So
ciety for Savannah, extended
the invitation for this regional
meeting to be held in Sav
annah.
This was the third regional
meeting for Holy Name direc
tors since the last national con
vention of the Holy Name So
ciety.
The convention opened with
an informal meeting on Sunday
evening. On Monday and Tues
day there were panel dis
cussions and workshop pro
grams for delegates, concern
ing the basic requisites for
establishing and maintaining a
Holy Name Society on both the
parish and the diocesan level,
as well as in military installa
tions.
On Monday, there was
To Leave For Solemn
athering On Oct. 8
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough,
Bishop of Savannah has called upon every Catholic in the Dio
cese for an intensified prayer and devotional life during
the Second Vatican Council, which will open on October 11th.
His pastoral letter, to be
Special Council
Observances
In Diocese
read at Masses throughout the
Diocese on Sunday, September
30th is reproduced in full else
where on this page.
In a seperate letter addressed
to all pastors, Bishop Mc
Donough also suggested a pro
gram of parish study, prayer,
and devotions, to be begun on the
Council’s opening date and con
tinued throughout its duration.
Bishop McDonough will leave
New York for Rome on October
8th , to take his seat among
the almost 3,000 Cardinals,
Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots
and Heads of Religious Orders.
There will be approximately 250
Council representatives from
the United States.
In company with about 25
other American Bishops, Bish
op McDonough will leave via
Pan American jet three days be
fore the twenty first Ecumeni
cal Council is solemnly
convoked by His Holiness, Pope
John XXIII.
The French Hierarchy have
procured facilities at Orly Field
in Paris, where arriving Church
dignitaries from all over
the world may celebrate Mass
enroute to Rome. The French
Bishops have also provided a
staff of guides to provide for
eign prelates with information
about Paris. Bishop Mc
Donough’s plane will stop at
the Paris airfield for approxi
mately one hour, where he will
offer Mass for the success of the
Council and for the intentions
of all the people of the Savannah
Diocese.
Accompanying Bishop Me -
Donough will be the Right Rev
erend Monsignor T. James Mc
Namara, Diocesan Vicar Gen
eral and Rector of the Savannah
Cathedral.
They will arrive in Rome at
11:30 a.m. October 9th and will
reside at the post-graduate
house of the Missionary Ser
vants of the Most Holy Trin
ity, known to Catholics in Geor
gia as "The Trinitarian Fath
ers". Priests of this Commun
ity staff Immaculate Conception
in Dublin. Also staying with
the Trinitarians will be Bishop
Richard O. Gerow of Natchez,
Mississippi and his auxiliary,
Bishop Joseph B. Brunini.
Monsignor McNamara will re
main in Rome for approximate
ly one month, while Bishop
McDonough will stay till the
conclusion of the session, set
for December 8th, the feast of
The Immaculate Conception.
Leaving Rome on December
10th, he will return via Paris,
where he will again celebrate
Mass, and arrive in New York
on the same day. It is expected
that he will proceed almost im
mediately to the Savannah Dio
cese, where he will be celebrant
at a Solemn Pontifical Mass
marking the centenary of the
arrival of the Sisters of Mer
cy at Columbus on December
16th.
During Bishop McDonough’s
absence Diocesan affairs will
be administered by the Right
Reverend Andrew J. McDonald,
Diocesan Chancellor.
INDEX
MARRIAGES 5
ADD. COUNCIL STORY 3
EDITORIALS 4
DORIS ANSWERS YOUTH.. . . 4
OBITUARIES 5
a luncheon, at which His Ex
cellency, the Most Reverend
Thomas J. McDonough, Bish
op of Savannah, presided.
SAVANNAH - The ringing
of Church bells throughout the
Diocese of Savannah on October
11th will mark the solemn open
ing of the Catholic Church’s
twenty-first General Council in
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
This will be in accordance
with a list of directives issued
by Bishop Thomas J. McDon
ough. Included among the di-
Bishop To Offer
Pontifical Mass
Octo 2nd
SAVANNAH - A Pontifical
Mass at the Cathedral of
St. John the Baptist, October
2nd, will mark the official
beginning of Diocesan-wide
religious observances to be
held during the Vatican
Council.
Celebrant of the Mass,
which begins at 10:00 a.m.
will be The Most Reverend
Thomas J. McDonough. All
parish priest of the Diocese,
as well as the student body
from St. John Vianney Mi
nor Seminary will be
present.
At the conclusion of the
Pontifical Mass, first year
Seminary students will be
invested with the surplice.
Owing to extensive reno
vations underway, the Mass
will be celebrated in the
Cathedral’s lower Church,
the Chapel of Our Lady.
After a 12:15 luncheon,
Bishop McDonough will con
voke a Clergy Conference
at Savannah’s DeSoto Hotel.
rectives are the following:
1) A special Mass is to be
offered in every parish of the
Diocese, to ask the blessing
of God on the deliberations
and decisions of the Council’s
participants. Permission has
been granted to partors to
schedule this Mass in the even
ing if they so desire. A sermon
on the Council is to be preached
at this Mass.
2) A Tridumm is to be con
ducted during the month of Oc
tober, in every parish, for the
spiritual success of the Council.
3) Once every week, for the
duration of the Council’s
session, every parish will sche
dule an evening Mass. All par
ishioners are urged to attend,
joining with Catholics through
out the Diocese in prayer for
the Council’s success.
The Directives also call for
the observance of weekly par
ish Holy Hours and where pos
sible, nocturnal adoration of
The Blessed Sacrament.
Bishop McDonough has also
suggested the institution of Stu
dy Clubs in parishes, "to ac
quaint our people with the his
tory and purpose of General
Councils.”
A communication from Bi
shop McDonough to all pastors
urged daily attendance by the
faithful at Mass, and frequent
reception of Holy Communion,
frequent visitation by pastors
to their parish schools "for
the purpose of informing our
children about the Council",
and talks on the Council by
competent speakers at Home
(Continued on Page 8)
TO LEAVE FOR COUNCIL OCTOBER EIGHTH - Bishop Thomas J. McDonough and
Msgr. T. James McNamara look at map of Europe. Bishop McDonough will be accom
panied by the Diocesan Vicar General on his trip to Rome for the Second Vatican Council.
(Carroll Burke Photo)
SAVANNAH COUNCIL OF
CATHOLIC MEN FORMED
SAVANNAH - An organiza
tional meeting of the Savannah
Deanery Bishop’s Council of
Men was held at Savannah’s
General Oglethorpe Hotel last
Sunday afternoon.
The meeting was announced
by His Excellency, Bishop
Thomas J. McDonough on Sept
ember 13th, in a letter to Sav
annah Deanery pastors, in which
he said, "Through this Council
we anticipate giving emphasis
and strength to . . . local
(parish) groups, presenting a
broad program of Catholic Ac
tion to the men of the Dio
cese."
‘ ‘This is in keeping with the
wishes of our Supreme Pontiff,
namely, to permit our Catholic
laymen to participate more ac
tively in the apostolate of the
Church," the letter stated.
In addressing the Sunday
meeting, Bishop McDonough
noted that “This Council is not
a new organization in the ac
cepted sense of the word. Ra
ther, it is a federation of al
ready existing organizations,
and the Council will not, in
any way, attempt to replace
those organizations or inter
fere with their programs or
(Continued on Page 8)
Columbus Deanery Organizes
MACON- The Columbus
Deanery of the Bishop’s Coun
cil of Men for the Dio
cese of Savannah was organized
in Macon, Sunday, Sept. 9, at
St. Joseph’s Hall.
Officers appointed were Dr.
James L. Cassidy, Macon, pre
sident; Ray Dwornik, Albany,
vice president; Joseph Long,
Columbus, treasurer; and Lane
Williams, Macon, secretary.
Over 140 priests and laity
attended this organizational
meeting, including Msgr. John
D. Toomey who has been named
Diocesan Moderator by His Ex
cellency, Bishop Thomas J. Mc
Donough. Committee Chairmen
appointed were: Robert Maupin
of Douglas, spiritual life;
(Continued on Page 8)
Bishop’s Office
Diocese or Savannah
225 Abbbcohx Stbeet
Savannah, Geohoia
Our dear Catholic People of Georgia:
Our State will have two Catholic weekly newspapers,
starting January 1st, 1963 . This move is the result of
several timely factors, - the division of the State into
two Dioceses by the Holy See, and the consequent Catholic
growth in both the Diocese of Savannah and the Archdiocese
of Atlanta.
Each paper will have its own local diocesan character.
We are proud to announce this new move as a note of con
fidence in the Catholic people of Georgia, and ask God’s
Blessing upon it.
Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough,
Bishop of Savannah
Most Reverend Paul J. Hallinan,
Archbishop of Atlanta