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Serving Georgia's 88 Southern Counties 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