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PAGE 4—THE BULLETIN, September 29, 1962
THE COUNCIL AND US
Asking for It
As the opening day of the
forthcoming Ecumenical
Council approaches, it seems
that the whole Christian world
has been caught up in the fer
vor which has characterized
the past two years of its
preparation. Non-Catholics as
well as Catholics have found
their hearts and their thoughts
turning, almost instinctively,
to the great Basilica of St.
Peter’s in Rome, hoping that
perhaps this Solemn Council
may be the beginning of the
fulfillment of Our Lord’s
prayer, “Holy Father, keep
them in thy name, whom thou
has given me; that they may
be one, as we also are . . .
That they all may be one,
as thou, Father, in me, and
I in thee; that they also may
be one in us; that the world
may believe that thou has
sent me.’’ (John 17; 11 & 21).
Indeed, religious leaders of
many denominations have
called upon their people to put
aside old enmities, and in the
spirit of true Charity, to pray
for Divine guidance for the
Council’s participants, and for
the fruitfulness of its work.
Catholics, the world over,
rejoice at such an outpouring
of good-will, and at the long
ing of Christendom for the
unity Christ so ardently de
sires.
But, desirable as it is, unity
is not the first or most im
portant purpose of the twenty-
first Vatican Council, and it
will not be advanced by so
much as a day, unless Catho
lics thoroughly understand and
are wholeheartedly dedicated
to the Council’s purpose, as
announced by His Holiness,
Pope John XXIII.
“The aim of the Council is
to make the clergy on every
level shine with a new holi
ness; 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 people . . . sound
training in how to live as
they should; to foster the ac
tivities of the social aposto-
late; and to nourish a deep
missionary spirit.”
It is to promote such un
derstanding and dedication on
the part of our people that
our Bishop, The M ost
Reverend Thomas J. Mc
Donough has urged all to more
frequent and fervent prayer,
and to the generous sacrifice
entailed in more frequent at
tendance at daily Mass and
evening devotions.
We feel that we speak for
every Catholic in the Diocese
of Savannah in assuring our
Bishop that our daily prayers
and sacrifices will follow him
when he leaves to take his
place as a successor to the
Apostles, in a Solemn Coun
cil which seeks, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit,
to “Renew the face of the
earth,” and that we shall
strive - by increased holiness,
of life, by a better knowledge
and deeper appreciation of our
Holy faith, and by the exer
cise of Christ-'iike Charity,
and Understanding toward all -
to be the first fruits of a new
epoc in the life of Christ’s
Church.
KILL THE MOSQUITO OR DRAIN THE SWAMPS?
Sum and Substance
REV. JOHN B. SHEERIN. C.S.P.
Will the Organization of Am
erican States take strong meas
ures to dismantle the commun
ist bastion in Cuba? Many dip
lomatic experts feel that
Castroism is a Latin Ameri
can problem
that should be
handled by
Latin Ameri
cans.
The wisdom
of a U.S. naval
blockade to cut
off communist
aid is highly
risky business. Another in
vasion of Cuba 4s also a dub
ious venture. We have no desire
to repeat the first fiasco at the
Bay of Pigs.
But is there any ground for
hope that the O.A.S. can be
persuaded to act in concert
against Castro? Any positive
moves by the O.A.S. would cer
tainly embolden the budding
revolutionaries in Cuba and
there does seem to be a vast
amount of discontent on the un
happy island at this time. Late
this month the O.A.S. members
are to meet in New York. What
will they decide to do?
My own guess is that they
will mouth some oratorical gen
eralities about the perils of
foreign intervention but will
make no significant moves.
Brazil and Mexico have al
ready accommodated themsel
ves to the fact of a Cuban com
munism and they won’t be anxi
ous to start any trouble.
The other nations will prob
ably feel that while the So
viets in Cuba constitute an em
barrassment- to American pres
tige there is little chance that
Kruschev will risk a global war
for the sake of a confederate
as unreliable as Castro. Nic
aragua, Costa Rica, Guatem
ala and Venezuela may clamor
for aggressive action butlthink
most of the others will pursue
a policy of extreme caution.
Why the hesitation? The
reluctance of these Latin Am
erican nations is due, I
believe, to the force of pub
lic opinion in their countries.
There is in Latin America gen
erally the revolution of “ris
ing expectations” and the peo
ple want social and economic
reforms.
To many of these people,
Castro symbolizes reform.
Moreover, they have been prop
agandized by the communists
into believing that the United
States has exploited them in the
past and they admire Castro as
one of their own who talked
back to the imperialist monster
of the North. The American stu
dent who attended the Helsinki
Youth Festival this year found
an amazing amount of anti-Am
ericanism and fidelism even
among the neutral Latin Amer
icans.
The two big facts in Latin
America, and we have to keep
them in mind in discussing
Cuba are 1 ; the increasing
activity of communists and 2;
the Latin American’s emotional
commitment to social and econ
omic reform. (I refer of course
to the masses, not the
tight - fisted millionaires who
are banking their wealth in
Switzerland and at the same
WIFE’S EXAMPLE, PRAYERS FINALLY GET RESULTS
Sharing Our Treasure
DORIS REVERE PETERS
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rnAwerA
YOUTH
Rigorous Requirements
For Accredited Actuary
L-
r.
HERE COMES THE COUNCIL
It Seems to Me
time fighting land reform at
home.)
Many Catholic leaders in Lat
in America, fortunately, are
promoting these much needed
reforms. TeodoroMoscoso, co
ordinator of the Alliance for
Progress, recently praised the
Chilean bishops for their work
in planning land reform and
many religious orders in Chile
are following the lead of the
bishops and distributing church
owned farmlands to tenant far
mers. IP
The coming weeks will re
veal what positive steps the Ad
ministration at Washington will
take with regard to the pres
ence of Soviet military tech
nicians, advisers and material
in Cuba. With the Castroites
manufacturing charges about U.
S. Marine “provocations” at
Guantanamo, the Administra
tion may have to forestall a
takeover of the Naval Base.
But no matter what happens
we ought to retain a proper
perspective on Cuba and I think
Moscoso has phrased it aptly
in a recent statement: “I have
long felt that in building up
Castro as an arch enemy of
the U.S., we may well have
magnified a mosquito into an
eagle.”
To use the flit-gun on the
Cuban mosquito will not solve
all the problems of Latin Am
erica. That may become nec
essary but it won’t get to the
source of the troubles. The
only cure-all is to drain the
swamps of social and economic
injustice that have spawned the
mosquito.
I have inside
In some cases the grace of
faith comes with lightning velo
city, as it came to Saul when
he was traveling on the road
to Damascus to persecute
Christians. In other instances
it comes
slowly, and
only after
many years,
as in the ca
ses of Ores-
t e s Brown-
s o n, G. K.
Chester-
ton and Car
dinal Newman,
portant never to despair of the
Hence it is im-
REV. JOHN A. O'BRIEN
grace coming to someone you
love. Monica never ceased to
pray for conversion of Augus
tine and her perseverance was
richly rewarded.
If you have a non-Catholic
husband, wife, father, mother,
son, daughter or friend, pray
perseveringly for his conver
sion and set the proper exam
ple, and your efforts will not
be in vain. This is illustrated
in the conversion of Charles
E. Lentz of South Bend. “I
grew up in Poplar Bluff, Mis
souri,” related Charles,
“where I attend the Presbyter
ian Church and Sunday School.
When I came, as a young man,
to South Bend I was fortunate
to meet Henrietta Kearns.
“A lovely Catholic girl, she
not only believed in her
religion but also lived it each
day. We were married in 1913
by Father John DeGroot, C.S.C.
at St. Patrick’s Rectory after
I received a brief instruction
on marriage. As I was a dyed-
in-the-wool Protestant, it took
me a long time to get a true
insight into the Catholic
religion and to appreciate it.
Both of these I got from my
(Continued on Page 5)
Our preparation for the world
council of the Church ought
to be mental and emotional as
well as spiritual. We must make
ready not only for expected or
half-expected things, but also
for the unex
pected, not to
mention the
startling and
even the in-
c o n v e n-
ient and the
unwelcome.
I am not
s uggest-
ing that
information about proposals to
be made. I have not.
But I have heard in a
general way that some of them
are likely to come as a bit
of a jolt to the more conser
vative among us.
There will be suggestions as
unanimously acceptable as that
of inserting the name of St.
Jospeh in the Mass. I can hard
ly imagine anybody objecting to
that. Surely, it is high time
that this humblest of men be
drawn, at least a little, out
of the obscurity which he and
the Holy Spirit, for reasons
valid at the time, chose for
him.
Besides, the idea of putting
Joseph in the Mass as the
first of the saints after only
the Virgin Mary was on the
agenda of the First Vatican
Council of 1870, which
pronounced him patron of the
Universal Church, but was
abruptly suspended in the face
of invading troops before it
could decree this other honor
for him.
I do not think anybody will
be upset if the honor, which
seems long overdue, is given
now. But among the thousands of
proposals before the Second Va
tican Council, there are cer
tainly some which are likely to
cause lifted eyebrows among
those who like things as they
are, and do not relish marked
change.
It will surprise nobody, of
course, if the council decides
for much more use of native
tongues in the Mass. That might
annoy some, but it will not be
unexpected, because the ques
tion has been widely discussed.
But what if the Fathers vote
to make, in the Mass, changes
which will seem almost revolu
tionary—even if, in fact, they
are only a return toward early-
Christian practices?
This may happen, and if it
does, some of us may be tempt
ed to do a bit of muttering,
or at least wondering, to the
general effect of asking what
in the world the bishops are up
to. Aren’t Masses thronged
every Sunday? Isn’t the percent
age of attendance high? Isn’t
the liturgical life of the people
going along very well?
The answer, in large part,
is yes—if you are talking, say,
about the U.S. But the answer
is no if you look at France
JOSEPH BREIG
and Italy, and Latin America,
and some other parts of the
world. There the people in gen
eral have got separated from
the Mass and from some of
the sacraments especially
Penance and Holy Communion.
And for that matter, even
in America many of us have
not yet grasped the social mean
ing of the Mass—that the Holy
Sacrifice is not simply for per
sonal sanctification, but a wor
ship of the people which, each
time, should be a new Pente
cost, a new breathing of the
Spirit, sending us forth to trans
form the world in the image of
Christ.
We ought to make ourselves
ready, therefore, to welcome
whatever the council decides
is for the common good not
only of Christians, but of all
mankind. We must try to under
stand not only what is done,
but why it is done so that we
may cooperate wholeheartedly.
Many of the French bishops,
it is known, will urge upon the
council a “modernizing of the
structure of the Mass.” Non-
essential parts which have
grown out of antiquity, they say,
should be replaced by “new
forms rooted in contemporary
life.” We may see the council
making some rather astonishing
'decisions.
All right. Bishops in France
would not propose alterations-:
without good reason. If such
changes can serve to bring the
Mass and the people together
again, then that is for the gen
eral welfare, and should be ac
cepted with good cheer. This
is the spirit we should be cul
tivating at this time.
TRIBUTE TO NUNS EVERYWHERE
Jottings
By BARBARA C. JENCKS
Perhaps Sisters will ever be unsolved mysteries and
wonders of the world. A movie like “Come to the Stable”
or a book like the “Nun’s Story” and pictures of a Sister
on a roller coaster or at a ballgame do little to give the
public the true picture of what a Sister is. Perhaps our
world can never conceive what it is that makes a nun out
of a woman. The idea persists even among Catholics that
a Sister is not quite a real person but a sort of grown up
child who just does not know what the world is all about.
Recently the Holy Father asked the Sisters of the world
to assist him by their prayers and by leading even greater
lives to sanctity to assure the success of the coming
ecumenical council. For those who believe that nuns are
“out of it,” the Pope’s words may be startling. In speaking
to the Sisters, Pope John said: “You may not be alien to
any disaster, to any mourning or calamity. Let no scientific
discovery, cultural convention, social or political assembly
lead you to think ‘These things do not concern us’. . .you
are present wherever your spiritual contribution is needed
for the good of souls as well as for real human progress
and for universal peace.”
In short, Sisters are very much part of this world.
Their contributions are not recorded properly in the head
lines of the daily press but only God can fathom and properly
headline, so to speak, their tremendous contributions by
prayers and works of charity.
With few exceptions those closest to me in this world
have been religious. They have been guides, examples,
powerful intercessors and friends. Yes, religious who
live a life completely apart from our restless strivings
are most capable of friendship! They make the most ideal
friends because they are interested first of all in the
welfare of our souls. It is no little thing to have a friend
who will remember you daily before the throne of God and
whose works and prayers and sufferings include you in
a particular way even as they include those whom she
has never seen or met.
My life has been blessed by those whom I have known
in the secular life and who have entered a variety of
orders—Carmelites, Trappistines, missionary and teaching
orders. But there have also been those whom providence
destined me to meet after they were well formed in re
ligious life with years of prayer and apostolic life behind
them. I admire nuns more than any other people in this
world. It is not a little thing in this day and age to put
the world behind you, to strike out the words “me and
mine”, and substitute “Thee and Thine.” There are very
few who understand the vocation of a nun, very few Catholics
even.
In a few days a former student of mine will enter the
ranks of those in black who in giving all, find All. In our
time, there is a particular lack of vocations to the Sister-
continued on Page 5)
Dear Doris:
Could you tell me something
about what an Actuary is and
what he does? At a career day
in high school last spring I
heard this was a good field
for someone with a flair for
math. But no one I talk to
seems to know much about it.
I’m just starting college.
Mike (New York)
An actuary is a unique com
bination of mathematician and
businessman. To define it: “an
actuary determines the pre
mium rates and benefits of life
insurance, health insurance,
pension plans and other types
of insurance.”
He works with statistics in
insurance companies. He com
piles mortality rates which tell
him how long people have lived.
He devises plans through which
people can pool their principal
resources for mutual pro
tection.
Lest all this sound tedious
an actuary also works with
people. In developing insurance
plans he works with doctors,
lawyers, economists and in
vestment specialists.
Job opportunities are excel
lent but the requirements are
rigorous. To be recognized as
an accredited actuary you must
pass eight examinations given
by the Society of Actuaries.
However, some of these exams
you can take while you are still
in college if you choose the
proper courses. Check this with
your college or class advisor.
Take as much math as you
can, Economics, accounting and
business administration will
help. And don’t forget the hu
manities, English in particular.
Actuaries believe, “an actuary
should be a man of general
culture with a knowledge of
both books and men and the
more he has of both the better.”
For further information write
for the free booklet, “Should
You Be An Actuary?” New York
Life Insurance Co., New York,
New York.
BAD MANNERS
Dear'Dbris:
My father got mad because
the boy H.,dated at the beach
this summer always honked the
horn of his car when he came
to pick me up and never bother
ed to come in for me. Is this
so wrong?
Diane
It’s bad manners, and it’s
rude, so I guess it’s wrong.
I’m surprised your father
allowed the whole summer to
pass without suggesting an ul
timatum. And I’m surprised
you didn’t get mad too. Or at
least tell him after the first
time that you expected a little
courtesy.
Boys are expected to come
into the house and meet your
parents. This doesn’t have to
take more than three or four
minutes and after the first time
even less than that. Don’t com
promise on common courtesy
Diane. It can mean a lot.
FOR TEENAGERS ONLY
Dear Doris:
I’m a sophomore in a Catho
lic high school. I’m 15 and I
have two younger brothers, one
three and one seven. My mother
doesn’t agree that I should go to
a party or dance without one of
them. I don’t mind too much
but I don’t enjoy myself as they
want me to stay with them or
go home early. These are par
ties or dances for teens and
there are no children for them
to play with. Boys are such
little Indians. There are adults
to supervise the parties and
priests as chaperones at the
dances. What should I do?
Alice Maria
Little boys three and seven
do not belong at a teenage
party. They should be home
in bed. Perhaps one of the
chaperones could help you con
vince your mother of this.
Or you might try a solution
on your own. Refuse to go to
the next dance. Simply tell your
mother you would rather sacri
fice your fun than take little
boys out at night. This might
seem mean and not fair for
you. But then it just might work
the first time and you will miss
only one dance. It’s worth a
try.
WOULD ENTER CONVENT
Dear Doris:
I want very much to become
a nun. But I can’t discuss it
with my parents as we don’t
get along together and I know
they would say they can’t afford
it. I am only 16 but isn’t there
some way I could leave without
their permission? Thank you
for your kindness.
Kay
Anyone who wants to enter the
convent needs the ability to
get along with people-even pa
rents. This is just as impor
tant in the convent as in any
vocation or job. And our very
first learning experience in
human relations as it is refer
red to, takes place within the
family circle, at home. It is
at home we learn to be under
standing and tolerant of others—
particularly parents.
It would be wise, Kay, to
discuss your vocation with your
pastor or a priest he recom
mends. He will probably sug
gest that you finish high school
first. Besides spiritual gui
dance he will also help you
work out any problems you may
have at home.
(Doris Revere Peters ans
wer's letters through her col
umn, not by mail. Please do
not ask for a personal reply
Young readers are invited to
write to her in care of THE
BULLETIN.
! QUESTION BOX
(By David Q. Liptak)
Q. I read a recent edito
rial to the effect that the coming
ecumenical council will reflect
the universality of the Church
more so than previous councils
have, because this time around
the cardinals who have been
assigned to preside at the va
rious sessions are from
throughout the world, and one
is even from the Eastern Rites.
The implication is that previous
ecumenical councils have been
controlled by Western European
personalities. But this isn’t at
all true, is it?
A. To say that the twenty
ecumenical councils so far have
been dominated by Western Eu
ropeans is to ignore the fact
that the first eight councils,
which spanned the first 1,000
years of the Christian era, were
held either in Eastern Europe
or Asia Minor, and that the
principals during these eight
councils were for the most part
Greeks, Egyptians and Syrians.
The initial general council con
vened in the West and concern
ed chiefly with Western disci
plinary problems was the
(Continued on Page 5)
416 8TH ST.. AUGUSTA, GA.
Published fortnightly by the Catholic Laymen’s Association
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Second class mail privileges authorized at Monroe, Ga. Send
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Rev. Francis J. Donohue Rev. R. Donald Kieman
Editor Savannah Edition Editor Atlanta Edition
John Markwalter, Managing Editor
Rev. Lawrence Lucree, Rev. John Fitzpatrick
Associate Editors, Savannah Edition
Vol. 43 Saturday, September 29, 1962 No. 9
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
GEORGE GINGELL, Columbus President
MRS. DAN HARRIS, Macon Vice-President
NICK CAMERIO, Macon Secretary
JOHN T. BUCKLEY, Augusta Treasurer
ALVIN M. McAULIFFE, Augusta Auditor
JOHN MARKW ALTER, Augusta Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta Financial Secretary