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6 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC Arc. Bit by bit, but steadily, we have so worked that oqr Association has a standing wherever it i ; known. In previous years we could cover in a report of this length practically every event or work of in terest in the entire year. Now, so numerous are the important things that we can not even recall all of them, but have to keep memoranda to prevent their being crowded from recollection. The Cost of It. We beg to call especial attention to the fact that though our output has more than quadrupled and, though everything has increased in price, the ratio of overhead expense to production is low. For in- #stance, last year was $3,193.48, while for advertising, mailing and printing we spent but $1,7 78.95, which means that the overhead was $1.79 for each dollar of output. This year the office cost $8,336.51, but the total spent for advertising, printing and mailing was $6,931.27, oi* a ratio of $1.20 of overhead to each dollar of product. Put in another way this means: Last year sixty per cent of the money spent was in overhead. This year’s percentage is about fifty-five. When considering these figures, remember that last year there were four on the bureau payroll. This year there are seven. Last year we distributed 150,000 pieces of literature; this year the amount is nearly a half million. In three years and a half we had accumulated a thousand correspondents, and this year we doubled that, there being about twenty-one hundred all told. We submit this for careful consid eration. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION IN SAVANNAH. The Committee recommends: 1st. That the establishment of a circulating library for Georgia Catholics be indorsed, and that the de tails be referred to the Publicity and Finance Com mittees, with power to act. 2d. That such officers as the president may de termine be required at an early date to visit the various cities of the State, make a report of the year’s work, and endeavor to effect greater co-ordination between the local and State Associations. 3d. That The Bulletin be issued monthly, if the details (expenses, etc.), are approved by the Finance and Publicity Committees. 4th. That the Auxiliary Associations be urged to effect a wide circulation of the Catholic Encyclopedia, and that they arrange for copies to be placed in the public libraries, colleges, and high schools of their re spective districts. 5th. That the Association be incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia. 6th. That the Association be entered as a member of the Laymen’s Council of the National Catholic Wel fare Council, and that the president and publicity LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA manager be delegated as representatives at the ap proaching meeting in Washington, D. C. 7th. That we approve of the formation of Catholic Boy Scout Troops in every parish, and that the mem bers be urged to assist the Pastors in effecting this. 8th. That the great importance of higher educa tion of Catholic children, especially the boys, be im pressed upon the Catholics of the State, and that in every city they be urged to the heartiest co-operation in movements for the inauguration of high schools. 9th. That our heartiest thanks be conveyed to our Right Reverend Bishop for his assistance in co-operat ing with us, for without him we feel sure we would not have succeeded so well. And that thanks be also expressed to the Reverend Fathers of the Diocese, who have so ably co-operated with us. Our appre ciation of the wonderful work of our most efficient publicity manager, Mr. J. J. Farrell, can not be fit tingly worded; and the enthusiastic, untiring efforts of our president, Mr. P. H. Rice, are all deserving of our sincere thanks. We send greetings to our former president, Mr. Jack J. Spalding, accompanied by our prayers for his speedy recovery. To President O’Byrne and other members of the Laymen’s Associa tion of Savannah, the Convention hosts, we express appreciation for delightful hospitality. WHY CATHOLICS CALL THEIR PRIEST “FATHER.” Interesting reasons are given as to why Catholics call their priests “Father,” a custom which does not hold throughout the entire Catholic world. The practice is one v/hich has been adopted espe cially in English-speaking countries. The Germans do not so call their priests, but by a word which is akin to our “Reverend.” The French use the word “Cure” or “Abbe.” The priest is looked upon as in a way the author of the spiritual life of the faithful. He infuses the life of grace into the soul with the waters of baptism. When a man loses his grace by mortal sin, the priest revives it by absolution in the Sacrament of Penance. Aside from the attitude of childlike reverence which the faithful have for their clergyman, he takes a fatherly interest in those who are under his care. The parish is looked upon as a large family, and as a father is the natural head of a family, it is but natural that the spiritual head of the parish should be called “Father,” says The Catholic Press of Aus tralia. Members of religious orders are accustomed to call their founders by the title of “Pater,” Latin for “Fa ther,” just as founders of orders for women were called “Mother.” Rev. Father Ambrose, O. 5. B., of the Benedictine School, Savannah, has been presented a medal by the ' Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, in “recognition of patriotic, labors as chaplain during the war.”