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EIGHT
THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
FEBRUARY 24, 1940
THE BULLETIN
The Official • Organ of the Catholic Laymen’s
Association of Georgia
HUGH KINCHLEY, Editor
815-816 Lamar Building Augusta, Georgia
Subscription Price 62.00 Per Year
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 1939-1940
DR. J. REID BRODERICK, Savannah President
BERNARD J. KANE, Atlanta 1st Vice-President
J. B. McCALLUM. Atlanta Secretary
THOMAS F. WALSH, K. S. G., Savannah .... Treasurer
HUGH KINCHLEY. Augusta Executive Secretary
MISS CECILE FERRY, Augusta, Asst Exec. Secretary
A. M. McAULlFFE, Augusta Auditor
Vol. XXI February 24. 1940 No. 2
Entered as second class matter June 15, 1921, at the Post
Office at Augusta. Ga„ under act of March, 1879. Ac
cepted for mailing at special rate of postage provided
for in Section 1103. Act of October 3. 1917. authorized
September 1. 1921,
Member of N. C. W. C. News Service the Catholic Press
Association of the United States, the Georgia Press
Association and the National Editorial Association.
Published monthly by the Publicity Department
with the Approbation of the Most Rev. Bishops of
Raleigh. Charleston. Savannah. St Augustine and Nash
ville and of the Rt. Rev, Abbot Ordinary of Belmont
Religious Training
f A DDRESSING THE White House Conference on
jr\. Children in a Democracy, which was held re
cently, President Roosevelt said: “Religion, especially,
helps children to appreciate life in its wholeness and to
develop a deep sense of the sacredness of human per
sonality. In view of the estimate that perhaps one-half
of the children in this country are having no religious
instruction, it is important to consider'how provision
can best be made for religious training. In this we must
keep in mind both the wisdom of maintaining the sep
aration of Church and State and the great importance
of religion in personal and sovial living.”
That practical steps be taken “to make more available
to children and youth through education the resources
of religion as an indispensable factor in thd-democratic
way of life and in the development of personal and
social integrity,” the conference recommended that a
privately-supported, non-govemmental agency be form
ed for the purpose of making a comprehensive study to
discover how the child's need for religious education
can best be met in a total program of education, with
out violating the principle of separation of Church and
State.
The conference report went further to state that
“education for moral character should be a supreme
and important concern of education in a democracy.”
Many prominent Catholic educators and social work
ers, representing the clergy and laity, attended the con
ference, the Rev. Dr. Bryan J. McEntegart, director of
the division of children of the Catholic Charities of
the Archdiocese of New York serving on the report
committee, and the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Michael J.
Ready, general secretary of the National Catholic Wel
fare Conference was one of the conference speakers.
Since the injunction to “Teach all nations” was given
by her Divine Founder, the Catholic Church has
throughout the centuries stressed the need for, and la
bored unceasingly for, religion in education.
The presence of two hundred or more of the differ
ent religious sects in this country presents an obstacle
to a solution to the problem faced by the conference,
but it can be hoped that the right answer may some day
be found.
Here in Georgia an effort is being made to approach
a solution to this problem. D. F. McClatchey, Jr., of
Atlanta, has been named chairman of a special board
of education committee to investigate the proposal
made by Dr. Willis A. Sutton, school superintendent, to
give graduation requirement credits to junior and senior
high school students for religious study.
Doctor Sutton has proposed that a student receive a
one-half credit for attending Sunday school, 80 per
cent of the time he is in high schools; another one-half
credit for attending church on the same basis; and one
full credit for attending a church Bible school once a
week for a year while attending either a senior or jun
ior high school. Attendance would be, of course, at
the church, Bible school, or Sunday school of his
choice.
Hon. Edward S. Cook, board president, has named
Mrs. Z. V. Peterson and the Rev. H. Zack Penn on the
committee, in addition to the chairman, and the results
of its investigation will be awaited with interest.
Catholic Press Month
r T _ir HROUGHOUT the United States, the month of
February is the month of the Catholic Press, and
with the approval of the American Hierarchy,- the cause
of the Catholic Press is once again being presented.
News and views of every description are now being
hurled throughout a turbulent world, and there exists
..today a greater and more definite necessity than ever
before for an adequate dissemination of Catholic news
and an exposition current events in the light of the
Catholic viewpoint.
' The Bulletin wishes to call the attention of its
readers to Catholic Press Month, and hopes that this
reminder will persuade those who are not regular
readers of Catholic publications to enter their names
on the subscription list of at least one Catholic paper
or magazine; and to influence those who have not paid
their subscriptions to do so during this month.
Those who are already fortifying themselves in Faith
by reading Catholic literature, could endeavor to in-
'duce, others to follow their example.
Forty Years After
I T WAS on January 12, 1900 that a young priest of
die Diocese of Charleston, filled with zeal and
energy, was appointed Pastor of Saint Mary’s Church,
in Greenville, South Carolina.
Five years before he had received the Sacrament of
Holy Orders at the hands of the beloved Bishop
Northrop. In that brief period he had shown a priestly
character that promised a brilliant future in his
exalted calling.
Forty years have passed since Father Gwynn assumed
his post of pastoral duty in Greenville, and the
promise has been fulfilled.
Now Monsignor Gwynn, for the Holy See had
recognized his extraordinary record of service to the
Church and elevated him to the dignity of a Domestic
Prelate, is being felicitated upon his completion of
four score years as Pastor of the Catholic Church in
Greenville.
Not only is Monsignor Gwynn beloved by his own
parishoners and the Catholic population of the Pied
mont section of South Carolina, and far beyond the
confines of his parish and diocese, but he is admired
and respected by those not of the household of the
Faith.
Greenville has been highly favored in having re
ceived the benefit of Monsignor’s Gwynn ministrations
for forty years, and The Bulletin joins with his mul
titude of friends in extending ardent wishes that for
many more years, in addition to those he has already
given, he may continue to serve Cod and Country,
and the faithful among whom he has labored so suc
cessfully.
The 69th Comes Back
J OYCE KILMER, who was one of the valiant soldiers
of the “Fighting Irish” regiment who did not come
back, wrote from France a poem which he called
“When the 69th Comes Back”.
Now, the 69th comes back again, this time upon the
screen as Warner Brothers’ photoplay. “The Fighting
69th”.
The film portrays real characters, among them being
Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action; and Colonel
“Wild Bill” Donovan. But the leading character is the
immortal Father Francis P. Duffy, chaplain of the 69th
regiment of the National Guard of New York, later the
165th Infantry.
Probably no personage in the World War was more
widely known and beloved by the nation at large than
Father Duffy, who attained his greatest fame in the
world conflict when he became the idol of the men he
served and distinguished himself with great valor on the
field of battle.
When Governor Alfred E. Smith, of New York, was
being considered as a possible candidate, a Professor
Marshall wrote an article for the Atlantic Monthly,
questioning the right of a Catholic to hold office as the
President of the United States.
This is mentioned, because when Governor Smith
made answer, it was with Father Duffy that he consult
ed when points of theology were involved, arid A1
Smith's description of him, as one whose Americanism
was as unquestioned as his Catholicity, is worthy of re
peating: “One whose patriotism neither you nor any
other man will question. He wears upon his breast
the Distinguished Service Cross of Our Country, its
Distinguished Service Medal, the Ribbon of the Legion
of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre with Palm, of the
French Republic. He was chaplain of the almost wholly
Catholic 165th regiment in the World War—Father
Francis P. Duffy.”
“The Fighting 69th” had its premiere last month on
Broadway, where at Times Square, New York has
erected in enduring bronze the Father Duffy memorial.
The film is now being shown in theatres throughout
the country.
Its presentation is most opportune. The time will
come, and it is feared that the time will not be long in
coming when our Americanism may be put to a test.
In more than one war,’ and on many fields of battle,
men of the famous 69th New York have bravely shown
their readiness to give that last full measure of devo
tion in defense of their country. No greater hero or
more loyal American than Father Duffy ever wore the
regimental insignia.
It is well that this screen portrayal of Father Duffy
comes at this time, to remind the young men of this
great nation that if they seek to learn Americanism
from a Catholic priest, they can find no better teacher
than Father Duffy.
Colonel Callahan
N EWS of the death of Colonel P. H. Callahan, of
Louisville, Kentucky, brings a sense of sorrow
and loss to the Catholic Laymen’s Association of
Georgia.
In the early days of its existence. Colonel Callahan,
as - Chairman of the Religious Prejudice Committee of
the Knights of Columbus, rendered invaluable aid to
Laymen’s Association. The importance of the role
that he played in its development cannot be stressed
too strongly, for without his support the pioneer work
of the Association could not have been launched.
Colonel Callahan served as the first honorary vice-
president of the Laymen’s Association, and never
ceased to show his devotion to its cause.
With a prayer that God will grant him eternal rest,
the Catholic Laymen’s Association of Georgia extends
to his bereaved family, a deep and sincere sympathy
in their sorrow.
Dixie Musings
Among the new articles which ap
pear in the “National Catholic Alma
nac,” for 1940, which in prior years
was known as the “Franciscan Al
manac,” is one which covers the
Catholic Laymen's Association of
Georgia.
The volume, which contains a world
of information, is published by the
St. Anthony Guild Press, Paterson,
New Jersey. It was compiled by
Franciscan clerics of Holy Name Col
lege, Washington.
During the years and years that
‘Tobacco Road'” has held forth upon
the stage there has been much said
that was not complimentary regard
ing those folks who live in that sect
ion of Georgia through which the
highway made famous, or infamous,
by Erskine Caldwell, passes.
The novel and play have not given
those who dwell along Tobacco F.'oad
a good reputation, but James B. Pol-
hill, Jr., in the Louisville News and
Farmer, relates a story that discloses
that ambition may be found where
Caldwell seemed to have discovered
only indolence and depravity.
According to Mr. Polhill there is
an “A-rab” family living near Tobac
co Road. In case you might wonder
what sort of people these may be, we
will say that it is a name that has
been applied to those farmers who
have been rehabilitated- by the gov
ernment. and who started out being
called “Rehabs.”
Of this family, the father and
mother are old and infirm, the son
is bright of mind and strong of
muscle. He attends school from
September to January, his time being
taken up with plowing and other
farm work the rest of the year. The
daughters attend school, when they
can, but are busy at home before
and after classes.
In December the father went to
Louisville to ask that his REA elec
tricity be cut off. since despite sac
rifices he was no longer able to pay
for the current that he had struggled
to retain for the children’s sake.
Recently he appeared again at the
REA office, and in the words of
Editor Polhill:
“He burst in conversation as a
starving man gulps food.T wanta tell
you W'hat happened,’ he said. ‘Why,
do you know, some good woman lias
found out that these little gals is
smart and good to their mother, and
she writ a nice letter and told them
she wanted them to have a big
Christmas. And. do you know, there
was a dollar bill hi each letter. When
them chillun seed tlie’r dollars, they
jumped straight up and down. _ They
ain’t never had a dollar of their own
afore. All week long they planned
how to spend their money and what
to git. This morning when the fust
got up they come to me and the ohl
woman and told us that what they
wanted most was to pay the light bill
so they could see to work 'fore day
and to study at night. Here the gal*-
is, and they want to pay the light
bill. It ain’t due yet but it^ will be
and it's their w r ’sh to pay it.”
As Editor Polhill remarks: “The
human heart is a curious thing. It
may beat in an underprivileged body,
but in the beat there may be the
rythm' of true nobility.”
In the December, issue of The Bul
letin, Richard Reid, who was our Edi
tor at that time, with his usual alert
ness to defend the South, contributed
an editorial under the title: "Let’s
Look at the Record”, in which he
made answer to comment appearing
in our esteem contemporary, The New
World, of Chicago. Objection was
made to the statement in connecion
with an account of renewed Klan ac
tivity in the South, that "the South,
of course, is always open to bigotry.”
In justice we believe that readers
of The Bulletin should be given the
following expression of regret that
appeared in one of the latest issues of
The New World:
The Bulletin, Augusta, Ga.. in its
issue of Dec. 23 took issue editorially
with editorial comment appearing in
this publication before that date on
bigotry and the revival of the Ku
Klux Klan. It was vexed particularly
with the statement that the South is
susceptible to bigotry. To refute this
contention it offered the history of
Klan activity in the North and Middle
West and record of the southern
states in the South election when
bigotry was rampant in our country.
In all fairness it must be admitted
that The Bulletin makes out a rather
good case for the South and a rather
bad one for the rest of the country.
This comment, however, is not in
tended as a discussion of the merits
of the contentions. Rather it is meant
to be an expression of our regret .hat
anything which apepared in this
paper displeased The Bulletin. No of
fense was intended but we can well
understand its objections and appre
ciate its defense of the southern
states. The incident gees to show
how careful writers must be when
they are citing evidence to prove ihcir
points. Careful adherence to this pol
icy not only makes for better journal
ism but for simple justice, without
which good journalism is impossible.
Some weeks ago, the Rev. Harold
Barr, pastor of St. Mary’s-on-the-
Hill Church, Augusta, spoke before
the Augusta Kiwanis Club, his
subject being the campaign against
indecent literature. As recorded in
the December issue. of The Bulletin.
Father Barr was highly praised in
an editorial appearing in The Augusta
Herald.
This editorial commendation
brought Father Barr invitations to ad
dress Parent-Teacher Associations of
several Richmond County public
schools, the Lion’s Club, and other
groups on the same subject
Pat O'Brien, who plays the role of
Father Duffy, in the motion picture,
The Fighting 69th”, has given a splen
did performance, according to opin
ions expressed in places where the
film has already been presented, giv
ing a dignified and reverent interpre
tation of the heroic priest.
It is not the first time that Pat
O’Brien has been cast in the role of
a priest, as he played the part of
“Father Connelly” in “Angels With
Dirty Faces”.
The success that the screen star
achieved in these priestly roles is
due to a respect and reverence for
the priesthood that he imbibed from
a devoted Catholic mother, and learn
ed from the pious nuns at Gesu School
and from his Jesuit teachers during
his college years.
He also seems to have grown up
under Irish, as well as Catholic in
fluence, for the names of O'Brien’s
children are Patrick. Sean and Mar
garet Mavoureen O’Br.en.
Father Duffy, upon whose exploits
with the 69th in France the picture is
based, was not a stranger in this
neighborhood. Several times, not long
before his death. Father Duffy was
a winter visitor in Augusta, and also
visited other Southern cities to speak
before gatherings of the American Le
gion.
Having known Father Duffy, we
are inclined to believe what Walter
Winchell wrote recently in his syndi
cated column that is published in ma
ny daily newspapers:
“Father Duffy’s famous statue in
Times Square has engraved on its
base the many citations which that
beloved Soldier of God was awarded
in his lifetime. But the line that
would have marie him happiest was
scribbled In chalk at the bottom of
that distinguished list. It was simply:
'He was a swell guy’ ”
To our thinking, Father Duffy
would have found nothing irrever
ent in the inscription in chalk, out
would have been delighted at what
was intended for a sincere tribute of
respect and esteem.
Jn Atlanta, where the echoes of the
noise made on the night of the big
“Wind” has not subsided, a bid is be
ing made for another world premier.
Now the Capital City of Georgia
wants to claim the honor of the first
public exhibition of the forthcoming
Walt Disney animated cartoon, which
brings to the screen Uncle Remus,
Br er Rabbit. Br er Fox, and the other
characters brought forth by Joel
Chandler Harris.
The beloved author of those classic
folk tales, familiar to generation after
generation of Southern children, en
tered the Catholic Church shortly be
fore his death.
His writings have been translated in
many lauguages, and circulated
throughout the world, and iti s good to
know that the whimsical characters
that delighted our childhood days are
to reappear in another and new
medium.
Within the past few weeks death
came to Mrs. Susan J. Kehoe, widow
of Edward Thomas Kehoe, prominent
Catholic layman who was for many
year with the Bureau of Printing and
Engraving in Washington. Her death
followed that of Mr. Kehoe by less
than two months.
Mr. and Mrs. Kehoe are Survived by
three sons, Edward T. Kehoe, James
F. Kehoe, and William A. Kehoe, and
a daughter, Mrs. Susan Reinburg, who
have in their sorrow the sympatny ot
many Georgians who had been priv
ileged to know and hold in high re
gard their splendid father.
Mr. Kehoe was famed throughout
the South, as well as the North and
East, for his masterful exemplification
of the third degree of the Knights of
Columbus, and the impression which
be made when conferring the major
degree has lasted throughout the lives
of those who were initiated into the
order under Mr. Kehoe, and his usual
associate, Mr. Linthicum, of Balti
more.
It was a long time ago that the pres
ent Editor of The Bulletin was one of
a class of young men who took the
third degree of the Knights of Colum
bus in Augusta. It was ’an occasion
that will never be forgotten.
Later it was our happy privilege to
be allowed to assist Mr. Kehoe as a
member of a degree team which he
commanded, and thus have opportun
ity to better know him for the fine
Catholic gentleman that he was.
Knights of Columbus of this section
share with the Kehoe family their
burden of sorrow in the loss of their
parents, and offer with them prayers
for the repose of the souls of their
departed.
When the former president of the
University of Notre Dame was con
secrated as Auxiliary Bishop of the
Army and Navy Diocese, the chasuble
which he wore during the ceremony
was the same ehasublp that was worn
by Pope Pius XII when he was con
secrated as a Bishop.
Archbishop Spellman, who brought
the chasuble to Notre Dame for Bishop
0’Hara.s consecration, also wore it
upon the occasion of his consecration
as a Bishop.