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1 ^ N.C.W.C. Statement-Part 2 — “A Matter Of Personal Concern” Individual Commitment In War On Poverty INDIVIDUAL RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT What, then does the Church ask of the concerned Christian, as it directs his attention to this basic problem of poverty in this wealthy nation? First, and above all, it asks that we make this a matter of personal concern and involvement. In older and simpler so cieties, it was fairly easy for any person who wanted to help his neighbor to know what was needed. Today it is possible to live in our suburbs, rush to work without really seeing our city surroundings, spend our days in an office or factory, and nev er even know what life is like for 35 million fellow Ameri cans who life in poverty. We can discuss the question in the ab stract, as a political, social or economic problem, and ignore the human tragedy involved. Pope Pius XII noted that many persons are misinformed about poverty: "Persons of good faith who have only inadequate know ledge of the matter believe that the majority of those who live in slums or who must be satis fied with an income below the essential minimum are there through their own fault or neg ligence, and that welfare or ganizations are capable of help ing anyone in need of it." (Ad dress, May 3, 1957) Secondly, the Church asks us to form a Christian conscience about the dignity of each per son and our own responsibility to do all within our power to help them. When our Saviour was asked to illustrate the law of love of neighbor, he gave the parable of the Good Samaritan as his answer. Compassion is the mark of the Christian. Christ’s description of the last judgment is clear and simple. The Lord confronts the just with these words: "I was hun gry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in." And the just asked in astonishment when they did these things to the Lord. He replied: "As long as you did it for one of these, the last of my brethren, you did it for me." (Mt. XXV, 34-40) On the day that all men as sinners shall ask mercy, they will receive it to the extent that they showed mercy toward their fellow man. Thirdly, we must realize that the best form of help, as was said over seven centuries ago by the great Jewish physician, Moses Maimonides, is to help people to help themselves.Giv ing food to the hungry, clothing to those who shiver in the cold, and shelter to families that lack decent housing is important, but it is only a first step. Much more necessary is in telligent concern over the caus es of indigence and destitution. To cite one example, racial discrimination is widely con sidered as an important source of poverty. The Catholic Bish ops of the United States noted in their 1958 statement on dis crimination: "It is a matter of historical fact that segregation in our country has led to oppressive conditions and the denial of ba sic human rights for the Ne gro. This is evident in the fun damental fields of education, job opportunity, and housing. Flowing from these areas of neglect and discrimination are problems of health and the sor did train of evils so often asso ciated with the consequent slum conditions." Certainly no Catholic with an informed conscience will re main aloof ftom the struggle for civil rights which is today one of our first domestic prob lems. Indeed, weCatholics must go beyond civil rights and be sensitive to human rights, whe ther or not these fall in the pro vince of civil law. While we give whole hearted support to civic projects for the relief of poverty, we do not feel that our Christian duties end with such endorsement. It is not enough to vote for sound policies, to pay taxes, and to contribute to charity. The dedi cated Christian must be al ways ready to give of himself. As Pope John XXIII noted: "Tragic situations and ur gent problems of an intimate and personal nature are continually arising which the state with all its machinery is unable to re medy or assist. There will al ways remain, therefore, a vast field for the exercise of human sympathy and the Christian charity of individuals. We would observe, finally, that the efforts of individuals, or of groups of private citizens, are definitely more effective in promoting spiritual values than is the ac tivity of public authority." (Ma ter et Magistra, No. 120). The list of possible personal projects to aid the poor and the unfortunate is long. In many of our cities, college students have formed tutoring groups to aid children in slums. Retired teachers have volunteered to give their evenings to help the illiterate to acquire at least a minimum of reading and writ ing. There are settlement hous es and neighborhood projects to bring hope and incentive to those who seem to have no future. t>One can visit the bedridden poor, clean their rooms, and shop for them. Adults can act as substitute parents for chil dren who have no real home life. Such children can be in vited into their homes to study and to have a warm evening meal. Many religious groups have free summer camps for deprived children. There are parish interracial visitation programs, for the purpose of promoting better understanding among the races. Some Catho lic groups have established half-way houses for former pri soners, to ease their transition into normal community life. Such programs are many and diverse, but they have one point in common. Each calls for per sonal involvement. Each de mands the most exquisite form of Christian charity, since each requires that we respect and honor human dignity. Vol. 44, No. 35 10c Per Copy — $5 A Year liiiiii U. S. Aid To Be Revamped SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1964 10,000 To March Savannah To Hold Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade SAVANNAH — An estimated 10,000 marchers and 24 bands will participate in this years annual Saint Patrick’s Day Pa rade, according to Daniel J. Third Order Of Mary BRUNSWICK — The regular monthly meeting of the Third Order of Mary was held Thurs day evening, February 27, im mediately following the 7:30 Mass. During that portion of the meeting held in the Church, Mrs. Vallie Haywood of Way- cross was received as a Novice into the THIRD ORDER, St. Francis Xavier Fraternity. As sisting Father Andrew Walls, S. M., Spiritual Director, were Mr. Joseph Kost, Rector, and Mrs. Carolyn Kost, Mistress of Novices. Mrs. Haywood took the name Sister Mary Consuelo and was reminded that "it will be for you the emblem of a new life, a pledge of the ever motherly protection of Mary, and a holy bond of union with your new re ligious family." The blue cord, worn by all tertiaries concealed around the waist, was received by Mrs. Haywood. Father Edward Kelly, Pastor, (Continued on Page 3) Keane, parade chairman. Grand marshal for the day will be L. Gordon Whelan. His aides will be J. Arthur Kearney and A. J. (Dutch) Halligan. The parade v/ill move cff from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist immediately follow ing the offering of a special St. Patrick’s Day Mass by His Excellency The Most Reverend Thomas J. McDonough, Bishop of Savannah. The Mass is sche duled for 8:45 a.m. An array of seven service bands and seventeen high school bands will provide the music for marching Irishmen and those who are Irish by Heart if not descent. The parade will be viewed from five vantage points, in cluding Cathedral steps, City Hall, Bull and Oglethorpe, Bull and Liberty and the veranda of the Hotel DeSoto. The following units will par ticipate in the 1964 parade. They are not necessarily listed in the order of march: Miss Betty O’Kelly; Chatham County Sheriff’s Posse; Grand Marshal; Third Army Band; Hagan and Geer Car; Past Marshals; Ft. Stewart Band; Ft. Stewart Troops; Hibernian Society Car; U. S. Navy Band (Charleston); Crew of USS Am ber Jack (Submarine); Crew of USS Adroit (Minesweeper); USS Nahant (Net Tender). U. S. Marine Band; U. S. Marine Rifle Platoon; Conti nental Air Force Band; U. S. Naval Reserve; Kingstree High School Band; St. Patrick’s Co lors; Civilian Marchers; Groves High School Band; Groves ROTC; Loris High School Band; Golden Age Car; Girl Scouts; Myrtle Beach High School Band; Benedictine Band; Benedictine ROTC; Ancient Or der of Hibernians Auxiliary; USO; Winy ah High School Band; Sacred Heart School pupils; Ca thedral School pupils; Andrews High School Band. St. James Drum and Bugle Corps; Saint James School pu pils; Jacksonville Naval Air Station Band; MATS Band and Personnel Hunter Field; Aynor High School Band; Carlisle Mi litary School Band, Bamberg, S. C.; Jerry Williams Twirlers, Pt. Wentworth; Galax High School Band, Galax, Va.;Bless ed Sacrament School pupils; Effingham County Band; Nati vity School pupils; Appling County Band; St. Michael’s School pupils; Mullens High School Band; Rescue Squadron 1A; Dillon High School Band; Rescue Squadron 2A; Savannah High School Band; Savannah High School ROTC. Rescue Squadron 3A; Jenkins High School Band; Ganem Post Colors; Civilian Horse Riders; Rescue Squadron 4A; Circle M Riders; Rescue Squadron 5A; U. S. Coast Guard Reserve; Rescue Squadron IB; Rocking S. Riders; American Red Cross; Boy Scouts; Cub Scouts; Carts and Wagons; Civil Defense Equipment; National Guard Dis play. South Vietnam Moves Up On Reds’ Priority list TO LEAD ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE - Grand Marshal Whelan, center, flanked by Aides Kearney, left, and Halligan. MRS. KENNEDY VISITS THOMASVILLE-Mrs. John F. Kennedy is pictured speaking to the Reverend Paul A. Power, O.F.M., pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, Thomasville. The picture was taken when Mrs. Kennedy visited the Thomasville area last month. Savannah Hibernians Plan 152nd Annual Celebration SAVANNAH-His Excellency, Bishop Thomas J. McDonough will be one of the featured speakers at the 152nd annual banquet of the Hibernian Soci ety of Savannah, Tuesday, March 17th. He will respond to the traditional toast "The Day We Celebrate." Also featured at the yearly gala honoring Ireland’s patron, Saint Patrick, will be Ernest Rogers of the Atlanta Consti tution, who respond to the toast "The State of Georgia." A toast to "The United States of America" will be given by Mr. Alec Lawrence, prominent Savannah attorney of the firm of Bouhan, Lawrence, Williams Bishop To Speak To Alumnae St. Vincent’s Alumnae Association holds its Annual Communion Breakfast on Sun day, March 15th, in the cafe- torium of St. Vincent’s Academy. It will be preceded by a Mass at 8:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist which members of the association will attend in a body and receive Holy Com munion. His Excellency, Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, Bishop of Savannah will preside at the breakfast and be the speaker. Other quests include Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James McNamara, Rector of the Cathedral, the Pastors of the various parishes as well as the past presidents of the Alumnae Association. Mrs. John F. Dillon and Mrs. John G. Butler are serving as chairmen, assisted by Mrs. Thomas White and Mrs. J. E. Corooran. The decorations will carry out the theme of the "Easter Bonnet." The servers will be students at St. Vincent’s whose mothers are alumnae members. All members of the alumnae association are invited to at tend and reservations may be made by contacting Mrs. Dillon EL 5-3082 or Mrs. Charles McKenzie, president, AD 2-8325. BISHOP MCDONOUGH and Levy and well known author, lecturer, and historian. The festivities, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the main ballroom and Cotillion Room of Savan nah’s DeSoto Hotel will open with an invocation by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. T. James McNa mara, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Vi car-General of the Savannah Diocese. Retiring Hibernian President John M. Brennan, K.S.G. will act as Master of Ceremonies. Acting as escorts to Bishop McDonough will be Mr. Brennan and Sir Knight Dan J. Sheehan, K.S.G. The Bishop will be in troduced by Dr. Howard Mor rison, M.D., Vice-President of the Hibernians. Included in the list of hon ored guests will be Mr. Gor don Whelan, Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, former Grand Marshals, The Honorable, G. Elliott Hagan, U. S. CongressmanfromGeorgia's first congressional district, Ci ty and County dignitaries, re presentatives of nearby mili tary installations such as Fort Stewart and Hunter Field, and the Savannah District of the Corps of Engineers. A special guest will be The Most Reverend Francis J. Mc- Sorley, O.M.I. Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jole, Phillipine Islands. More than 600 guests are ex pected for the annual banquet. The Hibernian Society of Sav annah is 152 years old, with a membership restricted by the provisions of the organization’s constitution to 150. Members must be over 18 years of age and of Irish heritage or des cendants of a founder of the so ciety. Robinson NamedToKC Committee SAVANNAH — Edgar Robin son has been appointed Secre tary-treasurer of the Com mittee to establish a second Knights of Columbus Council for this city. Announcement of the appoint ment was made by Daniel J. Keane, District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. In com menting on the appointment, Keane said that the naming of Robinson to this group "will increase its effectiveness and give impetus to the develop ment of the new Council." Robinson, a member of Blessed Sacrament parish, is employed by the Savannah Bank and Trust Company, and has been most active in church and community affairs. "Anti - social deliquent, and criminal activity frequently re sults from sexual stimulation from pernography—? If smutty books are responsible for ir responsible conducts, then- responsible misconducts, then it is our responsibility to do something about the smutt books. According to Father Patrick O’Connor of the Society of St. Columban, N.C.W.C. News Correspondent on-the-scene in Sai gon, South Vietnam, the regime of Premier Nguyen Khan "holds a high priority on the list of communist interests at present." Stepped-up activities by Viet- Cong guerillas, directed by Red authorities in Hanoi, North Vietnam indicate that priority is being revised upwards, and brought U. S. Defense Secre tary to Saigon last Sunday on a "fact-finding mission." Monday, McNamara announ ced that American aid will henceforth be "total" and un conditional. Says Father O’Connor in a dispatch from Saigon: South Vietnam holds a high priority on the list of communist in terests at present. This priority must date from the months when the Ngo dinh Diem government seemed likely to fall as a result of Buddhist agitation and American disa pproval. Steps taken by the com munists, in Vietnam and abroad, since v November must have been discussed and decided upon ear lier. In December the central com mittee of the "Labor party,” the Dang Lao Dong, which is the Vietnam communist party, met in Hanoi. The deliberations may have continued longer than the leaders cared to admit, for no exact dates for the meeting seem to have been published. Furthermore, no report of the meeting was issued until Jan, 20. The communist-sponsored "National Liberation Front of South Vietnam" held its second congress from Jan. 1 to 9. Founded in December, 1960, it held its first congress in February-March, 1962, and was supposed to hold its next con gress in the following year. The front is the agency by which the North Vietnam communist re gime wages war on the south, including terrorism against Vietnamese and American civi lians. During the recent congress, the chairman declared, in his report, that the front is "open ing a new period full of pro mise." He added: "Never has the situation been so bright as it is at present." He called for an end to the war, the withdrawal of American forces and negotia tions to achieve "a policy of peace and neutrality." Delegations from the front have been visiting communist capitals. The chairman boast ed that "many governments" had received these delegations as "real diplomatic envoys of a state.” The front now maintains permanent delegation in Prague, a communist capital from which contacts with other parts of Europe and with Africa are fairly easy. On Jan. 31 an important dele gation of the Vietnam "Labor party," that is, the Communist party, arrived in Moscow. It had been invited by the Communist party of Soviet Russia. Headed by Le Duan, who holds the key position of first secretary of the Vietnam party’s central committee, the delegation spent 11 days In Moscow. On Feb. 8, the members had a long session with "Comrade N. S. Khrush chev," who gave a party for them on the same day. Soviet bigwigs such as Mikoyan, Brez hnev and others were present On the way to and from Mos cow the North Vietnam com munist delegation visited Pe king. On their arrival back in Hanoi on Feb. 14, they were welcomed by Ho chi Minh and other Vietnamese communist leaders at the airport. Meanwhile the most impor tant communist diplomat ever to come to South Vietnam had arrived in Saigon. He is the head of the Polish delegation in the International Commission for Supervision and Control. Only in such a capacity could any communist representative openly enter South Vietnam. The new Polish delegate, who holds the rank of ambassador, is M. R. Spasowski, who was for years Polish ambassador in Washington and more recent ly one of the top men in the ministry of foreign affairs in Warsaw. Here he replaced a man who had not held any com parable positions. Ambassador Spasowski*s arrival here in. January emphasized the im portance that the Polish Com munist party and, it must be (Continued on Page 2) Raps Sudanese Charges Against Missioners NEW YORK (NC)—A top Presbyterian mission official has branded as "obviously ab surd" charges by the Sudanese government that Protestant missionaries had stirred up re bellion in that country. Dr. John Coventry Smith, general secretary of the United Presbyterian Church’s Com mission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations, made the state ment in reply to the govern ment’s announcement that it would deport all 300 foreign missionaries in the southern Sudan. There are 272 Roman Cath olic and 28 Protestant mission aries in the southern province. Among the Protestants are 10 United Presbyterians and 2 missionaries representing the Reformed Church in America. Dr. Smith denied government charges that missionaries have worked for the "disunity of the Sudanese nation by misleading the citizens and inciting them against their northern bro thers." He contended that the govern ment’s action is in response to continuing guerrilla raids by dissidents. Dr. Smith said the govern ment considers all mission aries dangerous but has failed to link the unrest in the south to any Protestant workers. "In fact," he said, "we are in a position to know that these charges against Protestant missionaries as agitators of rebellion are obviously ab surd." Pray For Our Deceased Priests REV. JOSEPH HENNESSY March 15, 1911 VERY REV. LEO M. KEENAN March 17, 1943 Oh God, Who didst give to thy servants hy their sacredotal office, a share in the priest hood of the Apostles, grant,' we implore, that they may also he one of their company forever in heaven. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.