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PAGE 6—The Southern Cross. February 4, 1965
Father Seikel and his Aquinas
students are certainly to be
complimented for their effective
piece of Catholic action in hav
ing a condemned movie remov
ed from its scheduled billing in
Augusta. The wisdom of their
method in not antagonizing but
eliciting cooperation and good
will from the theater manager
also merits commendation.
\ f_n
Furthermore, this column ap
plauds the managers action and
hopes his example will be fol
lowed by other noble-minded
members of his profession. Many
sue c e s s f u 1 movements have
small beginnings and if this
type of action can start a trend,
the words will improve. Again,
lighting the one candle has
proved better than cursing the
darkness surrounding us. May
more teen-agers exhibit the
courage to do such good work.
Once more, virtue d i d not
make headlines. The news re
port was buried in the middle
pag^s of the Savannah naper,
w n i 1 e minor crimes crowded
conspicuous corners of the front
page and main local page.
A group of students in Ohio
early this week also protested
the showing of “Stupid”. They
passed out copies of their pro
test to passers-by at the theatre
where it is presently being
shown in Cincinnati, pointing
out that even secular magazines
had called the film a “sordid
piece of realism which is es-
thetically as well as morally
repulsive.” However, they d i d
no present their petition to the
theatre manager, but to the City
Council. Unofrtunately, even
though they had secured 5,000'
signatures, the film is still, play
ing.
* * *
The main theme of the Youth
Convention will feature the
broad topic of anti-poverty mea
sures, neighborhood betterment,
and social welfare. As far as
CYO parish units’ participation,
they are being asked to report
on whatever projects they have
accomplished such as Christmas
baskets, adopt-a-family, helping
ISt. Vincent DePaul society and
the like. We would like also sug
gestions for future service proj
ects that other units can carry
out to better the lot of under
privileged fellow-citizens.
No doubt the oriental rite
Mass will fascinate participants
by its similarities and its differ
ences from our Roman Rite
Mass. The congregation will be
instructed how to join in the
dialogue prayers and informed
of the reception of communion
under both species by the cele
brant of the Mass Father Vin
cent Sheppard. Shortly before
the 8:30 Liturgy at the Cathe
dral, this Benedictine priest will
conduct a brief informative in
struction.
AT ALBANY PARISH
‘Revival’ Invitation
Surprises Catholics
by Wendell Grigsby
The announcement that a Re
vival’ was to be held at St.
Clare’s, Albany, came as some
thing of a surprise to most par
ishioners, particularly those
blessed with a longer than over
night exposure to Catholic tra
dition.
The name conjured up images
of song - singing emotionalism
and firey exhortations of minis
ters flinging the pains of hell
and eternal damnation into the
faces of sin-weary audiences un
less repentance was immediate
ly forthcoming. To some, even
the most apostolic minded, this
seemed to carry the ecumenical
spirit a trifle far.
The fact that a familiar
brown - robed Franciscan would
preach our ‘Revival’ softened
the initial blow but it was with
a perceptible spiritual caution
and curiosity that parishioners
filled the pews opening night.
Happily, and probably due to a
similar curiosity aroused by
pre-Revival publicity, a number
of the Protestant community
shyly occupied the rear seats.
It will be hard to forget the
searching conversations Fr. Gor
dian carried on with us during
those eight nights. The Mission
Bulletin called them ‘Instruc
tions’ but each of us felt that it
was a personal discussion the
priest was engaging in with us
individually.
How many of us had forgotten
or, in our proud maturity, releg
ated to the recesses of our con
sciences as something for chil
dren, the basic truths of our
catechism instructions — the
Commandments, t h e doctrines
of our Holy Mother Church?
These, the good father refresh
ed — or revived, if you will —
in our memories applying them
to our daily lives; not in vague
platitudes or sonorous bellowing
intended to induce epileptic re-
21st Essay
pentance but rather in the calm,
measured framework of our
Baptismal promises wherein we
vowed to believe in, know and
love Almighty God; to renounce
sin and so pattern our lives ac
cording to the teachings of Je
sus Christ as embodied in His
Church, that our everyday liv
ing would be a source of happi
ness and example as well as a
means to achieve eternal union
with Him after death.
If there were exhortations,
they were couched in the invita
tion and plea of a merciful and
all-loving God, “Come unto me
all ye who are burdened and
heavy laden and I will refresh
you.” Those of us who did were
refreshed.
If there was the inkling of a
threat, it was the prayerful de
mand that we examine our con
sciences and lives, contritely a-
tone for our sins through the
God-given sacraments of the
Church rather than needlessly
throw away the grace of Al
mighty God and so suffer an
unnecessary eternal separation
from Him. For doesn’t the Bi
ble warn “Delay not to be con
verted to the Lord, and defer
hot from day to day; for His
wrath shall come on a sudden,
and in the time of vengeance
He will destroy thee.”
Those eight days in January,
when the ‘Revival’ Mission
came to St. Clare’s was for
some not only the beginning of
a new year but eight days that
shook their spiritual world. For
others, luke-warm, they provid
ed that needed shot of fervor
that, please God, will enable
them to participate more fully
as members of the Mystical
Body of Christ. And for others
of us, they gave a period of re
birth and reclamation, as in the
words of the prodigal’s father,
“He was lost, and is found.’’
A Revival it was, in the ven
truest sense of the word.
Contest
Winners Announced
“What The Mass In English
Will Mean To Me’’ was the sub
ject chosen for The Twenty-first
Annual Essay Contest conduct
ed by the Savannah Diocesan
Council of Catholic Women. Re
ceiving awards from diocesan
and deanery councils are:
GROUP I — 10th thru 12th
grades: Richard Frederick Sen-
delbach, Jr., Columbus, a sen
ior at Pacelli High School.
GROUP II — 7th thru 9th
grades: Miss Michelle Robert
son. Savannah, 8th grade at
Saint James School.
GROUP III - 4th thru 6th
grades: Michael Hutchinson, Au
gusta, Georgia, 4th grade at Im
maculate Conception School.
The contest was open to all
students attending Catholic
Schools in the diocese and to
Catholic students attending pub
lic schools. In areas where there
were no Catholic Schools in the
immediate vicinity, the contest
was conducted by the pastors or
parish council presidents.
Essays were judged on the
basis of originality, knowledge
of the subject and neatness in
appearance. Prizes were award
ed on merit.
There were 2,578 essays writ
ten in the contest.
Brunswick Film
The American Cancer Society will show a film dealing with
cancer most prevalent in women at St. Francis Xavier School on
the evening of February 13th at 8 p.m.
Pew Hits Car
Ever hear about the sporty new car, a 1965 model, that went
to church one Sunday and was dented in the fender by a banished
pew? It happened at St. William’s Chapel, St. Simons Island. The
pew, surplus since recent altar changes, was being moved to storj
by parishioners after mass.
Juan - Two - Three
There is a new book on the market by the former secretary
of Pope John XXIII. It brings to mind the Spanish American fellow
whose knowledge of English was still somewhat limited so that he
referred to that great pope as JUAN - TWO - THREE.
Empties Piggy Bank
The History of The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist reveals
that when Savannah’s Catholic Cathedral was destroyed by fire
around the turn of the century, a protestant boy emptied his piggy
bank and gave his savings to the restoration fund. Remembering
this gesture when Charleston’s historic St. Matthews Lutheran
Church burned the middle of January, Patrick Rossiter, eight year
old son of Savannah Morning News’ Frank Rossiter, emptied his
bank and sent the contents — $2.14 to the re-building fund of the
Charleston Church. Patrick received a letter of thanks with a note
saying “What a wonderful thing for you to do! God love you, Pa
trick!”
Editor To Speak
John Markwalter, Managing Editor of The Southern Cross,
will speak on the Catholic Press twice this week. He will address'
the Sodality at Hunter A.F.B. on Friday and appear on the Savan
nah Catholic Hour on Sunday. The program, broadcast over Station
WTOC, is the oldest Catholic radio program in the nation from the
standpoint of continued production.
YOUR
AD
HERE?
Write Or Phone
John Markwalter
P.O. Box 180
AD 4-4574
Savannah, Ga.
The Southern Cross
Serving
Savannah • Augusta • Macon
4i »
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Brunswick • Warner Robins
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South and Middle Georgia Readers
MORE THAN 600 persons were in attendance at a
city-wide communion breakfast last Sunday in Sa
vannah. Part of the crowd is pictured listening to
Bishop Thomas J. McDonough who was the principal
speaker. (Photo by Jim Daly)
RECORD CROWD HEARS BISHOP
KNIGHTS OF THE ALTAR of Nativity Parish, Thun
derbolt, pose with their pastor, Rev. Robert J. Teoli
after investiture ceremony inducting new members,
Konnie .Brown, Joey rsei, John Walsh, Donnie Tuc
ker, Roger Hall and Tommy Lingenfelser.
(Ward Studio Photo)
Family Communion Breakfast In
Savannah Draws More Than 600
• Mrs. Clare Morrissey Whitestone of Savannah, January 29th.
• Joseph V. Opinski of Savannah, January 26th.
Marriages
• Miss Patricia Margaret Prouty of Savannah and Mr. Howard
Penn Smith of Atlanta January 30th in St. James Church, Sa
vannah.
• Miss Ellen Marlene May and Mr. Patrick William Roach Janu
ary 30th in the Church of Most Blessed Sacrament, Savannah.
Necrology
Very Rev. Peter Whelan, Feb. 6, 1871.
Civics Club Project
More than 600 turned out last
Sunday morning in Savannah to
hear Bishop Thomas J. McDon
ough address a city-wide Fami
ly Communion breakfast.
Savannah Council 631, Knights
of Columbus, Georgia’s mother
council, under the leadership of
Grand Knight Thomas F. Walsh
sponsored the breakfast. This
was part of their ever expand
ing Catholic Action program.
Catholic families were asked
to attend either the 8 o’clock
or the 8:30 Mass in their re
spective parishes. The families
were seated together and re
ceived communion in a group.
For those who did not have
transportation, the school buses
of each ' parish were used to
transport those desiring to at
tend the Communion breakfast
which was held at Benedictine
Military School at 9:45 A.M.
Julian Halligan, general chair
man, said that “this tremen
dous turnout of families was
most edifying and a fitting cli
max to the observance of the
Month of the Holy Family.”
Principal speaker was Bishop
Thomas J. McDonough who re
counted his experiences on trips
to the famed Benedictine Mo
nastery of Monte Cossino, the
famous shrines associated with
St. Francis of Assisi, and the
American cemetery at Anzio,
scene of bloody fighting during
the Italian campaign of World
War II. The y were among
places visited by Bishop McDon
ough while in Italy for sessions
of the Second Vatican Council.
McDonough said, but what was
saved has been incorporated in
to the recently rebuilt birth
place of Benedictine monastic-
ism.
“In frescoes which had been
partly destroyed, but since re
stored, and in new ones, scenes
depicting major events in the
life .of St. Benedict, figures are
so life-like, one almost feels
that he may reach out and
touch the Saint, himself”, he
said.
After describing churches built
by and used by St. Francis,
himself, and associated with
miracles attributed to the great
saint of Assisi, Bishop McDon
ough described the cemetery at
Anzio as “a place of beauty
and dignity, but an eloquent and
terrible reminder of the price of
war.”
Those attending were able to
tour the new Benedictine facili
ty and in particular the Chapel
which, as a rule, is closed to
the public.
Much hard work was respon
sible for the success of this
breakfast, which was the larg
est in the history of Savannah,
and perhaps the Diocese. One
of the features of the breakfast,
that perhaps helped contribute
to the large crowd, was that no
charge was made for children
under high school age.
Co-chairman serving with Ju
lian Halligan was Frank Rossi
ter, Savannah Morning News’
“Mr. City Beat” and the follow
ing Parish chairmen:
Blessed Sacrament, Anthony
K. Gannam, Jr., and Jerry
Pinckney; Sacred Heart, Joseph
M. McDonough and James J.
Johnson; St. James, John M.
Kenney and Fr® ncis MacCauley.
Nativity, Robert Kramer and
Phil Roach, Sr.; St. Michael’s
James Powers and Jack Dan
iels.
IN SAVANNAH
Sister Fidelis, R.S.M., is a
native of Savannah and receiv
ed her education at Saint Vin
cent’s Academy; Mt. Saint Ag
nes College in Baltimore and
the Catholic University of A-
Sr. M. Fidelis. R.S.M.
merica. She holds degrees in
teaching administration and
counseling.
Using the lists compiled by
Knights from the various par
ishes, it was possible to ap
proximate very closely the num
ber of breakfasts to be prepar
ed.
Many of the artistic treasures
of Monte Cassino were destroy
ed in heavy fighting between
the Nazis who had occupied the
historic monastery situated on
heights overlooking the allied
route to Rome and the famed
Polish division serving with
British forces in Italy, Bishop
Our Lady of Lourdes, Rogers
Templeton and John Shearouse;
Cathedral, Frank P. Rossiter;
Hunter AFB, Leland Anderson,
George Kingston and Doug Bur
ton.
Knights publicized their plan
ned Communion breakfast by
enlisting the help of the pastors
of Savannah and Chatham Coun
ty. Announcements were made
in each church or through the
parish bulletin for two weeks in
advance.
Then, one week’ before the
breakfast, council members re
mained outside the churches,
asking all who planned to at
tend to give their names and the
lumber of persons from their
amilies who would attend.
Their efforts were so success
ful that one pastor reported that
one of his Sunday Masses was
vithout the services of the choir
director who took his family to
;he Benedictine armory.
Responding to a suggestion by Mr. Hardwell of Albany’s Good
will Industries, the Civics Club of St. Teresa’s School, Albany folded
3,000 bags to be given to Goodwill Industries. The Committee in
charge of the project included: Pamela Thomas, Chairman, Steph
anie Malik, Michael Miller, Kevin Van Sickle, and Peter Pross.
Sister Fidelis’ To
Lecture On Feb. 11
“Parents and the Schools”
will be Sister Mary Fidelis’ sub
ject as she delivers the second
lecture in the series on “Educa
tion and the Catholic”.
The lecture is scheduled for
Thursday ev e n i n g, February
11th in Savannah’s Cathedral
Day School auditorium.
In her presentation, Sister
will attempt to highlight the re
lationship which should exist be
tween the parents and t h e
school child and his teachers.
Sister will comment on the lo
cal scene having taught at Sa
vannah’s St. Vincent’s Academy
for several years.
ROUND THE DIOCESE
Obituaries