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PAGE 2—The Southern Cross, March 23,1972
ST. MARY^APRIL 23 & 26
Pre-Cana Program
§
Planned For Augusta
BY REV. P.L. SHINNICK
There is a popular song which says
“Love is just the foundation.”
Unfortunately, as is too obvious from the
number of broken marriages, too many
people stop at the foundation and never
build. Each person has to work at
marriage. Marriage is hard work - each
partner has to work at it. False love is
love without the sweat. It’s scary to love
someone. They may leave you, hurt you,
betray you, even kill you. Human life is
very scary that way. Love is hard work
and most people are to scared to do the
work.
There are many books on the market
today about how to improve your
marriage. Most of them miss the whole
point of marriage ~ they deal only with
one aspect ~ sex. Marriage and sex are not
synonymous. Sex is a very important part
of marriage; it is good and beautiful
because God created it. But if that’s all
there is in a marriage, then the marriage is
doomed to failure. Unfortunately, sex
and love have been exploited by the mass
media. For example, we have a
toothpaste that gives your mouth sex
appeal - how dumb do they think people
are? Many of the people in mass media
debase man.
True love means thinking all the time
about how best to please your loved one
and forgetting about yourself. It has to be
a two-way street with each person giving
instead of just taking.
Somebody recently said that marriage
at the moment is a national disaster; one
out of every four end in divorce and one
out of every two teenage marriages
collapse. Nearly 40% of all ruptured
marriages today have lasted ten years or
more, 14% have survived more than 20
years. The average age of the two million
U.S. divorces is now 45 years of age.
Marriage should give us a greater capacity
to love others. The function of healthy
love in any relationship is not to be
possessive or restrictive but rather it
should free people to be open and warm,
responsive and loving. Love is only true,
even marital love, when it multiples itself.
Love that hoards to itself is only half
love, crippled and deformed.
In light of all this there is a great need
for some preparation prior to taking the
important step of marriage. The Augusta
DCF has prepared a very comprehensive
Pre-Cana Conference. This is open to all
couples who are contemplating marriage.
It will take the place of the Pre-Marital
Instructions required by the diocese.
The Conference will be in two parts -
on April 23 and 26. It will be held at St.
Mary’s Parish Hall. The program is as
follows:
APRIL 23: 2:30 p.m. - “Maturity and
Sexuality,” Dr. Thomas E. Bailey,
Discussion and coffee break; 3:45 p.m. -
Parenthood, A Position of Responsibility
and Trust, Dr. and Mrs. Claude-Starr
Wright; 4:45 p.m. - “On Christian
Marriage,” Priest, Closing Prayer.
APRIL 26: 7:00 p.m. - “Money &
Marriage,” Financial expert, William H.
Barrett, will give important tips on
spending, credit, home buying, insurance
and many other common money
management decisions the couple will
face in marriage; 7:45 p.m. - Discussion
and coffee break; 8:00 p.m. - Movie,
“Together for Life,” Discussion directed
by Msgr. LeFrois; 8:30 p.m.
“Developing Mature Attitudes to Sex,” A
prominent educator in the field of sex
education, Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, will
conduct this session.
ON FETUSES
Special Commission
To Study Experiments
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (NC) - The
New Jersey Right to Life Committee has
appointed a special commission to
investigate reports of experimentation on
living human fetuses.
The commission will be headed by
biologist Mark Deibert, and will check
into reports of experimentation from
different sources.
The Right to Life Committee said it
was basing its investigation on
information taken from “Handbook on
Abortion” by Dr. J.C. Willkie of
Cincinnati; and an article in the New
York Times magazine.
The Times magazine article, written by
Dr. Willard Gaylin, a professor of
psychiatry and law at Columbia
University law school, describes the
process of “cloning.”
Cloning, says Gaylin, may one day
enable man to recreate a genetic copy of
a Mozart - or a Hitler. But the Mozart
clone might not compose a single
symphony and the Hitler clone could
grow up to be a saint.
In questioning whether man should
make exact copies of human beings,
Gaylin asked “can man, will man, and
ought man” delve into this sort of
technology.
“The facts are more complicated, as
usual, than the polemics,” Gaylin wrote.
“There is much that man can do which he
does not do - because he is aware that he
ought not. We do not, for example,
perform many behavioral experiments on
babies, even though some research would
unquestionably contribute to knowledge
and the common good.
“Societal morality has traditionally
disapproved of the use of human beings
as research animals. Their humanness
protects them from certain kinds of
destructive research,” he said.
“But even this rule is being violated in
some instances. In at least one recent
situation, for example, human fetuses
that were about to be aborted were used
as part of an experiment to determine the
potentially harmful effects of
ultrasound.”
The New Jersey Right to Life
Committee has also concerned itself with
the report in Dr. Willkie’s “Handbook on
Abortion” which contains a photograph
of a British experiment on a live fetus at
28 weeks’ gestation.
The problem of live fetuses being sold
to laboratories in England was brought
out shortly after that nation’s liberal
abortion law went into effect. It was
brought to the floor of the House of
Commons, and the sale of live fetuses for
laboratory experimentation was banned.
The Right to Life Committee said that
if this practice is widely spread elsewhere,
then it must be investigated and brought
before the public. Allowing such
experiments to continue unchallenged,
the committee said, would contribute to
a new lessening of respect for all life
across the nation.
Meanwhile, in Trenton, a bill to permit
abortion on demand during the first six
months of pregnancy was introduced in
the New Jersey legislature by Eldridge
Hawkins of East Orange.
The Essex County legislator said his
bill is identical to the New York State law
which permits abortion for any or no
reason up to 24 weeks of gestation, and
after that, requires a statement of a
physician as to necessity.
Hawkins said that he felt since New
York had gone through the work of
investigating the matter and had come up
with a law which has proven “successful,”
he felt New Jersey should benefit from
the experience of the neighboring state.
Mr. John M. Wolfe, Jr., Chairman of St. Teresa’s Parish Council Steering Committee presents the gavel of office to the newly
elected council chairman, Gustave Gotsch, as Father Lawrence A. Lucree looks on. In the background are the members of the
Council. '
A ‘Giant Step’ For St. Teresa’s
St. Theresa’s Parish, Albany, has
officially launched a Capital Drive for
$150,000.00, it was announced this week
by Fr. Lawrence A. Lucree, Pastor. “This
all out drive,” said Fr. Lucree, “is the
outgrowth of the enthusiasm of the
Parish Administrative Committee and its
concern for future expansion and
improvements in the parish.
The Committee, under the
chairmanship of Mr. Jack Wolfe, having
undertaken a complete study of the
financial status of the parish, concluded
that additional facilities and programs
were needed in the ever-growing parish of
St. Teresa’s, and that a Capital Drive was
necessary to liquidate the existing debt
prior to future implementations.
St. Teresa’s Parish presently numbers
557 families and is growing at the rate of
two new families each week. “Programs
and facilities for youth and senior
members of the parish are a must,” said
Mr. Wolfe, “but our hands are tied as long
as we have our existing debt.”
Previous meetings of the
Administrative Committee and “ad hoc’*"*
committees met with approval on the
part of all. Meetings with organizations in
the parish, with business men and
women, with the Chaplains at the two
military installations in Albany, as well as
per capita tax on non-Catholic children
attending St. Teresa’s Parochial School
met with enthusiasm on the part of all
persons and parents concerned.
The present debt is the remainder of
indebtedness incurred from an additional
wing to the school several years ago.
The Capital Drive is predicated on a
three year cash and pledge basis.
Presently the principal and interest are
being paid over a 19 year period. “By
paying off the debt in 3 years,” Fr.
Lucree said, “the parish will save
$75,000.00 in interest.” This savings
along with the approximate $2,000.00
presently being paid from Offertory
Collections on a monthly basis, will
enable the parish to initiate additional
programs and facilities for every
individual in the parish. “Great stress will
also be placed on Adult Education,” said
Fr. Lucree. '
The theme for the Capital Drive is: “A
small step for each of us. A GIANT STEP
FOR ST. TERESA’S!”
Laymen have spoken from the pulpit
at all Sunday Obligation Masses for the
past two weeks. Following Masses,
condensed copies of the talks were
handed to all parishioners leaving the 3
Churches in Albany. St. Teresa’s Parish,
which covers a 7 county area, has 3
Churches in Albany and a mission in
Dawson, Ga.
Lapel buttons were also handed to all
parishioners as they left the Churches.
Finally, large carpets, bearing a giant’s
footprint were placed on walkways to the
Churches. A giant’s shoe, utilizing a
lace-up, baremetric effect, will inform the
parishioners of the continued success of
the drive.
From requests by mail, which arrived
at the parishioners’ home on Monday,
March 13, $91,000.00 in cash and pledges
has been realized.
A canvass-volunteers’ dinner was held
in the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening
(Mar. 22) at which over 50 workers
attended. The drive will conclude on
Palm Sunday.
Readers Reply
Editor:
In recent months I have listened to
many people speak about what they are
for and against in the present school
controversy. Most often I have heard
people say, “I have nothing at all against
Negroes or integration. I am for
neighborhood schools and opposed to
busing. I am for quality education and
the safety of all our children.”
I have thought a lot about what I have
heard and compared it with what I have
observed people doing. I would like to
share some of my reflections.
Many people are opposed to busing.
But often - to achieve what they think is
better for specialized education - people
not only tolerate busing, they pay for it
or personally transport their children
many miles.
In Savannah, children are transported
to private schools such as Country Day,
Calvary Baptist and Bible Baptist from all
over the city. Some of our Catholic
parents bring their children from Bluffton
and Richmond Hill every day to attend
Catholic schools in town.
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It seems to me that when people think
they are getting something for it they are
willing to transport their children even
many miles at great personal
inconvenience and expense. Isn’t the
opportunity to mix with and come to
understand people of another race
important enough educationally and
civilly to travel to obtain it?
People are concerned about quality
education. Isn’t meeting people of
another race and culture a tremendously
valuable education for life in today’s
world, and so an essential ingredient of a
quality education? Is only book-learning
important?
People are concerned about the safety
of their children. Many parents take
significant risks to let their children be
involved in high school athletics. Many
risk letting their teen age children have a
car. Many American males have had to
risk injury to fight for peace in the world.
Isn’t it worth a certain amount of risk
and danger to promote increased
understanding and peace among races
here at home? It will certainly be tragic if
we as people were willing to do so much
to help a divided country in Southeast
Asia and yet are unwilling to make
significant sacrifices to help bridge the
division between the races in America.
I personally feel it would be an
injustice to our children and serious
neglect of our duty as citizens to allow
students today to grow up and be
educated in segregated situations. I
believe we all desperately need to ponder
prayerfully and thoughtfully what we are
saying and doing to see what is really at
stake and what our personal values really
are.
Fr. Michael Smith
Savannah
Editor:
The recent death of Rev. Louis A.
Wheeler, S.J., was a great loss to so many,
his brother Jesuits, and his many, many
friends and relatives. Fr. Wheeler has gone
home to be forever with the God whom
he had served so well and to whom he
dedicated his entire life.
In order to perpetuate the memory of
this wonderful Jesuit, a Burse was
established in his name. A Burse is a
Scholarship, established to train and
educate our Jesuit Seminarians and
prepare them for the Priesthood. The
name of his Burse is: “The Rev. Louis A.
Wheeler, S.J., Memorial Burse.” I
personally think that is one of the
greatest ways we can remember him
perpetually.
I am writing to Fr. Wheeler’s many
relatives and friends to ask you to help us
build up this Burse in his memory. The
gifts received for his Burse are prudently
invested, and the income from this
investment is used perpetually for the
training and education of our young
Seminarians and Brothers. Your gift will
perpetually remember Fr. Wheeler. I am
confident that his many friends and
relatives will help us build up his Burse
with gifts large and small. With your help,
I know we will.
Will you help us honor Fr. Wheeler this
way? I have enclosed a return envelope
for your convenience. You may be sure
that all of our Jesuits in the Maryland
Province will be praying for you daily. We
will pray to Fr. Wheeler also, to ask his
intercession before the throne of God for
the graces and helps that we all need.
Please say a little prayer for us that we
may be the same followers of Christ that
Fr. Wheeler was. Thanks so much. And
God Bless you always.
Edward J. Brown, S.J.
P.S. Checks can be made payable to:
The Jesuit Seminary Guild, 12 S. Calvert
St., Baltimore, Md. 21202.
ST. TERESA
Albany
Parish
Council
The newly formed St. Teresa’s Parish
Council held its initial meeting on
Sunday, March 12th. Present were the ten
members elected through a parish voting
campaign (featuring an election bulletin
with pictures and thumbnail biographical
sketches of candidates), the five members
appointed by Father Lucree, Pastor of St.
Teresa’s, and the three members of the
clergy, Father Lucree, Father Ronnie
Madden and Father Frank Higgins.
Elected members are: Phil Farkas, Gus
Gotsch, Jack Hall, Margaret Harrison,
Lois Kahler, Theresa Kimbrell, Bee
McCormack, Nora McCoy, Ray Mock and
Edward Rhodes.
Appointed members are: Bob
Christian, Carl Hawkins, Ann Jones, Ken
Lewis and Mike Lyall.
The formation of the Council was an
outgrowth of Bishop Frey’s desire to see
such organizations established in every
parish in the diocese. Much of the
impetus for the Council’s formation and
activation came from the efforts of
Father Lucree and a few selected laymen.
Providing valuable assistance were Father
William V. Coleman, Pastor of St.
Joseph’s Church, Macon, and Mr. Jerry
Cantwell, also of Macon, who journeyed
to Albany on two occasions to provide
information and suggestions on forming a
Parish Council.
CHRISTIAN
SEEDS
REV. JAMES WILMES
CLAXTON-GLENNVILLE, GA.
PERSONALITY PLUS!
Want to add a new puzzle to that old
one, which asks whether any sound is
made by a tree, falling in an uninhabited
forest with no living ear to hear it? Try
this: Can one man on a desert island be
said to have a personality?
The personal cycle we call personality
is something which springs up between
and in contact with persons. It takes at
least two to give meaning to the idea of
personality, and each person’s gifts in this
regard are sharpened and brought out by
contact and interaction with others round
about him. That contact is lacking on a
desert island.
We have new words for what was once
meant by the word “personality.” We
talk of identity, self image, impact.
However new the terms, the old truth
stands firm: identity or personality
develops through broad and deep and
varied contact with our fellowmen.
Those fortunate ones, who are thought
to have no personality, most often are
victims -of isolation. They may have had a
few chances for fruitful contact with
others; or they may have chosen to stand
aloof out of shyness or fear.
Whatever the cause, the cure is
obvious. It lies in the practice of contact,
of relationship, of broad acquaintance.
For the isolated, it is never too late to
break out. And fpr those with a wider
personal relationship, it is always time to
enlarge the circle. No person is fully a
person on a desert island!
RESOLUTION: Overcome
self-consciousness by making a special
effort to start or enliven conversation
thru “picking the brains” of others, to
discover what gifts God has given them,
to learn, to share viewpoints, and to
better one another.
SCRIPTURE: “No one lights a lamp
and puts it in a cellar nor under a bushel,
but upon the lamp stand that they who
enter in may see the light.” Lk. 11,33.
“You are the light of the world. Let your
light shine before men that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven.” Mt. 5.15.
PRAYER: Lord, grant that I may not
so much seek to be understood as to
understand, not so much to be loved as to
love, for it is in giving that we receive.
Amen.