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PAGE 2—The Southern Cross, May 11,1972
GOLDEN AND SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION - The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was the setting for a beautiful
ceremony during which Bishop Frey honored 142 Jubilarians from various parts of the Diocese. There were 94 of these Jubilarians
present for the celebration on Sunday, May 7th. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Frey, Father Wellmeier, Father Fitzpatrick,
Father Simmons, Father Sullivan and Father Seikel. The Bishop in his Homily thanked the Jubilarians for their inspiration to their
families and parishes by their loyalty to their marriage vows. He said they were effective witnesses to the faith in a time of changing
values. He then invited them to renew their marriage vows. The music was rendered by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of
Mrs. Joseph Schreck. A reception hosted by the Deanery Council of Catholic Women took place immediately after the Mass in the
St. Vincent’s Hall. During the reception Bishop Frey presented special Scrolls to the Jubilarians. The entire celebration was
sponsored by the Diocesan Family-Life Commission.
WHO SPEAKS FOR THE UNBORN CHILD
An Acute And Constant
State Of F ear
BY ELLEN McCORMACK
QUESTION: In the letter you quoted
recently, the young woman who had an
abortion described her feelings during
pregnancy by saying tha “one thing
always prevailed - my acute and constant
state of fear.” Is this an unusual reaction
or is such fear frequently experienced by
pregnant women?
A woman who is pregnant often
experiences periods of great stress. Like
most people at moments of high tension,
she may be tempted to do certain things
which she would not contemplate for an
instant under calmer circumstances. The
fear within her can be so overpowering
that all long-range considerations fade
away.
I do not want to overstate the case.
Rarely does this fear result in suicide or
permanent psychological damage to the
woman. (In fact, suicide in the pregnant
woman is about l/6th the rate seen in
nonpregnant women of the same age.)
Nevertheless, the temporary fear is great
enough to bring many women to
near-panic. On such occasions, a
mother can actually do what she really
does not want to do - unless there is
someone who will help her both by
restraining her from taking “the easy way
out” and by giving her positive assistance
to face her fear in a constructive way.
What I am describing here is something
very common, as is pointed out by
Gardiner in Williams Obstetrics, 13th
edition, 1966. Here is what he says:
“It is not unusual (however) for
women who will become good mothers,
or those who have already demonstrated
their excellent maternal qualities with
their older children, to react initially to
the diagnosis of pregnancy with
resentment, frustration and depression,
only to express strong, genuine, positive
feelings of acceptance as the pregnancy
advances and fetal movements appear.”
A Norweigan study by P. Kolstad
confirms Gardiner’s statement, Kolstad
reports on 113 women who were refused
a legal abortion and who then carried the
pregnancy to term. 84% were later glad
that the pregnancy was not terminated,
9% were uncertain, and only 7% were
discontented.
(Incidentally, this study, as well as a
similar study by Hook in Sweden,
disputes the claim that a woman refused a
legal abortion will simply go elsewhere. In
the Swedish study, which involved 249
women refused a legal abortion, 86% did
not go elsewhere and carried their
pregnancy to term.)
If so many women seeking an abortion
really want their children, why do they
act in this way? Gardiner describes the
emotional reactions of the women
involved as “so real and life-threatening”
that they “reject the existence of the
pregnancy before they, themselves, are
engulfed and destroyed.” He refers to this
phenomenon as a “spell” of “distorted
thinking and reasoning.”
In other words, a pregnant woman
often feels like a person with
claustrophobia. The walls are closing in.
There is an overpowering desire to escape.
Just as a man with claustrophobia may
try to leave a moving train, although he
will later be glad that someone restrained
him, so a woman may seek an abortion
but afterwards rejoice that she had been
allowed to give birth.
If all this is true, is it really “respect
for a woman’s freedom” when our
society steps aside? Or is it similar to
“respecting the individual’s freedom of
choice” by stepping aside and allowing
the man with claustrophobia to leave the
moving train?
On September 9, 1971, an article in
the New York Times expressed concern
about young girls arriving in New York
for abortions. According to the article,
some taxicab drivers were taking
advantage of them. Because of the strain
the young girls were under as well as their
relative inexperience, they could not
protect themselves from the excessive
prices charged by unscrupulous drivers.
Imagine! Because she is young, fearful,
and alone, society is afraid to leave to the
girl herself the decision about the proper
taxicab to take from the airport. But
society is now asked to let that same girl
face alone the most awesome decision of
all - whether to take the life within her or
give birth to her child.
Let us understand it well - the
restrictions against abortion protect both
mother and child.
(If you have any questions for this column,
please write to Women For The Unborn, Box
269, Merrick, New York 11566.)
in Savannah
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Department Of Christian
Formation Annual Report
In places as far distant as Alamo,
Texas, and Bethel, Alaska, people have
been using programs produced by the
Department of Christian Formation this
year. The DCF staff - accustomed to
providing a service to parishes and schools
within the Diocese - has found itself
answering requests from all over the
nation.
Savannah
Area Jubilee
Participants
The following are the couples from the
Savannah area who expressed a
desire to participate in the program:
Golden Jubilarians: Mr. and Mrs. Charles
E. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Eakin,
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Fogarty, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles L. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs.
Christopher H. Laird, Mr. and Mrs.
Harold Monson, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roe
Nugent, Mr. and Mrs. James P. O’Brien,
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Powers. Mr. and
Mrs. Nicholas T. Stafford.
Silver Jubilarians: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
M. Aliffi, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Brennan,
Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Carr, Mr. and Mrs.
John R. Caterisan, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J.
Chandler, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Chisholm,
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Cooney, Jr., Mr.
and Mrs. Fretwell G. Crider, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank R. Cullum, Mr. and Mrs. Mario
DiPietro, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S.
Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. William Hearn, Mr.
and Mrs. William F. Hennessy, Mr. and
Mrs. Clem Holland, Mr. and Mrs. C. Jack
Lyon, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Oleson, Mr. and
Mrs. John W. Paige, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel
J. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Shuman,
Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Skinner, Mr. and Mrs.
M.A. Spellman, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J.
Swann, Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Walker, Mr.
and Mrs. Eugene Walker.
The extent of this nation-wide
attention only become apparent recently,
when the time came to prepare The DCF
Annual Report. Going back through the
files, DCF staff members found that the
most important items had been the Parish
Council Self-Study worksheets (736
copies mailed out in answer to requests
from all over the country,) “Thrust” (353
requests came in for this brief adult
education program), and “Preparing for
Confirmation” (325 copies sent to people
outside the Diocese so far). Also in
demand was “Love, Sacramental Style”,
the parish-based Lenten Program. 125
copies of this program were sent out of
the Diocese, and it was used during Lent
by all parishes in the Diocese of
Brownsville, Texas.
During the year, the DCF also prepared
materials for the Human Development
Campaign in the Fall, at the request of
the Diocesan Social Apostolate
Commission. The handbook and leaflets
prepared by the Department were used in
all parishes and schools during the
three-week Campaign, and met with
appreciation from the National Office.
Another program in increasing demand
has been the First Communion program,
which actively involves parents in the
process of preparing children for the
Sacrament. About 800 copies have been
distributed so far.
Father Michael Smith logged up 7,318
miles this year in the Mobile Resource
Center, plus another couple of thousand
by car, in 111 days out on the road
between September and April. At least a
week was spent in each Deanery. All but
three of the parishes and missions of the
Diocese were visited. Father Smith visited
many areas more than once, particularly
when some special program or help was
requested. His schedule included CCD
and Catholic School faculty meetings,
preaching at Sunday Masses, conducting
adult sessions, workshops for teachers,
participating in regular parish activities,
and videotaping of priests and lectors.
Camp Villa Marie last summer catered
to over a thousand children who attended
the Religious Education and Recreation
sessions of Camp. The facilities at St.
John’s Center were also used by many
local groups for Bible School sessions,
retreats and seminars, during the summer
and on weekends during the year.
In its regular program of continuing
education for Priests and Sisters, the DCF
arranged five monthly meetings at
Deanery level, as well as the Pastoral
Opportunities Program for priests in
November, the Non-Metropolitan
Ministry seminar in January, a program
on the Spiritual Life for Sisters, and the
recent Theology Seminar, which brought
many lay teachers as well as priests and
religious to Savannah at the end of April.
A
During the year, the DCF sponsored a
number of workshops and seminars for
teachers of religion. Many teachers are
taking advantage of a CCD
Correspondence Course, originating in
Wichita, which is made available in the
Diocese through the DCF. All teachers of
religion receive the DCF newsletter for
Catechists, “FOCUS”, which goes out
every two months. Most schools and
parishes make regular use of the DCF
library of books, filmstrips, films, tapes
and records. An average of 115 filmstrips
were sent out each month this year, and
there was a steady demand for tapes an
records. Working full-time at the DCF
this year were Father Michael Smith and
Mrs. Betty Purdy. Working on a part time
basis were Fr. William Coleman (who is
based at St. Joseph’s in Macon but is able
to give some of his time to DCF
activities), Fr. John Kenneally, Mrs.
Mary-Kay Persse and Mrs. Gillian Brown.
The main work of the DCF covers
Religious Education Programs in the
Catholic Schools, Adult Education, CCD
Programs, Continuing Education of Priests
and Sisters, the Newman Apostolate, Camp
Viall Marie, and the administration of St
John’s Center.
SURVEY REVEALS
‘Know Your Faith’ Widely Read
WASHINGTON (NC) - The “Know
Your Faith” religious education series
published in 89 diocesan newspapers
“seems to have broken through the
liberal, conservative, middle-of-the-road
categories” of religious thinking,
according to a newspaper woman who
conducted a survey of diocesan
newspaper readers.
Miss Jan O’Hara, staff member of the
PILOT, Boston archdiocesan weekly, said
only 2 per cent of the survey respondents
never read the material in the popular
series. Results showed that 75 per cent
read it weekly and 14 per cent
frequently.
“The survey showed something else,”
she said.
“The series is reaching a lot of women,
especially housewives who are concerned
about the religious education of their
children and teachers who are making use
of the material with their students.”
Miss O’Hara said 84 per cent of those
responding to the questionnaire felt that
the Know Your Faith articles had given
them a “better understanding of the
Catholic Faith.” Only 2 per cent found
the articles “not helpful,” while 28 per
cent found the material “extremely
Co-valedictorians Named
At Aquinas High School
Thomas J. Beier and Francesca
Boerner have been named
co-valedictorians of Aquinas High School.
They have earned this honor by
maintaining the highest scholastic average
for the four years at Aquinas High
School.
Francesca is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert F. Boerner. She graduated
from St. Mary’s Grade School. During her
high school career, she has merited many
honors; among them are the NEDT
certificates in 1969 and 1970; Certificate
of Merit from the University of Georgia
and Augusta College; Who’s Who in
American High Schools. She is a member
of the National Honor Society and Editor
of the school’s yearbook, the Aquinian.
She has been awarded a scholarship to
Augusta College where she will pursue her
degree in Secondary Education.
Thomas is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Bernard Beier of North Augusta. He was a
graduate of Our Lady of Peace Grade
School. He also received NEDT certificate
in 1969 and 1970. He was the school’s
Star Student in 1971 and was named to
the Who’s Who in American High
Schools. He received a certificate of Merit
from the University of Georgia and
Augusta College. He is a member of the
National Honor Society and the Aquinas
Masquers. He has been awarded a
scholarship to Christian Brothers College
in Memphis, Tennessee, where he will
pursue his degree in Chemistry.
helpful,” 36 per cent “quite helpful” and
23 per cent “reasonably helpful.”
While the survey uncovered many
facts, the biggest eye-opener was that the
series is attracting readership from
conservatives (17 per cent), liberals (3
per cent) and middle-of-the-road (44 per
cent) religious thinkers who feel the series
is helpful and is giving them a better
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The series is produced by NC News
Service in cooperation with the
Education Department of the U.S.
Catholic Conference (USCC). An advisory
board of religious educators, theologians
and journalists is involved in the program,
which began in January 1970 and reaches
into some 3.5 million homes each week.
Other newspapers that have conducted
surveys of their readers have found the,
same high readership as did the PILOT
for the Know Your Faith series. A
face-to-face survey conducted for THE
CATHOLIC POST of Peoria, Ill.,
indicated that 87 per cent of its readers
follow the Know Your Faith series.
In an editorial, the POST said:
“THE POST has invested a lot of
money in those pages (Know Your Faith
series). And it has done so because we
feel these pages can be the answer to part
of the religious problem of the day. They
can bring to a public that has heard
mainly rumors the actual developing
doctrine of the postconciliar era. They
hopefully can erase some of the fears and
bitterness of those who suspect the ‘new’
approach to our faith has thrown out the
treasures we already held.”
Two Noted
Speakers In
Columbia
Two well known speakers are«
scheduled to speak at Murphy Hall, St.
Peter’s Church, Columbia, S.C. next
week.
Father Raymond Brown, noted
Scripture scholar, will lecture at 8:00
p.m. on Thursday, May 18th. There will
be no charge.
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Christiane Brusselmans will speak on
“Preparing Children for the Sacraments”
on Saturday, May 20th, from 10:00 a.m.,
until 3:30 p.m. A $3.50 registration fee
includes lunch. Those attending should
register in advance at Religious Education
Office, P.O. Box 5287, Columbia, S.C.
29205.
Francesca Boerner and Thomas Beier
Aquinas Co-Valdictorians
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St. Peters is located at 1529 Assembly
Street. (Take Elmwood Exit off 1-20,26.)
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