Newspaper Page Text
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The Southern Cross
May 28,1981
No Better News
Than The Good News!
THE CHURCH: REFLECTIONS
“Come unto Me all you who labor
and are burdened, and I WILL GIVE
YOU REST.”
Two thousands years ago, Jesus
spoke these words TO His followers.
Now, “through” His followers, He
speaks them to a burdened world. Yes,
through you, today’s Christians, He
speaks to the refugee, the orphan, the
sick, the poor ... to those whose lives
are dark and hopeless.
“I will give you rest!” What better
news than this GOOD NEWS can we
bring to a mission-world crushed under
burdens heavier than ordinary strength
can bear?
What better news can we bring to
millions of people who do not know
there is a loving God?
This work of evangelization - telling
the Good News - is truly the greatest
and holiest work of the Church. And
are WE not the church? It is our
“greatest” work to bring education,
medicine, comfort and love to the
poor; it is our “holiest” work to light
the world with Christ,
Thousands of missionaries as well as
native priests, Sisters and Brothers are
SHARING
The Reverend Michael J. O Keeffe, Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church, Columbus recently
received the following letter from Mr. Charles
Haughey, Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland
following the death of Bobby Sands.)
Dear Father O’Keeffe,
Thank you for your letter of 30th April
and the newspaper cutting you enclosed
about the hunger strike in Long Kesh.
I enclose, for your information, a copy of a
statement which I issued on learning of the
death of Mr. Bobby Sands, M.P.
The Government are deeply concerned at
the serious threat of further loss of life both
inside and outside the prison as a result of the
hunger strike protest. Similar concern
governed our attitude to the previous hunger
strike and led us to give our full support to
moves which ultimately led to the end of that
protest shortly before Christmas last.
Since the initiation of the present hunger
strike, the Government have kept in close and
continuous touch with the situation as it has
developed It has been our constant objective
to contribute in whatever way possible to the
search for a humanitarian solution that would
avoid tragic consequences, without the
sacrifice of principle. With these
considerations in mind, the Government, in
recent weeks, intensified their efforts and
contacts in the hope of bringing about a final
resolution of the situation. We believe that
efforts must continue, as a matter of great
urgency, to this end,
Yours sincerelv
Charlie Haughey
STATEMENT BY THE T AOISEACH
The death of Bobby Sands is yet one
further tragedy in a long line of such tragedies
in Northern Ireland. It must surely bring
home to all concerned the need to find a
solution that will bring a just and lasting peace
to the area.
Since the hunger strike began, I have
sought constantly by every means open to me
to secure a humanitarian solution that would
avoid loss of life. I deeply regret that such a
solution could not have been found through a
more flexible approach to the administration
of the prison.
To the Sands family and to the families of
all those who have suffered bereavement or
injury, I extend sincere sympathy on my own
behalf and on behalf of the Irish Government.
doing Christ’s work right now
throughout the mission world.
Through prayer and sacrifice we are a
real part of this.
Our help is not something “extra”
that “could be used.” It is something
that is at the very heart of Christianity:
love for one another.
Mission Sunday, June 7 is our
“special” day to be a part of this great
work of the Church.
Each year, The Society for the
Propagation of the Faith gathers the
charity of the world on Mission
Sunday. This fund forms the basis of
aid distributed to needy dioceses
throughout the world and is often the
only aid they can count on for a year’s
work. The very existence of the Church
in the Missions depends greatly on our
love on Mission Sunday. The
prayers . . .the sacrifices . .of
everyone are needed, for it is together
that we serve best, it is together that we
are the Body of Christ.
Together, then, let us make a real
sacrifice on Mission Sunday. Let’s share
the joy of our faith in Christ with the
world!
One Parish ...
... With Another
I appeal now to all sections of the Irish
people that there should be no further
suffering, injury or loss of life and that the
sorrow and grief which exist should be
expressed in a calm and dignified manner.
Dear Editor:
I would like to share with your readers this
moving letter from Father Ted Weatherly the
Rector of Christ Episcopal Church here in
Macon.
It describes how the clergy of the
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta (Macon is in that
Diocese) reacted to the shocking news that
the Holy Father had been shot.
In Macon our church received expressions
of love and concern from many different
individuals of amazingly diverse religious
backgrounds when the assassination attempt
occurred. It was deeply comforting to
discover that the Pope whom we love so much
was also loved by so many others.
In Jesus,
Father John Cuddy, Pastor
St. Joseph’s Church,
Macon
Dear John:
I am writing to let you know of our prayers
for His Holiness, John Paul.
Our Diocesan clergy had gathered for a
conference on Monday of this week, near
Toccoa, Georgia. We had been led in
meditation on “The Shepherd Who Suffers,”
on Monday evening and all day Tuesday. We
were coming to a conclusion late Wednesday
morning, after a homily by our Bishop at the
early service concerning heroes who beckon
us to grow up in Christ, with John XXIII as an
outstanding recent example. We received the
appalling news of the assassination attempt
just before time for noonday prayers. There
was universal shock and we quickly adjourned
for prayers, with particular prayers for John
Paul, and for all who look to him for spiritual
leadership. I know we all feel this attack
occurred “in the line of duty.” This real life
event brought home to us all the theme of our
conference.
With the assurance of the prayers of this
congregation, and of my personal cordial
regards to you, I am
Faithfully yours,
Theodore L. Weatherly
Christ Episcopal Church
Macon
SERVING the many needs of the
aged is a necessary part of all
missionary activity. This Catholic
Home for the Aged in Korea, one of
nearly 1,000 homes run by
MISSION SUNDAY throughout the
U.S.A. is celebrated on a Sunday in October.
For some few years now, Mission Sunday has
been set in the Diocese of Savannah for
Pentecost Sunday. As Pentecost approaches
we hear the clear call: SHARE THE JOY OF
YOUR FAITH IN CHIRST WITH THE
MISSIONS!
Pope John Paul wrote. “Jesus Christ is the
stable principle and fixed center of the
mission that God Himself has entrusted to
man. We must all share in this mission and
concentrate all our forces on it, since it is more
necessary than ever for modern mankind.”
(Redemptor Hominis)
As our Easter celebration continues and as
we move toward the completion of this happy
time with the feasts of Ascension and
Pentecost, it is important for us and for
everyone who is alive that we who know the
Risen Lord and who have the promised Spirit
within us, recognize the gift that we have and
that we share that gift. Millions of people
around the world and in our own country do
not know, or do not really understand, that
there is Someone who has conquered death
and Who gives us a new Spirit and a new Life.
So few actually “go to the nations” as
Christ commanded us to do. Yet thru your
prayers and material sacrifices (eppecially on
Mission Sunday!), you are truly reaching out
and touching the ‘ends of the earth’ as surely
as do our missionaries.
The MISSION SUNDAY collection for the
Propagation of the Faith is one of the two
main sources of aid distributed thru the Holy
Father to local needy churches. The other
source is an ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
missionaries, shares in the help you give
on MISSION SUNDAY through The
Society for the Propagation of the
Faith.
SUNDAY. Since we do not shre in the
Membership program, it seems we might take
the Mission Sunday collection more seriously.
We see hopeful signs of a growth and growing
awareness as increasing generosity is evident.
The Statutes for the Pontifical Missionary
Societies outline the scope of the work and
challenge us, “The Pontifical Mission Aid
Societies have as their end to awaken and to
deepen the missionary conscience of the
People of God, to inform them about the life
and needs of the universal mission, to
encourage the Churches to pray for one
another, and to support each other by
offering personnel and material aid. Thus they
create a spirit of solidity in view of the
evangelization of the world.”
“The Pontifical Mission Aid Societies
witness to the catholicity of the Church by
promoting” ... a bond of close communion
whereby spiritual riches, apostolic workers
and temporal resources are shared” (Lumen
Gentium 13). They act as a privileged means
of communication on the one hand, between
local churches and, on the other, between
each of the Churches and the Pope who, in the
name of Christ, presides over the universal
communion of charity.” (Revised Statutes
1980, Par. 5.6)
Let your prayers for the missions be daily;
let your gift to the missions be a genuine
sacrifice. That gift may be given thru your
parish or sent directly to PROPAGATION OF
THE FAITH, P.O. BOX 8789, SAVANNAH,.
GA. 31412.
Prosper the work of the Missions, Lord:
bless those who work for the Kingdom!
In
Whose
Hands?
Joseph Breig
When Pope John Paul II was asked about
the danger involved in his slow progress past
throngs of visitors in his open jeep, he replied,
“I am in the hands of God.”
We are all in the hands of God, but we are
also in our own hands, and we do not try to
cross heavily travelled intersections against
the red light. There is an important element of
cooperation with God to which we should
give attention.
It seems to me that Pope John Paul II is a
bit excessively humble. He does not seem to
realize that he is a very great pope who should
take every reasonable precaution against
having his papal career fatally interrupted by
an assassin.
I doubt that John Paul fully apprehends
how much he is needed for the Church and the
world of our time; how much we all need him.
We understand his desire to be close to the
people - to touch their hands, to embrace
their little children, to maintain the closeness
between pope and people which
contributes much to the Church and the
papacy. But I wonder whether some
compromise is not indicated by wisdom.
We don’t want to lose this pope. We can’t
well afford to lose him. He is doing great
things in carrying out Pope John XXIII’s
purpose in summoning the Second Vatican
Council. John XXIII said that his reason for
calling the world’s bishops to Rome for a
council was that he wanted to smooth away
every wrinkle and eliminate every blemish
from the face of the Church “so that the
countenance of Christ can shine forth and be
clearly seen.”
Pope Paul VI contributed mightily to that
great purpose by his zeal and expertise in
institutionalizing the reforms voted by the
Second Vatican Council.
Pope John Paul I added his remarkable
share with his wonderful smile shown to
humankind in his brief 30-day papacy, and by
his quiet death in the service of Jesus.
John Paul II is equally - indeed even more
— effective in drawing people everywhere
toward the Church; in “showing forth the
countenance of Christ” to the vast throngs in
the nations he has visited; by communicating
with all mankind through television and the
press, and by the great addresses he has been
delivering to pilgrims, replete with deep
wisdom about human dignity - about human
beings as images and likenesses of their
Creator.
It is my plea that, in the wake of the attack
upon him by an assassin, Pope John Paul II
will take more precautions for his safety than
he has been doing.
Richard Moore, a Washington lawyer who
was adviser to George Bush and longtime aide
to Richard Nixon, has given to the White
House and the U.S. Secret Service a memo on
this subject.
Moore notes that the most dangerous
moments for public figures come “on the
fringe of public events. . . entering and
leaving the event itself,” especially when (as in
the case of John Paul II’s jeep progress) “the
route is known.” Public figures, Moore finds,
are comparatively quite safe while addressing
great throngs because pistols are not accurate,
do not carry long distances, and cannot easily
be drawn in a great crowd without being
jostled.
I would beg John Paul II and his associates
to give careful attention to Richard Moore’s
suggestions for the safety of the pope and
other public figures. We can’t afford to lose
John Paul II.
Propagation
of the Faith
Rev. Joseph C. Otterbein
Diocesan Director
P. O. Box 8789, Savannah, Ga. 31412
Religious Groups’ Postal Rates May Double October 1
WASHINGTON (NC) -
Postage rates for the religious
press will more than double later
this year and some non-profit
publications will shut down if
Congress does nothing about the
Reagan ad ministration’s
proposals to cut postal subsidies,
a House committee was told May
13.
At a hearing which may have
been too late to head off the
cuts, representatives of the
religious press and other
non-profit publications said they
were willing to pay their fair
share of mail costs.
But the adminstration’s plan,
they said, amounts to a broken
promise that increased postage
costs would be phased in over a
period of years rather than
imposed all at once.
“Much of the religious press
will collapse under the burden,”
said Edgar R. Trexier, editor of
the 6 0 0,0 00-Circulation
magazine, The Lutheran.
Under current postal
regulations non-profit
organizations using second, third
and fourth-class mailing
privileges are in the ninth year of
a 16-year process of phasing in
the full cost of their use of the
postal system. A portion of the
annual federal postal subsidy
pays the difference between
what it costs the Postal Service
to handle such mail and how
much the non-profit
organizations actually pay.
But according to the
non-profit mailers the
administration’s plan to trim
postal subsidies in the next fiscal
year means the Postal Service
would be forced at the beginning
of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1
to charge them the full rate
currently scheduled to go into
effect not until 1987.
“Non-profit mailers are
willing to pay the attributable
costs if given the time to phase
into it,” said Trexier, testifying
on behalf of four religious press
groups, including the Catholic
Press Association and the
Associated Church Press.
“They cannot - and ought
not to be expected - to absorb
more than double the present
postal costs in one fell swoop,’*
he added.
Trexier said in his own case
the cost of mailing one issue of
The Lutheran would jump from
$24,000 to $57,000, a 137
percent increase. Firing his
entire staff, including himself, he
said, would only save enough to
pay the additional postage costs
for four months.
According to Trexier, a
survey of the religious press
showed that if postal rates are
more than doubled, 10 percent
of the publications would cease
operation. More than one-half
would cut back on the number
of issues per year, while others
would reduce the number of
pages and use lighter weight
paper.
Those steps, he said, would
result in loss of income for the
Postal Service and another spiral
of postal rate increases.
He also noted that with
subscription rates and dues set a
year or more in advance,
non-profit publications cannot
raise their income quickly
enough to make up for the
higher postal rates.
Trexier also argued that a
damaged religious press would
result in a “significant loss . . .in
the bonding together of millions
of peoples >vho form the core of
the nation’s religious
communities and who
contribute untold energies in
maintaining the nation’s
character and moral fibre.”
Also testifying was the
president of the International
Labor Press Association, James
M. Cesnik, who noted that even
with the phasing in process,
postage rates for non-profit
publications have increased since
1971 approximately 1,800
percent.
He said the phasing process
offered such publications “death
by attrition rather than sudden
death so we could try to adapt to
our changed condition and
perhaps even survive.”
The hearing before the House
Post Office and Civil Service
Committee came the week after
the full House had defeated a
budget resolution which would
have restored some of the postal
subsidies set to be cut by the
administration.
That means that the
Democratic-controlled
committee, which over the years
has supported the subsidies and
the phasing process, will be hard
pressed to find a way to restore
money for the phasing process
and for other mail services
subsidized by Congress.
The committee chairman,
William D. Ford (D-Mich.), who
was praised by witnesses for his
support of postal subsidies, at
one point likened the hearing to
the judge who asks how a person
pleads even though it is certain
the person will be hanged.
The Southern Cross
(USPS 505 680)
Most Rev. Raymond W. Lessard, D.D., President
Rev. Joseph Stranc
Director, Department of Communications
John E. Markwalter, Editor
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