The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current, January 31, 1963, Image 2
i < < ' 4 4 4 4 9 ARCHBISHOP Paul J. Hallinan shown during his visit last week-end to Thomaston Mission. With Father Richard Wagner, C.SS.R, Pastor, he waits in line for the buffet supper served by Mrs. John Osbolt. The Archbishop’s personal account of his visit to this and other missions served by the Griffin parish can be found on page 2. PAGL 2 THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1963 Glover Machine Works Incorporated Marietta Georgia This Ad Worth 50< ON ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL REPAIRS AT Home t Hobby Shop BELMONT HILLS SHOPPING CENTER PHONE: 435-5122 R. S. SEELEY, MGR. lor the best in... m pester ^control Service UNFAIR SHARE Religious Programs Getting No Air Time WASHINGTON, (NC) — Sen. Warren G. Magnuson of Wash ington suggested here that re ligious programs may not be getting a fair share of time on L. S. radio and television. Magnuson, addressing the annual National Religious Broadcasters meeting (Jan. 24), said more time has been made- available to religious programs in the six years since the Sen ate Commerce Committee, of which he is chairman, made an inquiry into TV network pract ices which covered the subject of religious programming. BUT HE added: "I would be the last to contend, however, that the amount of time devoted to religious programming ade quately reflects the importance of religion in American life.” Magnuson noted that the tech nology of communications has made great strides in recent years but said "I strongly question if their use for re ligious purposes has increased proportionately with this growth.” HE STRESSED the role of re ligion in combating communism and predicted that the day might come when communications satellites would be able to beam religious programs into the So viet Union. "Clergymen and religious broadcasters are today playing important roles in America's fight against the communist enemy," he said. "By streng thening a man's faith in God, by deepening his spiritual val ues, by encouraging him to be a good citizen in a democratic society, you are strenthening the moral fabric of American life." The president of the Religious Broadcasters group, Dr. Eugene R. Bertermann, said members of the organization spent $13.7 million a year buy ing radio and TV air time in the U.S. and overseas. Of this figure, $8.7 went for radio time in the U.S. and $1.8 million for TV time, while $3.09 million was spent to buy foreign radio time. TIRE STORE O. K. Tire Stores, Inc. 140 Cherokee Road Smyrna, Georgia FOR HOME OR AUTO SUPPLY NEEDS SHOP AT ECONOMY AUTO STORE BELMONT HILLS SHOPPING CENTER SMYRNA, GA MARIETTA FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION Savings Insured Up To $10,000 Liberal Dividends /Qjfcr uttu 1112 ROSWELL STREET MARIETTA, GEORGIA *£3211133 — FOR AU PURPOSES _ set W.P. STEPHENS LUMBER COMPANY 4 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS MARIETTA - AUSTELL ROSWELL AND SMYRNA LAWYER ASSERTS No Legal Protection For Smut TOPEKA, Kan., (NC) Ob scene literature has no right to protection under constitu tional free speech guarantees, the Kansas Supreme Court was told here. Atty. Gen. William M. Fergu son echoed a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in making this point before the state high court during oral arguments in an obscenity qase. THE CASE is before the state Supreme Court on appeal from a ruling by Geary County Dis trict Court Judge A. B. Flet cher, Jr., that 31 paperbacks seized at a newsstand in Junc tion City are obscene and should be destroyed. Ferguson conceded that the guarantees of free speech and press are "extremely broad and the dividing line exceedingly narrow.” But, he added, "these books are trash and if the obsceni ty and references to sex were removed, there would be no thing left." ATTORNEY Stanley Fleish man of Hollywood, Calif., re presented the publishers of tHe 31 books. Admitting that the books "probably would offend a \\ ell-read person,” he argued nonetheless that they are not legally obscene. He also said that although Judge Fletcher had examined only six of the books, he or dered all 31 titles under the same imprint seized. He said this constituted "guilt by asso ciation." FROM GRIFFIN TO... Dispatches From Some of Georgia Missions BY ARCHBISHOP PAUL I. HALLINAN MCDONOUGH, GA. - Feb. 25 -- It used to take hours for pioneer priests like Monslgnor James King and Father George Daly to tra vel from Athens to the Griffin missions. No wonder their names are held in esteem by the older residents of our southern zone. In these days of fast transit, Father Harold Rainey and I left Atlanta (in rush-hour traffic, too), and arrived in McDonough in time for supper. It was fortunate we did, because all the fine Ca tholic families were waiting in church for usl It is quite a church. You climb about forty steps, in the Masonic Building, right on the square, and enter a long room. It is taste fully decorated, with a Catholic altar at one end, but it is obviously too small for the grow ing congregation. It was also cold, and forty steps up. ALL THIS was part of the angelic strategy of Father Clement Tackney, C.SS.R and his people. The best way to convince a bishop that a new church is needed is to put him with a congregation of about 100 in a room built for 50, - cold and forty steps up from the side walk. From this point I was whisked to see an attractive piece of land where they hope to build. Then, a fine fish dinner, lots of good coffee, and a chance to read a newspaper ac count of my week-end visit. This was especi ally interesting because I learned that we were planning not only a new church, but a new school 1 This is like asking the boss to treble your salary when you really only want to double it. The McDonough Catholics are proud of Father Tackney; they told me of his talks to Protestant groups in the nearby towns. If he is as convincing with them as he is with me, the Vatican Council may soon become necessary! The people seemed pleased with the new arch diocesan "10-10-10" plan. As soon as a mission group has $10,000 the archdiocese gives an out right gift of $10,000 so that a church can be started immediately. That will be a happy day for Jesse Casses' family. Through their good ness, Mass was offered in their home for many years. When the new building starts, Father Tackney, the Casses, the McDonoughites, and all those who have given to the Georgia Missions, will have a part of the new building. A BASEMENT CHAPEL, AND THE NUT BUSI NESS* JACKSON, GA. - Feb. 26 —Saturday noon, in company with another Redemtorist, Father Richard Wagner, we had a look at the beau tiful church at Jackson. Here at St. Mary’s is a reminder of the apostolic concern of Bi shop Francis E. Hyland for the building of our missions. Father Wagner told us how Mass was first celebrated by Father John Walsh in the home of the Deraney’s, first Charles, then David. A regular chapel, named for St. Alphonsus, was set up in the basement of the David Deraney home. Toward the end of 1957, land was purchased in an attractive part of town, construction was be gun the next fall, and the new church was dedi cated by Bishop Hyland April 20, 1960. To one side is a fine little pecan grove, and dur ing a good year the parish is in the nut business. WE HAD a tasty lunch at the Glidewell restau rant^ where the Glidewell family, and most of the other' Catholics of Jackson joined us. The life of the party was Mrs. Freeman Land, who knows every bit of local and parish history. But while her memory of the pioneer past is very keen, her mind and heart are very much in the present, especially in the present administration in Wash ington. "My mother was a Kennedy, you know. I suppose Jack and Bobby and Teddy are cousins." DEEPEST SOUTH, AND THE BOYS FROM BEN- NING THOMASTON, GA. - Feb. 24 — This is our southernmost mission. Not many Catholics, but what a lively, hearty group they are! We gathered at the American Legion post where delicious refreshments were enjoyed, and a real ecumeni cal discussion ensued. The active Catholic band was joined by a tall, witty and admirable Bap tist. The Vatican Council was thoroughly re viewed, and everyone joined in. We all agreed that it was fitting that the church was named in honor of St. John the Baptist. The chapel in Thomaston is attractive, another of Bishop Hyland’s farsighted moves. It was given to the mission by a generous Philadelphia priest, Father John Mickum, who is commemo rated by a bronze plaque. The first Mass here was offered In June, 1958, by Father Wenceslas Blavac, another Redemptorlst pioneer. The interior has a light cheerful tone; so do the furnishings. Among the renowned Thomaston families in whose homes Mass was celebrated in the older days are the Clems, the Greens, the Osbolts, and the Mallorys. Memories of the loyal chap- REDEMPTORIST Father Clement Tackney shown outside "Family Room" in County Hos pital donated by parishoners of St. George's Church, Newnan. lains and soldiers from Fort Benning are still fresh in the parishioners’ minds. They were always generous and faithful. BANDAGES, BALDACHINOS, AND SOMETHING NEW FOR SUPPER NEWNAN - Feb. 26 —This is the largest of the Griffin missions. Partly this is due to its proximity to Atlanta, and its location on the well-traveled Route 29. But the parishioners are convinced that it is due to Father Tackney, the three-man building committee, and Newman’s place in Divine Providence. Inside ofanhour, we looked at a half-dozen possible sites for a church, and when our social evening was over, we were still huddling over plans for the future. There are about 245 Catholics in Newnan. Some are the craftsmen who have built a proper altar and baldachino for St. George’s church. Some are the ladies who meet, not just to compare notes, but to prepare 8,000 bandages last year for the Cancer Home in Atlanta. It is a truly active par ish. One idea struck me as the most missionary; —the contribution by the Catholic mission of $1,000 to the new county hospital for a "family room" to remind everyone (as the door plaque reads) that "Prayer is Strength." The circulation of a schedule among some thir ty families to provide Father Tackney’s meals is a novel scheme. I was very alarmed when I first overheard a question that made me think we were in some far-off cannibal country: "Who’s having Father Tackney for supper tonight?" But it turned out they were serving Father w ith supper, not for supper! THE CENTER OF IT ALL GRIFFIN, GA. - Feb. 27 —Sacred Heart Par ish, which is under the energetic and benign di rection of Father Raymond Gevern, C.SS.R. used to be a mission, but is now the thriving Catho lic center of a whole region of nine counties. In fact, the four missions form a cross with Griffin as the center. We visited the keen and lively School Sisters of Notre Dame in the fine new school which is a tribute to the builder, Father Gilbert McCormack, and the continued sacrifices of the whole parish. After a Pontifical Mass at 10, where the laity' joined in the Latin responses in the excellent "Griffin manner" there was a good breakfast served in the parish hall. Parish leaders spoke for the lay organizations, I received a spiritual bouquet from the children, and then had another welcome opportunity' to thank the Redemptorist priests, past and present, for their apostolic labors in our archdiocese. I have now seen, at first hand, all the parishes and missions manned by them. Last month we w ere up north where Fa thers Simon Glass, Lawrence Murphy, Wenceslas Blavac, Robert McNiel, and Roland Haber are in charge of the churches at Dalton, Calhoun, Cartersville, Fort Oglethorpe and Lookout Moun tain. Having now seen the southern Redemptorists in action, I can repeat what so many of our senior priests have said of their zeal, their example and their vision. Father Rainey and I returned to Atlanta Sunday with good recollections and lots of material for future Georgia Mission Sundays: The little girl who courageously asked in public school if She could review the Catholic sermon as a variation from the customary Monday morn ing review of the Sunday Protestant service. (She did, and it was appreciated.) Mrs. White of McDonough, a pioneer who managed to see that the church property was in good shape so that the archbishop could see how completely ready this mission was for building. Father Wagner who covers three sides of a triangle every Sunday, — Griffin to Jackson to Thomaston, nearly 100 miles, Mrs. Mansour of Newnan who has seen the church grow from a tiny seed, and keeps a special pot of coffee on the stove for Father Tackney. One of the phrases you hear down Griffin way is a "churchless mission". But It is a term that is heard less and less. And if the plans at McDonough bear fruit, there will be no "churchless mission" in the Griffin region. PHILADELPHIA PRELATE Bishop Neumann Beatification Is Scheduled June ROME (NC)—The-Yen. John Nepomucene Neumann, C.SS.R,, who was Bishop of Philadelphia from 1852 to 1860, will "most probably" be beatified next June 23, it was learned here. The last major step before Bishop Neumann can be declar ed a "blessed" is scheduled for February' 12. That is the required general congregation of the Sacred Congregation of Rites—a meeting at which the cardinals of the congregation will meet in the presence of His Holiness Pope John XXIII to affirm their belief that two cures attributed to the inter cession of Bishop Neumann are of a miraculous nature. THE CONGREGATION of Rites gave its initial approval to the two miracles at a pre paratory meeting last July. It was learned here that Arch bishop John J. Krol of Phila delphia had requested Sunday, June 23, as the beatification date provided there are no un- forseen. problems with the cause. He is understood to have set that date because it falls after the close of the school year and thus would facilitate the presence of teaching Sisters whose congregations had close ties with Bishop Neumann. The alleged miracles up for formal reconsideration at the February- 12 meeting of the Con gregation of Rites involved two persons who are still living. One of them is J. Kent Lena- han, who lives in a Philadel phia suburb. In 1949, while he was a teenager, he was in volved in a‘n accident near Bryn Mawr, Pa., in which he was crushed between an automobile and a telephone pole. He suffered a fractured skull and multiple internal injuries, and physicians regarded his chan ces of recovery’ as hopeless. MEMBERS of his family and friends made a novena praying to Bishop Neumann to intercede for him. A relic of Neumann was touched to his body, and his condition improved in a mat ter of hours. Within a month of the accident he was dis charged from the hospital in normal health. Lenahan is now married and the father of a family. The other cure attributed to LAITY ROLE Bishop Neumann involved Eva Benassi of Sassuolo, Italy. Her recovery from acute peritoni tis in 1923, when she was 12, followed an intensive campaign of prayer to Bishop Neumann. She too is married and is the mother of several children. BISHOP Neumann, born in Bohemia In 1811, worked among German Catholics In Western New York. He entered the Re demptorist order in 1840, and made his religious profession in 1842—the first Redemptorlst professed in the United States. He served subsequently in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and was named fourth Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. During the eight years he served there, he established the Forty Hours devotion on a permanent basis, founded the nation’s first dio cesan Catholic school system, exerted himself in the care of immigrants, and established scores of new parishes. He lies buried in St. Peter’s church in Philadelphia. WHISKEY PRIEST NOT SO SPOKANE, Wash. (NC)—"If you’ve seen a Spokane priest scuttle out of his car to re trieve an empty whiskey bottle from the gutter, relax. He wasn’t thirsty and hopeful—just hopeful.” That eybrow-raiser in a re cent issue of the Inland Regis ter, Spokane diocesan newspa per, refers to one of the more unusual pastimes of Father Da vid E. Rosage, director of Im maculate Heart Retreat House here. FATHER Rosage collects empty beer and whiskey bottles and other samples of gutter glass as the raw material for works of art. The fused-glass art objects are produced by Mrs. William Trezona, a convert artist who has already contributed nume rous samples of .her art to the retreat house. Parish Stewards Plan In English Diocese LONDON (NC) A "parish steward" system is catching on in England. A plan to give the laity a bigger role in parochial life is being studied by Bishop Jo seph Rudderham of Clifton, a west country diocese centered Decatur Parish Auxiliary Meets The Ladies Auxiliary’ of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish held their monthly meeting in the church cafetorium with Mrs. Richard Paval presiding. The program of the evening was designed to promote interest in the varied functions of the Auxiliary. Each committee chairman gave a brief resume of the committee’s activities, with several chair men using posters as illustra tions. On February 20 a "Bunko" Party will be held in lieu of the regular business meeting. Spiritual Development Chair man, Mrs. Thos. Kratzer, an nounced plans for a Rosary' to be recited each afternoon at 2:40 p. m. in the Church prior to school dismissal. This will enable ladies driving in car pools to arrive at the Church 20 minutes early and parti cipate in this worthwhile de votion. in the port of Bristol. Simi lar plans are already opera ting in many other parishes throughout the country'. THE PURPOSE of the sys tem is to make a parish a real family with everyone mix ing in spiritually, socially and financially and to weld the pa rish into a unit carrying weight in local affairs. Active Catho lics are chosen as "stewards" to help the clergy. Some become "street war dens," who are responsible for the parochial organization of Catholics on a street or group of streets. They make per sonal contact with Catholic fa milies, visit the elderly and the sick, and welcome newcom ers. THE "STEWARDS" help the clergy professionally, parti cularly in financial and other material matters. Parish ac counts, showing income and ex penditure, are issued regular ly. New developments are dis cussed with the laity-through the stewards—and families are asked to promise to contribute a fixed sum weekly, monthly or annually to their parish church. The system is being intro duced in some parishes by a group of full-time Catholic ex perts who charge for their ser vices. They claim that in most instances not only do they double the parish income but they re volutionize parish life as well.