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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1963 GEORGIA BULLETIN PACE 5 GEORGIA PINES Saints in Black and White 1 CATHOLIC SPONSORS Thanksgiving Day ST. GASPAR del BUFALO BY REV. R. DONALD KIERNAN Another Thanksgiving Day has passed and with the new dispensation from the law of -abstinence I am enjoying the "left overs" of a delicious turkey today. It was a rainy day up here in this northeast Georgia town, but the reflections of what we have to be thankful about added sun shine to an otherwise dreary day. I was proud to see the number of people who attended Mass and received Holy Communion. I recall years ago when this was just another civic holiday to be enjoyed with family gatherings, turkey and football games. Whether the tragic events of last week made people more consc ious of God's gifts or not, I do not know. But I do know that this year the church was filled to capacity and many people indic ated their desire to start off the thanks-giving day by first giving thanks to God. A group of priests joined me here in Gainesville for the tra ditional thanksgiving dinner. As I demonstrated my ability in the idomestic culinary department a 'festive air settled on the group and all seemed to enjoy the day immensely. A dinner is a lot of work (you mothers and housewives know that) and after it was all over I settled down in a chair and remini sced what 1 had done on past Thanksgiving Days. I imagine that everyone thinks back to the days when they were real young. Aunts, uncles, grand parents, brothers and sisters made up the group around the family dining table. Time has taken its toll and many of these are no longer with us. Many others are seperated by thousands of miles and all that remains of the "olde crowd" are pleasant and fond memories. My first Thanksgiving Day as a priest was when I was serving as an assistant at the Cat- hederal in Savannah. All of Savannah turnsoutfor the Benedictine- Savannah High School game. I was pleasantly surprised when the Rector told me that he would "mind the rectory" so that I could attend the game. Those two years in Savannah were spent in exactly the same way, with Monsignor Me Namara giving the Assistants the * 'day off". My first Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta came shortly after I was transferred and assigned to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I did not know one street from another. (Incidentally, my very first night in Atlanta I set some sort of a record by answering four sick calls.) Any how, Monsignor Cassidy at the Cathedral invited me for dinner and I remember all so well trying to find the church and an equally laborious task trying to find my way home in the dark. (The north east expressway only went as far as Peach tree Street at the time. ) For a number of years the late Monsignor Mal oney, Father Walter Donovan and myself spent Thanksgiving Day together. Since Monsignor's death, Father Donovan and myself have visited his grave every year on Thanksgiving Day. I guess everyone could sit down and write what they have done on Thanksgiving day. I im agine too that everyone could sit down and write about the different ones they have spent Thanks giving Day with. However, I would think it most difficult for all to sit down and write about which Thanksgiving Day they have enjoyed most. Every year I end the da y thinking that this particular day was the most enjoyable for me. I do know, however, that this year I did more work than I had ever done before and I was more tired at the end of the day than I had ever been before. My accomplishments in the kitchen have not as yet reached a state of proficiency. I thank God, this year, for a most wonderful Thanksgiving Day. . . for my Faith, my coun try, and my friends. It was truly a real Thanks giving Day. QUESTION BOX Penalizing Babies? BY MONSIGNOR J. O. CONWAY Q. 1 WAS RAISED A CATHOLIC, BUT I MAR- RIED A NON-CATHOLIC, AND NOT BY A PRIEST. I HAVE SIX CHILDREN; ALL ARE BAPTIZED CATHOLIC; MY HUSBAND HAS NO OBJECTION, AND THEY HAVE ALL MADE THEIR COMMUN ION AND CONFIRMATION, EXCEPT THE TWO YOUNGEST, WHO ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH. MY QUESTION IS: WHY DOES THE PARISH PRIEST REFUSE TO BAPTIZE THE CHILDREN? ALL HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED AT DIFFERENTCHUR CHES; OUR PARISH PRIEST WOULDN’T BAP TIZE THEM UNLESS I GOT MARRIED IN THE CHURCH. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOME OF THE PRIESTS TRY TURNING AWAY PEOPLE WHO SOME DAY MAY BECOME GOOD CATHO LICS. A. I agree sadly with your final statement. And I cannot ex plain why your parish priest re fuses to baptize your children; he is making bis own laws, ra ther than following those of the Church. You do not explain why you I did not get married in the ' Church. I suppose there must be some reason. But your inno cent babies should not be penalized for the wrong which you do. You are raising them Catholics; no more can possibly be required for their baptism. *** Q. WHY IS IT THAT EVER SINCE Ct NSTAN- TINE CONVERTED A WEAK CHURCH INTO A STRONG ONE THE "HUMAN SIDE" OFCATHO- LISICM HAS CONSISTENTLY MADE IT DIFFI CULT FOR MANY OF US COMMONER FOLK TO REMAIN LOYAL? IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE AUTHORITARIAN STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH MAKES IT AUTOMATICALLY - ALMOST ORGA NICALLY - en rapport WITH ABSOLUTE MO NARCHY, DICTATORSHIP (EXCEPT THAT OF THE PROLETARIAT) AND PRIVILEGE. SEL DOM, IF EVER, DOES IT SIDE WITH THE COM MONER, HOWEVER JUST HIS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL GRIE VANCE MAY BE. THIS, ALAS, IS ADMITTED, AS YOU KNOW, IN SOUTH AME RICA BY MANY MISSIONARIES THERE. HISTORY GIVES US SAD SPECTACLES, FOR INSTANCE OF THE CHURCH HIERARCHY CHEEK BY JOWL WITH A NOBILITY OF CON SUMMATE ROTTENNESS AND SIN BEFORE THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, ETC. IF I AM CORRECT IN BELIEVING THAT THE CHURCH IS INNATELY ANTIDEMOCRATIC THEN WHY MUST THE CHURCH PRETEND, IN A LAND LIKE OUR OWN, IN WHICH THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE RATHER THAN THAT OF SOME LOUIS XIV IS THE ONE THAT MAT TERS? SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS EXPEDIENT CAN WE SAY THAT SUCH PRETENSE IS ANY THING BUT DISHONEST? A. My questioner, who claims to be Catholic, cites many examples from royalist days in France to Cardinal Spellman in the U.S.A., and he makes particular point of the Fordham reception of Madame Nhu, with her infamous "barbecued monk" talk. It is impossible to answer in detail all the ob jections proposed, but I believe that if my ques tioner will read the social encyclicals of recent Popes he will have a better perspective of the attitude of the Church towards the common pe<** pie and their democratic governments. He should start with Rerum Novarum, of Pope Leo XIIL written in 1891, continue with Quadragesimo An no, of Pope Pius XI (1931) and various talks of Pius XII, especially that of June 1, 1941; and conclude with the two great encyclicals of Pope John XXIII, Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris. Only thus will he get the true attitude of the Church, without any pretense. Pope John, for instance, made no attempt to disguise his preference for democratic government. Truth does not permit us to cover up the close association of Church authorities with emperors, kings and noblemen at various periods of her history. We also know that the Church has often suffered more than she has benefited from this association. Caesaro-Papism has often put Cae sar above the Pope; and many of the abuses of the middle ages must be blamed on the Chur ch’s alignment with feudal authorities. However, we must not paint the picture in stark black and white. My questioner should review his history of the French Revolution. He would see the clergy - the First Estate - voting to relinquish its privileges and join the Third Es tate; and he would see them also accepting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citi zen, of 1789. It was not until the Revolution became definitely destrictive of the Church that the clergy deserted it, and were persecuted by it. Similarly, as regards South America, a great change has taken place among the clergy-and hier archy in recent years, in many countries, InChile, for instance, from the Cardinal on down, the ma jority of the clergy are for the poor, the desti tute, and the underprivileged. And there are many bishops in other countries who have similarly committed themselves; and this is the more re markable since the Church in those countries has traditionally relied on the financial support of the wealthy. The modern bishops prefer to go broke for the cause of justice. LITURGICAL WEEK Freedom From Fault (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4) and went to another city, and there the Lord Christ was recognized, too. Today’s Mass links us to our neighbors of Mexico. It is a sign of common faith in the Lord and in Mary as the chosen vessel of His coming. It reminds us that the bonds of be lievers extend around the world and that the Chris tian never dares to confuse true patriotism with a selfish nationalism. We are brothers not only by- nature but also by grace and we hail the breaking down of inequitable economic barriers as a sign that the world is moving closer to Christ. FRIDAY, DEC. 13, ST. LUCY, VIRGIN, MAR TYR. "You loved justice and hated wickedness," repeats the refrain of the Entrance Hymn as we honor a saint who both in virginity and martyr- t T~ J 7— 7T~ 'T Si n nr IT- rr f7 W Iff 7? Defy Anonymous Letter Campaign Against Play ACROSS 1. File 5. Cantankerous command 9. Sad Cry 13. Heater: for liquids 14. Vaulted alcove 15. He received orders at age 15. 17. Default 18. Vegetable fuel 20. Hickory nut 22. Displays 25. Ruddy 26. Marry 27. Railways; abbr. 28. Decade 29. Editors', abbr. 30. Chalice veil 31. Swedish tea 32. Poetrj; 34. Combining form; reversal 35. Half 39. An intellectual 41. Southern State; Abbr. 42. Exclamation! PI. 44. He founded the Society of Blood 48. He refused to swear allegiance to 51. Land measure 52. Uncle Sam 53. At the apex 55. Stew 56. Celebrity 59. Genus: elanus 21. 60. Having two; prefix 61. Quin rr 62. Corrode 63. Dolt 29. 64. Suffix; alcohol 33. 66. Stake 34. 68. Attorney; abbr. 35. 69. Torment 36. 71. Resounds 37. 73. Persian demi-god 38. 75. Woman’s name 40. 76. Sit again 42. 78. Comb form; all 43. 80. German River 45. 81. City in Nevada 46. 82. Retreat 47. 83. Not one 49. DOWN 50. 1. Allude 54. 2. Locomotor disability 55. 3. Shred 4. St. Vincent 56. fled to hit side when 57. he was dying 58. 5. Storm troops (abbr.) 60. 6. Order he founded; 63. abbr. 64. 7. Ashes (Scottish) 65. 8. Shaped like a tear 67. 9. Verb form 69. 10. Flaring edge 70. 11. Afresh 72. 12. Tribal 74. 16. Entangle 19. Small square piece of 77. marble 79. Roman tyrant Behold Half an em Eyes (Scottish) Eternal (archaic) Chemical prefix Male nickname Guido’s high note Chart Arab title of respect Gelidify Mountain Peak A Lodge Possessive pronoun Occupy Perched Paddle Art of swimming Lease His age w hen lie began to preach Gaiter Purport Stag's horn Counter Comb form; egg Ear shell Wary (colloq) If not Browns Constellation; Bear Evil Title of address; abbr. As far as Pronoun ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE ON PAGE 7 CHICAGO (RNS) — A wide spread letter campaign has been launched against Negro poet Langston H u g h e s, whose Christmas song-play "Black Nativity" is opening here un der Roman Catholic auspices. Letters, usually enclosing an unsigned mimeographed article attacking Mr. Hughes as a "Communist s ympathiz- er", have been received by the Catholic archdiocesan chan cery office and the Catholic Adult Education Center, as well as by numerous r as by numerous priests and laymen. DESPITE THE attack, the Center plans to go ahead and present the Hughes work. Open ing night performance will be Dec. 2, according to Valle Scott, the Center's executive director. "All we ask Is that people see ’Black Nativity’ and Judge the play on Its own merits," he said, THE ATTACK centers on Mr. Hughes' authorship of a poem, ‘ 'Goodbye, Christ," alleging that the work is anti-Christian, and calls upon the Church to withdraw its support of "Black Nativity." Mr. Scott said the campaign appears to be well-organized. Some 50 letters enclosing the mimeographed article have ARNOLD VIEWING Good Natured Slapstick BY JAMES W. ARNOLD "McLintock!" is a startling example of what happens when an aging cowboy actor - with, let’s face it, more success than his abilities merit - begins to think he has something to say to the world other than Giddyap and Howdy Ma’am. The film is partly a good-natured slapstick western reminiscent of the playful masculine row dyism captured so well by director John Ford in his cavalry epics and in "The Quiet Man", But mostly it is the political and social philoso phy of John Wayne, a subject only slightly more entertaining than the bee-keeping practices of the ancient Egyptians. DUKE, THE slit-eyed, roll- ing-faited veteran of hundreds of oetburners over the past 30 years, did not write the script. "McClintock" was produced by one Wayne son and stars another (an amiable youth who has inherited the family gift for acting). It is directed by Andrew Mc- Laglen, the son of an old colleague, and clearly cut in the mold of the Wayne-McLaglen-Ford triumphs of the past. The movie is classic Wayne with the demi-god’s obviously fervent approval, and it is more saddening than edifying. Manhood, according to the Wayne gospel, means being tough and proud and rich and able to hand out favors to lesser men judged worthy of them. It means drinking big and fighting big and belting a woman when she gets too uppity (girls like it that way). It means handling cigars and hor ses, and being a dead shot. It means being baffled by big words (like unprepossessing, impuned and petulant), it means numerous sexual conquests. THE WAYNE Man leans more to action than talk (diplomacy and law are not much trusted). The non-men are talkers. They can't drink or fight, but they like music and dancing. The non men are Easterners mostly, simple-minded col lege valedictorians who wear glasses from too much reading, use words like "Mercy!" instead dom bore w itness to the Church’s visiion of etfcr- nity. It is not human justice to which the psalm refers, though that is good, but the justice of God, that justification He offers us in the advent of His Son, that "kingdom of heaven" which the Gospel advises us to prize above all things. Saturday, dec. 14, mass of the Sunday. The reconciliation of all nations in Christ, of which the First Reading teaches, though it is a reality on the plane of grace is still far from realization in nature. When we ask our Father in today's collect to stir us so that we may make ready the paths of the Lord, we are asking Him to make us agents of reconciliation, of friendship and fellow ship. Honesty requires us, then, to be ready to accept such a responsibility. been sent to chancery officials, board members of the Center, parish priests and parochial school principals, he noted. MSGR. DANIEL M. Cantwell, the Center’s chaplain, said: "We are sponsoring this play because it Is a good play and good theater." He observed that the mimeographed attack raised three issues: "The first is whether or not Langston Hughes is a Commu nist. I think this Issue was set tled by the clearance given him before the McCarthy Committee of 1953 as well as by the recent clearance given him by the U. S. State Department to participate in cultural programs in Africa. ’THE SECOND is sue, as I see it," said Msgr, Cantwell, "is this: Even if he were a Commu nist, would it follow that we should reject all of his artistic creations? Should all Russian novelists be rejected? This seems to me to be unreason able. ’The third issue is whether the poem *Goodbye, Christ’ is really anti-Christian. It seems to be that this is arguable, that what Langston Hughes is really crying out is that Christians have abandoned Christ. True, he is saying this poetically, but I think poetry must be read with imagination." MSGR. CANTWELL asserted that "Black Nativity" is a "Joyous celebration of the birth of Christ. It is amazing to me that so many people have form ed opinions about It even with out listening to the play or know ing anything about It." The play, according to the priest, has a first act about the Nativity, taken from the Gospel of St. Luke. The second act is a modern revival scene, complete with hand-clapping, shouting, and general exhilara tion. An all-Negro cast pre sents gospel reading, singing, dancing, mime and narrative. A RECENT review in The Pilot, official Boston Catholic newsweekly, said "...'Black Nativity’ preaches Christ new ly and joyously, Christianity with fresh glory and hope, the ancient faith with an enthu siasm and simplicity uncom mon In our more sedate cir cles." Richard J. Walsh, board chairman of the Center, said of the mail campaign: "It is discouraging to realize that a small but vociferous minority which is intent on pre-judging Langston Hughes’ play would attempt to impose their nar row views on others." Cardinal Named VATICAN CITYffIC) — Culs- eppe Cardinal da Costa Nunes of the Roman curia has been named a member of the Sacred Congregation of Sacramental Discipline. "Do you have any holy mackerel?’ of swearing, and call a man a reactionary for selling at a profit. The non-men accept charity (from bureau crats, not cattle barons) and they usually work for the government, which is stupid and arbi trary. The worst sin for a Wayne man is to give anybody anything. He decides when aijd how he will obey the government and when and how he will de fy it. He has earned Success by nobility and hard work - and by robbing the Indians of their natural resources. The movie is not completely a collection of in sults and clinches. Maureen O’Hara and Stephanie Powers are attractive, and it is mildly amusing to see people getting spanked or falling downstairs or into mud puddles and water buckets or getting covered with molasses and feathers. There are also glimpses of likeable veterans Chill Wills, Yvonne DeCarlo, Robert Lowery, Bob Steel and others. But mostly there is the conviction that Duke Wayne should have been headed off at the pass. ONE DAY the movies will do justice to John F. Kennedy, whose life had more drama and glory than are dreamed of by epic poets. In the mean time we have "PT 109", which is an adequate film, thanks to Cliff Robertson's dignity and warmth and Robert Surtees* magnificent photogra phy. The movie fails to approach the depth of the man. But audiences who allow for its faults may now find it moving, particularly in its empha sis on the young Navy lieutenant’s simple courage, strength of will and dedication to his job. These words, applied too often to beatnik playwrights and football halfbacks, have regained their awe some meaning. ONE COMMENTATOR observed that the assa ssination revealed the thin veneer of civilization overlaying man’s basically brutal nature. Oddly this is the central theme of "The Lord of the Flies," a British film I will review at length at a later time. The whole Kennedy story will always be tragic in the classic theatrical sense: the strange interlocking of triumph and disaster, hope and despair that has dogged man since time be gan. It involves drama’s greatest theme: the problem of evil and suffering in the world, its apparent arbitrariness and cruelty. The artist makes pain bearable. We can en dure tragedy, F. L. Lucas has written, because of "the sense that human splendor is greater and fin er even in defeat...Tragedy, In fine, is man’s answer to his universe that crushes him so pi tilessly. Destiny scowls upon him: his answer is to sit down and paint her where she stands." Art, like prayer, is God’s mercy of consolation for the inconsolable. Ingmar Bergman’s so-called commandments for movie-making have always struck me as re vealing much about the man. To a certain extent they are applicable to every human activity. As I recall, they are: 1 - Thou shalt always be entertaining. 2 - Thou shalt never compromise. 3 - Thou shalt make every film as if it were thy last. CURRENT RECOMMENDED FILMS: For everyone: Lawrence of Arabia, Lilies of the Field, The Great Escape. For connoisseurs: Winter Light, 8 1/2, This Sporting Life. Better than most: The Longest Day, The Haunt ing, The V.LP’s, The Reluc tant Saint. Seminary Fund Remember the SEMINARY FUND of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in your Will. Be quests should be made to the “Most Rev erend Paul J. Hallinan, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta and his suc cessors in office”. Participate in the daily prayers of our seminarians and in the Masses offered annually for the benefactors of our SEMINARY FUND. God Love You BY MOST REVEREND FULTON J. SHEEN ROME... Poverty has been mentioned eighty-four times in the Council up to this date. Although there is a group here who favor retaining old administrative ideas which in no way touch doctrine, no one has ever spoken in favor of retaining old divisions of wealth or old methods of helping the poor. The Holy Spirit is stir ring consciences, making uneasy all those who tend to forget that they are cells in the Mystical Body of Christ. It is now clear that just as a drop of blood cannot live apart from the body, sc no parish or college or individual can live apart from the total life of the Mystical Body of Christ. If asked to predict the general ef fect of the Council in years to come, we would say that it would be this: we will agree that our wants must go unsupplied in the face of the needs of others. (A want would be a church costing a million dollars; a need would be a straw building for 10,000 faithful who have no place to wor ship.) If a family next door to us were starving, and we had a turkey dinner, would we not deny our selves some of it to feed them? This, then, is the spirit of the bishops gathered in Council. They who have built luxuriously now agree that they must cut down expenses to help their brothers who have nothing. The Church in the United States will be quite dif ferent In a decade. We priests, Sisters, Brothers and laity will not see the poor of the world as beggars waiting for our crumbs; we will see in them the impoverished Christ. We will all be poor— they, econimically; we, spiritually—andanexchangeor a commun ion will be set up between us. A Jew in New York recently sent $200 for the poor bishops at tending the Council. Do you not think the Lord will say to him on the day of Judgment: "1 was hungry and you gave me to eat"? Let me hear from you who hope to speed the day when the Holy Father and his Society for the Propagation of the Faith will be the central exchange through which we give what can be touched in exchange for that invisible grace which Is eternal, for "The things that are not seen are eternal." Nothing will as effectively prevent you from becoming mentally depressed as helping others in the name of Jesus. GOD LOVE YOU to K. F. for $1 "I am 11 years old and just started a paper route. This is 10 cents out of every dollar that I have earned so far." ...to M. E. D. for $5 "My husband and I have decided to have our anniversary dinner athome so that some of the world's hungry may have abitmore." ...to H. M. P. for $5 "This offering is in honor of St. Jude in thanksgiving." ...to S. D. for $55 "From one just beginning to realize the art of loving one’s neighbor." Why not give your loved ones a GOD LOVE YOU medal for Christmas? The ten letters of GOD LOVE YOU form a decade of the rosary as they encircle this medal originated by Bishop Sheen to honor the Madonna of the World. With your request and a cor responding offer you may order a GOD LOVE YOU medal In one of the following styles: $ 2 small sterling silver $ 3 small 10k gold filled $ 5 large sterling silver $10 large 10k gold filled