The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-03-07

arisen from failure to strictly comply with the
orders laid down in the "Rues and regulations for
Church in the diocese We hereby require every
priest to have COPY of them, read and explain
them to their congregations, then follow them:
We have said there are no trustees, but according
to the tRules and Regulations" above quoted, ,Coun
cilmen shall be elected in every congregation;
whose duty it will be 10 assist the priest-nOt gov
ern him. Councilmen must not forget that they
are elected TO counsel and assist, not to direct or
govern the priest that is the Bishops business nor
viii they assume the right to control or manage
the money matters of the church independent OF,
or ganst the will of the priest The priest and the
councilmen must be one, and when difference of
opinion arises, the priest must be obeyed, till the
matter in dispute can be referred to the Bishop,
whose decision is final Pastors will carefully ex-
plain this article to their congregations, and see
that its provisions are carried out.
We are much in want of priests. Many missions
and congregations have but half attendance, and,
in consequence, young and old are growing care
less Thank God there is no want of vocations to
the priesthood. Everywhere, bright, intelligent
boys are ready to give themselves to the alter, but
alas! they are poor, and have not the means neces
sary to bear the expense of the long and laborious
course needed to prepare priest for the duties of
his office.
At the Synod held last summer at the close of the
Retreat for the Clergy, il was resolved to build
new Seminary, better suited to the ends and grow
ing wants OF the diocese and at the time make
proper provision for its support. For this purpose
II was resolved to raise for the building of the new
Seminary ten thousand dollars annually for the
next ten years. and ten thousand annually for its
support; this sum to be raised by tax levied upon
each congregation, according to the number of
famlles IN It. It was also resolved to raise fitting
support for the Bishop; and for those priests whose
aen sst.1 mas Iaed or may fail from the labors and
iaugnes OF the mission. These sums can be raised
/ In the manner as above
ferhaps these sumo may appear large-the more
SO as each congregation generally finds its home
| duties pressing enough. But my beloved brethren,
you must not forget that nearly everything is just
nov IN lts beginning, consequently the burden is
80 neaVy Yet If you compare the past with its
nmlted means and what was done, with the present,
/ ana lts increase of numbers and wealth, you will
not lind the burden so heavy. Besides, the sum to
oe raised, is not all at once, but yearly; it will
tors will present this matter to you, give of your
means-remembering that others gave to supply
you with the priests that now minister to you.
| There is some confusion and good deal of mis-
apprehension relative to some of the societies in the
diocese. Some of them claim to be Catholic socie-
ties, simply because their members are Catholic
claiming all the privileges usually accorded to Cath
oe societies; such the right to their regalia
/ In the church and have solemn funerals for their
dead. Yet strange to say, such societies organize
and manage their societies without the priest and
/ only seek the priest when they want to make a
] show. If they have claims upon the priest, the
priest has alsO claims upon them; and if they wish
/ the priest to recognize them, they must recognize
him, Priest and Catholic are inseparable; the one
! contains and ever accompanies the other. So if
societies claim to be Catholic, wish to enjoy the
/
i they will enter the Church as societies; wearing
/ their regalia and claiming honOrs and attention,
| they mnst do as Catholic societies dO-put priest
at their head. If they ignore the priest, they need
not wonder if he ignores them. Nor is it enough
/ to say because individually the members are Cath
oics, then that collectively the society is Catholic.
/ There is vast difference between society of
Catholics and Catholic Society. Thelatter always
has priest at its head the former may, may not
There is no desire to interfere with the manage
| ment of any society. The more Catholics are uni
1 ted in healthy anoiafipa fhp halter
win place no obstacle to any measure that viii unite
Catholics, either for literary beneficial purposes.
But societies cannot be one day with the church,
and the next Independent of her. Either as socie-
ties they are Catholic, they not. If they are
Catholic they must do as Catholic Societies do-put
priest at their head; if they are not Catholic 30
cietes, they should not wonder if they refused
| the privileges accorded to Catholic societies.
The following are the conditions on which any
society within the diocese will be permitted to enter
| any Church with its regalia or:
1. Their constitution must be approved either by
i the Bishop or priest.
2. Each society shall place priest at its head as
spiritual director, and receive from him reasonable
direction.
The acceptance or rejection of the above rules
will not interfere with the individual members of
the societies. To them the doors of the church are
open as to all Others and to them viii the priest
grant all the privileges usually granted to Catholics.
But as societies their privileges will depend upon
the acceptance or rejection of the above conditions.
There is much weak faith and many loose notions
on the subject of marriage. Many of our Catholics
act as if they thought it matered little whether they
were married in out of the church; whether they
were married by the priest the squire, wheth-
er they had Gods blessing or Gods curse upon
them. Marriage is a sacrament instituted by Jesus
Christ, through which the married couple receive
grace and blessing. 1t is grievous sin to get mar
ried out Of the church; and often such marriages
are null and void in the eyes of the church, because
/ of existing impediments- We most sOlemnly warn
the faithful everywhere to avoid such abuses Seek
/ dear children, husbands and wives amongst the
| members of your own faith; be publised in your
own church, and married by your own priests, that
thus God may bless you and your lives be happy.
| Remember that a bad beginning usually makes q
/ bad end.
And now, beloved brethren, we exhort you to re-
within you the spirit of faith; to be earnest
| be jealous, knowing not what the morrow may
| bring fOrth-you must be always prepared, for as
thief comes in the night, will God call; perhaps
| tonight.
Are you in sin, repent; have you injured another
restore in kind. Owe no man anything. Let youl
| no contradiction or contention be amongst you
Go often to the sacraments; in them you will find
life and salvation. Early train up your children in
| the ways of God; give them good example. Be not
] as the sign-pOst that ever points out the way tO
Others but itself walks not in it. Let the holy sea
| son of Lent be spent in prayer and self-denial
MeFtify your passions that You may keep them in
subection. Cling to your faith; it is of priceless
| known to be Catholics by your virtues
r. GILNoUR, Bishop of Cleveland.