The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-07-23
CITY OF DENVER.
Father Organ and the New Year
book of Denver Diocese.

book OF Denver DIOCESE
ccould 4 religious publication Of the
character of the diocesan year BOOK
carry advertisements of breWerles anu
other things foreign to religion.
This is a question which IS peIlS
widely discussed in church circles anu
through the daily press. and there 10
q great diversity of opinion. Ihere
are those who hold that the book must
be made TO pay for itself IN some
manner, and that the good Whlch IL
accomplishes makes up Tor any possl-
bic harm that the advertising coula GO,
while Others are equally emphauc III
protesting against allowing rehslous
book to go into a Catholic home TAX
ing with il an endorsement lof lue
products of brewery.
Since the Rev William ORyah;
nastor of St Leo's church, denounced
this arrangement TO his congrega Iloh
at high mass last Sunday, it has peeh
the tonic of conversation largely IN
every parish. The press has taken up
the matter and the consensus OF opln
ion. seems to favor the elimination Oh
such advertising. The storm Is not
likely TO blow over, but when it does
it viii leave a lasting effect.
The trouble arose in this way. sew
eral weeks ago the compilation OIL
diocesan year book was placed in the
hands of a man experienced in the
work, and such implicit confidence was
felt by the clergy in his discretion
that until the book was off the press
a week ago no one inquired into ITS
contents. The first copy was presented
to Bishop n. c. Matz, and after glanc-
ing hurriedly through it he EXTENDED
his concentrations to the publisher,
pronouncing the book the most com
plete yet attempted. Encouraged by
these words, the publisher paid per
sonal visit to every pastor in the city
and asked from each an expression OF
opinion. He was graciously received,
but that was the day for the opening
of the annual retreat and few founu
time to take cosnizapce of the contents
of the book. Accordingly, it found its
way into every church last Sunday,
and thousands were piled up for dis
tribution. The announcement was
made that the book was ready for the
parishioners and there was a rush for
them at the conclusion of each mass.
The book met with encomiums from
everyone who read it and the storm
did not break until late Sunday morn
ing. That was when the pastor of St
Ieo's took his pulpit at the close of
high mass and called the attention of
his congregation to the arrangement
of the advertising.
Waving the pretty blue book on high |
he said, dramatically: Here you |
have the new year book. a compilation |
both interesting and instructive. But |
ponder well before you decide whether |
or not it is worthy of being taken
into your homes" Then he called the |
attention of those to whom the book |
had just been passed to the fact that |
the front cover bore a picture of the |
historic old cathedral on Stout street |
and the back cover the advertisement |
l. lr,rz4 h
chara cterized as Sacrilegious. Think
of it." said Father Organ. the dear
old church where many of you were
baptized, or perhaps, married, pic
tured next to the brewery"
The Indignation of a large part of
the congregation was aroused and as
a result two-thirds Of the books were
left in the pews. The outcome of
Father Organs denunciation has
been that every pastor has taken the
brewery matter under consideration
and many laymen are discussing it
Last year when the initial attempt
was made at compiling a year book
a similar experience was met. 1t was
not a brewery advertisement which
caused the trouble, but Bishop Matz
ordered every copy expurgated before
the distribution. He had Civ
EN- his official endorsement to the
work and in consequence felt RESPONSE
bic for any comment its contents
might occasion. Habitat been done
This year nothing would have been said
but the book Lad reached almost every
Catholic household in the state before
anything was said. Everyone declares
that aside from the unfortunate cover
arrangement the book is thoroughly
and is an interesting and
acquisition to every library.
Before the wear book for 1905 is pub-
Ehed, an effort will be made to have !
fund subscribed to defray the ex- J
oenses in order that advertising of all I
kinds may be eliminated. !
The press of other cities is comment !
ng upon the action of Father Organ
favorable criticisms of his stand ]
lge everywhere heard. Ii