The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-23
SPECIAL CATHOLIC COLLECTION.
Bishop Allen Issues Circular to the
 Faithful in This Diocese.

There will be special collections in all the Catholic churches of this diocese to- day in response to circular letter from the Right Rev E. P. Allen, bishop of Mobile. The bishop says:
 Dear Reverend Father-The annual col 1 lection for the education of ecclesiastical students will be taken up in all the | churches of the diocese on Easter Sun day.
 1t should be sufficient to make known the worthy purpose to which this collec- tion is to be applied to secure generous offerings from every true child of the church. The help asked for is a neces- sary support for an indispensable work among the people. A priest is needed in every Christian community to offer sac ritice for the people, to nourish theiy' souls with the bread of life and to strengthen them in their faith by preach- ing the word of God. He labors and tolls for their welfare from the cradle to the grave. He is the one man chosen by God to do this holy work and to do it in Gods own providential way. You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain.'-John KY, 16.
 Since the priest gives life's service to the people, it Is but just that part at least of the expenses of his long course of training in college and seminary should be defrayed by those who are to have the benefit of his ministrations. A sense of duty loyalty to mother church, as we'll as gratitude to God for bless ings received through the priesthood should prompt each one to give accord ing to his ability. One generous member of the cathedral parish mindful of the blessings bestowed on him and his fam fly, gave us a sum this year sufficient to pay all the expenses of one student. and he proposes to continue this favor yearly for some time. Another benefactor in an eastern diocese gave $5OOO to found a purse in the College of the Propaganda. Rome. For help of this kind we are pro- foundly grateful
 Within a short period some of our most jealous priests have been called to their reward. and it has taxed our resources to supply their places. If our confidence in God were less abiding. we might grow faint-hearted over the tasks before us. Priests are needed in various parts of the diocese. not only to keep what we have, but also to open up and develop new missions.
 We should all pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his vine- yard. We should also ask for vacations
 
 A vocation to the priesthood or to a religious life is not unusal in our midst but unfortunately some parents do not foster these vacations or protect the in- nocence of their children blessed with them. It is certain that If it were not for the worldly way in which children are brought up we would obtain more candidates for the priesthood from our people. When the home is not we'll regu- lated when the members Of the family lead irreligious lives. vacations cannot be developed. Whereas the Christian home is the nursery of virtue and relig- ion.
 What a happiness for a truly Catholic priest of God! What an honor it is for a parish to see those adorned with the priestly dignity. who besides being born in the parish, were trained in the parish schools and sent from them to the col lege and seminary!
 The church cannoe be said to have &C., qured a firm hold in any land until she Is able to call to her service a native priesthood. When she has done this and then only will she cease to be a pilgrim in a foreign land. How few parishes in this diocese have ever given even one representative to the altar? Is it be- cause there is a lack of appreciation among the people of the dignity and inn portance of the priestly office? Were that dignity fully acknowledged and properly valued. no sacrifice would be considered too great to secure the preser- vation of vacations among the young. May this appeal move you to think of our spiritual and temporal needs and lead you to give generously to the col lection for the support of our students.