The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-01
ARCHBISHOP IREL AND
ON JULY 4 PICNIC
WRITES LETTER TO BE READ IN
MINNEAP CHURCHES.
cc-n-aends Minneapolis Catholics for
WHAT They Have Already Done and
Suggests Picnic Attendance as Means .
for Further Support of the Proposed
Cathedral.

Probably the largest church outing
Fourth Of July picnic of the various
Catholic parishes of Minneapolis to the
grove at Plymouth and Penn avenues
n, for the benefit of the building fund
OF the Minneapolis pro-cathedral.
1t IS estimated that between $4,000
and 10000 people will attend. Among
the notables who will be present will be
archbishop John Ireland of st. Paul,
Bishop }. @. Cotter of Winona, Bishop
McGolrick of Duluth and Bishop Shan
ley of Fargo. ~
Archbishop Ireland is taking a great
personal interest in the outing, and that
it may be an assured success, has pre-
pared letter which is to be read by
Catholic pastors in every Catholic
church in Minneapolis today at the var
ious services.
In his letter to the Catholics of Min
neapolis the archbishop commends them
for the good work they have SO far
accomplished in the new cathedral
project, and urges them to still greater
exertions. He says
''The picnic at the grove is for the
benefit of the building fund of the Pro-
Cathedral. Every Catholic in Mime
apolls is interested in this fund. Here
is way to increase ito increase it
very considerably, by methods that i'm
pose no sacrifice, that, on the contrary,
procure unlimited JOY and pleasure.
Let the Catholics of Minneapolis betake
themselves to this picnic by $4,000 or
more-as with the slightest good will
they may easily do-and large sum
will be realized with which to push
forward the work Of the Pro-CathedraI.
The opportunity is ours; we should be
quick to turn it to profit.
What is needed, above all else, for
the success of the picnic, is the crowd
to create enthusiasm, to give courage to
the workers and active well-wishers.
Many Of the attendants may be unable
or unwilling to spend much money.
Yet let these be with us, and at least
give us the charm and the aid of their
presence: Let US have the multitude
and of itself the picnic will care for
the results.
'There is a purpose in this picnic
even beyond that, of financial gain
a purpose to which we should attach
much Importance. 1t is to bring to-
gether as one body, as members of one
community. the Catholic people of Min
neapolis, irrespectively of all parish
organization, irrespectively of ali de-
marcation of language or race. Let
Catholics know one another; 2ctSls be-
made conscious of our numbers. OF the
strength and the power for good be-
longing to us when bound together and
acting as one body with common aims
and thru common methods. The Cath
o!lcs OF Minneapolis form large frae-
t1;n OF Of the population of the city. OF
TINS fact, most likely, many even Of
ourselves are unaware We have been
living isolated from one another. d.
Vlded into sections, accustomed to meet
and converse with only those of orr
parish, or of our society, without seeing
and observing the multitude that rises
up when the. name Catholic is pvt out
as the watchword; without seeing or
OBSERVING the inspiring meaning of the
oneness of faith, which is our most
precious possession, and our richest foat
OF life and power of action.
heretofore in Minneapolis we have
too seldom sought occasion to show
forth. even to our own eyes, our cor
porate, force and to draw from it the
Iullness OF religious hope and inspira-
tor, which. is begotten Of it, which
tends so much to enliven our personal
devotion to religion and to encourage
us TO move forward in the doing Of
good and great things for the glory of
God and the honor of holy church.
most pleasing feature of the project of
the pro.cathedral is precisely that it
puts before our whole Catholic people
a ast purpose IN which they are all inter
to work. by which they are all brought
closely together as one body, as one
community. :. The coming Fourth is
an opportunity to place ourselves on
high. level, above narrowing lines Of
particularism of any kind, to appear
and to act as one great army, an army
OF loyal and united Catholics. Let us
be at the picnic. Let us be there from
every parish, from every nook and
every corner of the city-all, whoever
we are, such as we are, Catholics, bent
on showing to one another that we are
Cathollcs-bent on showing to one an
other how, numerous the Catholics are
in the city of Minneapolis.
ut is my duty to thank the Catholic
people Of Minneapolis for the zeal they
are manlfesting in making preparation
for the picnic. Catholics of every par
lsh are at work-resolved to make it a
wonderful success. Especially must
thank the members of the executive
committee. and of the several parish
committees, who give so generously and
so devotedly their time and their labor
to the end that all things be in readi-
pess to- entertain the incoming throngs.
to set before them tables laden with an
abundance Of food, to enable them to
while away the hours in innocent and
captivating amusements.
say nothing to the address of the
reverend clergy. They did not await
urgency on my part to set. Themselves
to work; they do not await urgency ON
my part to persevere to the end in earn
est effort to make the coming Fourth
a memorable day in the story of Cath
Ollie achievements in Minneapolis. -