The Irish standard., 1907-02-23
GREATER ACTIVITY.
Time for Catholics to Teach, Rather
Than Defend, Says Rev. Viii.
liam %. Hickax

sVdU OOt0nO, Gays now WIZ
liam D. Hickey.
you can impress those around you
that the welfare Of the whole nation
is bound up in the Catholic ideals of
Christian education, the sacredness of
marriage and the home, the absolute
decree against divorce and the obliga-
tion of obedience to law and those
whom God has placed in authority"
said the Rev. William ID. Hickey. of
Dayton, in his sermon last Sunday
at st. Frances de Sales Church, To-
ledo. Ho placed special emphasis on
tho obligation resting upon tho laity
to spread and exemplify Catholic
teachings, says the Catholic Universe.
Unfortunately, since the Refnrma-
tion," he remarked, I'VE have been too
much on the defensive. 1t is time for
us to take a more persuasive position,
to teach rather than to defend. f
A certain person in authority in the
Church said recently that the great
need of the day is for greater activity
among the laity. Take tho early
Church for an example. II was the
people who spread the Gospel. and the
wonderful growth of the Church in the
first three centuries was due to the
faithful who carried the message into
the homes Of their friends. There is
Il great work for the laity that cannot
be done by the clergy, in tho home, III
the business places and in the shops.
People are eager to hear tho truth
and one need not wear a cassocll to
teach it.
ut must be- remembered, however,
that intelligence must precede activity,
and that a knowledge of tho doctrines
Of the Church is necessary to teach
| others. There are men whose knowl-
edge Of their religion does not extend
beyond what they knew when they
made their First Communion-and
they seem to glory in their ignorance
"rhis is Il land of liberty and VIC
have people who are singularly sus-
ceptible to the truth. Do not think
that it requires special training to
speak Of tho Church and her doctrines.
Even our children can share in the
apostolate. There are constant op-
portunities for the lay missionary.
sk.if, .ir.fn ~
excellent standing who Impressed upon
his professional brethren tho sacred
ness Of human life as taught by the
Catholic Church. This is only one in
stance Of what can be done. Another
excellent means to spread Il knowl-
edge of truth is through tho medium
of Catholic newspapers and magazines.
We arc confined too much within the
! boundaries Of our own parish. If we
arc to grow VIC must extend our iD-
, terest not only to things outside the
parish, but to every Catholic activity
throughout the world.
"But more important even than this
apostolate is the example of your own
life. by their fruits yc shall know
them is the test that applies to-. Cath
olics. IT. will do little good to quote
Scripture or explain doubtful ques-
tions if your life is not what It should
be. You will do little good il the sn-
pernatural graces OF your religion have
not touched your character The
world pays Catholics an unconscious
tribute by expecting moro Of Their,
than of others. 'Noblcssc obigc' is
your motto. Set your face against
the vices that arc SO common in So
cicty." .....
Father Hickey, who is u speaker of
great force and clearncss, is dean OF
the Dayton district of the Archdiocese
of Cincinnati. He Is one of q family OF
whom five sons arc priests