The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-03-02
TAKE AND READ.

TAKE AND READ.
There is so much good sense and
salutary advice, free from all
mawkish sentimentality, contained
in circular letter issued by the
St. Dominic Branch Of the Holy
Name Society established in the
Missouri State Penitentiary at.
Jefferson City that it can be read
with profit by many who are not
behind the bars. This letter which
is placed in the hands of every
Catholic prisoner on the eve Of his
discharge reads as follows:
Dear Brother: In a few days
you leave this institution, we hope
never to return. The past is now
behind you and it is impossible to
| change it. The future is before
you; over it you have control.
This farewell message from your
brothers in the Holy Name Society
is to wish you good luck and "God
speed" and so show our brotherly
concern in your future welfare.
Forget all the bitter feelings in
the past: "let by-gones be by
cones" Leave here determined to
do right, to begin over again,
never to be caught in the tolls Of
the law-not entirely to save your
self from the punitive consequent
ces, but through the higher and
truly Christian motive that you
cannot do wrong and be a good
Catholic. Leave jefferson City
without visiting saloon. Have
more respect for yourself and for
us. Keep away from drink. You
have done without it for long
time and you can do without in
still. Do not re-acquire the taste
and fall under it's influence again.
If you get into trouble any more
remember you will have tougher
road to travel, you will lose the
respect and the sympathy Of every
body, and deservedly so.
Shun bad companions and
worthless associates. What did
they do for you in your trouble
They were, all fawning on you
when you were lucky, but forgot
you when you needed help. Now
it is your turn. Keep away from
them. Seek a decent position; dc
not be hard to please until you gel
a start; save your money; avoiC
} saloons and cultivate good com
panions, Get acquainted with the
priests of the parish you intend tc
) live in. Go to confession and com
munion every month, attend mass
every Sunday, say your prayers
morning and evening, and join the
nearest Holy Name Society, attend
: ing all the meetings regularly. I
) you do this you will have Gods
blessing to begin with, and yor
will soon acquire good, substantial
friends who will help you ant
I stick by you as long as you con
) duct yourself properly.
: Keep your prayer book, beads
Z scapular, crucifx, Imitation ant
2 other religious books given yol
5 here; read Catholic papers every
; week, wear your Holy Name but
; ton on your coat at all times, ant
stick closely to your Church. I
} you do you have nothing to fea7
: and your success is assured. W.
will always be happy to hear O.
your success. May Gods blessing
!, ever attend you. Yours frater
: nally,
d st. Dominic s Branch, I'll. N. S
i The work among the Catholi
v inmates of the Missouri State Peni
' tertiary is in charge of the Rev
e Henry A. Geisert under whose dir
. ection the Holy Name Society wa
' organized. He devotes his who'll
: time and attention to ameliorating
Q as far as possible, the condition o
! those transgressors Of the law VIII
y are placed in this institution t.
expiate their offences. Since h
! assumed charge of this work h
. has done world Of good, not onl,
' to the Catholic inmates, but to al
: irrespective of class or creed.
II