The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31
(Contnu rom pag
PASTORAL LETTER

full performance, by it's members, OF
their religious and ecclesiastical du-
ties. Unless the interest of religion
or morality be directly at stake, the
society, as body, should not NEEDLE
in politics. Finally, societies should
not become so social, so selfish, or so
disinterested as to fail to assume &C
tive interest in all that concerns the
welfare of the parish or parishes
wherein they are located. The mem
bers should become staunch and &C
tive workers of the parishes, so as to
give strength and joy to Holy Mother
Church
The Clergy.
Societies should earnestly heed the
advice and direction of the clergy,
even though their immediate object
be of material nature. Christian
piety should be cultivated in societies
established for purely temporal ad-
vantages. No society bearing the
name of Catholic, should exist in any
parish, unless the priest assumes per-
sonal interest therein. No one should
be admitted into a society without
the recommendation of his respective
pastor, who is generally the best
Judge in this matter. The life of the
applicant should guarantee his enroll
ment into a society, which must not
be considered as place of probation
or reformation. The priest should in
sist on the keeping of the precepts OF
the Church, on the practice OF justice
and charity He should maintain
friendly relations with the members
and leaders of the society and turn
them into agencies for good Pru-
dence suggests that the priest enter
tain no feelings of hostility for the
society, on account of arising disputes
or disagreements, much less should
he show any such spirit. Nor should
he presume to condemn societies for
whatever cause, without consulting
the Ordinary The pulpit is not the
place for denunciations or criticisms
of societies, but means are to be en-
ployed to correct their defects prl-
vately. The right of attending socl-
ETY. meetings must be allowed the
priest or local pastor, even though he
be not a member. The priest must
receive due respect and Difference In
the societies. His clerical dignity de-
mands that he should not be treated
as an ordinary member, or put on
level with other members in imitation
ceremonies. In meetings, the priest
should occupy a place of honor. The
sacred character of the priesthood
forbids it's impersonation in functions
of the society. The priest is not, now
a priest, now a layman or member OF
a society; he is priest forever and
everywhere. Laymen, who would at
tempt such conduct towards the
priesthood, would only dishonor them
selves, their society and the Church.
The Chaplain.
No priest is allowed to become a
member of any organization without
the written permission of the Ordi-
nary. The Bishop will appoint the
chaplain. 1t is the duty of the chap
lain to watch carefully over the soci-
ETY., to enforce the observance of all
duly sanctioned rules and especially
to urge the performance of the relig-
ious duties. Societies should keep up
the good custom of receiving Holy
Communion in body at stated times,
with badges, or regalia. Public pro-
cessions and parades of societies are
commendable; since they exhibit the
strength of the Church, are an open