The Irish standard., 1915-05-08
THE CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN
AND THE Y. NJ. C.. A.
Review of Situation by Rev. E. F. Garesche S. J., in
Queens Work."
Queens Work.


oeeeoaosoaoeo8
in such activities as schools of citizen
ship for immigrants, the activities of
the night school, athletic work, etc. In
our long efforts along these lines, we
have discovered many practical me-
thods and principles which we would
gladly share with the Catholic organ
ization."
What do you think, Mr.. Messer,"
said I, "of the possibility of beginning
a Catholic organization of this kind,
from financinal standpoint. Do you
think that those who contribute so
generously to the Y. NJ. G. A. could
be induced to contribute to Catholic
organization?"
Possibly not in the beginning, from
n-Catholics," said Mr.. Messer. "You
would have first of all to show these
men that you could do effective work
for the young man. We have now been
at the work for many years, and
wealthy philanthropists realize that
we make satisfactory returns for the
money they give US. It would take
some time before the results which
you could show would induce them to
subscribe for your work on the mere
ground Of philanthropy"
do you think that the secretaries
of the Y. M. c. A. in general would
share your willingness to cooperate
in the establishment of a Catholic or.
ganization?"
Il think so. Indeed they are al
ready making efforts to cooperate, in
the line of sending Catholic young
men to their pastors. We should like
indeed to notify the Catholic pastors
themselves when a Catholic young
man comes under our influence, just as
we notify Protestant pastors when we
get in touch with Protestant. We
fear, however, that this would not be
welcomed under present conditions.
But If the Catholics were willing to
receive our corporations, we should
be glad to give it in any practical
way.
"The need and expediency of a
separate organization for Catholics"
he went on, lis the first point that l
wish to insist on. The second point, is
our willingness to cooperate in the
establishment of such Catholic in.
stitution by communicating our me.
thods, training the workers, and if
need be, lending our own workers to
give Catholic institution start. The
third point which wish to emphasize >
Mr.. Messer continued, lis that in my
opinion the majority of the Catholic
young men who ehtsr the Y. M. c. A
have practically relinquished their al
legiance to the Catholic church. In
deed" he went on, taking into con
sideration the present attitude of thu
Catholic church toward the Y. M. C
A., it is my belief that Catholic
young man shows want of loyalt!
when he enters the Y. M. c.. A.
There are thousands and thousand
of Catholic young men who are drift
ing towards infidelity, just as Their
are thousands of Protestant younl
men in the same situation. will b.
frank with you," he continued, ian,
tell you that it is the primary purpos
of the Y. M. C. A. to help and to az
peal to just this class Of young men
those who are drifting loose from thei
religious moorings and need be helpe
, back to religious Affiliations. We az
peal to these young men by the &C
vantages which we offer them; by tn
opportunities of self-improvement; tn
night schools; the social centers wher
= they can meet their fellows and pas
a pleasant evening; and by the phys
j. cal work, for which they feel the neet
We seek to arrest this religious drift
ing and to steer these young me
back to their allegiance to thel
}, church, whether it be the Protestar
or Catholic church. In accordanc
). with this principle, it is our practic
to direct Catholic young men t
, Catholic pastors. but will say that
is my personal conviction that tn
IY NJ C. A. ia as rulo dealing wit
). Catholics who have practically relil
pushed their allegiance to the churc
}, and many of them will never be loys
Catholics again.
e Il wish to make it clear, howeve
= that the Y. M. c. A. makes it appe,
+ and offers its privileges to men of a
religious faiths and of no religion
i, faith, and that this policy on the pal
;. of the Y. NJ. c. A. should be continues
( This policy is followed in foreig
n lands, e. g., in China, Japan and othe
r mission countries as we'll as in Anne
e lea.
= 1--WE do. however, make it ru
C never to take Catholic boy ,undt
J. sixteen years of age into the Y. M.
e A. unless he can bring us the write
8 consent of his father or mother. Aft,
l. boy is sixteen years of age. we fe
s that he has a right to join for himse
if he wishes. OF course, il Protes