The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-10-07
WHERE RED TAPE AND
CARD INDEXES ARE
NOT

CARD INDEXES ARE
NOT.
1t is impossible to estimate the
practical good that will follow the
Conference of Catholic Charities.
The gathering represented every
phase of charitable work. The
papers read and discussed were
from men and women who have
given years to the study of their
respective branches. One out
standing feature of the Confer
ence was its eminently practical
character. No time was consumed
in theories and generalities. The
delegates never lost sight of the
fact that they came for earnest
work. They went home with new
ideas and stimulated ambition.
When they meet next year we
may learn something of the good
they derived from the Conference.
The Conference will serve an
other end, though it be only in
cidental. 1t will bring to the
minds of the American people the
truth that the old Mother Church
still cherishes the Christian ideal
of brotherhood The charities Of
the Catholic Church have never
been properly appreciated. Too
many Still believe that no good
can come out OF Galilee. While
the Catholic charity worker asks
no public recognition, works for
no earthly reward and tries to hide
his light under bushel, there are
times when it is we'll to $50 let
your light shine before men that
seeing it they may glorify your
Father Who is in Heaven" That
men may better measure the
Church of God it is we'll that they
know the inexhaustible resources
OF her charity beyond which lie
matchless traditions of self-sac-
rifce.
From the days of the catacombs
the Catholic Ctt1rch has preached
and practiced the doctrine of char
ity. In the days when poverty
was crime, sickness a curse and
old age burden, the Catholic
Church opened her hospitals and
asylums. Every convent and
monastery was haven for the
afflicted, a place of rest for the
weary, never failing source of
aims for the needy. Even the
hardened criminal found refuge
in the sanctuary of the Church.
1.-THE Catholic Church never lost
her relation of mother to the af-
flicted. She never gave up her
claim on the poor. They are a
sweet legacy left to her by her
Divine Founder.
There is not a phase of human
suffering or want that does not
find solace and aid in Catholic
charitable institutions. The in
FAINT is welcome in her Founding
Asylums and the old man or
woman, helpless and alone, will
find home with the Little Sisters
of the Poor, The Catholic Orphan
Asylum protects and educates to
Christian manhood and woman
hood the boy or girl bereft of nat
ural protectors. The sick will for
get their pain under the sweet
touch Of the gentle Sister of Chart
ty, and the unfortunate girl who
has forfeited the respect of socie-
ty will find protection and hope
i'll the care of the white robed Sis
tiers of the Good Shepherd.
Besides the vast army OF men
and women who have consecrated
their lives to the cause of Chris
tan charity there is that great
body of Catholic laymen, the
Saint Vincent de Paul Society. It
is a worldwide organization OF
men who work without thought
of salary or reward. With them
Christian charity is not a senti-
ment. Their work is not mere
philanthropy. The Saint Vincent
de Paul man never loses sight Of
the supernatural. He is working
for Christ. He draws no denom-
national lines but freely aids thu
poor of all religions. There arc