The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-10-14
LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF LEAD
sastorIess Communities DecIine-Not
Attractive to Homeseekers.

one Experience shows that missions
in which five, ten. fifteen, twenty fam
lilies live and which itinerant priests
attend at long intervals do not in
crease, but as rule decrease for the
reason that in addition to those who
cease to go to church and who lose
the faith, others DESTROYS of enjoying
better facilities for practicing their
religion move to other places in which
more favorable church conditions eX-
ist.., Nor do such communities grow
by accretion. Land agents inform me
that localities which are not blessed
with resident pastors are Stunned by
prospective Catholic settlers who have
families to rear. A short time ago in
one Of our towns in which Mass is
celebrated but once in six weeks on
weekday well-to-do farmer from an
other state who was contemplating
the purchase of land in the vicinity
said to me: Bishop, there is a farm
in this neighborhood which l can buy
at a bargain, but how soon may we
expect to have Mass here on Sun
days?" On being informed that it
would not be possible in the near fu-
ture his remark was: Il regret that
| cannot locate here. AS ] have
young family of six children | am not
going to run the risk of bringing them
up in these surroundings" And he
went away to look for home else
where. His case may be taken as
typical of a class.
Our state with its fertile SOIL its
healthful climate, it's wealth of min
eral resources has many attractions
for the homeseeker. Thousands of
acres of rich, low-priced land lie un-
titled awaiting inhabitants who will
appreciate it's value and bring it un-
der cultivation. But it will not be SO
for long. 1t is safe to predict that the
development of this favored region
will be very rapid during the coming
few years. Each year the tide of i'm
migration brings to us a new popula-
tion of which Catholics constitute no
inconsiderable portion. Is it not our
solemn duty to provide the blessings
of religion for those in whose hearts
the seed of faith was planted by other
hands and who now choose to cast
their lot with us? Without priests
| they will not remain with us. Are we
to allow all this unsurpassed agri-
cultural country to be peopled by
those who will naturally keep it out
side the pale of the wholesome infiu-
ence of the Church. Blameworthy
would we be if we were so unconcern-
ed about the future prosperity of those
of the household of the faith as not
| to exert our best efforts to render it
possible for them to take advantage
of the exceptional opportunities now
presenting themselves.
The harvest indeed is ripe, and the
demand for laborers is notably greater
than the supply. Twice our present
number could now be assigned to
growing places which unfortunately
must be left without them. In view
of this deplorable scarcity of priests
it behooves us to apply ourselves with
all our energies to the task of sup
plying the deficiency. To accom-
plish this result it is imperative that
we add largely to our list of students
both in the college department and
in the seminary. Every effort made
to swell the ranks of the clergy is a
step in the direction of more intense
parish life. Every new parish that
is formed becomes a center of greater
Catholic vitality and wider influence,
and the nucleus of f1ourishing con-
gregation.
Plan to Multiply Parishes.
1t is my intention to take for in
stance a promising mission in which
there are about twenty families and
to make it a parish in which Mass
will be celebrated every Sunday. To
it will be attached two smaller con-
gregations in each of which the faith
ful will be given the opportunity of
hearing Mass twice month on Sun
days. Thus in a short while the num-
Der of resident pastors will be augu-
mehted, the facilities for divine wor-
ship will be improved, parish life will
be nurtured, fallen away Catholics
will be enticed back to the fold, the
faithful members of the flock will be
moved to greater fervour and activity
Catholic. atmosphere will pervade
| the community, and newcomers in
search of homes will be attracted.
The six new parishes which have
been created within the past few
months in accordance with this plan
are making encouraging, enviable rec
ords. When in few years these little
parishes become larger and self-sus-
| tanning, their missions will in turn be
made parishes. To my mind this is
colonization of kind which is well
within our reach, and which will bear
abundant fruit Doubtless in some in
stances it will become necessary to
| lend a helping hand to newly appoint
ed pastors in struggling parishes,
though the necessity for doing SO will
be short-lived But whatever financial
assistance may be required for this ur-
gent and holy work, the burden must
and will be borne for the good of souls
and the extension of the Kingdom of
Christ. The vital interests Of religion
| demand the sacrifice.
If you who are in fortunate circum-
stances wish to place at my disposal
ample funds for the recruitment of the
clergy have no hesitancy in assuring
you that I will see to it that they re-
ceive proper maintenance. My heart