Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-06
CATHOLIC LAY APosToLATE
 NEEDED IN NORWICH
Nation-Wide Movement For Social Betterment Requires Increased Ac- tivity in St. Patriek's Parish, Rev. Peter J. Cuny Maintains.

since the close of the two weeks mis- sion in the parish that Rev. Peter J. Cuny had preached at the last mass in St. Patrick's church and 1t was natural that he should refer to the signal suc- cess of the recent special spiritual ex- ercises which have so revived activity in the church With characteristic originality and clear thinking, he what outside the beaten lines, preach ing from the text. How good and how together in unity.'' Psalm 1os-1.
 The mission, he said, had had the effect of restoring to spiritual health deplorable condition of weakness and disease resulting from sinful living, the soul requiring occasional dras- tic treatment and searching medica- tion- as does the body whose owner has been living in defiance or neglect of the laws of hygiene. Many have been brought back to a realization of the urgency of conformity with the laws of God: the question now is, will they so remain?
 Aids 1o Perseverance.
 Perseverance, the preacher stated depends upon the three helps, prayer, Fermentation of the sacraments and prompt and regular assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, public wor- ship of God.
 The importance of prayer as the first means to grace is acknowledged; ; but it is not sufficient to pray solely for ones self. How many have learn ed. as one good effect of the recent mission, to pray for others
 Human activities are of three sorts occilpational, social and religious. In the early life of the Church, the social and religious sides of existence were more closely identified than at pres | arf ha ga T1u CI7riSfianS r1nf nr1v at | tended Mass together, received Holy Communion daily together, but by a communal arrangement they ate their | meals together. and were intimately associated in their general social life | With the increase in the humber of | Christians it was na.ura1 that this | community life must change. But read 1 ing down the pages of history one is inn | pressed by the fact that this ideal re- lation of the social and religious sides 1 of life was marked characteristic o1 | the Catholic Church.
 Catholic Socialism. l Nothing can be higher than this 1 Socialism" the association of Catholics | with Catholics. This IS the great ob- 1 ject Of the Catholic Lay Apostolate about which so much is being writer | and said at the present time. | Much toward bringing about this
 
 Catholic school; but the work is to be advanced and carried on by those or ganizations which are affiliated witt | the Catholic Church.
 ] To that end there should be syste. matized activity looking toward the 1 promotion of social betterment, en- | joyment. Man is social in his nature as is demonstrated by the fact thar ] left to himself in time he becomes 2 candidate for an insafe asylum. Catholicism True Democracy. Reciprocity between the present 1 Catholic societies would be a speedy means of bringing about this social re. 1 such work there is no room for classe: | or cEiques. The Catholic hurch, ii l cNlything, means true democracy; ar association of brothers in Jesus Christ 1 The word Catholic" means universa i -hence such work should be for all i Promotion of the service undertaken 1 by the lay &postolate is not to bt added to the burdens of pastors. ol | their curates. although these may aiC | in it: but theirs are duties on 2 1 higher plane. They were ordained for the administering of the sacra. melIts.
 Danger of SeIfishness.
 In new parishes the preacher said there is apt to be a healthy becaus' necessary activity which brings mem bers of the parish into closer social re l lations and q community of interest whereas in parishes long established 1 individuals and organizations are like ly to grow self-centered, if not mar row. It is not sufficient to have severa hundred names on paper or in a book t. constitute a Catholic organization these societies should be alive witt energy. not alone for their own but fo others good.
 Nigh Solve Mixed Marriage Problem
 One practical effect of parish socia activity would be the doing away witt many of the objectionable mixed mar riages. There would be created, toe 8 common ground upon which mem Ders of the church could meet, lear to know each other better. talk thing over in a friendly way.
 A number of suggestions were offer ed by which impulse could be give the forward movement undertaken b. the Lay Apostolate, always looking to ward that state where it will be "goo and pleasant to dwell together in harmony pleasing to God and for tn glory and advancement of His Church