Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-17
PATRIOTIC vEsPERs HELD
 AT ST. PATRIcKs.
Rev. William 4. keefe Speaks on Where the Catholic Church Stands in the Present Struggle.

Sunday evening at the request of Rev. Daniel Mullen assembly, fourth degree. K. of C.. special patriotic yes pers were held in St. Patrick's church. Peter J. Dolin, of Hartford, was un- able to be present owing to the dis arrangement oe the train schedule. and Rev: William A Keefe of Plainf1eld was secured as the speaker.
 The patriotic nature of the service was enhanced by a large American flag which was hung from the choir loft. The music was also of patri- otic nature, the service opening with the singing of America and closing with the Star Spangled Banner. The celebrant of the mass was Rev. J. H. Fitzmaurice of Greeneyille, with Rev. J. J. McCabe of Jewett City as dea- con and Rev. J. F. Quinn as sub-dea- con- Rev. Myles P. Calvin of Norwich was master of ceremony.
 The other priests who were on the altar were Fathers Maciejewski and Cuny of this city, Morrissey of Volun- town, Kennedy of Greeneville Massi- colt of Taftyille and Lynch of Baltic.
 The K. of c. and the other mems societies met in the K. of c. rooms in the Sunlight building and marched to the church. The ladies societies of the church met in the basement of the church. In spite of the cold weather there was good number present.
 Father Keefe spoke as follows:
 ht CnlS tune when aiI clVl1ZaClOn IS engaged in this war, it is often asked How does the Catholic church stand? What help does she give her sons? The Catholic church has for ages been the otism. Every Catholic learns at his mothers knee to be loyal to his church and his country. Did not the Founder of the church say Render unto God those things that are Gods and unto Caesar. that is to say to your things Caesars. Men even say that the Catholic church is a menace to the principles for which this war is being fought. The Catholic church was founded with the express idea fo spreading righteousness throughout the world. What offers better ex- ample of true demonracy than the shepherds and kings gathered at the bedside of the infant Jesus? How can the Catholic church be 8, menace to democracy when they have the same ten commandments and say the same Lords prayer as the others? The church has ever stood for the obeying of the law, for didn't Joseph go to Bethlehem in obedience to the law of the census taking?
 Where is there an organization taat during the 1900 years has so earnestly set an example of democracy and obe- dience as the Catholic church? In the catacombs of Rome the Roman senator and the Roman slave .knelt SluS Dy SIOe. 1uey received the same sacraments and were promised the same things. Study the lives of the popes. They were ever the defenders of the poor against the tyrants. the of Milan refused to let the tyrant Theodosiolzs worship in his church. Hildbrant defed the German emperor.
 In this war all the men must bear, sacrifice. Every page of the history of the Catholic church. is covered with examples of sacrifice. Consider the sacrifice of our own forefathers who left the land of their birth, that land called the land of saints and scholars glorious throughout the world for it's freedom. In this church dedicated to their patron saint let us pray that those by whose side we are fighting may see fit to render justice and that her Calvary Of today may be the fore runner of more prosperous tomorrow.
 Where can you find an institution that has taught purity more consist ently and more thoroughly than the Catholic church? She gave up the great British empire when she refused to sanction Henry VIIPs violation of the sixth commandment. What she in him she also condemned is not a scrap of paper. In this time when the nation needs defenders it is not to the family that is childless that the country turns but to the family IudL, mas caTIleQ out -Lnelr ODllgaClOnS.
 This is to be the saddest Christmas that this country has ever seen. as there will be many vacant chair. means sacrifice. The teach inss of the Catholic church are shown when although the Catholics form only1 one-sixth of the total population of the they compose 35 per cent. of the army and 60 per cent. of the navy. The Catholic church has been the founder of many worthy orders of men and women who have ecvoted their lives to the relief of the destitute. During this coming week the. Red Cross is trying to increase it's mem bership and I think it would be a fine thing if every member Of the K. of c. and the other Catholic societies would join this worthy organization.
 In closing let me say, follow the doc urine of the founder of the Catholic church, Fender unto God those. things which are Gods and unto Caesar those things which are Caesars.'' In other words, give our country the loyalty and fidelity that we owe it ]
 Extra Clerk at Post Office.
 In order to prevent delay to the pa irons of the local post ofiice-an ex- tra clerk has been assigned to one of 1 =fle windows to receive parcel post | parcels and all other mail matter. This 1