The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-02-17
Two Weeks Campaign
For Converts
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York,
Twice Crowded to Hear Paulisr
Fathers-Do Not Expect
Converts In Day.

Converts in Day.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York,
was crowded twice Sunday, once in
the morning and once in the evening,
for the opening services in a Catholic
campaign for the conversion of non
Catholics. Twice every week day, ex-
cept Saturday. and Oh Sundays for
two weeks the Rev. Bertrand l.. Con-
way and the Rev. James M. Gillis, Paul
list Fathers, will speak in the Cathe-
dral, the announced purpose OF their
series of lectures being Ito explain the
doctrines of the Catholic Church to
all seekers of the truth, and to an
swer in kindly manner their diff
culties."
A question box through which one
troubled with religious or moral UNI
certainties may seek enlightenment,
and daily interviews at the Cathedral
rectory, at which applicants for guild
ance or information may meet and
talk with the Fathers, are part of the
campaign, which is under the aus
pieces of the Knights of Columbus.
Father Conway delivered the SER
mon Sunday morning, his subject be-
ing "The Good Shepherd He said
that Jesus Christ was the Good Shep-
herd of all men who wished to enter
1.-The fold,' and that, like Christ, the
Catholic Church held love for all men,
regardless of their religious beliefs
or non-beliefs.
1--WE say to those outside the
Church, he said, that the Church is
always ready to welcome them. There
is no bitterness in her for any man.
There are those who calumnfate the
Church, as Christ was illuminated,
but we do not hate them. All we have
to do with them is to tear the bandage
from their eyes so that they may see
the truth. The second type Of man
outside of the fold is the Indifferent
man, and he is more difficult. But
God will always put something in such
a mans heart, something in his life,
through which he may be brought with
in the fold. We must be patient, and
work."
At this point the speakers words
made it clear that he had no inten-
ton of moving the people to sudden
conversion. He was not shouting for
"trail-hitters."
1--WE do not expect every one to be
converted in day." he said. I'VE do
not wish it,"
Then he explained that the purpose
of the lectures was to plant seeds in
mems hearts, to start them thinking.
so that in good time they might "see
the light" He told of instances OF
years after work by Catholics. Elk
planning the application of true Cath
olicism, the speaker said:
"a man visiting a priest in a West
ern town once noticed that all the
men of the town tipped their hats to
the priest, and that the women and
children all smiled and greeted him
with affection.
"'Are all these your people?' asked
the man, and the priest replied, Yes,
they are all my people.
"'But are they all Catholics" the
man inquired. and the priest answered,
No, only about 10 per cent of them
are Catholics, but they are all my pco.
pie, That is true Catholicism
Father Conway said that people
everywhere were willing to hear the
message of the Catholic Church. lie
said that no matter where Il Catholic
priest went-tO communities in which
were prevalent Masons. Methodists
Baptists, Unitarians. Lntherans, and
others--he was always listened to by
hundreds and by thousands" And the
speaker invited the Catholics of the
city to bring their none Catholic friends,
asking them to come lin an American
spirit Of fairness, which hears the 9TH
er side"
ARCHBISHOP HEALY DYING.