The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-04-27
Small ChapeIs for Quiet Worship and
Prayers to Be Provided.
NUMBER OF SOLDIERS At
CAMP DECREASING
Camp Dodge, Iowa,
April %, 1918.

10 the Editor:
A survey of the work accomplished
In the domain religious during the
first six months of the camp may
prove of interest to your many read
ers. Statistics are always interesting
and ofttimes useful. Catholics have
been declared to constitute 20 per cent
of the enrolment here. On that basis
we have had from three to seven thou
sand Catholics at one time or other
during the six months Our popula-
ton has been transient, depending
upon the movement of men. On the
average, every Sunday eight masses
have been celebrated. Two Missions
have been given-one at building No.
2 in the month of January and then
the general Mission in all three build
ings during Holy week. All during
Lent special services were held. On
week mornings Mass was often cele.
brated to suit the wishes of those
who were about to leave the camp,
affording them an opportunity to go to
Confession and receive Holy Com
munion. The first Friday was inau-
gurated, many of the boys availing
themselves of the opportunity. Dur
ing these six months the approximate
attendance at all the religious serv-
ices was seventy thousand. The ag-
gregate number of Communions was
seven thousand two hundred and sew
enty-tive. The number of converts
was ten, the number of marriages was
nine and the number of deaths was
twelve. The feasts of Christmas and
Easter were celebrated with all the
splendor and pomp of the Church. Sol
emn Midnight Masses characterized
the former and High Masses the lat
ter. Religious articles-testaments
prayer-books, rosaries, sacpulars, med
ais, agnus deis, etc, have been distrib-
uted to all in need. Visitation of the
sick, whether at the base or regi-
mental hospitals has been carried out
Systematically. The camp prison and
the regimental guard-houses have
been cared for. Distribution of Cath.
olic literature forms part of the rou-
tine work. All three buildings are
thoroughly equipped with all the es-
sentials necessary for divine worship
Complete outfits for the celebration
of Mass and Benediction have been
made possible by the generous volun-
tary contributions of the many organ
izations of Catholic women and indi-
viduals, as have been acknowledged
from time to time in these weekly bull
letins.
chapeIs for Private Worship to Be
Built.
The X. of G. war-committee at Wash
ington has authorized an extension to
all our buildings in the nature of a
chapel about twelve feet by eighteen
feet, opening off the sacristy and into
the sanctuary so that the boys may
have easy access to make visits to
the Blessed Sacrament whenever they
please. This was one of the many
suggestions urged and improvements
recommended by Very Rev. Father
Foley, >VicarGeneral of the Camps, at
his recent visitation here. 1t will also
serve as a quiet spot where instruc-
ton in things religious will be carried
out. The sparse numbers now at the
camp allied with. the inclemency of
the weather during the past week, pre-
vented much activity. Saturdays bliz-
zard spoiled the ordinary attendance
at the usual number of Masses on
Sunday. However, rything consid-
cred, the number was satisfactory
whilst the Communions were ninety
three. The following constituted the
delegation from the Des Moines Coun.
Gil that assisted to entertain at
the buildings last Sunday: Brothers
w. A. Halloran, ]. p. Nolan and ]. A.
Reynick.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
PATRICK N M'DER MOTT