The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-09-28
THE WELFARE DRIVE.

Elsewhere in this issue will be
found an official letter from the
authorities Of the Archdiocese on
the coming welfare drive. AS is
known, by direction of the Presi-
dent of the United States the
seven organizations acting for the
welfare of the enlisted men will
hold combined drive for funds
during the week of November IL.
Heretofore each Of these seven
organizations has carried on a sep
arate campaign in order to. raise
funds for the welfare work in
which it was engaged. Now, in
order to obviate the extra work
involved, the coming campaign
will cover the needs of these seven
organizations. The amount to be
raised for welfare work is $780,
100000. There will be no Catho-
lie drive, as such, but all classes
and creeds are called upon to
unite their best efforts and most
powerful forces in order to attain
the goal prefxed
The National Catholic War
Council, by the direction Of the
government, must take charge of
the raising of funds for our work
in connection with all the other
agencies. On previous occasions
the knights Of Columbus have
done valiant work in raising mil
lions Of dollars for the welfare of
soldier and sailor. Their great
and noble work has now become
part of the vaster plan of the
Catholic War Council. For the
success of this campaign the CO.
operation of the entire Catholic
body must be secured. The Cath
Ollie War Council will work di-
rectly with each Bishop, and,
through the Bishop, with the do
cese and the parish. Thus will be
called into service the entire
Catholic resources of the nation.
There will be no official financial
quota for the diocese or parish,
but the financial quota will be an
nounced for the city, county and
state by the General National
Campaign Committee. The quota
for Minnesota has been announced
as $3,9OO,0O0.
Each pastor has been called
upon most earnestly by the Cath
Ollie War Council to use every eff
fort in order to enlist the help and
cooperation of his people. A
parochial campaign committee of
men and women is to be organ
lied in every parish.
Catholics have been wont to
claim between thirty-five and
forty per cent of the enlisted men
as of their faith. Now is the
time for our people to justify the
lawful pride which they take III
their representation in army and
navy. If forty per cent of the
military forces Of the nation are
our co-reigionists, then it is our
bounded duty to recognize this
fact in our contributions. True,
religious lines for the moment are
submerged in the general effort
for the betterment and welfare Of
the forces. At the same time,
Catholics must not forget that
their obligation of contributing,
both in service and in money, to-
this campaign must be proper
toned at least to that forty per
cent. Anything less than this
would approach disloyalty. Ii.
Catholics represent forty per cent
of, the armed forces, they might
be called to contribute forty per
cent to this campaign. The gov
eminent, however, has not drawn
lines of discrimination in any
way. Hence, as citizens and as
Catholics we are bound, both
priest and people, to do all III our
power to promote this work both
in the name OF God, as we'll as iii
the name IF englnfpv