The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-04-27
LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
CATHOLIC STATISTICS.
Camp Dodge, Iowa,
April %, 1918.


A survey of the work accomplished,
in the religious field, during the first
six months at the Camp may prove
OF interest to your many readers. Sta
tistics are always interesting and oft
times useful. Catholics have been
declared to constitute 20% of the en-
rollment here. On that basis we have
had from three to seven thousand
Catholics at one time or other during
the six months. Our population 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 gen.
eral Mission in all three buildings
during Holy Week
All during Lent special services
were held. On week mornings Mass
was often celebrated to suit the
wishes of those who were about to
leave the Camp, affording them an
opportunity to go to Confession and
receive Holy Communion. The first
Friday was inaugurated, many of the
boys availing themselves of the op-
portunity. During these six months
the approximate attendance at all the
religious services was seventy thou
sand. The aggregate number of Com
munions was seven thousand two hun
dred and seventy-ive. 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. Solemn
Midnight Masses characterized the
former and High Masses the latter.
Both proved opportune occasions for
the boys to approach the Sacramento.
Religious articles: testaments, prayer
books, rosaries, scapulars, medals,
agnus deIs, etc., have been distribut-
ed to all in need. Visitation of the
sick, whether at the base or regiment
al hospitals, has been carried out sys-
tematically. The Camp prison and
the regimental guard-house have been
cared for. Distribution of Catholic
literature, such as Faith of Our Fa-
theirs, Guide Right, etc., forms part of
the routine work. All three buildings
are thoroughly equipped with all the
essentials for divine worship.
Complete outfits for the celebration
of Mass and Benediction have been
made possible by the generous voIun-
| tary contributions of the many or
CARNATIONS of Catholic women and of
individuals. These contributions have
assisted further in the decoration of
the Sanctuaries and affairs, in meeting
the expense incidental to the Mis-
| sions, the Christmas celebration, and
| special entertainment for certain units
of the boys, such as the Ordnance,
| the 404th Telegraph Battalion, as also
! those quarantined in their barracks
from time to time. We hope that fur
Their voluntary contributions will en-
able us to keep the good work going
and do our bit in preserving and in
creasing the morale, both religious
and patriotic, of our boys at Camp
Dodge.
The K of C. War Committee at
Washington has authorized an extern
sion to all our buildings in the nature
of a chapel about twelve feet by
eighteen feet. 1t will open off the
sacristy and into the sanctuary so
that the boys may have easy access
to make visits to the Blessed Sacra-
ment whenever they please. They will
have an opportunity to enter there
and say their prayers at will. 1t will
fill a much-felt void, as many of the
boys have asked for an opportunity
for silent alteration This was one OF
the many suggestions urged and i'm
) provements recommended by Very
Rev. Father Foley, Vicar-General Of
the Camps, at his recent visitation
here. 1t will also serve as quiet
spot where instruction in things re
ligious will be carried out. The sparse
numbers now at the Camp, allied will
the inclemency of the weather during
the past week, prevented much activ
ity. Saturdays blizzard spoiled tn,
ordinary attendance at the usua
number of Masses on Sunday. How
! ever, everything considered, the nun
: Der was satisfactory, whilst the Com
munions were ninety-three.
! Fraternally yours in Christ,
: PATRICK N. McDERMOTT.