The Irish standard., 1918-02-02
ness on the part of the laity in this

ness on the part of the laity in this
important matter. Extremes must be
avoided and happy medium followed;
then all will move along smoothly
The laity should bear in mind that
the temporal interest of the parish
should be subordinate to it's spiritual
interest. And since the pastor is sole.
ly in charge of the spiritual affairs,
the laity, who concern themselves
about the temperatures, should be
guided and controlled in their sphere
OF activity by their ecclesiastical SUI
perior. Thus, side by side, both will
work together for the glory of God
and the welfare of souls. There is
no doubt that, in temporal matters,
the laity, actively engaged in business
and in close touch with material and
financial affairs, are in a position to
give prudent advice and needed help
ing the things that concern the mate
rial good of The parish.
Helpful Service Not Always Rendered.
Unfortunately, this helpful service
is often not rendered. In many con-
gregations all the work of the parish
rests upon the priests. These are
made to attend to many things that do
not strictly belong to the ministry,
such as raising money for church and
school, promoting the social welfare
OF the parish, taking leading part
in various organizations for the gen.
eral betterment. These activities are
good, commendable, praiseworthy,
and | will say, necessary; but they
do not absolutely require priest for
the regular control and orderly man.
agement Of them. Is it not desirable
that, for the good of all, the priests
be relieved by the generous co-opera-
ton of the laity Of the many worries
incident to these matters? For they
are frequently too great strain on
the priests energy, prevent him from
giving the necessary attention to the
spiritual good of the parish, and often
take the soul out of his spiritual life.
The steady help given by loyal laity
will, therefore, be not only for the
good Of the parish, but also for the
spiritual benefit of the pastor.
Unity and Harmony.
"The net result of this cooperation
will also be most beneficial under an
other aspect. Such united effort will
bring the clergy and laity more closely
together, and will give better opportun-
tiles for mutual understanding, for
greater sympathy, for nobler reverence.
The common work will produce COM
of interests and aims, and will
tend to unity and harmony, so import
ant for the peace and welfare of the
parish. The laity will therefore feel
the pleasure of contributing to all this;
and the clergy, freed from care and
anxiety, will be able to devote them
selves with greater heart to more spir-
itual things of the parish.
Personal Service.
In the third place, strongly urge
you to give your personal service in
parish, in charitable and social work.
1t cannot be denied that many well-to-
do persons imagine that they have
fully done their duty towards the par
ish and the community when they send
in liberal contributions for parochial,
charitable and social works. This gen.
erosity is truly commendable; but, If
these persons who, as a rule, are in
comfortable circumstances, would con-
descend to give also their personal SER
vice, they would become the medium
Of many blessings to society. Among
these benefits I would mention espe-
cially that they will create a better un-
derstanding between the two large
classes in society-the rich and the
poor.
1t is true beyond all doubt, or cavil,
that there is a rather strained feeling
today between those who live in COM
fort and those who have to struggle
for every scrap they eat. This yawn-
ing abyss is becoming wider and deep
er, day by day, and threatens to sub
vert all in dreadful catastrophe. The
imperative thing to do is to bring these
two classes closer together; and this
great good the rich can effect by gen.
erously giving their personal services
to the alienation of those who are in
dire poverty or sore Distress"