New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-03-11
CHOOSE BETWEEN
HUN AND AMERICA
Rev. William A. DoWney Gives
Thrilling Patriotic Sermon


in St. Mary's church, delivered a stir
ring patriotic address at the masses
in the church yesterday morning, on
the part Catholics are taking in tile
present colossal struggle. His talk
was as follows;
He that loVeth father or mother
more than Me is not worthy of Me.
and he that loveth son or daughter
more than Me is not worthy Of Me,
Matt
My dear brothers; We know that
a. Catholic is a disciple OF Christ; we
know also that he is d member Of
Chrst's church. That church is but
a great family spread over the whole
world. and as the members of the
family are interested in the success
and welfare Of one and another, so
too are Catholics interested in the
achieVen ents of their brethren of the
fold. And hence in this connection,
an article by Cardinal Farley which
recently appeared in the Catholic Re-
view Of America, under the title Of
Cath olics in the War, must ne OF
interest to us all. Without making
light Of the patriotic efforts of non
Catholics, which manifest in a stril--
ing manner their answering loyalty,
and without boasting of our own
achievements, We shall highly con-
slider what Catholics have done.
What have Catholics done in the
present struggle, The question would
be easier to answer, What
have Catholics not done? AS the
writer remarks. the great test o.
ones patriotism is in his Willingness
to serve under his Country's COlors:
entrance into such service is an open
profession that he is willing TO lay
down his life for the flag and all that
it represents. In view of this state
n1ent, Catholics may justly be proud
of their patriotism Secretary Baker
states that Catholics comprise thirty
four or thirty-tive per cent. Of the
army, fifty per cent. of the navy and
of the marine corps sixty per cent.
In practically all the environments he
number of Catholics is twice as great
as the number of the sect ranking
next to them. Catholics constitute
but s per cent. of our population.
Hence one should expect that of every
90 soldiers and sailors there should
be IS Catholi S. Instead of this num-
Der We find that of every hundred in
the army, 35 are Catholics. of every
hundred in the navy We count so and
in the marine corps 80. Herein we
have undenia Bile proof of Catholic
loyalty.
ON every other field of opportunity
We have taken a prominent part. We
have subscribed generously to the
Liberty Loan and we are not ranked
among the wealthy of the land. The
knights Of Columbus are doing a
splendid work in every cantonm emit:
they seek not only to promote the wei
fare Of the Catholic soldiers, but every
soldier. The national orga nzatiCn of
the Red Cross is aided materially by
the labors of many Catholic families.
Catholics have answered every call of
their country and they have eagerly
espoused the justice of her cause.
ST Nary's Bit
Here in our parish We have emu
lated the patriotic laborS Of Catholics
in general. the honor rol! in the YES
tibulo and the service flag attesting to
the loyalty of our young men. We
have responded generously to every
contribution, We have promised to
obey the dictates of the Food Admin
istration, the children Of our school
have entered with great Vim INTO the
War Savings Stamps campaign, and at
the opening of every session. from the
kindergarten to the graduating class,
as soon as they have rendered homage
to their Creator, they pay tribute to
their country by salutinG the flag. ONE
of the first heroes to lose his life on
the fields of France was a member
Of this parish. and of the nine priests
who have volunteered their services
as chaplains from this diocese, two of
them are sons OF st. Mary'S. Hence,
my dear brethren. We. too. may lift
our heads in just pride that the mem
bers of our parish have responded to
their country $ call. Understand we'll,
we are not boaSting. VIC have done
only what We should have done. There
arises the danger that We be content
with our accom- pIishments thus far
and cease in our zeal. God grant that
such misfortune never occurs War
brings suffering, We must expect to
suffer.
let Catholic mothers take as their
model their universal mother Mary.
Picture her on the journey to Cal
vary. at the foot Of the cross and
ina sine what suffering. what anguish,
she experienced. No matter what
sacrifices we may be called upon to
make, your sufferings can never equal
hers. A service done ones country
is a service done to God. He has told
lis that he who loves father or mother.
son or daughter, more than Him. is
not worthy of Him. See to it that
YOU be not numbered among those
unworthy of Him. Those of YOU who
as yet have not lost the son you have
reared when the time comes should
not bemOan the loss too much. Y ou
must not say, o, I love my son too
much, | cannot give him up Do
YOU mean to infer that these other
mothers do not love their sons? And
you young men take counsel. If Your
family docs not require your presence
for its suStenanCc, Go not Shfk the