The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-06-14
1. The Holy See.

L
the destitute and suffering in devas
tated lands, and for the maintenance
of poor missions. Rome" said His
Excellency, now looks to America tC
be the leader in all things Catholic
and to set an example to other ma
tons" The Catholics of the United
States are in a position today to man
ifest in way that will give edifica
ton to the whole Church their gener
Gus loyalty to the Father of Christen
dom. The sum of money we may
hope to raise and the best way to
under Number IL.
2. Home Missions.
The end of the war finds the Church
in this country in stronger position
than ever before. 1t is recognized
more widely and more clearly as the
one Church that knows it's own mind
that has message for society in its
troubled state, and that is obeyed and
loved by its people. The decay OF
other churches will turn the thoughts
of many towards us. The fine record
of our chaplains in the army and navy
has taught millions the real character
of the Catholic clergy. Every Bishop
in his own diocese will try to reap
the harvest which was sown during
the war. But is it not possible for us
to make larger plans? Cannot the
mind of the American public be more
effectively reached? Cannot the press
spread Catholic truth, if the work be
energetiCally undertaken under the
direction of hierarchy? Some sug-
gest a more active preaching cam
paign, of going out to the people since
the vast millions fail to come to our
churches. Many sections of our coun-
try have few Catholics and are almost
absolutely ignorant of Catholicism.
What can We do for them? On the
vast negro population, rapidly increas-
ing iii numuers and growing in edu-
cation and influence, we have made
almost no impression. Are our meth
DDS at fault or our zeal lacking?
What can be done for all these souls
We have organizations in the Home
Mission Field, Catholic Church EX-
tension, the Missionary Union, the
Negro and Indian Commission, and
several others, all more or less under
the control of the hierarchy. Is
closer cooperation among them pos
sible? Would it be we'll to reconsider
the whole problem of our Home Mis-
sionS, which is, of course, the chief
field of our duty? Would a confer
ence of those most intimately con.
cerned be advisable? This is a very
large subject, of course, and requires
long study and much thought, but
am confident that our Bishops, mis-
sionaries, and the clergy in general
are doing much valuable thinking
Church should have the benefit.
am hopeful that a beginning will have
been made before the next meeting OF
the Hierarchy.
8. Foreign Missions.
progressive country have so absorbed
our thought and our zeal that we
hardly have been able, till very re
Gently, to turn our attention to for
eign missions. The. new position OF
our nation as the great world power
will surely enlarge our vision. All
over the world, America will have tire
mendouS influence. Up to the present
moment, we may say, that influence
has been entirely non-Catholic. TIC
Catholic world, America is synony
nous with Protestant. The wonder
full strength of the Church in this
country is almost unknown to foreign
lands. The reason is that the Church
abroad has profited little by oul
strength and our riches. Now we
cannot doubt that vocations in this
field, both of men and of women, will
be found in abundance, and it is Oul
confident hope and prayer that Goo
will use American zeal, energy, ant
organizing ability to give a great i'm
pulse to foreign missions. How car
the Hierarchy aid in fostering the
missionary spirit and in gathering the
funds necessary for the work?
q. Social and Charitable Work.
The Catholic War Council and the
National Catholic Charities Confer
ence have done most valuable pionee,
work in this field We are deeply in
dehted to the Administrative Commit
tee for it's timely guidance in th'
problems of this reconstructive pc
riod. Three things, in my opinion
are needed First, the presentation
definite, clear and forceful, of Cath
elic social principles. Second, NOR,
| knowledge as to the best methods o
Catholic social and charitable work
Third, more general impulse to pu
our social principles and method
into operation. Society never hat
greater need for guidance. 1t is turn
| ing for light to the Catholic Church
Too often, we must admit, our prin
ciples, the principles of the Gospel
have lain hidden in our theologies, S,
much so that the recent pamphlet OF
Social Reconstruction appeared t
many a complete novelty. TIL