The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-08-16
COOPERATING WITH THE
PASTOR.

In the early days Of the Church
st. Peter and the other apostles
decided that priests time should
be given to the spiritual and moral
works for his people. For this rea-
son it was agreed that deacons
should be appointed to look after
the temporal affairs Of the Church,
as cit is not fit that we should
leave the word Of God and serve
tables" Thus the Jealous leaders
were given free scope to attend in
timately to the spiritual wellbeing
of their focks.
The modern pastor, however,
especially in this country, is called
upon to do the work of both Mar
tina and Mary: to promote the
spiritual and to maintain the tenn
poral status of his parish. Not
only must he offer the Holy Sacri-
flee and administer the sacra-
ments, but he is forced to "talk
money" harp on pew rent, organ
ize socials and picnics and bazaars
and whatnot, in order to meet the
expenses incurred by others, by
his parishioners. Not only this,
but the very ones who are the
cause or the occasion of financial
outlay are frequently the most re-
luctant in helping to defray that
expense.
Now, this condition of affairs is
absolutely wrong. A priest is not
ordained Of God in order to be-
come a tax gatherer, a claim
agent, or an authorized collector
Of lapsed obligations. He should
not be forced to spend sleepless
nights and restless days thinking
up ways and means to raise suffi-
cient funds to pay for fuel, new
peWs, affairs, vestments, and tC
meet the ever recurring interest
on a debt to put a roof over the
heads Of an ungrateful flock. 1t is
simply a question of business, and
sad to say, our Catholic people are
absolutely devoid, as rule, of the
slightest business instinct in this
matter. The apostles would moi
be bothered or disturbed by such
| material needs, even though the
people all paid their just dues il
the form Of tithes. To-day wher
SO many Catholics shirk their plaiI
duty, when they drive the prizes
to the verge Of despair through
worry over financial troubles
when they refuse to cooperate
with their pastor in removing thu
debts incurred for their benefit, i
seems high time to adopt some
system that will force the negli
gent ones to meet the obligation
imposed upon them by justice
The commandment that speaks 0
supporting the Church is base'
upon justice pure and simple, am
not upon charity. One who with
out serious reason refuses to per
form his full duty in this matte
is seriously guilty before Coo
Such a one does all in his powe
to break the force of religion i
his immediate parish, he is brand
ed as a disloyalist and miser, h
seeks to degrade instead of uplift
, ing the priesthood, he is a huma
vampire in the field of Christian
ity; he may even be an accessor
to murder, as many priest ha
been driven to an early grave owe
, worry about the financial misel
illness Of his flock and the const
quent burdens that prove insuE
portable.
If the laity were to take an al
i tive and intelligent interest in tn
) affairs of the parish, as is done i
J some places, the life Of the ave
age pastor would be freed frol
) the constant annoyances that cal
not but tend to impair his efficiel
i CIV as minister of God. The Ii
f tie proup Of faultfnders tn;