The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-12-20
AN INSPIRING STORY

iii HUI INtitU O1VNI
NATIONAL CATHOLIC WAR coUN-
Gil HELPING IN RECONSTRUCT
TON OF EUROPE-SERViCE
Bs-VACATION HOMES FOR
WIDOWS, oRPHANS-DAYN URs-
ERY-WoRk IN FRANCE AND
RELGIUM-MORE THAN ONE
HUNDRED CATHOLIC YOUNG
WOMEN HELP IN WORK.
Reconstruction is not merely thing
of dollars, buildings, food and so forth,
but an intimate personal thing of
spirit, writes Elizabeth B. Sweeney
from Paris All the reconstruction
remedies in the country can never
restore the broken trust of men and
nations, the proper respect for right
eous authority, the great ideals of
truth and justice, unless there be a
spiritual REPAYMENT as we'll. Genuine
lasting reconstruction, conducive to
greater good, comes, not from doing
out to frenZied, starved people new
governments, new religions, fantasti-
cal theories, ETC., but from a training
of the heart and will to follow out
the great principles of Him, Who is
the origin of all trust, of all authority
and of all truth and love-
1t has been with this basic ideal in
mind that the National Catholic War
Council has made such great prog
ress on the European side of the At
lantic since the signing of the arm
istice in November, 1918. This Or
ganization, one of the seven co-operat-
ing in the United War Work Cam
paign, has labored necessarily since
its inception, not only in the handling
OF the grave problems during the
worldwide conflict, but in dealing
with the far more serious ones that
came in the wake of the war. In it's
program of reconstruction it has in
spired, directed and accomplished re-
suits, that will stand out as land
marks in the path of postwar actv-
tiles. The development and extension
of this program has uncovered valu-
able treasures, and opened up great
vistas of opportunities and progress.
The Key Note.
Breadth of vision, sincerity of pur-
pose, and indefatigable work have
been the key note of the Councils I'M
onhjoTon1oY1fC in re
work. Following closely the com
mendable program of reconstruction
formulated by the Administrative
Council of the National Catholic War
Council in a comprehensive pamphlet,
Social Reconstruction; A General
Review of the Problems and Survey of
Remedies" it has proved the practical
bility of many Of the larger problems
and solutions of postwar issues. The
following foreword found in this small
handbook gives the thought and spirit
of the Councils work.
THE ending of the Great War has
brought Peace. But the only safe
guard of peace is social justice and
a contented people. The deep unrest,
so emphatically and so widely voiced
throughout the world, is the most seri-
Gus menace to the future peace of
every nation and OF the entire world.
Great problems face us. They cannot
be put aside; they must be met and
solved with justice to ALL
After the signing of the armistice,
the question naturally arose in the
minds as to the needs of further well
fare work abroad. Experience has
proved that it was even more needed
than during the war when the fear of
death, the strain of uncertainty, the
glory of the fight helped to keep up
the esprit of the men at the front
During the long periods of waiting be-
tween the signing of the armistic e
and the final settlement of the pea, g
terms, there was a gradual lettin g
down of war barriers, a certain restric-
ton, and great restlessness and
longing on the part of the boys to r.
turn to the States and home The
presence of such activities as those Of
fered by the Council and other allied
organizations has been of inestimab'e
worth in helping to make the long
traiP' home a pleasant one for those
who had fought the good fight over
here
General Offices In Paris.
The general offices of the Overseas
Commission of the National Catholic
War Council are located at 81 Avenue
Victor Emmanuel III, Paris Under
the efficient and able management of
Mr.. Charles |. Denechaud, Overseas
Commissioner, the program of recon
struction is carefully planned and di-
rected from these quarters. Up to the
present time over one hundred we'll
trained Catholic young women have
been sent over to Europe to aid in
the carrying out of this program
These workers wear becoming uni
form of French blue, on which" is worn
| the blue and gold chevron-an encir
cled cross fittingly symbolizing unity
service and faith which have been the
| inspiration of the Councils efforts.
Etoile Service Club.
! The overseas program of the organi