The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-06-11
Reception To Bishop Lawler

ty-f1ve per cent of these churches, rec
tories and schools are already out of
debt. If the question be asked how it
has been possible to create so many
parishes in five years in compara-
lively poor and thinly settled diocese,
every one of which is in prosperous
condition, the answer is that this de-
velopment is not due as some might
suppose to an extraordinary increase
in the Catholic population of this part
of South Dakota. It has been possible
ps;l.fei4saslg1 eszuse the. faithful Cath
olics have been aroused to exceptional
fervor and generosity, because the
backward and Indifferent Catholics in
every settlement, who had fallen out
of the ranks, have been induced to
return to the fold; because there has
been an influx of some new settlers
attracted by the improved church serv-
ices, and because there is scarcely a
parish in which some converts have
not been made. The secret of this
rapid development lies in the plan of
erecting sufficient number of church
es in which to worship God; of in
creasing the number of pastors and of
multiplying parishes. Many a congre-
cation has been brought back to re-
ligious life.
Though part of the money nec-
essary to pay for these religious build
ings was received from outside sourc-
es, most of it came from the pockets
of the local people, who experienced
revival of the spirit Of generosity
and who contributed literally in graf
itude for the religious care given
them.
1--WE are most grateful for the honor
Of having man of your wisdom and
ability as our leader, and we pray
God that you may be spared to guide
us for many years to come"
Mr.. DriscoII's Address:
"It is entirely fitting that on this
occasion the diocese of Lead should
rejoice and pay its tribute of appre-
citation to it's beloved and able leader
OF his accomplishments among us we
have heard some expression here to-
night. Would we learn his faithful
record we have but to observe or to
inquire from others as we travel
through South Dakota. In every ham,
let, town and city of this vast terri
tory his influence for the spread of
religion has been felt. My friends,
do not think that we thoroughly real
ize or appreciate what this has meant.
1t has meant, no doubt, for him, siren
uous work, hours of worry and much
physical hardship. The erection, or
ganization and supervision of so many
churches, parsonages and schools in
so short time constitute a task that
implies initiative, ability, courage,
perseverance far beyond men who are
less gifted His hardships have not
been apparent, they have been real.
Only recently he came into the bank
and remarked that he intended to
leave next day on five-hundred-mile
automobile trip to visit dozen par
ishes and to hold meetings in each one
Of them. When asked when he would
return, his answer was, In three days
Do you consider the strain this in
wolves even in physical way? Liv-
ing in Lead I do not think that we
fully appreciate the type of man Bish-
op Lawler is. We know him and honor
him, but we are inclined to take his
big qualities and achievements as mat
tiers of course, as it were. Personally,
am glad to say that know him..
/ feel highly honored in being asked
to say a word at this meeting-the
fifth anniversary of his coming to the
Black Hills"
In his remarks at the close the
Bishop paid high tribute of praise
to the cooperation he has received
from. his clergy and laity, and he also
referred to the good viii manifested
BY non-C Catholics.