The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-11-18
GREAT GATHERING HEARS HIS
GRACE, THE ARCHBISHOP AND
ADMIRAL BENSON - HEAD OF
N. c. {. N. ADDRESSES MINNIE
APoLis KNIGHTS or coLuM-
BUS.

49, Hga
An immense throng turned out Sun
day afternoon to assemble in the Audi
torium in response to the invitation of
the Archdiocesan Union of Catholic
Men to hear War Admiral Benson,
Americas most distinguished Catho-
lie layman," as he was introduced by
His Grace; the Most Rev. Austin
Dewling, d. d. Not only was the
capacity of the Auditorium taxed to
it's utmost, but many hundreds had to
be turned away. The occasion was
one of the greatest events in the
Catholic annals of the capital city.
In presenting the Admiral as Presi-
dent of the National, Council of Catho-
lie Men, the Archbishop took occasion
to speak of that body and of the
greater organization of which it is a
part, the National Catholic Welfare
Council. He outlined their origin and
growth during the war and explained
some of the reasons which moved the
American hierarchy to provide for
their continuance and expansion since.
Keynote Of Address by His Grace.
There was no state aid nor were
there large donations or inherited
wealth to help in the foundation of
the Church in America, the Arch
bishop said. This led to a form of
organization in which the parish was
the unit The parish was responsible
to the diocese, this in it's turn to the
Holy See This answered very well
for the parochial development, but is
inadequate in the face of the present
nationwide opportunity and demand
for united action on the part of Amer
ican Catholics to meet the present
great national needs.
The building up of the Welfare
Council with it's subsidiary branches
will not lessen parochial activities nor
conflict with the work of existing So
cietias. 1t will serve rather to in
tensify their action by their better
common recognition of the problems
of the Church in America as whole.
Admiral Benson's Plea
Admiral Benson made plea for
nationwide Catholic action as the
only one that would be effective at
the present time. He declared his
belief that the country is gradually
slipping from it's moorings. To his
observation it is apparent that preva-
lent moral conditions and tendencies
are breaking down the peoples de-
pendence on religion. Leaving every
thing to legislation seems to go so far
as to allow even the children to be
cared for by the state. Not only
as Catholics but as Americans must
we strive to counteract these condi'
tions and tendencies. Their correc'
ton will brook no long delay. General
action is urgently needed.
To the distinguished speaker, the
National Council of Catholic Men is
an organization of which there is a
national need. It's object cannot be
attained by existing societies. His
vital interest in the movement is ow
ing to his recognition of America
need of it. Its action is compatible
with both the American Constitution
and Catholic teaching.
The success of the arrangements fol
the AdmiraPs reception and for the
mass meeting is due to the efforts o.
Chairman NJ. B. Hurley and his assist
ants, and also to the untiring zeal o.
Mr.. p. w. O'Grady, acting secretary
of the Twin Cities Committees. Enter
tainment features at the Auditorium
included several band selections
songs by the Boys Choral Society o
the Twin Cities, numbering 400 mem
bers under the direction of the Rev
Francis Missia of st. Paul Seminary
and solos by Jane Holland Cameron
Evening Banquet at the Athletic Club
In the evening Mr.. Michael B. HUI
lev acted as toastmaster at the ban
auet at the Athletic Club. Covers wef
laid for about four hundred guests
Admiral Benson, though obliged t
leave on an early evening train TO
Washington, again addressed the as
sembly, giving an interesting descriI
ton of some of the principal nava
operations during the war. He touch
ed the notes of American prepared
ness and ship subsidy AS one speakln
from expert knowledge and intimat
conviction.
Addresses were also made by Wi
liam d. Jameson, State Deputy of tn
Knights of Columbus; DIR. James MI
Keon. and His Grace, the Archbishop
The latter, evidently pleased an
moved by the fine spirit OF both tn
afternoon and evening gatherings, pal
a glowing tribute to the splendid an
edifying Catholic qualities of, the day
guest of honor He eloquently a
pealed to his hearers to make tn
most of their opportunities and to tab
their places in the community for i
greater good
6 Entertainers at the banquet inclu
ed Robert. Gehan, Mrs. Camera
Elizabeth Leavitt Leigh and Nil
Alice Reilly. Mr. ]. j. Beck. organs
of the Pro- Cathedral of Minneapol
was the accompanist.