Norwich bulletin., 1922-08-28
DUTY or LAY AFosToLATE
 ExRLAIHED RY RECTOR

A concerted effort is to be made to have ths scfolariy and informing work The Catholic EpeycIopaedia added to the reference shelves of every public library and every high school or acadetuy in Connecticut. This rrovssieH is to be un- dertaken by lay members of the various parishes, through their generous coutri- buttons. The project was explained at the three masses in St. Patrick's church Sunday and a prospectus of the plan was distributed. So prompt was the response shown that hundreds of those persons attending the last mass were unable to get any of the literature, which had been taken immediately by the congre- gations at the earlier masses.
 Preaching at 1e.5e on the project the rector, Rev. M. H. May considered St PauPs adMonition to Timothy, l. v 13 Give attendance to reading, to exhorta tion, to doctrine" as the apt text for his instruction to bis people Quite as much as Catholic priests, the preacher said, the Catholic Kayman has a duty to fulfil in making known the teachings of Christ and of His Church Every Catholic ia childhood is taught the l catechism which summarizes dogma and doctrine of the church. But in after life this teaching is prone to be forgot ten, so that in many cases, when ques- tiened, 8 Catholic is not prepared to give
 a logfcal reason for the faith that is in l him. This ability is to be gained only by seeking soundly grounded informa- ton through reading the hest among the many books, pertaining to Catholicity and Father May put to his congregation an informal little euestionnaire, query 1 ing his hearers as to how many of them 1 had read a list of learned and practical wor/s by number of the leading schol- I ars eE the Catholic world.
 | Instances were cited where, through | the ability of some bearer to explain
 away doubt or ignorance. bigots had
 been made believers and foes of the an cient church had been turned into it's most brilliant converts. The church is
 judged by it's lay members, those men in the V orld who exenplify in their Idaily lives the teachings of Christ and His Holy Church.
 Hence the obligations of this lay spos- tolate to be well prepared well equip | ped, we'll grounded in a knowledge of dogma. The pneacher had severe re, buke for those who, hecause they have
 acquired little intellectual superiority consider that sufficient. It has ever been
 the aim of the American Catholic church to give it's children the advantage oi mentdl ana moral TE1lnlnE, WHfle eff1- phasizing education in matters spiritual all about the country have arisen school, and colleges in which priests and nuns have devoted their life work to this ed
 ucatien The aim has ever been. no alone to equip pupils that they nigh advance in temporal affairs. but in th' affairs of the soul. The ideal has eve
 been Education, but with Religion as he
 handmaid, for it is/ that which conse crates Education.
 This mental advantage can be sup
 plemented not alone by exhortstions iron tthe pulpit. but diligent reading i,of books and papers, as St. Paul advis
 es Timothy. Thus enlightened on pointi of doctrine, the laymen of the churcl are fitted to go shoulder to shoulde with their priests in carrying the kneTi
 edge of Christ and His Church into tn world. The work of the laymen il everyday situations in shops, offices, il ordinary associations and conditions wa
 put before his hearers by the preache
 in most convincing way. The remiss
 ness of many in professional and publi
 life Is not giving by words and deeds th
 proper, practical evidence of their fait which would edify the world drew ex pressions of censure from Father May in the course of his eloquent sermon 1 in which he had the entire congregatio with him.