The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-09-02
LETTER OF BISHOP McNICHOLAS

mature years and that consequently
they should be hemmed in by no re-
straints; IL we think that they have
the prudence which comes from ex-
perience and suffering; if we fail to
realize that our young women and men
must toll to acquire anything which
is worth while in life; if we do net
take into account that they can only
acquire the habits of a virtuous life
by serious and persevering efforts and
by long years of hard work; if we do
not appreciate that corruption of heart
in the years of young womanhood and
manhood may mean ruined lives
forever, we make a great mis-
take and we do our young peo-
pie serious injustice. We would
by no means deprive them of any
legitimate recreation when due time
and proportion are observed, but we
would put the necessary safeguards
about them in the enjoyment of their
pleasure. We wish that we might
provide real home atmosphere, with
proper safeguards, for every young
girl in the City of Duluth who is away
from her home, her parents, or her
guardians.
Need of Rescue Work.
Much, however, as we would prefer
to give our attention to the shielding
of youth and the prevention of evils,
we must turn our undivided attention
for the present to rescue work. The
number who have become the victims
of social diseases, the number who
have sought dangerous occasions, fall
en- in them, is appalling We have.
therefore, decided to provide Refuge
Department at the Corpus Christi
House for girls and young women who
need a helping hand, an encouraging
word, spiritual supports, and the re-
newal of life in God which only super
natural religion can give. We shall
for the present close the Corpus
Christi Center until such time as
workers and means will allow US to
open up one, or several, large hostels
in the city.
Church Seeks Sinners.
The need of rescue work in. behalf
of girls and young women who really
can be helped morally is imperative
1t taxes our capacity, especially in tho
matter of workers. The fact that these
young girls have fallen into the hands
of the law, that they are now despised
and cast aside, makes our obligation of
giving them help all the greater, since
their need is greater. The Catholic
attitude must always be one of sym.
pathy and helpfulness. Wherever a
soul is to be saved, there is the work
of the Church to be done. However
deep soul may have fallen into the
mire of sin, the Church willingly lets
down her nets in order to rescue that
soul. She knows no distinction
amongst sinners, provided they will
turn from their sins and truly repent.
The Church has only love and SYM
pathy for the sinner, even though she
must hate and condemn the sin. 1t
is manifestly wrong to single out for
reprobation any one class of sinners,
to despise and reject them and to re-
fuse to lend them helping hand.
We have already given over the prin-
cipal part of Corpus Christi House to
girls and young women who have fall
en- into the hands of the law. Some
of the Sisters Of Corpus Christi have
been deputed to care for these girls
and young women who have been in
trusted to them on parole. The work
of the Sisters will be self-sacrificing
one. If there is any hope of reform
ing those who have been lured into
sin by the spirit of the times, or who
have been betrayed by companions
who care not for virtue, that reform
can come only by the force Of re-
ligion. The young women at Corpus
/ Christi House will be enabled to make
another start in life. The Catholic
religion will not discourage them, but
rather will assure them that God is
greatest in His mercy. 1t will train
their wills, so that day by day they
will gain moral courage to avoid the
dangers and resist the temptations of
life. With the inspiration of religion,
they can gain that strength which will
| mean a lifelong, but successful, fight
against temptation and sin. Religion
| will give them confidence in Gods for
| giveness.
Sisters Deserve Help.
We therefore ask the interest of our
Catholic people in the support of the
house which we have begun under the
| protection of ST. Mary Magdalene.
| We hereby give permission to the
| Sisters of Corpus Christi to stand at
the doors of all the churches of the
diocese to receive the offerings of the
people, We direct pastors to make an
/ earnest appeal for their rescue. work
on the Sundays that the Sisters will
1 stand at the church door. All coming
to or going from Mass can therefore
make whatever contributions theil
generosity prompts. We earnestl!
ask, however that priests and people
will recognize the necessity of gener
, osity The Sisters ask nothing fol
, themselves They receive not penn!
!, in recompense for their noble work
They ask only the privilege of helpins
, souls under the guidance and the au
/ thority of the Church.
II Kindly read this letter at all Masse
| on Sunday August 81