The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-22

souls saved? souls who otherwise might have been lost. Perhaps, God in His infinite wisdom saw what would happen to Mrs. - Sor were he to return to civilian life Perhaps this boy would have be- come a detriment to society as he fell in with evil companions. Per- hapS God saw him nullifying al the good he accomplished in the war by an evil life. Finally, per- haps God saw him in the end lose his soul. To prevent that misfortune God called this boy home. True, the mother has sorrow. But how little compared to that which God spared her2
 First Gold Star Mother
 Let us never forget that Mary the Mother of God, is the world s first Gold Star Mother. Our sor- row can never equal hers. We could only visualize our son carry ing his heavy gun and knapsack on his back; Mary had to behold her Son carrying a heavy cross. we could only imagine the hardshipS our boy suffered during his long marches to the battlefront; Mary had to behold, her Son stumbling along the road to Calvary, falling at intervals. We didn't have to see our son die his heroic death; Mary had to witness her Son dying on d cross amid the scoffs and jeers of an ungrateful mob. So in our sorrow let Us tsl'; 1t over with Mary. She will understand and be able to console us.
 Perhaps, as you say we Mary knoll priests could do more WorK at home. Yet a glance at what mas been accomplished with the cid oi your prayers and sacrthceS VIII convince you that God is blessing o,Ir mission, Three hundred twenty five children have received baptism; ; over 400 children have received tnelr First Communion; 375 sick have re- ceiyed Extreme Unction and Vtati- cum; over 800 sick have been vlss tied and in many eases medical attention provided for; over l'OOU men. women and children have been aided in the way of food, clothes, or other necessities. In many parts of the Andes Mountains the people have seen 6 priest for the first time in years. The faith of these people has been revived, their hearts have been gladdened. All this has been accomplished, l say, through your prayers and sacri. Aces. So you haven't prayed and sacrificed in vain. Awaiting you is an unperishable crown. The jewels in this crown are the souls saved through your efforts. These souls have obtained eternal peace through your suffering just as the world will obtain temporal peace through your sons sacrifice.
 All you Gold Star Mothers, and you friends of the mission, rejoice that God has asked you to suffer. It is @ token of His love. How vividly recall standing in the Grand Central Terminal one day and watching hundreds and hum dreds of soldiers. l began a con. versatlon with one of them. This one had been wounded in action. I saw that he was wearing a cross. I said to him: How do you know your country appreciates your brav- cry beyond the call of duty?" He grinned and said: "Well, Father, they gave me this cross. Now, friends. were I to ask a French soldier the same question he would show met the Croix De 0uerre. The German aaldiar xR,0sild diap1au he Iron Gross. The English soldier would say: Look, Father, my coun- try gave me this Victorian Gross" :"
 Is 1t any wonder, then, my dear friends, that when God wants to show His special love for us He gives Us a cross-the Cross of Christ. Let us wear 1t as proudly and as courageoulsy as the soldier wears his.
 Your friend,
 REV. FRANCIS J. MURPHY.