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Non-Catholic Lady Has Mary Focus In Prize Show Entry
111C 1?eC01 N. No. 2,674
(Registered at a transmission by poetessO.,
paper)
Perth, Thursday, Oct. 14, 1954.
Pastoral Letter From His Grace On Duty To Make Faith Known To the Priests, Religious and People of the Archdiocese. Dearly beloved in Christ,On the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, We addressed to you, beloved brethren in Christ, a Pastoral Letter in which We pointed out the pressing need of more vocations to the priesthood and the eligious state, so that we can provide for the spiritual needs and the Catholic education of the rapidly increasing numbers of our flock. We added, too, that "we must not lose sight, either, of the host of non-Catholic souls who are entrusted to the prudent apostolate of the Church". On this last point We now wish to speak to you, for a fitting double occasion presents itself, first, in the rally of converts which is to take place in the Town Hall, Perth, on Tuesday evening, 26th. inst. and secondly, in the series of articles currently appearing in "The Record" in which some recent converts tell the story of their spiritual wanderings and their final home -coming to the "one fold" of
Christ's Church. In these articles, and in the biographies of converts generally, you will have noticed how frequently it was the word or example of the Catholic laity which turned the attention of the non-Catholic towards the Church. This magnificent apostolate of directing our separated brethren towards the one true Church is something in which all can play a part. Our Catholic laymen and women should convince themselves that it is their duty to help in spreading the true Faith. It is not merely a recodimendation or counsel or suggestion, but an obligation. The solemn command to "preach the Gosnel to every creature" (Mark 16, 15) Christ gave to His Church. Now the Church on earth, though governed and directed by the successors of the Apostles, is "the union of all the Faithful". Hence every Catholic layman and woman is bound to share in this apostolate. By Baptism every Catholic becomes a branch of the vine that is Christ, a member of His Mystical Body, living with the Divine Life of the Head, sharing the redemptive yearnings of the Lord of the harvest Who wishes "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth". (1 Timothy 2, 4). By the sacrament of Confirmation we have been stamped as soldiers of Christ, permanently consecrated to His cause which is the increase and strengthening of the Faith in ourselves and others. Further, the greatest of the Christian virtues, charity, enjoins on us the welfare of our neighbour. If any kindness to the neighbour, if the cup of cold water given in Christ's name brings its reward, much greater will be the reward for this "most divine of all works", helping to bring souls to His true Church. "This work", says Pope Pius XI, "surpasses all the forms and manifestations of charity, as much as the soul surpasses the body, as much as heaven surpasses the earth, as much as eternity surpasses time". To -day, particularly, when so many of our neighbours proffer allegiance to no form of Christianity, when so many outside the Church are bewildered and perplexed amid the babble of conflicting pro-
X
-By courtesy Paul's Candid Snaps E. Fraser, of Roilway-st., was preparing her floral exhibit for the Royal Show-"Purity'-she decided to give Our Lady the central place. The symbolic arrange- the idea from a book.
When Mrs.
Queen's
Park,
ment, carried out comple- Friends lent her the figutely in white blossoms, was rine. Standing about two feet one of the outstanding exhibits in the Horticulture high, the exhibit (above) section of this year's Show. was an exquisite arrangement of white gladioli, watThe judges said that Mrs. sonia, carnations and rose Fraser's exhibit was remark- berries. able and that no exhibitor It is a remarkable coincidisplayed greater taste than dence that an exhibit featurMrs. Fraser. ing the Mother of God at Mrs. Fraser is not a Cath- its centre should have won olic, and when asked how such admiration and high during a she came to choose Our commendation Lady as the focal point of Marian month of the Marian "Purity" said that she got Year.
phets, when so many are groping in darkness for the light that would show them the Way, waiting for the authoritative voice that would lead them to Truth, hungering for the Life which Christ's Sacraments bring-surely our gratitude to God for the priceless gift of Faith, and our appreciation of its value, will spur us on to share that gift with those who are not so fortunate. What can we do, you may ask? First, we can all pray. The conversion of our neighbour will be the work of grace, and usually such grace is given only in answer to prayer. Somebody has well said that "the world is saved by those who are on their knees". Some of us may feel that we are too old, or too young, or too feeble in health, or insufficiently instructed in our Faith to be active apostles to others; but all of us can take our part in this, the most necessary form of apostolate. Another vitally important form of the apostolate-and one which transcends the barriers of age cr infirmity or education-is good example. "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matt. 7, 16) said Our Blessed Lord. If our people live their faith, if they are regular in assisting at Mass and the SacraWhen the Father Peyton plaque was ments, if prayers and especially the family Rosary are said in the home, whether or not non-Catholic unveiled at Palmyra on Sunday last by His visitors are present, if Catholics are faithful to the moral laws of God and His Church amid the prevailGrace the Archbishop, the largest gathering ing laxity, such practices cannot but impress people of good -will that these are fruits of the good tree. yet seen at the Fatima shrine there porticiAll, too, can help by a word in season, by spreading Catholic literature, by drawing to the atten- pated in the devotions As the procession moved They must not lose sight of tion of their friends and neighbours such aids as the Catholic Library in Pier Street, the "Catholic through the streets, hymns the fact that the real messAnswer" radio session, the Days of Enquiry which are held periodically, and the Classes for Converts alternated with the Myster- age of Fatima was not the ies of the Rosary. The sta- conversion of Russia but of which are held weekly. tue of Our Lady was borne love and the sanctification Finally, let us not forget those who have recently joined the Church. Frequently these converts by senior girls of Our Lady of souls. There would be no school. The benefit in Marian devotion of Fatima have made great sacrifices among which must be numbered the loss of former friends with whom they crowning ceremony was per- if they failed in that. Prior to unveiling the had grown up. They have cut adrift from their old ties and sometimes through shyness find few friends formed by Betty Waddell.
Rosary Apostle Is Recalled At Shrine
in our Catholic community. We should endeavour to make them feel at home in our midst, and should introduce them to Catholic friends who have interests similar to theirs.
Humbly recommending these thoughts to your earnest consideration, and on you. Yours devotedly in the love of Our Lord and His Immaculate Mother,
begging God's blessing
Agrat;itte/ Archbishop
Children from the High- plaque His Grace expressed Hill convent (more his pleasure at being invited than 200 girls) and from to attend on the occasion Santa Maria College, to- when the people of Palmyra gether with cadets from were commemorating the Aquinas college, made an modern apostle of the Rosary. He congratulated the impressive contingent. The parish priest, the people on having such a of beautiful shrine. He hoped spoke Rev. John Lynch, the necessity of devotion to it would promote greater God's Mother. There was a love for Our Lady. The danger, he said, that ap- Archbishop stressed the nepeals were made to Mary cessity of being faithful to out of utilitarian motives the Family Rosary pledge. Continued on back cam. rather than out of love. gate