ATONEMENT FOR SIN A CONDITION FOR PEACE
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the Scribes; and they will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again." St. Matthew, 20; 17-19.
A VERY UNUSUAL BOOK
I received a very unusual book for Christmas, "The Way of Divine Love", by Sister Josefa Menendez. She claimed she was a messenger of the Heart of Jesus, and that she had been selected to give a message to the world, a message to sinners, a most consoling message, a message revealing the infinite love of God. "He loves them, every one, just as they are, even the most despicable, and the greatest sinners. He does not ask for their good qualities or virtues, but only for their wretchedness and sins. Far from being an obstacle, their faults are an encouragement to draw near Him."
This book was first published in 1949. Since then, it has been reprinted eight times in different languages. The private revelations she claims to have received gain credibility from the fact that Cardinal Pacelli, the present Pope, wrote a blessing to the first edition. "I have no doubt whatever," he says, "that the publication of these pages, filled as they are with great love will be agreeable to His Sacred Heart".
On the 29th of December, 1923, Sister Josefa, when thirty-three years old, died a holy death at the Convent of Les Feuillants, Poitiers, France. She lived as a sister in the Society of the Sacred Heart only four years, and in so hidden a way that the world ought never to have heard of her. She was not remarkable for virtue; her chief virtues, it would appear, were humility and a willingness to suffer anything for Christ. "If I could have found", said Jesus to her, "a more wretched creature, I would have chosen her for my special love."
After her selection, her life was a long drawn-out agony, but not before she volunteered to be a victim and one who was ready to share with Christ in the work of atonement for sin.
The revelations make clear the longing of Christ that His love for the world be known. All He asks of His beloved sinners is repentance and a readiness to turn away from their evil ways out of love for Him. "It is not sin that most previously wounds My heart", He says, "but what rends and lacerates It is that after sin men do not take refuge in My heart once more".
What He wants and ardently desires is their trust in His infinite goodness and mercy.
HE GIVES A SPECIAL CALL TO SPECIAL SOULS
People dread sufferings, yet Christ selected sufferings as the means of Redemption. Sufferings that are joyfully accepted and heroically borne have a redemptive value. There are innumerable souls who can be saved from the fires of Hell if someone is willing to share in the Redemptive Life of Christ and do penance for them.
The Blessed Mother made this clear to the Children at Fatima, and, she also indicated that chosen souls could preserve the peace of the world if a sufficient number would offer themselves as victims in atonement for sins.
This is the great secret of peace and of the Salvation of Many - Atonement. There is a call for Victims of Atonement. There is an assurance given to these victims that though they suffer excruciating agony as did Christ, they shall be given grace to be happy, like the Apostles who went away rejoicing because they were deemed worthy to suffer for Christ.
As I write this, I think of the many parishioners who are so devoted to Christ they never complain of their lot. They are satisfied with what they have and arc detached from the world, poor in spirit and zealous for the Glory of God. Among them is a recent former family of St. James, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Horner, a young couple who came into the parish a few years ago, and found time to be active in every parish activity. They had five or six children in about eight years. They have moved to 311 Porter Street, Winchester, Tennessee. It is God's Will that they should go and impart the faith by word and example to people that know nothing of the Redemptive Love of Christ. They are like paratroopers. They love the difficult task of serving Christ in a hostile world.
THE PASTOR
The Pastor has been ordered by his medical advisers to let up on all parish activities for the time being, so that he might devote more time to fishing and meditation. This ought to be easy!
There is one little item of work that he would like to hold on to, and that is editing "Let's Go". Once before he was compelled to give up editing "Let's Go"; the "Let's Go" that helped to arouse interest in building a Church, was discontinued in 1932 after a continuous publication every month for seven years. It was much more pretentious than the present one and was printed.
The present "Let's Go" has run for four years, and if this should be the last issue edited by me, I would like it to be treasured by the parents of the Kindergarten children whose photograph is reproduced in this copy. Tell them I don't know any more attractive background for a pastor's photograph than one in which there is an assistant priest, a nun and when angels won't show up children of Kindergarten age.
I am sorry there is not included in the picture, all of the Kindergarten Class of 1952. There are 113 of them. This is a photograph of the afternoon Class and was taken without much thought by Sgt. Beasley, a relative of mine, who is in the American Air Corps and was on his way from Ireland to Texas.
A LETTER FROM A PARISHIONER
"Dear Father O'Connor:
"I am writing to tell you something you should have been told. I heard you are having a Carnival on May 30th. If you listened to people and were not so fond of your own way, you would have more co-operation from the people and it would profit you more.
"You should have the Carnival and the School Picnic the same day, on the parish grounds, and not in Forest Park as you usually have it.
"Last year when you had the School Picnic on the parish grounds because of rain, all the people who worked came after supper and enjoyed themselves immensely and liked it much better than a separate picnic and a separate carnival.
"If you have a carnival on Decoration Day. May 30th, a lot of people will not come because they will go out of town for the holiday.
"I don't want to be rude, but I want to say something you may not like, nor anyone else, but if you have the carnival May 30th. I hope you won't make a cent of profit and that you will learn to listen to advice once in a while.
"Also, about the lottos. It is your fault they are not better attended. You won't permit us to give `Cash' prizes. No one wants your gift certificates which can be cashed only in the neighboring stores. If we got cash, we could go where we pleased and get a better value for our money.
No signature."
"Dear Lady:
"I received your revealing letter. I am grateful for the fact that you did not mince your words and struck right out from the shoulder. To make an impression on a confirmed egotist like me, one has to strike hard. Don't worry about being rude. I am to blame if you found it necessary to take off your kid gloves. I wish you had signed your name to your letter and given your address. It would have been a pleasure for me and indeed a help to consult you from time to time. I know that you have your ear to the ground and that you hear everything that's going on and that the knowledge that you might give me could be very helpful.
"I have a Board of Parish Consulters who are expected to give me good advice from time to time as to what I should do, but between you and me, I am afraid they are weak sisters. They just about agree with me in everything. I suppose, as you say, they are afraid that I will get mad if they disagree with me and they "pussy-foot" along just for the smile of the pastor. This is bad! A person like you that is fearless and outspoken would be worth a dozen of them.
"I will tell you who they are so that you might whisper a word into their ears from time to time and put sense into their heads. I will also give you their telephone numbers.
"There is the Octogenarian, John Newport (MIssion 0241). He is the Dean of the Parish Consulters and will be 90 years of age next birthday. He is the old gentleman, you remember, who runs the ham booth every year at the Carnival, and sells "The Sunday Visitor" of a Sunday at the door of the Church. He is a man that was never known to "pussy-foot". The only failing he has is, he seems to think there were only two wise men in the world, Solomon and Father O'Connor.
"The next in order of seniority of Parish Consulters is Joseph Bonskowski (STerling 4220). He is a man who has experienced trials and has always met them with absolute confidence in God. The depression of 1932 took the coat from his back and the roof from over his head, but he never gave way to despair although he had at the time, eight or nine children. They have all grown up to bless him. He is usually a daily Communicant. He is not much good to me in this matter of correcting my erring ways. He is humble, gentle, and has a conviction that the voice of the Pastor is the voice of God. He never tells me I am wrong.
"The third on the list of Consulters is Louis Riegel (HIland 1621). 1 don't know why I selected him to be a Parish Consulter except that everyone considers him a "hardheaded" Dutchman. Louis, like yourself, is honest, outspoken and very convinced his judgment is as good as the best of them. He and Mr. Newport argue on points that I submit to them. They argue with so much heat you would think you would have to call the police, but as a rule, they settle down after a time and agree to everything that I have suggested.
"Mr. Julius Friedrich (HIland 8777) is another of those Consulters that invariably agrees with me. He is a Convert, and a foreman at the James Kearney Electric Company. He is a silent, humble man of a few words, and makes himself felt by doing things. He has busied himself these past several years with the youth of the parish, and is Treasurer of the Dramatic Club. He supervises the picture shows for the children; he helps to set the chairs for all the shows, and in summer directs the roller skate rink. He is one of those silent men that politely listens to every one.
"The Junior Consulter is Milton Kassing (HIland 5395) a recent Convert to the faith. He personifies Catholicity in action. He and his wife and children know the mind of the Church, think with the Church, and make great sacrifices to promote the interests of Christ. Mr. Kassing holds a good position at Scullin's, and often says there can be no efficiency in organization unless the one who is an authority is upheld. I don't know how well he has figured out the infirmities and inadequacies of my character, but as a matter of principle, he is always respectful and co-operative with me, just because I happen to be the one that the Archbishop has appointed to conduct the affairs of the parish. He never encourages friction and is by nature, a man of peace and good will. God bless him, he is a great help to us."
THE CARNIVAL
Notwithstanding the fine advice given by our correspondent, the Parish Trustees, Father Woracek, and the many Parish Societies, have decided to hold the Carnival on May 30 on the school grounds and the School Picnic on Wednesday, June 11, in Forest Park (Grounds 5 and 6). On the show of hands at the Holy Name Society meeting, of the 70 men present, only three said they were going out of town on Decoration Day. They claim the roads are too dangerous. As to combining the School Picnic and the Carnival, everyone who is interested in the success of the Carnival says that undoubtedly people would have a better time if the Carnival and Picnic were held the same day, in the schoolyard, but last year when this was done, the receipts did not amount to a thousand dollars.
Mr. Alfred Preuss, Chairman of the Parish Carnival, is raising his sights and says the very least we should make at this Carnival is $5,000.00.
We have assured His Excellency, our Archbishop, that we are going to make a considerable reduction in the debt this year, and the purpose of a carnival is not only to give a good time to everyone, but to make money.
The Clover Club is giving a special raffle in which they hope to make $2,000.00. They are offering a special award of $1,000.00, first prize; $500.00, second prize; and five $100.00 prizes. These awards will be made to the lucky special members. All parishioners may obtain tickets either to buy or sell, from one of the following District Heads of the Clover Club. (They are limiting the number of tickets to 4,000 and are asking parishioners to forego the percentage basis for selling them).
DISTRICT HEADS WHO HAVE TICKETS
First Row: 1. Marie Dunphy, 2. Harold Nickeson, 3. Mary Ann Hinkebein, 4. Judy Rodden, 5. Peggy Trotzuk, 6. Joan Brazell, 7. Sherry Mangan, 8. Kathleen Kehm, Father O'Connor, 9. Kathleen Friess, 10. Edward Drummond.
Second Row: Father Woracek, Sister Rita Mark, 1. Norma Dempster, 2. James Cusanelli, 3. Charles Durban, 4. Kenneth Margherio, 5. David Jurotich, 6. Terry Novara, 7. Teresa Palumbo, 8. Donald DiPasco.
Third Row: 1. Tony Ott, 2. Betty Stromberg, 3. Carolyn Richardson, 4. Tommy Kelly, 5. Michael Regna, 6. Richard Wright, 7. Robert Barrett, 8. Mary Beth Correnti, 9. Kathleen Stewart, 10. Margaret Gierer, 11. Raymond Hummert, 12. George Kehm, 13. Robert Schramm, 14. Roger Preuss, 15. John Mucci, 16. Donald Bourne, 17. Beth Mahoney.
Standing on steps and not identifiable: 1. Billy Crump, 2. Gail Bohler, 3. Patricia Caffrey, 4. Sandy Lewis, 5. Walter Mead, 6. Tommy Fedak, 7. Kenneth Margherio, 8. John Garavaglia, 9. Alfred Summers, 10. Le Roy Allen, 11. Joanne Byrnme, 12. Mary Ann Gallini 13. Dolores Hefele, 14. Donna Hefele, 15. Julia Holloran, 16. Catherine Keller, 17. Betty Menz, 18. Frances Vezeau, 19. Albert Betz. 20. Dennis Decrine. 21. Dennis Elkine. 22. Ward Sanders, 23. Lynn Geist
AS TO THE LOTTOS, LADY, I AGREE WITH YOU!
What is needed to bring a crowd to a lotto, is a little spot cash. Like a penny-ante game, no one wants to play for candy or doughnuts. These are all right for children, but adults want the joy of victory, as evidence by a little financial credit for their strenuous labor of placing a grain of corn on a number and attentively encouraging "Lady Luck" to be propitious. There is in human nature the world over, a great inclination to gamble. The pastors, in many parishes, encourage a mild form of it, just like medical men do with the virus of smallpox. The euchres and lottos that are carried on in the parishes in St. Louis are a mild form of gambling vaccination.
I have been informed that a letter was read in one of our neighboring parish churches last Sunday by the Pastor, from a lady who wrote to His Excellency, our Archbishop, complaining about the Pastor for promoting cash lottos. Now, if you were to take your pen in hand and write to the Archbishop, telling him your viewpoint, it might help him to balance his conscience and help those liberal interpretations made by some of our good pastors of the civil law about gambling.
In the meantime, I, myself, am going to give up having parish lottos. I find it is impossible to break even or draw a crowd on those gift certificates. You see, I am gradually, but surely, getting educated.
I don't know whether those lottos do any harm to anybody. About one-half of those that are present are non-Catholics. It is about the only way we can get them to make social contacts with us and I believe that there have been more converts made through lottos than there has been by the Dialogue Missions. At least, if you observe those attending them, the earnestness with which they listen to the Caller, makes it impossible for them to have any wrong or wicked thoughts. I presume that during the three hours of a lotto, there isn't a venial sin committed by anybody. Honest non-Catholics like the human interpretation that the Church puts on conduct. Calvin and his like made capital sins out of smoking, drinking, and chewing tobacco, playing baseball on Sunday, and even celebrating in a joyous manner, the Christmas festival.
The people that make the big "fuss" about lottos are the anti-Catholic cranks who oppose nuns teaching in the public school and free-time religious instructions. It is doubtful if there is anything we can do that can please them. It would be just as well to ignore them completely.
PASSION TIME
"Passion Time" means nothing to worldlings, but to one who has the faith, it is the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging, the Crowning with Thorns, Carrying the Cross, and the Crucifixion, and Jesus, the Son of God, did this for us. No man has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. Christ died for us. His death is a fountain from which flows all the graces that will ever help man to eternal happiness. We are called upon to associate ourselves with the Redeemer of the World at this time, and to share with Him in His agony and in His zeal for the salvation of souls.
During Holy Week the ritual of the Church, if followed in the Daily Missal, is stimulating and instructive.
On Good Friday, from 12 to 3, the parish choir, assisted by many volunteers from other parishes, will put on its annual Three Hour Services in a musical cantata that for emotion and expression, is difficult to surpass. This requires advertising, but a parishioner who is indifferent is not likely to be much of a help. We call, therefore, on the best of our people to promote devotion to our Lord on Good Friday and to do all they can to see that the church is filled from 12 to 3. If you can't come three hours, you might be able to come for at least one hour. The spirit of appreciation for Christ's sufferings will make it easy for you to spend an hour or two with Him.
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The First Friday occurs this month on April 4. Confessions for children will be heard on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 2 P. M. Others may avail of this time. Confessions will also be heard on Thursday, April 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 P. M. and from 7:30 to 9:00 P. M. Holy Hour Thursday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 P. M.
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The ladies of the parish are asked to volunteer their services for church cleaning on Wednesday, April 2, 9:00 A. M. in preparation for Holy Week.
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Parishioners who have a number of copies of LET'S GO!, including the 1928 editions are requested to send them to the Rectory and we will have them bound.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
St. James Church -- 1952
PALM SUNDAY
8:00 A.M. -Blessing of Palms
Distribution of Palms after the 8:30, 10 and 11 o'clock Masses
TUESDAY
7:30 P.M. -Rosary, Perpetual Help Devotions and Lenten Sermon
WEDNESDAY
Confessions: 4:30 to 5:30 and 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.
HOLY THURSDAY
Holy Communion will be distributed at 6:20, 7:00 and 7:30 A.M.
8:00 A.M.-Solemn High Mass (only one Mass) Procession to the Repository
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament during day and night until Mass of Presanctified on Friday
GOOD FRIDAY
7:30 A.M. -Services consisting of Passion, Unveiling and Adoration of the Cross, Procession from Repository, and Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
No Communion on Good Friday
12:00 to 3:00 - Tre Ore Service Sermons by Rev. John W. Crowley, S.J.
HOLY SATURDAY
6:30 A.M. - Blessing of Easter Candle, Prophesies, Blessing of Baptismal Font and Easter Water
8:00 A.M. -High Mass
Confessions: 3:00 to 6:00 and 7:15 to 10:00 P. M. Please keep in line when going to Confession. A Jesuit Father will help with Confessions
EASTER SUNDAY
Low Masses-5:30, 7:00, 10:00 and 11:00 Solemn High Mass - 8:30
DIOCESAN EXPANSION FUND
Parishes are being helped in their building programs by His Excellency, Archbishop Ritter. All loans are made without any collateral or red tape. The rate of interest is two and 1/2 per cent. The Archbishop is the banker. His capital is made up in part from the surplus funds of all the parishes in the Diocese, and an annual contribution from each parish called the Expansion Tax. Help us to meet our share, $6,000.00, by giving an increase in your Easter contribution.
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