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A publication of
Traditional Catholics of America, Inc. Vol. I, No. 7
Editor: Fr. Francis Fenton, STL Oct. 15, 1980
Fr. Victor Mroz, O.F.M. Conv.
Christianity, the religion of love, requires us to walk fitting for a Christian whose heart is the
in the footsteps of Jesus crucified and to carry our sanctuary of peace. They blame these games
own crosses, to deny ourselves in everything and and theatres for exciting passions, for debase-
live like "pilgrims and strangers on the earth" ment, for the desire to see and to be seen – the
(Heb. 11 :13). Even in our time of relaxation we are overly great occupation with the useless
supposed to devote ourselves to all kinds of relig- things … that makes man forget God's pres-
ious and charitable acts. Our only real reason for ence and the account we will have to render
living is to know, love and serve God in order to be for our life before God's justice .. "
happy with Him throughout eternity. Unfortu-
nately, many "Christians" have a completely dif- Organized sports cause such damage to souls
ferent reason for living. Professional · sports are because big business involved in them uses every
one of these idols for which they live. Sports kind of communications media – radio, television,
replace God in t.t:ieir lives. newspapers, magazines – to build up around these
games a halo of innocence and prestige. Sports
Whatever it is that becomes everything in our life fans spend countless hours glued to television sets,
becomes an idol for us and very soon we will sacri- neglecting their own duties and families; they
fice our best to it: our heart, our time, our energy, scarcely have any time for their own souls; they fail
even our thoughts. We transfer our interest and to improve their own lives and those of their
admiration from God to a particular kind of sport or children. Such a passion for games kills true
to its heroes. In a way, we change the cult that devotion, the Christian spirit, penance and sacri-
should be reserved for God alone. We are guilty of fice.
a sort of idolatry.
Consider how much money is lavished on these
We consider ourselves as good Christians if we go spectacles, how much time is wasted! Even the
to Sunday Mass, stay away from serious evil prac- Lord's Day is violated. It is not too much to say that
tices and support the Church, but on the other sports and games have become the "god of Sun-
hand we spend the greatest portion of our free time day". The spiritual damage to Christian life is
in organized and commercialized sports, such as incalculable. Ask most Christians who attend
hockey, football, baseball, horse racing, etc. All of sports events on Sundays to devote the same time
that is innocent in itself, we say. But what God and to prayer and works of charity and they will tell
the teaching of our Faith say is: These amuse- you they have no time for such things. Yet a
ments are unworthy of true Christians. Christian has an obligation to devote Sunday to
God, praying, visiting the sick, reading spiritual
Many forms of professional sport activities were books and taking care of his own soul. Ask these .
known and practised in Greece and Rome in the slaves of sports to give alms for the poor and they
first centuries of Christianity, and the Popes, the will tel! you that they do not have enough money,
Saints and the Fathers of the Church strongly because the cost of l'iving is high. But they manage
opposed them. Tertullian, for example, one of the to have enough money for tickets for hockey
Fathers of both the Greek and Latin Churches, games, football games, etc.
writes as follows:
"All the Holy Fathers blame the uselessness, As Christians, we should not place our hearts in
prodigious dissipation, disturbance and men- any trivial thing. Now, sports fans really do put their
tal commotion in games and theatres, scarcely hearts into it! Just accompany them to some sports
continued on page 11
DEATH
(Traditionally dedicated by the Church to the souls in
purgatory, the month of November provides fitting
occasion for a few salutary thoughts on the subject
of death.)
There is hardly an adult who has not seen death in will before the judgment seat of the Almighty
one form or another and no one who has, unless he to render an account of our stewardship. How
be quite utterly devoid of feeling and emotion, tremendously important, then, how absolutely
could fail to be at least somewhat moved by it. essential it is to be ever ready for that supreme
Human nature being what it is, however, those moment! "Vanity of vanities, and is vanity". A
people are most affected by death who thereby good life is the only sane and sound preparation for
lose the companionship of one with whom they death. A living of every day as if that were to be our
were closely joined in life through bonds of blood last upon earth is the only guarantee of a truly
or friendship or marriage. Time alone and a strong, happy death. "Watch ye and pray for you know not
abiding faith in the good Providence of God can the day nor the hour."
mitigate the wound which the loss of a loved one
has inflicted and, while it is well that sorrow and And so it behooves us Catholics to develop and to
grief be not unduly prolonged, it is regrettable retain a truly Christ-like attitude towards death.
indeed if the lesson death teaches fails to have any This life is merely a period of probation, of trial, a
wholesome and lasting effect. time of preparation for the life of glory to come.
Our few years on this earth are but a fleeting
And the lesson death teaches all who will but learn instant compared to the eternity that awaits us
and profit by it is the simple one expressed by Saint beyond the grave. We live to die, 'tis true, but death,
Paul: "It is appointed unto man once to die and if we are but ever prepared for it, is not the end nor
after this the judgment". In God's own good time hell our eternal destiny. Death is only the begin-
death will come to each and every one of us for we ning, the beginning of endless happiness in the
have not here a lasting home. Although the time glorious Kingdom of God. In the words of the poet,
and place and circumstances of death are known to "the grave is not our goal; dust to dust was not
none but God, yet there is nothing more certain in spoken of the soul". The grave is rather the gate-
all life than that it will one day come to an end. At way to eternity, the gateway to the Beatific Vision
that supreme moment, life ends and eternity be- of the Infinite Godhead.
gins. At that supreme moment, all of our earthly
ambitions, all of our joys and sorrows, all of our Let us, then, pray often and earnestly for that
hopes and plans suddenly and forever cease to be. singular grace of final perseverance. And when-
At that moment, whether we be young or old, rich ever we behold the sight of death, let us recall that
or poor, strong or weak (for death is no respecter of prayer of the traditional Church offered by the
persons} at that supreme moment, lif13 and priest at the grave of the deceased:
everybody and everything that have any connec- "Grant, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee … that we
tion with it become a part of the irrevocable past. may bear in mind that we are most certainly to
The judgment of a just and merciful God alone follow … Give us the grace to make ready for
remains, to be followed by the eternal conse- that last hour by a devout and holy life, and
quences of that judgment. protect us against a sudden and unprovided
death. Teach us how to watch and pray that,
And the moral for any Catholic, and indeed for any- when Thy summons comes, we may go forth
one professing a belief in a future life of reward or to meet the Bridegroom and enter with Him
punishment, is, of course, the obvious one of the into life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord.
absolute necessity of always being fully prepared. Amen".
Whether any one of us will be alive a year, a month,
a week, a day, an hour from now, no one knows but
the God who made us. But, just as surely as we are
now alive, just as surely will there come a day
which will be our last upon earth, a day when we
2
All but innumerable are the examples which can be
cited to prove the truly abominable state of the
· USA at the present time. And practically all of those
examples have one thing in common, namely,
immorality – dishonor, treason, falsehood, sexual
promiscuity and pornography, the desecration of
marriage, murder (including abortion), and so on.
Here, then, is the fundamental cause of the current
chaotic condition of the USA, widespread immoral-
ity of every description and of the grossest kind.
Our beloved nation is today saturated with vice. It
is grovelling in licentiousness and debauchery. It is
a cesspool of moral iniquity. Secular humanism,
which is essentially a philosophy of atheism, is the
prevailing godless "religion" of the day in which
man reigns supreme. It is said that nineteen of the
twenty-one civilizations in the course of history
collapsed from moral decay from within. If that be
true, then one wonders just how much more
morally rotten America will become before that
catastrophe befalls it. As Whittaker Chambers
wrote, "history is cluttered with the wreckage of
nations that became indifferent to God and died."
And as God once wrote: "Unless the Lord build the
house they labor in vain who build it." Unless the
One True God be recognized and given the wor-
ship due Him, and unless His moral law be
acknowledged and obeyed in the assemblies and
deliberations of government and in the private and
public lives of the inhabitants of this land, then
surely the future of America is a very dim and bleak
one indeed. How true the famous words of William
Penn: "Those people who are not governed by God
will be ruled by tyrants." Or, as General Douglas
MacArthur once stated: "The problem is basically
theological." It most certainly is.
THE ATHANASIAN
Published by Traditional Catholics of America, Inc.
Fr. Francis E. Fenton, Editor
Miss Ellen W. Soisson, Secretary
Eight issues a year: (Jan. 15, Mar. 1, Apr. 15, June 1, July 15, Sept. 1, Oct. 15, Dec. 1)
Subscriptions: $ 6.00 per year (via First Class Mail) for the USA, Canada and Mexico
$10.00 per year (via Air Mail) for all other countries
Bulk orders: 3 copies for $1.00 (minimum order)
40 or more copies to same address: 30 cents each
(all prices include postage)
Mailing address: P.O. Box 6827, Colorado Springs, CO 80934
Telephone: (303) 636·1575
3
Are We Really Preserving the Catholic Faith?
R. Lance Lohr
No minority culture has ever survived in a hostile considering the odds against them.
environment by constantly exposing its essential
unit – the family – to constant attack on all sides. The majority of traditionalists hear Mass in motel
But this is exactly what the vast majority of tradi- meeting rooms, usually once or twice a month.
tional Catholic parents persist in doing. Look on Catechism lessons frequently take the form of a
the street where you live. Count the "new order" crash course before First Communion or Confir-
Catholic families, count the Protestant families, mation. Teenagers get little formal moral training,
count the families that apparently have no religion. let alone apologetics.
Survey your child's school. How many children in
his class come from broken homes, one-parent It might be said that these handicaps are resolved
families, parents divorced and remarri.ed? If the with the acquisition of a chapel. To some degree
school is average, half of the children will fit these this is true, but not to a very great degree. The sur-
categories. If this does not seem to present a roundings are indeed an improvement over a
problem with younger traditional Catholic children, motel, yet the chapel is still a far cry from a com-
just wait until they are teenagers! munity. For most it is no different than the motel.
They rush to their cars after Mass, never to be seen
Most teenage sons and daughters of traditional until the next circuit priest arrives. It might not be
Catholic parents regularly date non;_Catholic peers. unusual within these quasi-parishes to have a
As a matter of fact, many children of traditional member die or become severely ill without anyone
parents marry non-Catholics. Some may not see knowing it. Sometimes there are pending divorces,
this as a problem. The experience of the Church or grave difficulties with teenage children, and no
shows this to be a disaster! Ask any struggling tradi- one is even aware so as to offer help, while the
tional Catholic who is forced to go to the Commun- circuit priest is usually just too busy to be of any
ion rail alone what it is like. Not only is the Faith of aid. It should be noted too that the acquisition of a
the children likely to be neglected; today the Faith chapel could and often does foster an unhealthy
of the Catholic party is more than ever in jeopardy. provincialism. (Such a provincialism or parochial-
ism is not uncommon among traditional Catholics.
It is possible to supervise strictly the television
– Editor)
younger children watch (although it is doubtful
that many parents do). It is fairly easy to limit a
Every Catholic – whether he has children or not;
grade schooler's trips to the movie theater. But it is
whether they are grown and have perhaps lost the
almost impossible to prevent a teenager from
Faith – has a responsibility to make the sacrifices
seeing what he or she wants, especially when they
necessary to preserve the Faith for the next gener-
are pressured by their peers and other outside
ation. There is a tendency to forget this and salve
influences.
our consciences with the notion that somehow a
Mass now and again will solve all our problems.
Bluntly put, traditional Catholic parents are, for the
God only goes so far. He does expect us to reach a
most part, fighting an uphill battle. Why? It should
little. Yet some of us find it very comfortable to go
be obvious. They, in America today, are, at least in
to Mass once a month. It is easy on our finances
relation t9 the time spent with their children, a
and facilitates the demands made by the Third
minor influence on them. The argument of quality
Commandment of God and the First Precept of
versus quantity could be given to counter this
the Church.
gloomy picture. But any good teacher will support
the position that repetition is the surest way to
Can these handicaps be overcome? Yes, of course,
learn anything. Even with Chopin as a teacher it
but difficult problems require more effort to re-
would take years to learn the piano. Even with the
solve. Catholicism is a creed that begets a culture.
good sisters of the past it took eight years to finally
This should not be a surprise. Following Christ is a
get through Baltimore Catechism Number Three.
way of life. But long before Vatican Council II,
Catholics began to try to separate the Mass and
Well, the essentials of Catholic morals also take
Sacraments from their daily l'.ving. The results were
time to learn. The best means are, of course, the
predictable. The once strong and vibrant Catholic
teaching and example of good parents, and truly
culture was gradually integrated into that of Pro-
Catholic schools. Very few of the latter exist and
testant America. More recently the Faith itself was
one cannot really expect too much from the former,
4 continued on page 10
The Monsignor
-~ Teresa L. Benns
When the dog days of summer make their first souls, whether we liked it or not, and he was deter-
appearance each year, I think of the Monsignor. My mined to make us aware of our shortcomings. He
experiences with him were limited. My family only could slur his "r's" most eloquently to make a point,
visited his parish every other Sunday at best, and and I would not be surprised if he left the imprints
more frequently in summer than in winter. I last of his fists in the pulpit. His brows would knit
saw him some seventeen years ago, yet he is together, his face turn red with his efforts and the
etched clearly in my mind as a man, a good heat, and he would become a thundercloud ready
shepherd – one of the last of his kind. to descend on us. Like trees in a storm gust, parish-
ioners would visibly quiver, waiting for the inevi-
When he first came from his native County Cork, table ravages from the heavens. But often on these
my mother claims his Irish brogue was so thick he occasions, just when he had everyone's attention
was barely understandable. He was her pastor, you riveted to him, he would lower his voice, speak
see, the priest who administered her First Com- sweetly, and watch their shoulders slump in
munion, prepared her for Confirmation, and offi- momentary relief. Then, having caught them un-
ciated at her wedding. He christened me, firstborn awares, he would stun them with the punch line
of my parents, and named for the patron saint of and let them stew in their own juices for a moment
the church of my mother's youth. or two while he "harrumphed" contentedly, or
busily shuffled his notes.
Perhaps it is not surprising that the Monsignor has
lingered so long in my mind for he was a "fire and The Monsignor would have been equally at home
brimstone" priest, the likes of whom are seldom on the stage or in the political arena. He had a
found today, especially in the Novus Ordo Church. marvelous sense of humor; he knew his "craft", and
But he was very Catholic, very Irish, and very he knew people. But best of all he knew his state in
formidable-looking in the pulpit. He was a large life and his mission in this world. He always kept a
man in height and girth, and he effectively used his distance between himself and his congregation,
size as well as his facial features (he bore a striking and he was always the stern pastor. For this he was
resemblance to John L. Lewis, especially in his revered and respected by the people, however
bristling eyebrows) to intimidate the mischievious grudgingly at times. Even non-Catholics were
grade school boys and the less diligent of his known to harbor respect for this man who refused
parishioners. When elevated to the rank of Mon- to waffle on controversial issues.
signor, he wore the purple proudly, and made cer-
tain his flock took note of the honor. His duties Shortly after the changes following Vatican Coun-
were not confined to saying Mass, the pulpit, and cil II went into effect, the Monsignor retired.
the confessional. He also served as part-time usher Knowing his fierce love for the Faith, I cannot help
on aisle patrol. To the child that I then was, it but feel he was saddened and sorely puzzled by
seemed advisable not to move or breathe until he these changes, and welcomed his retirement as an
had passed, and to make certain my eyes were escape from their consequences. Had his health
riveted to the altar. Whether in the aisles or in the been other than it was during his last years, I feel
pulpit, he commanded attention. certain he would have put up a fight. But perhaps
he felt that all his days and years of faithful service
I remember little of the content of his sermons, only as a priest would have to suffice.
that they spoke of such things as eternal hellfire,
true contrition, humility, genuine charity, salvation, The Monsignor was the man who cleansed my soul
Satan and the eternal verities. I often left Church of original sin, who set me on my course as a
convinced he could see straight to the core of my Roman Catholic. The strength of his beliefs, of his
grimy little soul, and certain in my child's conceit personality, stood like an impenetrable shield
that he had been so appalled by what he saw that it around him. Surely he imparted a strong dose of
had prompted the sermon he had delivered. His faith and tenacity to those he touched in his life-
sermons were not short in duration either. They time. And by the force of his will, which seemingly
were lengthy, even in the heat of midsummer, and survived even his death, perhaps he has helped to
he cared not one whit that there was only the flutter stay me and countless others on a truly Catholic
of ceiling fans to alleviate the acute discomfort of course.
the congregation. He was duty-bound to save our 5
Our Lady of Victory Chapel
Aurora, Colorado
Recently expanded and extensively renovated, the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory in Aurora, Colorado (the Denver
area) is today one of the more beautiful traditional Roman Catholic chapels in the country. Father Placid White,
OSB is the resident pastor of a sizeable and growing congregation. Two Masses are offered here every Sunday and,
in addition to frequent daily Mass, traditional devotions are scheduled throughout the year. Our Lady of Victory
Chapel has two real nuns as well – a rarity indeed – in the persons of Sister Alice Scherr, OSB (pictured below)
and Sister Rita Lawrence, CSJ. With the expectation of continued growth, the future, please God, looks promising
for Our Lady of Victory Chapel.
6
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel
Stratton, Colorado
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
Pueblo, Colorado
7
On Dedication to the Faith
— Fr. Francis E. Fenton
When traditional Roman Catholics employ the ciation of it? Where the True Mass is available
expression, "the Faith", they mean the religion of within a reasonable distance, traditional Catholics
the Roman Catholic Church, the entirety of that attend Mass on Sundays and, if they can do so, on
creed which distinguishes them from every other holydays, and many of them receive the Sacra-
religious body in the world. It is the totality of the ments frequently – from which practice it can be
teachings of that Church founded by the Son of assumed that they are making an honest effort to
God for the salvation of all men and outside of lead morally good personal lives. And, if these
which (properly understood) no one can be saved. traditional Catholics are parents, it can be further
The Faith is the Cause for which multitudes have assumed that they are exerting varying degrees of
been martyred all down through the Christian effort to bring up their children in the true Faith – a
centuries, and for which untold numbers are today very formidable task in these days, I readily grant.
being starved and tortured and murdered in
Communist nations throughout the world. Indeed, But these, and other similar examples that might be
history is replete with accounts of heroic priests given, are for the most part duties incumbent upon
and religious and laymen for whom no sacrifice every Roman Catholic. No significant appreciation
was too great, no risk too high, when it involved the of the Faith is indicated in the mere performance of
profession or preservation of the Faith. Rather than one's Catholic duty. But what are traditional
deny the Faith or otherwise prove disloyal to it, Roman Catholics in general doing above and
millions of our fellow Catholics have willingly and beyond the call of duty? Judging from my dealings
readily made the supreme sacrifice of life itself, and association with numerous traditional Catholic
even rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to groups across the country over the past seven
suffer death for the sake of Christ and His eternal years, my answer is: traditional Roman Catholics in
truth. general are doing precious little indeed above and
And so how very precious is the gift of our divine beyond the call of duty. In just about every area
where there is a chapel or Mass center, only a
Faith! It is the treasure par excellence. It is a gem of
handful, only a small minority of traditionalists
incomparable worth. It is the one thing in all the
world whose value is literally priceless. Indeed, it manifest any real sacrifice or show any genuine
can be said in all truth that nothing .more glorious, dedication to the Faith. Even though the Church
more wondrous, more noble can be imagined this has surely never been in a worse way in its entire
history than it is today, and even though many
side of Heaven than the Roman Catholic Faith. And
traditional Catholics are nonetheless singularly
how incomparably fortunate are those who pos-
blessed in havihg the true Mass and Sacraments
sess it!
and all the rest available to them – whether regu-
Now, since I have no reason to doubt it, I take for larly or occasionally – so very few of them reveal
granted that each and every traditional Roman any appreciable dedication to the Faith.
Catholic would be in agreement with the above
brief evalu·ation of the Faith. Theoretically, no such A few examples:
Catholic would question or take issue with it – (1) In every area where there is a traditional
theoretically, that is. In practice the matter is chapel or congregation, about 5% – 10% of the
something else again. In my remarks that follow, people would be described as really dedicated
(1) I am not referring to the members of the Con- to the traditionalist cause. Even in the matter
ciliar or Novus Ordo Church but rather to those of financial support, how many traditional
who are members of the traditional Roman Cath- Catholics actually make any significant sacri-
olic Church; and (2) I do not have in mind any fice in this regard? Indeed, even though the
traditional group in particular but rather traditional value of the dollar, in purchasing power, is
Catholics and congregations around the country. about 25% or 30% of what it was some twenty
or twenty-five years ago, how many are giving
If our God-given Faith is the pearl of great price, any more to the support of the Church now
the treasure of unparalleled worth that we claim we than they were then?
believe it to be, why is it that so few seem to have,
or at least seem to show, any wholehearted appre- 8 continued on page 9
"On Dedication" cont. from page 8
point merely as an example of the absence of
(2) The true Mass is the heart and center of our any considerable esteem for the Faith on the
divine Faith. There are a few chapels around part of most traditional Catholics. Presumably,
the country where Mass is offered on a daily if one honestly values and treasures the Faith,
basis, or at least frequently during the week. he will be particularly grateful to those who are
And how many attend, even occasionally? I'll so very instrumental in its preservation
wager that, in most of those locations, almost traditional priests and nuns.
nobody does. Where, I ask, is any authentic
love for the Mass in evidence in such a situa- The traditional Roman Catholic movement, nation-
tion? Just where is the dedication to the Faith wide and world-wide, supposedly comprises those
manifest among traditional Catholics when the Catholics who, in various degrees, understand
very heart and core of that Faith, the Holy what has happened to the Church and who, having
Sacrifice of the Mass, is ignored except on the courage of their convictions, are determined to
days when its attendance is binding under remain loyal to their God-given Faith. Some years
pain of mortal sin? The desire to avoid grave ago I would have thought that the ranks of tradi-
sin is indeed a very valid reason for the per- tional Catholics would have been far larger by now
formance or non-performance of a particular than they are and that the vast majority of them
action but – if this be the extent of one's would be exceedingly dedicated people. Such has
motivation in the practice of one's Catholic not proved to be the case. Quite the contrary, the
religion – he or she can hardly be described as vast majority of thein, in my opinion, have no
a dedicated Catholic. significant appreciation of the priceless treasure
which is theirs and, consequently, lack any particu-
(3) Another example which, in my opinion, shows larly strong dedication to it. Should the day ever
a lack of any substantial appreciation of the come, and the thought is not a farfetched one,
Faith by the generality of traditional Roman when religion will be openly and physically perse-
Catholics is the absence of any noticeable cuted in this country, traditional Catholicism –
appreciation on their part for the priests and that is, the one true Church will be the principal
nuns who have taken an uncompromising target of that persecution. Make no mistake of that.
stand on behalf of traditional Catholicism. Not But if, for the reason that we do not sufficiently love
that we seek gratitude or acclaim or compli- and truly value our Faith, we are failing to live that
ments. Because the traditional position I have Faith wholeheartedly here and now, will we one
taken is the result of my strong convictions day, do you think, be ready and willing to die for it?
and is a matter of conscience, I, for one, would
continue to maintain my traditionalist stand As Roman Catholics we belong to the One, True
even if I did not get so much as a "thank you" and Eternal Church of Jesus Christ. As members of
from anyone for the rest of my life. But when that Church we have the most precious treasure in
you realize that about one priest per thousand the world, bar none, the Roman Catholic Faith. Do
in this country (and about one nun per five or we truly believe this? Do we really prize this unique
six thousand) has had whatever it takes to treasure which is ours? If we honestly do, then it
stand up without compromise for the totality will have and must have top priority in our daily
of our historic Catholic Faith – refusing to have lives. If our divine Faith has anything less than this,
any part of the Novus Ordo Church – it puzzles then our scale of values is sorely in need of an over-
me that so few traditional Catholics appear to hauling. If we Roman Catholics have our priorities
have any appreciation of this. Indeed, there straight, then all other interests, all other consider-
are some traditional Catholics, although, thank ations, all other occupations will be secondary and
God, admittedly very few, who would seem to subordinate to our Faith. Such is an idea of what is
want to give the traditional priest as tough a meant by an appreciation of it. And how many of us
time as possible. How ironic! Instead of con- have that appreciation, which is to say, how many
fronting the Novus Ordo clergy who are of us really love our Faith, the greatest thing on
destroying the Faith, these "traditional" Cath- God's earth? If we do, then wholehearted dedica-
olics choose rather to do battle with the few tion to it should be very clearly in evidence in our
real priests who are trying to do their best to daily lives. But with most of us, where, pray tell,
preserve it! Well, taking for granted that where is that dedication?
Almighty God appreciates the dedicated ef-
forts of the relatively few traditional priests
and nuns in this country, it really makes little
difference, I suppose, whether anyone else
does or not. I have brought up this particular 9
"Preserving the Catholic Faith?" cont. from page 4 daily Mass (remember Daily Mass?), devotions to
our Blessed Mother, Benediction, soda!ities, Holy
attacked, done most effectively by some of the
Name Societies, St. Vincent de Paul Societies, etc.
clergy and hierarchy. Many Catholics never gave a
etc. – in other words, the very opportunities for
second thought to the changes within the Church.
piety and charity that aren't .avail_able now.
Why should they? They had long ago begun to live
like many of their non-Catholic neighbors.
Remember that simply acquiring a chapel will not
help much. The prospects for resident priests at
The answer – the arrangement that served the new chapels remain minimal. And count the num-
Church for centuries – is to revive the parish as it ber of young people at your next Mass. Will they all
was traditionally known to be. It was a defined be around ten or twenty years from now? Or will
geographical area with a homogeneity of purpose your chapel be sold for the same reasons as the
that served to strengthen the Catholics there in Protestants, from whom you likely bought it, sold it
Faith and spirit. Schools, the indispensible trans- to you?
mission belt of the Faith in modern society, thrived.
Today even those locations with chapels rarely Your children do not know what it is like to be able
have schools. Why? Often because the children are to go to confession on a Saturday afternoon, nor
scattered all over creation. And some schools are do they see real priests and sisters often enough to
far from the ideal. One group in the Midwest, with a develop a religious vocation. They are not in the
beautiful church, has resorted to hiring disgruntled habit of going to Mass on holydays or having their
public school teachers. If they lived nearby, good catechism heard at school the first thing in the
traditional Catholic housewives would be a better morning. Think, pray and then do something about
choice. it.
The physical proximity of fellow Catholics is the {The preceding article clearly argues against, at
cure. It is no secret that parishes of decades ago least as a general rule, the acquisition of local
with very high concentrations of Catholics – fre- chapels by traditional Roman Catholics. It provides
quently of similar national background – had few food for thought, insights on the subject of chapels
mixed marriages, few divorced, raised children that perhaps not previously considered by some. While
cared for their parents in old age, etc. Parents had the pros and cons should certainly be weighed by
less trouble with their children because the outside traditional groups before they proceed to acquire
influences were held to a minimum. Some of us still them, a good case couh;i also undoubtedly be made
remember those times. Do not relegate these mem- for the acquisition of chapels in certain local areas.
ories to the dustbin with "The Catholic Hour" and – Editor}
Bishop Sheen's "Life is Worth Living."
Some traditional Catholics have made an heroic
effort to establish Catholic communities, some
even without resident priests. And a few are suc-
cessful in varying degrees. Their sacrifices are not
in vain. It is their thinking that without such
attempts there may be no next generation of
Catholics.
Communism is an international, criminal, militant,
Several· of these attempts have failed not because atheistic conspiracy run by a gang of power-
of a lack of spirit but because of not making prac- hungry degenerates who aim to control and
tical decisions. Of necessity Catholic men must enslave the world, and to destroy the Roman
work to support their families. This makes urban Catholic Church and every last vestige of religion
centers the likely place to find the diversity of jobs in the process. Communism is inhuman; it's
needed. Because of lack of finances the areas amoral; it's satanic! It is "intrinsically evil," the very
chosen should have housing affordable to the antithesis of Christ and Christianity!
lowest income families. Another consideration
would be locating near an already existing chapel.
Communities thus established would have families
that did not have constantly to battle their environ-
ment. On the one hand you could not watch
"Dallas" and the soap operas and not feel peculiar.
On the other hand a church would be nearby for 10
of Peter is gone. Modern theologians speak of the
latry of Sports" cont. from page 1 "theology of Sports", giving ample recognition to
the achievements of Man in the field of sport. The
t and watch how they behave during the game: deification of Man has found many words of
interest in the action sometimes reaches a
encouragement during some audiences of profes-
· 1ous frenzy. And their adulation of sports
sional sport organizations with the highest Church
or champions is sometimes almost unreal.
authorities in recent years. How different in their
up by "reams" of publicity, these idols are
teaching and opinions were the Fathers of the
d to the crowd's "devotion" and cult Would
Church and all the Popes of the past! Saint
ognize those guilty of such massive pagan
Pius V forbade bishops, "under pain of excom-
as followers of Christ? Assuredly, such
munication", to permit bullfights in their dioceses.
le would not put forth one small part of this
He described them as "bloody and shameful
usiasm for God and His Church. A similar
spectacles worthy of demons and not of men"
ree of fervor for religious activities they would
(De Salute Gregis, Nov. 1, 1567). What would he
"fanaticism". But nothing is too much for
and their stars. Stadiums are full but have said of boxing matches where human beings
es are empty. For Jesus Christ the crowds are mutilated? There was a time when Church
cold, indifferent. Their enthusiasm, passion burial was refused to anyone who died in violent
sport encounters. Not any more. Nowadays they are
love go to their own "gods". considered as being sort of saints and heroes,
martyrs for the honor and glory of sports.
Jesus Christ said: "For what does it profit a
he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss
own soul?" (Mat. 16:26). We cannot win Sports addiction is one more form of so many
with games. They have little value for life addictions in our time. It has the same motive and
effect: evasion from the solid and hard facts of life.
Instead of rolling up their sleeves to accomplish
is nothing wrong with certain sports activi- something worthwhile, instead of working towards
children, and even for adults who need building a truly successful life, people evade their
ysical exercise for the purpose of health – own responsibilities and project themselves into
dence and moderation are indispensible sport fiction. They imagine they are living out what-
. Parents and teachers are responsible to ever comes onto the screen from the sports world.
young not to waste their time in all sorts This is so much easier than doing something real to
activities which have nothing to do with improve one's condition in life. In order to escape
otion of their health. Young Christians can their dull lives and daily problems, people fill their
of exercise in good, charitable works, heads with false successes in sports activities.
taking care of the elderly and infirm, and They are ready to stand in line for hours to get a
the poor. So many sick people could better spot in order to see and hear their idol in
y of remaining at home instead of living auditoriums and ampitheatres.
homes, if only they received a helping
those who are well. Not so long ago I read in a newspaper about a girl
who suffered a nervous breakdown because one of
~h's position concerning public entertain- her sports heroes happened to lose some game or
>ctear in past ages. Not any more. The other. Can we imagine a true Christian falling into
Carthage (418) excommunicated "those despair over such meaningless things? And such
ed the assembly of Christians to attend things do happen among our sports addicts. And
fi:lS on days of solemnities". No one is they happen because our generation has lost the
, .ated today. On the contrary, those value of the eternal truths of the Gospels. Life
spend Sunday in games and stadiums becomes meaningless without God. But our hearts
their Sunday duty can be fulfilled on cannot remain empty because they are created by
ning so that "Christians" can have fun God for Himself. No wonder that people who do
hout being disturbed. In fact, all this not truly adore and love God must find a substitute
present Saturday Mass is made to object for their adoration and love. So many find it
eligious character of the Lord's Day. in the "god of sports".
things the "post-Vatican Church" is
of a deceiver, accommodating itself
little as possible for God and every-
and for Man. Where is the
responsibility for the salvation
guidance system aboard the Bark 11
TCA TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS S C H E D U L E – – – – – – – ~
COLORADO MINNESOTA
AURORA (Denver area) ROCHESTER
OUR LADY OF VICTORY CHAPEL OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL
2566 Sable Boulevard 5820 Viola Road, NE
(303) 321-3683 or 364-8040 (507) 282-5163 or 289-8522
Masses at 9 & 11 a.m. (every Sunday) Mass at 10:00 a.m.: Oct. 26
Weekday Masses at 8:00 a.m. Mass at 11:00 a.m.: Nov. 16, Nov. 30
DURANGO MONTANA
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY GREAT FALLS
Durango Savings and Loan IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHAPEL
1101 E. Second Ave. 2020 Second Avenue North
(303) 884-2878 (406) 452-8826
Mass at 10:00 a.m. Mass at 10:00 a.m.: Oct. 26
Oct. 19, Nov. 16 Mass at 11:00 a.m.: Nov. 9, Nov. 30
PUEBLO PENNSYLVANIA
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHAPEL ESSINGTON (Philadelphia area)
1406 East 21st Street OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
(303) 544-0336 Holiday Inn
Mass at 11:00 a.m. 45 Industrial Highway (one mile from airport)
Nov. 9 (215) 328-1348
Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 9
STRATTON
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHAPEL
(303) 348-5454
UTAH
Call for time:
SALT LAKE CITY
Oct. 26, Nov. 23
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Hilton Inn
154 West 600 South
(801) 278-7501
FLORIDA Mass at 11:00 a.m.
PORT RICHEY (Tampa area) Nov. 2
ST. JOSEPH'S
Gulf Highland Club House
900 Gulf Highland Drive
(813) 868-0166 VIRGINIA
. Mass at 12:30 p.m. on 3rd and 5th
RICHMOND
Sundays of month
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHAPEL
5217 Futura Avenue
(804) 737-8211 or 262-4354
Mass at 11:00 a.m.
LOUISIANA Nov. 16, Nov. 30
OPELOUSAS (Lafayette area)
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL
Route 1, Box 195
(318) 942-9053
Mass at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd and 4th
Sundays of month
12