JlortJ) Carolina Catfjolic Edition of Our Sunday Visitor Volume LVI February 4, 1968 No. 40 P.O. Box 9503 Subscription 84.00 10* per copy RALEIGH, N.C. Editor Notes Pastoral 'Let Yourself Grow' Is Theme for Press Raleigh — “Putting a copy of the complete text of the United States Bishops collective pastoral letter, ‘The Church in Our Day’ was a singular service to our sub scribers,” said Father Fred Koch, editor of the North Carolina Cath olic, as he was preparing promo tional correspondence for the an nual subscription appeal in par ishes throughout the diocese. February 18th has been desig nated as Promotion Sunday for the diocesan weekly newspaper. “A study of the pastoral points «—. 1 "1 Editor's Desk Back in ’46, we were invited to speak to the men of Cathedral Parish. At that time we were the designated “partner” of the late Monsignor Irwin, who was pastor of St Paul’s at New Bern. To make a long story short, he did not want to let us go to Ral eigh but said we should stay home and do our work where we belonged. After giving him a series of arguments why we should accept ' the invitation, we cited the hon or which was given to a young priest to address members of the Mother Parish of the Diocese. “The honor is not in 'being in vited, partner,” said Monsignor Irwin, “but the honor comes when you are invited back.” ALL THIS came to mind a few weeks ago when we were invited to return to High Point and speak to the women of the St. Edward’s Guild there on the oc casion of their annual banquet during which the installation of officers takes place. Seeing the enthusiastic group of 87 women in this 41-year-old parish auxiliary which has con tributed so much to the religious, economic and social life of the parish, we began to realize the importance of women to the Church and how they are taken "for granted for their manifold good works. We recognize their acts of charity, education and coopera tion in maintenance through the contributions made by the altar societies and mothers’ clubs of 4 the parish. THE WOMEN do these things so quietly that we are apt to take their good works for granted. Historically, altar societies kept the Church going in many mission areas of the Diocese. Of tentimes they not only handled all of the sanctuary supplies but paid for fuel and general main tenance. From experience we know that in more than half of the parishes these women still function as Chinch janitors, laundresses, sac ristans, teachers, charity work ers and home visitors. They do everything from scrubbing to singing, flower ar ranging to bookkeeping. Altar so cieties go plugging along throughout the years, tending to the basic essentials of parochial needs. ALTAR SOCIETIES have long been the backbone of parish sup See Editor’s ;Hqak» page 8A up three conclusions,” the editor commented. “We realize that the need for the institutional Church is as great today as it has ever been; that in these days of transi tion and renewal the Catholic can still look to that Church for guid ance, ‘reasonable, considered and in tune with the times’ and that the Church is still the instrument through which progress in spirit ual and social reform can be met.” THE EDITOR said that “Promo tion Sunday” for the North Caro lina Catholic brings each of the 14,450 Catholic families of the dio cese an opportunity and the ob ligation of having within its circle the best of current religious thought and through the excellent presentation of the “Supplement” the finest religious journalism for family enjoyment. Every week of the year, the newspaper seeks to develop Cath olic unity and spirit. It keeps its readers up to date on the serious current religious and moral prob lems facing us in our day. Father Koch pointed out that there is a rise in the subscription rate of one dollar over that of the past year. “Post office costs and printing, well, everything except the edi tor’s salary, has gone sky high,” he said. PROMOTIONAL LETTERS to the pastors and their assistants; and necessary stationary forms will be sent out shortly. “I hope that the parish board members, especially members of the CCD and public relations com mittee will assist the clergy,” the priest urged. “Never before has there been so much news about the Catholic Church. Never before has there been such a need of communica tions as the Catholic newspaper. In particular, never before has there been such a mutual need of assistance by an increase in sub scriptions as well as the need of the Catholic newspaper in each home.” Father _ Koch also earnestly asked that each family subscribe this year. Special envelopes will be distributed to the churches for Sunday the 11th for the recording of the subscriptions and the hand ling of the checks or cash in pay ment. “Let Yourself Grow” is the mot to of this year’s subscription pro motion throughout the diocese. The North Carolina Catholic week ly newspaper provides that neces sary ingredient “food for thought and action.” The effect of the printed word in mind and heart is the inspiration given to us by our patron of the press, St. Fran cis de Sales. TAY NINH, Vietnam — Father James A. (Major) Peterman, Milford, Del., priest, speaks to his men from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, at Mass during military operation Yellowstone, 75 miles northwest of Saigon near the Cambodian border. Father Peterman, who has served one year with the 25th Infantry, has volunteered for another year’s duty in Vietnam as deputy chaplain to the 101st Air borne Division. (NC Photos) Vatican Daily Warns Of Asian War Risks Vatican City —