Bishop Appeals to Faithful
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Official Des Moines Issue of The Register
System of Catholic Newspapers
(Name Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
All in the diocese have been asked to join in making their renewal of the pledge1
gion of Decency following all Masses Sunday, Dec. 14, by the Most Rev Ed-/
Daly, O.P Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines. Catholics throughout the
renew their pledge that day as a public affirmation of the Chuch s position
be good, entertainment must be moral.
,egion of DecenCy, es-
[ by the American ipublic opinion in the field of rnothing more than to recall the
in 1934 gives all an imotion picture morality, and specific obligation that Catho-
guide and concrete pro-lthe annual pledge has been at lies, and indeed all men, have
for the maintenance of forceful instrumentin the]with regard to motion pictures
[an moral standards in i cause, even if there were no Legion
e entertainment Since! "The pledge is expressed in I of Decency. This is an obliga-
in response to the request [general terms and actually doesI (Turn to Page 2- Column 6)
r il :the PlotSoXlpilctuhi: ea i Will Visit U.S. Troops
[.Oceses in this country liavel A m. A m
tlyed ill the pledge on the Sun-[ f"~s,r~,~/'~l ~',',~ll,'~,',~ Dl,~,~e-
eartaSt~Ithin~them-O--c-taVYat f'~the~. -- e. ~m ~ - U/UIIlUl O t IIIIIUII /IUII,
"ele's. ;~;~[tion, 12, g:eii: 8th Ch
i :] nstmas Overseas
ament I
- - ~ i~IeNult, ne~' chairman of~ New York.--Cardinal Francis many. His second Mass Dec. 25,
both lie ~1 e ~, w i ,
,on,a~l]e II's. Bishops' Committee/orLSpellman is to spend his mghth will be at the Arrays St. Se-
",~ ~ .lP~oa Pictur~o Radio and lChristmas overseas this year. He bastian's Chapel Frankfurt and
olicity t5 1 '. ~ ' .
~levlsl .~.~.+o,~ t,~,th,~ a~n IwIll visit U S servicemen m the third Mass will be at the
tr t on "l ' " '
o moral ~'~ol~h and intel-~five countries Germany, Ice- chapel in the Heidelberg Army
ctual devplnnmont ne ohiTclr~nlland, Newfoundland, Greenland, area.
V t"
ae fast buck' horror, pseu-[and GooSe Bay, Labrador, in his The Cardinal will attend the
s.Cieace and crime films es-lcapacity ~as Military Vicar of consistories in Vatican City
JeCally aimed at voungsters."lthe U. S. Military Ordinariate. Dec. 15-18 and start his visita-
~e en]phasized that the Le-[ His Eminence is to offer Pon- tion of armed forces personnel
~ has been an effective tifical Midnight Mass on Chn.st- Dec. 23. He will journey to the
~e.~eY of the Church in the lmas at the Air Force Base tiara- Rhein-Mainz Air Force Base
cited States in crystallizingI erberg Chapel, Wiesbaden, Ger- Dec. 24. He is scheduled to re-
~ turn to the U. S. Jan. 2.
The Most Reverend Bishop requests that the Le-
of Decency Pledge be taken by the faithful of
Moines Diocese at all Masses, in all churches,
Dec. 14.
PLEDGE of the
LEGION OF DECENCY
I CONDEMN indecent and immoral motion pic-
and those which glorify crime or criminals.
PROMISE to do all that I can to strengthen
opinion against the production of indecent
immoral films and to unite with all who pro-
against them.
ACKNOWLEDGE my obligation to form a
conscience about pictures that are dangerous
moral life. As a member of the Legion of De-
pledge myself to remain away from them.
I PROMISE, further, to stay away altogether
of amusement which show them as a
of policy.
I FURTHER PROMISE that recognizing my
of conscience I will not bay or read pa-
or books that offend against the vir-
purity. Out of love for Our Lord, who
Pure souls, I will prize above all things this
virtue in thought, word, and deed. Amen.
In the eight years that Cardi-
nal Spellman has sacrificed
Christmas at home, he lhas
braved sub-zero temperatures
and numerous obstacles to greet
service men. His visits have be--
come a tradition that he him-
self established.
Before one of his departures,
His Eminence said: "I really
like to go because it puts me in
close contact with people It
also makes me feel like a parish
priest again." In 1957 he visited
bases in 11 countries.
Heavy Schedule
At each base the Cardinal is
to offer Pontifical Mass. His
schedule includes: De~. 26,
Ramstein, Germany; Dec. 27,
Keflavik Air Forcg Base, Ice-
land; Dec. 28, Ernest Harmon
Air Force Base, Newfoundland;
Dec. 29, Thule, Greenland, Air
Force Base. Dec. 30 he will
leave Thule for the Goose Bay,
Labrador, Air Force Base and
offer Mass there Dec. 31; and
Jan: 1, will be at Argentia naval
base, Newfoundland.
Cardinal Spellman was ap-
pointed Military Vicar Dec. 11,
1939. Two Auxiliary Bishops of
the Ordinariate are the Most
Rev. William R. Arnold and the
Most Rev. Philip J. Furlong.
[NCWC Wire]
FO ll~
Ire unngs Wonderful Response of Aid
t ~"We' cannot mini- Outstanding contributors were cabled that his country joined
ragedy of the fire last Samuel Briskin, chairman of the ]in the mourning and Archbishop
John C. Heenan of Liverpool,
it was horrible and ~- -
~boara of Revere Camera Corn- England' presided there at a
But the consoling state-1
th 'pany $25,000" the Newspaper
at trom mese asnes, l' ' "1" 000 special Requiem Mass for .the
has arisen love. We [Publishers' Association, a u, ; victims:
here faith that ,mustlthe Illinois State Council,
Untains of doubt, de-r Knights of Columbus, $5,000;
xiliary Bishop Ray']Mayor Daley s Youth Founda-
at the chil-ltion $5,000" Medinah Shriners'
four days after the Temple, $5,000; Plumbers'
aster there Dec. 1.Union, $5,000; International
MEMBER OF AUDrl- BUREAU OF CIRCUI.AIIONS
VOL. XIX. No. 7. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1958
I
December Ember Days j j
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 17, 19,
and 20, are the winter Ember Days--days of fast and
abstinence.
Complete abstinence from meat, including soups
and gravy made from meat, is to be observed on Em- j
ber Friday by all who are over seven years of age. I
On Wednesday and Saturday persons who are
over seven years of age are permitted to eat meat,
including soups and gravy made from meat, ONLY
ONCE, and that at the principal meal.
i/
I
.The Vigil of Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 24, the Vigil of Christmas, is a
day of strict fast and abstinence.
SANTA
C'I IC'AKIKIA
ST%
ANDREA
E
f'. r'31- w', /~ l~ l f'~
Complete abstinence from meat, including soups
and gravy made from meat, must be observed on the AND ANCIENT SAN CLEMENTE
Vigil of Christmas by all who are over seven years of
age.
Persons over21and under 59 years of age are sub- Vatican City.--Three of Rome s historic churches are to be assigned to
jeet to the law of fast on the Vigil of Christmas; there- Archbishops Richard J. Cushing, Boston; John F. O'Hara, C.S.C Philadel-
fore, they are permitted only one full meal. phia; and Amleto G. Cieognani, Apostolic Delegate, when they are made
No dispensation will be granted on Ember Days, Cardinals. John XXIII will formally' announce the titular churches to the
or the Vigil, or on Friday, for any so-called office party i new Cardinals in a Consistory.
or any other kind of so-called Christmas party. Party- - - Cardinal Cushin to re
. " .
makers would do better to act in the spirit of Christmas . . cewe the Church of Santa Su-
by helping to provide a proper Christmas for the poor sanna. Itis the American church
and orphans. Especially in view of the rule of fast rlr e in Rome, staffed by the U. S.
which must be observed by those who receive Holy
Communion even at the Midnight Mass, the Vigil of
Christmas should not be a day for parties, least of
all for indulging in strong drink.
Drinkers who cannot be dissuaded 'from unrea-
sonable conviviality should be reminded that excessive
drinking can be also a serious traffic peril and a
danger to life and limb not only their own, but their
fellow-citizens'.
Ill
Midnight Mass on Christmas Day
1. This year a Parochial Mass may be offered in
every parish church or mission chapel of the diocese at
midnight, of Christmas, but no other Mass at that time
or immediately following is permitted (can. 821, N. 2).
2. The clergy will take effective means to guard
against any irreverence to the Blessed Sacrament
or to the sacred place, especially on the occasion oi
the Midnight Mass:
3. Besides the Midnight Mass, other Masses
should be conveniently offered for the faithful on
Christmas Day, but not later than one hour after
noon (can. 821, par. 1).
No evening Masses are permitted on Christmas
Day and New Year's Day.
:: :4. Even for the Midnight Mass, "priest anti-faith=
fuI, before Holy Mass or Holy Communion respec-
tively, must abstain for three hours from solid foods
md alcoholic liquids, for one hour from non-alcoholic
liquids. Water does not break the fast" (Pius XII: M.p.
SACRAM COMMUNIONEM, March 19, 1957, nn. 2
and 3 ).
Those who receive Holy Communion at the Mid-
night Mass may not receive again on Christmas Day
(can. 857) unless the danger of death arises (can.
858, par. 1).
Given from our Chancery in Des Moinesl the
eighth day of December, the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception of Our Lady, in the year of Our Lord, 1958.
EDWARD CELESTIN, O.P.
Bishop of Des Moines
L.S.
Joseph Sondag
Chancellor
New York.--Cardinal Spell-
mau announced that the organ
at the National Shrine of the
[Immaculate Conception will be
in memory of deceased Catholic
chaplains and military personnel
of both World Wars and Korea
THE COMING OF CHRIST
"One Whom You Do Not Know"
By REv. DANIEL
BERRIGAN, S.J. iscious of what is in man, lead
It is the genius of each of the lhim to new depths of self-
To insure that the finest organ[
will be installed at the Washing-
ton shrine, a contract has been
signed to purchase one for $250,-
000. In the 1954 Marian Year,
chaplains accepted contributions
for completing the great shrine.
Cardinal Spellman suggested
that a fitting memorial would be
the organ.
To date this fund amounts to
$117;000. It is hoped that more
funds will be given before the
organ is installed. Donors wish-
ing to share in this tribute may
contact the Military Ordinariate,
30. E 51st Street, New York 22,
N. Y.
l~xpected to be completed late
in 1959, the shrine will be one
of the world's largest churches
Parish D,
Paulist Fathers. Previously it
was the titular church of the
late Cardinal Edward Mooney of
Detroit.
and will contain one of the Cardinal O'Hara will be as-
world's largest organs. Music signed the imposing Sts. Andrea
played on the instrument will e Gregorio Church on the Celian
originate from nearly 10,000 Hill. ,San Clemente, one of
pipes The smallest of these will Rome s oldest, is to be assigned
be less than one-half inch long to Cardinal Cicognani.
and no larger than a pencil; the Santa Susanna, in central
largest will be more than three downtown Rome, offers easy ac-
stories in height, cess from the American Em-
From either of two consoles bassy and some hotels. Earliest
the entire instrument may be
played. There are 10 major divi-
sions of the organ. To crown
its tones, the Papal trumpet
will project its brilliant sound
throughout the vast shrine.
A plaque to be attached will
read: This organ has been do-
nated by the Catholic chaplains
and Catholic military personnel
in honor of the deceased chap-
lains and members of the armed
forces. It is the voice of the
military to remind all who hear
it of the heroic sacrifices of 102
Catholic priests and untold thou-
sands of war dead and to recall
to the living the tremendous
price of peace.
records of the church date from
the seventh century. It was
built over the home of the
Roman maiden for whom it is
named.
Dates Back to
Gregory the Great
San Gregorio dates back to
Gregory the Great (590-604). He
established a monastery on the
Celian Hill and dedicated it to
St. Andrew the Apostle. A cen-
tury later it was named after
Pope Gregory. Its adjacent
.monastery has housed Camal-
dolese Monks since 1573.
San Clemente was built on the
(Turn to Page 2 -- Column 3)
Paul Units to
Reports on Activities for Y
Des Moines.--The 14 parish
?onferences of the St. Vincent
de* Paul Socf~ty in the Des
M0ines area will hold their an-
nual report mee'ting~ in Visita-
tion Parish hall following the
~8:30 Mass Sunday, Dec. 14.
I Bishop Edward C. Daly, O.P
of Des Moines will offer :the
Mass for the Vincentians and
speak at the annual meeting.
Breakfast will be served by the
members of the Visitation Ro-
and growth in Christ Jesus, that sary Society.
defines the Christian vocation: The annual meeting is one of
on those activities to the mem-:for many years in Des Moines.
bers. The Visitation Parish Holy
Other items of interest on the
meeting program will include a
report on the operation of the
St. Vincent de Paul Salvage
Store at 1008 Ninth Street and
plans of the special committees
sponsored by the local Vincen-
Name men will join with the
Vincentians for Corporate Com-
munion and breakfast
M. J. Kelly, Holy Name So-
ciety president, advises Visita-
tion men to note the change in
Mass time and urges all mem-
tians.
bers to make a special effort to
The president of the Particu-attend both the Mass and the
lar Council of Parish Confer-i
ences here is Walter R. Mc-ibreakfast"
and offers of
into grief-stricken
n the wake of the dis-
at Our Lady of the
in which 87 chil-
three nuns died, and
of another burned
brought the
to 91. Throughout the
the nation people of-
to the families
and sought to re-
sufferings of injured
Albert G. Meyer
Requiem Masses for
one in Our Lady of
Church for the three
another in the North-
for the children.
presided at
Mass. At Arch-
r's request, Catholic
received Com-
the repose of the
dead and the re-
the injured.
defray expenses of
of the dead and the
organized by
an "Our Lady
Fund." Less than
it was started, the
000. Within 24~
assed the $30,000!
a week the fund
more than $125,-
eta Altar Society
to Missions
Plumbers' Union (Washington,
D.C.), $5,000; and the Ford
Motor Company Fund, Detroit,
;2,500:
Messages of sympathy and
~romises of prayers flooded the
city from clergymen and lay
leaders alike. One of the first
came from John XXIII, who ex-
pressed his "heartfelt condol-
ence" to the families. Chancellor
Konrad Adenauer of Germany
St. Joseph's A'l-
Society had
of business at Two Advent Customs gaining popular-
ity in the dio-
3ee. 2 in the parish cese are the Advent House and the Advent
donation of Manger. Parents find them excellent means to
to the Indian
report showed a sum instruct the children and to impress upon the
whole family the true meaning of the holy
C~eared at the bake season.
,ft exchange itemst In the first picture, at left, the Cletus Shee-
t an orphanage. Ihan family, 7513 Roseland Drive Des Moines, of
'-hrnan, Mrs. GenelSt. Pius X Parish demonstrates the use of the
M
rs. Rena Rice Advent Manger. Around the table from left to
entertainment com- right are Mary Jo, Paul, Jean, and Cletus.
l The Advent Ma)ager represents the empty
seasons of the Church year that
they express not merely passing
stages on the road to eternity;
they also shed new and perman-
ent light on the state of man.
They not only express the di-
vine mystery in Christ Jesus,
the will of God to be with us,
in one or another Of its many
splendors; but the sacred sea-
sons, tenderly and soberly con-
knowledge, in his personal and
social destiny.
So with Advent. In a painful
and glorious sense, the race of
man is in perpetual waiting. It
i must be said that the Savior has
not truly come to us until we
have come to Him. It is a fact,
:his shock of reeognition, this
vital act of welcome, setting in
proeess an interior assimilation
Until this recognition of the
Savior has been achieved, until
the race of men has given its
great cry of delight and terror
and knowledge, it will abide in
the twilight of Advent; the
(Turn to Page 3 -- Column 6)
the few times that the St. Vin-
cent de Paul men permit any
publicity of their charitable
~work. Even then only a com-
posite report of the activities of
all units will be made.
Charles Gilbride, delegate to
society and the Catholic Chari-
ties held in Columbus, O in
October, will present a report
the national convention of the
Manus. The Particular Council is l
composed of the presidents of
the 14 parish conferences in theI
Des Mofnes area. Other officers
are Jim Mandia, vice president;
Albert Huss, secretary; and Ed-
ward J. Maloy, treasurer.
The St. Vincent de Paul So-
ciety, operating quietly with a
small group of men in the par-
ish, has been an effective sup-
port to tlie work of the diocesan
Catholic Charities organization
bed of the Infant Jesus at Bethlehem. Each
member of the family places a piece of straw in
the manger for acts of self-denial and positive
acts of love performed daily in preparation for
the coming of the Babe. These acts to provide a
comfortable bed for the child are recited usually
before the evening meaI.~
Through sharing of these acts youngsters
learn what is appropriate in this regard from
their parents, but often inspire their folks with
the origigality of their own contributions. ~
Shown at right conducting the evening ritual
of the Advent House is the William Martin fam-
ily, 5917 S.W. Seventh Street, Des Moines, of
Christ the King Parish. Left to right are Mrs.
Martin,' Robbie, baby Cathy, Christopher, Bill
Martin, and Paul.
The Advent House seems to have had its
origin in Germany. It is constructed of wood,
cardboard, or other suitable material, it has shut-
tered windows and a door representing each day
of the month in December, the Sundays of Ad-
vent, and Christmas Day itself. The litV~e win-
dows are opened on the eve of the day they be-
long to; the door on Christmas Eve.
The family gathers around the Advent House
in the evening, a large candle representing the
coming of Christ is lit, a song is sung, parents
read the legend for the day, prayers are said,
and a closing song sung. The legend traces the
coming of mankind's Savior from the time of the
promise, creation of the chosen people, prophe-
cies, to Christmas Day, and suggests way in
which the family and its members can more
)erfectly prepare for the anniversary of this
teat event.
Entertainment
Barometer
The attention of MESSENGER
readers is called to the Legion
of Decency ratings given to
some of the motion pictures
currently runningin the dio-
cese.
CLASS A-I~FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT
From Earth to the Moon;
The King and I;
Seventh Voyage of Sinbad;
Torero;
Tale of Tow Cities;
Love On a Budget, TV;
Stanley and Livingston, TV;
Ride, Kelly, Ride, TV;
A Dispatch From Reuters, TV;
A Christmas Carol, TV;
CLASS A-g~ADOLESCENT
AND ADULT
ENTERTAINMENT
Mardi GTas;
Hell Squad;
Restless Years;
Party Crashers;
Saturday's Children, TV;
Gun Town, TV;
A Guy Named Joe, TV;
Good Sam, TV;
Apartment for Peggy, TV;
Johnny Belinda, TV;
Flaxy Martin, TV;
Pardon Our Nerve, TV;
China Girl, TV.
CLASS A-3~ADULT
ENTERTAINMENT
Monster On the Campus;
South Pacific;
As Young As We Are.
CLASS B---MORALLY
OBJECTIONABLE IN PART
FOR ALL
Blood of the Vampire;
Party Girl;
Tank Battalion;
Lady Gangster, TV;
Christmas in Connecticut, TV;
Torrid Zone, TV;
Escape Me Never, TV;
Yes, My Darling Daughter, TV.
CLASS C--CONDEMNED
Maid In Paris;
Adorable Creatures';
And God Created Women.
