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Show NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. The fourth annual convention of the American Ameri-can Federation of Catholic Societies will take place in Detroit, Mich., Aug. 1', 3 and 4, 1904. Elaborate preparations are being made by the national committee and ihe Wayne County federation, federa-tion, of Detroit, to make this convention a veritable veri-table Catholic Congress. All indications point to a very representative and most successful gathering. gather-ing. The Wayne County federation, headed by Rt. Rev. John S. Foley, 1). D.. and prominent priests, will have charge of all local arrangements. The convention will open with Pontifical Mass. The sermon will be preached by an eminent prelate. There will also be a public congress at which addresses ad-dresses will be made by Kev. Thomas J. Campbell of Xew York, subject, ''Socialism"; Judge Paul Carpenter of Milwaukee, subject, "The Church and Society"; Mr. Conde B. Fallen, LL.D.. of New York, subject, '-Christian Education"; Mr. T. B. Minahan, national president, subject. ''Federation, Its Xature, Aims and .Methods"; Air. Nicholas Conner of Dubque, la., and others. The Federation movement has, since its inception incep-tion in 1S01, made steady progress. It has not been the mere enthusiasm of sentiment, but the well sustained, sus-tained, thoughtful progress of conviction. Its power for good has. been felt in the Church, the State and the Nation. Its work has the endorsement and blessing of the Apostolic Delegate, eleven Archbishops, Arch-bishops, fifty-one Bishops and hundreds of Priests. It has the blessing of the late supreme Pontiff Leo XIII, and likewise of His Holiness Pius X. The leaders of the movement have been much encouraged by the many kind words, written and spoken, of federation by bishops and priests within with-in the past year. One of the oldest and most conservative con-servative members of the American hierarchy has recently stated that "A federation of all the Catholic Cath-olic societies of the. entire United States would, mean righting every wrong; for those who would do 'wrong would . not dare to faee such-an. array ( of numbers." -.. ,';'. . ' . '' .'. '.' ' . . The constitution p.-ovid.-s that- representation ( at: this convention shall be from, slate federations,. where such exist; from state leagues and from county federations, where no state federations exist; ex-ist; and that such representation shall be on the basis of one delegate for each 1,000 members. er major fraction thereof. Each county or state led-eration led-eration .even though its membership should fall below be-low 1.00O, shall be entitled to at least one delegate. National organizations shall be entitled to one dele-gate-at-large for each 10,0(M of its membership. For a quarter of a century bishops and priests have beeu beseeching and urging the Catholic laity, to closer unity with them and greater activity in the work specially tilted to tbe opportunities and energy of the laity. "An Aposlolate of tbe Laity!" This has been the urgent appeal from all our pulpits pul-pits and the entire Catholic press. The laity has responded by the coming inio existence of the American Federation of Catholic Societies. As ibis is a Catholic movement, it must of necessity have the practical, active co-operation of clergy and laity. If the great work of federation i;s to be accomplished, we must have, as we have a right to expect, something more than mere recommendations recommenda-tions from our spiritual leaders. Marshaled under ihe hierarchy 10 take its part in the great work of the Church in America, the Catholic laity now appeals ap-peals in turn to the spiritual leaders, asking: '"Will you assist us by sending to Detroit representatives, not only from societies, but from every diocese and parish in the country?" Again we say to the clergy and laity: The opportunities op-portunities and necessities all about us invoke a union of pastors and people to help us make the Detroit convention a magnificent Catholic congress. Let clergy and laity take counsel together upon the practical needs of Catholic endeavor. By unity we can make our impress upon tbe nation and reflect Catholic thought and action regarding the vital questions affecting the social, moral and intellectual intellec-tual life of the nation! All organizations and federations wishing representation rep-resentation should secure credential blanks from the national secretary, Mr. Anlhony Mat re. (12 East ; f.rl street, Cincinnati. O., not later than July l'8. Parish representation is specially desirous, desir-ous, so as to bring in the whole Catholic body, and every clergyman in the United States is hereby invited in-vited and requested to appoint one or more delegates dele-gates to represent his parish, and, if possible, attend at-tend himself. Very faithfully yours, T. B. MIXAHAX, National President. . . ANTHONY MATRE, Xational Secretary. Approved : Most Rev. S. G. MESSMER, D.D.. D.C.L. lit. Rev. JAMES A. McFAUL, D.D., LL.D. The convention headquarters will be the Hotel Cadillac. The solemn opening services will be held in St. Mary's church (Rev. Charles Gruenenwald, C.S.Sp., pastor), St. Antoine and -Monroe avenues; Rt. Kev. John S. Foley, D.D.. will pontificate. Owing to the number of delegates, heretofore, having special railroad and excursion tickets, it has been deemed best to request delegations to arrange ar-range railroad rates for themselves. All railroads grant special summer rates to Detroit, Mich. |
