CATHOLIC NEEDS ON TRANSPORTS

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1917, Page 43

CATHOLIC NEEDS ON TRANSPORTS

The following letter, under date July 7, "on the high .seas," was written by Mr. John Duggan (well known in connection with ; Catholic Federation ; movements) to Mr. W. F. Johnson i secretary Wellington Diocesan Council, N.Z.C.F::^'.".'. " " "-\ At a meeting of the Catholic unit representatives it was suggested that details of i our procedure of conducting Church - affairs : on the -; transport might with profit be ~ communicated to the Catholic field service fund. _"I .therefore take the liberty of placing the matter in your hands and of" amplifying . my previous remarks on the subject. -y ■■''.■/■- .-■.. K; . ; . ... ;_',, Ist,' The interest and sympathy of Catholic officers of reinforcements should s be enlisted by a personal visit from a representative of the committee. " 'i~i% : '~'* ;\

2nd. Exact or approximate numbers of , Catholics i should be obtained and pious objects, such ■as rosaries, miraculous medals, Sacred Heart badges, scapular medals, and hymn cards supplied "in suitable numbers. 3rd. A book of hymn music, supplies of the Tablet and Catholic Truth Society publications, a large crucifix (about m 10 inches high) for hanging "* oh the wall; at service, a suitable prayerbook for the officer conducting the service, a copy of the service for burial, a bottle of holy water, some explanatory' catechisms, might with value form part of the outfit. -_**. '^.-^T-^^il 4th. The Catholic officers might; be advised to call for representatives from each unit on board to act on their behalf on a committee; the duty of this committee should be to obtain a list of Catholics in their unit, discover the backsliders, and act generally as a channel of communication between officers and ; men; also to visit the sick in hospital. % :<1- -;r. * sth. Order of service might be as follows:—Hymn, Rosary, Litany of 8.V.M.. hymn, Epistle and Gospel, short speech by an officer, prayers for the killed in action, "Faith of Our Fathers." Suitable readings might be indicated by one of the Wellington Fathers. \ 6th. Catholic officers would find a warm welcome at ports of call on their visiting the priests, who would be only most ready to give facilities for Mass, Confessions, Communions, either in their churches or on board. Priests who have helped us are: — Rev. Father O'Donnell, Rev. Dr. Welsh, Rev. Father Byrnes, Rev. Father Dowling. .- ; 7th. I desire to stress the importance of this matter and the inadequacies of the post. All we had for 200 Catholics on this transport was a parcel of five dozen beads and five dozen hymn cards. The outfit above outlined would cost about £6, and is a just duty upon the Catholic Field Service Committee. < The dangers of the voyage are many and serious. All of our lads were prepared for death passing through the danger zone, having been to the Sacraments and stimulated by the preparation for death read each Monday night. '•■■••-. -■;:.'..'. 5-s.vs.Tj:!