Saint Ursula Academy - Scroll Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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or Every Little ,fohnn ITTLE Johnny cut his thumb. Do you think that he said to him- self, Oh, that's only my thumb that's hurt-and my thumb's not me so I won't bother about it? He did not! Wheli little Johnny cut his thumb, he used his short little legs to run to his mother. He used his little blue eyes to make sympathy-winning tears, Johnny w-as a sensible little fellow. He was not a master-mind or a quiz kid, but he had enough common sense and elementary logic to know that when his thumb hurt or any other part of his body hurt,- he hurt. llflany of our Catholics today could ,use a little bit of Johnny's logic and common sense when it comes to the matter of the Foreign Missioiis, for many Catholics do not seem to realize that these ikfissions are really and truly a part of themselves. The truth is, however, that the Foreign llfis- sions, no matter how remote or far dis- tant they may be, are just as much a part of every individual Catholic as Johnnyis thumb is a part of Johnny. Consequently every Catholic must be in- terested in these llfissions. Every Catholic is a member of the lVIystical Body of Christ. The Foreign lylissions are a very important and es- sential part of the Body. They are the hands, drawing men into the Church. They are the feet, taking missionaries to pagan lands where they may win souls for Christ. They are the tongue, speak- ing the message of salvation to all people. When these Nfissions suffer, the whole liystical Body suffers. Each individual Catholic suffers. Wheii johnny's thumb hurt, all the unhurt parts of his body came to help him. His legs rang his tongue shrieked, his eyes filled with tears. When any part of the Mystical Body suffers, every other part must come to its assistance. Today the Foreign Nfissions-your f'thumb -is hurting. The war has in- flicted heavy and serious damage upon -REV. VVILLIAM LAVVLESS, O.M.I. this essential part of the Nfystical Body. Since the thumb is hurting, all un- hurt parts of the Body must come to its assistance. Every Catholic, therefore, has a duty and obligation to help these Missioxis. Each must help in his own way. In our Catholic society, there are two great divisions-the laity and the clergy, which may be likened to the very life blood that courses through our bodies. The laity is the plasma to carry the blood cells along and distribute them in every part of the body. Were it not for the plasma, the blood cells could not do their work and the body would die. The clergy, especially the Foreign Elis- sionaries, are the actual blood cells which carry the Bread of Truth to the very ends of the earth. They do the actual work of converting men to Christ. But, unless the Catholic laity assists them, they can not carry out their work. Unless the plasma is there, the blood cells cannot function and the whole body suffers. Upon every single Catholic falls the duty of helping the Foreign Klissions. He can discharge this duty and obliga- tion either by going himself, offering his life to Work in these mission fields, or by assisting those who do work there. Everyone, it is true, is not called or selected to be a Vessel of Election to carry the Work of Christ to the whole world, as was St. Paul and his suc- cessors, the first Foreign Nlissionariesg but everyone can and indeed must help these Chosen Vessels on their way. Our help should take the form of alms and prayers. In view of the staggering multitude that cries out for food-food for body and soul, one may be inclined to doubt that his few poor pennies could ever do much good. But let such a one never forget that once long ago a large multitude of five thousand men needed food, A small lad offered Christ seven loaves and a few small fishes. Surely a most insignificant offering in View of the 12 L THE SCROLL

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M S., if 9 o ---1926 --- 1930 L-1937 -- 1 like to get a peek at the December 1861 issue! Before I Went any further, I leafed through the book and discovered that originally it had been twelve individual monthly issues, which someone had the inspiration to combine into one volume. After the fashion prints and short stories, possibly a half dozen pages of each issue were devoted to f'Recipes'l, comprising novelties for the month: poetry, knitting, embroidery, sewing di- rections, exercises, the proper method of carving meat, cooking, and household hints. Here is one of the household hints with which you might like to experiment: To Blake Paper Fireproof-f-To do this, it is only necessary to dip the paper in a strong solution of alum water, and when thoroughly dry, it will resist the action of flames. The next few pages gave extracts from complimentary letters to the editor iobviously those not so flattering were ignoredj, also critical essays on authors and new books, book reports, games for children, chemical experiments, and gossip, This amusing anecdote in the January issue is worth repeating to you: Strange Trade. A young woman lately made her appearance before the Bankruptcy Court in London, who described her occupation as an enameller of ladies' faces. We wonder if she warrants her work 'fto washf, Can a lady, thus enamelled, feel if a fly settles on her? or the kisses of her children? llay she laugh? What would be the result of a smart shower of raingon her? A queer trade. The last pages were devoted to ad- vertisements, but they were far more coy and proper than the barrage of com- mercial rubbish we are victimized with today. VVould you like to hear how N111 Dreer ensnared patrons to his flower shop? Here ltis: Ullreerys Bouquetsf,-lN'I r. Dreer, No. 327 Chestnut Street, possesses an exquisite taste in making up bouquets. But taste is natural in the Dreer family. And this will tell you what is wrong with America. Nlr. J. G. Kohl, a German traveller of large experience, has undertaken to describe American women. He says: 'fln America this terribly degenerated reverence for women, which might be called more truly pampering and spoil- ing, is naturally felt most by the hus- bands, who have entered upon a lifelong slavery. These are only a few examples of the many unusual and utterly delightful tid- bits, literary and otherwise, which I enjoyed as a shut-in, Confidentially, Beth, it was a real holiday, and I have to admit I derived a great deal more pleasure from my afternoon with mother in the attic than I would have if I had carried out my original plans, which, in comparison, now seem very drab and commonplace. Come to see me soon, very soon, and we will enjoy this treasure together. I know you'll love it as I do. Affectionately, Susan. THE SCROLL 11

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large number of mouths to be fed! History records what happened. Christ miraculously multiplied those few loaves and fishes so that not only was this large multitude fed but baskets of frag- ments remained! Never let the small- ness of your offering discourage you. One need never apoligize for the small- ness of his offering-but he has reason to fear if his offering is mean. Offer your pennies to Christ. He will multi- ply them and with them feed the num- bei-less millions who cry out for help and assistance. Prayer-our help must also take the form of prayers for prayers are essential for the success of the Foreign Nlissions. lylan, be it always remembered, does not live by bread alone. The Foreign lVlissions can not succeed and flourish on alms alone-prayers are urgently need- ed. There is much more to Foreign Missioiiaries 'than the preaching of ser- mons and the presence of a band of lklis- sionaries on a foreign shore. Conver- sions to the Faith are wrought only through Godls grace. This Grace must be sought for by our prayers. ln this regard all can do well to take as a model and example Saint Theresa. The Little Flower aided the Nlissions so much during her short life by her prayers and acts of mortification that the Church has made her Patroness of the lwissions. She never left her convent yet she is rated as one of the greatest missionaries! We can do the same. By working our Rosary, we can work great wonders for the Nlissions. Use a bit of johnny's common sense and logic. Start looking after YOUR sore thumb! The best way to do this, however, is not to let your interest wander at random over the whole vast field of the Foreign Missions but to center your attention on one particular spot. Pick out a certain llissionary Order and pray for the success of their missions. Better still, pick out a partic- ular missionary. Adopt him! Help him by your alms and your prayers. Be systematic and practical. Set aside a definite time each day to pray for him. Set down definite prayers to say for him. Offer up a certain, definite number of sacrifices and self-denials each day for him. Thus by concentrating all your efforts and energy on one particular lylissionary, your assistance will have its highest and greatest value. In this way you will really be helping the Missiolis -YOUR sore thumb. Set about fixing up YOUR sore thumb. Use your feet to carry you to make visits in the church and chapel, your tongue to pray for the lylissions, your arms to work and send aid to the Missiona1'ies. And your reward to all this? Christ has promised that he who aids and helps a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. If you help and aid a missionary, you will receive a missionary's reward. xv s ' B f 9553 V ' m , fra . Y l R X .f . X i - , .AQ ICB THE SCROLL 15