Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception - Annual Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 'Ri 4 M NUMBER of years ago, the Achille Ratti Society was formed at Cathedral, Its purpose was to allow the students to fulfill Christ's fkfklgb admonition: Going therefore, teach ye all nations . . . Those Llc, whom it attempted to reach were the unfortunate children of the diocese who were deprived of a parochial school, who were being brought up without a knowledge of God. Cathedral students went out once or twice a week to the various parishes, situated in less favored sections of the borough, and there aided the priests and sisters in giving these unfortunate children the fundamentals of their faith. ti L if 'A i n Y ln 1937, as a part of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, the work was undertaken on an even larger scale, under the direction of Father Pfundstein. ln l94l, Father Kowalski, succeeded to this position, and during his recent ill- ness, has been represented by Father Kelly. At present the entire College and the members of Fourth Year participate in this work and a course in teaching methods has been added to the curricula of these classes. The parishes aided are included in the area stretching from Richmond l-fill, to the Navy Yard District of Brooklyn. It is appalling to think of these little children being brought up away from God, outside of all religious training. They are growing up in the midst of a war-torn world, a world indifferent to religion, a world full of all sorts of isms , a world whose only hope is to return to God and the true religion. And how are these children to learn of God and of His religion? Certainly not from their parents, for most often it is the neglect of religious duties on the part of the parents that accounts for the lack of religious training in the child. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. therefore, is endeavoring to place in the hearts of these unfortunate little ones a foundation of faith in God, to instill a love for Him in them, and at least, attempt to teach them the funda- mentals of their religion. At times this work seems useless, and the task hope- less. These children, brought up in an atmosphere inconducive to their spiritual development, often fail to react as we would have them. But we must remember that in most cases the results cannot be seen at once. The only thing that can be done is to pray that the seed of faith that we have planted in them shall flourish under our guidance. This is a work which is dear to the heart of every Cathedralite. Aside from the fact that it can be an abundant source of graces for the student, it is the means of placing on the road to salvation many who would otherwise be lost, and a chance to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. It is, therefore, a work especially appropriate for Cathedral students, since it provides a training which will later be useful in their chosen life. ADOLPH C. KLEIN, '43 CATI-IEDRAL COLLEGE ANNUAL

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THE CONFBATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE-SENIOR DIVISION ,f . , . .V N' -lgglfr ,, . . ,-- -... A I ' 7 l THE CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE-JUNIOR DIVISION CATHEDRAL COLLEGE ANNUAL . ...-,,.,l

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Y HSHTIOD 'IYHCIHI-ILYD ZL 'IV THE LITERATURE COMMITTEE