The Record Newspaper 14 December 1950

-11YJan

XMAS1950

PRICE:1/=

c_VieCXIdoration oftheinns

WhenMarybecametheMotherofGod,WiseMencamefromtheEast. Theyrepresentedus,theGentiles.TheybroughttotheChrist-Child andHisMothergiftsofkinglyhomage--gold,frankincense andmyrrh. To-day,asthewholeCatholicworldexultsinthebodilyassumption of OurLady,wherebyshetookherrightfulplaceasQueenofHeaven,we, too,shouldbringgifts-thegoldofcharity,thefrankincense ofprayer, andthemyrrhofpenance tocelebratethereunionofSonandMother

-er-p-z-rce,

XMAS1950

PRICe:1/=

31,7c

dorationthe:Xiti3s

WhenMarybecametheMotherofGod,WiseMencamefromtheEast. Theyrepresentedus,theGentiles.TheybroughttotheChrist-Child andHisMothergiftsofkinglyhomage-gold, frankincense andmyrrh.

To-day,asthewholeCatholicworldexultsinthebodilyassumption of OurLady,wherebyshetookherrightfulplaceasQueenofHeaven,we, too,shouldbringgifts-thegoldofcharity,thefrankincense ofprayer, andthemyrrhofpenance tocelebratethereunionofSonandMother

forfarm

LikeaGreatTree

agreatbusinessgrowsstrongerwiththe passingyears.

Inthecaseofourbusinesssuch growthhasenabledustogivecountry clientsanever-wideningservice-local -stocksofmerchandiseandofgreater varietyforfarmandstation local saleyardsforpurchaseorsaleoflivestock thelatestinappliancesfor thehomesteadandmachineryforthe farm financialassistancewhenever possibleandsoundadviceatalltimes.

Fortheseandmanymorereasonsitis agoodideaalwaysto"AskanElders man."

1950messagefrom the.Archbishop

"ForaChildisborntous,andasonisgiventousandthegovernmentis uponhisshoulders;andHisnameshallbecalledWonderful,Counsellor, GodtheMighty,theFatheroftheworldtocome,thePrinceofPeace.His empireshallbemultipliedandthereshallbenoendofpeace (IsaiasIX: 6-71.ThisprophecyofIsaias,hundredsofyearsbeforethebirthofthe PromisedOne,founditsfulfillmentthefirstChristmaseve."GlorytoGod inthehighestandonearthpeacetomenofgoodwill. Forthisdayis borntoyouaSaviourwhoisChristtheLord,inthecityofDavid"(Luke 14,11 Christmas,1950,peacetomenofgoodwill.Peace?Ifeverpeacedid notprevailitisthisChristmastime,1950.Noteventhebirthplaceofthe PrinceofPeace,Palestine,issporedtheabsenceofpeace.Despitethe oft-repeatedwarningsoftheHolyFather,peacewillnotcometotheHoly LanduntilthewarringnationsabidebythePapalplanfortheinternationalizationofJerusalem. I hopethatallCatholicsofthisArchdiocesewill joinmeinprayeratMidnightMassthatpeacemightoncemorecomeupon thosehillswhichfirstheardtheangels'"Gloria."

Elsewhereintheworldinsteadofpeacewefindbloodystrife,tornfamilies, hunger,distress,WAR.Europestandsonthethresholdofthemostterriblewarofalltime.SouthAmericaistornwithcivilstrife,Chinaisstill inthethroesofcombat,AsiaMinorisgrippedinaclashthatseemsendless, thousandswillspendtheirChristmasthisyearinsnowandiceonthebattlefieldsofKorea.Peace?Nationsandstatesmenhavetriedtobuypeaceat aprice,butpeacewillnotcometotheworlduntiltherightsofGodarerecognised,untilhonourispaidtoHisname.

Onlyafewyearsago,whenWorldWarI.raged,askedyoutojoinme inprayertothePrinceofPeaceforthevictoryofourarms,forpeaceamong families,peaceinindustry,peaceingovernment.To-dayIagainaskyou todothesame.ThousandsthisChristmaswillnotpray,thousandsin PerthwillnotevengotochurchtohonourtheSaviourwhowasbornforus; thousandswillcontinuetodisregardGodastheyhavedoneinthepast.We mustmakeamendsforthem.Wemustdopenanceforthosewhoknow notpenance,andthusaverttheangerofGod.

ThisdayofanniversaryofOurLord'sbirth,thoughjoyfulandfestive, mustbeasolemnone-adayofseriousthoughtonthepartofeverythinkingman.Itisadayofscrutinyintoone'sownpersonallifetoseeif,perhaps, thepatternofourpersonallivesistheca.iseforthepatternofthenations' policies-awayfromtheCribandthePrinceofPeace.Whentheglimmer oftheChristmastreefades,andthejovialityofFatherChristmasisgone, andthewrappingsofgiftsforgotten,theremustremaininourprivatelives afterthisChristmasdaytheprinciplesbroughtbythePrinceofPeace,revivedinourlives,ifagoalofpeaceistobeachieved.

TotheNewAustraliansintheArchdiocese I say:"Welcome,"andpray thatyouwilllearntoloveyournewland,thatyouwillbegivenachanceto forgetthehorrorsthathavebesetyouduringtherecentyears.Mindfulof theHolyFamilythedivineRefugee-theHolyFatherandtheHierarchyof Australialooktoyouwithconfidence,andaremindfulofyourneeds.The nationsfromwhenceyoucameweregreatsimplybecausetheywereCatholic,anditwillbearoundthealtar,beforethetabernacle,thatyouwillfind yourrealhomeandrefuge. IknowthatyourheartswillbewithyourlovedonesthousandsofmilesawayduringtheChristmasseason. Unite yourselvestotheminthecommonSacrificeoftheMass.TheMassis identicalalltheworldover,andnomatterwhetheritiscelebratedinastag- ingcampnearPerth,intheCathedralsofyournativeland,orintheBasilicasofRome,theSacrificeisthesame.Weareallsonsofthecommon Father,brothersandsistersinChrist,andmembersofthecommonCatholicfamilythatknowsnodistinctionofraceornation.

Inaveryspecialwaywishtoextendmygreetingsandappreciationto thepriests,Brothers,andnunsoftheArchdiocese.OnlytheDivineBabe knowsthesacrifices,worries,andheartachestheyhaveborneduringthe post12months,andonlythatsameDivineInfantwillbeabletoreward themfortheirfidelityandwork.

TothemembersofourCatholicActionsocieties,tothesodalities,confraternities,andotherCatholicbodies,say"Thankyou"foryourwork,and praythatChristmasmaybringyouallyourhearts'desires.

Mayweprayto-dayforareturnofChristmaspeacetoatroubledworld. MayGoddirectrulersandnationstoseethefollyofhumanhorrorsand leadthemtotheserenityandloveofthecribofBethlehem.Maythe InfantSaviourbringtoyou,yourhomes,andyourlovedonesthefullness ofHisChristmasjoyandHisblessingsinabundance.

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TheC.C.COLLEGESextendto)outheirbest wishesfor AMERRYXMAS anda HAPPYNEWYEAR

1950isdrawingtoaclose,andatthistimeofgoodwillthe C.C.COLLEGESextendtheirsincerewishesfortheprevalence ofaHappyChristmasspirit. Welookforwardto1951asayearofpracticalservicein educationalmatters,andtrustthatitwillbringsatisfactionand advancementtomanyofyou.

A:lsessionsresumeJanuary15th.,1951.

TheCollegeOfficesre-openaftertheAnnualVacationon January12th.

CityCommercialCollege, CommercialCorrespondence College

COUNTRYORDERSMUSTBEACCOMPANIEDBYCASH.Pleaseaddexchangetoallcheques.

SheffieldHouse,713-21HayStreet,Perth.

GodistheSource

OftheTruePeace

WhichtheWorld

CannotUnderstand

ThespiritofBethlehemisthe spiritofpeace.Fromtheworld onecan becauseneverreceivethisspirit, theworldhasn'titto give.Christaloneisabletogive tomanthisspiritoftranquil- lity.Thesenseofbalanceand orderisnotoftheworld.Inthe wordsofapoet,Christgivesto manthisspirit.

Deeppeace,Ibreatheintoyou.

0weariness,here:

0ache,here!

Deeppeace,asoftwhitedove toyou;

Deeppeace,aquietraintoyou; Deeppeace,anebbingwaveto you!

Deeppeace,redwindoftheeast fromyou; Deeppeace,greywindofthe westtoyou;

Deeppeace,darkwindofthe northfromyou!

Deeppeace,bluewindofthe southtoyou!

Deeppeace,pureredofthe flametoyou;

Deeppeace,purewhiteofthe moontoyou; Deeppeace,puregreenofthe grasstoyou;

Dceppeace,purebrownofthe earthtoyou;

Deeppeace,puregreyofthe dewtoyou, Deeppeace,pureblueofthesky toyou!

Deeppeaceoftherunningwave toyou, Deeppeaceoftheflowingairto you, DeeppeaceofLhequietearthto you, Deeppeaceofthesleeping stonestoyou!

DeeppeaceoftheYellowShepherdtoyou, DeeppeaceoftheWandering Shepherdesstoyou, DeeppeaceoftheFlockofStars toyou, DeeppeacefromtheSonof Peacetoyou, Deeppeacefromtheheartof Marytoyou,

AndfromBridgetoftheMantle Deeppeace,deeppeace!

Theworldspeaksagreatdeal ofpeaceinourtime.Itdesires toobtainit,butitseemsthatit willnottrytofindpeace.Itisn't foolishenoughinitswisdomto followastar.Thestoryof Christmasistheanswertoits desire.Inaquestmen"move fromseatoseaandfromnorth toeast;theyshallgoabout seekingthewordoftheLord, andshallnotfindit."Truth, beauty,andpeaceisintheplace youleastexpecttofindthem. Thesameistrueofeternal Truth,Beauty,andthePrince ofPeace.Onewondersifthe menoftodayarewillingtobe wiseenoughtostoopandenter acavetoadoreahelplessand meekChristChild.

Peace,teacherstellus,is simplytranquillityinorder?The orderofmeeknessinalmighty PoweristheorderHedesires. Thequietrains,thewaves,the winds,thegreennessofthe grass,theblueoftheskies,and thestarsgivetooneasenseof tranquillity.Theyteachthat man,too,isinanordertoa higherPower.IfwegivetoGodtheadorationofourhearts,as theygivetoHimthehonourof Hiscreation,we,too,shallhave inourlivesthepoiseofpeace andthehappinessofChristmas.

SpecialLoveShown

ByGodtoShepherds

Shepherds,apparently,arein averyspecialsensea"chosen people."Theywerethefirstto receivethegladtidingsofthe birthoftheChristChild.St. JoanofArcwastendingsheep whensheheardthe"Voices" tellinghertosaveFrance,and St.Genevieve,PatronSaintof Paris,alsowasashepherdess; andsowereSt.Bernadetteof Lourdesandthechildrento whomtheBlessedMotherappearedatFatima.Thetwo childrenwhomshefavoured similarlyatLaSalettetended notsheepbutcattle.

TheEvidenceofThings

SimplicityistheKeynoteofChristmas: RealMeaningofWhichWillEscapeUs UnlessWeRegainSpiritualChildhood

ByFATHERJ.E.NOONAN,O.M.I.

TheChristmasseasonisonewhoseworldshakingdramawas foundedonanoteofsimplicity:TheEternalSonofGodcoming downtoearthintheguiseofaninnocentBabeplacedinamanger.ItisastorythatthepoorMexicans,forexample,could understandandappreciate.AndmaybeGodintendeditthis way.ForthetenoroftheworldatthetimeofHiscomingwas oneofpower,deceit,theruleoftheCaesars.Ahelpless,innocentBabewasthedirectantithesisofthis.

SoappealingwasthestoryoftheNativitytothehumble,devoutMexicans,thattheyenactasoul-stirringdramayearlyto commemoratetheevent.Itiscalled"LosPastores;or"The Shepherds."Whenitwasfirststaged,nooneknows.

Thedramausesthewholevillageforitssetting.Josephand Marygoaboutthetownseekingshelteratonehouseafteranother.Theownersofeachdwellingrefusethementrance.The shepherdsarethere,too.Andthewholeplay-consumingseveralhours-isdevoutlyenactedwithtouchinghymns.nevercommittedtopaper,whichhavecomedownfromonegenerationto another.

ItmaynotbestrictlyaccordingtotheScripturalversion,but itbreathesadivinefaiththatisoutofthisworld.Thedevilis alsoincludedinthedrama,andhefurnishescomicrelief.Forexample,hehasatailthatiseightfeetlong.Inthattail,spaced afootapart,areeightfirecrackers,which,atthepropertime,are setoffsendinghimscamperingoffinconfusiontothedelightand concurrenceofthebystanders.

RECALLSMORALITYPLAYS.

Actually,itisathrowbacktotheoldmoralityplays,which ante-datedShakespeare.InthetwilightofEnglishCatholicism. longbeforetheprintingpresswasestablished,companiesofroving actorswouldstageaplaybasedontheHolyScripturesthatthey heardexpoundedinChurch.Moreoftenthannottheseplays werestagedinthebackyardsofinnsofaSundayafternoon.They weretrulydevotional,andifthetyroactorsconfusedJudaswith thedevil,whatwasthedifference?

POETRECAPTURESSIMPLICITYOFCHILD.

Inmoderntimes,FrancisThompson,thegreatlyricpoetof England,hasrecapturedthisnoteofsimplicityinatouching poem,which,unfortunately,isnottoowellknown.Itiscalled "LittleJesus.'

Thompson,althoughoneofEngland'sgreatestpoets.was achildatheart.Hehadthehappyfacultyofbeingableto descendtothefairylandofchildhoodandmoveaboutthatwon_ drousworldasoncommonground.Thatiswhyhewroteinhis greatessayonShelley:

"Knowyouwhatitistobeachild?Itistobesomethingvery differentfromthemanofto-day.Itistohaveaspirityet streamingfromthewatersofBaptism;itistobelieveinlove.to believeinloveliness,tobelieveinbelief;itistobesolittlethat theelvescanreachuptowhisperinyourear;itistoturnpumpkinsintocoaches,andmiceintohorses,lownessintoloftiness. andnothingintoeverything,foreachchildhasitsfairygodmother initsownsoul;itistoliveinanutshellandtocount.vcurselfthe kingofinfinitespace;itis, "Toseeaworldinagrainofsand

Andheaveninawildflower; Holdinfinityinthepalmofyourhat::!.

Andeternityinanhour."

Onlyanartistwhoneverlosttouchwiththewonderment ofchildhoodcouldwritetheChristmaspoem,"LittleJesus."He picturesaninnocentlittlechild,justhighenoughtolookoverthe Communionrail,andtostareinwonderandraptureatthelittle Babeinthecrib.Significantlyhesubtitlesthepoem"Outofthe mouthsofinfantsandofsucklings,0Lord,Thoubastperfecte3 praise!"

LittleJesus,wastThoushy Once,andjustsosmallasI?

Andwhatdiditfeelliketobe

Outofheavenandjustlikeme?

DidstThousometimesthinkofTHERE

Andwonderwherealltheangelswere?

IshouldthinkthatIwouldcry Formyhouseallmadeofsky; Iwouldlookabouttheair, Andwonderwheremyangelswere; Andatwaking'twoulddistressmeNotanangeltheretodressme!

HadstThoueveranytoys, Likeuslittlegirlsandboys?

AnddidstThouplayinHeavenwithall

Theangelsthatwerenottootall. Withstarsformarbles?Didthethings Play,"Canyouseeme?"throughtheirwings?

AnddidThyMotherletTheespoil

Thyrobes,withplayingonoursoil?

Hownicetohavethemalwaysnew Inheaven,because'twasquitecleanblue!

DidstThoukneelatnighttopray.

AnddidstThoujoinThyhands,thisway?

Anddidtheytiresometimes,beingyoung.

Andmaketheprayerseemverylong?

AnddoltThoulikeitbest,thatwe

ShouldjoinourhandstopraytoThee?

Iusedtothink,beforeIknew, Theprayernotsaidunlesswedo.

AnddidThyMotheratthenight

KissThee,andfoldtheclothesinright?

AnddidstThoufeelquitegoodinbed, Kissed,andsweetandThyprayerssaid?

Thoucanstnothaveforgottenall Thatitfeelsliketobesmall:

AndThouknowestthatIcannotpray

ToTheeinmyFather'swayWhenThouwastsolittle,say, CouldstThoutalkThyFather'sway?-

So,alittleChild,comedown Andhearachild'stonguelikeThyown: Takemebythehandandwalk, Andlistentomybaby-talk.

ToThyFathershowmyprayer (Hewilllook,Thouartsofair), Andsay:"0Father,I,ThySon. Bringtheprayerofalittleone."

AndHewillsmilethatchildren'stongue HasnotchangedsinceThouwasyoung!"

PERTH,THURSDAY,DECEMBER14,1950.

GUESTEDITORIAL

(St.Luke,ii,1-20).

Nowitcametopassinthosedays,thattherewent forthadecreefromCaesarAugustusthatacensusofthe wholeworldshouldbetaken.Thisfirstcensustookplace whileCyrinuswasGovernorofSyria.Andallweregoing, eachtohisowntown,toregister.

AndJosephalsowentfromGalileeoutofthetownof NazarethintoJudeatothetownofDavid,whichiscalled Bethlehem-becausehewasofthehouseandfamilyof David-toregister,togetherwithMary,hisespousedwife, whowaswithchild.Anditcametopasswhilethey werethere,thatthedaysforhertobedeliveredwerefulfilled.Andshebroughtforthherfirst-bornson,and wrappedHiminswaddlingclothes,andlaidHiminamanger,becausetherewasnoroomforthemintheinn.

Andtherewereshepherdsinthesamedistrictlivingin thefieldsandkeepingwatchovertheirflockbynight.And behold,anangeloftheLordstoodbythemandtheglory ofGodshoneroundaboutthem,andtheyfearedexceedingly.

Andtheangelsaidtothem:"Donotbeafraid,forbeholdIbringyougoodnewsofgreatjoywhichshallbeto allthepeople;fortherehasbeenborntoyouto-dayinthe townofDavidaSaviour,whoisChristtheLord.And thisshallbeasigntoyou:Youwillfindaninfantwrapped inswaddlingclothesandlyinginamanger."Andsuddenly therewaswiththeangelamultitudeoftheheavenlyhost praisingGodandsaying:

"GlorytoGodinthehighest andpeaceonearthamongmen ofgoodwill."

Anditcametopass,whentheangelshaddepartedfrom themintoheaven,thattheshepherdsweresayingtoone another:"LetusgoovertoBethlehemandseethisthing thathascometopass,whichtheLordhasmadeknownto us.

Andsotheywentwithhaste,andthey.foundMaryand Joseph,andtheBabelyinginthemanger.Andwhenthey hadseen,theyunderstoodwhathadbeentoldthemconcerningthisChild.Andallwhoheardmarvelledatthethings toldthembytheshepherds.ButMarykeptinmindall thesewords,ponderingtheminherheart.Andtheshepherdsreturned,glorifyingandpraisingGodforallthatthey hadheardandseen,evenasitwasspokentothem.

DONTFORGET

Christmasisaholyseason,butalsoabusyseason.And whileallofitshustlearoundwiththemanyitemsthatmust besettledbeforeChristmasdaycanbesetaside,thereisalwaysthedangerthatwemightforgettheonethingthat counts-theChristChild.

Withthewisdomacquiredofformeryearsyoumay longsincehaveadoptedsomemeansofkeepingtheInfant JesusinmindthesedaysbeforeChristmasratherthan dependonthatonebigspurtyouwerealwaysgoingto makejustbeforeChristmas,butneverfoundtimefor.Perhapsyouareoneofthosewhohasdiscoveredthatthe Christmasnovenabeginninginyourparishchurchisthe bestwaytomakesurethatChristremainsintheChristmas preparationsaroundyourhouse.

Wemakenovenasforsomanyreasonsthattherecertainlyshouldbenothingstrangeaboutaspecialnovenafor Christmas.Wemakenovenasforourownspecialtroubles andcauses,whynotmakeonenowforsomeoneelse?Why notmakeitforChrist,Himself?-thattheworld,atleast somepartofit,mayreallywelcomeHimwhenHecomeson Christmasday.

PRIMARYREOUISITEFORCHRISTMASJOY

TheFeastoftheNativityofOurLord,orChristmasday,is surroundedwithallthesplendouroftheliturgyofHolyMother Church.Andrightlyso.Forthisfeastisoneofgreatjoyin itscommemorationofthecomingoftheSaviourofmankind. Christmasplacesbeforeusoncemorethehumblebirthofthe Messiah,theobjectofthelongingheartsofmenforcenturies. TheprophetsofoldforetoldHiscoming,andtherewasnodoubt thatHewastheOneforetold.Hewastosavemenfromtheir sins.Hewastoredeemthem.

ButthereweremanywhowouldnotacceptHim.Thereare stillmanywhorefusetoacceptHim.Morethanthis,thereare manywholookuponHimmerelyasagreatprophet,agreatmoral leader.ThataminorityofthehumanfamilyacceptHimto-day astheSonofGodmustbeagreatsorrowtoHimwhocameasa littleBabeinorderthatHemightwintheconfidenceofHis children.Manywhohavethebrazennesstoinsistthatthey areHisfollowersdenythatHeisdivine.InthefaceofwhatHis birthhasmeanttosucceedingcenturiesitisdifficulttounderstandhowhistorycansaythatHewasjustagreatmoralleader.

ChristmasisaboveallthefeastoftheDivinityofChrist Ithasnomeaningwithoutsuchbelief.Theworld'sobservance ofChristmaslosesitsjoyindirectratiotoitsdenialofthedivinityofHimWhowaswrappedinswaddlingclothesandlaidina manger.Thatthereissolittleofjoyamongmenandpeoples todayisdueultimatelytotheirdenialofChristandHisChurch.

UnlessanduntilmenbendlowinadorationbeforeJesus Christ,OurGodandSaviour,thenew-bornBabeofBethlehem, theywillbeunabletoenterthehumblestablethisChristmas morningtoreceivetheblessingsoftruejoythatHealonecangive. E

ParishPriestof10,000,000acres

PerthPriestLabours ForNativesinFarNorth

Tousinthesettledsouthern areasofthisenormousStateit wouldseemstrangetofinda parishpriestdiggingpost-holes, repairing50milesoffencing acrosstheunendingspinifex oranxiouslydiscussingthedepredationsofwilddogsamongst hisflockofmerinos.Suchhoweverwastheexperienceof thewriteronarecentvisitto theparishpriestofPortHedland.Aparishofoveraquarterofamillionsquaremilesmuchlargerthanthecombined areasofGreatBritainandIreland-isthecareoftheRev. EdwardBryan;aterritory whichstretchesfromnorthof Carnarvontotheboundaries oftheVicariateoftheKimberleys.

NunsRemainDespite

,lapThreattoHedland

Acomfortableseven-hour. thousandmileflightfromGuildfordairportbroughtustoPort Hedland,whereweweremet byFatherBryaninabattered lookingjeep,whichproved afterwards,however,tobelie itsappearancecompletelyby thewonderfulwayitperformed jobswhichnoSouthernerwould havedreamedtoberequired ofamechanicalvehicle.We spentthedayatHedland.The PresentationSistersaredoinga greatjobthereinaflourishing schoolwhichopenedduringthe wartogiveachanceofeducationtothelocalchildrenafter theStateschoolhadbeen closedinapprehensionofJapanesebombings.Earlythe nextmorningwesetoutinthe jeepforWhiteSpringsstation. Thejeepwasresplendentina completenewsetofheavy tyres-lateronwewereglad ofthis.

AbandonedStation IsHomeforNatives

WhiteSpringsisastation whichwasabandonedsome fiveyearsagoandhasbeen grantedbytheWestAustralianGovernmenttotheDioceseofGeraldtonfortheestablishmentofaresidential schoolfornativeandcoloured children.ItisFatherBryan's job,aswellasrunningtheparish,torehabilitatethestation anderectsuitablebuildingsso thatthefuturestaffofBrothersandSistersmaybeableto takeoveragoingconcern.

Butweareanticipating.We hadtogettoWhiteSprings first.Thefirsthundredodd milesweredonecomfortablyin aboutfourhours;thelast17 tooktwowholehours.There were15dryrivercrossingsto bemade,allinloosesandwith steepbanks,butthejeepattackedthemallmanfullywithno othereffectsthanareduced rateofprogress.Ontheway wepassedthroughAbadyos andWoodstockstations,bothof whichnowarejoinedtogether asaGovernmentResearch station.Idon'tknowquite whattheyareresearchinginto -foddersandpestsorsomethingforwhichobviouslythey needlargequantitiesofhardto-getwirenetting.Having crossedthe15drybedsofthe head-watersoftheYuleriver wesnorteduptoWhite Springshomestead-anoasis ofgreenlawns,flower-beds andperfumedoleandersamidst milesofspinifexwaste.DidI say"waste"?Nothingcouldbe amoreconvincingwilderness thanthesethousandsofacres ofspinifexclumps,dry,pricklyandrarelyrisingmorethan afootabovethegroundand yet-thiscountry,withapracticallynegligiblerainfall,has abundantundergroundwaters andsupportsanenormouspopulationofkangaroosandemus besidesthousandsandthousandsofsheepwithafewodd herdsofwildcattle,asses,and camelsthrownin.Thethorny spinifexprovidesgoodnutritiousfeedforallthesebeasts. Asheep-breederfromThree

Springswhowaswithus,remarkedthathehadrarelyseen sheepinbettercondition.

DesolationFaced IntrepidPriest

WhiteSpringshadbeen abandonedforfiveyears,aswe said,thebuildingsweredecrepit(someoftheverandahtimbershadbeenstolenbythewayfarersforfirewood),thefences weredownformiles,wellshad cavedinandtheirsurmounting wind-millshadinmostcases fallentopieces.Allthishas beenmaderoodandlarge groupsofwellbuilt"Nissen type"buildingsaregoingupfor thefutureschoolaccomodation. Playingfieldshavebeenplan-

hadhisplanehewasableto sayoneMassatPortHedland andasecondattheGorge, whichisonlyabout40miles fromWhiteSpringsasthe planeflies.Sincetheunfortunateaccidentwhichwrecked thelittleTigerMonthafew monthsago,twoMasseson Sundayareoutofthequestion asalltravellinghastobedone byjeepundertheworstofconditions.Well,togettothegorge thereweretwoalternatives; eitherbyroadbacktoHedland, downtoRoebourneandback uptoWittenoom-morethan 500miles-ortogodirect, straightovertheHammersley range,fromWhiteSprings,a surfacedistanceofabout80or 90miles.Thelatterroutewas

loamwhichafewyardsoff seemedalmostaslevelasabilliardtable.Neverhadweseen somanykangiroos;neverless than40or50visibleattheone timeandallofthebigredand fawnvariety,calledbythelocals"plainies"whosepeltsare worthfifteenshillingsapound. (Afortunehereforsomeenterprisinghunter).Eventually wecameonthebarelyvisible trackwhichwastoleadusvia MulgaDownsstationtothe gorge.Spinifexwasleftbehind nowandinsteadwefolloweda windingcoursethroughthin mulgascrub.Thelesshardy amongstuswerebeginingto feelthestrainofhoursofcontinuousmuscularbracing againstthehumpsandlurching

ParishionersoftheFarNorth

ned,anair-striphasbeenlaid down,newwellsarebeing sunkandthegreenirrigated areaofvegetablesandlucerne aroundthehomesteadisgraduallyextending. Dogs,uncivilizedcrossesbetweentheoriginaldingoesand alsatiansandcollies,brutes whichapparentlymaintainand accentuateallthevicesoftheir combinedprogenitors,arethe realscourgeofthedistrict.Notwithstandingtheunitedeffortsofseveralexperienced "doggers",whohavepoisoned, trappedorshotmorethan200 ofthemurderers,WhiteSprings haslostmanyhundredsof ewesandlambs.Itisnaturally veryhardtobuildupasubstantialflockinthesetimesof colossalwoolprices.Shepherdingwillbetriedastheonly solution.

Itmaywellbeaskedhow FatherBryanisabletocope withallthesepreoccupations ontopofhisparishduties.He hasaverywillingteamofColouredandnativehelperson thestationledbyVinceClarke, anoverseerasefficientand energeticasonewouldwishto seeanywhere.

Eighty-MileTrip

TakesElevenHours

Theparishpriestwasdueat WittenoomGorgeforMasson Sunday.WhenFatherBryan

chosenandittookus11hours.

Thefirst20milesandthelast 30,throughtheterritoryof MulgaDownsstationwerecomparativelyeasy.Theintervening30overtracklessandrock strewnfoothills,throughgulliesandpasseswherethejeep performeditsrealmiracles,and lastlyoverthesoftspongy, stonecoveredtablelandtook uspracticallythewholeday. Neverduringthiscritical30 milesdidthesturdylittle machinefalter.Frequentlywe passengersscoutedinfrontto finda'navigable'passage,once FatherBryantookdownthe windscreenpriortotryingalone aparticularlyprecipitousslope wheretherewasrealdangerof topplingoversideways;once havingcometoadeadendup arimpassablecreekbedwe staredintothepinkrimmed truculenteyesofaloneherefordbullaboutfiveyardsin frontofus.Ajeepofferslittle protectivearmourforitspassengersandwehadonlyanunloaded.22rifle.Thesurlymisanthropehoweverthoughtus unworthyoffurtherattention, turnedandlumberedupthe hillside;eventhejeepseemed topantwithrelief.Backingout oftheravinewesoughtanother passablerouteandfinally emergedonthetableland.For 10milesorsothejeepstruggled inbottomgearoversoftdusty

overtheimpossibletracksand thencameouronlymishap.We stakedatyrewhichhadtobe mendedonthespot.Abrief callatMulgaDownshomestead gaveanopportunitytothehospitablemanagertoofferfour filthywayfarerssomeicycold refreshmentsandthusfortified wetrundledintoWittenoomat seveno'clock.

SettlementFlourishes

AtWittenoomGorge

ThefollowingdaywasSundayandtheastonishedCatholic populationhadtheopportunity ofattendingthreeMasses.After Masswetookthechanceof seeingoverthisunusualsettlement.Undertheguidanceof Mr.Broadhurst,themanager oftheAustralianBlueAsbestos company,wesawoverthemine workingswhichrunstraight intotherocksideofthegorge. Afourorfiveinchlayerofblue asbestosrunsalmostentirely throughthissectoroftheHammersleyrangesformilesinall directions.Theonlydifficulty, andthatagreatone,isthatto getthatstratumoffibrefour orfivefeetofrockhavetobe minedoutaswellandthishas tubeseparatedfromtheasbestosinthecrushingmill. WittenoomGorgeisnowa flourishingsettlementofseven oreighthundredpeople.There isagoodhotelandstore,hun-

dredsofnewtimberandasbestos,four-roomedhousesare beingbuilt,anddozensarealreadyoccupied.Thereisabunddantwaterinthegorgeitself sevenmilesaway,andascheme tobringthistothesettlement andreticulateitisalmostcompleted.Unfortunatelyasyet therearealmostnosocialamenitiesapartfromthehotelbar andthequickertheintentionsto constructahall,community centre,church,andCatholic schoolarerealisedthebetter forthisgrowingtown.Many oftheworkersforthecompany areNewAustralians.

UndergroundRivers

PresentChallenge

Weleftthegorgethefollowingdayafterabrokenspring hadbeendetectedandrepaired. OnagoodbutexceedinglydustyroadwesetoffforRoebourne. 180milesaway.Ourlatestart madeitimpossibletocallatthe famousMillStreamstation, wherewehadhopedtoseethe wonderfulriver.Thisstream, weweretold,flowingmanymil_ lionsofgallonsaday,appears fromunderground,flowsfor aboutfivemilesonthesurface, andthendisappearsagain.We groundinbottomgeardownthe BigHillatsunset,andrarelyhadanyofusseenamoremag- nificentpanoramaofrolling hills,abruptprecipices,andthe coastalplaininthedistanceextendinggentlytoRoebourneand PointSamson.ascoreorsoof milesaway.Thishillisthe westernedgeofthetableland, thenorthernscarpofwhichwe hadtoiledsolongtosurmount afewdaysbefore.Almostat thefootofthehillwecamped foroureveningmealat*Daniel's Well-abeautiful,bottomless poolofwateraboutanacrein extent,surroundedonthree sidesby200footwallsofrock. Whatanextraordinaryabundanceofundergroundwaterthere isinallthesethousandsof squaremilesofarid,eroded country.Goodnessknowswhere itcomesfrom,butitspresence wouldsurelyindicatetheneed foramorecomprehensivesurveyofthepossibilitiesoftransformingbyirrigationatleasta partofthisfertilebutparched region. Roebourneisaghosttown, notunlikeCoolgardie,apart fromitspleasantriver.There isevidenceonallsidesofits copper-miningprosperitywhich waskilledbywarin1914.Its gaolwouldstillaccommodate severalhundredprisoners,and ithaditsowngallows!Thecell doorsarealmostallwideopen now.TheoldPresentationconventIsabutcher'sshop!Prosperity,however,isslowlyreturningwiththetown'simportancegrowingonceagainasthe coastterminalfortraffictoWittenoomGorge. AtRoebournewepartedfrom FatherBryan.Thejeep,batteredbutundaunted,coughinga littlewithsomebronchialtrouble,drewupalongsidethewaitingair-liner Aswetaxied awaywesawitstandingwith theparishpriestof10,000.000 acresandlessthan10hundred soulsbyitsside.Inhisheart musthavebeenthehopethat beforelonghewouldhavea planeagaintosoftenandforeshortenthetremendousdistanceswhichseparatehimfrom hisscatteredparishioners.

AnotherFlying PriestforW.A.

Cladinflyinggear,theRev. F.E.Hope(right),ofHighgate,standsbesideaTiger MothatMaylandsairport. FatherHope,whocomesfrom England,hopestobeableto usehisflyingexperiencein connectionwithhispriestly work.

PresentationConvent Goomalling

UNIVERSITYOFW.A.

MUSICALPERCEPTION

Attherecentexaminations conductedbyMr.Leckie,the followingpupilsweresuccessful:

PRELIMINARY:

Pass:AnnaSuhajeck. MarleneJones.

FIRSTGRADE:

Credit:MarieAlmond. DoraAtkinson.

Pass:JanetMcKenna.

SECONDGRADE:

Honours:CarmelMohr.

Credit:UrsulaFrench.

Pass:JanicePowell.

THIRDGRADE:

Credit:ZoeBooth.

Pass:ValmaFrench.

FOURTHGRADE:

Credit:KathleenDay.

Pass:KayRoyal.

FIFTHGRADE:

Pass:HelenRoyal.

SECONDGRADE:

Honours:JosephineSartori. KayRoyal. KathleenDay. UrsulaFrench.

TRINITYCOLLEGE EXAMINATION

RESULTS

PIANOFORTE.

INITIAL:

Honours:JoyceHitchcock. RexNicholson.

AnnetteClifton,8years,wassuccessfulwhen competingfortheJuniorChampionshipinthe Inter-SchoolSportsinOctober.

FIRSTSTEPS:

Honours:KevinMcKenna.

CLASSSINGING

SeniorGirls'Choir:Honours.

SOLOSINGING

JUNIOR:

Merit: Day. Pass.JosephineSartori.

CHORALSPEAKING

JuniorGirls'Choir:Merit.

PreparatoryGirls'Choir:Merit.

PreparatoryBoys'Choir:Merit.

ARTOFSPEECH

INITIAL:

Merit:WilliamSlater.

FIRSTSTEPS:

Merit:AnnCarter. LorisWhite. StanleyBywaters.

Pass:BevanCarter.

PREPARATORY:

Merit:RosemaryAtkinson: Pass:MargaretRyan. CharlesChitty.

JUNIOR:

Merit:PamCurley. JoyceHitchcock.

INTERMEDIATE:

Merit:ZoeBooth.

THEORY

PREPARATORY:

Honours:MarieAlmond. Credit:KevinMcKenna. JoyceHitchcock. JanetMcKenna.

FIRSTSTEPS:

Honours:AnnaSuhajeck. KenMurray. 2.redit.ShirleyClune. CarmelMohr. CharlesChitty. MaureenBrown. Pass:StanleyBywaters.

CITYCOMMERCIAL COLLEGE

TYPEWRITING:

M.Patersoon:7-6.

T.Heywood:7-6.

J.Sartori:7-6

K.Day:7-6.

BOOKKEEPING:

T:Haywood:7-6

Xma4da

Thissuccessfulsecondaryschoolscholarshippupil isKevinMcKenna,sonofMr.andMrs.D.McKenna,ofGoomalling.Kevinisthefourthsuccessfulscholarshippupilintheschoolsince1943, theothersbeing:RuthSamelowitz,KevinHogan, MauriceCaldwell.

ChristmasMeansPeace WhatAreWeDoingAboutIt?

ByBilleeEckertMartin

"Peaceonearthamongmen ofgoodwill!"Eachyearat Christmaswehearthesewords; butneverbeforehavetheystirredussodeeplyasnow-in thesedaysoftroubledforeboding, beforeunrest,anddisquiet.Never havetheyevokedinour heartssuchanostalgicyearning forthegoodness,thesuretyof timesfreefromthreatofwar. "Peaceonearth"becomesthe moresignificantlypreciousby theveryreasonofitsseeming unattainability.

Overcounciltables,statesmen ofmanynationsponder.From altarandcloister,theprayersof thededicatedmountheavenward.Inthemindsandinthe heartsofthepeopleisasingle thought:PEACE!Willnotsomeoneshowustheroadto peace?

Butpeacemustbeofourown making.CastinHisimage,the ingredientsforpeacearewithin usall.Norneedweseekfeverishlyaboutusfortherecipe: Itiscontainedinthestock-old Christmasquotationwerepeat sothoughtlessly-thewordsthe heraldangelssangsojoyously toannouncethebirthofOur Saviour.Isthisnotthesimple answer,theformulathatthe worldisseeking?Willnotgood willamongallmenguarantee peaceonearthaswillnothing elseinalltheworld?

Foranyonetotellusthatwe donotdoallinourownpower topromoteuniversalpeace wouldbetobringdownawrath ofdenialsuponhishead.And yet,itmightbewelltotake seriousstockofourselves.

Doweactuallyhavegoodwill towardallmeninourhearts? Arewetolerant,understanding, considerateofthefrailties,the shortcomings,themistakesof others?Arewelenientinour judgments,justinourcriticism., charyinourcondemnation,ge-

Assisi'sPoorMan

TaughttheWorld

HowtoMakeCribs

ItwasSt.FrancisofAssisi whogavetheCribor"Presepio,"asitiscalledinItaly, thetangibleform,inwhichwe knowitto-dayandpopularised it.In1223hevisitedRome andmadeknowntoPopeHonoriusIII.hisplansofmakinga scenicrepresentationofthe placeoftheNativity.ThePope gavehissanctionandonChristmasEve,St.Francisconstructedacribandgroupedaroundit thefiguresoftheBlessedVirgin andSt.Joseph,theassandox, andtheshepherdswhocameto adorethenew-bornSaviour.He usedliveanimalsinareal stablewithamangertomake thescenemorevividtothepeople.ThecustomspreadfromItaly toSpain.Portugal,France,the Netherlands,andGermany,and fromthesecountriesitwas spreadtoallcornersofthe earth.

To-dayinmostCatholicchurchesacribisfoundatthe Christmasseason.Someare masterpiecesofthewoodcarver'sart,andothersaremodelledbythehandsofrenowned artists;inmostcases,however, plasterfiguresarefound.The backgroundsandarrangements areoftentrulyartisticanditis adelightfulexperiencetovisit thecribinchurchonChristmas Day. Besidesthoseinthechurches, littlecribsarefoundinmany homesundertheChristmastree. Thisisabeautifulcustom.Apparentlythetreehasitsrootsin thecrib,sproutingthejoysof Christmasfromthestableof Bethlehem.Thecustomofplac, ingcribsoutofdoorsasChristmasdecorationsintheyardor rockgardenhasbecomepopular inthepastfewyears.Nothing impressesonemore,orismore calculatedtoinstillatrueChrismasspirit,thanalittlecrib.

nerousinourpityandcompassion?Dowecedetoothers theconcessionthatbecausewe thinkourselvesright,theyneed notnecessarilybewrong?Are ourheartsinclinedtokindness towardsall,arewebigenough torejoiceinthefortunethat comestoanother,thoughitbypassourowndoor?

Arewewillingalwaystoextendthehandoffellowship,to shareunselfishly,togivetoanotherwithoutgrudgingthecost toself?Dowehaveinourhearts adeep,abidingloveforALL people,irrespectiveofraceor doctrine?

Unlesswecanansweryestoallthesequestions,wedonot havetherighttoclaimgoodwill towardmen.Ifwedonothave goodwilltowardallmen,we arenotdoingourutmosttopromotepeace.Andunlessevery singleoneofusdoeshisutmost, therewillnotlikelybeany lastingpeace. Whatmorebeautifulsanctification,whatnoblerdedicationcanweofferonthe altarofthisHolyYearthanthat oureverythought,ourevery

deedwillbedirectedtoward peaceonearthandgoodwill amongallmen? Thisisayearofyearsfor prayers,fordevoutandreverent petitions,foradoration,forworship,forsupplication.Letevery prayer,everypetition,every supplicationbethatGodinHis divinecompassionimbuethe heartsofallmenwithgoodwill foroneanother.Then,andonly then,willtherebesweetpeace upontheearth!

NewYear'sCustom

Whatbettertimethanthe firstdayof1951,ayearwhich

shouldberepletewiththeblessingsoftheHolyYear,torevive anancientandbeautifulcustom longfallenintothediscard-the PaternalBenediction.

"Thefather'sblessingestablisheththehousesofthechildren"(Eclus.iii,11).Scripture andhistoryarefilledwithincidentsofchildrenaskingforand receivingtheparentalblessing: Noeblessinghisson(Gen.ix, 26-27),IsaacandJacob(Gen. XXVII,28-29),DavidandSolomon(IIIKingsii,2-9),the EmperorTheodosius,St.Louis

ofFrance,ChevalierBayard,St. ThomasMore-tociteonlya few. Thegeneralprocedure-still followedinsomefamiliesofthe UnitedStatesandCanada-is foreachsonanddaughterto greettheirparentsonNew Year'smorningwiththese words:"IwishyouahappyNew Year.Iwishyoulonglife,a happydeathwhenGodcalls you,goodhealththroughouttheyear."Thenfatherand mother,respectively,extend theirgoodwishesandblesseach childforthecomingyear.

IsThereaSantaClaus?

Mylittlegirlaskedmethis questionjustnow,andthewistfuleyeswereneartheflowing point.

IsthereaSantaClaus?

Yes,mydarling,assurelyas theBabyJesuslayinHislittle mangerbedinthestableof

BethlehemthatChristmasalmosttwothousandyearsago. Thewhisperofthatdayhas echoedthroughalltimeand space,andhaltsinitsflightat theChristmasseasontosayin thebelievingearofeveryChristian: "Letusbeglad!To-dayis Christmas!Christisborn!' SantaClausisSt.Nicholas, thesaintofjoyandgifts.Let's dresshiminasuitofredas hollyberries,andgirdlehisgenerousbodywithbandsofjew- elledstars.Let'sencirclehis headwithtumblinghair,soft andwhiteascascadesoffeatheryfrost,framingeyesthat burnlikeholyfires.Wellshod feetwithfleetsandalsofmagic thatwilltakehimtoeverypart of hourtheworldatthemystical ofmidnightonChristmas Eve.Thenourwindowsand chimneyswillopenwidetheir expectantarmstoBlitzenand Dasherandalltheotherreindeerthathavescamperedovertheshimmeringsnows.How

quicklythehappy,curious windswillcovertheirtinyfoot- prints!

Intheareaofthisjollysaint willbegiftsforthewhtile world,andtheywillbelabelled sothateveryonemayknow thattheyareLoveandPeace andGoodWill.Otherswillbe markedFaith,Hope,andCharity,andSt.Nicholaswilldistributeallthesegiftswiththe widespreadbountyofGod'sinfinitelove.

Ifyouhaveadoubtnow,my child,comewithmetothelittle mangerthatisthisnightin everyCatholicchurch.Smell thesweet,freshpinesthatare guardingthegoldenflamesof tall,white-robedcandles.Let's tip-toetothelittlerusticcradle andyoumaykisstheBaby Jesuswhiletheangelsaresingingthelullabyoftheirpraises. Ididnotneednowtoaskmy childifsheknewtheanswerto "IsthereaSantaClaus?"Her eyesshoneliketinystarsabove themangercradle.

TheBirdWhichLulledChristtoSleep WasGivenMary'sOwnGiftofSong

TheHolyMotherdelightedtosingherBabytosleep.Shesang oftheangelsastheChristChildcuddledtoherbreast.Butone eveningHeseemedrestlessandhersongfailedtolullHimto sleep.Alittlebirdwhichhadnestedontheroofandlistened totheVirgin'ssongflutteredinandperchedonhershoulderand begantosingasthoughhislittlethroatmustburst,andtheChild fellasleep.Thenhebirdstoppedsingingandgentlypressedhis littlebeakagainsttheearoftheVirginMotherasthoughhe wantedtokissher.Shepettedthebirdlovinglyandwhispered: "Littlebird,youshallhenceforthcarrymyvoiceinyouandknow allmysongs,youshallhavethesweetestsongofallthebirds. Flyawaynowandsing."Tothisday,whenitistimetorock thelittleonestosleep,thenightingale'ssilvervoiceisheard; meanwhilethestreamsflowsofterandtheleavesofthetreesstop theirflutteringandallthebirdsandanimalsaresilenttolisten tothesongthatlulledtheChristChildtosleep.

WhereHewasHomelessallMenareatHome

ByRev.JohnB.Ebel

GILBERTK.CHESTERTON,

aconvertwhocertainlyknew whatitmeant"tocomehome," writesof"TheHouseofChristmas": "Therefaredamotherdriven forth Outofaninntoroam; Intheplacewhereshewas homeless Allmenareathome. Thecrazystablecloseathand, Withshakingtimberandshiftingsand, Grewastrongerthingtoabile andstand 'Thanthesquarestonesof Rome." Inthesamepoemhesaysof theBabyJesus:"Onlywhere HewashomelessareyouandI athome."

Andthisisperhapsatthecore ofthespiritofChristmasjoy- thefeelingthatonthisdayall menhavecomehome,foras theykneelinadorationofthe DivineInfant,theyknowthat hereisheaven,hereishome.It maybedifficulttograspthis feeling-itissoover-runand hiddenbyallthetangledundergrowthofthegift-givingand

card-sendingandpartyingof thepresent-dayChristmas,

BUTTHINKOFCHRISTMAS withoutalltheseincidentalsand externalsthatcloudandhide its Thinktruemeaningandspirit. ofChristmas,forexample,inaCistercianmonastery: Thedescriptioniscontained intheoriginalmanuscriptof SevenStoreyMountain,which weweresurprisedandchagrinedtolearnhadbeenextensively cutbeforethepublisherwould acceptit.This,inpart,is ThomasMerton'sdescriptionof hisfirstChristmasatGethsemani,ascarriedintheDecemberissueoftheCatholicWorld: "Christalwaysseeksthe strawofthemostdesolatecribs tomakeHisBethlehem.Inall theotherChristmasesofmy life,Ihadgotalotofpresents, andabigdinner.ThisChristmasIwastogetnopresents, andnotmuchofadinner:But Iwouldhave,indeed,Christ Himself,God,theSaviourofthe world.

"Youwholiveintheworld: Letmetellyouthatthereisno comparingthesetwokindsof Christmas.

"WHATANATMOSPHERE ofexpectationandjoythereis ina theCistercianmonasterywhen monksgetup,notattwoin themorningbutatnineinthe evening.Theyhavegonetobed atfive.Now,atthisunaccustomedhour,whenthenighthas notyetbeguntogetthatparalyzingdesolatecoldnessofthe smallhours,thechurchisfull ofunaccustomedlights.Thereis thecrib,alllitupwithasoft glow,andinthehighdarkness ofthesanctuarytheforestof cedarbranchesthathasgrown uparoundthealtarsparkles withtinselhereandthere.

"ItisthenthatthenightOfficebegins,beginsatoncewith asolemnandstatelyinvitatory thatneverthelessrocksthe churchwithcadencesofsuperlativejoy:Andfromthemonit isasthoughtheangelsthemselvesweresingingtheirGloria inExcelsisandshoweringupon theearthfromthenearstars, thestarsthatseemtohavebecomecloseandwarm,their messagesandpromisesofpeace, peace!Peaceonearthtomen ofgoodwill.AstheMidnight Massbeginsthewholeplace glowswithhappiness,andafter

thatitisindescribable,buildinguptotheclimaxofunworldly interiorpeaceatCommunion.

"ITISGOODTHATSOMEWHEREintheworldthere aremenwhorealizethatChrist isborn.Therewereonlyafew shepherdsatthefirstBethlehem,anditisthesamenow. Theoxandtheassgotmoreout ofthefirstChristmasthanthe HighPriestsinJerusalem.And itisthesamewaytoday..

"Dayafterday,onallthebig feastsoftheChristmasseason,I wasabletotastetheastounding happinessofthisemancipation, andtoloveGodandknowto somedegreehowmuchIwas lovedbyHim.ThiswasmyintroductionintothelifeofaCistercianmonk,myentranceinto the'SchoolofCharity'."

OurChristmaswishforyou, andforourselves,isthat,as ChestertonandMerton,wetoo comehomeonChristmas.May wefindintheBirthoftheInfantwhoisoursalvationsome ofthejoyandpeaceandloveof GodthattheCisterciannovice, nowFatherLouis,foundonhis firstChristmasattheAbbeyof Gethsemani.

"LetyourgiftbeaCatholiconethis

MYDAILYMISSAL

ThebestofalltheDailyMissalsinLatinand English. WithVespersforSundaysandFeasts. CompileIfromtheMissaleRomanum,with SupplementcontainingtheadditionalMasses usedinEnglish-Speakingcountries.

RevisedbySYLVESTERP.JUERGENS, S.M.,S.T.D.

CompletetextinLatinandEnglish,printedin cleartypeonIndiapaper.Over1,900pages. Size6x inchesx14inchthick. With4SilkRibbonMarkers.

No.1546A.-AmericanSeal,blindstampingson cover,goldtitleonback,roundcorners,red burnishededges 42/No.1564B.-AmericanSeal.blindstampingson cover,goldtitleonback,roundcorners,red undergoldedges

No.1564D.-FrenchSeal,blindstampingson cover,goldtitleonback,roundcorners,red undergoldedges 71/6

THEPRINCEOFMISSALS

THESMALLROMANMISSAL

TheMostPopularofSmallMissalsfortheLaity. -TheSmallRomanMissalisanabridgededitionoftheRomanMissalusedbythepriest.It makesiteasytofollowtheHolyFather'sinjqictionto"praytheMass."Itcontainsthe fu71MassesforallSundaysandtheprincipal feastdays.Itissimplyarranged yourefer totwosectionsonly.And.withtheindexand listoffeasts,itiseasytofindtheproperMass oftheday.Itincludes,too,alltheprayersand devotionsneeded,andcontainsanAustralian supplement. 528pages.Size6x3iin. Withtworibbonmarkers.

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MYMISSAL

EditedbyRev.F.J.Bryant,M.S.C.

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DurableCardCover,titleinred 3/9

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YOURPRAYERBOOKS

AgreatrangeofPrayerManuals,indifferent BindingsandTitles:

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CHRISTMASCARDS

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THECHRISTMASCRIBFORTHE HOME

FOLDINGCARBBOARDCRIBS,openingout andstandingupright.Bright,attractiveColoursandFigures.Size51in.x4jin.10d.; size x6in.,1/4.

ATTRACTIVECRIBSINCOMPOSITION.Attractivelydecorated,inIvorine,91in.high.21/THREEFIGUREGROUP,inIvorine,5in.x6in. wide,12/9;Tin.x91in.wide,21/-

POCKETCALENDARS

Withpicturesonthefront,andcontaining Feastdaysthroughouttheyear.6d.each.

HowtheNationsHonourHim

TheLightedCandlehasanHonouredPlace

("Andtheywillcomefrom theEastandfromtheWest, fromtheNorthandfromthe South,andwillfeastinthe kingdomofGod."-St.Luke xiii,29)

ThesixthChristmasseason sincetheendofWorldwarII willfindincreasingnumbersof peoplein candlesmanylandslighting againintheirowntraditionalways.

Duringthewarmanyofthe humblejoysandfestivitiesassociatedwiththecelebrationof Christmaswere,perforce,neglected.Incountrieswherebattlesragedandelsewhere,the tickoflittlenecessitieshandicAppedNativityfestivals.Candleswereamongthemissing items.ButthisyearChristians ofallnationshopefully,prayerfullyobserveonceagainthe InfantChrist'snatalday-each inhisownhistoricfashion -andinmanycountriesthe candleplaysavitalpartinthese variedcelebrations.

AUSTRALIA-Thealtaris ablazewithlightsatMidnight Mass.Thecribwithitsfamiliar figuresisfoundinchurchand home.TheChristmastreeno longerislightedwithcandles, forsafetyreasons,buttapers burnelsewhereinthehomeand assanctuaryandvotivelightsin churches.

IRELAND-Thereisthequaint practiceofplacinglightedcandlesin thecottagewindows"toguide HolyFamily."Doorsareleft unlatchedincasetheHolyFainilyshouldseekshelter.

MEXICO-ChildreninMexico goaboutthestreetscarrying candleseverynightfornine nightsbeforeChristmas.Accordingtothiscustom,posada,these little"holyfamilies'pausebeforethehomesofneighbours.At firstthe"innkeeper"refuses themadmittance,butsoonrelentsandtheyenterandall kneelinprayer.

GERMANY-Foodissetoutin Germanhomesandcandlesare lightedonChristmasevein readinessfortheHolyFamily, itthatblessedtrioshouldknock atthedoor.

SchoolmastersinLancaster, England,wereoncepresented withagiftofcandlesbytheir pupilsonthelastdayofthe termbeforeChristmas.

UKRAINE-Evenbehindthe IronCurtaintheancientcustomofburningaChristmas candleisbelievedtobestillpre- valentintheUkraine.Peasants setthetableandplaceonita Logecandlerepresentingthe starofBethlehem.Strawis spreadaroundonthefloorin mernoryofthestablewherethe ChristChildwasborn.

InSwitzerland,whengiftsare dis,ributed,candlesaregleamingineveryhome.

ISLEOFMAN-Respectfor candlesamongNorwegiansisespeciallyprofoundatChristmas time.Allsilverandpewter andotherhouseholdgoodsare placedwheretheywillcatchthe raysofthecandles,sinceincandleraysthereissaidtobea benediction.Carolsingerson theIsleofMansinguntilthe candlestheycarryareburned down.

CROATIA-Childrenlighttheir candlesfromanotherheldin thehandoftheirfather.Asthe wickcatchestheflametheysay gravely,"Christisborn."

SCANDINAVIA-Acustomis toleavecandleslightedthroughoutthenightwiththefather,or oldestmemberofthehousehold, extinguishingthematsunrise. Remainingstubsareusedto blessfarmanimalsandthusinsuretheirhealth.Themelted waxisfedtofowltoprotect andincreasetheflocks,and ploughsarecoveredwiththe waxtomakethefurrows straightandfertile.

Candlesareburnedbefore cribsinItaly,ondinnertables inFrance,andabovethedoors ofhomesinSpain-allwiththe sameintent:TogreetthenewhemKing.

SWEDEN-Thenationalbannerisplacedatthetopofthe ChristmastreeinSweden,with theflagsofothernationsgroupedarounditonthelower branches.Thissymbolizesthe messageoftheangels:"Peace onearth."

BELOWTHEEQUATORSisterRoseMercedes,inthe followingletterdescribeshow sheandanotherMaryknollSister,spentlastChristmasinBolivia:

"SisterMauraKieranandI enteredthecave-likegatetothe courtyardwhereMasswasto becelebrated.HundredsofIndianswerethereintheirusual gayattire,norwerethebabies missing-tiedtotheirmother's backs,asalways.Aquietsilence pervadedtheplaceasthe throngsawaitingpackedin closerandcloser.

"Someofthemenapproached Fatherandaskedtohavetheir Confessionsheard.Heledthe waytowardthestableashe extractedapurplestolefrom hispocket.Oncethere,confessorandpenitentkneltinside thedooronthestrawwhich wasstrewnoverthefloor.

"TheIndiansbroughttheanimalsforthecribfromthe fincas.ThelargestcowIhave everseenwasstandingina cornerofthestable.Likewise, thesheepandburroswereas bigastheygrow,Iamsure.

"Anoldtablehadbeenplaced outsidethestabledooranda lanternhungoverheadforlight. Weputeightcandlesonthis altartoenableFathertoseethe Missal.Allwasnowreadyfor Masstobegin.SisterandIsang fortheMass.Wehadbrought alongflashlightswithwhichto read-thusaddingtheonly moderntouchtothisotherwise completelyancientscene.

"ThechildrenwhomSister hadinstructedmadetheirFirs. CommunionatthisMass.Two orthreeofthemactuallyhad shoesonandseveralcarried lightedcandles.Icouldnothelp butthinkhowhappytheChrist Childmusthavebeentocome intotheheartsofthesepoorly clad,barefoottots.

"TheonlysoundinMass,just attheConsecration,wasthecry ofababefromhisperchonhis mother'sback.

"Asweleftthecampothe fieldswerebrightwiththefires theIndianshadlightedtoheat theirfood.Formanyitwould bealongwalkbacktotheir hutsinthehills,butIamsure theywentbackwithfulland happyhearts."

DENMARK-Danishchildrenbeforegoingtobedon Christmaseve,placeabowlof porridgeatthetopoftheattic stairforJul-Nisse-thelittle oldmanwhoissupposedtolive therebutisvisibleonlytothe familycat.Nextmorningthey rushuptoseeiftheporridge hasbeeneaten.Italwayshas, butnooneexplainsbywhomnoteventhefamilycat.

NORWAY-Weeksbefore ChristmasNorwegianhousewives arebusymakingspecialsausagesandcheese,bakingbrods andlefse,whiletheirhusbands dryandsaltmeatsandprepare thelutfisk.Thespecialtaskof thechildrenistoshapefancy candlesforthetree.Andin commemorationoftheanimals whowarmedtheInfantJesus withtheirbreath,extrafodder isprovidedonChristmaseve forallthebeasts,andasheaf ofgrainistiedtothetopofa treesothatthebirdsalsomay feast.

SWEDEN-InSwedenSt. LucyushersintheChristmas season.Onherfeast,Dec.13, earlyinthemorningamaiden ofthehousehold,dressedina red-sashedwhiterobeand wearingacrownofpineboughs toppedbysevenlightedcandles, fersawakenseveryoneandofrefreshmentfromhertray- coffeeandspecialbiscuits.

SWITZERLAND-Insome sectionsofSwitzerlandSt.Lucy accompaniesSt.Nicholaswhen hegoesinprocessionthrough thestreetsonDec.5,theeveof hisfeast.St.Lucyrewardsthe

goodgirlswhileSt.Christopher looksoutfortheboys.Accompanyingthe"BishopofMyra" inhisredrobeareother"bishops"inwhiterobeswhocollect almsforthepoor.

ENGLAND-TheBritish havemanyChristmastraditions andcustomsofeitherpaganor Christianorigin,andoftena Christianadaptationofapaganrite.Theplumpuddingisespe- ciallysymbolicofthetruespirit ofChristmas:Allthefamilyandfriends,bothyoungandold, helptopreparethesepuddings, notjustforthefamily,butalso forthepoorerfamiliesofthe neighborhood.

CANADA-InEnglishspeakingCanada,BritishChristmastraditions,somewhatinfluencedbythoseoftheUnited States,holdsway;butinthe ProvinceofQuebecFrench customsareobserved.ThecelebrationbeginswithMidnight Mass,followedimmediatelyby reveillon-theequivalentof ourChristmasdinner.PereNoel remembersthechildrenat Christmas,butadultsexchange giftsonNewYear'sday.Asin NewOrleans,onEpiphany, or"TwelfthNight,"FrenchCanadianscutLeGateaudes Rois-thekings'cake.Theboy andgirlwhofindthepeaand thebeanintheirslicesreignas kingandqueen.

MEXICO-InallLatin Americancountriestheposada -restingplace-recallsthe searchoftheHolyFamilyfora night'slodging.Anothercustom whichdelightsMexicanchildren isthepinata-acrockorother containerdisguisedtolooklike ahumanheadandsuspended fromtheceiling.Blind-folded, eachchildhasaswingatitwith astick.Whenthepinatais struckandbroken,sweetsand toysspilloutandallthechildrenscrambleforthem.

SPAIN-SpanishchildrenreceivetheirgiftsonEpiphany, anditistheThreeKings,the Magi,whoprovidethese.Christmas,however,isagreatreligiousfeast.

ITALY-InItalyonChristmasevepeasantscomedown fromthemountainsdressedas shepherdsandplaytheirpipes beforeallshrinesoftheBlessed Motherandeverycarpenter shop.

HOLLAND-IntheNetherlandsontheeveningofDec.5 thecarillonsringouttheannouncementthatSt.Nicholas willtravelthroughcitiesand townsthatnight.Thechildren puttheirwoodenshoeson windowsillstomakeiteasyfortheirpatronsainttodistribute hisgiftsspeedily.

GERMANY-ToGermany theworldisindebtedforthe tannenbaum-Christmastreeandoneofthemostbeautifulof allChristmascarols:Stile Nacht,HeiligeNacht-Silent Night,HolyNight.

POLAND-Christmasevein Polandisknownasthe"Feast oftheStars."Thedayoffasting endswhenthefirststarappears intheeveningsky,andthefamilybeginstoeatthewilia. Strawisplacedunderthetable, tablecloth,andeachplate,and achairisleftvacantforthe ChristChildshouldHebelookingforaplacetofeastthat night.Thefatherofthefamily firstbreakstheChristmas wafer,whichhasbeenblessed bytheparishpriest,thenpasses itaroundforeverymemberof thehouseholdtohaveaportion.

RUSSIA-Kolyadaisthe nameforChristmascarolsin Russia.Ofancientpaganorigin, theyhavebeenChristianised andaresungtodaywherever Russiansinexilegather- perhapseveninRussiaitself, fornothingissohardtokillas tradition.Russiaalsohasa quaintEpiphanycelebration.At midnightahenisremovedfrom herroostandthrustintothe lightedkitchen,wherefivepiles ofgrainhavebeenheaped.Each pileis fortunelabeled,andthefamily's fortheyearisindicated bythehen'schoice.

QuaintCustomsof EnglandDerivefrom TheNativity

ByDouglasNewton

Christmashasalwaysbeen celebratedinEnglandwitha particularjoy.Itisstillthe happiestofthenation'sfestivities. The"mummers"-boysand mendressedinweirdtraditionalgarmentsandledbyredrobedFatherChristmas-still toursomevillages,actingan ancientplayinwhichEngland's St.George,representingChristianvalour,afteralongrhyming quarrel,slays"TheChampion," whostandsforthepowersof darkness,whichthebirthofthe HolyChildthussymbolically destroys.

Littlegirlsstillpassfrom housetohousecarrying"Milly" Lady)boxesinwhich,carefully(andprettily)wrapped againstthecold,aretwosmall dollsrepresentingOurLadyand theChristChild.Theysing carolsand,likethe"mummers," aregivengoodcheerinthe shapeofmoney,food,ordainties-suchasmincepiesfilled withspicesandcurrantsinmemoryofthespicesamongthe giftsoftheThreeKings.Even theshapeofthemincepieis traditionallyoval,torecallthe mangerinwhichtheInfantwas laid.

LegendEncompasses TintinnabulationofBells

Thechurchbellsallpealout atmidnight,however,inDewsbury(Yorkshire),thoughmost ofthemarejoyful,onetollsas thoughforafuneral.Thisis called"TheDevil'sKnell,"since Satanreceivedhisdeathblow whenChristwasborn."Waits" areeverywheresingingold EnglishChristmashymnsas Catholicsmaketheirwayto MidnightMass;andthesebeautifuloldcarols,amongtheloveliestinwordsandtunein Englishsong,arebeingmore andmoreusedinourchurches andgrowmoreandmorepopularontheradio.

Oftenthereisastorybehind thepealingofthebells.Near Raleigh,inNottinghamshire,it issaidthatifyouputyourear tothegroundonChristmasday youwillhearthefaintclamour ofbellsdeepintheearthbeneath;legendhasitthaton Christmasday,manyhundred yearsago,avillageandits churchwereswalloweduphere byanearthquake.Similarly,if yourowoutinaboatonBomerepoolnearShrewsbury (Shropshire)atmidnighton Christmaseve,andsitverystill, youwillhearthesilvertinkle ofabellbeneaththewaters. ThisissaidtobetheSanctus bellsoundinginachurchthat wasengulfedbytheoverflowing oftheMere'swatersduring MidnightMasslongyearsago.

GlastonburyAbbeyHas LongTraditionofThorn EnglishChristmastraditions arefullofsucholdlegends. ThereistheoneabouttheHoly ThornofGlastonbury,Somerset.ItrelateshowSt.Josephof

Arimathea,leavingtheHoly LandtocarryChrist'smessage outintotheworld,sailedto England.There,findingthe greenfieldsofGlastonbury beautiful,hedrovehisstaffinto thegroundtomarkthisasthe spotwherehewouldabidefor thefuture.

Thestaff,thestorygoes,took root;andaboutitgrewupone ofthemostgloriousBenedictineabbeysinEurope.Buteven beforethatthestaff,flourishing, hadbecomeagreatthorntree which,tocommemorateitsholy origin,bloomedwithasnow whiteflower Christmasatmidnightevery eveattleexacthour whenOurLordwasborn.Even intheseverewinterof1946the Glastonburythornwasinflower atChristmas.Inancientdaysit wasagreatcentreforChristmaspilgrimages,crowdsgatheringaboutitbycandlelight. Slipsofitweretreasuredfor replanting,sothatalloverthe countrytherearebushesgrown fromtheGlastonburythorn.

FirstRoyalGiftWas ABranchofThorn

Abranchcutfromthethorn treewasonceconsidereda ChristmasgiftfitforEnglish kings,andaspecialmessenger rodewithitacrossEngland, fromSomersettoLondon,in ordertoreachtheRoyalpalace intimefortheceremonyofthe king'sgifts.This-anothermemoryoftheMagi-tookthe formofasolemnprocessionto theKing'sbedchamberbearing presentsfromthequeenandofficialsofthecourt.Amongthese giftsthebranchoftheHoly ThornofGlastonburyranked first. Present-givingwasalways andstillis,agreatfeatureof theEnglishChristmas.There arethepresentswhichSt.Nicholas,contrastedto"Santa Claus,"issupposedtoputinthe children'sstockings;andthere areinnumerablealmsforthe poor,someofthem,byancient custom,throwndowntothem fromthechurchroof.

Customof'BoyBishop' SurvivesatDownside

AtonetimemanyCathedrals andmonasteriesinEngland electeda"boyBishop,"orAbbot,fromamongtheirchoirboysorscholarsincommemorationofthebirthoftheHoly Child.Thiscustomwascarried onwithinlivingmemoryatthe modernBenedictineschoolat Downsideabbey.ThisboyAbbot(aswiththeboyBishops) ruledtheschoolduringhis shortreign,thetrueAbbotand monksobeyinghiminevery way.Inthedayswhenthiscustomwasinvogue,thetriumph ofaboy'sschoolcareerwasto bepopularenoughamonghis companionstobeelected "ChristmasAbbot." Manyoldcustomshavedied outbutcarols,thecrib,MidnightMass,andthesoiritofthe HolyChildstillupholdthetraditionalEnglishjoyofChristmastide.

SacredHeartHighSchool Highgate,Perth

tolirr.,

BOARDINGANDDAYSCHOOLFORGIRLS.

CONDUCTEDBYTHESISTERSOFNOTREDAMEDESMISSIONS.

PLACEDONTHELISTOFAPPROVEDSECONDARYSCHOOLSBYTHEEDUCATIONDEPARTMENTOFW.A(1901)

AJUNIORHIGHSCHOOLATHIGHGATEANDALSOATLEAROYDSTREET,MT.LAWLEY(BoysandGirlsAdmitted)

PUPILSPREPAREDFORALLEXAMINATIONS.

LEAVINGANDJUNIORCERTIFICATE,UNIVERSITYOFW.A.,COMMERCIAL,Etc. ForProspectusApply-REV.MOTHERPRIORESS. 'PHONE:BA3810.

St.Joseph'sConvent,Fremantle

HIGHCLASSSCHOOLFORYOUNGLADIES (BoardersandDayPupils)

CONDUCTEDBYTHESISTERSOFST.JOSEPHOFTHEAPPARITION.

ThepupilsareconstantlysupervisedbytheNuns,especiallywithregardto religiousandmoraltraining.TheyarepreparedforthePublicExaminationsoftheWesternAustralianUniversity;fortheMusicalandArtof SpeechExaminationsinconnectionwiththeUniversity,andTrinityCollege ofMusic.

AcompleteCourse(Shorthand,Typewriting.Bookkeeping,Comptometer)isalsogiven. ScientificDressCutting.aswellasathoroughcourseinDomesticScience,arealsotaught. BasketballandTennisareavailable,andforthelatteracoachvisitstheschooleachweek. Tournamentsarepopularandthereiskeencompetition.

Duringthesummermonthsthestudentshavetheadvantageofseabathing.

Toallourfriends, SincerestThanksfor yourpatronageduringthepasttwelve months.

HAPPYNEWYEAR

CarsBreakDownunderSearingWinds, Heat,andDustStorms,butGoldfields

ParishionersFinishHolyYearVisits

AcombinedHolyYearpilgrimageofthe GoldfieldsparishesofKalgoorlie,Coolgardie,and BoulderwasheldNov.26.

ThepilgrimagebeganatSt. Mary's,Kalgoorlie,wherethe openingprayerswererecitedby theRev.J.McGrath.Morethan 400personsthenboardedthe fourbusesandmorethan30 carsandsetoffonthe25-mile journeytoCoolgardie.TheRev. M.Divineyledtheprayersin theCoolgardiechurchandat BouldertheRev.P.J.GallagherconductedtheceremoniesinAll Hallows'church.Theclosing prayerswererecitedandBenedictionoftheBlessedSacramentwasgiveninSt.Mary's, Kalgoorlie.

Aremarkablespiritofpiety anddevotionwasmanifest throughouttheentireceremony whichwasheldundermost tryingconditions.

Thespiritofthepilgrimsneverwavereddespitethe108 degreestemperatureanda searinghotwindandduststorms.

Viewedinretrospectthepilg- rimagehaditslighterside. Somewereheardtosay"it wouldhavebeeneasiertogo toRome."Thetownshipof Coolgardiesawitsmonth's supplyofcoolingbeverages exhaustedwithinamatterof minutes:manyoftheancient modelcarstakingparthadto pulltothesidewithsteam gushingfromoverheatedradiators.Mr.DaveMcGuirewasthe firstofafairlylonglistofcasualtiesbutinspiteofmanyreversesandmuchborrowingof waterhefinallywonthrough. TedGrayoftheR.A.C.did heroicworkgettingbroken downvehiclesonthemove again.Thedayendednearmid-

nightwhenAndreBoylen's 1900-and-somethingmodelwas towedbacktotown.

C.W.L.Reunion

TheKalgoorliebranchofthe CatholicWomen'sleagueheld thefinalmeetingandsocialfor theyear,Dec.11. Asmany membersoftheleaguewillbe absentfromthedistrictduring thehotmonths,thenextmeeting willbeinMarch.

LegionSetsReunion

Theannualgeneralreunioncf theLegionofMarywillbeheld inSt.Mary'sat7.30o'clockon Sunday,Dec.17.Asocialwill beheldinthehallafterthe devotions.Allactiveandauxiliarymembersofthelegionare invited.

ChildrenConfirmed

AtNativeMission

Twenty-fournativechildren, oneNewAustralian.and14 childrenfromtheparishof WanderingreceivedthesacramentofConfirmationfromthe Archbishopwhenhepaidhis firstcanonicalvisitationtothe WanderingMission.Dec.1.

Theparentsofthechildren fromtheparishandtheir friendswitnessedtheceremony whichwasheldinthemission schoolroomwhichisalsothe temporarychapel.

AfterBenedictionHisGrace meteachoftheparentsand spokeindividuallytoevery child.Healsothankedthe womenwhoactedassponsors forthemissionchildren.

Asocialteawasservedin themissionhalltoallpresent. ThechildrenthoroughlyenjoyedthesweetsplentifullyprovidedforthembytheArchbishop.TheWanderingmission isunderthedirectionofthe PallottineFathers.whoareassistedbytheSistersofSt.John ofGod.

SoleWestralianDeLaSalleBrotherHere:

OrderWasFirstFoundedinPerthin1864

TheonlyrepresentativeofthisStateintheDe LaSalleBrothersinAustraliaisRev.BrotherLaurence,whoisonavisittohisbrother,Mr.K. O'Connor,of884Wellingtonstreet.Herecalled thatthefoundationofthecongregationwasmade inPerthfromSingaporein1864.Itdidnotprosper,however,andreturnedtoMalaya.

BrotherLaurencewasbornin Narrogin,butwaseducated mainlyinSouthAustralia.He enteredthedelaSalleBrothers 12yearsago.Heisattached tothestaffofthehighschool

conductedbytheBrothers at Marrickville,N.S.W.

BrotherLaurencestatedthat hiscongregationhadbeenstartedanewatArmidale,N.S.W.,in 1906.TheBrothersconducted schoolsandinstitutionsmainly inNewSouthWalesandVictoria.

YCWMembersWelcome11Migrant YouthsSponsoredbyTheirMovement

Seventeenmigrantboys,sponsoredbythe YoungChristianWorkermovement,reachedFremantle,Dec.11,onthe"NewAustralia.'Seven oftheladsarefromIreland,fivefromScotland, andfivefromEngland.

Theywillbelodgedinthe movementhostelinMelbourne pendingthefindingofsuitable accommodationandemployment. Thisisthesecondgroupofa proposedlargenumberofboys whowillcometoAustralia undertheauspicesoftheY.C.W. decidedThemainreasonwhythey tocometoAustralia wasthatemploymentandprospectsforthefutureweremuch brighterhere.

Oneoftheboys,Thomas Harkins,17,ofScotlandhad beentryingforthreeyearsto getanapprenticeshipasacarpenterandjoiner.Therewere twohundrednamesaheadof hisandhesaidthatitwas nearlyimpossibleforaladtoget anapprenticeshipinanytrade.

Theyweremetattheboatby theRev.E.Sullivan,diocesan directorofCatholicActionand agroupwasentertainedatmovementheadquarters.Theboysremarkedthatthe"NewAustralia"wasawonderfulship, thefoodwasgoodandplentifulandtheywereallhappytobe inPerth.Someoftheladssaid thattheywantedtobepainters, otherscarpenters,onewantedto

jointhearmyandonewasgoing outtosearchPerthforahat withawidebrim"likethe boundaryriderswear"ashis ambitionwastobeajackeroo. "Atthisgame,"hesaid,"I'llbe abletokeepoutoftemptation andsavemymoney."

BroadcastSetOf MidnightMass

FromCathedral MassesonChristmasDayin St.Mary'sCathedralwillbe celebratedasfollows: Midnight,7,8,9,10,and11a.m. MidnightMasswillbeSolemn HighMass,andwillbebroadcastovertheNationalstations. TheRev.J.McNamarawillbe thepreacher.

Confessionsinpreparationfor thefeastwillbeheardonSaturday,23,from12noonto1 p.m.;4p.m.to6p.m.,andfrom 7.30p.m.onwards;andonSunday,Dec.24(Christmaseve), from7.30p.m.to11.50p.m.

MerredinConventPupilsExcelinMusic

Carols,ChristmasFilmFollowCadelit ProcessionofOurLadyatCaversham

ChildrenofMarywithlightedcandlesformed aguardofhonourforthestatueofOurLadywhen itwascarriedinprocessionaroundtheCaversham oval,Dec.10,duringtheparishChristmasfestival.

Morethan170personsattendedthefunctionandjoined intheprocession.AfterenrolmentintheMiraculousMedal, Christmascarolsweresungbeforeanilluminatedcribandthe 30-minutemovie"ChildofBethlehem"wasshownbytheparish priest,theRev.FrankRyan.

ChildrenoftheGuildford conventstagedashortNativity playandpresentedaselectionof concertitems.Partygameswere playedwhiletheadultsenjoyed supper.Freeicecreamandcool drinkswerethenservedthe children.

Guildfordparishionerswere takentoCavershambyMurray Little.

ThechildrenofSt.Mary's conventwillrepeattheplay anditemsataspecialChristmas treatforthechildrenatSt. Joseph'sorphanage.

Alargecrowdisexpectedat thechildren'sparty,tobeheld

JubileeCelebrations

ForC.B.C,Fremantle

Plansfortheforthcoming GoldenJubileeoftheChristian Brothers'college,Fremantle, aretakingshapeunderthedirectionofacommitteeheaded byMr.W.Hughes.

Othersonthecommitteeare MessersW.Wallwork,M.Cullity,andJ.McLinden,snr.,vicepresidents;theRev.BrotherM. QuilliganandM.Brady,treasurers;A.Andrews,secretary, J.McLinden,jr,assistantsecretary,andJ.Andinach.

Thecommitteeproposesto openthecelebrationswitha HighMassontheanniversary dayinJanuary.Datesforthe proposedRequiemMassfor Brothersandex-students,a dinnerandagrandballare underreview.

Asubscriptionlisthasbeen openedfordonationstotheOld Boys'scholarshipfund.These scholarshipshavebeenpresentedformanyyearsbythe Brothersanditisfeltthatthe raisingofalumpsumwould putthemonafirmfooting.

Theystaffedthecelebrated Boys'Town,whichhadbeeninauguratedbyFatherDunleaat Engadine,N.S.W.Theyplan- nedshortlytoopenatraining schoolforvillageteacherson Yuleisland.

inthe Smith, ofthe residenceofMr.E.C.

MaidaVale,ontheFeast HolyInnocents,Dec.28.

Thisyear,saidBrotherLaurence,thecongregationwascelebratingthethirdcentenaryof thebirthofitsholyfounder,end the50th.anniversaryofhiscanonisation.

SkilfulCrowdManagementandFirstRate MusicMarkConvent'sFirstNightConcert

Oneofthemostdifficultjobsintheatrical productionistomanageacrowdofchildrenonand offstage.Thistaskwasadmirablyhandledby theSistersofMercy,St.Joseph's,VictoriaSquare, whentheypresentedtheschool'sannualentertainmentinHisMajesty'stheatre,Dec.7.

Atonepointtheschoolorchestraofnearly40stringswas onthestage,eachgirldressed inunrelievedwhite.,Almostimmediatelyafterwardsthestage wasbankedupwithsmallgirls withverylargebluegownsand sashesontheirwhitefrocks, someweetotsasgoldenpiecrust andanextremelyfunnypercussionband.Afteranexceedinglyswiftpieceofcrowdmanagement,thecurtainroseonthe schoolchoirofmorethan120 seniorgirls,dressedinschool uniform.

piano,withBettyLindenand AlmaRidley.InAnnaFiaschi,theSistershavethetrainingof avoicewhichisalreadygoldenandwhichmaybecome,asit matures,great.

Perhapsitshouldbementionedinconclusionthatthis suprisinglygoodshowwasa firstandonlynighteffortofa localCatholicprimaryschool.

Ex-StudentsofNew isPlanRally

AlltheprogrammeitemswereNorc good;theclevercommandof rhythmbytheorchestrainthe playingofEileenAlannah caughttheear.AllMissRene Esler'sdancenumberswere good-aGavotteandRussian Gypsydancereceivedgreatap- plause.Mrs.Pederson'sdrill displayswereasattractiveas always.Throughoutthesteady workoftheleadingstringsboth onstageandintheorchestra pitknittheshowtogetherandevidencedthevalueoftheexperiencetheSt.Joseph'ssenior girlsgetinconcertandorchestrawork.ThepianoaccompanimentofBerniceDemorest andtheconductingofMiss MarjoryWyndhamwerelike valuableinfluencesofhighstandard.

Thesoloperformanceswere allgood.PatD'ArcyandLaurell Deverellaretwoviolinistsalreadywellknowntomanyin Perth;sotooJudithCollan,

TheannualreunionoftheSt. Gertrude'sEx-collegians'associationwillbeheldintheSouth PerthconventJan.14,according toanannouncementbythepresidentofthegroup,Mrs.A.McGregor.Memberstakingpartin theaffairareaskedtoringMrs. U.Hall,BJ1880,priortoJan.8.

Theelectionofofficersforthe associationwasheldrecently withthefollowingresults:Mrs. A.McGregor,president;Mrs.J. CasellasandMrs.U.Hall,vicepresidents;MissE.Fieberg, treasurer;MissM.Meagher,secretary;MissM.Parker,assistantsecretaryandMissesM. Bianchini,E.Evans,D.Portwine,C.Fitzgerald,A.Parker, M.Hunt,E.McCarthy,andD. Horan,committeemembers.

Asuccessfulseasonofhockey andsocialeventswasreported bytheorganisation.

PATRICIAMURRAY (NANSALMO

HAIRDRESSING

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ITHASBEENPROVED.

BARNETTBROS. PTY.LIMITED SPECIALISTSINPAINT,GLASS,GLASSDECORATION ANDBUILDERS'HARDWARE.

SEEUSAT203-209HAYST.(EAST),PERTH. PHONEB7111. THE

*

TalentedlittledaughtersofMr.andMrs.J.Rowe,ofHartstreet, Merredin.Pauline(10years,right)obtained91marksforFourth Gradepiano;Stephanie(sevenyears,left)obtained90mai:.sfor FirstGradepiano.PaulineandStephaniearepupils:1St. Joseph'sconvent,Merredin.

Fromthe StoresforCheaperGroceries.

Cnr,OxfordandTennysonSts.

149NorthBeachRoad

Cnr.OxfordandCarrSts.

433CharlesStreet

BJ1031;BJ1032;BJ1033.

tilfaSMSANSYMNAMINNSAMPANNAIN%

A.RICHARDS,J.P. Noconnectionwithanyotherfirm). THENORTHBEACH ESTATEAGENTand REGISTEREDBUILDER. HousesandLandBoughtand Sold. Sellers Wewillinspectyour HouseorLandandValuesame.

RowtheChildrennF;tawBroughtjogto... TheVillageThatHadNoChristmas

ByFRANKMORRISS.

ThecitizensofLeckno,inthe farsouthofPoland,wereweary ofconquerors.TheannoyanceofCarl,theshopkeeper, withtheGermangarrisonhad turnedintoapettykindofcollaboration-aspecialsmilereservedfortheofficerswhocame tosnatchuphisslimshipments ofcigarsandchocolates.Ladlo, theoldmayor,hadbecomeclerk fortheNazigovernor,andhad gatheredhisdignityintoacave ofdarkhatredforeverything Teutonic.

FatherStanleyhadgonehis imperturbableway,ministering whenhecould,andalwaysprayingthatthevillagewouldreturn toitsoldtimesoflazy,pious Sundays,andbusydaysofharvest,feasts,andsinginginthe grapearbours.

Leckno'sNewMasters

Yes,Lecknoweptnotearsat theadieusgiventheNazisone hazyOctoberday.Butifthe Lecknoansthoughtthenewmasterswouldmeanacompleteresurrectionoftheoldvillage,that roseatedreamsoondarkened.

"Youknow,Father,theseRussiansdonotbelieveinGod! MayorLadlowaschildishly amazedthataraceexistedwho ignoredtheAlmighty,

"Wemustwaitandsee,Ladlo -waitandsee.''Thepriest spokewithawearinessnewto Ladlointhemanyyearsthey hadbeensuchcloseworkersin alltheaffairsofLeckno.

FatherStanleyonlyappeared anoptimist.Notoneofhis flock,notevenLadlo,knewthat hewasgoingthroughapurgatoryofindecision.

Thepriest'shopesthatthings mightimproveundertheRussianoccupationwerebuoyedup whenayoungrecruitsoughthim outlateonenight.

"Father,quickly,hearmyconfession,"theRussianpetitioned infrightenedandnearlyhopelessdesperation,asiftherequestmightberefused.

ButFatherStanley'ssecond visitfromaRussianwasadifferentmatter.Thecommander, araven-facedindividual,brushedpastthehousekeeperone SundaymorningafterMass.

TheMailedFist "PastorKomalski,"hebegan, inwhip-liketones,"youmay givenomoresermons-unless, headdedasifthetermweretoo remotetomeritconsideration"unlessyousubmitthemtomy officefirst.AndyoumustrestrictyourservicestoSunday mornings."

FatherStanleystoodinamazementbehindhisbattereddesk. Noonehadeverspokenthis waytohim,noteventheNazis intheirmostarrogantmoods. Hisvisitorleftwiththesame impolitehaste.

ThesurpriseinFatherStanley'seyeswasroutedbyaglow ofanger.Hisshouldershuncheduplikethoseofabull,bendinginrageforasuddendevastatingrush.Thenhecollapsedintohisancientswivel chair.Thegatheredweariness anddespairofmanytaunting yearscoveredhimlikethesuddentwilightsthatsnuffoutthe brightestafternoonsinLeckno.

ThePulpitWasSilent

Therewasnosermonthenext Sunday.Thepeopledidnot havetobetoldwhy.AsFather Stanleyturnedtogivethefinal blessinghenoticedthatthe churchwasoverflowing.Indeed,someofthefacesglimpsed werethoseofparishionerslong delinquentintheirduties.As heturnedbacktothealtar,he allowedhimselfthesmallimpietyofasmile.PerhapsGod hadnotcompletelydesertedthe villageofLeckno.

Andthen,too,therewasanothercauseofjoyforthetired priest.Thechildren'schoir seemedtosensethatGodmust berepaidfortheinconsideratenessoftheatheisticmastersof Leckno.Theysangasifahost ofnightingaleshadturnedtheir talentstoliturgy.

FatherStanleywasvery happyafterthisfirstSunday

serviceundertheSovietrulers, andthefervourofthepeople kepthimhappyformanyweeks. Whenwintercame,withits iceandsnow,thepeople- bundledinwhateverragsthey couldpullfromlastyear'sstore -continuedonSundaystofill thechurchwhere,FatherStanleyhumblyadmitted,thesingingofthechildrentaughtalessonthatcouldnotbematched byanysermonofhis.But theseweredaysofanxietyfor thepastor-mostofallanxiety aboutservicestohonourthe birthdayofPoland'sspiritual King.Infact,planningfor Christmashadalmostdriven fromhismindtheblackforebodingsofamanofGodconfrontedwithagreatphysical powerthatcarriedonwarwith God.

TheCrib Father cialrehearsal children Christmas*

WasBare Stanleycalledaspetoacquaintthe withthemusicforthe Mass,andtorevive

ceptforabitofmouldycandy, orcigaretteswhich,somehow, howfallenintothemopwater.

Asfirstthecompletedespondencyofthechildrenwasa causeofworrytoeveryone,especiallytheirparents;butas timeworeon,theLecknoansnoticedthattheirunhappinessgave waytoanewexcitementand anticipationasChristmasdrew near.Itwouldbealeanholiday,indeed,thoughttheparents;butthechildrenshould knowthat,aftersomanyyears ofhardship.

Thechestnuthuntstheyoungstersengagedinduringthose pre-holidayweek-endsseemed togrowlongerandlonger,tobe enjoyedmoreandmore.The childrenwouldcomebacktothe villagesinginghappily,with aglancethebarracks occupationsoltheoldsters, thereali-

never at whichhousedthe diers.So,said doeschildhoodforget tiesoftheworld.

AsChristmas FatherStanleyhad approached, anincreas-

OnChristmasNight

Soundlyitsleeps-Judea'shillsidetownKingDavid'schildhoodhomeofoldrenown, Norhearsthetidingsbroughtbyangelsdown Fromheaventoearth; TidingsofjoyinGloriasflungafar Andechoedbackfromvaletotremblingstar: Choirscelestialproclaimingare TheSaviour'sbirth.

Loneshepherds,watching,seethewondroussight AndhastetoBethlehemthisholynight, WhereshinesunseentheUncreatedLightTbeChildDivine.

CradledinmangerrudetheInfantlies; MaryandJosephwithadoringeyes, Andlowlyshepherds,aye,pierceLove'sDisguiseTheirGodandmine.

CarolsI,too,shallhearthatangelssing IntumultofjoytothenewbornKing WhenallmyheartintributeIshallbring OnChristmasnight.

OnChristmasNight!OnChristmasNight!

OHappy,Glorious,HolyChristmasNight!

intinymemoriesthebeautiesof oldfavourites.Ten-year-old veteranscouldrememberthe churchaglowforMidnightMass, andlittlenoviceshadbeenfilledwithstoriesofthecheery Christmascarols.Buteventhe youngestchildknewsomething waswrongwhenFatherStanleywalkedslowlyuptheaisle andtookhisplacebeforethem. Hisfacewasaswhiteasthe iciclesthatfringedthechurch eves, "Mysweetchildren,"nestammered,"weneednothavearehearsalto-day.Wearenot goingtohaveourMidnight Mass.IcannothaveanyservicesforChristmasatall.Our Russianfriendshaveforbidden it. Youmusttrytounderstandandforgivethem.And youmustsayagreatmany prayersthattheChristChild willunderstandtoo..andtake pityonallmenwhohateHim. Now,gohomeandtellyourparentswhatIhavesaid."

TheRussiancommanderhad givenFatherStanleyspecial ordersfromMoscow.There hadbeensabotageatthepower installations.Somepeasants hadshownopenhostilitytoward their"liberators."ARussian officerhadbeenfoundstiffin thesnowbesideacountryroad. Becauseofthis"reactionaryferment"theinhabitantsofLeckno wouldbewatchedwithspecial care.Nothingwouldbeallowedthatmightawakenanyfondnessfortheoldorder.

DefianceandDespair

FatherStanleynowwent aboutwhatdutieshewasfreeto performwithablackdespair, manifestedbyhisbentheadand theautomaticmovingofhis handsinblessings.Hisfriend, Ladlo,tooktheedictagainstthe Christmasserviceswithneatly thesamedespondencyasthe priest.Inothers,however,it awakeneddefiance.Carlclosedhisshop.Whenhewas forcedtoreopenit,theRussians foundshelvesbareofstockex-

sageofthehours.ElevenTheVillageisHostage o'clock.ChristmaswasallbutThecommanderspoketo over.LecknoactuallyhadhadFatherStanleywithbarelysub- noChristmas. duedrageandcoldauthority. LootintheDarkNight

"Oh,God;'thoughtFather Stanley,"wearelostinadark night."Andthenhegaveway tosleep.

Hemusthavebeendreaming! Butwhatarealisticdream!He hadheardchildrensingingthe oldChristmassongs. Theclockwassoundingmidnight.FatherStanleyshook hishead.Thesinginghadnot ceased.Itwasclearerthan ever-clearandpureeven throughtheshutteredwindow.

FatherStanley,upandquicklyrobed,peeredoutthedoor. Figuresweremovingtowardthe church,somecarryingtorches. InnotimeFatherStanley himselfwasinthestreet.He followedthesoundofsingingto thestepsofthechurch,itsgrim facenowcheerywiththedancinglightoftorches.There, groupedonthestepsbysizeand voice,werethechildrenof Leckno!

Theyweresinging,oblivious orthecold,theclearnotesringingdownthewindsweptstreets. Aboutthechildrenwasaneverwideningcircleofvillagers,and everyfaceborealightwhich seemedtoFatherStanley brighterthanthelightofthe torches.

Theirpast,-watchedthemin amazement.Whatshouldhe do?Stopthem?

Thentherewasnotimefor furtherthinking.Aroardrownedoutthesingersandtrucks

"Reporttomyofficeto-morrowmorningwithafullconfessionofyourpartinthis affair.Yourhousewillbe guarded.Thevillageisyour hostage."

FatherStanleynodded.

Backinhisstudyhesatathis desk.Inthewarmthand familiarityoftheroomhismind wasclear.Hetookhispen, whichborearidgeofteeth marks,souvenirsofhischildish habitofbitingtheinstrumentas aninducementtoasmoothchain ofthought.Thenhebeganto write:

"MydearCommander,-You askedformyconfession. I confessthatIhadgrownold, tired,andunfaithfulinmy work. IthoughtGodbaddesertedHispeople.Ithought wehadbeendeliveredtoour enemies. Ithoughtwewould betorturedbeyondendurance. MayGodforgiveme.

"Iknow,mydearcommander,thatyoudonotbelievein miracles.Soitisdifficultto tellyouwhatreallyhappened inthevillageofLecknothis veryChristmas.

"Myconfessionisthis:Ihad ceasedtobelieveinmiracles, too.Oh,Iknewthetheologicalargumentsneverhavedoubtedthem.ButIdidnotactually believe.

-SisterT.IaryTheodosia.

ingnumberofvisitsfromthe Russiancommander.

course,realisewewillholdyou responsibleforanydisturbance on-ah,theholiday.Either youorthepeopleofLecknowill sufferifthereisanyrenewalof thisbarbarousmedievalism."

FatherStanleyunderstoodonly toowell.

GloriainExcelsis

TheEveofChristmas FatherStanleymovedslowly forward.Hehadbeenthink- -FatherKomalski!You,ofingaboutmanythings those fewmomentswhiletheCniustmasmusiccutthroughthe frigidairlikethecracklingof thefreezingpinelogsintheforests.Hethoughtofother Christmases,hisseminarydays, hislongyearsofwork.And ofhisfriends,andthechildren, andthedepthsofhisownsoul. Thenhetookaplaceinfront ofthechildren.Heraisedhis handandledthem,hiseyes aflame,hisshouldersstraight, andauthorityineachgestureof hissquarehairyhands.

Thepastor'sdiscouragement grewasChristmasdrewnearer. Hespenthoursinprivateprayer,morehoursinself-reproach. Perhapshiseffortshadnotbeen enough.Perhapshehadfailed Godandbroughtpunishment uponhisbelovedvillage.Perhaps perhaps

Andthenitwastheeveof Christmas!

Thesnowsifteddownsteadily frombeforedawn,butbyeveninghadceased.Innormaltimes familieswouldbehavingdinner, exchanginggifts,thenpreparing togotomidnightMass.On thisChristmasevetherewasno indicationofwhatwastranspiringbehindtheshutteredwindowsofthetown.Thechurch itselfwaslikeagreat,cold,dark fortress,withonlythetiniest redlightvisiblethrougharear window.

FatherStanleyremainedin hisstudy..Hisofficefinished, hetriedtoread,butfoundthat impossible.Hepacedthecold roomforatime,thensatdown inhiseasychairtothink,and graduallyfellasleep.Next morninghesaidMassprivately, thenlockedhimselfinhisstudy. Thetownwasdeserted.The soldiershelddrill,inakindof defianceoftheday,asifthey couldputanendtoChristmas byignoringit. Nightfellsuddenly.itwas snowingagainbyteno'clock. Eventhelightsofthebarracks wentoutearly. FatherStanleytossedabout onhisrudestraw-filledmattress.Heheardthevillage clockboomoutitsfaithfulmes-

"Ibarelylistenedwhenthe veryyoungestofmysinging rushedintothesquare.Apla-`angels'cametomeandtoldme toonofRussianstumbledhur-nottoworry,thatthechildren riedlyfromthem.Acarar-werepreparingabirthdayparty rivedmomentslater.TheRus-oftheirownforthedivine siancommanderalightedandBabe.Whenarive-year-old pushedhiswaytothefront. speaksofsuchthings,unlessone Whythesoldiersdidnotdis-isveryholy-whichIamnotpersethecrowdnoonecouldonedoesnottakethemseriousdareguess.Perhapsitwasthe1Y determinedlookofsomanyvil-"Ididnottakeherstoryserilagers theroutingfromtheously,thestoryofhowthechilwarmsecurityofone'sbed.drenofLecknohadfounda Theystoodinadisorderedrowgoodfriendtohelpthempreawaitingorders.AndtheRus-paretheChristmassongs;how sianofficerstoodsilentlyandtheymetthisfriend-abeautigavenone. fullady,whosaidshewasvery, veryinterestedintheChild Jesus-inthewoodseachweek, sothat'herBabywillnotbe forgottenatChristmasin Leckno.'

"You,commander,afellow unbeliever,willunderstandwhy Iconsideredthischildavictim oftoomuchreligion.Especiallywhenshelispedtomethat thepromoterofthiswonderful `Christmasparty'wasnone otherthan'ourwonderful Motherfromupinheaven.'"

TheEndisCome

AyoungRussiansoldiersuddenlylefthisfellowsandtook hisplacebesideFatherStanley. Itwastheonewhohadstealthilysoughtabsolution.Hisfine tenorvoiceaddedRussianwords tothecarolsofthechildren. Thiswasallthetownspeople needed.Theywereallsinging now:"GloriainexcelsisDeo...." TheRussiancommander shoutedanorderabovethedin. Thesoldiersmovedin.The singingendedinababbleof confusion.Thepeoplemoved off-slowly,reluctantly,leaving thesquarelitteredwithburntouttorchesinthesnow,and emptyofallbuttwogreygreentrucks,acommandcar, FatherStanley,andtheRussians.

FatherStanleydutifullysignenhisconfession.Hethenslippedthroughthepassageway intothechurch,andtookthe ciboriumfromthetabernacle.

HeconsumedtheHostswitha reverentprayer,thentookthe jewel-encrustedreceptacleinto thechurchyard.Withpainful efforthescoopedaholebig enoughtoburyit,andcovered overthespotwithsomedry twigs.

Ateighto'clockthemorningafterChristmas,FatherStanley lefthishouseandbegantowalk throughthesilverysnowcrystalstowardtheRussianheadquarters,

Whenhewasjoinedbytwo Russiansoldiers,hesmiledat themcheerily.Theydidnot knowit,butthesmileFather Stanleygavethemhadnotbeen onhisfacefor10years.

INCONVEYINGXMASAND NEWYEARGREETINGS,

BOANS

THANKTHEREADERSOF "THEWICORD"FORTHEIR PATRONAGEOFBOANS MANYSERVICES,WHICH INCLUDE:-

Ladies'HairdressingSalon, ModernOpticalRooms, BootandShoeRepairDept.

AgencyoftheCommonwealth SavingsBank, TouristandTravelService, Men'sBarberShop, ReceptionHallforBridgeParParties,etc.,

DiningHallandCafeteria, WatchandClockRepairSection, SpecialChildren'sCirculating Library, Adults'Library, FreeReferenceLibrary, SewingandDressmaking School, CyclaxandContoureTreatmentSalons, EngravingService.

OakTreesFeatured

InU.S.Christmastide

InthelittletownofMadrid, NewMexico,eversinceamining disasteronChristmasEveyears ago,astarislightedoverthe mineshaftandatreeinfront ofeachhome.

St.Louis,Mo.,boastsenough carollersatChristmastosingon everycornerofthismetropolis. Lastyeartherewere30,000carollersonthestreetsonChristmasEve.

TheelectricStarofBethlehem atBethlehem.Pa.,issohighup intheheavensthatitlookslike arealstarwhenlighted.

Dallas,Tex.,hasacity-wide children'spartyonChristmas Day.

Boston'scustomofhavingbell ringersingalaredringinthe feastonChristmasEvealongits world-famedBeaconstreetis uniqueandpleasing.

ReflectingtheEnglandof Cromwell,earlyNewEngland colonistsin1659forbadecarol singingoranyothercelebration ofChristmas.For22yearsany observanceofChristmasinMassachusettswaspunishablebya fineorimprisonment.

"Theworld'slargestliving Christmastree"isabeautiful liveoakwhichservesWilmington,N.C.,asitsCommunity Christmastree.

Oaksmayhaveexisted100 millionyearsago.geologists contend.Abraham,theBible tellsus,restedunderanoak. Britain'sgreatnesswasinlarge measureduetoexploringfleets andfightingarmadasfashioned fromtheBritishoak.Anoak nearRouen,France,estimated tobe1,200yearsold,contains twosmallchapelsatseparate levelsinitshollowinterior. Treedoctorshaveworkedhard topreserveagnarledoakof mysteriousspeciesnearSebring, Flo.,thatmaypredatePoncede Leonbycenturies.

BecauseofthemajesticWye OakatWycMillsonMaryland's "easternshore,"Marylandchose thewhiteoakasitsstatetree.

The400-year-oldspecimenis89 feethighandfar-spreading. Georgia,Illinois.WestVirginia, andConnecticuthavenamed oakspeciesasstatetrees.

Angel'sCamponaGrand Canyoncliffhasayule-logceremonyatChristmas.Yosemite, Calif..stagesapublicperformanceofIrving's-Christmasat Bracebrid,oHall"

Martyrs&Moderns

ContributeCarols

"TheWhiteDoveofthe Desert,"theannualChristmas fiestaatSanXavierMission nearTucson,Ariz.,laststhree days.ThisPapagoIndianfestivalofprayer,musicanddancingopenswithaMasssungby achoirof40Indians.

ThefirstgenuinelyAmerican Christmascarolwaswritten about1635byFatherJeande Brebeuf,JesuitmartyrandmissionarytotheHuronIndians. Hecomposedinthedifficult Huronlanguageacarolcalled "Jesousahatonna."TheIndians keptitalivebysongfornearly 150yearsbeforeanotherpriest putitinwriting.

TheIndiansoftheAmerican Southwestinheritedtheircarols fromtti,airSpanishpriests.The Dakotatribeproducedtwooriginalcarols,"GreatHappiness" and"CarryItOn,"andthe Siouxcontributed-StarsLead UsEverOn."TotheAmerican Negro,whosedeepreligiousfeel- ingisexpressedinspirituals, weareindebtedfor"Beholdthe Star,""RiseShepherdandFol-low"andthe"CherryTree Carol."

yearlyModernAmericancomposers offersonggiftsforthe Christmasseason.Thciughrarely religious,andoftentransitory, sometouchthegeneralnostalgia forChristmasasitseemedin childhood.Songslike"I'llbe HomeforChristmas"and"White Christmas"soldmorethanfive millionrecordsandthreemillionpiecesofsheetmusic.

ThecarolsofEuropearrived withthepeopleswhocameto Americatosettle."0Come,All YeFaithful,"orAdesteFideles, belongedtonoonenationbut wasthecommongiftofthecontinent.Ithasbeentranslated into119languagesanddialects. FromGermanycame"Silent Night,HolyNight"andFrance providedthebeautifulCantique deNoelor"0HolyNight."

BUYYOURREQUIREMENTS

OF Ales Wines and Spirits FROM WESTRALWINE AND SPIRITAGENCY

WestPerthParishionersHoldMarian

ProcessionontheFeastofOurLady

AlargecongregationassembledinSt.Brigid'schurch,Dec. 10,toparticipateinthedevotionsheldtohonourMaryImmaculate,andalsotobeenrolledintheMiraculousMedal.

AstatueofOurLadyof Lourdeswasplacedinthesanctuaryanddecoratedwithchoice blooms.

TheproceedingswereorganisedbythemenoftheHoly Namesociety,andwerecarried outinexcellentmanner.The hymnsweresungwithgreatartistryanddevotion.

Abandofsmallchildren,clad inwhitesatin,precededasmall statuecarriedbyfourofthe men.Amongtheselittleones wastheQueenoftheMayfor 1950-EllenLloyd.

PeterQuinnWill

BeOrdainedDec.21

TheRev.PeterQuinn,sonof Mr.andMrs.J.Quinnof Beaufortstreet,willberaised tothepriesthoodinRome,D.,e. 21,byCardinalFurnasoniBiondi.

BorninSubiaco,theRev. Quinnwaseducatedatthe SacredHeartprimaryschool andtheChristianBrothers'high school,Highgate.

WhenSt.Charles'seminarywasopenedatGuildfordin1942, heenrolledasafoundation student.Philosophycompleted, hesailedforRomeinSep-tember1947.

TheRev.Quinn'sordination willbe fromthesixthamongstudents St.Charles'seminary.

S.I.C.OldBoys

WillEntertain

MaristBrothers

TheMarist"Brotherswhostaff St.Ildephonsus'college,New Norcia,willbeentertainedby theOldBoysAssociationata complimentarydinnerinthe WattleTearooms,62St. George'sterrace,Monday,Dec. 18at7.Afterdinnerasmoke socialwilltakeplace.

Rev.BrotherRonaldanassistantProvincialoftheMarist Brotherswasgivenaluncheon bytheex-students'association, Nov.9,atwhich29membersattended.BrotherRonaldgavea talkontheearlyhistoryof CatholiceducationinthisState.

ThirdOrderCancels

TwoDaysofExposition

TheThirdOrderofSt. Francisannouncedduringthe weekthattheusualExposition oftheBlessedSacramentwould notbeheldonTuesday,Dec.26, noronJan.2,inthechapelat Victoriasquare.

604

ThepreacherwastheRev.J. P.Wilksonson,C.M. Morethan300medalswere procuredatthechurchdoor.The ceremonyofenrollingwasbrief butmostimpressiveasthepriest gavetheEnglishtranslationof theLatinformula. SolemnBenedictionwasgivenbyFatherWilkinson,assisted byRev,J.Fitzgeraldandthe Rev.A.Morohan.Thedevotionsconcludedwith'Faithof OurFathers."*

ClergyConference:

AdultConfirmation

Aconferenceofthemetropolitanclergywillbeheldinthe Chapterhall,VictoriaSquare, Friday,Dec.22,at10a.m.

Intheeveningofthesame day,at7,HisGracetheArch_ bishopwillconfertheSacrament ofConfirmationonadultsinSt. Mary'sCathedral.Candidates fromoutsidethecathedralparishshouldpresentaletterfrom theirparishpriesttotheAdministratorpriortotheceremony.

PrayerforChristmasEve

DearInfantJesus,withgoldenhaircurled

SoftlyaboutYoursweetbabyface, Blessusthisnightandfilluswithgrace!

LeadustoBethlehembythegreatstar We'llworshipwithWiseMencomefromafar, Andassoftlittlebreezessetpalmtreesastir, Wellgazeontheirgiftsoffrankincenseandmyrrh. We'llsingwiththeangelsof"peace"and"goodwill," Andtogetherwithshepherdsfromoverthehill, We'llkneelinthebrightlightthatstreamsfrom Andwithhumbleheartsofferthegiftofourlove!

above,

-MyrtleVorstSheppard.

H.N.Members OfE.PerthBranch

RallyatCommunion

Theclimaxoftheyear'sactivitieswasmarkedbytheHoly NamesocietyofSt.Francis Xavier'schurch,EastPerth, Dec.10,byaCommunionbreakfastheldintheschoolhall.

Massat7.30wasattendedby 35men,whoallapproachedthe altarrails.PresentattheMass andbreakfastwereCyrilBerry, diocesanpresident,andMark Foley,diocesansecretary.

Speakersatthebreakfast were:TheRev.M.Ryan,Messrs. M.Foley,F.Matthews,P.Morrissey,J.Neville,andM.Rush.

PilgrimStatueWill

ArriveHereJan.1

Wordhasbeenreceivedfrom theRt.Rev.Mgr.Bonamy,Vicar GeneralofthedioceseofMalacca,Malaya,thatthestatueof OurLadyofFatimaisatpresenttouringSiamandBurma. ItwillreturntoSingapore Dec.29,andleaveforAustralia Dec.30ontheGorgon.The anticipateddateofarrivalat FremantleisJanuary7,1951.

PresbyteryOpeningWill BeReportedNextWeek

Owingtopressureonspace inthisissue,theaccountofthe openingofthenewpresbytery atEastFremantlehasbeenheld overuntilnextweekwhena fullreportwillbepublished.

ChristmasBells

Chime!Chime!Chime!

BellsofChristmastime; Filltheairwithmusicand Thesadworldwithdelight,Forangelchoirssing TheChristChildheralding, WhenChristmasbellsarechimingin Thesoftstillnight.

Peal!Peal!Peal!

Maythesadearthfeel

Thesweetnessofthestoryof Bethlehem'sroyalStranger;Tellagaintheholy TaleofChristthelowly: "TheywrappedtheChildinswaddlingclothes AndlaidHiminamanger."

-KatherineMcKenna.

ManyAttendMarian NovenaatCathedral

Thenovenainpreparationfor thepatronalfeastoftheArchdioceseandoftheCathedral concludedDec.8,thefeastofthe ImmaculateConception.Exceptionallylargecongregations attendedtheninedaysofthe devotions,prayingforpeace amongthenationsandthewel_ fareofAustralia.

Somesignalgraceshadalso beenreported,saidtheRev.J. Hogan,whoconductedthedevotions.Ontheconcludingday, atleast400receivedHolyCommunion.Otherpriestsonthe Cathedralstaffagreedthatthe novenahadbeenamemorable one.

ChristmasCard

Friendsarefriendsthewholeyearthrough, Nearandbyourside; Butfriendshipseemsmoreclose,moretrue Whenit'sChristmastide.

Friendsofmine,Iwishforyou Christmasjoy,Christmasfire. Jesus'love,andMary's,too, Andallyourheart'sdesire.

*

TheRev.ThomasGill,the CapeTownpriestwhowasthe firsttobepenalisedunderSouth Africa'srecentraciallegislation, hassuccessfullyappealedagainst hisconviction.InMarchofthis yearFatherGillwasconvicted ofofficiatingatamarriageceremonybetweenaEuropeanand awomandescribedasbeing "slightlycoloured,"socontraveningtheMixedMarriages act.Hewasfined£20.Nowthe threejudgesoftheCapeTown Supremecourthaveunanimouslysetasidetheconviction.

-LorettaHart.

PriestBereaved

CablednewshasbeenreceivedfromIrelandofthe deathofEdwardPatrickMcGrath,brotheroftheRev. J.J.McGrath,assistantpriest atKalgoorlie.

Deceaseddied,afterabrief illnessatKnockmoyIe,Omagh, Co.Tyrone,attheageof 26.Heissurvivedbyhiswidow mother.Hewasthenephewof theRt.Rev.Msgr.E.Moss ofNedlandsandwaswellknowntomanypriestsofthe archdiocese.

Cabledadvicewasreceived byMrs.W.Madden,ofCollie, duringtheweekofthedeathin Scotlandofhermother,Mrs. HenryDaly,whohadbeen ailingforsometime. Sheissurvivedbyherhusbandandeightchildren,allof whomwerenearheratthetime exceptMrs.MaddenandMr. JohnDaly.

Mr.andMrs.Dalycelebrated theirgoldenweddinginJuly 1949.TheywerethehappyrecipientsofthePapalBlessingat theThanksgivingMassinSt. Serf's,church,Highvalleyfield. Afterwardstheywereentertainedbythecongregationin St.Serf'shall.

Mrs.Dalywas75onOctober 14last.

WhoWrotePopular

ChristmasHymn!

LONDON.-Theworld's mostfamousChristmashymn, "AdesteFideles,"waswritten byanobscureEnglishCatholic laymanearlyinthe18thcentury,accordingtoahookpublishedinLondonbyDomJohn Stephan.O.S.B.,Buckf1stabbey,Devonshire.

DomJohn,aftermuchresearch,claimsthattheauthorof thehithertoanonymoushymn wasaJohnFrancisWade,a Churchmusicianofsomenote, whowentintovoluntaryexile fromtheanti-CatholicEngland ofthosedaysinordertopractisehisfaith.Itisnotknown whetherhewasapriestor cleric,butitseemshewasa layman.Itisknownthathedevotedhislifetowritingand teachingLatinandChurchsong andmusic-copyinginliturgical books.

Theclaimismadeonpurely circumstantialevidence.A11 knownearlycopiesofthehymn aresignedbyJohnFrancis Wade.One,preserveduntilrecentlyattheClongowesJesuit college,CountyKildare,Ireland -ithassincebeenlost-was dated1746.Anotherofthe WadeversionsisatStonyhurst Jesuitcollege,Lancashire.Now anewandearlier,andslightly varied,versionhasbeenfound ataLondonlibrarysaleand, althoughunsigned,wasalso produced,DomJohnbelieves, byWadebetween1720and 1750.

Hehascompareditclosely withphotographsoftheother manuscriptsandsaysittallies ineverydetail.Onthisevidence principally,heclaimsthatWade wrotethehymn.Nooneelse claimedtohavewrittenit,and sinceWadeproducedtheseveral knownoriginalversionshemust havewrittenithimself.Wade diedAug.16.1786.attheage of75.

YCWSprinterDeGruchyShowsTopForm

AsDepartureDateforCanterburyGames

Approaches:AthletesShineatLeederville

Sprintchampion,BilldeGruchy,showedthat hewillrepresentW.A.favourablyattheCanterburyCentennialgames,forwhichheleavesthis week.Bill's9.9secondsforthe100yardsdash provethis,andfullcreditmustgotoCoachGeoff Wornerforthenicetimingofform.

BillO'Grady,aftertwonojumps,wonthe"A"Gradelong jumpwithhisthird,andonly jumptobemeasured.K.Salt performedwelltotakesecond placeinthe2nd.divisionofthe "A"Gradelongjump.

TheY.C.W.Athleticclub's firstandonlylifemember,Brian Ryan,returnedtothetrackas anactivecompetitor,andfilled aplaceinthe"A"Gradepole vaults.Briancertainlyisa grandclubman.Whenhe heardthattheclubwasshortof polevaulters,outcametheold warhorseagain,toscorevaluablepointsfortheclub.

JohnChilvers,amuchimprovedhurdler,finishedclose behindthewinnertotakesecondplaceinthe"A"Grade120 yardshurdles.Asheisstill young,Johnshowsgreatpromiseasahurdler-perhapsa futureStatechampionwhowill holdhistitleformanyyears.

TomMeagherranwellinthe 440firstdivision;unfortunately, 4 hecouldnotbeatFrankFox,of Cottesloe,buthedidthenext bestthing.Intheseconddivisionofthe440yardsF.Butler, runningagainsttop-class,filled 3rd.place.Frankhasshowed thathecangainmanypointsin "A"grade.Thisisveryencouraging,seeingheisarecent additiontothetopgrade.

'B'GradeTeamLeads Fieldby230Points

The100yardsfoursomeall registeredwins.J.O'Connell's timeof10.4secs.wasthefastest ofthefour,andGrahamWard, havinghisfirstrunfortheseason,ranthe100yardsin10.5. Grahamran"A"gradelastyear, registeringwinsfrequentlyin thatgrade.Itispleasingtosee himstartingagainthisseason.

Thelongjumpresultedinanotherbagofpointsfortheclub: J.O'Connell,J.Pitts,andJ. Walshwinningthe1st.,2nd.,and 3rd.divisions,respectively.In the440yardsevents,B.Hanney andF.O'Connellregistered wins,andJ.Butleralsofilleda place. The"B"Gradeteamisnow 230pointsaheadofthenearest rivalintheprogressivescores.

'C'GradersBattle StiffCompetition

Althoughonlywinningone event-the100yardhurdles,3rd. division,wonbyM.Traversthe"C"gradeteamfinishedonly twopointsbehindthewinners fortheday-Mt.Hawthorn.

Allthesepointswerescored byfillingtheminorplacingsin mostevents.Forinstance,in the440yards,M.Haydock,R. Walker,andD.Dalyallgained secondplaces.P.Slattery, competingforthesecondtime, gaveanencouragingdisplayin thehurdles,fillingsecondplace. Healsogainedaplaceiathe longjump.RonBeatonshowedhimselftobeversatile,gainingplacesintheshotputtand javelin,aswellasrunninga goodlastlegintherelay,in whichtheteamwasthird.The teamwereB.O'Malley,J. Clarko,andP.O'Donoghue.

Sub-JuniorsMove

ClosertoLeaders

Thisteamhadaverysuccessfulday,foraswellaswinning therelayforthefirsttimethey alsofinishedwiththemost pointsforthedayintheirgrade. Thesepointsdrawthemcloser tothepresentleadersPerth Boys',andfurtherawayfrom thethirdteam,FremantlePoliceBoys'.E.Knightwaslargely responsiblefortheteam'ssuccess.Hegainedafirstinthe 100yardsandhurdles,thirdin theshotputt,andfiguredinthe winningrelayteam.C.Creed alsofilledmanyplaces.He wassecondinthe880yardsand longjump,thirdinthehurdles, andalsoranintherelay.

T.Keysonwasanotherto shineasaversatileathlete,fillingsecondplacesinthe880 yards,shotputt,andthe100 yards.

SchoolRepresentativesMeetfor DiscussiononProgressofY.C.S.

DiocesanElections

SetatHeadquarters

Allbranchpresidentsarere- mindedoftheDiocesanelections tobeheldatD.I.S.C.A.on Thursday,Dec.21,at8p.m. Everybranchmustberepresented.

ChristmasFestival

StagedbyCathedral

AcombinedChristmasparty willbeheldbytheCathedral branchatWembleyhallat p.m.onMonday,Dec.18. A welcomeisextendedtoallbranches.

WestPerthMembers

AnswerDialogueMass

ADialogueMasswillbeattendedbyWestPerthmembers onSunday,Dec.24.Choir practiceisheldeveryWednesday.

LeedervilleSocial TobeHeldMonday

ThisMondaynight,inSt. Mary'shall,asocialwillbeheld asaconclusiontotheyear'sactivitiesoftheLeederville branch.Membersandfriends areinvitedandaspecialinvitationisextendedforallparents whoareinterestedinthemovementtoattend. Theeveningwillfeature musicalitems,debate,N.C.G.M. andY.C.W.annualreportsand dancingandsuppertofollow.

SpecialMeetingSet

ByNedlandsBranch

Aspecialmonthlymeetingof theNedlandsbranchwillueheld onMonday,Dec.18.Asthisis thelastmeetingoftheyear,a goodroll-up

AcricketmatchwasplayedagainsttheSeminaryteamrecently.Nedlandshadanarrow win-thankstoMauriceFoley. Highlightoftheafternoonwas whenthepresident,FredFrank, stumpedhisbrother.

CombinedRallyAt Claremont,Dec.17.

Allareagainremindedofthe combinedrallytobeheldbythe ClaremontbranchonDec.17.

Therallywillcommenceat 7.30p.m.,withabadge_giving ceremonyinthechurch.Asocialanddancewillthenfollow inSt.Thomas'hall.Supperwill beserved.

Thoseinthecricketteamare remindedofthematchagainst thetennisclubonDec.17,commencingat1.30p.m.

PalmyraCancels

ChristmasSocial

Owingtocircumstancesbeyondourcontrol,weregretthat thedancesetforChristmaseve hasbeencancelled.

PortCricketTeam

Sets

Dance,Dec.17

Adancesponsoredbythe FremantleY.C.W.cricketteam willbeheldinSt.Patrick's hallonSunday,Dec.17.Aninvitationisextendedtomembers ofotherbranchestoattendthis function.

RonWhitewasnamedpre- sidentofthelocalbranchatthe electionsheldDec.4.OtherofficialsareKevinBoladeras,vicepresident;D.Reed,secretary; T.Hegarty,assistantsecretary; K.Cant,treasurer,E.Barrett, warden,andD.Reed,propa- gandist.

Twenty-fivegirlsattendedaweek-endat Marionlodge,organisedbytheYoungChristian Students'movement,Dec.9and10.Thefollowingschoolswererepresentedattheconferences: Loreto,Osborne,;St.Brigid's,Lesmurdie;St. Brigid's,WestPerth;SantaMaria,Attadale;VictoriaSquare;lona,MosmanPark;SacredHeart, Highgate;Brigidineconvent,Subiaco;andthe Coolgardieconvent.

Conferenceson"WhyCatholicAction,andWhatItIs,"and "TheYoungCatholicStudents' movement,"weregivenbythe Rev.J.McNamara,diocesan chaplainofthemovement.The Rev.E.Sullivan,diocesandirectorofCatholicAction,spokeon "LeaderFormation,"MissPeg O'Neill,presidentoftheNational CatholicGirls'movement,spoke on"TheEnquiry,"andMiss ThelmaMurray,secretaryofthe N.C.G.M.,spokeon"Itemsof Interest-ReviewofInfluence."

FatherMcNamara'sStatement: Theconferencewasanimort_ antsteptowardstheestablishmentoftheYoungCatholicStudents'movementintheschools andcollegesoftheArchdiocese.

Atthepresenttimewearestill alongwayfromfulfillingthe oft_repeatedwishofthePopes

NOMGirlsSponsor OutingforOrphans

*

Agenerousdeedwould bedoneifanN.C.G.M.movementmemberwouldoffer totakeachildfromSt. Joseph'sorphanagetotheir homesforChristmasdinner. Ifanygirl,orindeedany person.readingthiswould bewillingtosharetheir Christmashappinesswith others,pleasecontactthe movementsecretary-phone B2546-whenfurtherdetailswillbesupplied.

TwoNedlandsMembers

ToHolidayinSydney

Nedlandshasnowclosedits generalmeetingsuntilafter Christmas.Girlsleavingschool areadvisedtowatchthiscolumn fortheopeningdateofnext year'sactivities. "BonVoyage"wishesgoto twomembers-MabelandNancy Shepherd,wholeftonthe"Duntroon"toholidayinSydney.

PalmyraHasVictory InSoftballLeague

ThePalmyrasoftballteam beatPostalUnionby7points.

Thefinalgeneralmeetingfor theyearwasheldDec.10,when arrangementsforthepilgrimage tobeheldnextSunday,were finalised.Thebuswillleave Palmyraat3p.m.Allthosewho wishtotakeadvantagearerequestedtocontactoneofthe N.C.G.M.orY.C.W.leadersas soonaspossible.Thosewhoare ableareaskedtowalk,leaving Palmyraat4p.m.(Wefeelsure thatthereareextragracesattachedtothissmallpenance).

Thefinalleaders'meetingfor thisyearwasheldonThursday,Dec.14.

SubiacoMembersSet ChristmasFestival

SubiacomembershavescheduledaChristmasentertainment onTuesdaynext,Dec.19.It willbeheldinSt.Joseph'shall at8p.m.Allthegirlsofthe parishareinvitedandalsotheir parentsandfriendswillbevery welcome.Girlsareaskedto bringaplateofsupperifpossible.

STATE SAWMILLS

ANDBRICKWORKS.

HEADOFFICE:306MURRAYSTREET,PERTH. TEL.:BA2541.

PLANINGMILLANDJOINER'SSHOP: MILLERSTREET,VICTORIAPARK.'PhoneM1145.

CONSULTUSBEFOREYOUBUILDYOURHOME. USEKARRIFORROOFINGTIMBERS.

thatthroughthismovementboys andgirls"shouldshareinthe greatfamilyofCatholicAction."Itis17yearssincePope PiusXIsaid:"Itisnotsufficient toorganisegroupsofCatholic Actioninuniversities.They oughttobeestablishedin schoolsandcolleges.Therethey shoulddefinitelypromote,cultivate,andforwardCatholicActionwithaviewtolaterpartici_ patingintheworkoftheadult movements."

AndyetwestillseemtobeattemptingtoeducateourCatholicboysandgirlsforlifewithouteducatingthemtotaketheir placein tolatetheorganisedlayaposwhichisnowanintegral PartofCatholiclife!

Butthispreparationforafter lifeisnotthemainpurposeof theY.C.S.Itisarealunitin thearmyofCatholicAction, witharealroletoplayinthe christianisingofthepaganworld aboutus.

Itisherethatthemain stumblingblocktothispar- ticularmovementismet.So manytake uptheattitude-"SurelyourCatholic schoolsareChristianalready; therecanbenoquestionoftheir needingtobeChristianised."It isnotyetsufficientlyrealised thattheY.C.S.hasasitssphere ofoperationtheinfluencesthat affectnotonlyCatholicboysand girlsbutallstudents.Buteven concentratingforthemomenton Catholicstudentsthemselves,therearemanyfactorsintheir livesbeyondthecontrolof schoolauthoritiesevenwhen theyaredoingallthatishumanlypossibletoseetoitthatthe environmentofourschoolsis Christian.Apartfromthefact thatsomuchofthestudents'

time,eveninthecaseofboarders,isspentawayfromthe school,schoolchildrengotothe films,readsecularmagazines, booksandpapers,mixwithnonCatholicandsometimespagan friends.Thereportsofenquiriesconductedbythemovement inthepastshowclearlythat manystudentsdohavewrong ideasonalargenumberofquestions.Theysometimeslackthe Catholicoutlook,forexample, ontheboy-girlquestion,orin theirattitudetomixedmarriages,toteachers,tostudy,to sport,toreligiousinstruction.In lackofrespectfortheproperty ofothers,byindulgenceintalk whichisuncharitable-whenit isnotworse-andinahostof otherways,too,theysometimes showthatthepaganworldis warpingeventheideasofstudentsinourCatholicschools, succeedingingettingsomanyto thinkandactastheworldthinks andacts.

Notonlytoeducateandtrain layapostles,whosezealandinitiativewillfitthemtotake theirplaceinadultCatholicActionorganisations,butalsoto oppose,turnback,andtoconquerthepaganattitudesand ideasthatareaffectingthe wholestudentenvironment,and tosubstituteaChristianatmosphere-thisimperativetaskdemandstheY.C.S.Trueenough therealreadyexistinmany schoolsexcelentorganisations suchastheVincentdePaulsociety,theLegionofMary,sodalities,andthelike.Butthese societiescannottaketheplaceof theY.C.S.,asonlytheY.C.S. directlyattackstheideasandattitudesofthestudentenvironment.Becauseofthis,andbecauseofthismovement'simportanceinsupplyingacontinualstreamofalreadytrained apostlestotheadultmovements, toneglectitwouldbetofall intothepitfallagainstwhich wearewarnedbyCardinal SuhardandbytheBishopsof Australia:"Thegreatesterrorof theChristiansofthetwentieth century,andtheoneitschildrenwouldnotforgivethem, wouldbetolettheworldtake shapeandunitewithoutthem, withoutGod-oragainstHim."

J.C.HAMILTON,M.P.S.,Ph.C., ConsultingChemist.

197BRISBANESTREET-PERTH.

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SoleW.A.Distributors:"HALDA"TYPEWRITERS-"FACIT"CALCULATORS"AUSTRAL"DUPLICATORS.

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J.

HeavenandEarthwereStilland WonderGrippedtheStars TheFirstChristmasNight

Thisstorywassuggestedbytheopinionofsomeastronomersthatnotoneplanetbutthreemadeabrillianttriangle intheskyonthenightoftheSaviour'sbirth. *

Nightafternighttherewaswhisperingamong thestars;theyknewsomegreateventwasaboutto takeplace.Nightlythekindofsilencethatgoes beforeimportantthingswaspresentintheheavens.

ByHELENS.NEAL.

Theroadsbelowwerefullof peopleandofanimalcreaturesallofthemgoing,notinthe samedirection,buttowardone focalpoint.Caravansmoved slowlyoverthedesert.There werealwaysoneortwoplodding acrossthesand:but,fordays now,thenumberhadbeenincreasing.Why?

True,thiswastheseasonfor taxpaying..Butnever'before hadpeoplecomefromother countriestojoininthejourney_ ingsofthosewhoowedtaxes.In otheryearsthefewwhomust paycame,paid,andreturned quietlytotheirhomes.But nowtherewerecountlessthousandsfrombeyondhillsand seas,fromstrangefar-offplaces. Surelytheywerenotclamouringtopaytaxes,too!

MANANDBEASTRESTIVE.

Shepherdsonthehillsidesand inthefieldswererestive.They didnotsleepasusual,butwalkedalongthestreamsandbetweentherocks,leaningontheir staffs,cuppingtheircheeksin thepalmoftheirhands,listening,planning.Manyofthem gatheredtheirflocksandsetoff toaddthemselvesandtheir chargestothealready.ioulve,/ingmultitudes.

Sheepandcattle,usuallyset_ tleddownassoonasthesun sankbehindthehills,wereas restlessastheirmastersandstill nibbledatthegrass,andacted asiftheywereexpectingsomeonetocome.Whentheirmasterssetoutontheroadtheyfollowedeagerly,thoughalways beforetheyhadtravelledonly byday.

Twobeautifulflamingstars shonesobrightlythattheyalmostequalledVenus,theiracknowledgedqueen,inherbrilliance.Buttheirattention, strangely,wasnotonthemsel_ ves.Theyseemedtohavea mission-apurpose-inshining moreeagerlythaneverbefore.

Inlittlegroupsthestarslookeddownandwatchedbelow. Onegroup,tothewestnoticeda king-largeandkind-facedand wearingmagnificentflowing robes-approachingoncamel back.Hisattendantrodebehindandcarriedbags.One smallchest,however,musthave beentoopreciousforthekingto trusttohisservant.Hecarried thisinhisownhand.Itwas

notusualforakingtocarry burdens,nordidthisoneseem tofinditeasy.Whenhegrew wearyhemustshifthimselfin thesaddlewithonlythehelpof hisotherhand.

Fromthesouthalittlegroup ofstars,breathlesslywide-eyed andexcitedlywatching,saw anotherking,tallandverydorkskinned.He,too,carriedone baghimself.Itwasshaped likeabagofgoldandhekeptit bracedagainsthisknee.

Thestarsinthenorthwere thefirsttoseeathirdkingapproaching.Hewastall,with lighthair,andherodecaster thantheothers.Perhapshe hadcomefromfartheraway.He boreachestthathew3ulcinot trusttohisservant-underhis arm,sothatitjustshowed frombeneathhislongflowing sleeves.

Now,attheeast,camethree riders,sidebyside.Theylookedlikelearnedmenorgreat scholars.Theytalkedearnestlyastheybobbedalongonthe backsoftheirbeasts.

ANGELSFLUTTERDOWNWARD.

Somewhereallthesetravellers wouldcometogether.They weregettingnearerandnearer totheendoftheirjourney,the pointwhereallwouldmeet,The starsstoodtiptoe,onjustoneof theirpoints,andlookeddown, wondering.Somanymore journeyerswereontheroads, andhadbeenproceedingnight andday,someofthemfora longtime!Yettheydidnot seemtired.Theymovedwith alightstep,expectantly,eagerly,happily.Dustandthirst andthelongmilesseemedhardlytobotherthematall. Eventhemeekestandleast cautiousofthestars-thosewho seldompaidmuchattentionto thesilly,unimportantcomings andgoingsontheearthbelowbegantowonderandtowatch. Theytippedthiswayandthat, blinkingbrighterandbrighter astheytriedtoseeandtounderstand.

Coulditbethatthetravellers wantedtoseeAugustus,Tiberius,orHerod,themenpeopleon theearththoughtgreat?No,all movementwastowardBethlehemandnoneofthese"great" menwasthere! Therewasasoftflutteras angelsflewquietlydown,down. down.Usuallytheyhovered 111111M1111111111111111111811111111111111111118111M11111

DAN WHITE

CHEMIST, PlazaArcade-Perth

DanWhiteandhis Staffthankreaders of"TheRecord" fortheirpatronage duringtheyear. andextendbest wishesforaMerry Christmasanda BrightandProsperousNewYear.

neartheTemple,butndttonight:allappearedtobeheadedforBethlehem-thespotsometravellershadalreadyreached andotherswerefastapproaching.Thiswasoneofthe placesthetaxpayersmustcome. Surelysomanyshepherds,kings, wisemenandevenangelswere

notgoingtoBethlehemtopay taxes! Threelittleextra-curiousstars inthemiddleoftheskyhad drawncloserandclosertogether, eachnight,toseewhatwas happening.Theytiltedthis wayandthat,peeringcuriously downoverBethlehem.Nowand

FrLae

Christmastimeishereagain, Crownofalltheyear; Earth'smostblessedseasonwhen Friendsareheldmostdear; DeckthefestiveChristmastree, LighttheChristmasfire, MaytheChristChildbringtothee Allthyheart'sdesire.

-JacquelineRoyer.

IMENSIIIMINIMEMISSICINIONIMWIRM PassionPlay

ActorsMarry

MUNICH,Nov.30(NC)."Lazarus"and"Mary,"oflast summer'sOberammergauPassionplay,expecttobemarried. AnnemarieMayr,whoenacted thepartoftheBlessedMother, hasannouncedherengagement toRobertSteidle,whoplayed Lazarus.Annemie,assheis generallycalled,is20yearsold. HerrSteidleis25.

SHIPPING.

LLOYD TRIESTINO FORNAPLFSANDGENOA Steamer.

U.Vivaldi Toscana S.Caboto U.Vivaldi

LeaveFremantle

22thDec.1950 13thJan.1951 22thFeb.1951 17thMar.1951 FARES

CabinClassfrom,£110Stg.to £192Stg ThirdClass(incabins)from£63

thenashepherdmovingeagerly along,hisflockbehindhim, lookedupatthethreestarsthat lookedtobebutone.Tiltingthiswayandthat,beamingin theirexcitement,theircombinedbrightnessoutshineeventhe gorgeousVenus.

Theshepherdhadtoshield hiseyesfromthebrightlight thestarsshed.Hardlyahun_ dredpaceswerelefttogo.He lookeddownagainattheroad andhurriedon.

GOODNEWS.

Suddenlyallsoundceased. Thehasteningtravellershad cometorestbyastablebehind aninnatBethlehem.The angelstookuppositionsaround thestable,nearitsentrance.

Thenanangelsuddenlyap- pearedatthedoorway,withup- liftedwings,spoketothe gatheredcrowds: "Donotbeafraid,forbehold, Ibringyougoodnewsofgreat joywhichshallbetoallthepeople:forto-dayinthetownof DavidaSaviourhasbeenborn toyouwhoisChristtheLord.-

BLENNERHASSETT'S INSTITUTE

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BLENNERHASSETT'SINSTITUTEOF ACCOUNTANCYPTY.,LTD.Founded1927.

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PreparationofItalianDocuments,etc.

Tothosewithwhomwehavebeen associatedoverthepastyears,we wishhappinessatChristmastide, andpeacewithstabilityduring 1951 WALSH'S

THEBIGSTOREFORMENANDBOYS

ChristmasAroundTheAlphabet

CompiledbyROSED.MEYER.

ADVENT.

Thewordsignifies"coining" or"arrival"-theperiodofwaitingforthebirthoftheChrist Child,beginningwiththeSundaynearesttheFeastofSt.Andrew,who,accordingtolegend, showedhisbrother,Simon Peter,thewaytoChrist.

BELLS.

Inmedievaltimesagreatbell, asifforafuneral,wastolledfor anhourbeforemidnighton Christmasevetowarnthe powersofdarknessoftheapproachofthebirthofthe PrinceofLight.Knownas "tollingthedevil'sknell,"itwas followedbymerrychimesat midnighttowelcometheInfant Jesus.

CAROLS.

Tracedtothewordchoros,the dancingandsingingpartofa Greektragedy,carolsoriginally were"ringdances"accompani_ edbysinging;later,identified withmerrytunessuggesting dancing.AtthetimeofSt. FrancisofAssisitheytookthe formofsimple,merrysongsbasedonsomereligioustheme.

DATE.

ExactyearoftheNativity cannotbeproved.Christen*

toformtheSaturnalia,afeast inhonourofSaturn,godofagriculture,celebratingcompletion oftheharvest.Itwasatime ofrevelryandgiftbestowing and,forthatreason,someattributepaganorigintothese phasesofChristmascelebration.

KRISKRINGLE. Nomatterwhatyoucallhim, he'sstillthespiritofChristmas. "KrisKringle,"whobringsgifts toGermantots,isacorruption of"KristKind"(ChristChild).

"SantaClaus"isderivedviathe DutchfromSt.Nicholas,fourthcenturyBishopofMyra,who gavegenerouslyandinsecret andsobecameasymbolof charity.

LOCALES. TheAmericanstatesofFlorida,Arizona,Kentucky,Mississipi,andTennesseehave smallcommunities named Christmas,butonlyoneofthese -Florida-hasa post-office. Also,aMainesummerresortis ChristmasCoveand,inMinnesota,ChristmasLakeisnear Minnetonka.

MISTLETOE. Symbolicofloveandpeace, mistletoewasusedbythe Druidsinmidwinterfestival worship.Itwascutdownby white-robedpriestswithgolden

*

WhytheFernHasNoFlowers

AbeautifullegendofChristmastellsthatwhentheVirgin MaryboundupherInfantSonwithswaddlingclothesandlaid Himinthemanger,thedrystrawandhaywithwhichitwasfilled wererestoredtofreshnessandlifeandbeautifulwildflowersformedthemselvesintoawreathwhichtwinedaroundtheheadofthe DivineBabe.Amongthestrawtherewasalsosomedryfern whichalonefelttooproudandlazytoawaken,andshowedno signofjoynorreverencetothenew-bornKing.Asapunishment,thefernwasforalltimedeprivedofitsbloomingflowers, andmustforeverstanderectandaloneinthedarkpartsofthe forest,whereasatonetimeitwasprivilegedtobearsilverflowers andgrewinthesunshine.

*

domdidnotbegintodateits yearsfromthebirthofChrist untilabout550A.D.Authorities generallyaccept4B.C.asthe year,andPopeJuliusI(337352)fixedDec.25asthemonth andday.

EVERGREENS.

InpagandaysinNorthernEurope,evergreensinthehome duringthewinterfestivalindi. catedhospitalitytothespirits andfairieshauntingtheleafless forests.St.Boniface.Apostle totheGermans,chosetheevergreenasasymbolofthebirthof Christ,theeternal,everlasting God.

FEASTING.

AtChristmasfeastingandgenerositygohandinhand.Old Englishfeasts,beforethedays ofPuritanausterityandhostilitytothisholiday.werelavish andoftenlastedfromthreein theafternoonuntillongafter midnight.Swanandpeacock werecarriedinstatetothe table,plumandmeatpieswere elaboratelyprepared.

GIFTS.

Traditionsassociatedwith Christmasgivingareasmanyas theyarevaried,butthegifts broughttotheHolyInfantby theMagiistheoriginmostgen_ erallyaccepted.Thatiswhy inmanyCatholiccountries,particularlytheSpanish-speaking peoples,Epiphanyisthedayfor giftsandtheNativityistheday ofsolemnreligiousobservance.

HOLLY. SacredtotheDruids,holly wasbelievedtopossessthe powerofdrivingawayevil spirits,thereforeitwashungin thehomeoverdoorsandinwindows:butbecauseitborefruit inwinter,hollybecameasym- bolofimmortalityand,mostap- propriately,ofChristmas.

IVY. SacredtoBacchusandworn asacrownatwildorgiesinhis honour,ivywasbanishedfrom thehomesoftheearlyChris- tians,althoughitsusetoadorn theoutsideofthehousewas tolerated.

JUVENALIA. Romanfestivalofchildhood andyouth,mergedwithothers

*

sicklesandburnedinthetemplesasofferingstotheirgods. IntheearlyChristianChurch the"kissofpeace"wasbestowedatChristmastime,towhich ourcustomofkissingunderthe mistletoeistraced.Theword mistletoeisbelievedtocome fromthemiselthrush,messen_ gerofthegods,whowassupposedtohavebroughttheplant toearth.

NAMESFORCHRISTMAS.

FeastoftheNativityinmost ofLatinChristendom.In French.Noel-tracedtothe Latinnatalia,meaningbirth.In German.Weinachten-holyor consecratednight.InItalian.

Natale:inSpanish,Navidad orNocheBuena-thegoodnight.ThewordYulecomes fromtheancientCelticandTeutonicpaganfestivalHioul.

OMENS.

Forwhattheyareworth:The luckiestpersoninthehousehold forthecomingyear,theonewho

firstopensthedoortowelcome FatherChristmas. Those bornduringthe12-dayperiod fromChristmastoEpiphany possessthepowerofprophecy. Ifayoungwomanpeelsan onion,wrapsitunderherpillow onChristmasEve,hertruelove willappearinadream. All whohelptobringintheYule logareimmuneagainstwitch-

palmitsdates,butthepinehad nothingtooffer.Notingthis, somestarsdescendedfromheavenandrestedonitsboughs; hence,thefirstChristmastree! URNOFFATE.

InSpainandItaly,Christmas evefastingisfollowedbyan ealboratefeastduringwhich giftsaredrawnfromahuge bowl,the"urnoffate."

HowtheHollyGotItsRedBerries

ItisbelievedthatitwasfromahollybushthatGodspoke toMosesinthewilderness.Onelegendtellsusthat,because thehollykeptsecretthewhereaboutsofourSaviourwhenHis enemiesweresearchingforHim,itwasrewardedtheprivilegeof keepingitsgreenleavesallwinter.HollyiscalledChrist-thorn inDenmark.AnoldlegendrelatesthatonthefirstChristmas night,whentheshepherdswenttothecave,alittlelambfollowingtheshepherdswascaughtbyahollythornandtheredberries aretheblooddropswhichfrozeonthebranches.

Therearemorethan150varietiesofholly,anditgrowsin practicallyallcountriesoftheworld.ItwasusedattheChristmaswinterfestivalsandinancienttimesasasymbolofimmortality,becauseitborefruitinthewinterseason.

craftthroughthenewyear. VIKINGTREE.

It'sunluckywhentheChrist WhenSt.Ansgar,Apostleto masfiregoesout. TodreamtheNorth,waspreachingChrist aboutacatonChristmasEvetotheVikings,legendhasitthat portendsillness.

POINSETTIA. WhileJoelPoinsettwasMinistertoMexico(1829-1833)he wasattractedtothevermillionredleavesofthisflameplant. Hebroughtitbacktothe UnitedStatesforcultivation. Ofnolegendaryassociationwith Christmas,theplanthasbecomepopularduringtheholiday seasonbecauseofitsbrilliance.

QUADRAGESIMA.

Latinfor"fortieth,"thisdenotesaseasonofpreparationby fastingandprayerwhichwas observedbyearlyChristiansbeforeChristmas,Easter,andthe FeastofSt.JohntheBaptist.

ROSEMARY, Accordingtoonelegend,this bushbecamefragrantwhenthe VirginMaryhungtheswaddling clothesofherBabeonittodry; andanother,thatitsoriginal whiteblossomschangedtodeep lavenderwhen,stoppingtorest ontheflighttoEgypt,herpurplerobedroppedonarosemary bush.

SEALS.

Morethan40countriesuse someformofChristmassealto aidthecrusadeagainsttuberculosis.Theideaiscreditedto EinarHolboell,Danishpostal clerk,whoinstitutedthefirst sealin1904.

TREES.

Downthecenturiestreeshave beenidentifiedwithworshipas asymboloflife,hope,andcon_viviality.Therearemanytraditionsassociatingtrees,partic- ularlytheevergreens,with Christmas.Onelegendisthat threetreesstoodnearthemangerthenightofChrist'sbirth: Anolive,apalm,andapine.To honourthenewbornKing,the olivetreegaveitsfruit,the

isorPenrose

CAMERAPORTRAITS, THANKCLIENTSFORPASTPATRONAGE ANDWISHTHEM,ONEANDALL, AMERRYXMAS

And

PROSPEROUS NEWYEAR

WeHaveArrangeda SPECIALSERVICE for COUNTRYVISITORS

OnAllExceptPublicHolidays. Tel.BA4296ForAppointments.

bowlduring12festivedays. Groupscarriedwassailfrom housetohouse,expressingto eachfamilythehopethattheir blessingswouldbemultiplied tenfold.

XMAS.

AnabbreviationforChristmas usingtheGreekletterChi(X) tosignifytheword"Christos,orChrist.TheXhasalsobeen identifiedassymbolicofthe cross.

YULELOG

AmongtheCelts,pagan priestsblessedtheHioul,or Yulelog,withgreatceremony, thenorderedthatitbekept burningthroughoutthefestival season.Whenburningofthe yulelogbecameaChristian custom,theyoungestchildof thefamilywasselectedtopour onwineandblesstheloginthe nameoftheFather,Son,and HolyGhostbeforethefirewas lighted.

ZELTEN

Godcommissionedthreemessengers-Faith,Hope,andLove -tofind,thenlightatreeone aswideaslove,ashighashope, andbearingthesignofthe crossoneverybranch.Their choicewasthebalsamfir,still themostpoptilarofChristmas trees.

WASSAIL. Contractionof"waeshaeil," "bethouwell,"amedievaltoast. InOldEnglandcider,beer,or wineformedthebaseofwassailrvedinalargewooden

InHollandifmistisseen risingonthemorningofthe FeastofSt.Nicholas,theysay thegoodsaintisbakingzeltenlittlecakes,alsoknownas kloesse.Shapedlikeanimals, birds,orfish,zeltenarebelieved bychildrentobecutoutbythe hoofsofSt.Nicholas'horse.

TRADUZIONI ITALIANO-INGLESE

SendLettersoranymatter forTranslationto A.SCOLARO

154AberdeenSt.,Perth Translationwithoriginalreturned promptly.Fee10/6upto125words: additionalwordsextra.Allinquiriesstrictlyconfidential.

74thANNUALREPORTOFTHET.&G.SOCIETY.

motheryear ofgreatprogress

PolicyholdersoftheT.&G.continuetohavecausefor genuinesatisfactionwiththeoutstandingprogressoftheir Society,asrevealedinthe74thAnnualReportfortheyear ended30thSeptember.

NEWPOLICIES.

119,867newLifePolicies. assuringtherecordsumof £31,511,936.and14,272PersonalAccidentandSickness Policiesassuring£4,837,792, wereallwritteninAustralia andNewZealand.These figuresreflecttheconfidence heldbynewandexisting policyholdersintheT.&G. ASSURANCESINFORCE.

For:hefirsttime,thesum totalofOrdinaryandIndustrialAssurancesinForce exceeds£200,000,000-comprising1,564,000Policies.

SERVICE.

TheT.

DEATH.

DALY,Margaret(bycable).-

OnDecember3,Margaret, dearlybelovedwifeofHenry Daly,ofLowvalleyfield,W.E., Fifeshire,Scotland,loved motherofMary,Margaret (Mrs.W.Madden),John, Julia,AgnesHenry,Arthur, andDan,lovingmother-inlawofWilliamMadden,Betty Andrews,andJanet,dear NanaofJim(deceasedR.A.F.,Med),Henry,George, JohnandDan,Andrew, Henry,andMargaretMary, andHenry,deargreat-grand maofBubs;aged75years. Onwhosesoul,SweetJesus, havemercy. Restinpeace,dearmother.

INMEMORIAM

BESWICK.-InaffectionateremembranceofFrederickBeswick,whodepartedthislife December11,1940.

0,SacredHeartofJesus,have mercyonhissoul. InsertedbyGertrudeSmith.

BRENNAN,Mary.-Inloving memoryofourdearmother, whodiedonDecember13, 1941. MostSacredHeartofJesus, havemercyonhersoul.

-Insertedbyherlovingsons, daughters-in-law,andgrandchildren.

O'DRISCOLL.-InlovingmemoryofMaryAnneO'Driscoll, whoseanniversaryoccurson December31. SacredHeartofJesus,have mercyonhersoul.

-Insertedbyherlovingfamily.

SLATER.-Inlovingmemoryof GeorgeWilliamSlater,who passedawayDecember10, 1946. SacredHeartofJesus,have mercyonhissoul.

-Insertedbyhislovingwife andfamily.

SMITH.-Ofyourcharity,pray forthereposeofthesoulof AnneSmith,whodiedDecember19,1930.

Perpetuallightshineuponher.

-Insertedbyherson.

SWAN.-Ofyourcharity,pray forthereposeofthesoulof ErnestAlexanda,departed hislifeDecember10,1946 SweetJesus,havemercy.

-Insertedbyhislovingwife andfamily.

FLORALTRIBUTE

AndtoSoftenSorrowGodgaveus Flowers.Flowersatafuneralare sed,theyareacomforttothosewho areleft.TheFlowershop-fDawson Harrison,SpecialiseinFuneral FloralTributes,109BarrackSt., TelephoneB2131(2lines).

ACCOMMODATION

S.C.accommodation,prefer_ ablyunfurnished,urgentlyrequiredbyyoungcoupleand childbeingevictedJanuary;references.ApplyBox1514.

Furnisheddoubleroom,with useofkitchen,urgentlyrequiredbyNewAustralianandwife; referencesavailablefromparish priest.ReplytoEmiliaSepich, 90FirstAvenue,Mt.Lawley.

DutchCatholiccouple,no children,requirepartofhouse orflat,s.c.,furnishedorunfurnished.WriteJ.Glorie,29 RichardsonStreet,WestPerth, orphoneBA5510.

Flatorfurnishedaccommodation,withkitchenette.Mother anddaughtergoingtobusiness; moderate.ApplyBox1513this office.

YoungCatholiccoupleurgentlyrequirefurnishedflator house.PleasereplyBox1527 thisoffice.

SITUATIONVACANT

Applicationsinvitedfrompersonswithofficeaccommodation forthepositionofgrandsecretarytotheHibernianSociety. Particularsareavailablefrom 708,

TheBirthplaceofChristAlways

ShallRemainaCityofChildhood

ThereisanoldEnglishsea storythatendswiththesailor's sadstatement,"Thereareno favouredislands."Thisone thoughthasalwaysremained withme.Themoreonesees newcities,somuchthemore doesonerealizethatitisnot theplacebutitisthepeople, whogivethecharmandcolour tothecitystreetsandcountryroads.Theremaybenofavoured islands,buttoeachoneofus thereisacityofchildhood's delight.Wemayneverhavethe

AmongtheChristmas GiftsOneforOurLady Onthisdaytheworld shallpauseforamoment, andthesongofadorationshall ringoutclearastheclarioncall ofmorning,"VeniteAdoremus." Withthewisemenandwiththe shepherdsmenshallhastento giveHimthegiftsofhonour. Butinourhasteletusnotforget tobringalongasmallgiftfor HisMother.Thewisemenfound HiminHisMother'sarms.With_

AChristmasPrayer

Letnotourheartsbebusyinns ThathavenoroomforThee, ButcradlesforthelivingChrist AndHisnativity.

Stillburdenedwithsomanycares, Vastpilgrimscomeandgo; Thehurriedcaravanspresson, Whileinnsarecrowdedso!

Wefindtherichandbusyones, Withthingsthatmustbesold; Noroomforhelplesshandswithin Thishostelryofgold.

Oh,lestwehunger,lestwefall Inourstupidity, Come,HolyChild,withinandshare Ourhospitality.

*

chancetotravelsofar;neverthelessaroundChristmastimewe liketovisit.ifnotinliterature atleastinadream,thedistant anddelightfulcityofourchildhood'sjoy,thelovelycityof Bethlehem.Itscharmisascloselyunitedtoourstoriesof wonderlandasarethefairy talesofGrimnandthedelight ofHansChristianAndersen.As Christmascameinourchildhood,we,too,travelledwith thewisemendownthecalendar daystothecaveofBethlehem withourgreetingstotheKing ofchildhood.

ForchildrenChristmasisthe happiestdayoftheyear.In theirinnocenteyesangelsand fairiesarerathercloselyassociated,justasGodtheFatheris sometimesanoldmanwitha grandfather'sbeard.OnChristmasmorningthestoryofSanta Clausistoldwiththesame breathasthestoryoftheInfant Child,andthedelightfulsong of"ComeAllYeFaithful"minglesitshappyechowiththecries ofgleeandthelaughterofbeatificchildrenfindingoverstuffed stockingshangingoverthefireplace.

Bethlehemis'PeterPan' OftheWorld'sCities

Nomatterhowoldthestreets andwallsofthecityofBethlehemmaygrow.itshallalways bethecityofchildhood.It remindsoneofthecharming characterof"PeterPan,"who nevergrewup.Romemaybe eternal,butBethlehemiseternallyyoung.Thecityitself,however,wouldhavebeenforgotten,ifsomethinghadn'ttaken placetherecenturiesago.It wasthebirthplaceofChrist. Thatisthereasonwhymen travelledthousandsofmileson theromanticadventureofthe crusades.Thatisthereason whyitisstillsofreshinour minds.Bethlehemwillalways besynonymouswiththeangelic songsofpeacetoallmen,of adorationofwisemenbefore theKingofKings,ofshepherds gazinginwide-eyedwonder uponthebeautifulChildinthe armsofHisBlessedMother. Bethlehemwilleverbethe symbolofpeaceonearthto menofgoodwill.

Thepersonswhogaveto Bethlehemitseternalcharm aretheMotherandherChild, Christ.WeshallalwaysassociateBethlehemwithMaryand herChild.ChristmasandBethlehemarethereasonsthatour mindsandheartsshallthrill againtothestorymosttrue, yetsocharmingwithallthe beautyofafairytale.Christmas isthedayofheavenlymystery andawfulwonder,whenWisdomdivinewaswrappedin swaddlingbandsandHisinfant bodyplacedupontheroughhay andstrawofamanger.

outdoubt,theyalsogavetoher giftsworthyofaQueen. ThereisonethingthatOur Ladywouldliketoreceivefrom herchildren-apeacefulheart. Inthisdaygonemadwithdestructionandhatetheonething thatourLadywantsfromthe breastofherchildrenisthe beatingheartofpeace.

PrayersAreAsked ForAilingSister OfLilleFlower

PARIS,Nov.28(NC.)CloisterednunsintheCarmelite conventinLisieux,France, haverequestedpeopletopray fortheirPrioress,Mother Agnes,whoiscriticallyill. MotherAgnes,whois89,isan oldersisterofSt.Therese,the LittleFlowerofJesus. Beforesheenteredtheconvent,MotherAgneswasPauline Martin,oneoffivesisters,all ofwhombecamenuns.St.TheresealwaysregardedPaulineas amother,asherrealmother diedwhenshewasonlyfour yearsold.Paulinewas12yearsolder.Paulineguidedand trainedSt.Thereseasachild andlaterwasherreligious motherasprioressoftheCarmeliteconventatLisieux. Anothersister,SisterGenevieve,isstillatthatconvent.

CatholicTeachersGiveUsefulPointers

OnReasonsWhytheChurchLosesYouth

LIVERPOOL,England,Nov.30(NC).-ParentswhosendtheirchildrentoCatholicschoolsout ofmeresentimentorsuperstition-withoutreal faith-werenamedasoneofthetwomaincauses ofthefallingawayfromtheChurchamongyouth.

Asasecondmainreasona memorandumissuedbyCatholic teachersoftheLiverpoolarchdiocesenamedhomesthathave fallenawayfromthefaith.

Theteachersownspiritual lifewascalledthegreatestfeatureintheschoolitselftohelp producesolidpractisingCatholics,theystated.Hemustunderstandthechildrenproperly, theirinterests,outlooks,environment,homes,difficultiesand ambitions,theleaderssaid.He mustgetdowntothechild'soutlook,andshowhimhowhis faithwouldworkamidallhis problems.

Teachingshouldnotbefocussedprimarilyondoctrine;they pointedoutOurLordHimself shouldbethekeynoteofall teaching-allactivitiesshould aimatpersonaldevotiontoOur Lord,OurLady,andtheHoly Family,thememorandumsaid.

Otherpointstheteachersarrivedatashelpingtoprevent thepresentdriftawayfromthe ChurchamongCatholicadolescentsincluded: UseofCatholicnewspapersin classtoshowtheUniversal Churchatwork.

Instructiononhowtoanswer theusualattacksonreligionand, mostdangerousofall,totalindifference. Priestsvisitingschoolsshould notonlygotoinstructbutalso tomakefriendswiththechildren. Seniorstudentsshouldattend Masswithinstructionweekly. Childrenneedyouthclubs,and classbulletin-boardsforCatholicnewspicturesandclippings.

MorePriestsOffer ForJapanMission

TOKYO,Nor.9(NC.)-The arrivalhereofadiocesanpriest fromSpainbringsto21the totalnumberofvolunteerdiocesanpriestsworkinginJapan asmissionaries.Thereare14 fromAustralia,threefrom Spainandoneeachfromthe UnitedStates,Hungary,the NetherlandsandCzechoslovakia.

Thismaybearecordofsecularpriestsworkinginamissionarycountry.Almostall missionariesarefromreligious Ordersandcongregations.

CHRISTIANBROTHERS'COLLEGE GERALDTON

FULLPRIMARYANDSECONDARYRESIDENTIALCOLLEGE VACANCIESFORBOARDERSFOR1951 APPLICATIONFORMS ANDPROSPECTUSFROMTHEPRINCIPAL

-EstelleFinnegan.

Wetakethe"breakers."

4464144AL

Agoial

CHRISTIAN

ThisHigh

thecentreofCatholic Perth,Inglewood,and

W.

H.BRANCH

StonehamStreet, OsbornePark.

ESTIMATESGIVENFORALLKINDSOFELECTRICAL WORK.BREAKDOWNSPROMPTLYATTENDEDTO Phones:BJ1157;W2406

PainterandRenovator

A.J.COCHRANE&

BRIANFRANCISBYRNE, AwardedaLynnScholarship 1949.

*

*

minutes'walkoftrams17, 18,19,34,andoftheBayswater_ BassendeanandMorleyPark buses;whileMt.LawleyRailwayStationandtram22are onlyfiveminutes'walkfromthe school.Aspecialschoolbus callsattheschoolat3.30each eveningforboysfromMt.Lawley,Inglewood,etc

EXAMINATIONRESULTS, 1949.

SevenpassedLeavingCertificate.

Twenty-SevenpassedJunior. OneCoombeScholarship,£40 perannum. OneLynnScholarship,£25per annum. FifthandEleventhplacesin CommonwealthPublicServiceExamination.

GAMESANDPHYSICAL CULTURE. Asitsimportanceinthe buildingofbothbodyandcharacterrequires,PhysicalTraining receiveseveryattentionat C.B.H.S.Boxing,Gymnastics, inandSwimming,aswellasother physicalexercises,areregularly taughtattheschool.

*TheOrganisedGamesare underthepersonalsupervision BesidesreceivingasoundRe_oftheBrothers,andeveryboy CULTURALTRAINING. ligiousTraining,pupilsarecare-isaffordedtheopportunityofElocutionDebating,Singing, fullytaughtinallgradesthebecomingproficientinFootball,andDancingaretaughtatthe varioussubjectsrequiredforCricket,Athletics,Baseball,orschoolbyhighlyqualifiedteachlaterlife. Tennis. ers.

STRONG K0014

CbiWren'sCornet

POSTY'SWHISTLE

DearGirlsandBoys,-Thisis theChristmasissue,anditisfittinghereformetowisheach nieceandnephewahappyand holyChristmasandabrightand prosperousnewyear.

Toallwhohavehelpedmein theCornersinceItookover,I extendmyheartfeltthanks,and tothosewhointendhelpingnext yearIgiveawelcomeinadvance.

Ihopeyouwillallreadmy ChristmasletterfromlittleKeith Burrow,ofNortham.Hehas doneasplendidjob,andIhope youwillrememberhiminyour Christmasprayers.

Godblessyouall! UNCLEMAC.

39DukeStreet,Northam.

DearUncleMac,-Iamwritingtoyouthisweek,andIhope youdon'tmind. Iaminsecondstandard. Iliketheboy playingleap-frogonthetopof theChildren'sCornerpage.

Let'sHaveSome ChristmasPoems.

CHRISTMASGIFTS (FortheLittleOnes). SantaClauscametoourhome lastnight, Andwhatdoyouthinkhe brought?

Tomhasadrum,abigboxkite, Andsoldiersinafort.

Nellhasadollwithabluestraw hat, Apramwherethedollysits; SantaClausevenbroughtour cat Twotinysnow-whitekits. -BonnieWalker.

AHOLYCHRISTMASWISH (ForLassesandLads).

Oh,tohavebeenwiththeshepherds!

Oh,to,haveseenthebright star!

Oh,tohavecomewiththeMagi

Oncamelsfromcountries afar!

Oh,tohaveheardthesweet voices

Whenangelswhocarolled above

ToldofadearlittleBaby

AndearthHewouldfillwith Hislove!-C.Hilson.

ACHRISTMASCAROL (ForLassesandLads).

TheChrist-ChildlayonMary's lap, Hishairwaslikealight (0,weary,wearyistheworld, Buthereisallaright).

TheChrist-ChildlayonMary's breast, Hishairwaslikeastar (0,sternandcunningarethe kings, Butherethetrueheartsare).

TheChrist-ChildlayonMary's heart Hishairwaslikeafire (0weary,wearyistheworld, Butheretheheart'sdesire).

TheChrist-ChildstoodatMary's knee, Hishairwaslikeacrown, Andalltheflowerslookedupat Him, Andallthestarslookeddown. -GilbertK.Chesterton.

GeoffreadmeJoanofArcon Sundaynight. Iamgoingto haveagoodholidayandIhope youhaveagoodholiday,too. Ourdog'snameisMaxy.Geoff andIboughthimaticketinthe gooseclub,buthedidn'twinthe turkey.Now,Iwishyoua merryChristmas.Good-bye untilnexttime.From KEITHBURROW.

DearKeith,-Youdon'tknow howmuchIenjoyedyour friendlyanddelightfulletter.I amreallygladitistobeprinted intheChristmasissue,forIcertainlyregarditasabeautiful Christmaspresent.

I'mgladyouliketheboy playingleap-frogatthetopof the"Corner"page.Butwhat aboutthelittlechapdiving? He'snice,too,andsoisthelittle girlwiththepram.

PoorMaxy,nottowinthat turkey!Itwasashameafter youboyshadthoughttobuy himaticket.TellGeoffthat I'mpleasedwithhimforhelpingyoutoreadthestoriesinthe Corner.Andwishhimaspe- cialmerryChristmasfromme. Now,Keith,Imustclose,and againthanksforyourletter. Writeagain,won'tyou?Best wishestoyouall(BrotherStanleyincluded), UNCLEMAC.

LeaveMeWithaSmile

Whyisitthatonecangetup onanelephant'sbackbutcannotgetdown?(Becausedown onlygrowsonaduck'sback.)

Whatdidthehatsaytothe hatrack?(Youwaithere.I'm goingonahead.)

Whatisityouneverbuy butalwayspay?(Avisit.)

Whatishail(Hard-boiled rain.)

Whyisadogbitinghistail likeagoodmanager?(Because hemakesbothendsmeet.)

"Twopenn'orthofbicarbonateofsodaforindigestionatthis timeofnight,"criedthechemist, whohadbeenrousedat1a.m., "whenaglassofhotwater wouldhavedonejustaswell!"

"Weel,weel,returnedSandy, hastily."Ithankyefortheadvice,andI'llnobotheryeafter all.Guidenicht!'

Thechoirboyswereorganisingabaseballteamand,being shortofbothequipmentand money,decidedtoaskthevicar forassistance.Sooneofthem wasdelegatedtowritetothe vicarsaying:"Wewouldappreciateanyfinancialhelpyou couldgiveus,andalsocouldwe pleasehavetheuseofthebats everyonesaysyouhaveinyour belfry?"

'WhoWeretheFirst ToCryNowell?Animals AllAsItBefell'

Thoughnotmentionedinthe Scriptures,animalshavebeen associatedwiththeNativity scenesolongthatnocribwould becompletewithoutthem.The presenceofsheepwiththe shepherdsisobvious:thatof theoxandtheassistracedto St.FrancisofAssisi.originator ofthisbeautifulChristmas custom.Itwassuggestedtohim bythethirdverseofthefirst chapterofIsaias:"Theox knowethhisowner,andtheass hismaster'scrib."

Navy,3;Solways,4. Maikai.Handicap:JovialLad, 1;PortesTheine,2;Orcaina,3; Jollair,4. HolidayWelter(2):LadyDossie,1;SovereignState,2; RhythmVeloce,3;LoyalHari_ nerd,4. HolidayWelter(1):Fine Flare,1;DearMyth,2;Ben Mozel,3;BeauGlory,4.

TROTTING. (BeforeAcceptances).

W.A.Breeders'Handicap: MonaGlobe,1;SpecialComet, 2;Sol'sEcho,3. HolyoakeHandicap:Broadview,1;VeraLyne,2;Lady Monty,3. PembertonHandicap:Barney Van,1;Chablis,2;MainWalla, 3.

Free-For-All:Dallingwood,1; DarkDavid,2;HappyMan,3. DecemberHandicap:RedSol, 1;Willack,2;SmokyDorrell,3. JarrandaleHandicapFulofun, 1;

LovelyLegendsHonour CelebratedBambinoofAraCoeli

ByAugustaL.Francis AraCoeli

wouldhavebeenut-

Ihavebeeninmanycitiesofterlyincomplete.Standingthere, manycountriesforChristmasbathedintheafternoonsun,he buthavefoundnowhereamoretoldmethestoryoftheBarnpoignantexpressionofthespiritbiro: ofthedaythanthatassociated withthefamousBambinoofAFriarCarved,Angels theAraCoeliinRome. PaintedtheBambino

Thewholechurchissoembeddedinhistory,paganandLongagoinJerusalema Christian;thelifeoftheoldcityFranciscanlaybrother,distin- hascenteredthereforsomanyguishedforhisdevotiontothe centuries;theblessingthatisDivineChild,tookapieceof giventothecityofRomewithwoodfromaGethsemaneolive thestatueoftheDivineInfant,treeandcarveditintothelikeattheconclusionoftheChrist-nessoftheInfantJesus;buthe masfestivities,issuchafea-couldfindnopaintswithwhich tureofthecelebrationsthattotocolourit.Thenangelscame say"ChristmasinRome"alwaysandpainteditforhim-painted includes"thecribattheAraitsobeautifullythathewas CoeliandtheBambino." raptinecstasyonbeholding

fromtheshrineandplaced abovethetabernacleofthehigh altar.Asimilarprivilegeis erantedtootherchurchesin Rome;duringtheOctaveof ChristmasafigureoftheInfant JesusmaybeplacedabovethetabernaclewheretheBlessed Sacramentisreserved.Atthe AraCoelionChristmasday, aftertheGospeloftheHigh Mass,theBambinoissolemnly carriedinprocessionfromthe highaltartoacribpreparedin asidechapelandremainsthere untilaftertheEpiphany.

ChildrenPreachTo ParentsBesideCrib

SocialDistinctions

VanishBeforetheCrib

Notthatthisistheonlycribtheirwork. inthecity.Definitelynot.ThereSoonthereafter,thisbrother arehundredsandthousandsofwassenttoItaly.Onthevoyage them-yes,thousands,foreveryhewasmiraculouslysavedfrom homehasone,aswellaspracti-shipwreck,togetherwiththe callyeverychurch.Thecribisimagewhichhehadcarvedand totheItalianswhattheChrist-angelshadpainted.Onreaching mastreeiselsewhere. Rome,thestatuewasenshrined intheChurchofAraCoeli whereitsoonbecameassociated withmiracles.Suchwasthe gratitudeofthefaithfulthat theyshoweredgiftsontheBarnbino,adorningHisimagewith jewelsofeverykind.Forthat reason,itsshrinetodayisalsoa safewhichisneveropenedexceptinthepresenceofoneof thebrothers;anditsswaddling clothesarecoatedwithjewels andvaluablesofallkinds.

BythemiddleofDecember, shopsandstallsinmarket places,particularlyinPiazza Navona,arefilledwith"the makings"ofcribs.Thereare rowsuponrowsofSt.Josephs andOurLadies,countlessshepherdsandlegionsofangelsand, ofcourse,littlefiguresofthe Bambinolyingonstraw.Quantitiesofcorkaredisplayedfor constructingsidesandroofs,and extravagantfolkcanpurchase palmtreestocompletethesettingoftheircrib.Richandpoor areintentonthesamething. 'ndeed,thesecribsformalink Letweentheclasses:Democracy, inaword,istrulyestablished.

Theoriginsofthechurch wherethefamousBambinois enshrinedgoback2,000years. TheEmperorAugustus,soruns thelegend,hadavisionofa mysteriousandbeautifulChild carriedinthearmsofHis Mother,andsurroundedbythe gloryofHisdivinenature.Beforeheissuedhisfamousdecree -"Nowitcametopassinthose daysthatadecreewentforth fromCaesarAugustusthata censusofthewholeworld

ReturnsMiraculously

WhenStolenTwice

Twiceinthecourseofthe centuriesthestatuehasbeen stolen.(HereBrotherJuniper's eloquenceredoubled.)Bothtimes theBambinocamebackofHis ownaccord-miraculously.Cunningly,thethieveshadreplaced thestatuewithacopy,andno onewasawareofthetheft.

Thensuddenly,atmidnight,thebrethrenwererousedbythe pealingofallthebellsinthe city,amidtherollingofthunder. Flashesoflightningcleftthe skyandrainfellintorrents.

Anxiousforthesafetyoftheir church,theyhastenedtounbolt thegreatportaloftheirconvent, andthenfellbackinamazeshouldbetaken"(Lukeii,1)-ment,Thereintherain,clad theEmperor,itseems,hadal-onlyinalittlewhiteshirt,bereft readyhadthisvision.Puzzledofsilkengarmentsandjewels, stoodtheBambino.Intriumph theycarriedtheimagebackto itsshrine,andtheretheyfound theimitationstatuesplitintwo, andallitsimitationjewelsscat- teredaboutonthefloor.

andawed,hemountedhischariotanddroveoutacrossthe surroundingplaintothehill townofTibur(modernTivoli) wheredweltthemysteriousTiburtineSybil-onewhosolved doubtsandforetoldthefuture.

PaganProphetessTells EmperortoBuildShrine

TheSibylbadetheEmperor buildatempleonthespot wherehehadseenthevision, anddedicateitunderthetitle of"AltarofHeaven"-Ara Coeli.Obedienttoherorders, Augustusbuiltatempleonthe CapitolineHillandinitplaced analtarwiththeinscription:

OCTAVIANBUILTTHIS ALTARWHENTHEOFFSPRINGOFHEAVENAPPEAREDTOHIM.

Fivecenturieslater,aChristianBasilicadedicatedto"Holy MaryoftheAltarofHeaven" replacedthepagantempleand, fromthedayofitsdedication, ithasremainedthechurchof theRomanSenateandofthe Romanpeople.TheMedieval CouncilofthePeopleusedto meetinthecloistersadjoiningthechurch,andthePlaceofthe Senatestoodnext-doortoit.In the13thcentury,theedificewas linkedevenclosertothepeople whenplacedinthecustodyof theFranciscans. -

BrotherJuniperIs PartofAraCoeli

Thosefamiliarwiththe"Little FlowersofSt.Francis"will smilehappilyatthethoughtof thefamousBrotherJuniper beingburiedthere.Bothhis spiritandhisnamesurviveand, not,leastofmymanypleasant memoriesofAraCoeli,isthat ofanotherBrotherJuniperwho showedmethegloriesofthe church,culminatinginthe Bambino.Hiswealthofword andgesturewasunparalleled.WithoutBrotherJuniperthe

Besidethiscrib,duringthe daysthatfollow,childrenpreachlittlesermonstothedelightof theirparentsandthecrowds thatsurroundthem.Thesermons,itmustbementioned,'are

generallylearnedbyheartbeforehand;butthesightisnone thelesscharming,andthe babies'pulpitisneverwithout anoccupant,nordoesthe preacherlackacongregation. Policeindressuniformare continuallyondutynearthe AraCoelicrib-norisksare runofanotherrobbery-and theBambinoliestherebetween theoxandtheass,inallthe magnificenceofgoldandpreciousstones.

OntheEpiphany,Romeis solemnlyblessedfromthetop ofthegreatflightofstepsleadingtotheAraCoeli,withthe statueoftheBambinoheldaloft bytheparishpriest.Theneighbouringstreetsarethronged withakneelingcrowdwhose thoughtsandprayersarecenteredontheInfantJesus,the EternalKing,whoseVicarresidesinRome.

Howthe'Star OfBethlehem' GotItsName

Acharmingstoryiswoven aroundthestar-shapedblossoms oftheflowerknownasthe "StarofBethlehem."

InthedayswhenthesuccessorstotheApostlestraveled abouttheworldpreachingthe Gospel,aholyman,whohad spentyearstryingtoconvertthe nativesofapagancountry,on ChristmasDaywastellingthe peoplethewonderfulstoryof thebirthofChrist.Butthese people,steadfastintheirown beliefs,turnedawayandwent toworshiptheiridols.

Weariedfromheatand preaching,anddisheartenedby failure,theholymansatdown inagarden;theperfumeof flowersrosearoundhim,strains ofmusicdriftedfromsomeplace offestivity.Whyshouldhethus wearyhimselflaboringinan efforttoconvertpeoplewhorefusedtobeconverted,whenhe, too,mightenjoythemanypleasuresheldoutbylife?

Thequestionthrustitselfinto hismind,butimmediatelyhe expelledit.Whyshouldhebedisheartened?DidhisMaster notsay,"Iamwithyou always"?

BambinoGoesToVisit TheSickinaMotorCar

TheBambinooftengoesto visitshut-ins.Inthe19thcenturyhehadamagnificentcoach andfour,andwentoutaccompaniedbythebrethrencarryingtorches.Today,whentakento thesick,theBambinoridesin amotorcar,accompaniedbytwo Franciscans.

Thefaithfulwritelettersto theBambinoandamodernnote hasnowbeenaddedtothepe- titionsthatcomefromallparts oftheworld:Manyofthemnow arrive,notbypost,butbyradiogram.Thesepetitionsare placedatthefeetofthestatue, andareburnedperiodically.

AttheMidnightMasson Christmas,theBambinoistaken

ChristmasPrayertoSt.Joseph (ForAllDisplacedandTerror-Stricken).

DearJoseph,whosesadlotitwas Tofleebydreadfulnight

TosavetheInfantandyourspouse

FromHerod'scruelmight,

Whooftenshudderedatthethought

Theymightunshelteredbe AsskilfullytoEgypt

YouwithdrewfromGalilee, JoininourprayersthisChristmastide Formillionsinalllands

Displacedfromhomeandfireside

Bydespotism'shands.

Pitythem,Joseph,youwhoknew

Theirsorrowandtheirwoe, AndbegtheChristChildguidethem Wherevertheymaygo. -DanDoran.

TheChristmasRoseistheRoseofLove

IntheGardenofEdenthe Christmasrosewasknownas theRoseofLove,andwas,the storytells,onlyoneofmany beautifulflowers.WhenAdam andEvewereturnedoutofthe garden,theflowersdiedandthe angelsgrieved.TheAngel Gabrielgrievedmostforthe RoseofLove-infact,sogreat washisgriefthatheappealed toGodtobeallowedtotendthe dyingrose.Godgrantedhis request.

Many,manyyearslaterwhen theSonofGodwasbornat Bethlehem,alittlepeasantgirlheardfromtheshepherdsofthe wonderfulBabe.Shewasfilled withsorrowthatherpoverty preventedherfromoffering somelittlegifttotheChrist Child.Hergriefwasknownin

heaven,andGabrielwassent withRosesofLovesuthatthe littlegirlmighthaveagiftto offer. Sodistressedwasthechil thatshedidnotseetheangel, butondiscoveringrosesather feet,herjoywasgreat.Gatheringhergift,shehastenedto thestablewhereshewasreceivedbytheVirginMarywho ledhertothemangertogaze atthesleepingChild.Andas shegazed,breathlesswithlove, theChild'seyesopenedandHe laidHistinyfingersonthe roses.Lo!thewhitenessofthe rosesappearedaflushofpink, aglowingmarkofLove.

SotheChristmasroseshave bloomedeveryyearsincethe birthoftheChristChild,symbol ofHisloveformankind.

Kneelingheprayedfor strengthtocarryonwithhis work-forsomesignbywhich hemightknowthatGodwished himtocarryon.Onarisingfrom hiskneeshediscoveredastarshapedflower,mysteriously sprungupfromwherehehad knelt.Surelythiswasamessagefromheaven.

Amongthegaudy,exotic flowersbloomingaround,the littlenewcomerlookedpureand innocent.Andgazingatit,the doubter'szealwasrekindled;he thoughtoftheThreeWiseMen whowereledbyastartothe StableofBethlehem,andguessedthatGodsentthisstarto guidehimonthepathofduty.Theobviousnamefortheflower was"theStarofBethlehem."

Rememberwhilecelebrating thebirthofthePrinceofPeace thattheChildborninamanger thatnightisalsotheLightof theWorld.Therecanbeno worldpeaceuntilthereiswider appreciationoftheLight.

THESHEPHERD'SFEATHERTICK

Onceuponatimetherewasashepherdwhosleptonawarm feathertick.Awakeningonenight,hethoughtofthepoor ChristChildlyingonahandfulofstrawinthecold,hardmanger. Hehardlyknewwhetheritwasrealoradream.Itimpressed himso."Thisisagreatinjusticeformetolieonawarm,soft bedoffeatherswhiletheChristChildhasonlystrawinacold, hardmanger,"theshepherdrebukedhimself.Quicklyhearose andtookthefeathertickonhisshouldertobringittotheChrist Child.Ashecrossedafield,anangelsuddenlyappearedtohim andsaid,"Fearnot,mygoodman,whentheChristChildsuffers fromthecoldHedoesitfortheloveofyouandallmankind.As arewardforyouractofkindnesstotheChristChild.youwill onedaysitatthesideofJesusinheavenandwhentheChrist Child'sbirthdaydawns,youareprivilegedtoscatterthefeathers fromyourbedupontheearthbelow."

So,whenthesnowcomesdancingdownonChristmas,everyonecantellthattheshepherdisscatteringthefeathersofhisbed, andthetreesandforestsandfieldsaresleepinginpeaceand warmthundertheblanketofwhitethatflutterslikefeathers fromheaven.

THERECORD*CHRISTMAS1950

Newpupilsmaybe enrolledfrom January26th.,1951.

Furtherparticulars onapplicationtothe Principal.

Tel.:BA4251.

Established1893

TheCollegewill Reopenon FEBRUARY6,1951.

Newpupilsmaybe enrolledfrom January26th.,1951.

Tel.:BA4251.

C.B.C.,theOldestCatholicBoys'CollegeintheState,affordsanExcellentEducationforDayStudents.

TheCollegeisideallysituatedinPerth'smostbeautifulthoroughfare,andisconvenienttoallmodesoftransport.Itprovidescompletecoursesofeducationforboys,preparingthemforentrancetotheUniversityinallFaculties,aswellasforcareersintheworld ofCommerceandinthePublicServices.

CULTURALTRAINING.

InstrumentalMusic,Singing,SpeechCultureandElocutionaretaughtattheCollegebyhighlyqualifiedteachers. PHYSICALCULTUREANDGAMES.

TheimportanceofPhysicalCultureandOrganisedSportintheSchoolcurriculumisfullyrealisedbytheBrothers.Competent mastersvisittheCollegeeachweekandtraintheboysinallbranchesofGymnastics,aswellasSwimming.Inaddition.games areorganised,enablingeveryboy,eventhesmallest,toparticipateinFootballandCricketmatchesregularly.

God'sMotherandOurs

WillteachusthelessonsoftheCrib

Allispeacefulinthelittle homeatNazareth.Joseph watcheswithmingledloveand reverencehisfairyoungspouse asshefashionstheswathing bandsfortheChildwhoistobe born.Then,breakinginupon thequietofthisheavenlyabode, isheardtheproclamationofthe edictofOctaviusAugustus,EmperorofRome."Anditcame topassthatinthosedaysthere wentoutadecreefromCaesar Augustusthatthewholeworld shouldbeenrolled."

Itwas.therainyseason,for duringthemonthofDecember thereareheavyrainsinPalestine,aswellasseverethunderstorms;thewindsblowchilly, streamsareswollen,andfords treacherous.Josephwaspoor andhadnomeansofproviding forMarysuchcomfortsasmade thejourneylessfatiguingfor therich.But,afterall,would ourBlessedMotherhaveacceptedthosecomforts?Was shenotbeginningtounderstand theloveforpovertyfeltbythe God-Manwhohadchosenfor Hismotherher,apoorandunknownmaid?Whatdiditmatterwhereorhowshewent, sinceshehadinclosestcompanionshiptheGodwhowas herall?

SpiritofPoverty

OvercomesObstacles

AndJoseph,seeinghercalm andpeaceful,alikeundisturbed bythenoiseofthecrowdsor thewearinessoftheway,must havecaughtsomethingofher spiritofpovertyandhavelost sightofthefatiguesofthejourneyashebroodedoverthe mysteryoftheMessias'birth,so soontobeaccomplished.Not muchtimewasrequiredfor theirpreparation,forthepoor havelittletogetready;and verysoonaftertheyhadlearnedoftheimperialedict,they wereontheirwaytoBethlehem,thetownunmindfulofthe RoyalGuestwhosoughtitshospitality.

JosephandMary,turnedaway fromBethlehem'ssinglehostelry,refusedhospitalityalike byfriendsandstrangers,found shelterinoneofthosecavesso numerousinthelimestonehills ofPalestine;andthere,traditiontells,theoxandtheass warmedwiththeirbreaththe Godwhohadgiventhembeing. UndoubtedlyJosephdidallthat hecouldtomakethecaveless comfortless,thewhileour BlessedMotherremainedabsorbedinprayer.Andsuddenlythecavewasfilledwitha greatlight,"thegloryofthe Lord,'and,lo,therelayonHis Mother'sgarmenttheSonof GodmadeMan.

Shepherds'Cave

IsGod'sHome

Forthemomenttherewassilenceinheavenandonearth;in heaven,wherethecontemplationoftheDivineBabehushed theangels'hymnsofpraise;on earth,whereMaryandJoseph werelostinanecstasyofloving adorationthathadnoneedof words,andwhereallothers knewnotofthepresenceof theirKing.Butnotlongcould heavenbecontentwithsilent homage.Abovethecave,in whichMaryhad"broughtforth herfirst-bornSon,andwrappedHiminswaddlingclothes andlaidHiminamanger,"the airwasfilledwithangels'song; andsoontheseheavenlymessengershastenedtobringtothe shepherdsthetidingsofthe Saviour'sbirth,sothatmenas wellasangelsmightadorethe new-bornKing.

Theshepherds,summonedby God'sangels,arethefirstworshipperscalledtothecrib,and theonlygiftsthattheyhaveto offerarethegiftsoffaithand love.Notuntillaterwillthe Magi,thewisemenoftheirnation,beledtoBethlehem'scave bythestar"theyhaveseenin theEast,"andbringtotheDivineInfanttheircostlyofferings

BySISTERMARIEPAULA.

ofgoldandfrankincenseand myrrh.Itwouldseemthat oneofthelessonsChristwishes toteachusinthemysteryofHis birthistheloveHehasfor poverty.PovertyofspiritHe asksofallHisfollowers;but thosewhomHecallstothe innercircleofHischosen friends,Hewouldhavepractice actualpovertyaswellasspiritual.

SubmissiontoGod

SeeninBethlehem

Howharditmusthavebeen forourBlessedMother,naturallyspeaking,toseeherSon,

dignityofherdivinematernity didnotcausehertolosesight ofthefactthatshewasamere creaturewhosedutyitwasto submitalwaysandinallthings tothewillofherCreator.And thisisanotherlessonthatone shouldlearnfromourBlessed Motherasshekneelsbesidethe crib-thelessonofhumility.

TheHumbleWelcome

AttheChristmasCrib

IfJosephorMaryhadletfall awordconcerningtheBabeshe bore,itisnotpossible,evenpro- bable,thatsomeoneoftheir friendswouldhavegiventhem

givenhertounderstandthe meaningofthesongtheangels sang:"GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeacetomen ofgoodwill."

Magi'sGiftsOffered ToBabeThroughMary

TheMagibringtheirgifts,as wellasthemselves,tothecrib ofthenew-bornKing."And enteringintothehouse,they foundtheChildwithMary,His Mother.Andfallingdownthey adoredHim.Andopening theirtreasures,theyoffered Himgifts:gold,frankincense, andmyrrh.Themajorityof

whichHishumangazerested whenHelayinthemangercave atBethlehem?

TheOxandtheAss

HaveLessonsforUs

Unworthyaswearetoap- proachtheHolyFamily,letus lookforamomentattheox andtheassandseewhatwe maylearnfromthem.Men haverefusedtogiveshelterto MaryandJoseph,butthepoor beastsofthefieldarereadyto sharewiththemthehumble stalecave.Humanheartsare colderthanthewindsofBethlehem,buttheoxandtheass warmwiththeirbreaththe MotherandtheChild.His chosenpeopleareallunmindful oftheadventoftheMessias, butthetwopoorbeastsinsilent adorationwelcomeHiscoming.Theretheylie,closebesidethe crib,andgazeupontheBabe. Andwhataboutourselves?

Doweevercloseourheartsto theHolyFamily,ordoesSt. Josephalwaysfindthemready toshelterMaryandherChild?

Doweexhaleonlythecoldair ofworldlinessandselfishness, ordoesourbreathoflovegive 'welcomewarmthtotheMother :,ndtheBabe?WhenJesus comestous,areweunmindful hiscomingor,ifwecando nomore,doweatleastlierircstrateinadorationatth2feet(if ourDivineGuest?AndwhenHe iswithus,dowemarvelasdid theoxandtheassthatHe shouldbecontenttoenterdwellingssomiserableasourhearts, toletuspoordumbcreatures remaininHissacredpresence?

Onemorelessonwemight learnfromthesetwobeasts. Theoxisthesymbolof strength;theassisthebeastof burden.Arewedeterminedto bestronginHisservice,tobear allburdensforHissake.They aregoodteachers,thesetwo dumbanimals,andwemight butlearnmuchmorefromthem; caughtMaryandJosephhave sightofusandtheysign toustocomenearertotheCrib.

MaryisWithUsAs WeStandandAdore

Foralongtimewegazeon thelittleJesus,fillingourvery heartsandsoulswiththebeauty ofHisface,thetendernessof Hissmile.AndHeseemsgladto haveusnearHimandputsout Histinyhandasiftoholdus fast.Shallwedaretotouchit? WelookatHisblessedMother. Shebowsassentand,inanecstasyoflove,wetakethehandthehandofGod!-andpressit toourlips.

ThenwekneelbetweenOur LadyandSt.Josephandpray totheInfantJesuswithfaith andtrustandlove.Andaswe pray,OurLordseemstosend usbacktoHisMother,whom Hegivesasourmodel,andto bidusdowhatshehasdoneand learnthelessonsshehaslearnedatBethlehem.

HeCameUntoHisOwn,andTheyReceivedHimNot

whomsheknewtobeherGod, borninthemidstofsuchpovertyandmisery!Howgladly shewouldhavepreparedforher Babeallthatwasrarestand mostcostlyofearth'sgoods! Howardentlyshewouldhave offeredHimtheloveandworshipoftheheartsofallmankind!ButsuchwasnotGod's will;andthus,withperfectsubmissiontothatwill,"she broughforthherfirst-born Son,"acaveforHispalace,"and laidHiminamanger,"anox andanassforhiscourtiers. Whetherone'spovertybeactualorspiritual,onemustat leasthavehumility;andofthis virtueourBlessedMothergives abrightexampleinthemystery ofherSon'snativity.What, indeed,isthisvirtueofhumility, savearecognitionofone'srelationshipwithGodandaconsequentsubmissiontoallthatHe ordains?Suchrecognitionand submissionourBlessedMother possessedinallitsfullness.The

shelter?Oriftheyhadurged theclaimsoftheirroyaldescent, mightnotsomeotherofDavid's descendantshavereceivedthem intohishouse?Butno;they carefullyconcealedallthat couldgivethemhonour;they wouldpassforwhattheyseemedtobe,apoorcarpenterand hiswifefromNazareth.Wedo notseetoomanyoftheirfollowersintheworldaroundus. Insteadofavoidingtherecognitionthatistheirdue,peopleof theworldarepronetodemand arecognitiontowhichtheyhave noright. Ifoneistrulyhumble,ifshe ispoorinspiriteventhough notinactualpossessions,she maybesureofawelcomeat Bethlehem'scave;andasshe kneelsbesidethecrib,Maryand Josephwillsharewithhertheir spiritofprayer,ofunionwith Christ,aunionthatwillcause her,evenasitcausedthem,to forgetallelsesavethatsheis withherGod.Thenshallitbe

writerswhodiscussthemeaningofthesegiftstakethegold totypifylove,orcharity,the frankincensetotypifyprayer, andthemyrrhtotypifysuffering.Theyplacetheirofferings besideHiscrib;andundoubtedly Hereceivesthegifts,asHehas welcomedthegivers,witha smileoftenderlove.Butare notthegiftsactuallyaccepted byourBlessedMotherandSt. Joseph?DonotMaryandJoseph,asitwere,lendspeechto theDivineBabeandthankthe Magi,inHisname,fortheir visitandtheiroffering?Here isalessonitwouldbewiseto learn.Neveraregiftsmore acceptabletoOurLordthan whenofferedbyMaryandJoseph,thetwoHelovessowell andbywhomHeissowellloved.Whenone'sgiftisoffered bythemtoJesus,insteadofregardingtheimperfectionsfound inthegift,willHenotrather lookintothefacesofMaryand Joseph,thefirsttwofacesupon

Whathasshedoneduringthe monthsthatshehasbeenalivingtemplefortheSonofGod? Shehasforgottenselftothink onlyofHim.Shehaskeptpure andundefiledthehomeinwhich Hedwelt.Shehaslongedfor thedaywhenshemightgaze uponHisfaceandrevealHis beautytothesonsofmen.And thelessonsshehaslearnedat Bethlehemhaveshownherthe loveGodhasforpoverty,humilityandsimple,lovingfaith.

Havewemadeeveryeffortto keeppureandundefiledthe heartswhichOurLordsooften makesHisdwellingwhenHe comestousinHisSacramentof Love'?Aboveall,havewehad thatyearningtoseethefaceof Christandtomakeknownits beautytothesonsofmenthat filledourBlessedMother'sheart whenJesusdweltwithinher?

DowegotoJesuswithloving faithinhealthorsickness,joy orsorrow,successorfailure?

OCaveofBethlehem,no earthlyseatoflearningcanoffer suchknowledgeasyouimpart. (FromGod'sMotherandOurs)

RadioPriestClarifies AssumptionDoctrine

`THECATHOLICANSWER'

BYTHEREV.P.J.TRACEY,S.J.

"B.S."sendsmeacuttingfrom the"WestAustralian"inwhich theVeryRev.G.T.Berwick, DeanofPerth,isreportedto havediscussedthedoctrineof OurLady'sAssumptionduring asermondeliveredinSt.George'sCathedral.Ididnotanswer youatoncebecauseIwishedto waitforthearrivalofthetext oftheApostolicConstitutionin whichthedogmawasdefined.

Comparisonofthetextwiththe Dean'swordsshowsthathe rendersaccuratelythetermsof thedefinition.IregretthatI havenotthefulltextofthe Dean'sremarks.Iassumehoweverthatthey substantialarereportedwith correctness.Ifsoit isdifficulttoknowwhereto begindiscussingthem.

ChurchCannotAddNew DogmastoRevelation

TheDean,forexample,isreportedasasking"Whatdoes thisnewdogmaproclaim?"ThesewordsshowatonceamisunderstandingoftheCatholic teachingwhichisbeingcriticised.TheChurchhasneither rightnorpowertoproclaima newdogma.Thepublicrevela- tionofChristiantruthended withtheApostles.Tothatrevelationnonewtruthoffaithcan beaddedbytheChurch.The VaticanCouncilteachesinso manywordsthat:"TheHoly SpiritwaspromisedtothesuccessorsofPeter,notthat throughHisrevelationtheyshouldproclaimnewdoctrine butthat,withHisassistance theyshouldguardandfaithfully expoundtherevelationgiven throughtheApostles,thedepositoffaith."(Vat.IV.4D. 1836).AUtheChurchdoesor candoistoteachinfalliblythat atruthiscontained,explicitly, orimplicitly,intheoriginaldepositoffaith.Ifthedivineright, ofthetrueChurchtoteachinfalliblymeansanything-Ias_ sumethattheDeanregardsthe authoritativeteachingofChrist's Churchasnecessarilyimmune fromerror-thentheChurch mustbeabletoteachherchildrenineveryageasmuchasin theapostolicage,whatisof faithandwhatiscontraryto faith.Ateverytimeshehas doneso.

ManyTruthsProclaimed

AfterDeathofApostles

IftheDeanweretoexamine thetruthswhichheholdshewouldfindthatsomeof themwereproclaimedcenturiesafterthedeathofthelast apostle.Indeedmany,though notall,thedeclarationsonthe faithmadebytheauthorityof theChurch,havebeenmade whensometruth,longinpeacefulpossession,wasdenied.It wasnottill325that,stirredby theArianheresy,theauthoritativedefinitionwasmadeofthe identityofthesubstanceofthe FatherandtheSon.Another fundamentaltruth,thatMaryis MotherofGodandnotmerely ofMan,wasnotmadetill411 whenforthefirsttimetheIncarnationwasdefinedinthose termsinreplytoNestorianism. Iwonderatwhattimeinthe historyoftheChurchtheDean imaginesthathisownpowers weredefined?Ishouldliketo askhimwhatsourcesherelies on,inScriptureorTradition, forallowingtohisArchbishop powertoconfirmandordain distinctfromthepowerswhich heholdsthathehimselfpossesses.TheCatholicpositionis that,allthroughthecenturies thereisanevolutionofdogma wherebywhatwasimplicitin revelationbecomesexplicit.New dogmasarenotproclaimed. Rathertheoppositeistrue.A dogmaisdeclaredtobenotnew butold,tobeintheoriginal depositoffaith.

GoodCauseWhyChurch

WasSoLongReticent

toricalfact.Thoughitisofno greatimportancetoaCatholic thefactofthematteristhatwe neverseethetradition"gaining ground"astheDeansays.In theearliestwrittenreferences totheAssumptionwefindwhat seemstobeawellestablished tradition.WefindaFeastwith asettledliturgicalstandingand, asDuchesneremarks,the "LiberPontificalis,"initsordinancesforthesolemnitygives nohintthatthereisanything newaboutthecelebration.The EasternChurches,notonlythose oftheRomancommunion,but thoseseparatedChurchesnow soassiduouslycultivatedbycertainAnglicans,celebratethe feastasoneofthemainfeasts ofOurLady.Norcanwetrace backtoanytimewhensucha feastisspokenofasneworrecentlyinstituted.Wejustfindit

ditionissomethingenshrinedin documents.Obviouslysacred traditionprecededbymany yearstheearliestChristiandocumentsthatwepossess,the earlylettersofSt.Paul.But moreimportantisittonotethat traditionisnotsomethinggoing backonlytoahoarypast.Itis alivingevolvingthing.Somuch isthisthecasethatifatany time,pastpresentorfuture, theChurchasawholebelieves thatanydoctrineisapartof thedepositoffaith,suchuniversalbeliefamongstCatholics isalivingwitnesstotherevealedcharacterofthetruthsobelieved.Thepresentageisas trulytherepositoryoftradition aswasthesub-apostolicage. Indeedwhen,asaresultofrepeatedrequestsfromtheCatholicworldtohavethedoctrine defined,theHolySeewishedto

TidingsofGreatJoy!

NexttheDeansaysthatis wasabout500or600yearsafter OurLord'sdeaththatthetraditionoftheAssumptionbegan togainground.Herearetwo errors.Oneisanerrorofhis-

"Theparishschoolwillre-openonTuesday" existing.Indeedthedateon whichwecelebratethefeastis thatfixedbytheEasternEmperor,Maurice.TheDeanseems tothinkthatapologeticwriters mustberecordersofthingsthat areofnoimportanceincontroversy.Butwemayremarkthat, sofarfrombeingatopicof controversyandthereforeof discussion,theAssumptionwas adoctrineaboutwhichthere wasforcenturiesseriousreason forreticence.Itwasonething toproclaimMaryasMotherof God.Thattruthisessentialto thetruthoftheIncarnation.It wasquiteanotherthingtosay thatnotonlyhersoul,butalso herbodywasinheaven.Inthe daysofpaganismandofsemipaganismsuchadoctrinewould notbewiselybruitedabroad. ThePantheonofthepagans heldtoomanydisgustinggod- dessesforChristianstowish thatthehonourofOurLady shouldbeconfusedwithpagan goddess-worship.Howrealwas thedangerappearsinthepages ofEpiphaniuswhotellsusof thesacrificialriteswhichmisguidedwomenofferedtoOur Ladyin sewhere.Thrace,ScythiaandelDeanisConfusedAbout NatureofTradition Butapartfromspeakingofa tradition"gainingground"the Deanfallsintoanothererror. Hefailstograspthemeaningof traditionasasourceofknowledgeofrevelation.Heconfuses this"sacredtradition"asCatholicscallit,withhistoricaltradition.Apparently,forhim,tra-

investigatetherelationbetween thedoctrineandotherrevealed truths,whileitentrustedleadingscholarswiththeexaminationofthedoctrineitsoughtthe livingtraditionoftheChurch.

ThePopeofficiallyconsultedthe Bishops,theordinaryteachers andwitnessesoftheCatholic faith.FromeveryBishop rulingintheCatholicworldhe calledforareportonthemind oftheteachingChurchandon themindofthebelievingfaithful Thereplies,ashetellsusandas weknowfromdetailedreports, pointedtoapracticallyunanimousharmonyofBishopsand faithfulintheirbeliefthatthe dogmawasrevealed.Onthis livingtraditionherests,relying orthepromiseofperpetual guardianshipwhichtheHoly Spiritexercisesoverthepurity offaithineveryage.

MostTheologiansTeach ThatOurLadyDidDie

TheDeanapparentlydevoted sometimetothequestion whetherMaryeverdied.This questionhasnothingtodowith thedoctrineoftheAssumption.

NearlyallCatholictheologians areofopinionthatMarydiddie.

AsthePoperemarks,thefaithfulhaveneverfounditdifficult toagreethatOurLady,though no'underthelawofsinand death,diddepartthislifeby wayofdeath,asdidheronly Son.But,asIhavesaid,anydefinitiononthispointliesoutside thedefinitionofthedogmaof theAssumptionwhich,prescindingfromthemannerinwhich Marypassedoutoftheworld,

onlyassertsthatherbodydid nutcorruptinthetombbutwas takentoheaven,whitherher SonhadmadeHisbodilyascent.

TheDeanisquiterightin sayingthattheChurchconsiders thatthedoctrineoftheAssump- tionislinkedwithotherrevealeddoctrines.IfMarywasnot underthelawofsin,aswas definedin1854,thensheseems nottobeunderthelawof bodilycorruptionwhichisthe consequenceofsin.TheApos- tolicConstitutionshowshow admirablythedoctrineofthe Assumptionfitsintothegeneral bodyofCatholicfaith.But,as thePopepointsout,thisisto proceedbywayofratiocination, whichisthewaybywhichscientifictheologyelucidatesor supportsthetruthsoffaith.But theDeandoesnotseemclearly tograspthedifferencebetween truthsarrivedatbyreasonand truthsofrevelation.Hehasonly toreadthefulltextoftheConstitutiontoseehowhumanargu- ment,whilethrowinglighton dogmaandrenderingitmost plausible,isnotthesourceto whichtheChurchlookswhen thereisquestionofdeciding whatisrevealedtruth.

RevelationisOutside OfArgument&Evidence

AgainwhentheDeanspeaks ofthefactthatnowhereisthere anytombofOurLady,hesays thisisonlynegativeevidence.I mustgofurther.TheDean seemstobeuncertainastowhat ismeantbyacceptingatruthof faith.Itistoacceptatruthon thewordofGod.Allthatan emptytombcanshowisan emptytomb.Itmightleadto humanconjecture.Butfora truthoffaithitisrequiredthat Godshallhimselfhaverevealed somethingwhichwemustaccept,notbecauseofhumanargumentorsensibleevidence,but becauseHehasspoken.Our humanevidencemightmakeit veryprobablethatOurLady's bodywasnotonearth.Itcannot tellisthatthebodyisin heaven.OnlyGodcantellus that.Itisobviousthatsucha factliesoutsidethear-bitof historicalorscientificevidence. Itisamatterofrevelation.

HistoricalEvidenceHas NoLink-upWithFaith

Asfarasthereportyousend megoes,theDeandoesnotseem tohavediscussedtheconnection betweenthedoctrinesofthe AssumptionandtheScriptureteachingaboutOurLady'sprivilegedposition.SoIneednot gointoit.Ishallmerely glanceattheDean'sconclusion. Hesays:"Noneofthelinesof argumentisconvincing-from historicalevidence,fromScripture,frominferencebasedon truthsacceptedbyallChristians."Whathesaysofhis-

toricalevidenceistrue-but whathashistoricalevidenceto dowithfaith?SurelytheDean knowsthat,whenthereisquestionastowhetherOurLady's bodyisinheaven,totalkof "historicalevidence"isbeating theair.Hesaysthatevidence fromScriptureislacking.What doestheDeanmeanby"evi_ dencefromScripture?"If anythingiscertain,itisthat evidencefromScripturecannot becertainlyreliedonunless thereisaninfallibleChurchto safeguardtheinterpretationof Scripture.Heiswanderingin theoldjungleof"privatejudgment."Andeveniftherewere evidencefromScripturewhich satisfiedtheDean,whatuseis thattoanAnglican? Ineed onlyrecalltohimthewordson page29ofthereportofthe Archbishops'Commissionon DoctrineintheChurchofEngland.There,wearetold,that thetruthofScripturecanno longerbemaintained.Andwhen theDeanspeaksof"inference fromtruthsacceptedbyall Christians,"mayIstatethatno amountofinferencecanbethe basisoffaith,unlessweuseinferenceinthewidesenseof passagefromtheimplicittothe explicit.Further,mayIremindhimthattheChurchdoes notacceptasevidencetruths heldbyallChristians,onlythe truthsheldbyChristianswho areincommunionwiththe teachingauthoritysetupby God.

RealPithofReunion CentresinInfallibility

Finally,theDeanmakesplay withanutteranceoftheArchbishopofCanterbury.HisGrace isavisitortoAustralia,andI havebeenloathtosayanything mightappear ousorspoilthewelcomeweall givehim.InhisviewthedefiningofthedogmaoftheAssumptionmakesreunionmore difficult.Bluntly,Idecare thereisonlyonedifficultyinthe wayofreunion.Itis',hat thoseoutsidetheCatholic Churchcannotbeunitedtoit unlesstheyacceptherunvaryingclaimstohavethesoleright toteachinfalliblyonmattersof faithandmorals.Thattruth accepted,allotherdifficulties ceasetoexist.Toacceptitis, however,reallydifficult.Itin_ volvesamongstotherthingsacceptingtheanswerunwillingly, givenbyLeoXIII,underpressurefromAnglicans,ananswer foundintheBull,"Apostolicae Sedis,"of1896. Irecallthis Bull,nottogiveoffenceorpain, buttoindicatetheenormous difficultiesandprejudicesthat aretherealobstaclestoanyattemptstoreunitetheChurches oftheworld.

ANon-Catholic,AttendingMass,Becomes PuzzledbyApparent

"InterestedOne,"ofHay Street,isanon-Catholic,who hasbeenattendingthe11o'clock MassatSt.Mary'sCathedral. Buttheconductofthecongregationpuzzleshim.Thepeople donotseemtoknowwhattodo duringtheservice.Somesit. somestand,otherseyeofftheir neighbourstoseewhatisthe nextmove.Thewriterconfesseshefindsitallverycomplicated.

A.:Itisunfortunatethat"InterestedOne"chosetoattend thatparticularMass,forbeinga sungMass-eitheraHighMass oraMissaCantata-theceremonialisalittledifferentfrom theordinaryLowMass,andit mustbeconfessedthatpeople areoftenconfusedbythevariations,whicharejustenoughto throwthemoffbalance,soto speak.AtanyotherMassthey movewiththeprecisionofa well-trainedarmy,andfollow theactionoftheMasswithnone oftheconfusionyouhavenoticed.Ofcourse,agreatdealof freedomislefttotheindividual,

ConfusionofPeople

andevenattheordinaryLow Massastrangermightbepuzzledbycertainminordifferences.Forexample,attheend oftheGospelortheCreed,the congregationusuallysitsdown. Some,foronereasonoranother, however,prefertokneel.This theyareatfulllibertytodo. Again,afterHolyCommunion, thosewhohavereceivedthe BlessedEucharistwillnormally kneel,whiletheothersinthe churchwill,forsomereasonunknowntome,situpuntilthe lastblessing.Again,astranger mightinferfromthisthatthe congregationisallatseaasto whatishappeningatthealtar. Butthatisafalseinference.

Yousay,"InterestedOne," thatyouarehappytoattend Mass.Ithinkitisapitythat youdonotgofurtherandfind outwhattheMassreallyis,and takethestepsnecessarytobe abletotakeafullshareinthe sacrificialofferingmadeatour altar.Awordortwowithone ofthepriestsattachedtothe Cathedralwouldsetyourfeeton therightpath.

THERECORD*CHRISTMAS1950

USEDCARS

SYDNEYANDERSONAUTOMOTIVES CRYSTALPARK, CORNERWILLIAMSTREETANDRIVERSIDEDRIVE-BA5490.

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'Mother,WhenIs ChristmasComing!'

InNorsecountriesthereisa prettycustomthatsoothesthe impatientchildrenwhoreiterate thatquestion.Onthefirstday ofDecemberanordinarywoodenhoopisgaylydeckedwith evergreensand,atregularintervals,24candlesareattached. Atduskonecandleislighted. So,whenNorsechildrenask thisquestion,theirmothersanswer,"Notuntilallthecandles arelightedwillChristmasbe here."

TheMostImportant BirthNoticeIssued

InAmericaChristmasiscelebratedinagreatvarietyof ways,butnomatterthrough whichlandorlandsthecustoms cametous,themajorityhave astheiroriginthemostnewsworthybirthannouncementthat wasevermade:"Todayinthe townofDavidaSaviourhas beenborntoyou,whoisChrist theLord."

TheChristmasspirit,inits trueandholysense,wasmanifestedlastyearbytheBedford StreetMerchantsAssociationof Stamford,Conn.Theideawas proposedbyJamesA.Mulcahey, owneroftheCountryShop. "Let'sdosomethingtogetaway fromtheusualcommercializing ofthissacredholidaytime,"he toldhisfellowbusinessmen. "Thecolouredoverheadstreet lightsandthelittledecorated treesonthedowntownsidewalkscarryverylittlesuggestionoftherealmeaningof Christmas."Whatheproposed wasaNativityscene,setupin thecity'scentresothatnobody couldmissseeingit.

MaryWalkedNinetyFiveMilestoBethlehem

Detailsaboutthebirthof Christalwaysmakenewsat Christmastime.GiuseppeRicciotti's"LifeofChrist,"translatedbyAlbaI.Zizzamiaand publishedbyBrucein1947,is oneofthelatestandbestworks ofitskind.Someofitsfacts abouttheNativityaremostinteresting.Theauthorisapriest ofabbatialrank.

Joseph,thoughonlythefoster fatherofChrist,wasthelegal headoftheHolyFamily.WhereverJewishfamilieswent,they tenaciouslypreservedthememoryoftheirfamilystockandof theplaceoforigin.Theycould tellyouwhothe10th.orthe 20th.ancestorwasinthefamilyline.Inthistheywerelike theArabs,whoevento-day, thoughtheyhavemovedtoEu_ ropeorAmerica,canoftentell towhatclantheybelongand whereithaditsorigin.

Itwasthisattachmenttothe cradleoftheirancestrythat causedJewstogotothescene oftheirfamilyorigintobeenrolled.JosephwasofthefamilyofDavid,andhenceheand MarywenttoBethlehemforthe census.Itisthoughtthatthe censuswastakenforpolitical reasons(taxesandmilitaryservice)andalsotocheckinsome waythedepopulationofthe ruraldistrictscomingfromincreasedmigrationtothecities.

RefugeesTo-dayFind

ShelterinBethlehem

Bethlehemto-dayisalittle cityofabout7,500persons(with 50,000thereatpresentasrefugeesintherecentJewishArabwar),Itisaboutsixmiles southofJerusalemand2,500 feetabovesealevel.Thename originallywasBeth-Lahamu,a Babyloniandeityworshipped alsobytheancientCanaanites inthelocality.WhentheHebrewscame,thenamewastakeninthesenseofBeth-lehem, houseofbread.(Occasionally wehaveseenwritersrefertoa possiblemysticalconnection herewiththeBreadofLife,the BlessedSacrament.)

WhentheHebrewscame,the houseofEphratasettledhere andtheplacewasfromthenon calledEphrataorBethlehem. HereDavid,sonofIsaiorJesse, wasborn[1085B.C.].

MatthewandLukebothgive usgenealogicallinesofChrist, butinbothinstancesitisclear enoughthatthesearethelineof Joseph.Therearesomedifferencesinthem,caused,accordingtothebestexplanation,by theJewish"levirate"lawthatif amandiedhisbrothermust marrythewidowandthefirst sonofthissecondmarriagewas consideredthedeadman'sson, thoughinrealityhewasthe brother'sson.Yethewaslikely toberecordedasthesonof either.

Thetheorythatoneofthe genealogicallinesisMary'sis onlyfivecenturiesold.Thereis noindicationthateitherlineis Mary's,andJewsdidnottrace genealogythroughthemother. [Letusremark,however,that wehaveancientauthorityfor thefactthatMaryandJoseph wereofthesametribeand hencebothoftheDavidicline; St.Jerome,forinstance].

JourneyofThree

DaystoNazareth

BethlehemwasahumblevillageatthetimeofChrist'sbirth. Eveninthe8thcenturyB.C. theprophetMicheascalledit littleamongthemanyclansof thetribeofJuda.Atthetime oftheNativity,itprobablyhad onlyabout1,000residentsinthe townandthesurrounding country.Mostofthesewerepoorpeasantsandshepherds.Itwas, nevertheless,onacaravanroute fromJerusalemtoEgypt.A caravansaryhadbeenbuiltthere byChamaam,perhapsoneofthe sonsofafriendofDavid. MaryandJosephcamefrom Nazareth,whichis95miles

distantfromBethlehemtoday byagoodroad.InChrist'sday, thedistancewasperhapsless1supposebecausetheproblem ofgradesdidnotbotherthe ancientJews.Thecaravan journeybetweenthetwoplaces wasperhapsthreeorfourdays.

ItisdisputedwhetherJoseph alonewascompelledtogoto Bethlehemforthecensusor Maryalsohadtogo[thelaw wouldseemtoapplyonlyto himinthecase].Thereason thatMarywent,althoughshe knewthetownwouldbecrowded,isundoubtedlythefactthat shewaspregnantandnearthe birthofherChild.Shecould scarcelybeleftalone.Some thinkthatsheandJosephhad beenplanningsosettleinBethlehem,fortheangelGabriel hadannouncedtoherthatGod wouldgivetheChildthe throneofDavid.Micheas,centuriesbefore,hadforetoldthat itwasfromlittleBethlehem

aspaceofmoderatesizewith ratherhighwallsandonlyone entrance.Alongoneormore sidesoftheinnerwallwasa colonnade.Perhapsaportionof thecolonnadewaspartitioned offtoformalargeroom,with oneortwosmallerroomsbeside it.

Andthiswasalltheinnconsistedof,exceptanopenyard inthemidstoftheenclosure, andheretheanimalsofthetravellerswerekept.Thehuman beingssleptinthelargeroomor intheporticoofthecolonnade. Iftheycouldpayenough,they couldgetprivacyintheoneor twosmallerrooms,provided therewereanysuch.

Manytravellershadtosleep outundertheopenskyinthe yardwiththeanimals."And thereinthemidstofthatconfusedjumbleofmenandanimals,somehaggledandbargainedwhileothersprayedtoGod, somesangwhileothersslept,

Thelackofamidwifeor otherattendantsinthebirthis sufficientlyindicatedbythedeclarationofSt.LukethatMaryherselfwrappedtheInfantin swaddlingclothesandlaidHim inamanger.St.Jeromecenturiesagosawthisimplication inthetext.NotevenJoseph ismentionedasbeinginthe caveduringthebirth(though thisisnotdeniedeither)."It wasnotfornothingthattheexpectantmotherhadsoughtso anxiouslyaquietandsecluded place,"saysFatherRicciotti. Onemay.easilyseewhyshe shouldnotwantthisextraordinarybirthtooccurinanopen roomorundertheskyinthe yardofaninn.

ThePalaceofHerod

AndtheThroneofGod

FatherRicciottiremarksabout thebirthofChristthat"the royalaudiencechamberofthis

wasbornofherwithoutany detrimenttoherphysicalvirginity.OurLordcameforth fromthewombofHismother justasHecameoutoft(ie tombonthefirstEastermorning,passingthroughtheentrancewithoutbreakingis seal;andjustasHeenteredtne UpperRoomafterHisResurrection,'thedoorsbeingclosed.' MoreovertheVirgingalve birthtoChristwithouttheusual painsattendantonparturitidn. ThesinlessVirginwasdelivered ofherchildwithoutthatsuff4ringwhichisthepenaltyor sin."

Manyask:DidthisDivine Babytalklikeanadultand otherwiseactasanadultorLid Heactlikeanordinaryinfarit?

St.ThomasAquinasanswers thatJesuswishedtoshowHimselfinallthingslikeotherinfants."HenceSt.Leo,ina sermonontheEpiphany,says thattheMagifoundtheChild smallinbody,dependenton others,unabletospeak,andin noway eralitydifferentfromthegenofhumaninfants."

ShepherdsPayTribute

TotheKingofKings

thatHewouldcomewhowas toruleoverIsrael.[Matt.ii, 22,makesclearthatJosephon thereturnfromEgyptsettledin Galilee(whereNazarethwas) becausehewasafraidtogoto Judea,sinceArchelauswas reigninginthelatterplacein successiontohisfatherHerod, whomurderedtheHolyInnocents].

TheroadsoverwhichJoseph andMarytravelledtoBethlehemfromNazarethwerenothinglikeourfineautomobile roadstodayorthewonderful roadsofthemilitaristicancient Romans.Evencaravansofcamelsanddonkeyscouldbarely managethem.Atthetimeofthe census, crowdedtheywereundoubtedly coupleandhorrible.Theholy perhapshadnothing morethanadonkeytocarry whatgoodstheyhadtotake along,andtheythemselvesprobablywalked.Theovernight stopsonthewayfoundJosephandMarystayinginthehumble homesoffriendsor,morelikely, sleepingamongtheanimalsin theinnyards.

ThereWasNoRoom spillingBethlehemitselftheyfound overwithpeople. Strangerswerecrowdedintoall availablequarters.Thecaravansarywasthemostcrowded.This buildingwasperhapstheoneof Chamaam,rebuiltattimes throughout1,000years.Joseph andMarylearned"therewasno roomforthemintheinn."That iswhyChristhadtobe"laidin amanger."Itwould,infact, havebeenjustashardtoface thebirthintheinnasina stable. Thecaravansarywaslikea khaninPalestinetoday.Itwas

THEEGGDENT.

TheChristChildwashungryandHisMotherhadnothingto giveHimbutasingleeggwhichwasofferedtoherbyapoor woman.TheHolyMotherbeganpreparingtheeggforherhungryBabe,butfirstwithalittlespoonshedippedoutabitofthe whitepartandgaveittoHimtotaste.Thistastedsogoodtothe ChildthattheMotherneverfailedafterthattodipasmallpor- tionofthewhiteoftheeggandlovinglyreachittoHim.Since thenonefindsineveryeggalittledent,whichistheportionthe HolyMothergavetotheChristChildwhorelisheditsomuch.

IScorninq

someateandothersrelieved themselves;amanmightbe bornandanothermightdie,all amidstthatfilthandstenchwith whichtheencampmentsoftravellingBedouinsinPalestine reekevento-day."Weliveina farmorecomfortablemanner.

RicciottibelievesthatLuke's statement,"Therewasnoroom forthemintheinn,"isastudied sentence.Ifhemeantsimply thattheycouldnotpossiblyfind aspacetosleep,hecouldhave saidonlythat"therewasno room."Headded"forthem"as animplicitreferencetothefact thatthetimeofChrist'sbirth wasclose.Josephcouldhave probablyfoundsomeplaceeven inthecrowdedtownfortwo such himselfpoorandhumblepersonsas doneandMary.Othershad so;buteventhehumblest littlehomesincrowdedBethlehemnowgavenoroomfor privacy;andMarywasseeking privacymostofall.

MangerWasHisCrib St.LukedoesnotsayspecificallythatChristwasbornina stable,buthemakesitclear enoughwhenheassertsthat Mary"wrappedHiminswaddlingclothesandlaidHimina manger."

Astableinthosedaysmeant agrottooracaveoutinahillside.Thiscustomisstillfollowed inPalestine.Thestablethat JosephandMaryusedwas perhapspartiallyoccupiedby animals.Itwaslikelydarkand filthywithdung.Butitwassomewhatremovedfromthe crowdedvillageandquietand private.This,itseems,iswhat Marywanted.

Dr.Ricciotti'ssurmiseabout Mary'sanxietyoverprivacyis reasonable,butitmaybethat theholycouplewenttothecave onlybecausethevillagewasso crowdedthattheycouldnotfind aplace.Luke'sstatementhas beentakenbymostpeopleas indicativethattheysearched around.God'swaysarenot men's.Godwilledtobebornas maninthemostabjecthumility.Thatmaybewhythecouple couldnotfindbetterlodgings.

princelyheirwasastable.His throneamanger,Hiscanopythe cobwebshangingfromtheroof, thecloudsofincensethewarm reekofthedung,andHiscourtierstwohomelesshuman beings.Thekingdomofthis princelyheir,however,displayedevenfromitsbeginningcer_ taincharacteristicsthatwere trulynewandcompletelyunknowninthekingdomscontemporarywithit.Ofthethree personscomposingthatstable court,onerepresentedvirginity, onepoverty,andallthreehumilityandinnocence.Exactly sevenmilestothenorthglitteredthegildedcourtofHerodthe Great,inwhichvirginitywasa completelyunfamiliarword, povertywasabhorred,andhumilityandinnocencetookthe formofattemptsonone's father'slife,themurderofsons, adultery,incest,andsodomy. Thetruecontrastbetweenthe twocourtslaynotinthedung intheoneandthegoldinthe other,butintheirmoralcharacteristics."

MaryDidNotSuffer

Ifweturnnowtoanother commentator,wefindastresson theDivinityoftheChildand thevirginalnatureofChrist's birth."Maryisreallythe motherofChrist,andhencethe motherofGod.Thisis"defide,"writestheRev.Dr.WilliamKeanneally,C.M."She conceivedOurLordinher wombbythepowerandoperationofGod,carriedHimthere forninemonths,andgavebirth toHiminBethlehem'scave. IngivingbirthtoChrist,Mary remainedavirgininthefullest senseoftheword,i.e.,Christ

TheChristmasstoryincludes thetributepaidtothenewlybornLordbyshepherdsand WiseMen.The"angelofthe Lord"whoappearedtothe shepherdsisbelievedbymany tobeGabriel,forhewasthe angelsenttoannouncetheIncarnationtoMary,andhelis oftencalledtheAngeloftheIncarnation.Suddenlyagreat numberofotherangelsappearedwithhimonthefirstChristmasandsangthegloriesof God.Theshepherdswere nomadswhoordinarilyremainedoutintheopendayand night.Theywalkedaconsiderabledistanceinhastetohonour"ChristtheLord"who,the angelssaid,hadbeenborn. TheseshepherdswereJews-a despisedclassamongtheJews, oneheldonthelevelofthieves. firstformalannouncementtotheJewsofthe comingoftheLord.Itwas giventothelowestofthem,not tothehighest.Itoccurred thenightwhenJesuswasborn.

MagiOfferGifts

TotheLordofAll

Thetimeofthecomingofthe WiseMenisnotknownexactly, butitwassomewhatlater.It isnotlikelythatJosephand Maryremainedverylonginthe cave;butforreasonsunknown toustheystayedforatimein Bethlehem,perhapsbecause theyintendedtolivethere,as FatherRicciottibelieves.Some thinkthatthevisitoftheMagi didnotoccurforayearafter thebirthofChrist,andbase thisonHerod'sorderastothe ageofthebabiestobeslain.

TheWiseMenwerepriestsof somesort,Gentiles(thefirstto acknowledgeChrist),wereprobablynotkingsthoughsomeold commentatorsthoughttheywere minorroyalty,wereastronomersorratherastrologers,and thestartheysawwasmiraculousatleastastoitsmodeof action.Exactlywherethese menoftheEastcamefromis notdefinite.WhentheMagi "worshipped"Christitmayhave beenrealrecognitionofHis Divinityandhenceadoration; butthatfactisnotcertain,for "worship"isawordoftenused of"latria"ortheadorationgiventoGodalone,butitmayalso beusedofthelesserhonour paidtoangels,saints,etc.

AncientChaldeanlegendshold theWiseMenreturnedhometo Chaldea(aroundBagdad,Iraq) knowingwhoexactlyChristis. Iaminclinedtobelievethis,for MaryandJosephcertainlyknew whoHeis,andtheyprobably toldthegenerousvisitorswho hadcomesofar.-Monsignor MatthewSmith.

THEFIRSTCHRISTMASTREE

Accordingtoanancientlegend,whenChristwasborn,three trees,anolivetree,adatepalm,andapinetree,stoodaboutthe manger.TohonourthenewbornKing,theolivegaveitsfruit andthepalmitsdatesasanoffering,butthepinetreehadnothing togive.Somestars,seeingthisfromabove,gentlydescended fromtheheavensandrestedthemselvesuponitsboughsasanoffering.ThispleasedtheChristChildgreatlyandwastheorigin ofthefirstChristmastree.

Third-FloorLeapfromConsulate LandsMrs.KasenkinainChurch

RussianSchoolTeacherTellsHowOrthodoxChurchSoldOut

ManythoughtsracedthroughthemindofOksanaKasenkina, Russianschoolteacherwho jumpedfromthethirdfloorwindowoftheSovietconsulatein NewYorkratherthanreturnto theRedmastersofherhomeland.Theycameasshelayona bedofpain,strugglingforlife. Manyofthesethoughtswereof religionandofGod,andduring herlongperiodofconvalescence shedecidedtoentertheCatholicChurch.

Thestoryofthereasonsthat ledtoMrs.Kasenkina'sdecision toentertheChurchistoldby LeonardJ.SchweitzerinExtensionmagazine."TheCatholic believer,"shetoldthiswriter, "hastwoimpenetrableshields againstCommunism'sfanatical ideology.Thechiefoneisthe unassailablerighteousnessof Churchdoctrinebasedondivine revelation.ButtheCatholichas an againstadditionalmightyprotection Communistdeceitinthe incorruptibilityoftheHierarchy andtheclergy.

RussianChurchCrashes

BeforeBolshevistForce -Justcomparethebehaviourof theCatholicclergyinsatellite Europewiththebehaviourofthe RussianOrthodoxclergywhenbothweresubjectedtoBolshevik oppression.NotoneCatholic prelatedesertedhispostoffaith. Priests,Bishops,andCardinals wenttotheirmartyrdomwith openeyes,awarethatthelight cannotbowtothedarknesswithoutlosingitsownbrilliance.

"ButinRussiatheOrthodox clergycompromisedwithBolshevismtimeandagain.The OrthodoxPatriarchhasgoneso farastogivehisblessingto Stalinandhasallowedhimself andhisChurchtobeforgedintoCommunisttools.

"Sustainedbytheirtruefaith,theCatholicclergyboretheir fatewithoutflinching,confidenttheywerehelpingtofulfill God'swill.MeanwhiletheOrthodoxclergyfirstbentandthen crumbledbeforeBolshevikpressure.Withonlyself_preservation intheirmindstheydeserted theirpeopleandtheirfaithto reachasordidunderstandingwiththeforcesofevil.

DistrustofSubservient

PriestsLeadstoRome

"Duringthelong,slowweeks ofmyconvalescence,"relates Mrs. racedKasenkina,"thesethoughts throughmybrain.Ihave toldinmybook,LeaptoFreedom,howevenduringtheworst periodofreligiousrepression myhusbandandImarkedeach milestoneofourlives,ourmarriage,thebirthofourchildren, thedeathofourdaughter,in thepresenceofapriest.

"Youcanunderstandwith whatasenseofdespairIrealizedthatIcouldnolongerput mytrustintheOrthodox Churchbecauseeverysignindicatedthatithadsoldoutits ancientfaithtotheCommunists. Ibegantoaskmyselfwhethera Churchwhosepriestswereso weakcouldholdtheallegiance ofatrueChristiananylonger.

"Toaskmyselfthatquestion wastoansweritinthesame moment.IresolvedtoseekinstructionassoonasIwasable toleavethehospital,inorderto embraceCatholicism.theoriginalfaithofmyancestors.The dayIwasabletowalkagainI keptthatpromise,feeling humbleinthethoughtthatGod hadpreservedmethroughevery trialandnowenabledmeto findcomfortinthebosomofthe onetruefaith.

"Undertheguidanceofthe Rev.MarianusHorishnyofSt. George'sUkrainianCatholic churchinNewYorkmyresolve wasstrengthened.Ishallnever forgetthepeaceandcontentmentthatcametomeontheday ofmyacceptanceintothecommunityofthefaith."

CommonPeopleWere DeprivedofLeadership "Bolshevism,"declaresMrs. Kasenkina,"issoulless.There isnothinginitsmaterialistic doctrinetoattractmenwith hope,menwithaspiritualgoal. ChristianityandCommunism areincompatiblebecauseChristianityofferstoomuchcompe-titionforCommunismtowithstandinthelongrun."

Thatiswhy,sheexplains,the Bolsheviksopenedacampaign of whensavageryagainstreligion theyoverranRussia.Since thevastmajorityofRussiansbelongedtotheOrthodoxChurch, thebruntofthecampaignwas againstthisChurch.Theper- secutionresembledinmany waysthewarbeingcarriedon nowagainsttheCatholicChurch inEasternEurope

Butthereisoneimportantdifference.TheCatholicChurch resists,protectsitspeople,and takesaleadingpositioninthe firstrankofCommunism'sopponents.Ontheotherhand, theOrthodoxChurch,lacking theCatholictraditionofindependencefromcivilauthority, hasalwaysbeensubservientto whateverregimeisinpowerin Russia.

"TheRussianChurch,therefore,didnotknowhowtoresist theCommunistonslaughteven ifithadthedesiretodoso.It wassoonbrokentotheCommunistwillandtheRussian people,whodeservedbetterfor theirfaithfulness,weredepriv- edofneededhelpandleadershipintheirdeathstrugglewithCommunism.

"Ofcourse,thereweresome exceptions,"sheadds."Many parishpriestsfoughtasbestthey could,butwithoutassistance fromtheleadersoftheChurch theireffortswerefutile.

"Intheend,theRussianpeo- plewereleftwithstrongreligi_ ousconvictions-thesetheCommunistshaveneverbeenableto takefromthem-butwithlittle ornofaithintheirChurch's abilitytoguidethemspiritually."

StalinFoundaPretext

ForaReligiousSham

Mrs.Kasenkinagoesontodescribehow,inthedepthsof WorldwarII,theCommunist leaderssawthattheyhadtoenlistthesupportofthepeople.

TodothistheRedsabandoned overnighttheiropenwaronreligionandcalledonthepeople tomakeevergreatersacrificesin thenameofpatriotismand Christianity!

Tolendcredencetotheir tokenshowofrespectforreligion,theyallowedtheOrthodox Hierarchytofunctiononcemore. ThenewPatriarch,Sergius,and hissuccessor,Alexeis,havebeen, however,completelysubservient toCommunistcontrol.Stalin soonfoundthatadocileChurch wasbetterthannoChurchat all,andhasusedtheOrthodox Churchasaweaponagainstthe trueChurchinthelandsof EasternEurope.

BRYANT&WATERS

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"TheOrthodoxChurch'srash surrender,"declaresMrs.Kasenkina,"madeitnotonlytheprisoneroftheCommunists,but, also,theirallyinagodlessdrive againstthetruefaith."The Orthodoxarebeingusedbythe Communistsinadrivetodestroy theGreekCatholicPapal ChurchinEasternEurope.

SheUrgesUnification

OfChurchesunderRome

"Tometheworld'sdreadful situation,"saysMrs.Kasenkina, "withpower-madfanaticspursu- ingtheirrelentlessambitions,illustratesthegreatneedfora unificationofallChristendom undertheleadershipoftheCatholicChurch.SolongasChristiansaredividedamongthemselvestheycannotofferpowerful,unitedresistancetoCommunism'sobviousplanforworld conquest.

"TheCatholicChurchandits greatleadersaloneseemto understandthatnolessthanthe collectivesoulofmankindisat stake.NootherChurchlooks atthesituationsorealistically orissocapableofofferinginspiredresistancetotheCommunists.Itismydearestwish thatotherswhoarepuzzledand worriedbytheworld_shaking eventsofthepastfewyearswill cometoseethataunitedChristianitycanputanendtothe Communistthreat,whereasa dividedChristendomcannot bringtobearthegreateffort neededinthisfight.

"WiththeCatholicChurchin thevan,everalerttoitsresponsibilitiestomankindandfightingagainstwickednessandbrutalitywithitspowerfulspiritual weapons,therewouldbenoreasontodoubttheoutcome.If allChristiansralliedtothetrue faith.Communism'sdefeat wouldsoonbeassured.Unques- tionably,whenthefulllightof thetruthisturnedonCommunistgodlessness,wewillseeit sinkbackintothedarkplace fromwhichitemerged."

Mrs.Kasenkina,whoescapedfromtheSovietconsulatein August,1948,wasreceivedinto theCatholicChurchJan.4,1949, asamemberoftheUkrainian GreekRite. M1158 L146.

'ThePassingParade,'byJohnA.Toomey.

HowDumbthePaganWorldtheNight BeforetheSaviourChildWasBorn!

IFATWENTIETH-CENTURY Catholicweregivenafar-flung viewoftheworldasitwason thelastnightofthepre_Chris- tianera,onecharacteristicof thatnightwouldstandoutand capturehisattention. He wouldperceivehowutterlyunawaretheworldwasthatthe greatesteventinhistorystood onlyhoursaway. Wecan imaginethatnight-thenight whichimmediatelyprecededthe nightofChrist'sbirth-spreadingitsscenesbeforethetwentieth-centuryobserver. BethlehemofJudaliesasleepinthe darkness. Inthenearbyvalleys-thevalleyswhereJacob oncepitchedhistent,where RuthgleanedandDavidtended hisfather'sflocks-shepherds arekeepingthenightwatches overtheirsheep. Asthey taketheirthree-hourturns guardingthesheep,andtheir three-hourrestbythefires,the nightistothemjustanother night.Theyhavenottheremotestnotionthatitisthelast nightofacenturies-oldera. Norhavetheyaninklingofthe breath-takingexperiencesthat willbetheirswithin24hours. Hadourobserverinformed themhowwellknowntheyare topeopleofthetwentiethcentury,ortoldthemthattheir storyisgoingdownthecenturiestotheendoftime,theywouldhay.regardedhimasa lunatic.

ALONGTHELIMESTONE

ridgeonwhichBethlehemrests areanumberofcaves. On thisnight,thereisnothingtoindicatethatoneofthecavesisto becomethemostfamousbirthplaceinallhumanhistory. Thereisamangerinthecave, andsomeanimals:andthatis all.Itseemstobejustanother cave. Jerusalem,afew milesaway,isenvelopedinthe silenceofnight. Someof thosesleepingunconcernedly

throughthislastnightare scholars. Beforeretiring theyhadbeendiscussingthe prophecymadebyMicheas700 yearsbefore:"Andthou,BethlehemEphrata,artalittleone amongthethousandsofJuda; outoftheeshallhecomeforth untomethatistobetheruler ofIsrael,andhisgoingforthis fromthebeginning,fromthe daysofeternity."Talkedof, also,wastheprophecyofDaniel,whichforetoldthetime whenthisrulerofIsraelwould appear,

THEDISCUSSIONAPPARENT_ lydidnotdissipatethefogof unawareness. Thelearned onessleepon,unaffectedbythe nearapproachoftheirMessias. Inthevaststretchofthe Romanempire,outsidePalestine, nooneisawareoftheworldshakingbirthsosoontooccur. Noonesensesthatthepagan gods throughandgoddessesarepassing theirlastnightofunchallengeddominion. Noone dreamsthattheInfanttobe bornto-morrownightwillclose upthetemplesofMinervaand Diana.ofApolloandMercury, andfillEuropeandtheworld withCathedralsdedicatelto OurLadyandSt.Joseph. At longlastthefinalnightofthe worldthatneverhadChristmas comestoanend. Thesun rises-andMaryandJosephheadtowardBethlehemontheir lastday'sjourney. Never again,anywhereinthisworld. willtherebeanightlikethat lastnightofthepre-Christian era.Nowtherewillalwaysbe Christmas.-"America."

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FaithofMagiwasTested SeverelyatBethlehem

SecretEnvyofWitnessesofNativitySceneIsFoolish

Alotofusstayedhomethis year.Wedidn'tgetthechance tomaketheHolyYearpilgrimage.Wedidn'tstopoverat FatimaoratLourdeswherethe BlessedMotherwhisperedher motherlymessagestomankind. Wedidn'tgetanaudiencewith theHolyFathernoravisitto thetombofSt.Peter,thatgreat apostleuponwhosefaiththe toweringskyscraperofChrist's Churchisfirmlyanchored.It wasquiteunderstandable,then, ifwegreetedtheglowingrecital ofthesethings,fromthelipsof thoseluckyoneswhodidfind theirwaytothemostprecious shrinesofChristendom,witha slightlyenvioussigh.

Maybe,too.whenthefervour oftheChristmasseasonglows withinus,aswekneelbefore theparishcribupfrontinthe church,wefeelthesamewayasecretenvyofthoselucky shepherdsandMagiandeven ofJosephandMary.Whenwe comparetheirgoodfortunetheygottoseetheChristChild andlovinglyfondledHistiny wrinkledbody-whenwecomparethiswithourmodern bread-and-butterexistencein whichfaithhastostruggleso hardtoholdabeachheadinside us,we'reliabletoconcludethat faithforthemwaslikefalling backwardsontoapileofbeauty-restmattresses.

Now,ifonlywehadbeenon thespot.Ifonlywecouldhave climbedaboardoneofthose weavingcamelsintheMagicaravan,orhadapaid-upunion cardintheBethlehembranchof theShepherds'unionsothatwe couldhavebeenpresentinthe f,rstfewhourswhenGod's EternalWordleapedtoearthOh!thefaiththatwetoowould havehad!

Excuseplease.forinterruptingsuchapleasantreverie,but suchadreamisliterallyoutof thisworld.Thereisabsolutely nopointinenvyingtheMagior theShepherdsorMaryand Josephfortheeaseoftheir faith,andthereisevenless pointinthinkingthathadwe beenthereourfaithwouldautomaticallyhaveswollentogiganticproportions.

JerusalemProvided

TheFirstHeartache TakethecaseoftheMagi, forinstance.Theywerescholarlymen,probablyfromPersia, familiarwithcertainsmatteringsoftheJewishreligion whichhadfilteredthroughout theEast.Inparticular,they wereconcernedwiththisidea thattheSupremeBeingwould sendagreatliberator.orMessiah,torestorementohappiness.Theappearanceinthe skiesofwhatseemedtobesome brightnewconstellation,somehowsignalledthiseventfor them.Movedbydivineimpulse theypreparedforthelongdry journeytothelandoftheJews wherethisroyaldelivererwas supposedtoappear.

Afterweeksofdustytravel theMagireachedtheroyalcity ofJerusalem,confidentlyexpectingthecitytobebuzzingwiththeexcitingnewsofthe newking'sbirth.Therewereno celebrations.Therewasnosignthatanythingextraordinaryhad takenplaceatall.Puzzled,disappointed,evenheartsickat thislackofinformation,they wearilyturnedtheirinquiriesto thepalaceofKingHerod.You canimaginewhateffortofwill itrequiredtosnuffouttheper- sistentlyclimbingsparksof suspicionthatthewholeaffair wasamistake,thattheyhad beendeludedandhadblundered theirwayhundredsofmiles acrossadesertinvain.

An

UneasyAudienceIs SpentWithKingHerod Thentheywereusheredinto Herod'spresence.Theseamy taleoftheoldtyrantwhitened whenheheardtheirstory.The peculiarshiftylooksuponthe facesofhiscourtatmentionof a"star"anda"newking," seemedtospelltroubleforthese

Easternstrangers.Iwonderif perhaps,forfleetingseconds,the necksoftheMagididn'tredden uncomfortablyatthoughtof whatmusthaveseemedabigger andbiggerpoliticalblunderon theirpart.Orientaldungeons andtorturechambershadmany agrislytaletotellofunwise menwhotalkedtoomuchabout changesinregimes. OldKingHerodquicklyregainedhiscomposureandprofessedkeeninterestinthis -newbornkingoftheJews."He summonedthechiefpriestsand scribesandaskedthemwhere thispersonwastobeborn.A richlytassledscribestepped

voicekeepurgingthemtoturn back,toabandonthisfoolish searchwhichwasgettingthem nowhere?

Nowtheynoticedthattheir guidingstar,likealampset firmlyonitsstand,wasstationaryoverasimplehutonthe hillyfringeofthetown.They dismounted.Servantswith torcheslightedthefewhundred yardstothedwelling.Thesound oftheapproachingcompany broughtanerectyoungmanto thedoor.Steppingouthesalutedthempolitelyandina pleasantvoiceaskedhowhe couldservethem.Theweary travellerscrowdedthethreshold

Belhlem'sStarandOurs

ThethreeWiseMentoJesuscame. Andallwisemenwilldothesame, Orelseincurdemerit,blame.

Eachoneofusreceivesacall.

TotraveltotheInfantsmall, OurLight,ourLife,ourGod,ourAll.

Thisheavenlycallisnowyourstar, Thatbeckonsandinvitesyoufar Fromallthatholinesscouldmar-

Fromslothfullife,fromeasyways

Thatwastethehalfofallyourdays.

Tolifeoffervour,prayer,andpraise.

Oh,listentothiscalldivine, Andfollowwhereyourstarwillshine, Nortotheleftnorrightdecline.

Itwillconductfromoutthenight Intotherealmofvirtuebright, WillleadyouintoJesus'sight.

AndasyoumoretoJesusgo, AndmoreandmoreyourSaviourknow. You'llmissbutmiseryandwoe.

Ifwellyoulistentothiscall

Andfollowit,whatmaybefall, You'llfindinBethlehemyourAll.

-FrancisPatrick.

*musthavebeensomemistake: we'vecometothewrongplace!" -andheadedbackhome,cursingourwildimaginingsand vowingnevertostar-gazeagain. MaybeweshouldthankGod thatHeneverputourfaithto thetestthatHegavetothese men.

GodHasContinuously DemandedFoithofMen

ThisepisodeoftheEastern Magimakesitprettyclearjust whatfaithisandwhatitdoes forthosethatuseitproperly. Faithistheabsolutebedrockof ourreligion.Amidstmodern chatteraboutnuclearfissionand fourth-dimensionalphysicswe tendtokeepourfaithwell cloakedfromanyhostileprying eyes.Oursissometimesevena defensiveattitude-likeanapologyforthe1939familyjalopy whichcluttersupourmodern garage.

Faithtoefficient,streamlined 1950seemsabitonthemusty sideandsomethingwhichdefinitelycannotbeallowedto slowdownourlives.Ofcourse, thatputsGodsomewhatonthe old-fashionedside.Forinevery agethefirstthingHehaslooked forinmenisfaith;abeliefin Hisloveformankind,inHis IncarnateSon,inHisSon'smessageofsalvation,intheresultingtruthswhichstaggerman's intellect.FromBethlehemto CalvarytheGod-manJesus Christcontinuallyaskedfaithof thosewhowalkedwithHim. Nothingwasmorelavishlyrewardedthanfaith,nothingwas sopainfullyremarkeduponthan itsabsence.

antiseptic20thcenturymakes itouttobe.Faithisagiant rocketgunwhichhurlsaman outbeyondthetinyboundaries oftheuniverseintotherealm oftheinfinite.Faithisnohobble orcrutchorinsulttotheintellect,assomepretend.Itsfunctionistoletmanstepoutof himself,asthetelephoneallows hisvoicetostretchacrossthe globeorthetelescopeextends hisvisiontonewandundreamedofplanets.Andnomore thanthetelephoneorthetelescopedoesfaithinsultordetract fromman'snaturalpowers.

Faithisaliberatorfreeing manfromthenarrowlymonotonouslifewalledinbyhisfive senses.Becausethegoaloflife isnothinglessthenGodHimself,faithunchainsmanand whiskshimbeyondthelimitsof thisuniversetothatheavenly goal.Faithgivesusahead start,downhere,onthelife we'regoingtobeleadingforeverinthenextworld.It's almostasiffaithwerepre-arrangingplacesforusinthe richsunshineofeternity,onlynow Throughitkeepsoureyesbandaged. faithweareusing God'seyes,asGodlovingly stoopstotellusaboutHimself. Itisadivinekindnessthatthe truthsoffaithare,forthe present,obscure;because,otherwise,ourfrailhumanintellectswouldbeblindedbythe dazzlinglightningsofnaked divinetruth.

FaithHasForgedSteel

InSpinesofChristians

forwardwitharolledparchmentscrollunderhisarm.A bonyfingerunderlinedaverse inthemiddleofthescrollof theProphetMicheas,upon whichwasletteredtheprophecy concerningtheMessiah'sorigin.

"AtBethleheminJuda,"itread. Thecraftyoldking,dismissing hiscourtiers,privatelyinstructedthevisitorstobringback wordtohimwhentheyfound thechildsothatheinturncould gotopayhomage. Theanxiousvisitorslostno timeinquittingthestrangecity andwerestilltryingtodecide whethertheywerenotbeing madebiggerfoolsofbythis evil-lookingJewish,ing,when, justastheymoi*Iloutthe southerngate,theysawagain theirstar.Worrymeltedfrom theirfacesanddoubtdrained fromtheirharts.Andsomuch nearerandshinierthestarwas now!

Pauper'sChildCradled

InHayIsJourney'sEnd

Withanewburstofenergy thecaravanmovedsouthward ontheBethlehemroadafterthe brightlybeckoningstar.An hour'scloppedytravelbrought themintothequietlittletown. Amazedtheylookedabout.The crispbluenightwasmuffledin silence.Wherewerethecelebratingcrowds?Wherewasthe brightlyglowingmansionor glitteringpalaceinwhichthis newbornkinglaycradled?The darknessofafewscorecottages wasallthatmettheiranxious eyespeeringaboutinthepale lightofthestar.Didaweeblack

ofthedoorandlookedintothe plainroomexpectantly. Inafewpreciousstrokesthe gospelnarrativesketchesthe scene:"...Andsogoingintothe dwelling,theyfoundthechild there,withhismotherMary, andfelldowntoworshiphim; andopeningtheirstoreoftreasures,theyofferedhimgifts,of gold,frankincenseandmyrrh."

TheirFaithWasTested

ToLimitattheCrib

Doyouthinkthatthiswas easyornatural?Doyouthink thatthiswasaneasywaytofall intothefaith?TheMagicame expectingtofindandpay homagetoamightylordwho wasraisedupbytheSupreme Beingtosaveallmankind.They cametoaddtheirtreasuresand complimentstotherichesofthe fabulousLordofLordsand KingofKings.Andwhatdid theyactuallyfind?Asimple hut.Apeasanthusband.A gentlelittlegirl-mother.A plainlywrappedinfant.Whatan almostfrighteningtestoffaith! Andtheselearnedandwealthy menkneltontheharddirtfloor ofthathutandadoredwithout questionthattinyhelpless bundleofflesh. Hisroyalcourtwasthere, 'tistrue:Poverty,Humility, Simplicity-butwouldyouand Ihaverecognizedthem?His regalgoldandimperialpurple weredrapedaboutHiminhomespunblanketandtinselled homemadetoy-butwouldwe haveseenthem?Maybeifwe hadbeenintheplacesofthese Magi,wewouldhavemuttered anembarrassed,"Sorry,there

YOUDRIVESERVICE

GoWhereYouPlease-WhenYouPlease,With BESTWAYHIRECARS.

ForBookingsandParticularsRINGBJ1653 orCALLAT483CHARLESSTREET,NORTHPERTH.

Howfrequentlydidsuchexpressions fromChrist's lips:"Accordingtoyourfaith beitdoneuntoyou,"asHe healedtheblindman;"0 woman,greatisthyfaith:beit donetotheeasthouwilt,"as Hecuredthedaughterofthe Chanaanitewoman;"Thyfaith hathmadetheesafe:goin peace,"tothesinfulwomanin thepharisee'shouse;"0yeof littlefaith,"asHerebukedthe apostles. Byourfaithwewholeheartedlysubscribetoeveryword thatGodhastoldusabout Himself-notbecausewithour ownmindswecandirectlysee itstruthbutbecausewerealize thatGod,thesourceofalltruth, hasstatedonlywhatistrue.

Thebigroadblocktoalife livedinunionwithGodisa hesitantfaith;yet,beginningto livejustsuchalifehereisthe onlyconceivablereasonwhy we'reputtingintimeonthis man'searth.

FaithLiberatesMan

FromTyrannyofSense

Butfaithisbynomeansthe horse-and-buggyaffairthatour

Butfaithisnotforthespine- lessmodern.Itismuscleand sinewforthestrong.Ithasno patiencewithmediocrity,it makesnocompromisewiththe easygoing.Faithdemandsa boldness,anall-outassaulton thewallsofheaven,amaximumeffortwithnoplanfor retreat.Thisstrongman'smeat must weaklingalwaysmaketheworldly shiverandturnaway.Faithhasforgedsteelinthe spinesofChristiansfromNero's daytoStalin's,andhasgivena hero'scouragetowomenand childrenfromtheMachabeesto JoanofArc.IthasmadebrothersofThomasMoreandIsaac JoguesandCardinalMindszenty. Doesfaithseemtoyouworthwhilecultivatingnow?The bestthingaboutitallisthat GodinHisgenerosityiseager togiveusthesamekindof faiththatbroughtthelearned Magitotheirkneesbeforethe littleBabeofBethlehem.Next timeyoukneelatMass,prayforthewisemen'sfaithwhen youlookatwhatseemslike breadinthepriest'strembling hands.Nexttimeyouvisit yourlocalcrib,dropahintto theMagithatyou'dliketohave someofthefaiththattheyhad. OPTICIANS AND

Laubman&Pank

77

171

from College.

Students to and

* Transport Provided for Day

Shed

Aquinas

Cd1110z-.1Rowin9

The Lynch Oval

The McMahon Oval

The College Oval

Old Boys' Memorial Oval

Aquinas College

11.. -Bulls Creek

40. Canning River

9. Aquinas Bay

8. Mt. Henry & Rifle Range

`72 Tennis Courts

RIVERFRONTAGE.

COMPRISING

200. ACRES OF LAND AND 2 MILES OF

PROPERTY

Woolclassing & Sheep Husbandry. College Reopens Tuesday, February 6th., 1951.

for Country Students in

Spec ia Courses

One of the Associated Public Schools of W.A. 'Phones: MU1862; MU1520

3.30, 3.45, 5.40 p.m.

and leave the College at

Daily at 8.30 a.m.,

Buses Leave Perth

Residence 8 p.m. Monday, February 5th.

Mt. Henry, Canning Bridge. Boarders to be in

to: The Headmaster, Aquinas College,

For Particulars, apply

Canning Bridge.

Canning River, near the

Beautifully Situated, Overlooking the

CONDUCTED BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, FOR BOARDERS AND DAY STUDENTS

AQUINAS COLLEGE, MT. HENRY