PROGRESS AT CORBY The Workers Flock to Mass in Hundreds

The number of Catholics who have recently gone and are still going in large numbers to live at Corby, Northants, is one of the most encouraging events in the history of the Diocese of Northampton.
A strong and vigorous Catholic cornmunhy of over a thousand is now settled in Corby. Many have come from areas which, if not "depressed," at least areas where, work was scarce.. Now these men have permanent work their material needs are supplied by the sweat of their brow; but they are working hard to obtain that which is necessary for the welfare and even the life of the soul. For months their only opportunity of hearing Mass was by crowding into a dining but by 6.45 am„ assisting at the Holy Sacrifice amidst the fumes of frying bacon, and in company with the puppies and the hens. By 7.20 a.m. this " chapel " had to revert to its state of dining but and there was no further opportunity of worship in public until the following Sunday.
During the past two years a temporary but has been in use as a church, It holds only 244, yet Sunday by Sunday 650 to 700 hear Mass in this but or outside it. Three Masses are celebrated every Sunday. Frequently about a hundred persons have to be content to " listensin " from outside the hut. Those who may get a window position are more fortunate and may see something of the Mass going on inside. Lately the parish priest, Fr. R. E. Underwood, has had to have Mass in the open at eleven o'clock on Sundays, and the weather has been kind to Corby's Catholics.
The poor Diocese of Northampton could not respond so quickly to the crying needs of this new congregation as her more fortunate sister dioceses ,would have been able
to do. Corby Catholics face the winter with a firm will and in a united spirit, knowing that they will have to be prepared to hear Mass in the open frequently in rain, snow or frost. Their new church is being built this winter, and all are working and praying and giving nobly. Others, too, may be glad to join in this good work.