LET the kind correspondents who have written recently put their points for themselves.
I.-"Is not the closing of the Marian 'Year an opportunity to revive in England a devotion dear to our forefathers and still practised on the Continentnamely that of erecting wayside shrines of Our Lady on the walls of Catholic houses or at convenient spots. Would not many people. up and down the country, buy an outdoor shrine if some firm would undertake to produce them? Many could make their own. Thousands of people passing down Camberwell Road must be edified and moved to prayer at the sight of the biggish one there. Don't you think that a little enthusiasm kindled for wayside shrines would lead to much prayer and draw down Our Lady's blessing?"
Catholic papers pleae
FROM Bombay came this: "The son of one of our famous professors is now studying in Spain. When he was here I used to lend him the English Catholic papers but now he is without them and dying to see them again. He does not mind if they are a month old. Could you ask some kind friend to semil the papers to him?" If a kind reader would like to undertake this charity, send me a line and I will forward the address. If you hear no more, you will know that another Samaritan is ahead of you.
Crib figures
A NOTHER correspondent writes: CI-Two days ago I noticed crib figures in the local Woolworth's and thought that you would like to know. They are very nicely made and of a good site. I did not ask the price. This is a very wonderful development and we should all be grateful. 1 don't suppose that Our Lady minds being all mixed up with soap."
A Catholic at work
THIS writer puts over a very big problem in a paragraph. "I am worried about the gulf between my work and my prayer and how to reconcile them. There is nothing unjust in the business I work for and the customer gets a fair deal. But from the staff's point of view it is full of petty injustices. Everything is subservient to the rule of getting the work done, even finishing time is brushed aside as of no consequence if the job has to be completed. There is a ruthlessness in applying a theoretic principle laid down by the directors with no understanding of the practical effect it will have on those who carry it out. All objections are plausibly answered and, if necessary, objectors will be removed or a means sought to squeeze them out, usually by consistent demoralisation on the part of superiors-always catching them on the Wrong foot, petty fault-finding; one has always to be fighting: fighting head office, various inspectors or taking members of the staff to pieces for trivial faults. It seems hard to believe that God will ever be found or served in all this confusion and strife." St. Mary's House, Brighton NAM CARSON writes: IYI"You once mentioned in All Sorts the home for old people which is being started in Brighton, and many kind readers sent us furniture. bedding and things. I have thanked them all. We have now moved into our beautiful new home but there is a great deal to be done. Amateur decorators in their spare time are doing a fine job of work. Of course we are still in great need of many things, sheets, bedding, furniture, books, garden tools, etc. We have called the home 'St. Mary's House,' and the address is 38 Preston Park Avenue. Brighton, 6."
Marian Year
ONE reader has a bone to pick on a post card! "Why will you and others persist
in calling it the Marian Year? It is Our Lady's Year, Marian reminds us of unworthy subjects, Nottingham and Smithfield."
New Zealand Tailpiece
nNE signing himself or herself • ..,"Constant Reader," writes: "The following may be of use to you for a tailpiece :
"A layman in this city, known for his deep interest in the promotion of all matters liturgical, was accused by a nun of being a 'liturgical crank.'
"His instant reply was: 'Sister, the liturgy is the machinery of worship. If it runs down, it may require a crank to start it again'."
Many thanks, New Zealand.