By Fr. Bernard Basset, S.J.
AFORTNIGHT ago, we set out the suggestions for a WonIan's year in 1963. The scheme was not ours but we put some questions and received many replies.
Typical comments were: (a) "I like the idea very much." (M.S.. Accrington.) (b) "Yes, I think it could do a great deal of good." (Amin., London, SM.)
(c) "We think that the campaign is a very good idea but we doubt whether it will receive enough support for success." (Upper Sixth, London, E.7) (d) "Yes, by all means, let us have a woman's year, but let us have a man's year first and call it `Men's Clean Speech Years." (Anon.)
(e) "No, please spare us such an indignity . . . I suggest that we combine with our separated brethren in their efforts, just launched, entitled `Christian Family Year'." (M.J., Exmouth.) (f) "This is not only a very good idea but a great necessity." (C,W„ St. Helens.) Detailed suggestions have come in from many parts of the country and a committee is to consider them. More of this subject later, possibly on a different page. Sincere thanks to all who co-operated
Too late?
ALAS, it is almost,' too late to call attention to the very special Garden Fete this Saturday, July 14, in Slough. Those who get their CATHOLIC HERALD on Friday could just about catch the necessary buses to reach St. Joseph's School, Shaggy Calf Lane, by 2 p.m. The fete itself sounds very attractive with its monster raffle, five-a-side football, pipe band, bottle stall and Bingo, but it is the cause behind the fete that demands our support. Slough is, I think, the first district to set up a local branch of the Catholic Housing Aid Association and to show how this all important apostolate may be run with success.
Slough's lead
TCatholic Housing Aid Society, least known and most unpretentious of Catholic organisations, has been busy for years helping those who cannot afford or find a home. Mrs. Sheed started it,
and she with Molly Walsh, two priests, a lawyer and an accountant work 'Silently and ceaselessly, raising money, loaning down payments, assisting young married people to start their homes. While many paid lip service to so bold a venture, Slough actually started, set up an Association and has, to date, settled some twenty-six families in homes. A rudimentary credit union is in operation. It may be too late to get to the fete but now is the time to copy Slough's admirable example and/or to step forward and join the Catholic Housing Aid Society in its work. As impressive as the self-sacrifice of the original team is the generosity of those who have come forward with donations and loans. To see the plight of the homeless, here in Britain, is to risk both one's heart and one's purse. Many talk but prefer not to look.
A rumour to scotch
HAVE you yet read "The Council and Reunion", outspoken but thoughtful book by theologian Hans Kling? The English translation by Cecily Hastings is published in Stagbooks (Sheed and Ward, I Is. 61.1.). Some dislike the views of the author but, as one priest said to me, "lie is only saying what many of us have thought and said in private for years". The "Sunday Times" in a recent article on the coming General Council, commented on Kling. Of the book it wrote: "It has been much frowned upon in Rome and certain attempts have already been made to have it withdrawn". One cannot check such a statement. Rumour in London last week had it that an imprimatur had been refused in Britain. I heard this from a wellknown journalist, and it was repeated in a Catholic bookshop of repute. Two friends heard the same at Lourdes from a priest. There is no truth in such a rumour about the imprimatur which sounds the more suspicious seeing that two Cardinals have written forewords to the French and German editions.
Tailpiece
• THEY had been on a grand tour, J. Paris, Rome, Athens, Ankara, Cyprus. Someone asked, "Did you have time to see the Dardanelles?" Came the quick reply, "Why. yes, we had lunch with them".