The question of Catholic participation in social problems calls for combined prayer and action.
Surely it should be the contribution from the Catholics of England to the reforming spirit of the Vatican Council. This would also be a contribution to the movement towards more co-operation between the churches.
Would it be possible to gather all those who wish to unite their gift of faith with their service to others into a nation-wide network? They could be joined by those whose circumstances forbid active work, but whose prayers would fortify the active members.
GRADUATES
A list of Catholic Graduates of Liverpool University 1913-1963 is being compiled in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the University of Liverpool Catholic Society in June, 1963. A list of deceased Catholic members of Liverpool University is also being compiled.
The committee of the Society would be grateful if graduates who have not within the past year received a report of the Society's activities would immediately send their names and addresses together with details of degree and year of graduation, also the names of deceased graduates known to them to:
Rev. T. A. McGoldrick, M A , The Catholic Chaplaincy, 49, Bedford Street, North. Liverpool, 7.
T. A. McGoldrick, Chaplain. While continuing their usual calling, all members would be forming a strong Catholic influence. to be called upon. and to be represented, at any relevant opportunity.
This is a very vague proposition, but perhaps other more knowledgable readers will have further suggestions. May this become a special intention for prayer ameng us all as our contribution to the work of the Council.
"Bright"
I don't understand why so many of your correspondents seem to feel it necessary for someone else to organise their acts of charity. Surely the re-paying of God's love to others is an intensely personal thing and responsibility. We can be prison visitors. "aunties" or "uncles" to deprived children in institutions, help at the nearest Cheshire Home, visit mental patients who have been deserted by their relatives and have had no visitors for years, take blind people for walks, or. if young, to a dance or a party, give hard worked parents an evening or a day off by minding the children without payment. listen to the long complaints of old. boring and lonely people without flinching.
The opportunities are endless for feeding the hungry, tending the sick and comforting the brokenhearted, humbly and without any thought of reward, thanks or applause. As a convert I am sure that this is the light that shines in the darkness and attracts people to the faith like moths, and not the ballyhoo of a big group of organised do gooders.
We have to realise, too. that we are the debtors of the people we help, and that they will spot. at once, the smallest trace of smugness and self-satisfaction on our part. In short we have to attempt that well-nigh impossible task of imitating Christ without thinking of it in that way even to ourselves.
(Mrs.) Joan Eland
ANGLICAN VIEW
As an Anglican, may I say how much I enjoyed and appreciated your article on Hugh Kay's conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
I know I speak for many of my fellow Anglicans when I say that we have more than an ordinary interest in the outcome of Vatican 11; and most certainly, the obvious new spirit of goodwill between Catholic and Protestant churches gives strong grounds for optimism.
But it is at this time particularly that we must all begin to prepare for the period after the council, because it is then, when thc immediate impact has subsided, that the real spadework and patient patching-up of differences will have to be tackled.
It is bound to be difficult, but once again, I think the present atmosphere gives every cause for optimism. And after all. we are dealing with something with rather more potential than the United Nations at least we are agreed on fundamentals.
Michael Hill, Passfield London, W.C.1.