SHELTER WORK The Example of a Priest

SIR,—Referring to your very interesting article in a recent issue of the CATHOLIC HERALD, 1 entirely endorse the sentiments expressed in regard to the opportunity Catholics have of getting in touch with nonCatholics and securing their interest in our religion. It is perfectly true that by such intercourse thousands of these poor people for the first time are given a chance of coming into contact with a Catholic priest or with Catholic workers.
Whilst I quite appreciate all you have said about the efforts made by Anglican cletgy, Church Army officials, Friends, etc., all of which are very commendable, I would like to say that although mention is made of the Rev. J. Groscr, who is doing splendid work in this direction, I am sure he would be one of the first to agree that a Catholic priest, front SS. Mary and Michael's, Commercial Road, the Rev. Fr, Leigh, is also doing splendid apostolic work, in the way of making shelter life more tolerable for those who frequent them.
During the whole of the many blitzes which the East End sustained during last autumn, reinter and spring, Fr. Leigh went from shelter to shelter every night, saying simple prayers there, and talking to the people, making friends with many who had never spoken to a Catholic priest before, and, incidentally, bringing back many lapsed Catholics to the practice of their faith. Npt only was the spiritual sidc attended to, but he also organisrd a canteen which supplied tea and cakes to the shelterers. Never once in all those long nights ot blitz was he absent from his post.
This is, I will admit, but an isolated example, but it just shows what can be done with the right spirit.
As your article says, this is the time and the opportunity given to Catholics, which up to the present does not seern to have been taken advantage of to the same extent as it has by other bodies.
This is assuredly the kind of Catholic Action that should appeal to us.
PEGASUS.