T HE new-look Catholic Young Men's Society of Great Britain, which starts its three-day national conference in Liverpool today, has completed a new handbook for its 15,000 members.
It has taken nearly two years to write the 41-page booklet, bringing the society into line with Vatican II.
It reflects current changes in the society, and is designed to be used by chaplains and lay members in their branches und councils. and for general work of extension. The job was given to a selected panel, but all the writing was done by Fr. William O'Sullivan, Assistant Chaplain-General of C.Y.M.S.
The executive council report for 1967-68 states: "The panel quickly realised that the document would fall naturally into two main parts—ithe descriptive (aims, structure, techniques) and the formal constitution."
A foreword to the handbook -states: "The purpose of the C.Y.M.S. today is to encourage. to help and to prepare Catholic men so that they may be able to assume the responsible role of the layman as outlined and defined by the Vatican Coundil . . .
"The layman is called by God to represent Christ and put His teaching into practice in every aspect of his life—in the home, at work, at leisure. Others learn of Christ through the way the layman lives and acts . . .
"The society helps men to discuss and clarify together and learn from one another, what it means to be a Christian in the world today, and by sharing, among themselves and with their pniest, life's experiences and their problems. how men come to a better understanding of God's purpose in life."
Members are invited to take part lin and support four promotions to the best of their ability—The Mass Promotion, Planned Discussion, Retreats and Community Services.