A group of laymen and priests in Atlanta is at work composing a prayer. It is not a private, personal, everyday prayer. It will become an official part of the new form of the Mass before the year is out.

Long ago, private prayers (for health, a job, a happy marriage) began to drift away from the “set-prayers” of the Eucharistic Service. About all that remained was the “Three Our Fathers and Hail Mary’s” for the deceased of the parish. Not a syllable for those who were baptized, confirmed or married, although all three groups may need it more than the dead.

Now, right after the Gospel and homily, will be a brief new litany-form prayer, the Prayer of the Faithful. It will alternate between the celebrant who will state the petitions, and the congregation which will respond.

There will be a reminder of the season -- Christmas, Lent, Pentecost. And if the parish is building, e.g., a school, or the debt is high, or social tensions a danger, the people of God will ask God’s help. The duties of civic officials will be remembered; and the deceased and those who have received the sacrament of marriage, baptism and confirmation.

In a real sense, this little prayer may do more than the vernacular and other changes to convince all of us that Liturgy and life cannot be kept in separate, airtight compartments.

Directional Lights

A highlight of the delightful banquet of the Council of Catholic Women was the introduction of the “introducer,” our editor, Mr. Gerard Sherry, -- “seated, as Madame President said, “on the far right.” Mr. Herb Farnsworth, bringing to the Council the good wishes of the Mens’ Council, later remarked:

“I’ll wager that’s the first time Gerry has ever been situated there, -- on the far right!”

Other Lights On The Catholic Women’s Convention

At the morning Mass which I offered at Sacred Heart Church, at an altar facing the people, there was evidence of how well most of our parish are “doing the dialogue.” Voices, sure and clear, came from ladies from all over the archdiocese.

The significant words of the installation of officers after the Mass made one think of the time and skill and energy these leaders put into this program. And, as Father Manning, the moderator, said Saturday evening, think of the husbands too. (Just like a man, to express that thought!)

Miss Peg Roach of Washington and Eugene Patterson of the Atlanta Constitution were the two principal speakers. The prominent editor and columnist, stressing spiritual values in a powerful nation, told of a Protestant dean’s sum-up:

“We are engrossed in the space beyond Earth, and the form of life beyond death, but we cannot even find a way of spending a rainy Sunday afternoon!”

No Draft Card

I dropped in on the Pius X - St. Joseph game later Saturday evening, trying to maintain enough neutrality to avoid any indication of partiality. Three freshman girls nearby finally came over to greet me with the words, “You sure don’t look like the Archbishop!” I assured them that this was one of my failings, but had never been able to do much about it. In the ensuing discussion which involved a few more freshmen, a couple of our priests and several parents, I finally established my identity, but it took a driver’s license to do it.

That’s one of the troubles of being at the Vatican Council for two sessions, and the hospital six months.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta