WHATNEXT I 9 Armed Forces Action Program Copyright by YOUNG CHRISTIAN WORKERS, 638 West Deming Place, Chicago 14, Illinois. Third Edition 15,000 Published by: OUR SUNDAY VISITOR, INC., Huntington, Indiana May 20, 1953 Nihil Obstat: VERY REV. MSGR. T. E. DILLON Censor Librorum Imprimatur: 4* JOHN FRANCIS NOLL, D.D., Bishop of Fort Wayne OsaMeri Now That You’re In Service . . . What Next? |^| ERE is something you can usel buddies need and can use too! This is something your The fellows who wrote this program were told that the service was supposed to be a "cesspool of sin” and a "time to be counted as lost.” But, they were also told that they were supposed to come out of the service as "better men,” as "better Christians,” and as "better Catholics.” And that's the problem, how to do it? Most fellows have plenty of good will but they don't know exactly how to use it. What is needed is a method. This booklet contains a method for you and your buddies in service to live a Christian life, not despite service life, but through it. You can’t do it alone. You need others who will do it with you. That's what this is, a program to enable you and your service buddies to meet the problems you are con- fronted with and a method by which you can solve them. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/nowthatyoureinseOOunse Armed Forces Action What It Is Armed Forces Action is an organization composed of servicemen in all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. It is an organization of service men, run by service- men, for servicemen. What It Does The purpose of the AFA is to solve the problems that exist in service life. The AFA is an active organization in which servicemen discover, examine and solve their common problems. The aims of the AFA are three: to serve, educate and represent. 1) To serve the members of the Armed Forces. For example: — How many real friends do I have? What is friend- ship? — How does this “Am I my brother’s keeper,” angle fit into my life in the service? — In what ways can I make service life better for my- self and my buddies? 2) To educate the members of the Armed Forces. For example: — What is the purpose of my life? Why am I in the service? — What is a Christian attitude on women, on dating, on marriage? — 5— — What are my duties to my country, to my family, to God, while in the service? * 3) To represent the members of the Armed Forces. For example: — How can we bring the problems we and our bud- dies might have to the attention of the chaplain, the Red Cross, the military authorities, to the gov- ernment, to our fellow citizens? What’s Behind It There is an AFA because there are problems in the ser- vice, and because something must be done about them. What are some of the problems of the service? Loneliness and discouragement. Lack of true friendship. Poor use of leisure time. Failure of many servicemen to write home. Lack of respect for women. Infidelity on part of many married servicemen. Attitude to service duties. Lack of understanding of war and its purpose. Fellows’ attitudes toward authority. Lack of good reading material. Lack of constructive conversation or "bull-sessions.” Loss of the faith in the service. Lack of contact with the chaplain. Lack of preparation for civilian life. These problems scream for a solution, a Christian solu- tion. The only ones who can bring a true solution to these problems are yourself and others like you. No one outside of the service can do it. One who hasn’t known the life of an infantryman, or a signalman, or a gunner, cannot bring a — 6— practical, workable solution to the problems of an infantry- man, a signalman or a gunner. You are indispensable. You are so important that these problems will continue to mount and spread unless you do something about them. In your hands the AFA is an effective means to solve these problems. A Specific Kind Of A Solution To judge anything, there must be a standard. Why do we say that a “Cadillac” is a better car than a “Model A”? We must be going by some standard which tells us what is right. We can’t say that any- thing is wrong unless we know what is right. And that means we must use some set of principles. But principles aren’t used to fit the occasion like a dress suit. There aren’t 57 varieties where principles are concerned. Only one. And those are the principles of Jesus Christ Himself. A solu- tion based on the prin- ciples of Christ is the Christian solution we want. These principles are found in His teach- ings and in the teachings of His Church, the Cath- olic Church. Here is where we find our solu- tion to solve the problems of service men. Any other solution than a Christian one for the men in service will be a tragedy. Communism, for example, is a false solution to the world's problems. In fact it is not a solu- tion at all. Any solution which leaves God out can only string along those who follow it without ever paying them off in the end. So that leaves us with a Christian solution or none at all. Why You Are So Important You always were important and you always will be. The only thing that seems different is that someone else thinks so too. First of all. Uncle Sam has taken a new interest in you. That's why you are in the service. But more important, God Himself thinks and knows that you are important. He has always been your strongest back- er, only maybe you didn't realize it. Strong and handsome, not-so-strong and handsome. He thought you were so import- ant that He gave you and everybody else bom since His time, a job. He gave the same job to factory-workers, to housewives, to doctors, to teachers, to miners, and to servicemen. He not only gave them the same job, but He gave them His greatest gift. He gave them a share in His very own Life. The job? To help bring this Life to all men. That’s the job of the factory-worker, to bring Christ into his life; into his work life, into his recreational life and into his home life. That 9 s the job of you as a serviceman, to bring the Life of Christ to the men of the Armed Forces . By reading these lines, you are getting a call from God to help Him in His work. Here is where the boys will be sep- arated from the men. The boys will be too weak to accept this job Christ is giving them. The men will be strengthened by the opportunity before them. Yes, you read it right, you are actually getting a call from God. You have a vocation while you are in the service, just as much a vocation as a doctor, or a teacher, or a priest. Maybe you didn't ask for your vocation as a serviceman. But you’ve got it. Now the — 8— point is, what are you going to do with it, fumble or run with it? What It Takes Anyone who wants to do something about the problems of service life can work in an AFA section. But it is import- ant to understand what is meant by leadership. No one should hesitate to get in an AFA section because he thinks he’s not the “leader type.” Anyone can do it. All he has to do is want to solve his problems. Being a member of an AFA section doesn’t mean that you are bucking for any non-com’s stripes or officer’s bars. You might remain a private or a seaman your whole term in the service and still be very effective in the AFA. So, don’t let any stray rumors about being a leader throw you. All you need is the will to do it . The ‘Real’ Leader Of The AFA Look at it this way. Napoleon, Mussolini, Hitler, and now Stalin, all are or were of the leader type. Three of them have already gone down to humiliating defeat. The fourth is certain to do the same. On the other hand, look at Christ. He never had an army, never roused up a mob, never de- fended Himself against unjust persecutors, torture and death. At the time of His death, the existing world thought He was a failure. Yet, He was, and is, the greatest Leader of all time. He is still leading us now. It is Christ who is our example of a leader. His kind of leadership is what is needed in the AFA. Confidence that He could do the job, sticking to it through all kinds of obstacles, and a great love for all those with whom He came in contact, these were the tools Christ used when He walked the earth. Today, thousands of years later, these are still the most mod- em tools available. Christ had every earthly reason to lose confidence, to — 9 — quit, to give up. He had every earthly reason to hate the people who murdered Him. But He didn't. He told those who follow Him, that He would give them all the help they needed to do His work. That means you. With all our faults, Christ would give us all the grace we would need to do His job wherever we are, in whatever job we have. Right now, you are in the service. By your reading these lines, you have been called by Christ to continue His work in the Armed Forces. It won't be easy. It will be plenty tough. But you have a wonderful opportunity to join with Him in His work. The Organization Itself Armed Forces Action is usually organized within the smallest recognized military unit; for example, within a com- pany, with a division on a ship; or within a barracks. All of the fellows in the AFA within this unit are called an AFA “Section.” You are called a “leader” A leader of What? Of a better way of life. It is the section working together as a team that will be able to bring about a change. It is the section's teamwork that will be able to solve many of the problems that are pecu- liar to it. Only the fellows with whom you hang around, who are in your outfit, can effectively solve them. That's why the AFA is organized the way it is. How To Start Ask yourself this question: "Do I see problems in my life and in the lives of my buddies?'' Only if you do see physical, mental and spiritual problems in your service life, should you go on with this booklet. You must have some sort of incentive to help your friends. So, what if you do see something that needs to be done, then what? First, look around you. What do you see? Other fellows— 10— the guys who must help you if you are going to do anything about the problems you see. You can’t beat them yourself. Dodging the problems wont do any good either. Who else is going to work with you hut your buddies? You must figure out whom you are to approach to get some help. You know your friends pretty well. Which fel- lows, of those you know, seem to see many of the same prob- lems you see? They are the ones you ought to approach first. The best way to get another guy interested in wanting to join with you in solving problems is to get him to help you in doing something for someone else . The sharpest talker in the world may be able to jam ideas down a guy’s throat and “convince” him to do something, but actually the fellow he talked to isn’t sold. All he did was listen to this fellow talk, and talkers are a dime a dozen. It’s the one who practices what he preaches that can really sell someone. You are trying to sell a product too—that new way of life. If you show fellows what it is before you tell them, you have something to talk about. You are then in the favorable position of being able to say, “Remember when you and I did such-and-such? That’s what this AFA is trying to do.” It will take time for you to line up two or three of your buddies. And that’s all you need to start, too. Use any meth- od you can to get two or three of your buddies to work with you. You may want them to read this booklet. When you have two or three fellows ready to go with you, start the first meeting right away. In A Nutshell 1. You only need yourself and two or three of your 9 friends to begin an Armed Forces Action section. 2. Pick fellows who have the same ideas about service life as you do. They should see a need for the AFA before they start. 3. You can best “convince” your buddies to join the AFA 11 — by your friendship with them and by getting them to help you to solve something they see as a problem. Talk is cheap; action is at a premium. 4. It will take time for you to line up 2 or 3 fellows. Use any method you can to start. Be patient; pray for the guys you hope to have in your section. How The Meeting Works There are four parts to an AFA meeting; 1) The Gospel Inquiry, 2) The Check-up, 3) The Social Inquiry, and 4) The Discussion Topic. Here's what each of these are. 1) The Gospel Inquiry is just that—an inquiry into Christ's gospel. One fellow reads the gospel passage printed at the beginning of the meeting. Then there are a couple of questions that are asked by the fellow designated to lead this part of the meeting. Together, they talk over the ideas brought out so that they will see what Christ has to say. Then each of the fellows makes an application of what he just read in the gospel to his own life. Why have a gospel inquiry? You have already read the reason, but here it is again. You have a gospel inquiry so you will be able to see how the ideas of Christ add up today, in the 20th Century, in service life. You will try to discover the ideas upon which a Christian's life is built. And then apply them to your own life. 2) The Check-Up is nothing more than a report of what you said you were going to do about the problem you dis- cussed in the third part of the previous meeting. You'll see the Check-Up more clearly after reading the next paragraph. • 3) The Social Inquiry is an inquiry into some problem that is affecting your life or the lives of your buddies. The social inquiry is a method used by the Young Christian Work- ers to meet the ordinary problems of a young worker. This same method can be used by you to meet the problems of your — 12— life in the service. There are three parts to this method, observe, judge, and act. Observe—You look at the prob- lem as it is. You look at facts about the problem. For ex- ample: a fellow in the camp is running a loan business for his friends. But he is “taking” them in the long run. Who is this guy? His name. Who are the guys who are borrowing money from him? Why do the fellows borrow money? What do others think of this practice? Judge—You judge this problem the way Christ would. What is wrong here? What effect is this having on those involved? What should fellows do with their money? Act—You do something about it. What? It is up to you to figure out what needs to be done and what can be done. Then do it. 4) The fourth part of sion Topic. Thats the Social Inquiry. You do it all the time. Every time you perform an action, you ob- serve, judge and act. Examine what you do today and see if you don’t. 3 meeting is called—The Discus- The object of the Discussion Topic is to give you know- ledge on questions you may be asked while in the service. A question is all that is written in the meeting itself. The — 13 job of the fellows at the meeting is to throw this question around for about 10 or 15 minutes. Each fellow should try to answer the question as though it were asked him by a non- Catholic buddy. At the back of this book is a Christian answer to the Dis- cussion Topic so that you won’t get off the beam. After you have talked the question over, take a look at the Christian answer. Then figure out how you really would answer the question if you were asked it. Note On The Chaplain When you are ready for your first meeting, it’s always a good idea to go and see the Catholic chaplain attached to your unit. Tell him what you are doing. He will be glad to help you. He can be of special help in preparing the gospel inquiry and making a good judgment for the social inquiries. Before The First Meeting . . . 1) Look over the first meeting on the following pages. Read the different parts of the meeting. Talk them over with those who will be at the first meeting and become acquainted with the form of the meeting. 2) Appoint one fellow to lead the Gospel Inquiry and one fellow to lead the Social Inquiry for the first meeting. Encourage both to prepare ahead of time. 3) Decide on a time and place for the meeting. This can only be determined by all the fellows who are or will be members of the section. — 14 First Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry All this I have told you, so that my joy may be yours, and the measure of your joy may be filled up. This is my commandment, that you should love one another, as I have loved you. This is the greatest love a man can show, that he should lay down his life for his friends; and you, if you do all that I command you, are my friends. I do not speak of you any more as my servants; a servant is one who does not understand what his master is about, whereas I have made known to you all that my Father has told me; and I have called you my friends. It was not you that chose me, it was I that chose you. The task I have appointed you is to go out and bear fruit, fruit which will endure; so that every request you make of the Father in my name may be granted you. These are the directions I give you, that you should love one another.—John 15:12-17 Note: The leader of the Gospel Inquiry should ask one of those at the meeting to read the gospel passage aloud. After listening to the passage, the leader begins a discus- sion from the questions below. After the group gets what Christ meant in the passage, the group should decide on a general resolution from which each fellow in the group can draw a personal resolution that applies to his life. 1) Is there any difference between the love that Christ commands and the thing we call friendship? 2) Is it foolish to “go to extremes” to help a buddy? 3) What must we do to be Christ’s friend? For what work has Christ chosen for us? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? — 16— Note: You might make a general resolution like, "This week well try to get to know at least one fellow who we don't know now.” One fellow may draw this kind of personal resolution, "I think 111 try to get to know Joe Jones better because he and I haven't hit it off too well in the past.” These are just examples; try making one that will fit your life. Friendship Note: The leader of this part of the meeting asks each of the fellows the questions in the Observe. In answering the ques- tions, you must be sure you use facts, not what you think or believe to be true. For example, the first question may be answered, "I know all the fellows in our platoon.” For the sec- ond part, "I know four guys well.” Facts! A good Observe contains numbers, periods of time. Facts mean something that is true, something that is reality. 1) How many fellows in our unit (company, division, battalion, etc.) do we know? How many do we know well? Observe: 2) How many fellows in our unit do we dislike? Why? 3) Do we do favors for the fellows in our unit? Give examples of any favors done in the past month. Social Inquiry THE AFA IS BUILT ON FRIENDSHIP 16— Judge: 1) What is a friend? 2) Is it necessary for a fellow to have friends? Why? 3) Should we help a fellow, whether he is our friend or not? If so, why? Action: 1) What can we do to help our friends? Those we dislike? 2) What can we do to build a stronger bond of friend- ship with our friends? Note: A Social Inquiry aims at Action (solution of prob- lems). 1) Look around: get facts — for example: Joe Mitchell hasn’t written his folks in over two months. Now you have Observed. 2) Think it out. Joe owes it to his folks to write regularly home. His parents raised him from childhood. Now it’s Joe’s turn to pay them back in some small measure. His parents want to know that Joe still thinks of them. Now you have Judged. 3) Do something about it! Talk to Joe about writing to his folks. If there is more to the problem than meets the eye, try to get him to see the chaplain. Now you have Acted. Observe, Judge, Act—that’s the Social Inquiry. Discussion Topic “Why do you go to Church?”— Refer to page 55 for fur- ther information. Note: The leader of the Gospel Inquiry should also lead this part of the meeting. It should be a discussion to try to provide answers for you if you were asked this ques- tion by some buddy of yours. Only after you have talked — 17— it over, should you refer to the back of this pamphlet for a Christian answer. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Second Meeting. Appoint new man to lead next week’s Gospel Inquiry. (Leader should try to see a chaplain if possible). 2) All read Second Meeting’s Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for this inquiry. Appoint someone to lead this part of the meeting. I am the true vine, and it is my Father who tends it. The branch that yields no fruit in me, he cuts away the branch that does yield fruit, he trims clean, so that it may yield more fruit. You, through the message I have preached to you, are clean already; you have only to live on in me, and I will live on in you. The branch that does not live on in the vine can yield no fruit of itself; no more can you, if you do not live on in me. I am the vine, you are its branches; if a man lives on in me, and I in him, then he will yield abund- ant fruit; separated from me, you have no power to do any- thing. If a man does not live on in me, he can only be like the branch that is cast off and withers away; such a branch is picked up and thrown into the fire to burn there. As long as you live on in me, and my words live on in you, you will be able to make what request you will, and have it granted. Prayer Second Meeting Prayer Inquiry — 18— My Fathers name has been glorified, if you yield abund- ant fruit, and prove yourselves my disciples. I have be- stowed my love upon you, just as my Father has bestowed his love upon me; live on, then in my love. You will live on in my love, if you keep my commandments, just as it is by keeping my Father’s commandments that I live on in His love.—John 15:1-11 Note: Follow the same procedure that was outlined for the first meeting. 1) How do we live in Christ? 2) What is the fruit Christ expects us to produce? 3) Is there any relationship between ourselves and the other fellows in our outfit? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up Note: This is an addition to the first meeting. The Check- Up is just that; a check-up on the things you said you were going to do at the last meeting. The second feature of the Check-Up is the question which asks whether you have discovered any problems that are not included in the Social Inquiry that the section or yourself can do any- thing about. For example, "Bill Franks has been drink- ing too much and has been getting a couple of his bud- dies in trouble with MP’s because of it.” Now, this prob- lem is not in the Social Inquiry but Bill Franks needs some help. It’s up to you to look for these facts, bring them to the meeting , and then act on them . 1) What was done about the actions each fellow decided to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything that remains to be done from these actions? 3) Did we discover any problems that were not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? 19— Friendship in our UnitSocial Inquiry Note: Follow the same procedure that was outlined for the first meeting. Observe: 1) Are there any fellows in our unit for whom others commonly express dislike or resentment? If so, what do they say? Why do they say it? 2) Are there any fellows whom everybody seems to like? Why are they well liked? 3) Do we know any fellows who seem to be loners’? (i.e., don’t have many friends) Why do they seem to be loners’? 4) Do we know of any instances where one fellow has helped a guy who was not his buddy? Judge: 1) Who gets hurt most when a fellow fails to help his buddy? Why? 2) Do we have any responsibility to our friends in our unit? If so, what? Action: 1) What can we do to help the fellows who are getting a “hard time’ from their buddies? 2) Can we do anything to help the loners’ that we know? 3) What else can we do to create a real friendship among the guys in our unit? Discussion Topic “How do you baptize someone?” — Refer to page 56 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read gospel for third meeting. Appoint someone — 20— to lead this part of the meeting. (A different fellow this time.) 2) All read third meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for this inquiry. Appoint someone to lead the meeting. Prayer Third Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry Two days afterwards, there was a wedding-feast at Cana, in Galilee; and Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus Himself, and his disciples, had also been invited to the wedding. Here the supply of wine failed; whereupon Jesus’ mother said to Him, They have no wine left. Jesus answered her, Nay, woman, why dost thou trouble me with that? My time has not come yet. And his mother said to the servants, Do what- ever he tells you. There were six water-pots standing there, as the Jewish custom of ceremonial washing demanded; they were of stone, and held two or three firkins apiece. And when Jesus said, Fill the waterpots with water, they filled these up to the brim. Then he said to them, Now draw, and give a draught to the master of the feast. So they gave it to him; and the master of the feast tasted this water, which had now been turned into wine. He did not know whence it came; only the servants who had drawn the water knew that. The master of the feast, then, called to the bridegroom, and said to him, It is ever the good wine that men set out first, and the worse kind only when all have drunk deep; thou hast kept the good wine till now. — 21 — So, in Cana of Galilee, Jesus began his miracles, and made known the glory that was his, so that his disciples learned to believe in him—John 2:1-11 1) What does Christ think of go- ing to parties? 2) Why did Christ produce the wine? 3) Why is this wedding at Cana important? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do from the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? Social Inquiry Recreation Observe: 1) What kinds of recreation are available to the fellows in in our unit? 2) What kinds of recreation are used the most? The least? 3) Do we know any fellows who do not make use of these facilities? How many do we know? AFTER A NIGHT OF "BOTTLED" ENTERTAINMENT Check-Up — 22 4) What do the fellows do who do not use the recrea- tion facilities available? 1) What is the purpose of recreation? Is recreation and entertainment the same thing? 2) What is the best kind of recreation to accomplish the above purpose? 3) Do fellows in the service need recreation? Why or why not? 1) If the recreation facilities need some improving, can we do anything about it? 2) What can we do for the fellows who do not use the facilities available? 3) What else can we do? Discussion Topic “Why do you wear that medal around your neck?”—Refer to page 56 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Fourth meeting. Again rotate lead- ership of this part of the meeting. 2) All read Fourth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meeting. Judge: Action: — 23— Fourth Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry So it was with a man who went on his travels; he called his trusted servants to him and committed his money to their charge. He gave five talents to one, two to another, and one to another, according to their several abilities, and with that he set out on his journey. The man who had re- ceived five talents went and traded with them, until he had made a profit of five talents more; and in the same way he who had received two made a profit of two. Whereas he who had received but one went off and made a hole in the ground, and there hid his masters money. Long after- wards, the master of those servants came back, and entered into a reckoning with them. And so the man who had re- ceived five talents came forward and brought him five talents more; Lord, he said, it was five talents thou gavest me, see how I have made a profit of five talents besides. And his master said to him, Well done, my good and faith- ful servant; since thou hast been faithful over little things, I have great things to commit to thy charge; come and share the joy of thy Lord. Then came the man who had received two talents; Lord, he said, it was two talents thou gavest me; see how I have made a profit of two talents be- sides; And his master said to him. Well done, my good and faithful servant; since thou hast been faithful over little things, I have great things to commit to thy charge; come and share the joy of the Lord. But when he who had re- ceived but one talent came forward in his turn, he said, Lord, knowing thee for a hard man, that reaps where he did not sow, and gathers in from fields he never planted, I took fright, and so went off and hid thy talent in the earth; see now, thou hast received what is thine. And his Lord answered him, Base and slothful servant, thou know- 24— est well that I reap where I did not sow, and gather in from fields I never planted; all the more was it thy part to lodge my money with the bankers, so that I might have recovered it with interest when I came. Take the talent away from him, and give it to him who has talents already. Whenever a man is rich, gifts will be made to him, and his riches will abound; if he is poor, even what he accounts his own will be taken from him. And now, cast the unprofitable servant into the darkness without; where there shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth —Mathew 25:14-30 1) What do you think is the main idea of our Lord’s parable? 2) What does Christ demand of us to do throughout our lives (in relation to this passage)? 3) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do from the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? Social Inquiry Leisure Time Observe: 1) How many hours leisure time do we have on work days? On week-ends? 2) Is the amount of leisure time we have about average for our unit? 3) Do we know any fellows who have a great deal of free time? Guys who have very little? 4) What do we and the fellows we know do with our leisure time? (Make up a list of the activities and average time spent on each). — 25— Judge: 1) What is leisure time? 2) Does leisure time have a purpose? What? 3) What can be some results of a fellow not having enough leisure time? Of having too much leisure time? 4) Do we spend our leisure time well? Discuss. Action: 1) Can we help any of the fellows who have too much or too little leisure time? 2) What can we do to improve our own leisure time? Discussion Topic “Why does the Catholic Church prohibit divorce?”—Refer to page 56 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read the Gospel for Fifth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship of this part of meeting. 2) All read Fifth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan now to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meeting. Prayer But he went down with them on their journey to Nazar- eth, and lived there in subjection to them, while his mother kept in her heart the memory of all this. And so Jesus ad- vanced in wisdom with the years, and in favor both with God and with men —Luke 2:51-52 Fifth Meeting 26— 1) What did Christ do when he became of age? 2) Do we owe anybody anything for our own advance in wisdom? If so. Whom? Why? 3) What is Christ telling us in this passage? 4) How can we apply this to our life? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do from the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we*do about them? Social Inquiry HOMESICK? . . . WRITE A LETTER Home Ties Observe: 1) How often do we write home? How often do we get mail from home? 2) How often do the guys we know write home? How of- ten do they get mail? 3) Do we know any fellows who just don’t have people who will write to them? 4) Do we know fellows who still take a strong interest in the doings of their families? Their wives, parents, broth- ers and sisters? How do they show their interest? Do we know any fellows who don’t? Why don’t they? 27 Judge: 1) What is the purpose of letter-writing? 2) Do we have any duty in this regard? Why or why not? 3) How do we feel when we get a letter from home? Action: 1) Can we help any of our buddies in the letter-writ- ing department? 2) What can we do to help the fellows we know who don’t get mail? 3) Can we help those fellows who don’t have any in- terest in their families? Discussion Topic ‘‘What is a Catholic marriage?” Refer to page 56 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Sixth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship of this part of the meeting. 2) All read Sixth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meeting. Prayer Sixth Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry I am free to do what I will; yes, but not everything can be done without harm. I am free to do what I will, but I — 28— must not abdicate my own liberty. Food is meant for our animal nature, and our animal nature claims its food; true enough, but then, God will bring both one and the other to an end. But your bodies are not meant for debauchery, they are meant for the Lord, and the Lord claims your bodies. And God, just as he has raised our Lord from the dead, by his great power will raise us up too. Have you never been told that your bodies belong to the body of Christ? And am I to take what belongs to Christ and make it one with a harlot? God forbid. Or did you never hear that the man who unites himself to a harlot becomes one body with her? The two, we are told, become one flesh. Whereas the man who unites himself to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Keep the body untouched, but the fornicator is committing a crime against his own body. Surely you know that your bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. And he is God’s gift to you, so that you are no longer your own masters. A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of his presence—I Corinthians 6:12-20 1) How do our bodies belong to the body of Christ? 2) What actually happens when a man unites his body with that of a harlot? What happens to God? To the girl? 3) What does this passage mean to our lives? How can we apply it? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the So- cial Inquiry? What can we do about them? — 29 Social Attitude Toward Women Observe: 1) What percentage of the conversation in your unit is on sex? Estimate. 2) Do we know fellows who pop off’ more than is normal about their sex experiences with women? Is what they say the truth, or is a lot of it made up? 3) Have we heard any fellows speak respectfully about women? How do they rate’ with the guys in the unit? 1) Why do fellows talk about sex so much? 2) What is the influence of such talk on other guys? On younger fellows? 3) What do the other fellows think about those who pop off’ quite a bit? 4) What is a Christian attitude on women? 1) What can we do about the sex filled conversation that is going on in our unit? 2) Probably, the guys who pop off’ the most about their experiences are the guys who need the most help. What help can we give them? 3) Could we contact one or two of the fellows who have a good attitude on women to help us with this prob- lem? Discussion Topic “What is wrong with contraceptives?”— Refer to page 57 for further information. Judge: Action: — 30— Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Seventh Meeting. Rotate lead- ership of this part of meeting. 2) All read Seventh Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for inquiry. Rotate leadership for meet- ing. Prayer You who are husbands must show love to your wives, as Christ showed love to the Church when he gave himself up on its own behalf. He would hallow it, purify it by bathing it in the water to which his word gave life, he would summon it into his own presence, the Church in all its beauty, no stain, no wrinkle, no such disfigurement; it was to be holy, it was to be spotless. And that is how hus- band ought to love his wife, as if she were his own body; in loving his wife, a man is but loving himself. It is un- heard of, that a man should bear ill-will to his own flesh and blood; no, he keeps it fed and warmed; and so it is with Christ and his Church; we are limbs of his body; flesh and bone, we belong to him. That is why a man will leave his father and mother and will cling to his wife, and two will become one flesh. Yes, those words are a high mystery, and I am applying them here to Christ and his Church. Meanwhile, each of you is to love his wife as he would love himself, and the wife is to pay reverence to her husband.— Ephesians 5:25-33 Seventh Meeting Prayer -31— 1) What is the purpose of marriage? 2) What does a man do to himself if he is unfaithful to his wife? Is anyone else affected by this? Who? 3) How does a husband show his love for his wife? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? Social Inquiry Married Men Observe: 1) How many married men do we know in our unit? How many have children? 2) Do these married men write their wives and families regularly? 3) How many married men do we know who are com- monly known to go out with other women? (Names aren’t necessary. Facts are enough.) 4) Do married men show more respect for women, in their conversation, than others do? Give examples to back up your statements. (No names) 5) Do we have any married men in our AFA section? If not, why? Judge: 1) Is it our business to worry about what kind of lives our married buddies lead? 2) Is it normal for a married man in the service to be lonely? — 32 - 3) Do the married fellows know the true meaning of love and marriage? 4) Is there any danger in the married men showing dis- respect for women? What? Action: 1) Can we help any married fellows who do not keep in close touch with their families? How? 2) What can we do to show them a Christian idea of love and marriage? 3) Do we know any married fellows we could contact to join our section? Discussion Topic “Why is sex indulgence out before marriage?”— Refer to page 57 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Eighth Meeting. Rotate leadership of this part of the meeting. 2) All read Eighth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meeting. Prayer Eighth Meeting Prayer Social Inquiry Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God who gives all encouragement. He it is who comforts us in all our trials; and it is this en- — 33— couragement we ourselves receive from God which enables us to comfort others, whenever they have trials of their own. The sufferings of Christ, it is true, overflow into our lives; but there is overflowing comfort, too, which Christ brings to us. Have we trials to endure? It all makes for your encouragement, for your salvation. Are we com- forted? It is so that you may be comforted. Are we en- couraged? It is for your encouragement, for your salvation. And the effect of this appears in your willingness to under- go the suffering we too undergo; making our hopes of you all the more confident; partners of our sufferings, you will be partners of our encouragement too.—2 Corinthians 1:3-7 1) How does suffering aid in our salvation? 2) In what way does our suffering benefit others? 3) How can we better understand that our sufferings are united to the sufferings of Christ? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? Social Inquiry Why are we in the service P Observe: 1) What reasons do the fellows we know give for their being in the service? 2) Give specific examples of what they said. What do they say causes wars? 3) Do we know any fellows who don’t have any reasons — 34— for being in the service other than, "Because I was drafted”? 4) Do the fellows we know feel any obligation toward going to the aid of another country? Examples. Do we know any who are against it? Why are they? Judge: 1) What are the reasons we are in the service? What are the real causes of wars? 2) What obligation does the U.S.A. have to the rest of the world? 3) Do happenings in other countries affect us in any way? If so, give examples. 4) What is a Christian attitude as to an ‘international consciousness’ among people? Action: 1) What can we do to help those fellows who have no ideas why they are in the service or have mixed up ideas? 2) What can we do to create a better understanding of why we are fighting? Discussion Topic "If you are in combat and can t get to confession, is there any substitution possible?”—Refer to page 58 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Ninth Meeting. Rotate leadership of this part of the meeting. 2) All read Ninth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for inquiry. Rotate leadership of meeting. Prayer — 35— Ninth Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry These put a question to him; Master, they said, we know that thou art direct in thy talk and thy teaching; ;thou mak- est no distinction between man and man, but teachest the way of God in all sincerity. Is it right that we should pay tribute to Caesar, or not? And he, aware of their malice, said to them. Why do you thus put me to the test? Show me a silver piece. Whose likeness, whose name does it bear inscribed on it? When he answered, Caesar’s, he told them, give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. And they said no more; they were full of admiration at his answer, finding no means of discrediting his words in the eyes of people.—Luke 20:21-26 1) What is Our Lord telling us in this passage? 2) Where does anybody get his authority? Why? 3) How do we “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the So- cial Inquiry? What can we do about them? — 36— Social Inquiry Attitude Toward Those in Authority LEARNING DISCIPLINE DOESN'T MEAN FEELING SMALL Observe: 1) What is the attitude of the fellows we know to- ward their superiors? Give specific examples to back up your case. 2) Do we know any fellows who do not show much respect for authority? Give examples of how they don’t show their respect. 3) Do we know any fellows who consistently “knock’ those in authority? What do they say? Judge: 1) Why do we have officers, non-coms, and rated men in the armed forces? 2) What can happen when the fellows in a unit don’t work together? 3) Does a serviceman have any duty to respect authority? Why or why not? Action: 1) What can we do to improve relations between those in authority and our buddies? 2) Can we do anything to show fellows what authority is for? 3) What should be our attitude on this subject in prac- tice? — 37— Discussion Topic “Isn’t one Religion as good as another?”—Refer to page 58 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Tenth Meeting. Rotate leadership of this part of meeting. 2) All read Tenth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meet- ing. It happened that He was standing by the lake of Genes- areth, at a time when the multitude was pressing close about him to hear the word of God; and he saw two boats moored at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had gone ashore, and were washing their nets. And he went on board one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to stand off a little from the land; and so, sitting down, he began to teach the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Stand out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch. Simon answered Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and caught noth- ing; but at Thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they took a great quantity of fish, so that the net was near breaking, and they must needs beck- on to their partners who were in the other boat to come and help them. When these came, they filled both boats. Tenth Meeting Inquiry — 38— so that they were ready to sink. At seeing this, Simon Peter fell down and caught Jesus by the knees; Leave me to myself, Lord, he said; I am a sinner. Such amazement had overcome both him and all his crew, at the catch of fish they had made; so it was, too, with James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; henceforth thou shalt be a fisher of men. So, when they had brought their boats to land, they left all and followed him.—Luke 5:1-11 1) What was the occupation of Simon, James and John? 2) What was Simon’s first reaction when Our Lord told him to lower the nets? 3) What virtue did Our Lord teach Peter? 4) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 3) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the So- cial Inquiry? What can we do about them? THE REVIEW MEETING Social Inquiry Review (no regular meeting) 1) Do you think the section is making any progress in solving the problems of the fellows in your unit? a. Are you bringing in real facts, not opinions or gen- eralities? b. Are you making a thorough judgment on the facts? c. Have your planned actions been specific enough to carry out, or have they been too general? 2) What inquiries did you have the most difficulty with? Why? Do you think it would be good to repeat any of the meetings you have had so far? 3) How is the Check-Up at the meetings? a. Do you report everything that should be reported? b. How are the facts that are not related to the Social Inquiry? Are they good facts? Do you get actions on them? 4) Are you getting practical help from the Gospel In- quiries? a. Do you always make a resolution for action? b. Does each fellow in the section take a turn at run- ning the Gospel Inquiry? Does he see a chaplain? Has the chaplain been a big help? 5) Does the Discussion Topic provide you with the ma- terial you think it should? Why or why not? 6) Have you written the AFA Headquarters telling them of your section? If so, have you told them of any diffi- culties you may be having? Have you reported any success stories? At the end of this meeting, one of the leaders should com- pile a report of the above questions and mail it to the AFA Headquarters, 638 Deming Place, Chicago 14, 111. — 40— This report will be used to write future AFA publications and for the benefit of other members of the services who are using the AFA program. It will also help you to see how you are doing and the steps you should take to rem- edy the difficulties you may have. Discussion Topic “Can a non-Catholic get to Heaven?”— Refer to page 58 for further information. Prayer Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Eleventh Meeting. Rotate leader- ship of this part of meeting. 2) All read Eleventh Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for the inquiry. Rotate leadership of meet- ing. Prayer Eleventh Meeting Prayer Gospel Inquiry When the sixth month came, God sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, where a virgin dwelt, betrothed to a man of David’s lineage; his name was Joseph, and the virgins name was Mary. Into her presence the angel came, and said, Hail, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women. She was much perplexed at hearing him speak so, and cast about in her mind, what she was to make of such a greeting. Then the angel said to her, Mary, do not be afraid; thou hast found favor in the sight of God.—Luke 1:26-30 — 41— 1) What is an angel? 2) What did he mean by saying, “Thou who are full of »r\ grace r 3) Why was Mary afraid? 4) What makes someone find favor in the sight of God? 5) Does Mary’s being full of grace mean anything to us today? What? 6) How can we apply this to our lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? Reading Observe: 1) What do the fellows in our unit read? Names of books, magazines and periodicals? 2) How much time do they spend each day reading? 3) Do fellows talk about what they read? If so, what do they say? 4) Do we know any fellows whose actions and conversations were affected by something they read? How? Facts. WHAT DO YOU READ? ju(jge; 1) What do we think of the material our buddies are reading? 2) What is the purpose or purposes of reading? Social Inquiry — 42— 3) What are some possible effects of reading bad material? 1) In what ways can we help the fellows we know im- prove the reading they do? 2) If they don t do any at all, can we get one or two to start? 3) Can we help any fellows who have been affected in a wrong way by what they read? Discussion Topic “What responsibility do I have to my fellow man?” Refer to page 59 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Twelfth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship of this part of the meeting. 2) All read Twelfth Meeting Social Inquiry. Plan how to get facts for inquiry. Rotate leadership. We are betrayed, all of us, into many faults; and a man who is not betrayed into faults of the tongue must be a man perfect at every point, who knows how to curb his Action: Prayer Twelfth Meeting — 43— whole body. Just so we can make horses obey us, and turn their whole bodies this way and that, by putting a curb in their mouths. Or look at ships; how huge they are, how boisterous are the winds that drive them along! And yet a tiny rudder will turn them this way and that, as the captains purpose will have it. Just so, the tongue is a tiny part of the body, and yet what power it can boast! How small a spark it takes to set fire to a vast forest! And that is what the tongue is, fire. Among the organs of our nature, the tongue has its place as the proper element in which all that is harmful lives. It infects the whole body, and sets fire to this mortal sphere of ours, catching fire itself from hell. Mankind can tame, and had long since learned to tame, every kind of beast and bird, of creeping things and all else; but no human being has ever found out how to tame the tongue; a pest that is never allayed, all deadly poison. We use it to bless God who is our Father; we use it to curse our fellow men, that were made in God’s image; blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brethren, there is no reason in this. Does the fountain gush out fresh and salt water from the same outlet? What, my brethren, can a fig-tree yield olives, or a vine figs? No more easily will brackish water yield fresh.—James 3 :2-12 1) What ideas did you get from this passage? 2) Why does St. James call the tongue "a fire”? 3) How can we apply this to our own lives? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we discover any problems not related to the Social Inquiry? What can we do about them? — 44— Social Inquiry Conversation Observe: 1) What are the subjects the fellows in our unit talk about? 2) Of these subjects which are talked about most, about what percentage of the conversation is each of these subjects discussed? 3) Is the same point of view nearly always expressed on these topics? Give specific cases. Do we ever hear a Christian viewpoint expressed? Example. 4) How often are obscene expressions used in conversa- tion of our buddies? (For example, once a minute). Judge: 1) What do you consider good conversation? Why? 2) What should result from good conversation? 3) What are the effects of bad conversation? On those listening? On the speakers? Action: 1) What can we do to bring a Christian viewpoint into the conversation in our unit? 2) Can we help any of our buddies who are spreading false ideas through bull-sessions? 3) Can we think of any group action we can do together to make a bigger impact on this problem? Discussion Topic “What is confession?” — Refer to page 59 for further information. — 45— Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Thirteenth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship. 2) All read Thirteenth Meeting Social Inquiry. Rotate leadership. Prayer Every soul must be submissive to its lawful superiors; authority comes from God only, and all authorities that hold sway are of his ordinance. Thus the man who opposes authority is a rebel against the ordinance of God, and rebels secure their own condemnation.—Paul to Romans 13:1-2 1) What is the ultimate source of the orders we receive? 2) Why are we to obey those in lawful authority? 3) How can we apply this to our lives? 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we find any other problems that we can do some- thing about? What? What can we do? Thirteenth Meeting Prayer Inquiry Check-Up — 46— Duties as ServicemenSocial Inquiry Observe: 1) What do the fellows we know say about their duties? Facts. 2) How do the fellows we know react when given orders? Examples. 3) Do we know any fel- lows who give the very minimum they have to and nothing else? Judge: 1) Can a good Christian be a poor soldier (sailor, marine or air- man) at the same time? Action: 1) Is there any way we can straighten out fellows who are ‘goldbricking’ on their duties? 2) Can we help to improve the efficiency of our outfit without being considered a ‘brown nose? How? KNOW YOUR DUTIES Discussion Topic “What is wrong with communism?” for further information. — Refer to page 59 Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Fourteenth Meeting. Rotate leadership. — 47— 2) All read Fourteenth Meeting Social Inquiry. Rotate leadership. Ask, and the gift will come; seek, and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened to you. Everyone that asks, will receive; that seeks, will find; that knocks, will have the door opened to him. If anyone of yourselves is asked by his son for bread, will he give him a stone? If he asked for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead? Why then, if you, evil as you are, know well enough how to give your children what is good for them, is not your Father in heaven much more ready to give wholesome gifts to those who ask him?—Matthew 7:7-12 1) What did Christ mean by "asking and knocking”? 2) What kind of an answer will we get? 3) Why? 4) Aren’t there some things we wanted to accomplish and couldn’t? Did we ask about these? 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we find any other problems that we can do some- thing about? What? What can we do? Prayer Fourteenth Meeting Prayer Check-Up — 48— Social Inquiry Practice of Religion Observe: 1) How many fellows do we know who get to Mass as regularly as is possible? How many do we know who go only once in a while? 2) Do we know any fellows who as far as we can tell, have ‘lost the faith? 3) Do we know any fellows who don? fulfill the minimum requirements of a Catholic in regard to Confession once a year and Communion at Easter Time? Judge: 1) Why do we go to Mass? 2) Do we know what the Mass is? 3) What happens when a Catholic doesn’t get to Mass on Sunday? What happens to Christ? What happens to all the other Catholics? Action: 1) How can we get our buddies who don’t go to Mass, to go with us to Mass? Can we do anything as a group? 2) How are we ever going to show those who have lost the faith what being a Catholic really is? 3) If we don’t know enough about the Mass, can we do anything to improve our knowledge of it? Discussion Topic “What is the Mass?” Refer to page 59 for further informa- tion. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Fifteenth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship. 49 — 2) All read Fifteenth Meeting Social Inquiry. Rotate leadership. It happened once that a lawyer rose up, trying to put him to the test; Master, he said what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered him, What is it that is written in the law? What is thy reading of it? And he answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with the love of thy whole heart, and thy whole soul, and thy whole strength, and thy whole mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Thou hast answered right, he told him; do this, and thou shalt find life. But he, to prove himself blameless, asked, Who is my neighbor? Jesus gave him his answer; A man who was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell in with robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and went off leaving him half dead. And a priest, who chanced to be going down by the same road, saw him there and passed by on the other side. And a Levite who came there saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samari- tan, who was on his travels, saw him and took pity at the sight; he went up to him and bound his wounds, pouring oil and wine into them, and so mounted him upon his own beast and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him. And the next day he took out two silver pieces, which he gave to the inn-keeper, and said, Take care of him, and on my way home I will give thee whatever else is owing to thee for thy pains. Which of these, thinkest thou, proved Fifteenth Meeting — 50 — himself a neighbor to the man who had fallen in with rob- bers? And he said. He that showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said, Go thy way, and do likewise.—Luke 10:25-37 1) Is the lawyers question a vital one for each of us? Why? 2) What is the answer and what does this way of loving God mean for us in practice? 3) Our Lord gives a fact or a story to show who is our neighbor. Can you give one in any way like it? 4) Can we make any decisions to act on these two com- mands of Christ? Check-Up 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? What? 3) Did we find any other problems that we can do some- thing about? What can we do about them. Social Inquiry Contact with the Catholic Chaplain Observe: 1) How many fellows know who their chaplain is? How many do we know who have talked to him? 2) Do we ever hear the men talk about the chaplain? What do they say? Give facts. 3) Is it easy to get to see the chaplain? 4) Do we know any fellows who are afraid of him? Judge: 1) Does the chaplain have a parish? What is it? 2) What should be our attitude toward priests? Toward our chaplain? 3) What is the chaplain’s job? — 51— Action: 1) What can we do to improve the relation between the men and the chaplain? If it needs improving? 2) Do we know any specific fellows who could use the chaplain's help? What can we do to get them to see the chaplain? 3) Can we do anything to help the chaplain? Discussion Topic “What should you as a Christian be aiming for in the reconstruction of society?" — Refer to page 60 for further information. Work To Do Before Next Meeting 1) All read Gospel for Sixteenth Meeting. Rotate leader- ship. 2) All read Sixteenth Social Inquiry. Rotate leadership. Prayer Gospel Inquiry You are the salt of the earth; if salt loses its taste, what is there left to give taste to it? There is no more to be done with it, but throw it out of doors for men to tread it under foot. You are the light of the world; a city cannot be hidden if it is built on a mountain top. A lamp is not lighted to be put away under a bushel; it is put on the lamp-stand, to give light to all the people of the house; and your light must shine so brightly before men that they can see your Sixteenth Meeting — 52— good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.— Matthew 5:13-16 1) What does salt do in, say a bowl of soup or a piece of meat? 2) How in practice are we the salt of the earth? 3) How can we apply what Our Lord says about the 4) What can we do to guard against this danger? salt losing its taste? 1) Did we do the actions we said we were going to do at the last meeting? 2) Is there anything left to be done from these actions? 3) Did we find any other problems that we can do some- thing about? What can we do about them? Check-Up What? Social Preparing for Civilian Life Observe: 1) How many fellows talk about what they will do when they return to civilian life? Examples. 2) Do the fellows usual- ly want to do some- thing better than they were doing be- fore they entered the service? PREPARING FOR CIVILIAN LIFE 3) What preparations are fellows making for civilian life while still in the service? — 53— Judge: 1) What can be done in the service to prepare for civilian life? To prepare for marriage? 2) Should we prepare for civilian life while in the ser- vice? If so, why? 1) Can we do anything to encourage fellows to prepare for civilian life? 2) Is there any service the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force has that is designed to help in this matter? Discussion Topic “What is the Church’s teaching about labor unions”? Refer to page 61 for further information. Where Do You Go From Here? You have just completed sixteen AFA meetings as an AFA section. Some of them were good, others were poor. Action: ? / WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? — 54— Some everybody showed, others had to be called off because of lack of members. Looking back you can see that there was progress, at least as far as yourself and those who were at the meetings were concerned. Perhaps you can see a spirit kindled in the hearts of some of your buddies. This is that Christian Life that you were trying to build. But what next? Probably, just as you got the hang of the meetings and felt you were getting somewhere, you found you were finishing the last meeting. Well, the completion of this booklet need not be the end. If you want to continue your Armed Forces Action section, all you have to do is write the AFA Headquarters for additional inquiries and your section can go right on as it has in the past. The address to write to is; Armed Forces Action 638 Deming Place Chicago 14, 111. Discussion Topics First Meeting “Why Do You Go To Church F’ a) Sunday Mass attendance is demanded by the law of the Church (First commandment of the Church). b) To worship God. We are creatures and we must depend on God. We must worship Him. In the Mass this worship is accomplished through the death of Christ renewed on the altar for the glory of God, for reparation of our sins, for thanksgiving for God’s blessings, and for petition for material and spiritual help from God. -55— Second Meeting “How Do You Baptize Someone ?” Anyone can baptize. All that is needed is water and the saying of the following words as the water is being poured on the head of the person to be baptized: “ I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” (The water must come in contact with the head). This may be done by one who is not a priest but only in case of emergency. Third Meeting “Why Do You Wear That Medal Around Your Neck?” I wear a medal because it honors our Blessed Mother or some saint. I pray for their help. This practice is not super- stitious. A fellow who carries his girl’s picture is not super- stitious. Such a picture is a reminder of her and a help to keep going when things get tough. So with medals, only more so. The saints are close to God and can help us. By wearing the medal I am asking in a special way that this saint get all the help possible for me from God. Fourth Meeting “Why Does The Catholic Church Prohibit Divorce?” The Catholic Church prohibits divorce because Christ prohibited it. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Matthew 19: 4-8) Fifth Meeting “What Is A Catholic Marriage?” In the first place, for a Catholic to enter into valid mar- riage, he must be married before a priest and two witnesses. — 56 This marriage is for the duration of life. It is meant for family life, for the birth and education of children. It is meant to be a means of attainment of real happiness in life and a great reward in Heaven. Marriage is a sacrament and therefore a means of grace. God’s grace is given to husband and wife to help them deal with the marriage and family. The relationship between the husband and wife is as that between Christ and the Church. As Christ loved the Church as Himself and lay down His Life for it, so must the husband love his wife as himself. Sixth Meeting “What Is Wrong With ContraceptivesP ,, Here’s what the Holy Father has to say, “Since the con- jugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose, sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.” The Catholic Church holds that violation of such a basic natural law of sex is by its very nature evil! This is not a Church law; it is a natural law. Church is merely enforcing it. Seventh Meeting “Why Is Sex Indulgence Out Before Marriage?” In itself, the sexual act is a good and beautiful thing. God created it that way. But, He created the sexual act for those in the married state. Therefore, to perform this act outside of marriage is a sin against God and against the pur- pose of marriage. — 57 — Eighth Meeting “// You Are In Combat And Cant Get To Confession , Is There Any Substitution Possible F 9 Yes, not only in time of danger, but also if we know we can’t get to confession in the near future, we can make a per- fect act of contrition and thereby be in good shape to die. This perfect act of contrition means that we are sorry for our sins strictly because they violated God’s laws or the laws of God’s Church. But more important, because our sins have offended God who is all love. A good way to make this perfect act of contrition is to re- cite slowly the Act of Contrition thinking of the words as you say them. In an emergency, say: “My Jesus Mercy.” Of course, you must mean what you say. Ninth Meeting “Isn’t One Religion As Good as Another?” No. Christ founded one religion through which all men were to be saved. This religion is the Catholic Religion, the one true Church. This is not to say that non-Catholics cannot get to Heaven. It says only that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church, founded by Christ Who is God, for all men. Tenth Meeting “Can A Non-Catholic Go To HeavenF 9 Certainly, no adult misses out on heaven except through his own fault. God does not blame us for things we do not know. If a non-Catholic lives according to his conscience, he will get to heaven. 58— Eleventh Meeting “What Responsibility Do I Have To My Fellow Man P” I have a responsibility to "love my neighbor” which means I have an obligation to help him spiritually and materially in any way that I can. If we cannot love our neighbor who we do see, we cannot love God who we do not. The big com- mandment God gave man, was to love thy neighbor as you love yourself. That means that we do have a definite re- sponsibility to all the peoples of the world. Twelfth Meeting “What Is Confession?” Confession is a sacrament in which sins—for which we are sorry and which are confessed to the priest—are forgiven. Confession was instituted by Christ. It is not man-made. It is a simple way, decided upon by God, for us to get forgive- ness for our sins—provided we are sorry and mean not to commit the sins again. Thirteenth Meeting “What Is Wrong With Communism?” First and foremost, Communism says there is no God ex- cept the State. It seeks to eliminate freedom of religion. It denies the existence of an after life. It denies personal rights, such as the right to have a family, to educate children. It denies the right of the individual to own property. Everything is at the beck and call of the State. The State is everything. Fourteenth Meeting “What Is The Mass P” The Mass is Christ's death renewed in an unbloody man- ner. The Mass is memorial to Our Lord. Remember the Last —-59 — * Supper? Christ has His 12 apostles seated around Him. It is a great and solemn moment. As when a parent gathers his chil- dren about his deathbed and tells them his dying wishes, so the Lord speaks here His last will and testament. He takes the bread and changes into His own Body; He takes a chalice of wine and changes it into Blood; He gives to the apostles to eat and drink of these; and then He adds these words: "Do this in commemoration of Me.” The Mass is a Christian sacrifice. It is the offering of some visible gift, something which I have and give to God. In olden times, people offered lambs as a sacrifice to God. But no mere animal offered in sacrifice could be truly representa- tive of man; but God Himself could represent us. An animal might be slain in sacrifice but God cannot be slain. There- fore the Son of God became man by assuming our human nature, and so make possible a sacrificial offering that could bring a real redemption. As man our Redeemer could die in reparation for sin, and as God His sacrifice has infinite value. The Mass is a banquet in remembrance of Christ’s death. It is a banquet which imparts everlasting life in union with Christ. After the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Christ had this to say about the receiving of His Body and Blood, "Amen, amen, I say to you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath everlasting life, and I will raise him up in the last day.” The sacred body and blood which we receive are the same ones offered for us on the altar of the Cross. Fifteenth Meeting “What Should You As A Christian Be Aiming For In The Reconstruction of the Social Order? 9 Two things: The reform of institutions and the reform of morals. — 60— (a) The Holy Father has outlined in his social letter, Re- constructing the Social Order, a plan for all Christians to fol- low in rebuilding society. This plan is known as the Industry Council Plan. The underlying thought of the Industry Council Plan is that the workers organized into their own unions, in each in- dustry; employers organized into their own freely chosen as- sociations and that the public (presumably represented by government) joins with the other two parties in forming In- dustry Councils, dedicated to the common good to work for mutual objectives harmoniously agreed upon by the represen- tatives of the three parties. (b) Without a renewal of the Christian spirit, all other work for social restoration will be in vain. Sixteenth Meeting “What Is The Church's Teaching About Labor Unions P” Pope Leo XIII in the Condition of the Working Man said, "To enter into a society of this kind (a labor union) is a natural right of man; and the State must protect natural rights, not destroy them; and if it forbids its citizens to form associa- tions, it contradicts the very principle of its own existence.” Here are reasons why workers have a responsibility to be organized: 1) To family—man owes it to them to be secure. 2) To other workers—man must stop competing against other workers. Man derives benefits from those who are organized; he should help pay his share. 3) To common good—higher wages, sharing the profits, etc., will increase production, eliminate unemployment, cre- ate full employment. 4) To organized society—reconstruction of organized economic life not possible without widespread membership in unions. 61 — Notes Notes Notes