Campus of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, IL, site of the Summer School for Social Action for Priests

Courtesy of ACUA

 

Father John M. Hayes (1906-2002) was the perfect choice to focus on the practical ways clerics could enact the Pope's exhortation to "Go to the workingman, go to the poor." He had, or would in soon order, publicly and visibly support the CIO's organizing efforts in the meat-packing and agricultural-implement plants. Hayes, moreover, had spoken to rallies of strikers and conducted labor schools for workers. A priest of the Chicago archdiocese, he was Father Raymond McGowan's top choice to fill the position when SAD expanded in 1940. Here he worked until hospitalized for tuberculosis in early 1944.

Work of the Priest

Question

As you read this document, reflect on the following question:

What responsibility did the priest owe his working-class parishioners? Why?