George Matulaitis Journal

130 studies is no reason for any of us to stop furthering our education. It would be a good thing to appoint supervisors of studies who would visit our houses and give our members suitable direction and counsel about what and how to study, to urge them on so that they would not become complacent, but rather make continual progress. When a brother receives an assignment, sooner or later he should devote some time to setting up some guidelines for his work and submitting them to his superiors for approval. In this manner, he himself will discover the best methods and ways to perform his tasks and others will also derive no small benefit from his experience and directives. January 21 It is a mistake to think that education and talent are needed only by writers and teachers, while anyone can do parish work. It seems to me that considerable talent and adaptability are required to organize and conduct a parish properly. If we were to undertake the organization and administration of a parish and do it really well, this would benefit the entire community. We should be careful not to neglect rural parishes. A well-organized parish would be a good example to others. Our lay broth- ers could be a great help in this work. January 23 We have not gathered together in order to try to reform the Church or improve her priests—that is the work of the Holy Father and his bishops— but in order to seek our own perfection and to serve the Church better: the people, priests, and bishops. It is especially important that we remain loyal to the bishops and cooperate with them. At times it may be good to offer our services to the bishops so that they could make use of us more effectively for the greater glory of God, especially in those instances when no one is willing to take on some dangerous post, task, or duty. Priests and bishops should be held in the greatest respect. Let no one of our members dare to speak badly of any priest or to disparage him. If we observe anything amiss among the clergy, we should do our best to make up for it by doing penance, by self-denial, by prayer and good works so that by our increased devotion we may cover up the evil as good sons cover their 1 Cf., Gn 9:23: Noah’s sons cover their father with a cloak.