CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE - Vol. VIII, No. I - New Year's editorial and issue contents

Oct 13, 2026

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CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE Volume VIII, No. I presents a New Year’s editorial reflecting on 1958 and looking ahead to 1959 with hopes, pledges, and prayers. It highlights the Conference’s achievements, growth in membership, and wider use of NCRLC publications, especially Rural Life Prayer Books. The issue also introduces featured stained-glass patron windows—St. Isidore and his wife Maria—and describes how these images support faith and understanding in rural church life.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time49 min

AccessFree to download

Editorial

How to Keep 'Em on the Farm

Papal Bull

Country Kitchen

Family Life

Youth

St. George

Feast of St. Isidore

We Salute: the Diocese of New Ulm

St. Michael's Windows

Gaylord Industry

Seeds of Industry

Letters

What to read

Washington Farm Front

Rural LifeJanuar),19.59 CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE Vol.VIII,No.I Editorial…… .… this pageIn the Dioceses…… …………4Money for Rent… …… 5 A Hope,a Pledge,a Prayer Tt is New Year's eve.The hands of the clock on this editor's desk areI busily snipping off what little remains of 1958.The work of the dayand the year has been completed,the staff has gone home,the office isquiet.It is time to reflect and to share some thoughts with you. How to Keep 'Em on the Farm …6Papal Bull… ………………………………………7Country Kitchen……………………………8Family Life ……… … … … ………9YOUTH …………………… ………10,1ISt.George …………… ………12Feast of St.Isidore… …… ………13WE SALUTE:the Diocese of New Ulm……14St.Michael's Windows …- …16-19Gaylord Industry………… … ……20-25Seeds of Industry.… … … 26-28Letters ……………………………………… ………29What to read……… ……….……………29Washington Farm Fron…… …………….30 Inevitably one looks both back to the old year and forward to thenew.We think of the surprises,the successes,the mistakes,the disap-pointments,the joys and sorrows that the past twelve months havebrought.The Conference had a large share of all of them.So,too,I'msure,has each of you. With God's grace we'll learn from the mistakes and failures of thispassing year.But we'd rather recall and emphasize the good things withwhich He has blessed us,particularly those we have been able to sharewith you. Of special joy is the fact that there have been so many of you withwhom to share our experiences.Old friends are still staunch;new friendshave made themselves known.Thanks to the devoted work of DiocesanDirectors,of staff members and many others,Conference membershipis at a new high. Gratifying also has been the widespread distribution and use ofNCRLC publications.In particular,thousands of the new Rural LifePrayer Books have been bringing rich new spiritual experiences to ruralfamilies. Cover—St.Isidore and his saintly wife Mariapatrons of rural families and guardians ofNCRLC,stand life-size in all the glory thatstained glass can convey in a little rural churchof the New Ulm diocese.The center sectionof this issue details these and their companionwindows for you in word and picture.Thechurch"picture window"originated in theMiddle Ages when few could read but allcould understand the Bible stories,history anddogma pictured for them by some of thegreatest artists of all time.Our reading skillstoday and the galloping visions on TV make usless dependent upon stained glass for instruc-tion,but a little leisurely pondering of themwill teach us much while liffing our minds andhearts to God.The cover design is,again,byyour own staff artist,Mary Martin. The growing prestige of the Conference and the newsworthiness ofits activities and statements during 1958 led to frequent,favorable noticein the Catholic and secular press.Thus our message reached and influ-enced more minds,leading them to a fuller awareness of the moralprinciples which govern every aspect of rural life. Too,1958 saw notable growth in the work and effectiveness of yourWashington office.In the hearing and committee rooms of Congress,inthe offices of the Executive departments,in the councils of policymakers,almost invariably a genuine welcome was given to our voice speakingfor Conscience. To select for notice only one other development of the past vear,there is the enlargement and improvement of this magazine itself.Dozens of letters and comments have assured us that we are on theright track,that the contents of these pages are increasingly fulfillinga felt need of our members,and doing it attractively as well.We hopeall of you agree(and will let us know if you don't). In these and so many other ways 1958 has been a good year.Butbeyond all these blessings which can be enumerated and to some degreeevaluated,there are the individual graces and spiritual benefits whichhave enriched our souls.Only Almighty God and we ourselves may beaware of them but they have been the most precious and

FAQs

What is the editorial’s main purpose for the New Year issue?

To reflect on the past year’s experiences and to share hopes, pledges, and prayers for the year ahead with readers.

Which developments does the editorial highlight from 1958?

It emphasizes successes and lessons learned, growth in Conference membership, widespread distribution of NCRLC publications, and increased visibility of the Conference’s work through the press and the Washington office.

What is featured about the stained-glass windows in this issue?

The cover and center section focus on St. Isidore and his saintly wife Maria, and the discussion explains how church “picture windows” have historically taught Bible stories and faith through imagery.

Oct 13, 2026

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