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PARTISAN REVIEW
wondering how the Archbishop would handle the problem, disap–
pointed that he evidently meant to handle it by himself. In a way,
Father Udovic felt responsible. It had been his idea to popularize the
age-old collection-"to personalize Peter's Pence"-by moving the
day for it ahead a month so that the Archbishop, who was going to
Rome, would be able to present the proceeds to the Holy Father per–
sonally. There had been opposition from the very first. Monsignor
Renton, the rector at Cathedral, and one of those at table when
Father Vdovic proposed his plan, was ill-disposed to it (as he was to
Father Udovic himself) and had almost killed it with his comment,
"Smart promotion, Bruno." (Monsignor Renton's superior attitude
was understandable. He'd had Father Udovic's job, that of chancel–
lor of the diocese, years ago, under an earlier archbishop.) But
Father Udovic had won out. The Archbishop had written a letter
incorporating Father Udovic's idea. The plan had been poorly re–
ceived in some rectories, which was to be expected since it disturbed
the routine schedule of special collections. Father Udovic, however,
had been confident that the people, properly appealed to, could do
better than in the past with Peter's Pence. And the first returns,
which had reached him that afternoon, were reassuring-whatever
the envelope might be.
It was still on the Archbishop's desk the next day, off to one
side, and it was there on the day after. On the following day, Thurs–
day, it was in the "In" section of his file basket. On Friday it was
still there, buried. Obviously the Archbishop was stumped.
On Saturday morning, however, it was back on the desk. Father
Udovic, called in for consultation, had a feeling, a really satisfying
feeling, that the Archbishop might have need of him.
If
so, he would
be ready. He had a plan. He sat down on the sofa.
"It's about this," the Archbishop said, glancing down at the en–
velope before him. "I wonder if you can locate the sender."
"I'll do my best," said Father Udovic. He paused to consider
whether it would be better just to go and do his best, or to present
his plan of operation to the Archbishop for approval. But the Arch–
bishop, not turning to him at all, was outlining what he wanted done.
And it was Father Vdovic's own plan! The Cathedral priests at their
Sunday Masses should request the sender of the envelope to report
