Seminary Chapel 1931 |
Mt. St. Marys, Sun. 26th May ’68. Dear Mum & Dad, Revision starts tomorrow for the exams. We have about a month’s revision with exams scattered throughout that time. Then we have 3 weeks holiday, 10 days of which is spent at Waimarama and the other 10 days here. During these three weeks parents may come and take the students out for the day. Next Sunday, Pentecost, is a visiting day. I have got my winter soutane. Also, someone had a spare shoulder cape and I am wearing that, so I look a bit like Batman. I received my second English assignment back from Massey yesterday and got an A- (about 75%), so I was very pleased. (I think that since they have been doing this University work here there has been only one other A- but I could be wrong. Incidentally, the student who got the A- failed his unit!) Fr. Kevin O’Shea (a Redemptorist) was here last night and this morning. He is an Australian, and is Australasia’s leading theologian. He spoke to us last night about the “Religious Life”. You may have read about him in the latest “Zealandia”. The first ordinations will be over this time next month. I am glad to hear that the wedding went well. Please hurry and send some photos! Also, what were some of the presents? Everyone got a big fright during lunch today. We were all sitting in the dining room making a terrific noise with talk, etc. & suddenly an earthquake started. There was sudden silence & everyone just sat there going white. It seemed to be quite big and lasted for a number of seconds. It’s funny, but everyone always immediately thinks of the 1931 earthquake when one comes. Seven students and 2 fathers were killed then, so it is only natural to think of that. It was our second earthquake so far this year. Last Thursday was a free day because it was Ascension Thursday. This afternoon we watched “Cinema Parade” on T.V. for the first time this year, but I don’t think it is going to be a regular thing. Next week sometime we are going into Napier to see a film, either “Far from the Madding Crowd”, “The Taming of the Shrew” or “The Heat of the Night” but we can choose which one. I think I could do with a couple of night-store heaters in my room it is that cold! It is alright at night in bed, but during the day the warm bed is a constant source of temptation it is so cold. It makes it hard to do much study in your room, so you have to go to the Study where they have heaters (which is more than likely the unstated desire of the Fathers, who don’t like laying down rules but do things in a round about way!) Well, that is all the news. Love from Bruce |