The bus leaves for Camp
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The bus leaves for Camp |
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 Mt. St. Marys, Greenmeadows. Mon. 1st July ’68. Dear Mum & Dad, Almost everyone is at camp (Waimarama) except for a couple doing Units, and some who are teaching for a week at St. John’s and at Hastings Boys High. The 5th and 6th year Bands go teaching every year (or rather to observe teachers). This year some are even going to Wellington College. (They have gone to Silverstream in the last few years too). For the next ten days I am to be Bellman here. That means I have to wake everyone in the mornings & ring the meal bells, Angelus’s, etc! Usually a bellman is “in office” for a term but they have a temporary one during the holidays. The first person to leave so far, left this week – Ionni Foniti – a Samoan. He was in his 5th year here and also in his thirties. He decided to become a priest at 17 but he had no education. Since then he has even studied in America and now has left. Another student is going to leave tomorrow – Des Boyle. He is also in his 5th year and in his thirties. (He taught at Otaki College before coming in). He is the only Irishman here. He will be going down to join the Cistercians at Kopua. We went to Fr. Malone’s Ordination in Hastings last Tuesday. There were several nuns from Takapau there (not Mother Carmel however). Well, that is all the news. Will see you next Saturday. Love from Bruce P.S. If you ever hear of anyone who may be calling in here any time (other than a normal visiting day) please ask them to ring beforehand – preferable the day before. Besides giving us a warning it also ensures that we are not way over the hills on a Conge or something. Fr. Mannix doesn’t want people popping in without warning. I haven’t had anyone call in suddenly (except Bear & fortunately Fr. Mannix was away!) but it is good to let you know just in case. Bruce |