“Highden.” Sun. 20th July ’69. Dear Mum & Dad, Well, there is quite a bit of news this week. Everyone seems to have settled down alright after Kerry leaving. You realize of course that even though at the Mount everyone mixes, you always have a special affection for anyone in your band. The Society of Mary becomes your family & you don’t seek consolation anywhere else – not even in your natural family. That doesn’t mean that you don’t cease to love your natural family but you also develop pretty close bonds with members of your own band. Anyway it’s all over now. There has been a change in our Wednesday & Saturday afternoon rule – we can now go out to Feilding or Palmerston Nth. with the St. Vincent de Paul Society & do some works of charity. This is rather revolutionary – and is in response to a document put out by Rome last January. Previously Novitiate was completely enclosed, but now some apostolic work is allowed in the last 6 months provided it doesn’t interfere with the Novitiate. Last Wednesday Night we got out our moth-balled suits & went into Feilding for a Vincent de Paul Meeting to explain what we wanted to do. We spent most of last week shifting soil into the garden from the paddock. Well!!! I thought that there was a lot of news but it doesn’t seem to have turned into much. I thought I’d finish this letter after afternoon tea – but have discovered that the mail goes up NOW! Will write a longer letter next week probably. So… Love from Bruce |