December 1991

Dear Friends,

God grant you and yours a deep, abiding peace and joy at Christmas time, and throughout the New Year, the peace that only Jesus can give.

I can’t believe that we are nearly at the end of 1991. This past year went quicker than any previous year. It has to be because I was busier than ever.

Several times since June of 1990, at which time our then Provincial, Fr. John Sullivan (now 2^nd General Definitor), asked me to accept the job as his delegate in charge of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites within our jurisdiction. I have asked myself, “Why didn’t I think of saying I was too old for the job?” Apparently, like everyone else, because our souls are eternal. (they never grow old). I didn’t remember to take into account ahead of time that my strength and endurance, both physical and psychological reach their limit very quickly after I get into a project. But since I am able to go to bed early, or at least take “evening naps”, I have been able to “cope”. In spite of my age, though, I am enjoying my job in the Province. I am sure I would be “crest-fallen” (to say the least) were it necessary for me to relinquish the office before the end of the triennium.

This has been a sad year for me too. In January, a day after her 96^th birthday, my mother went home to God. And just about a month later, Our Lord gathered to Himself one of my closest friends and benefactors, Marion J. Koch. However, I also know how consoling the truths of our Faith can be, since I am able to think of them and “sense” them as being closer to me and more capable of helping me than ever before.

This past year has also been remarkable (for me), considering the amount of travel I have done. I have been as far west as St. Paul, MN, and as far south as Hollywood, FL. It is hard to believe that after having to get around Boston on an ordinary bicycle for 19 years (Fall of 1970 to Fall of 1989) I have the exclusive use of a car, ad Dodge Spirit, which I use to visit communities of our Secular Carmelites. I have logged about 33,000 miles on the car since October of 1990, and have been to cities and States I never dreamt I would see in person. Divine Providence still knows how to play (nice) tricks on a guy.

But, unfortunately, though I have been able to range far and wide as part of my job, I have been unable (God grant I have not been unwilling) to get around to visiting many, many of my good friends and benefactors in and around Boston. I am glad to am saying this now and putting it in writing, because I will not have to make another extended trip until the month of May, so I should have the time and the opportunity to make up for that between now and then.

One of the things I miss since giving up my legal aid “ministry” and coming to live in the Monastery again is the regular weekend “help-out” I was committed to at St. Michael’s Parish in Lowell, MA. I still do go out on occasion to one of the nearby towns here in New Hampshire to offer and preach at a Sunday Mass. But before, at St. Michael’s, I felt that “I belonged”. Now, along with the “perception” that I am just “filling in”; there is a corresponding perception that I am an outsider. But very likely that feeling will change as time goes on, since I’ve only been living here in Peterborough since September of 1990, that is, fifteen and a half months.

Also, I never dreamt I would have a computer at my disposal. As a matter of fact, I had developed a kind of “animus” against computers. I guess I was getting tired of hearing people (especially among the brethren in the Monastery) raving about how helpful they found them to be, and holding conversations about them that I couldn’t understand. But now I find that without this one (that I am presently using to prepare this Christmas letter) I would never be able to get my work done, much less do it adequately. I still resist, though, learning more about it than I have to, but that’s because other things take priority.

I am sorry to have to make this letter so impersonal, but I assure you that as I address each envelope I will be having very warm and cordial thoughts about each of you, and will not fail to give thanks to God for having enriched my life by enabling me to get to know you all, many on the very journeys I have been talking about.

Once upon a time (at least within the Province) it was almost mandatory that each priest offer three masses, each with its own proper readings and prayers, on Christmas Day; and each priest was able to offer them for his own personal intentions. Although I will be offering just one (most likely), I still can offer it for whatever intention I wish, so please be assured that I will be offering it for all your intentions. And please don’t forget to pray of me!

With fraternal affection, I remain,

Yours in the Holy Family,

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