St. Christopher's Newsletter dated Spring 1962

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1 fSlEVERAL YEARS ago we began our Spring ~Newsletter with some such sentence as this: "This past winter will probably go down in his­tory as 'the Winter of Much Snow' ". Well, truth to tell, we just didn't know anything about snow in those days! Or cold weather. We've always told inquirers that snow usually melts by noon of the first sunny day that follows. But this year the snow that fell a week or more before Christmas lay on the ground for more than five weeks, and is still seen in shady places. And as for cold - six below was the record up to last December, but this winter saw 18 below several times, and weeks on end without a thaw. It meant that our heating facilities were for the most part inadequate; water pipes froze indoors and under the ground and even the clinic was without water for several days. Fortunately we had no deliveries. The Navajo People suffered a great deal; we were happy to be able to give out clothing without stint - although the call for overcoats far exceeded the supply. We have always been grateful for shipments of warm clothing, but this year we shed tears of gratitude. I L lET OTHERS dream of a white Christmas! We will be glad to settle for the dry, brown and bare kind. We planned our Christmas Day observance pretty much the same as in past years, but it didn't turn out exactly the same. Due to the intense cold fewer Navajos attended - slightly over 400 when we prepared for 600; more of those who came for the fun also attend­ed the High Mass. Possibly this was due to more ardent devotion, but cynics insist that it was warmer in church than out of doors (the ther­mometer didn't go above 16 all day). Anyway, church and Lady-Chapel were filled to well above normal capacity. The archery contest was again won by a young man, as in the last few years. This has sociological significance. Nineteen years ago, at our first Christmas, only old or elderly men par­ticipated; some brought their own home-made bows and arrows. No youth would touch a bow. Perhaps it was the fear of being laughed at; perhaps a sense that this was "old-timers' stuff". Then archery had a renascence among Whites. There was even an archery club organized in the County. It became a symbol of advance in civilization. The full circle - and the young men not only participated but out-did their elders! Dinner was served as usual - through a kitchen window as the line passed by. There was no warm place to sit, but some spread blan­kets on the snow and laughed joyously as they ate; others stood, but nobody complained. And, perhaps most remarkable of all, there was not a drunk in the crowd! In past years we have often 2 -- , . - '" _/ had disturbances and sometimes violence, as the Navajos try to follow the example of the "superior" white race, but this year has broken that tradition and we devoutly hope that that is done with forever. Certainly everybody had a good time. Worship, food, archery, toys for the little ones (thanks to you, good friends, who supplied these), it was a happy and joyous day, although it did leave us rather limp with fatigue. In future years, let us dream of a dry - and we mean dry Christmas! I WIE ARE glad that our last Newsletter told of arrivals, for we must add a sad note on removals. We spoke of Catherine'S departure; it was soon followed by Ruth Palmer's. The con­dition of her eyes, too, seems beyond medical skill, and she is bravely looking forw,ard to per­fecting herself in Braille and .,in> various skills which will equip her for a creative and u seful life. She leaves a void that can never be filled. Father Moulton has also left; at first it was with the idea of a rest and a change, but it has been for some time apparent that there are many and varied reasons - personal, theological, in addi­tion to delicate health - which make it impos­sible for him to find here the field of service for which his many gifts fit him. We pray that, when his health is quite restored, he will find that field. f 16J& . ----~~ - . I .~ ,i _ '----...- -:-;,-. • 1 , ~ I'" ~ =.,' ,-\ " ~/jl ./. IF v4 ~! .'~ ~" _"" 'lPi.,. ",' ;'.-. .\. . . /~. '.' l~.. " : · .., -.... . , . ..,.-' " " . .... -,. .. 3 IA I FEW WARM days remind us that Summer is coming. Inquih'es regarding Summer Workers are already in hand to a number great­er than we can accept, but the formal applica­tions are not yet in, and it is not too late to apply. 20 years old or over, in good health, ready to undertake any kind of work - these are the chief qualifications. Other things being equal, preference may be given to those who are well instructed in, and militantly zealous for, the Faith (since this is primarily a Mission), but we have had ver~ satisfactory experiences with eager workers of various religious backgrounds and beliefs, or of none. However, we are a little tired of efforts to reform us! Another Summer idea: priests who want their vacations to be offerings as well as changes of scene and activity could do worse than help out here for a few weeks, maintaining daily and perhaps even Sunday Masses to allow "the reg­ulars" to concentrate on the outlying areas, now too sadly neglected. IMIEANWHILE, our routine work goes on. These lines are being typed in the remote Navajo Mountain region, where we visit regular­ly each month, instructing the children at the Government school, conducting Mass for them one morning and having other services, either Mass or an informal "cottage prayer meeting", in the hoghans where such is desired. Our little Church of St. Mary of the Moonlight at Oljeto (now being spelled Oljato or even Oljatoh on the road signs) is not neglected; once a month any­where from a dozen to three score Navajos come together for the Holy Sacrifice, and when pos­sible the next day there is Mass at Mr. Rich's place, some ten miles down the wash. His chil­dren, in-laws and grandchildren make up one of our largest congregations. Since the need for our own school seems for the moment to have passed, we gather the Nava­jo children who attend the Bluff Elementary School at our school house on Monday after­noons; instruction, singing practice and a bit of diversion prepare them for the coming Lord's day observance. Wednesdays we go to Monte­zuma Creek for the same sort of class at our church building there; Thursdays we take the children at Aneth in their own building (this is still allowed in the U.S. Indian Service schools, although forbidden in Utah and Arizona State schools), and on Fridays we are given the use of the Recreation hall at the Texas-Zinc Plant at Mexican Hat for a similar class. All this means a great deal of travel, of course, but it is richly rewarding. Similarly the Sunday afternoon services, one each month at four different locations, spread the Word over the many square miles of our area.