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Show PRE - CHRISTMAS, 1954 NEWSLETTER . .. J : '. St. Christopher's Mission to the Navajo, BLUFF, UTAH "My grandfather, read me this letter" - "- - "My grandfather, write me a letter back to my children, please." Such requests come even more often now than ever before, what with over 50 children from our area away at off-reservation Government schools. To have a man or woman dictate in Navajo, and to type the letter in English, takes a bit of imagination, but it is fascinating, if exacting work. Almost always the standard pattern is followed, something like this: "My dear child. Hello. I am thankful to you for writing to me. Now I will answer you. We are all well at home now. Your mother is well, and your brothers. Your older brother is working on the railroad, far away some place. I didn't get any letter from him, so don't know where. The sheep are fine. There was rain about a month ago, and the grass is good, and the sheep are fat. The horses, too. I sold my lambs at the store. So that is all. Now I am sending you one dollar. Don't let anybody steal it, and spend it just for things you need, not just candy and pop. So that is all. Now work hard at school, and study a lot, so you will learn fast. I am very glad that you are in school, and will learn much. So, now that is all. God watch over you. Your father ___________ " 1 THE WHOLE COMMUNITY was invited to a birthday party when Michael John became one year old. Indeed, one never knows just where "civilization" is going to begin! Michael's father is pagan, mother Christian. The father came, in late adolescence, to our school, and learned a good deal in a short time. Now, married and father of four children, he feels his responsibilities keenly. Very shyly, he came to each of us, and asked us to come on Sunday, after Church and Sunday School, to his summer shade, for a party. Brother Juniper made the cake, complete with one candle, and each of us brought some little token. A number of Navajos had been invited, and th~re was rabbit-meat, corn on the cob, in fact a full me~H FATHER LIEBLER's Anniversary celebration went off fine. Sorry the last Newsletter, announcing it, was delayed so that some who might have come didn't know in time. But the Bishop was here, and presided at the Liturgy, and Fathers Hawley and Hammond, from Durango and Cortez respectively, acted as deacon and subdeacon, and despite the lure of pinyon nuts, a number . of Navajos, as well as whites from various places, attended. Hearty thanks to those who sent greetings by mail or wire. WHEN THE BISHOP CAME for Confirmation, we were especially pleased that some of our Navajo Mountain converts came all the way, against great odds, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Under best conditions it is a wild drive over primitive roads, but there had been storms to make the roads worse, and they had to shift their "day off" to get away. They arrived Saturday evening, slept in the school house, attended early Mass, were confirmed at the second service, and then, another storm seeming to threaten, they left without waiting for lunch. So commonly it is said that "Navajos will go any distance for a free feed"-it is encouraging to see real devotion and selflessness manifested in these fine Christian converts. 2 HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION work goes on, so far as our resources allow. We are still weak from paying the plumber's bill, but we know our friends will continue to make progress possible. It is exasperating to find so many little things that still have to be done, and they all take time as well as money. But our regular visitors pay us the compliment of saying, again and again, "My! You've got a lot done since I was here before." Makes us feel good, when we're tempted to be discouraged with slow progress. WHEN WE SAY "Hospital," our friends of course understand what we mean. Weare building a place where we can take care of sick and convalescent Navajos for whom neither the Federal Government nor the State can make adequate provision. Until we have fuller equipment and staff, we cannot hope to qualify under the regulations which govern hospitals, nor at present is there any need to do so. What we call the thing is unimportant; what we are trying to do for the Navajos is vitally important. As soon as Brother Juniper gets back from his Midwest trip, and the Christmas activities have subsided, we hope for even more rapid progress. FLASH FLOODS in the desert are things you read about. Some of the rains refered to in the parent's letter above, brought such floods. Fr. Liebler was at Montezuma Creek, on the opposite side of the creek from the chapel, when a Navajo said "Fodda, lots water coming, now! Hear it? Quick!" "Fodda" leaped into the jeep, and just got across when the tide came, three feet high! It ran all night long, and crossing would have been impossible for several days. The congregation came on horseback the following morning. Another flood, near Bluff, has a less happy story connected with it. We helped a party in a Packard to get across, and lost the jeep on the return trip! Comprehensive insurance (blessed word!) will fix it up, but meantime we are jeep-less. 3 |
