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Show ~ HRISTMAS was a record-breaking C one in many ways. Our staff is small, , ' and preparations therefore had to be ~ especially well planned. Soleqm Vespers on Christmas Eve began , the day's observance, with attend- 1=:==:.1 ance of 111. Then we had a social time in the school house; a special feature was the making of a phonograph record to send to Frank Benally, the only boy who is attendfug a non-Indian School-St. Peter's, Peeksk:lll. Frank's parents and sister spoke, and several Navajos sang native songs, and the white children from Bluff contributed a carol or two. Then we had movies, and ended with the Midnight Mass. In the morning, Mass was sting at 10, with about 80 present; then the archery range was set up, and, men showed their prowess with bow and arrow; meanwhile dinner was preparing. The Game Warden had brought us a big-buck, and we had some canned beef and gravy, beans, coffee, orange juice from South High, bread and cake from Vitakist, and nobody went hungry, although by this time at least 300 were on hand. Then came the distribution of presents, first to the children, then to the adults--:all made possible through your kindness anq generosity, for we of the Mission have nothing to give but ourselves. WE USED TO go for months or years without seeing a movie. For the past few months, when the light-plant is in a good mood, we have been able to show a "5th run" Western, some sponsored films and comedies, and occasionally a newsreel. The white people of Bluff, as well as the Navajos, make small contributions to help us pay for the rental films, and we are deeply grateful to the friends in -1- Salt Lake City who got us the sound projector. Aside from the amusement, some say that having these movies has lessened the amount of heavy drinking on week-ends. HOW ABOUT this liquor law? Many people ask us what effects have been observed since the federal law against selling liquor to Indians was repealed. It is hard to say. A Utah State law still prohibits it here, so that the bootleggers are continuing to make good money, and the secret sale of bad liquor goes on. Since it can be legally bought in Colorado by Indians, the profits are higher for the bootleggers. It may be years before Navajos learn, the art .of 'civilized drinking-at present, alcohol is a means of getting drunk, and no more. Temperance is unknown. OUTSTATION WORK remains in many respects the most rewarding phase of our project here. Fr. Liebler feels very selfish in "hogging it all" but until other priests come to us, and gain use of the Navajo language, he will have to do it all. A typical trip nowadays: About' noon the car is packed with bedroll, blankets, food, stove-everything but the kitchen sink, and the missionary takes off. It may be thirty miles before he comes to a hoghanand even that is not visible from the road. Here a brief visit with prayers is followed by a discussion of immediate needs-and perhaps plans for a service at some later date. Off again, perhaps another twenty miles, and another such visit. Often a member of one of these families is on the road, horseback or in wagon, and the Missionary stops for brief conversation. Midafternoon higher ground is reached, where juniper and pinyon trees grow, and dead trunks and branches are gathered for firewood. Soon the car turns off towards Oljeto, where the Church of St. Mary of the Moonlight stands; here the firewood and part of the load is left, and the missionary goes on to the surrounding families, telling them of service the following morning, and even arranging for transportation of the aged-always including our Mary, the one and only confirmed communicant. -2- In the morning, the altar being set up, and the people gathered, we begin with a summary of the purpose of worship-the idea of sacrifice is of course understood by all religious peoples, and the Navajo are very religious. The altar cross, showing the crucified Redeemer, is shown, and the story is told of how, the night before he suffered, he gathered his disciples, and blessing bread and wine offered the Holy Sacrifice of his Body and Blood, and commissioned his disciples to be his priests, empowered for all time to offer the same sacrifice. As the priest vests, he names each vestment, so that the people and even the children are familiar with them. At sermon time comes another address to the people, usually based upon the Gospel fer the day which has been read to them in Navajo. In these repeal days it frequently touches upon the problem of liquor, temperance and self-control, never forgetting divine grace, for even the unbaptised may have prevenient grace. The Eucharist is sung, of course, even if there be no choir-little by little the people overcome their shyness and participate in the sacred chant. The service over, there is a third sermon! Yes, with infrequent contacts we must use every opportunity, and these three short addresses are far les~ tiring than would be one long address. In W~ the priest, having unvested, often walks aqo~i informally, and teaches simple daily prayers in Navajo language, and touches on many practical matters in daily Christian living. New catechumens are enrolled, if there be any, and then comes the "coffee hour" at which there may be some serious discussion if it seems called for. Often there are minor or even serious ailments to be treated, sometimes special problems come up, which may take hours to settle. When the congregation is finally dispersed, the priest begins to get ready to move on. The next stop may be Bob Richman's place, some twelve miles down Moonlight Wash. Bob, with the cooperation of two wives, has produced sixteen living children, and as some of them are rearing families we can usually count upon a considerable congregation here. The program is much the same as at St. Mary's, except that the "coffee hour" is "on the house" of our host. -3- |