Item 2021-08-06/152 - Mary Martin to Prior - Matron issues

Four pages, double sided, A4.

Mary Martin to Father Prior, concerning issues with Matron at monastery, Martin's health, Miss Leydon and Miss O' Rourke.

Date may be May and not March. Pages out of order.

TRANSCRIPTION:
--- Page 1 ---

• Cantus
  Nov 35
  Greenbank
  but enjoying sun shine
  Friday Sabb.

2021-08-06/152

My dear Father Prior,
I am sorry to see you have these
domestic troubles on your return - I received
letters from Lizzie & Mai - Lizzie gave me to
understand things did not go so well with
her & Fr. John during your attence, he cut down
Things. ? - I have had no letter from Matron.
I shall answer your letter as it comes.

1. I can understand Matron wishing to have her
   dinner at 12-30, for the reason she gives, also
   she will receive her meal hotter & freshly cooked
   as she shares the same food as the boys-
   I do not quite understand why she waited
   to do it during your attendance, so far I have
   no grounds to believe her attitude towards us
   all has changed.

2. Matron may realize how difficult it is for
   you to be present at times when they need
   supervision in the kitchen & offered on this
   account but she always gave me to understand.

--- Page 2 ---
4 Lizzi asked me about marmalade , this is the time
& it would save money, if you think she
has the time to do it during the term -
It costs 8o a lb. to say 41/2 to make - I can
send down the oranges prepared from Ruowhs in
Suthin -
Will you please give the enclosed papers
to Dom David, I shall write to him during
the week-end - The enclosed letter is from
Bishop Herry Clep. Southern Region. He could
perhaps read it to Miss Leyden & O’ Rourke
it will help to give them courage to face
all the difficulties ahead, me producing a work
so essential for souls on the mission-field -
Please remember me to Matron & all -
Hope your [Junju] is guests well -
I was in with the Doctor on Tuesday he
found my foot greatly improved, I try to
stand & walk on it a little each day -
a few weeks of air & sunshine ought to
make me much stronger & the massage is
helping also - it is all now expense but if
it helps quickly to recovery it is better
I do as you say as regards lent & try to
practise greater humility & charity - your child for God-
Sr Mary

--- Page 3 ---
3 is difficult & just coming after your absence.
I have heard no mention of any change in her attitude
towards Miss O’R. & Leyden - except for
the change of the hour of meal.

3. I would give Lizzie a very severe
   warning & mention the boys are complaining
   etc. The injury it will do the school etc.
   I would be she to prepared if you & Matron
   found it better to let either Miss O' Rourke & Miss Lyden into help Cook with the
   cooking in the morning, preparing vegetables
   dishes etc. Mary could then do the heavy cleaning
   up stairs & after dinner return to the kitchen for
   scrubbing etc. This might interfere with the spiritual
   dutites of one of M. M. M., this change could be arranged
   with Don David, if you think it wise.
4. I fear there little releases will always
   creep in unless there is constant supervision
   • and I fear F. John will always be an
     upsetting influence which is due mostly to his
     Death, language.
     I do not think it will be many more months
     now till I return. I shall do what I can
     on these points in writing to Cook,
     if you wish me to interfere.

--- Page 4 ---
she preferred to leave nothing to do with the Domestic
Staff. I as I told you thanked her in my
last letter, for all she had done during my attence
in helping you, & for the way she had arranged
the works for Miss D'Rourke & Miss Legden & the
spirit of peace & union that she had maintained.
I told her I had received letters from Lizzie
complaining of Mary had that I did not like
to interfere as you & she were on the spot
but that I was quite ready to write to you if she
thought it would improve matters.
When I receive an answer to my
letter I shall be in a better position to give
you advice on No. 2. For the present I should
leave things as you have arranged, unless you find the burden too much with all your responsibilities & extra work.
If there was anything broo against M. M. M.
it would be a mistake to give over complete
control, my position would become very
difficult on my return but I really believe
& hope her offer was to save me any worries
now so till we know Matron better &
especially room to No. 1 I feel sure it is
better to leave things as they are - The question

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