Mary Martin writes to Prior of Glenstal at the end of his retreat. Updates on running of monastery since Martin returned from medical treatment, mainly changes in kitchen staff (Miss Leyden, Miss O'Rourke, Mai, Mary, Cook, Miss Breen).

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Caritas
Glenstal Priory
Marroe -
8.7.35
2021-09-01/161

My dear Father,
As your retreat is
drawing to an end which
I hope has been a time of peace & rest from the
material side of life.
Things are going on well
here, my great joy is to
find Miss Leyden & O'Rourke
I think progressing so much
in their spiritual life &
so willing to face anything.
Cook is my anxiety,
she has got very careless,
she is improving but it
nears constant supervision,
patience & tact.

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8/7/35
This week I mean to try her
highly letting nothing pass.
If she is not prepared to
take correction well & carry
out orders as wished by
you under my direction
it is Letter for her to go-
I would neither have the time
or strength for doing things
myself in the kitchen & for
humouring her- I have
already told her that I
must Le atte to rely on
her carrying out our wishes
& doing the cooking up to
the standard require for
the College & Monastery, with
great economy-
Miss O'Rourke tells me there
is the greatest difference
since my return, well I must say

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Things must have seen fairly
bad if that is the case,
as I am any thing but
satisfied. Rome was not
built in a day so I
try to practice patience.
This week I have taken
Mary out of the kitchen.
& put Miss O'Rourke with
Cook. This may help matters
& make Cook do a little
more of her own work.
Mary is I think very
happy to have me back.
She is a good girl &
good worker but a bit
tired. Yesterday we celebrated
her birth day, Dom David
gave us permission to have
a cake, we all had
ten in the kitchen to-gether.

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I hope to have Miss Breen
with no either at the end
of this week or Monday
of next. She has had great
experience, please God we
shall if not this term
at least next term be
able to have the kitchen in
our own hands. It would
be a little bit of heaven
for me & M. M. M. but I
must be fairly sure of
my subjects first.
I have had no worry since
I came these domestic
troubles are part of a
Womens life & I am as
a matter of fact glad
when things are not too
easy -
Dom Herbert I fear is

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8/7/35
seriously ill, so I understand
every thing. He must be a
great anxiety to Dom David.
The cross is never far absent
from Glenstal so it gives
my great courage to persevere.
When may we expect
to see you, should you
not be back this week
may I allow Cook home
for her holidays on
Monday next.
Mai has had a very
bad time with her feugies.
I hope it will be well
enough to allow her
sack to greenbank in
a few weeks.
Please pray much for
me. I see so much I
should do & have to be

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patient or accomplish a
little each day.
United in prayer.
You child for God.
Sr Mary