Mary Martin writes to Prior of Glenstal, suggesting closer supervision for Mary in work, Lizzie in the kitchen, and search for replacements for Cook.
TRANSCRIPTION:
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Caritas
Greentank
Norketown
7th May 1935
2021-08-31/157
Dear Father Prior,
Those you had a very cousoling
and helpful visit with His Grace.
This last week which T. J. was one of
suffering & more prayer I offered up for
Glenstal especially for a better spirit
in the staff. Things are not very serious
but they prove, the necessity as Dom
Geard saw of having constant supervi-
sion it was this that first led me
to offer my humble services to help in
this matter. Now my accident has
prevented me from fulfilling my contract
personally & the time of returning seems
uncertain, I believe we should try to
make some temporary arrangement, that
will give us both the certain assurance
that the discipline & spirit is not
going, the rules are not being kept
certainly by one number of the staff.
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7 May 35
This may lead to others doing the same,
which might lead to serious trouble & wen
scandal - Mary is a very young
innocent convent girl, with no experience
of the world & no education to meet
the dangers in the world - She is a
good girl and was an excellent
worker - her carelessness in the approach
to the Sacramento & work are I fear
due to bad example -
It is very deficient to make suggestions
when one is not on the spot -
1) Miss Nugent is out of the question.
2) There is always the possibility of
asking Matron to supervise all domestic
matters under your control & supervision
during my absence.
3) Of putting Miss O' Rourke in the
kitchen instead of Mary except for the
heavy works scrubbing etc. Her
influence for the next five weeks might
make a change in Lizzie & also without
having someone officially supervising
her presence would prove helpful to
you in this way.
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7 Dec '35
3
My only objection to such an arrangement
would be if Dom David considered
it exposing her vocation to too many
dangers. Otherwise I am prepared for the
love of God & souls entrusted to our care
to allow Miss O'Rourke into the kitchen.
If you consider this a helpful solution
for the next few weeks, we could arrange
the details with Matron who is on the
spot.
4) You may & wisely consider it more
prudent to carry on as you have been
for the next few weeks, keeping Lizzie
up to her work, allowing Miss O'Rourke
& Miss Leyden to use their influence
in so far as they can without interfering.
It so would it be advisable to have
the recreation again from 8-30 to 9-30 pm
altogether. When I was there I used to
always take the whole staff for a
walk, as it was impossible to expect
seculars to go to bed very early.
This of course I realize is not the best
thing for my subjects but if charity
demands it means the circumstances, it
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could be arranged.
After writing all this as only
suggestions I leave all in prayer as
I believe things will work away well.
This term even if you make no change
always allowing for the weakness of
human-nature.
I shall write fully to all the
staff when I hear what you consider best
to do. When writing to Lizzie I intend
speaking of the complaints I heard during
the holidays - reminding her of the care
in dishing Boys & Fathers food.
Economy, a better spirit with her
companions - taking greater advantages
of the spiritual life offered us at Glenstal
& hoping to find all the staff on my
return keeping all the rules & spirit
that was in Glenstal.
Since I thought of the suggestion of
putting Miss O'Rourke in the kitchen, I
received a letter from Cook asking for
this. I enclose the letter you will see for
yourself - The danger is when I am not
there, she will have them all working
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washing up & do little or nothing in
this line herself. Cook should help Miss
O'Rourke or Mary with the washing up
but I fear it is all left to the others.
You can destroy the enclosed letter.
My greatest sorrow is not being allowed
back, it is all for Jesus & really means
more for every thing because it is His
Adorable Will, which is the real desire
of my heart-
United Always in the prayer of
the hearts of Jesus & Mary -
Your child for god
P. Mary
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6/
physically I do not feel equal to even
the amount I am trying to do at present
the heart muscles have been sadly effected
by the poison - however Doctor Quinlan
come to night, he has not seen me
for two weeks. I shall see what he
has to say & then ask him about
returning soon -
I am delighted to hear of Father
Abbots' visit & would like very much
to be there, just to get his blessing each
right after Compline, owing to the languages
we are unable to converse - You & Dom
David know all the desires of my heart
& you will be able to discuss the whole
matter over with him lott for yourselves
& me & then give me his views.
For me all things are difficult at present
owing to great darkness, temptations against
faith and overwhelmed with sense of my
absolute unworthiness & unfitness for the work
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7
Dist + 2nd March 35 (21 April 35)
before me and wondering whether it is all
delusion etc. - It is not the first time this has
happened so I am happy awaiting God’s good
pleasure in blind faith. - I do not think such
a time as this is good to come to any decision
or make a change in my vocation. All I ask you
is to pray much that I may have patience in
all - not so delayed or offend our Divine Lord.
22nd March.
I had to leave this unfinished so shall
add Dr. Quinlans report, he says the foot
is improving, though very slowly but says it
is well to have the drainage so long as there
remains any septic trouble. I remained up
till he arrived so that he could judge the
action on my heart, unfortunately for any
hope of getting back immediately, he found
it very fast 160 a min, so advised me to
go slower in my progress & to be guided
by that feeling of exhaustion & tiredness
& to only just do the bear necessity of
walking & standing, taking a complete
rest when feeling tired. He said it would
be very unwise now after getting through
everything so well to force them now, the
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6
21 April 35
muscles of the heart have gone through a great
strain after shock, operations & poisoning, so that
it must be very practically be accustomed to
activity. I spoke of going back to Glenstal
be could not possibly recommend it at
present, he said it might be another 2.3
months but at the very least 6 weeks
I then it would only be a case of returning
to direct things. That after the operation he
said probably I would be fit enough to
go back at the end of April - I have
it all in Our Lord’s hands & in the mean
time all my life & prayers are His to use
as He Wills for all the things I would
like to be able to do for Him -
I grieve only for you. But let Matron
help you all she can without giving
up the authority & if you really see Lizzie
is getting unsatisfactory just let me know &
I will be on the look out for another Cook
during these weeks. I shall do all that is
in my power to have Miss Moynagh trained
so that we shall have her for emergencies
& holidays -
By the way I do not think you need
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worry much about all the talk & the reopening
of Jorey School, I do not think it will
ever take place in the life of this Bishop
also I think Downside would be very
slow in such a step. Then Sr Sweeetman
has gone over to Downside but that
is all I know. Gerard Marpey has been
in bed with the flue so have not been
at all to get in touch with him.
Please remember me to all at Glenstal
I hope to write for all our feast day
25th March - and please give all my
sincere & humble respect to the Father
Abbot, I feel it would be selfish to
ask him to come here his time is always
short & precious.
Your patient child for God -
Sr Mary
