The first Christmas away from home!
Ignatius College
Guelph Ontario
January 1, 1962
Dear Family;
There is so much to say that I am not sure where I will begin. I suppose the first thing I shall tell you about is the last catechism class before Christmas. We arrived at the school at about 2:40 p.m. and were greeting by a lot of eager faces. The secret was they wanted to put their concert on for us. The first thing we did was teach them how to sing the “Gloria” of the carol “Angels we have heard on high.” Then we watched their production. They sang, gave recitations, danced square dances, and put on a puppet show. It was a short program but very enjoyable to watch my wee little pupils dancing. (It reminded meof Rosemary and Mathew last year.) To top the afternoon off they gave us each a box of chocolates as a present. On the whole it was just like watching a concert back at Fairview. I would like to hear all about the program you had and all your gifts Rosemary and Matt.
The Thursday before Christmas we all made wreathes and collected boughs etc. to use as decorations for the house. During this time we sang carols and ate candy.
On Saturday we decorated and on Sunday. The results were mostly satisfactory and some very beautiful. On this same day I came to my room and discovered a pile of mail on my desk. I should like to thank you all for your prayers and I think you all sent me your nicest cards for they were all beautiful. Please thank Aunt Lil and Uncle Joe, Grandfather and Grandmother Obrigewitsch and Mack, Mr. And Mrs. Delwo, and Patty Reinhardt for their kind wishes and also Aunt Aggie, Uncle Adam and Donald for their wishes and letter. Please ask Marlene to thank Donna Miller for the beautiful card and prayers and please give my best to Mr and Mrs Rollins. (Apparently they mailed it on the night of the concert. It is a beautiful card.)
On Christmas Eve at about 7:30 all the novices went to Father Master’s office and carried all the parcels down to the recreation room. You see in order that we could open them all at the same time he kept them in his office. Some
didn’t even know they had a parcel. Boy! That was a parcel and a half!
The sweater was the first thing I saw (It is lovely and nice and warm. It is also a perfect fit. By the way would you tell me how to wash woolen things; do they shrink?) Then I examined the Fudge, candies, nuts, marsh mellow cookies, Molasses and Oatmeal cookies and the Christmas cake. (They were all scrumptious. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened the Cheerio box. What a beautiful present and so handy (It is good to have a pen and the [calendar] date at your fingertips.) Thank you very much. You are all too good to me.
We went to bed about 9:00 and at about 11:15 we were awakened by carols. The Juniors (those who have taken their vows) were walking up and down the corridors with lighted candles in their hands and singing. At 11:30 we got ready for Mass and by 11:45 we were singing carols in the choir loft. Then the solemn high Mass began. The choir sang the Kyrie and Agnus Dei plus Adeste Fidelis but the whole community sang the rest. The whole ceremony was very nspiring. After Mass we had a bit of lunch then we (primi or first year novices) went to bed and the secundi (second year novices) did dishes etc.
Mass in the morning was just as impressive. You should have heard the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” the chorus of the carol “Angels we have heard on high” It really showed that everyone had the true Christmas spirit. Until now we have had holidays, that is, most of our day is spent recreating. (eg. Playing hockey, skating, tobogganing, etc.) The other night we played Bingo and I won a tube of toothpaste.
Yesterday we went tobogganing and on the way down the hill we fell off. I got a small cut on my right eyebrow (enough for two stiches and a black eye for New Year’s day). Everyone was joking that I was the only novice “to get cut” on New Year’s Eve. Well I had better get this letter off. Thank Lil and Bill for the wedding picture. I was very happy to get one.
Love,
Frank
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Source for photos: Frank Obrigewitsch, SJ
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