Transcription of Document FFDoc-1011.pdf

On receipt of the package you sent, I was made uncomfortably aware that it was high time I dropped you a line. To tell the truth, now that Father Lovenbury (the one that saw you getting your hair cut) is at one of the parishes in Burlington, he keeps dragging me out of here to visit here and there; it keeps me off-balance, so that with my classes and the correcting of exams, I can hardly turn my hand to anything. Yesterday was the first time I'd been in the print-shop for about a month. Finally, a breather of a few days was afforded by the mid-year exam period which is now actually going on, with a few more days at the end of this week for the retreat. I just finished correcting my exams which I had given earlier this month, and so I'm free and easy.

It was quite a hunk of news when you wrote that you are off to Schenectady. Incidentally, I'm having a week of beginning April 1st, so I'm going to try to get down to Schenectady during that week, or if I can be of help to you in moving, I'll even go to Lynn. I'm pretty sure of being able to get a car, maybe even a Cadillac, at that time, if I can be of any help to you. Anyway, we can talk about that later.

I am quite pleased about the briefcase. It's a beaut! And it is going to be mighty handy for me. I travel quite a distance to the class building and it will be a blessing to have something to carry my books, especially in bad weather. The socks are just what the doctor ordered. As for the books, I appreciate especially Father Copleston's Aquinas. I've read most of it since yesterday, and it is an especially fine presentation of St. Thomas' thought, and very helpful in understanding certain difficult points. It will be of lasting use.

The photo of the new arrival is of course my first sight of him, and it seems to me that he reminds me so much of your Joe when he was smaller. Incidentally, how come an old slob like  you has had such good looking youngsters. It must be the grace of God!

And now you have to play God to two instead of one. And I'm not fooling when I say that. You and Frank will be for these youngsters the living image of God: of his Providence and goodness first of all. And y ou must be too in the image of his justice, and of his patience, and above all of his loving care. All of the impressions they have of you will stay always and affect thir very idea of God's relation to them. Frightening perhaps, but it does underline the need you have of God's grace and his presence, that you may be more and more like Him, after the image of the Christ. My prayers are always with you that you may be able to be just that, for that counts most of all.

PS. How is Rosie? Haven't heard how her stay at hosp. turned out. Thanks to Frank for the books especially, and hello.