In the merciful designs of a loving Providence, we are once more permitted to address you on the return of the Happy Feast of the Birth of Our Infant God to wish each and every one of our Spiritual Children the joys of the season particularly the joy that consists in the security that follows a well-spent year, the consolation of feeling that in our hearts Christ will be really born, that we will hear the Anthem of the Angels “Peace on earth to men of good will”. Peace and Joy such as this we wish you from the inmost recesses of a loving affectionate heart.
Thinking that a few items relative to the affairs of the Mother House may prove interesting to you we take this occasion of relating some of the principal favors God has been pleased to bestow on us.
Our financial condition is much improved by the timely decision of our good Bishop. The whole Diocese has been gone over with the best of results. At the suggestion of the same good, kind Father we received the English Orphans, one hundred and five in May and fifty-three in August. The fact of receiving these waifs necessitated a change in our quarters so a house was rented by the Catholic Children’s Protection Society of Liverpool. This gave to the Women’s Ward the Dormitory and to the men all the basement flat. We have bought the Forsyth property joining our yard and having an opening on Sydenham Street for $2800.00. To one of the houses on it we removed all the simple minded women thereby securing more peace and comfort for those not so afflicted. The other houses on the premises are to be for the children and will be connected by a passage to the main building. God has sent us the means and we will make His Poor more comfortable.
Our Novitiate is really as prosperous as we could wish, eleven entered during the year, two of these returned to the world and five are now ready for the Holy Habit. The remaining four are in their first quarter, all filled with an ardent desire to fit themselves for the exercise of Charity. God has indeed done wonders for us but He has asked a return. He has asked our Benjamin and no matter that our hearts were rent the Holocaust must be offered. May His Holy Will be accomplished in us all.
Once more wishing you All a peaceful, happy Christmas and a joyful New year. Believe me to be most devotedly at the Crib of Bethlehem.