A Gift Book

Letter from Fr. Hattie received via email on February 2, 2016.

I am always pleased to receive a letter from Fr. Hattie. His letter received via email on February 2nd (see image above and transcription below) had the added mysterious blessing that he had sent me a book (although it had not yet arrived).

In case you have a difficult time deciphering the manual typewritten letter (above), below is my transcription. I have slightly tweaked the image above by adding a hint of blue/green in order to suggest the Aerogram stationary that Father used during his time in Africa. Please let me know if you identify any heir_hers (note: I think this is one of my best) in my transcription below.

My Fr. Hattie page contains a list of his letters to me over the past few years PLUS information on how to contact Father AND how to donate to support his "kids" (orphans) in Uganda.

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My dear Rick:  Peace of Christ!

     As you know, I sent you a Book "Rediscovering Christ" that I found very interesting & enlightening & very easy to understand. Please don't bother to return it. You can lend it to those who may enjoy reading it & profit much from it. For Christmas, my sister gave a copy to everyone of her 8 kids & innumerable grandkids, many of whom no longer go to any Church. Maybe you can bring back some of your friends who never go to Church. At least, it's worth the try. Sometimes, when we priests try to talk people into returning to Church, they listen, but it goes in one ear and out {the} other because they think that we have a vested interest and our just doing our job. Try it once or twice and see.

     Still no info about returning to Africa before May, but I'm still hoping against hope.

     Also, not a single word from or about my adopted son, but I'm still hoping & praying. I leave my SKYPE button {on} 24 hours a day just in case he happens to call in the middle of the night. Prayers, please. I just wonder if he has been kidnapped & killed. A Sister is searching for him for me and I have just sent her a few more hints. Something has 'to give'.

    I really enjoy all the TV items* and the info that you send.

    Be sure that ALL of you are in my daily Mass and prayers.

    Most important of all, MANY thanks for the generous & kind gift of $$ for my 1000 kids, quite a large brood.

Fr. Gene, SJ                               

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* I am mystified by the reference to "TV items."
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Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogram
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Dec2005/Feature1.asp
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Postscript:

The book arrived and I am reading it for Lent this year. See my beginning post.
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Link:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-rediscover-jesus.html
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Written Saturday 6 February 2016.
Added Postscript Saturday February 20, 2016.