Thursday, July 18, 2019

Farewell-from Fr. Hattie

I was perplexed when Fr. Hattie's latest email arrived. Since his retirement (or so), he was transmitted his typed copy via an attachment to email. When this email arrived, I was confused because my new Android phone did not show an attachment and there was no text in the email. My response was to reply with ???? But my inquiry yielded no results.

A few weeks later, I was playing around using my old phone to test the WiFi in my new apartment. I was surprised to see the old phone showing an attachment for the same email. I later learned that this is a relatively common condition for Android phones. I have not figured out the solution yet (so please contact me if you have a solution-other than to get an iPhone).
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Fr. Hattie's "Farewell" letter
Received in May 4th 2019 email.
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As usual, since some might find it challenging to decipher Fr. Hattie's typing, I have transcribed the letter below. Please let me know if you think I made an error in the transcription. Of course, some of you know that if you click on the picture of the letter, it will open in a new window and can be seen in its normal full size. (This may not necessarily make it easier to read).

My Fr. Hattie page contains a list of Father's letters that I have received and transcribed for this blog. It also contains contact information for Fr. Hattie as well as how to donate to help support his orphans in Nsumba, Uganda (Africa of course).
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May 2, 2019

My dear Rick:    Peace of Christ.

Feeling, as I do, that I am going blind And that the good Lord is soon to call me HOME (I shall be 97 in July) and beyond the regular course, and with this feeble letter to say a sorrowful, yet grateful farewell to you and to thank you for SO MANY years of  kindness & generosity, all that you have meant to me and ALL that your financial help and prayers have enabled me to do for HIS poor for 70 years of Apostalate [& yours of] 30 years in India & 40 in Africa. THANKS. THANKS! THANKS!
What I have been able to do, you too have done. So, you can see why I rightly consider my CO-MISSIONARIES.

Must stop because my fingers are getting tired and my eyes watery. Again, my GRATITUDE & LOVE (all I have). Please pray for my joyful meeting with the good Lord. (Please excuse mistakes).

Tons & Tons of love  & gratitude,

Fr. Gene, S.J.

P.S.  I've been a Jesuit for 79 years, a priest for 66 & lived in India for 30 years & in Africa for 40 [years].  Come & replace me.

YES!  I AM IN LOVE! *
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* Note: It's not clear who the speaker is of this phrase. 

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Written Sunday 21 July 2019.