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ST. THOMAS'S HOME.Christmas GreetingBY BOAEDIAttOF TILL4H0VA(To the Editor cf the Colonist.)Diuk Mh. Editob,—My apology—it any were needed—for thcie lines, is to ho sought for in the public mind, nod from the ^jtfdly aod practical interest taken in Villa Nova, Jrotn the beg inning, by I ho general public.2dy lamented predeccfior of happy mem-r1 ory—the late Father Morris—was most indefatigable in the interest of the “ Orphan, aod kept himself and bis work always before an appreciative and well-pleased auditory, r v»r,, the public of St. John's. AIt will not be questioned by any person, that a look baekupou the past, where a pub-1 lic'institution is concerned, is not onty a prudent, but is often a salutary thing.The Boy*.Two yeare ago, fast September, I todk charge of Villa Nora Orphanage, with sixty boys, under the patronage ol St. Thomas' of Villa Nova, saying Maif for the first time on his Feast Day, 2-ad September. The number of boys has been about sixty since then, I scarcely ever mare than sixty-two at any time.Training.I One part obthe traioing consists of a school, where general educational requirements are k taught by h certified or graded teacher from 1 the Board wf Education. A glance at the Report of Koroan Catholic Schools for 1890 ’ will give nny person an idea of this department. All the boys i*{ieud school during the winter months. Night-school is held for ' those who may have had to work during the summer months, in order that these latter 1 may keep pace with boys who are always attending the school.ic tile*.The buys are taught to love and reverence the rules of the Home, such as, strict silence in the dormitory and at meals. The very beet way to treat youths is not to have too many laws. When Rome had attained the perfection of laws, according to Tacitus, she was most corrupt. Neither do we advocate I too much watching over boys ; of course constant supervision is necessary. The boys, then, although kept in their owu place, are allowed sufficient liberty to form and develop© their natural ability and character. Should they abuse Ibis freedom, a way is easily ^ found to pnoish them effsctualj^tbr good.Finance,^ From a little experience, coupled with a business training, I agree with the motto, 44 short accounts make long friends and reducing this to practice square accounts ( quarterly. This seems to suit all parties f Another principle which is constantly before ( ua, is the following, »i*: I* When themeans at our disposal will not guarantee us l payment of a certain thing, (which often happens) then we simply learn to do without i it. A result of these two principles, gives us current accounts paid, and no debts, that t cannot be met at the end of the year, Drawbftcks.As this institution is a public one, there are no secrets to be withheld from the people. We find sometimes in the way o? clothing, that our means but allow a scantieess. In this matter we will simply state a fact which ( the writer has pretty well digested, vis,, that I boys wear out, (and sometimes “destroy r might be used) an I* immensity of clothes and boot*. This is our great difficulty, to keep such a number well and sufficiently clad. The boys are wrll fed, aod I am happy lo say, that their appetites never fail,Look Abend.If a reirosptcl is productive of good, an intruspeclive glance is no less necessary in •peaking of the Orphanage. What then are I our prospects for the future? And bow do i we essay lo carry on this noble work with credit? To the first question, we have bright hopes that the youth placed here, -wtil ba educated morally and physically to fit them for the world afterwards. In this connection, it is to us a great pleasure to hear ol several boys, who were trained at Villa Nova, succeeding so well. Uae has taken to a good trade ; another is put out to service under a reliable master ; aod, a third has , entered a Noviciate of religion in the United State* to become «* Brother. These boys left oo ray taking charge. They are examples ol what have been done, and encourage n* as to what may bo done. At present we have not any tradesmen on the premises, perhaps (hey will come in good time, but we can find places at any time for good boys to learn a trade.Tecb nival Fid ucat lou.In oyr AgmulBir*! Doptrfffitnl the bo/ihave what very few boys ever get at school, and that is a technical training. About a dozen out of sixty are employed during the summer months in these pursuits, viz., from sowing cabbage, turnips and potatoes, to the cultivation of strawberries, and learning1 something of fio\eers% in which Villa Nova baM been well tested in the past. A knowledge of theso things will be most useful hereafter for the boys, for, whatever may be said of the failure or depletion of out fisheries, we have wonderful capabilities in this country for growiug vegetables and fruit in abundance. When we consider what an auxiliary farming has become of late years, we cannot overlook or undervalue its'importance.II cult li of the Boys.The giver ot all good gifts bas uot forgotten Hie little ones, but has blessed them, and watched over them in all solicitude. We *:an place on record, tbRt for the last two years past, no serious or fatal sickness has visited the Orphanngii. This is indeed something to be thankful for. In thanking our kind friends for their very substantial sqd in the past, we need only remind them oj) the associations which this gracious aqd “hallowed Xmas time brings with it. To the little ones, bereft of a father or a mother, our hearts should naturally go out in charity towards them. What a little thing cheer* and gladdens ,thetr young hearts! And surely the gratitude of hearts so innocent, cannot fail to take the i-hiipa of blessings on ibo heads ol ibeir benefactors. With great plea* sure wo greet the readers of the Colonist and our friends generally, wishing them ma^y joys in this festive season. I am, dear Mrr Editor, yours very sincerely,J. J. McGRATH,Guardian cf the Home.
Newspaper Details
Saint Johns Newfoundland Colonist
Saint Johns, Newfoundland, CA
Thu, Dec 17, 1891
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 21 Nov 2023
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