The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-01
fRY ANNE ZEMAITISl

6eC DacK OH congress avenue across from St. Joseph's church Is a tan wooden building that looks like any other house in the section except that high wire fence sur rounds 1t. Within the enclosure Is a large yard with swings and benches and grassy patches, giving an accurate appearance of use. For more than twenty years children have played and roamed and grown there, the little haven called St. Joseph's orphanage.
 Today this sanctuary of little folks who have lost their homes is undergoing Its biggest change since 1t was founded in 1918, in a emergency, to shelter youngsters whom the war and surge of in- fiuenza suddenly left alone. Set up then as temporary home 1t con- tinued in use from time to time, with no definite plans for perman- ent existence--not until now, that is-when troubles of war-torn world have once again filled the dwelling to capacity.
 New Developments
 With the prospect of long con- tinuation in view, the Sisters of the Holy Ghost stepped in a few months ago to convert the premises from a welcome shelter to cheery color full home, and with their advent a new spiritual and social develop ment has had It's start.
 Now as carpenters and painters gayly hammer and splash new life into the grayed old walls, the youth full inhabitants nolsely prance about the spacious shaded grounds with a cheerfulnesS one never hoped to find. Amidst the hustle and noise the other afternoon, Sister Joseph, new orphanage mother, quietly told of dreams of conversions, now be- coming reality.
 Bright furniture will replace worn outmoded chairs and sofas which friends of the orphanage donated many years ago. Light marble lino- leum will cover the quickly splinter ing floor of the combination living room play room and paintings and ltully SuA UtLlAtD WAAA HI UIIS AOOhlp with new warmth. The scope of the changes was evident when Sister Joseph brought out pink and blue lowered bedSpreads which will re- place the practical hospital white. And If 1t can be obtained there will be a refrigerator to give the chjl- dren the sherbets and fruit juices little hearts crave. she said. And there will be more parties, movies and toys and entertainment.
 ParishionerS Aid
 A piercing pessimistic thought struck, but the kindly Sister sensed 1t and answered with a smile that the budget already permits the changes and others will come as they can. Funds of St. Josephs church and collections from an an- nual city-wide tag-day appeal have the orphanage. Then too, there have been contributions from loyal parishioners.
 AS she spoke, Sister Joseph point ed to 8 bundle resting on a nearby table It had arrived few min utes before and in 1t were dresses and skirts and numerous other garments. It was another contribu- tion from a loyal giver, 1t was ex- plained.
 Although 1t is the special project of the Lithuanian church the Is not home for Lith- uanian children nor for orphans alone, but for whatever youngsters leaves behind. There are both Catholic and Protestant chil- dren, of all nationalities, some the victims of divorces. others the tempered children of un- happy homes or from oVercrowded and children involved in other unhappy but less serious situ- ations.
 The Story of Denise
 For example, there was two and one half year old Denise, a little French girl, who wandered into the room while the orphanage Mother was speaking of her plans. The child had three things on her mind and in her limited French vocabu- lary anxiously expressed them: that her mother would come that after noon to take her back. that she wanted to take all the babies with her (she was the youngest there) and that she did not like her new pigtails and knew her mother would not like them either. A normal, happy youngster, she pulled at her pigtails and begged and begged that they be let down. A few days be- fore she had shipped her hair as fast as scissors could reach. 1t was explained and only pigtails could cover the prank.
 The little girl was separated from her home as an indirect result of the war. Her parents, who recently came from Canada to work in a defense industry searched in vain for adequate living quarters. Fin ally they found . hotel room but to their sorrow learned they could not keep the child with them. St. 10.