The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1957-12-20

child eIutehed the priests
hand more tightly.
In the firelit friendliness of
the living room, Father Sanone's
warmth enveloped the woman
and child. Kate" he said, "when
Virginia and her husband were
only a bit older than you, I knew
they'd some day grow up and be
married to each other, and that
they'd love little children 80"
Where are their own LITTLE
children fhen7" ksfs's express
sioniess blue eyes .srnsd from
fhe priest TO Virginia.
God has other plans for them"
he replied softly. "They need a
little girl, just like you. His sym
pathetic eyes turned to Virginia,
II told you her hair was like
Jim's."
Yes, he had told her. 1t was
something like Jim's, but not SO
much as to remind her of the
little red-haired baby she had
seen only once. Virginia had wept
over the little face, calm and
sweet in death. She had wept
again when the doctor explained
in complicated medical terms
that there would not be 'lots
more babies", as she'd assured
Jim with bravado.
This wss not . temporary
misfortune. Barring . miracle,
this vas forever.
It was then that she had rush
ed to Father Sanone who had
guided her through so many
problems. He could have no solu-
ton to this problem, but she
needed the priests unfailing
sympathy. Father Sanone, how
ever, had been stern. II was with
Jim when he was told the baby
was dead, but that you lived He
accepted disappoi ntment and
blessing like a man. You can do
no less, Virginia"
"BUf We wanted children, Fs-
sher!"
Eyes" he acknowledged. cts
sad, Virginia. But there is some.
thing in this world that is sad.
der than parents without a child,
and that is a child without par
ems. With this indication that ii
is His will that you mother chill
dren other than your own-can
you refuse?"
- don't know, Father"
she ehoked. I'VE wanted our
own - 80 many OF them. But
perhaps . baby - . baby boy
with red hair -"
mo, Virginia. l could not con.
sent to a little boy with red hair
mot now. All children have q
right to be loved for themselves,
not because they look like a baby
who died. And everyone wants
babies, while all the bigger chill
dren grow more hopeless in their
search for a daddy and mommy.
/ know a little child who is begin
ming to despair. She has been
taken on visits so many times
and then returned. But she is
eight-hope is dying in her heart.
However, I'm suggesting this
child because you need her"
Il don't know, Father. Maybe
Jim wouldn't 49,"
I've already talked with Jim.
He knew you would come to me.
Jim likes the idea of a little red.
haired girl named Kate"
SIN that case, Father :" vir-
ginia said stiffly, irked that the
two had settled the matter with.
out consulting her.
"No-sbsoIueIy NO, Virginia.
This must be your decision,
TOO" His voice was kindly but
firm. I won't have her subject.
ed to anything less than eorn-
pIeis welcome"
She smiled then. 81 should have
known you and Jim would feel
that way, Father. Bring on your
little red-head and I'll do my best
to make this the merriest Christ
mas any of us ever had!"
And now little Kate was there.
As Father Sanone prepared to
leave he bent to whisper to the
child, as though imparting a pro.
found secret, virginia told me
she was going to make this the
very best Christmas for all OF
you, and l want you to show her
how much you can do to make II
special. Promise?"
Kate promised solemnly, and
Virginia's heart went out to her
"What would you like to call
Jim and me, Kate?" Virginia ask
ed after Father Sanone had left
"Td like it, and I'm sure he
A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS
E. 4. Sehlairet