Funerals, Weddings and Milk Envelopes

It was the sacristy on the left side of the altar where we were taught how to ask for tips. Cash for serving funerals and weddings.

The older altar boys taught us what to say. We asked bridal parties and bereaved families for tips, telling them to put the money in milk envelopes. I got in trouble for that once. I already had an income for sweeping the school floors with Ralph every day. Sr. Damian was not happy when she found out. Later, in the early days of Molloy I earned money for working at the switchboard. I made the ID cards every summer for Bro. Hugh Andrew, later Bro. James Maher and had all sorts of special projects that I got paid for. I was handed a milk envelope every week by Bro John Alexis, the Bursar. Remember him? I did the basketball scores for Jack Curran's Basketball Camp and got paid for that too. John Murphy did the same along with John Castelanetta. Ah, those were the days.


-Tom