THE 24th MAY WEEKEND!

Here we are again, another 24th May weekend.  I would venture to bet that you all have at least one 24th story from your youth that is worth the telling. Why not send it to us at mcallistrsmith@gmail.com and share it here with your friends and former school mates?  

If you follow this link 

http://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/twenty-fourth-of-may-is-queens-birthday.html
you can read about a couple of 24th escapades from the past!

The 24th May weekend has long been the weekend of the great escape to the side of some fabulous pond for a spot of fishing.  However, a word to the wise - don't take Moses with you!

I wonder where this pond is

I hope the sun shines and that you have an enjoyable and safe 24th May weekend.  

LET'S SUPPORT TEAM CINDY

I have received an email from our St Patrick's School friend, Teri Healey Evans, with a request for our support. Teri and her family, having lost a beloved sister to the awful disease, ALS, work very hard to help eradicate it.  They certainly deserve our support so, if you feel you can help in any way, please contact Teri at burgawgirl@gmail.com  or

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4099713&langPref=en-CA

THE GREAT LOU GEHRIG

Here is what Teri wrote.

"In honor of our sister Cindy (Healey) who sadly lost her battle with ALS on January 23, 2016 at the age of 58, my family has joined the WALK for ALS in St. John's slated for June 9th, 2018, because we would like to do our part to find a cure for ALS. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous American baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease, which has no known cause, cure or drug therapy of consequence. This devastating disease slowly robs the individual of the ability to walk, talk, and ultimately, breathe. Researchers are getting close to finding a drug that could possibly slow down this disease but are still nowhere near to finding the cause or a cure.

We wouldn't wish this awful disease on anyone and if you had seen firsthand, like we did, what ALS can do to a person & their entire family, you certainly would not want to see it show its ugly face to you or any of your loved ones.

Please support our fundraising efforts by sponsoring either myself, June, Sharon or Charlie, by messaging one of us with your donation amount. We would gladly pick up your donation (within St. John's/Mt. Pearl) or you can forward it through e-transfer to burgawgirl@gmail.com or you can go directly to the ALS website for Team Cindy's link at

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4099713&langPref=en-CA

Also, if you would like to join TEAM CINDY & participate in the Walk yourself, you would very much be welcomed! I can provide you with a Sponsor Sheet....all you have to do is let me know!!

Thank You, 

Teri (Healey) Evans"

TEAM CINDY AFTER THEIR WALK IN 2017

Please, let's help make this year's Team Cindy Walk an even greater success than last year's. 

Nano Nagle - Our Foundress

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO ABOUT NANO NAGLE. HAVE A LISTEN BECAUSE THIS SISTER PRESENTS THE HISTORY IN A WAY THAT IS STRAIGHT FORWARD AND SO IT MAKES EASY LISTENING. I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY IT.

ANNIVERSARY OF NANO NAGLE'S DEATH

PBVM Symbol

Worn out by long days and nights of ministry, Nano Nagle collapsed in Cross Street, Cork, on her way to one of her schools. The Foundress of the Presentation Sisters died on Monday, 26^th April 1784.  She was 65 years old.   In 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Nano Nagle a ‘Servant of God’, the first of four steps to canonisation.  The next step came in 2013 when Pope Francis bestowed the title ‘Venerable’ on Nano Nagle.

  

Venerable Nano Nagle

HOW LENT USED TO BE

Some of you weren't even born when the following picture was taken.  To let you younger folks see how it used to be, I am posting a photo which I have posted on other occasions but it is one that makes me gasp - no matter how often I see it.  It was taken at the mens' Mission held at St Patrick's Church during Lent of 1953.  A full house or what?

Mens' Mission, St Patrick's Church, Lent 1953

Perhaps some of you weren't even born when this notice appeared in a Sunday Bulletin. However, there are still many of us who remember those austere days of bygone Lenten Seasons.  

From St Patrick's Church Bulletin, Passion Sunday, 1968

I found it on the St Patrick's Parish website.  It is an excerpt from the Sunday Bulletin for Passion Sunday, 31st March 1968.  It clearly illustrates how seriously Lent was taken and how the Church helped us prepare for the celebration of Easter.  

Just in case the children thought Easter was all about eggs and rabbits, their spiritual welfare was also well provided for, as this note from the same Sunday Bulletin confirms.

Boys and girls are not forgotten

Perhaps Lent isn't quite as austere as it used to be but it is still a time for reflection and renewal.  Fortunately for us, the Church still helps us along the path that takes us to the real and joyful meaning of Easter.

Just in case you are wondering what "Passion Sunday" is, follow this link and all will be revealed. 
http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/deaconsbench/2010/03/what-is-passion-sunday.html

GREAT PHOTOS FROM DEBBIE AND TERI

I have two great photos to post today and they span quite a few years.  Have a look and see how many names you can add.

The first photo comes from Teri Healey Evans and it was taken in the 1970s.  It is of some of the members of one of Sr Brendan’s amazing Choirs and the incomparable Sr Brendan herself is here with her girls.  The photo was taken at a Convent that they visited when the Glee Club travelled to Ottawa to perform.  Teri informed us that on one of their outings between performances, they visited this Convent and they all crammed into a room and sang for the Sisters there.   Teri is sitting directly in front of Sr Brendan; to her right are Helen Mallard and Karen Mugford.  To Teri’s left is Heather Ann McDonald (wearing glasses).  Teri can’t name the rest but perhaps you can?  If you can, would you please drop us a note at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

*21st March 2018
This nice little addition to Teri's photo comes to us, via email, from Yvonne Cullen McIsaac:  "I enjoyed seeing the photo so much on fb. I was there also (YVONNE CULLEN was my maiden name now YVONNE MCISAAC). The Keating girls were there. Peggy Keating is the girl in the blue with glasses.

I live in Ottawa now and occasionally drive past the convent we visited on Montreal Road. Beautiful memories for sure." 

Thanks for getting in touch, Yvonne. We appreciate and enjoy every scrap of information that we can gather.  Have you ever dropped into that Convent and told them your story?  It might be a pleasant memory for somebody there also.  Just a thought!

Sr M Brendan and her girls

The second picture was sent to us by Debbie Thomas Meyer.  This beautiful photo was taken in 1950.  Debbie’s mother, PAULINE MCDONALD, (now PAULINE THOMAS) is seated, second right.  Debbie’s aunt, SHIRLEY MCDONALD (now SHIRLEY McCOLLUM of Marion, Indiana) is in the back row, fourth right.  

Debbie's lovely Mom and Aunt with their
Grade 8 classmates

Debbie, because my sister, Doreen McAllister, is in this photo, I can add a couple of other details.   This is Grade 8 and the teacher was Miss Carew.  Some of the other girls in the photo are;

Lorraine Nugent, kneeling right

Helen Power, seated 5 left

Doreen McAllister, seated 6 left

Mary Hawco, back row 5 left

Thank you very much Teri and Debbie for these two lovely photos.  They span a lot of years and I am sure they will bring back some rich memories for a lot of people.  If you have any other photos or stories that you would like to share with us, I would be more than delighted to post them.  As I stated above, you can send anything you have to mcallistersmith@gmail.com. Thanks again Debbie and Teri.

5th ANNUAL GATHERING AND 50th ANNIVERSARY- UPDATED

Christine Butler has written with details of the upcoming 5th Annual Gathering which also happens to be the 50th Anniversary of the Grade 3 Class of 1967-68.  Here is Christine's email, including details of events and contact address and phone number.  It sounds like a great time awaits you all.  We wish you all a grand reunion!

Hi there, hope things are good.

Just letting you know that we will be having our 5th annual gathering, which will also be the 50th Anniversary of our grade 3 class of 1967-68. This gathering also includes any graduates of the 1973-74 school year. Here is information I would like you to post on blog and Facebook page, please and thanks.

 

Grade 3 Class, 1967-68

ST. PATRICK'S GIRLS SCHOOL

GRADE 3 CLASS OF 1967-68 AND/OR

GRADE 9 CLASS OF 1973-74

FAMILY PICNIC

(Bring along whomever you like)

SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018

12 NOON - 4PM

NORTH BANK LODGE, PIPPY PARK

Hotdogs, hamburgers provided

(We'll sort that out closer to event)

Bring your refreshments

(Non -alcohol)

We'll also have munchies

CLASSMATES ONLY EVENT

SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018

DEBBIE ANDERSON'S HOME, PARADISE

THANK YOU DEBBIE

2 PM - 5 PMish

We will order in

BYOB

Have a couple of desserts also

IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AND BEING ADDED TO MY GROUP EMAIL:

Contact: Christine Butler

Phone: 709-689-8798

Email: butlerchristine@nl.rogers.com

Thank you very much.

Regards

Christine Butler 

We have just received another photo from Christine so I will add it here and update the post.  

Another photo from Christine

What a lovely picture this one is and it has all the names, including the teacher's. 

The names!

FIRST NEWFOUNDLAND BORN PRESENTATION SISTER

Sr Mary Rose Mulally was the first Newfoundland born Presentation Sister.  She was also one of the four founding Sisters of our own St Patrick’s Convent.   On 3^rd March 1903, Sr Rose Mulally died at Renews and was laid to rest in the Presentation Cemetery there.  Sr Rose was 79 years of age.

Grave of Sr Rose Mulally, the first Newfoundland born Presentation  Sister

BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Rhonda Denine Peddle sent us a picture of St Patrick's Church.  I think it is a very beautiful picture so I asked Rhonda if she could find out a little about the picture and the artist.  Rhonda came through with flying colours!  She contacted the artist and some very interesting details emerged.

Rhonda's picture

Rhonda's picture is a print of an oil painting by talented local artist Deirdre Jackson.  Although Deirdre lives in the Goulds, she has a special connection to St Patrick’s Parish.

Deirdre’s mother was Joan Gosse from Hamilton Avenue.  Joan’s sisters were Loretta and Irene Gosse.  Joan attended St Patrick’s from the time she was three or four years old and, after she married, Joan Gosse Dinn continued to attend with her husband and children. Joan passed away last year at the age of 95.

  

There is a touching little story behind this beautiful painting.  Deidre’s niece was living in Ireland but in 2008 she came home to be married at St Patrick’s Church.  As a surprise wedding gift, Deidre created the painting and actually presented this thoughtful and loving gift to her in the church, at the wedding rehearsal! 

The original painting is now in Carlow, Ireland, with Deidre’s niece and family but 11 x 14 prints can be purchased from Deidre.  You can contact Deidre at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dees-Art-Worx-Gallery/887096771331837?fref=ts  As well as St Patrick's Church, you will find some really lovely work there.

Rhonda, I am so pleased that you shared your picture with us and very grateful for all you did to find out the details behind it.  Knowing about the artist and the background of the painting makes it all the more interesting.  So, thanks Rhonda and Deidre for sharing and for your help.

CAN YOU HELP?

Some folks are in need of a little assistance today.  Can you help?

Our first plea is from Paula Cowan-Vineham.  Paula’s message goes, “To all the St Patrick’s Ladies that have graduated 1979 from Holy Heart, this is reunion in 2019.  We are trying to gather as many as we can.  Please join our group HHM 1979, married and maiden name and feeder group.”  

This is the link https://www.kijiji.ca/v-events/st-johns/holy-heart-of-mary-high-school-40th-reunion-class-of-1979/1332502915

Holy Heart Yearbook, 1978/79

Next we hear from Donna Constantine Walsh.  Donna says;      "I'm looking for girls who are in this picture, St Patrick's Girls' School 1968 or graduated from this school in 1974.  If you know of anyone in the following list, would you please tag them or send them an email to get in touch. 

Rosalind Stewart, Sharon Power

Judy Murphy, Sharon Peddle

Pamela Norton, Janet Martin

Cathy Donnelly, Maureen Kinsella

Madonna Hearn, Veronica Pitcher

Pam Barrington, Bonnie Mullins

Eileen Mullins, Yvonne Cullen

Frances Hynes, Heather Martin

Louise Osmond, Annette Graham

Beverly Simms, Darlene Thomas

Patsy Keating, Cathy Walker

Dianne White, Rhonda Mackey

Patsy Brown”

 

Donna's class photo from 1968

From the USA, comes an email from Bernadette Murphy Andrejco.  Bernadette also seeks a little help.  “So happy to have found this!  A friend recommended the blog!  I was in Miss Murphy’s class 1949.  Does anyone have a photo?  My name is Bernadette Murphy Andrejco.  I have lived in the states since age 15 and was very excited to have my grandchildren visit this past summer of 2017.  They loved it and now want me to write about my childhood in St John’s.  Thanks for any help.”

 

The School where Bernadette would have attended
Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class

Bernadette lived on the corner of Shaw St and Warbury St and I hope that someone out there can give her a little help.  She hasn't left a contact for us but, if you have any info for her, please leave it here in the comments or email it to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and I will get it to her.

Thanks everyone for your help with all of this.  I hope we can get some good results.

Nano Aflame - For Union of Presentation Sisters.

LUNCH WITH SHEILA

Pat Hurley McDonald has once again kept us up to date with news of another get together.  This get together was in honour of Sheila Moriarty Amos, who was on a visit home from Cape Breton.

On October 6^th school friends Maureen O’Brien Roche, Cynthia Murphy Downey, Sheila Moyst O’Neill and Nancy Stanley Cook welcomed Sheila home. The ladies met for lunch at Fionn MacCool’s Pub on Kenmount Road and, by all accounts, it was a great get together. I think the photo confirms that!

Maureen O'Brien Roche, Cynthia Murphy Downey,
Pat Hurley McDonald, Sheila Moriarty Amos,
Sheila Moyst O'Neill, Nancy Stanley Cook
lunching  at Fionn MacCool's Pub

I hope Sheila had a lovely time at home and I am sure she was delighted to meet up with her dear friends again.  Way to go girls – keep the friendships firm.  They are indeed precious.

Thanks once again Pat.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

SIXTY- FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY

St Patrick's Convent School, Patrick St

Sixty four years ago today, on 2nd October 1953, the Corner Stone of the new St Patrick's Convent School on Patrick St was blessed by His Grace, Archbishop P J Skinner. 

Archbishop P J Skinner, Archbishop of St John's
1951-1979

Just look at that gleaming floor!
Didn't we (under Sr Immaculata's watchful eye) do well?

Thanks to Pat Hurley McDonald for this photo of the interior of Lakecrest School (formerly St Patrick's Convent School). Would you believe that the gleaming floor you see here is the original?  Yes it is an amazing sixty-four years old.  It is the same one we mopped and never, ever walked on with our muddy, wet boots!  Sr Immaculata would be so pleased!

PLEASANTVILLE LUNCH DATE

Pat Hurley McDonald has sent us a nice photo of herself and some St Patrick's school mates who recently shared a very enjoyable lunch date. On 12th September the friends dined at The Royal Canadian Legion Restaurant in Pleasantville.  

Lunching Ladies

The ladies are L-R:

Sheila Moyst, Lila Mercer, Judy Comerford, Carol Cromwell, Pat Hurley, Cynthia Murphy 

As always, a good time was had by all and another get together is now being organised. 

Thank you Pat.  We are always pleased to receive news of what St Patrick's girls (and boys) are doing these days.  So, please keep meeting up and please keep us informed.

THANK YOU FATHER WAYNE

Fr Wayne Dohey is the well loved parish priest of St Patrick's who, sadly for St Patrick's, is moving on to continue his good work in another parish.  Fr Wayne, his enthusiasm, his kindness, his dedication and his brilliant smile will be sorely missed.  Thank you Fr Wayne and may God bless you abundantly.

The Incomparable Father Wayne Dohey

Mary Lou Mallard Tucker has sent us this touching tribute to Fr Wayne. 

"Father Wayne Dohey

St Patrick’s Parish

Can anyone predict what is in God’s  plan

When we arrive to this uncertain  world?

Unforeseen circumstances do  sometimes happen

Which can put one’s life in a twirl.

Father, all that you have been  through,

You have been through many tests.

God definitely sees the whole  picture

As Satan hates Christian happiness.

God presented us with a wonderful  man of the cloth

Who will always go that extra mile.

You try to preach to Cod’s children  everywhere

With a compassionate heart, which  is so your style.

Your brilliant mind teaches all of us

We should live out God’s holy word.

In the future we will try to  remember

Your powerful words which we  have heard.

You are going where you are  needed now

Your full time work at St Patrick’s  done.

It is with deep sadness that is felt  in all of our hearts

As our parish priest, you are our  special one.

We will all miss you!

Mary Lou Tucker and Family"

Mary Lou, thank you for sharing this lovely poem. Fr Wayne will indeed be missed.