The Irish Blessing - over 300 churches from our island sing a blessing o...

THIS IS HISTORIC, BEAUTIFUL,  UPLIFTING,  AND IT WILL STIR OUR IRISH HEARTS.  JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.  I THINK YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME. 

JUNE, MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost.  The Feast will be observed this year on Friday, 19th June.

Sacred Heart Statue, 

St Patrick's Church

The Feast of the Sacred Heart was approved for specified dioceses by Pope Clement XIII in 1765, and extended to the whole Church by Pius IX in 1856.  In 1889 Pope Leo XIII elevated it to the rank of first class and, through an encyclical in 1899, dedicated the whole Catholic world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In addition to this liturgical celebration, many devotional exercises are connected with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Of all devotions, devotion to the Sacred Heart remains one of the most widespread and popular in the Church.

In the 1670s, in a series of revelations to a French Nun, St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Our Lord made twelve promises to those who honour His Sacred Heart.  Jesus promised St Margaret Mary that those who propagate devotion to His Sacred Heart shall have their names written in His Heart, never to be effaced.

The 12 Promises

Sacred Heart of Jesus, 

we place our trust in Thee.

Mass, May 31, 2020

AN OLD IRISH PRAYER

As the month of May, Mary's month, draws to a close, I thought we could see it out with this old Irish prayer.  It is a short prayer to Our Lady of the Wayside.

"for the sake of the Child 

you hold in your arms"

"Our Lady of the Wayside,

for the sake of the Child

you hold in your arms,

take hold of my hand

for the rest of the road."

Although the Covid 19 virus appears to have lessened in some places, it is still causing suffering and death around the world.  We certainly can do with Our Lady's help "for the rest of the road". Don't take any unnecessary risks and stay safe, everyone.

Remembering Father Shea

Some of us remember Fr Shea when he served at St Patrick's Parish. He was a wonderful man of God and he was taken far too young. May he rest in eternal peace.  Thank you, Fr Ray, for the lovely tribute to Fr Shea.

TWO WEEKS LEFT

Here we are more than half way through Mary's month of May.  At the beginning of the month we threw out a little challenge - a Rosary a day for the month of May!  Did you take up the challenge?  If you did, how are you doing with it? 

"Pray the Rosary every day"

The word "bead" is from the Old English, "bede".  It means "to request in prayer".  There are still two weeks left in May, so come on, let's "request in prayer".  Pick up your "Beads" and get praying the Rosary.  As long as this Covid 19 continues to devastate the world, every prayer is needed.

Stay safe, keep well, and may God and His Holy Mother Mary protect us all.

A POEM FROM LULU

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, 

now and at the hour of our death. 

MY THOUGHTS ON COVID 19

As our Covid 19 world has been spinning around
and putting this earth on hold,
People are told to be careful and to self distance
We are trying to accept what we have been told.

It has become heart wrenching on our loved ones
Not to be able to give a hug or touch an arm,
As this deadly virus moves and glares at us
And can bring us so much harm.

God Bless our government for reassuring us
To stay calm and stay in our bubble,
If all went out of this small circle
You can bring to our home so much trouble.

Schools, Churches, and activities in this uncertain world
Were told to shut their doors,
But the internet has brought prayer services on line
It will rock this virus to the core.

Essential workers are definitely God's angels
To do what they have to do,
To go directly to the line of fire
We are so thankful for all of you.

In our near future, this will be written in books
So many have lost their precious lives to this,
As I bow my head before God in Heaven
I pray for our good health and happiness.

Written by Mary Lou Tucker (Lulu)

A sincere "Thank You" to Lulu (Mallard) Tucker for sharing in this poem her thoughts on the terrible Covid 19 Virus which is still raging in the world.   Stay safe everyone and remember, May is Mary's Month, so ask her help with a Rosary a day.

A Mother’s Day Message from Father Ray

Thank you Fr Ray Earle for this tribute to our wonderful mothers. May God bless them all and may God bless you too, Fr Ray.

"BE NOT AFRAID"

A group of Catholic Artists have come together, at a distance, to make this rendition of this lovely song which is well known by most of us.  Take a few minutes to relax and listen to it.  Perhaps, as the world still struggles with Covid 19, it will uplift you and give you renewed hope.

CHEERLEADERS

Today we bring you some more of Wendy Power's photos.  Were you a cheerleader? Have a look at the pictures. Perhaps you are in them.  Was this a Basketball game?  Where were the pictures taken?  Perhaps you could give us some details about them.  Thank you for sharing your memories, Wendy.  

CONGRATULATIONS FR RAY

Sunday, 3rd May 2020, was a very special day for Fr Ray Earle.  On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Fr Ray celebrated the 34th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. 

Fr Ray Earle on his 34th Anniversary

Very best wishes, Father, and may you be blessed with many years of good health to carry on your priestly work.  And - may St Patrick's Parish be blessed with many years of your kindly and inspiring presence!

Congratulations Fr Ray and thank you for everything. God bless you.

MAY, MARY'S MONTH

"Tis the month of Our Mother"

It is May again and the month of Mary, Our Blessed Mother.  For centuries, Catholics have honoured Christ's Mother with special devotions and traditions during the month of May.  Remember the school May Crowning?  The beautiful May Altar in every classroom and the daily Rosary recited around it?  Many set up May Altars at home.  Recitation of the Rosary was greatly encouraged at home too.  Who could forget the medal and blue ribbon pinned to our school uniforms?  All to honour Mary in her special month of May.

This May is a May like no other we have ever experienced.  Covid 19 is ravaging the world and it is no respecter of persons. Everyone is a potential victim. In the Litany of Loreto, we call upon Mary under many titles.  Two of them,  "Health of the sick" and "Comforter of the afflicted", remind us that Mary is always ready to come to the aid of suffering humanity.  

"Comforter of the afflicted"

St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Russia and there is an ancient Russian legend concerning the Saint and Our Lady.  The legend states that St Andrew, released from his earthly toil, hurried to heaven. Immediately he began searching for the Queen of Heaven.  "Where is she?" he inquired.  The reply?  "She is not here.  She is in the suffering world drying the tears of her weeping children."


Considering the dire situation we are in, this is a good time to turn to Our Mother Mary for assistance. A Challenge for this month! Pray a Rosary a day for the Month of May.  Are you up for/to it?

"Pray the Rosary"

Stay safe, stay well. May God and His Mother Mary bless and protect you and your families. 

WENDY'S YEARBOOK, 1990

Wendy Power has kindly shared some pictures from her days at St Patrick's Convent School.  There are quite a few and they are all so good I have had some difficulty deciding which to post first.  I have chosen five to post now and, over time, I will post the remainder.  There are some interesting photos in Wendy's collection so I think you will enjoy them as they appear in this and subsequent posts.  Here are the first five but be sure to watch out for more!

Wendy's Yearbook, 1990

A peek inside

Sr Regina and Mr McDonald

Remembering Raymond

A Happy Group!

Thanks, Wendy.  I will post them all eventually and I think they will definitely stir a load of happy memories for many people.  Keep the news and photos coming, please. 

SR AGATHA'S GRADE 7/8 CLASS

Today I have a great picture to post.  We have Karen Dawe-Gordon and her amazing Aunt, Florence Laurie, to thank for it.  Some of you people out there, because of your age, might have to get your mothers or even grandmothers to have a look at it with you.  This 1949 picture is a real treasure from St Patrick's past.  By the way, Florence Laurie is in the front row, second left.

Florence Laurie, who is now in her 80s, must have a wonderful memory for she has given us most of the names of those in the photo.  Not surprisingly, some of the first names have slipped her mind so, if you, your mother, or grandmother can remember a name, we would be more than pleased to hear from you. 

The young ladies in the photo are:
Larry Hearn,Joan Collins,? Buckingham, ? Athee, Maureen Brennan, ? Malone, ? Dillon, ? Sorenson, ? O'Brien, Mary Barry, Helen Walsh, Jennie Foley, ? Corbett, Madeline Murphy, ? Quinlan, Elizabeth MacKay, ? Luby, ? O'Brien, Florence Laurie, Eileen Murphy, Betty Hall, Mary Power, Mary Snow, Bernadette Collins, Helen Kerrivan, Kay Griffiths, Maureen Wadden, ? Luby, ? Sceviour, Helen Finch, Helen McGrath, ? Merner, Betty Stafford, Alfreda Hearn, Ann Connors, Mary Coady, Dorothy Tobin

Does anyone remember Sr Agatha?  I have a vague recollection of her.  I would have been in maybe Grade 1 or 2.  After she left St Patrick's I didn't see her for years.  In late 1965 or early 1966, I met her again.  She was then very sick and she died shortly after, on 20 March 1966.  Sr Agatha was laid to rest in Presentation Cemetery.

A huge thank you to Florence Laurie for sharing this wonderful memory with us.  If you have anything else you would be willing to share, we would love to receive it. You can just send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be delighted to post it here.  Thanks also to Karen Dawe-Gordon who emailed the photo and information to us.  In this dangerous time of Covid 19, stay safe, keep well, and may God bless you both and all who are dear to you.

Musical message from Father Ray

Listen to this and have your hearts and spirits lifted.  THANK YOU, FR RAY EARLE.  May God bless you and keep you safe in these difficult times.