KIWANIS MUSIC FESTIVAL

A great big THANK YOU  to Cynthia & Ted Downey for this beautiful picture.    It is bound to bring back some happy memories for a lot of people.  Cynthia also supplied most of the names.  There are two names missing so if anyone can help us there, we would be very grateful.  Any idea what year this was, Cynthia?  

 

In the last post, Yvonne Dionne spoke of singing in the Kiwanis Music Festival.  Therefore I thought it was appropriate to post this picture today.  Again, thank you Cynthia & Ted.  




St Patrick's Convent, Kiwanis Music Festival

 

FRONT ROW R-L: Barb Doran, Phylis Reardon, Mary L Smith, Cathy Tobin, Sheila Yetman, Mary Hamlyn, Cathy Hearn, Edie Ryan, ?,

 

ROW 2: Josephine Lawlor, Bernadette Grant, Sheila Moyst, Carol Pynn, Cathy Sheehan, Cathy Walsh, Maureen O'Brien, Geraldine Evoy, Mary Reddy, Sheila Moriarity, CYNTHIA MURPHY, Marg Whitty, Joan Walsh, Dot Yetman, Helena Christopher,

 

ROW 3: Diane Mulcahy, June Healey, Brenda Murphy, Sheila Hurley, Anne Marie Cleary, Janice McGrath, Kay Johnson, Trudy Ashley, Carmel Hayes, Joan English, Sandra Walsh, Diane Meaney, ?, Joan Roy.

YVONNE'S COMMENT

ONE OF THE SCHOOL CRESTS

 

I am posting here a comment left by Yvonne Dionne.   Not everyone goes into comments so, by posting it, you all have a chance to see it.  If you know Yvonne, she would love to hear from you so PLEASE SAY HELLO TO HER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW THIS POST.  

 

A LITTLE REMINDER:

IF YOU ARE ON FACEBOOK, SO IS THIS BLOG!  WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK AT US ON FACEBOOK AND GIVE US A LIKE.

 

Here is Yvonne's comment.  Enjoy!

"Wow - I am happy to find this page, and to see comments from Yvonne (Cullen) mentioning Roxanne. I was at St. Pat's for grades 3-5 (1969-1972), starting in the portables with Miss Sears (I think). We lived at 199 Lemarchant Road, which is now gone. I live in Ottawa now. I used to write a friend from Lemarchant, asking about Roxanne, because just before we moved to Ontario (my dad was in the military and we were transferred) one of the Cullen girls was hit by a car on Lemarchant - I saw it happen and it has never left my memory.

St. Pat's was a beautiful time for me. It was one of my most memorable schools (numbering 14 before I graduated high school). I absolutely lived in the library with Sister Redempta (spelling?), reading voraciously anything I could get my hands on. I was in the Choir and we sang at Kiwanis, but I mouthed the words as I was terrified to mess up. I loved the concerts. I was a Girl Guide. I was so curious about the nuns and their residence.

I visited the Church and grounds this summer. Such a good feeling washed over me there.

Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me, and I will keep up here to see what other memories people have.

Cheers,

Yvonne Dionne"

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

ADVENT?

OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY

LUNCH AT PRESS & BEAN

I received a great e-mail with an attached photo from Joan Fogarty.  Both are posted below. 


 "Here is a picture taken in August at lunch at Press & Bean when Regina Doran was home from Kissimmee, Florida, for a few weeks.

We are: Betty Fitzgerald, Joan Reynolds, Regina Doran, Rosemary Ashley, Patricia McCarthy, Judy Fitzgerald, Patricia Connolly, Kathleen Dobbin,and Mary Bulger (all maiden names)

We have class get-togethers three times a year: April, September, and December, and usually have approximately 15 - 20 in attendance. We also have spontaneous lunches if one of the girls is visiting from away.   I can also forward pictures from our 50th reunion in 2008."

 

Thank you very much, Joan.  I look forward to hearing from you again soon and to more pictures and news of your group.

 

Betty Fitzgerald, Joan Reynolds, Regina Doran, Rosemary Ashley, Patricia McCarthy, Judy Fitzgerald, Patricia Connolly, Kathleen Dobbin and Mary Bulger (all maiden names)

VERY REV JOHN RYAN

One hundred and four years ago today, a priest of St Patrick's Parish was laid to rest in Belvedere Cemetery.  Tipperary born Fr John Ryan, Dean of St Patrick's, had died two days earlier, aged sixty-five years.  Thanks to my mother, my brother and my sister-in-law, I have one of his memoriam cards from 1908.   I wonder if there are anymore of these little bits of St Patrick's history around?

 

I dedicate today's post to the memory of Very Rev John Ryan.  May he rest in peace.

 

Memoriam Card for Dean Ryan

 

TWENTY FIFTH REUNION

This is another post which I own to Enid O'Brien.  Enid is a treasure-house of pictures and stories concerning St Patrick's and I am greatly indebted to her for sharing them with us on this blog. 

 

I don't know exactly when this reunion took place but I would say it was sometime in the late 1970s.  If someone could enlighten me on the dates or give me any more information on the reunion, the girls, etc, I would be grateful.  You can e-mail me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com 

 

To make the picture and the names larger I have cropped the original into two separate pictures so here they are.  Another trip down memory lane, thanks to Enid.
 

THE GIRLS

 

THE NAMES  (click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

 

 

PHOTO AND ANECDOTES THANKS TO ENID

For this great photo and the information, I have to thank Enid (Stanford) O'Brien.  I am sure many memories will be revived with this picture & with Enid's anecdotes.  Thanks very much, Enid.

"Hi,

I am attaching a photo of St. Patrick's Convent School girls.  I believe this might be Sister Immaculata's Class (Grade 6) or Mrs. Whelan's Class (Grade 7) taken about 1956/57.  The names are as follows:"

St Patrick's Convent School, Patrick St, about 1956

"Row 1 (L-R) Florence Furey, Carol Ann Mealey, Rhonda Flynn, Elizabeth Roche, Janet Cochrane, Betty Rodgers, Frances Kidney, Jeannie Fitzgerald, Barbara Crotty.

Row 2 (L-R) Joan Rumsey, Geraldine Reddy, Nancy Cole,  Zita King, Elizabeth White, Sheila Pridham, Jackie Sears, Cynthia Reddy, Helen Power, Anna Whelan, Marietta Dillon, Rosemary Grouchy and Thelma Walsh

Row 3 (L-R) Patricia Nelder, Marcia Hurley, Margaret Kent, Shirley Walsh, Emma Doyle, Carmelita Hearn, Betty Royle, Peggy Boggan, Maureen Manning, Eileen Healey, Enid Stanford, Andrea Meaney

Row 4 (L-R) Sheila Ellis, Jeanette Barnes, Madelene Roy, Marie Evans, Theresa Brewer, Patricia Squires

As far as I know there are two people on this picture gone to their eternal reward, ie, Andrea Meaney and Jacqueline Sears.

The things I remember most about Sister Immaculata was her presence at the door checking if the students had a rubber bag, if not, leave your boots by the door.  The school was new at that time and she wanted it spotless.  The thing I enjoyed about her class was that she lent us books to bring home to read, ie, Nancy Drew, Little Women, etc.  Also, I enjoyed her needlework class on Wednesday.  Even though I was a bit afraid of her I know looking back she had a good heart. 

Other memories I have of St. Patrick`s was the Sale of Work.  Everyone brought milk, sugar, etc and the nuns made cookies and fudge.  Tables with white cloths were set out in classrooms of the old school and it was the first time I ever saw sugar cubes for tea.  I thought it was all so grand. 

Also, I remember a Capt O`Grady coming up to teach us how to march.  We practised out in the playground.  We all marched when the Portuguese fishermen brought the Lady of Fatima statues to the cathedral.  All Catholic schools were in that  parade.  We wore our uniforms and white tams on our heads. 

Happy times, good memories.

Enid"

FACULTY, 1979

As promised, here are the names of the 1979 faculty of St Patrick's Convent School, Patrick St.  How many did you recognise? 

 Faculty, St Patrick's Convent School,  1979

FIRST ROW L-R:

Ms Patricia Laidley, Miss Sharon Reddy, Sr Anne Hickey, Mrs Anna Meaney, Sr M Luke Parsley (Principal), Mr E Hajek, Mrs K Warren, Mrs Patricia Philpott

SECOND ROW:

Mrs Doreen Noseworthy, Mrs S Wade, Miss Eleanor Lawton, Mrs D O'Brien, Mrs A Broderick, Miss D Power, Miss A Greene

THIRD ROW:

Mrs M Coughlan, Sr M Brendan Lynch, Mrs Roseanne Linehan, Mrs Helen Hannon, Mrs M McGrath, Mrs Anne Pennell

E-MAILS AND COMMENTS!

This post consists of e-mails and comments between YVONNE McISAAC and myself and an interesting  comment from CHRISTINE (BARRY) CHIPMAN.  Yvonne had some interesting memories and she has kindly given me permission to share them.  Also, Yvonne would love to hear from any former classmates.  She can be contacted at ymci@live.com 

THIS IS THE FIRST COMMENT FROM YVONNE:

"I remember my school days at St. Patrick's like it was yesterday, but they were in the 60's.  Sister Luke (principal), Sister Brendan (choir), Miss Lawton (piano) and the list goes on. I live in Ottawa now, but there was a time when I visited Ottawa as a girl with the St. Patrick's choir and we sang at the National Arts Centre...what a wonderful memory. I had the opportunity a couple of years ago to visit the school again, as my niece attended school there (I can't remember the name of it off hand) and what a great experience it was to see the old classrooms, the halls and the basement. 

I'll never forget the day when I was in class there, that Holy Cross across the street caught fire.  My brothers were students there but thankfully everyone was safe. 

Sister Luke was a wonderful principal and I remember her so well.

Those green uniforms will never be forgotten for sure!

God Bless all the St. Patrick's Girls."

MY REPLY TO YVONNE:

"Good Morning Yvonne

Thank you for these lovely sentiments.  I was at St Patrick's in the 50s but like you, I remember those days like it was yesterday.  I have nothing but happy memories of my school days, the girls & the nuns.  I was working when Holy Cross burned but we heard at work that the school was on fire & we rushed from work to Patrick St.  I remember standing outside St Patrick's with a crowd of people watching the dear old school in flames.  A lot of people, including me, had tears streaming down their faces.  It was indeed a very sad day but, as you said, thankfully nobody was hurt.

Sr Luke was my Grade 8 teacher & she was just fantastic.  She is now about 93 years old & I still keep in touch with her.

Would you have any photos of your time at St Patrick's or any more stories or memories?  If you do I would love to post them on the blog for all to share.  Actually, the memories that you have shared in this comment would make a good post.  Would you mind if I posted it for all to see?  If you do have anything that you would like to share with all those great St Patrick's girls all over the world, you could e-mail it to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com & I would post it on the blog but keep your e-mail address private unless you say otherwise.

Anyway Yvonne, it is really good to hear from you & thanks again for your very interesting comment.  Take care &, as you say, God bless all St Patrick's Girls."

YVONNE'S RESPONSE:

yvonne mcisaac ymci@live.com

Good morning!  Thanks for such a pleasant reply.

Please feel free to print my comments and also my email address.  I'd love to hear from other ladies who attended this school.

Actually I noticed my sister's photo (Roxanne Cullen Przybysz) in the class photo with Mrs. Green.  She's 9 years younger than I am and was one of the St. Patrick’s cheerleaders ... I remember her and the others participating in the Santa Claus Parade.

What lovely memories!

Keep in touch.   :)

O K ladies, if you know Yvonne, she would be delighted to hear from you so send her an e-mail at ymci@live.com  

HERE IS CHRISTINE'S COMMENT:

"By 1979 I was no longer at St Pat's however I do remember Mrs Greene.  I remember we had 2 Mrs Greenes, a Mrs Cathy Greene (who was my grade 4??  teacher in 1969-1970) and this lady who was a Mrs Angela Greene!!

I wish someone would send in more of these class pics say from

-Mrs Warren
-Mrs Burry
-Mrs O'Brien
-Mrs Linehan so many fine teachers and of course Sr. Luke!!!!
Thank you-- Christine (Barry) Chipman

PS- have to post as anonymous as only way it would."

This photo is for Yvonne and for Christine.  How many can you identify?  I will post the names next post.

ST PATRICK'S FACULTY, 1979.  HOW MANY CAN YOU NAME?

CALLING ALL H H M GIRLS, CLASS OF 1967

"COR UNUM INTER NOS"

I have had an e-mail from Terri (Kelly) Morris.  Terri is trying to contact the HOLY HEART OF MARY CLASS of 1967 .  If you, or anyone you know, went to Holy Heart of Mary and graduated in 1967 Terri would like you to contact her at dtmor@pei.sympatico.ca  It looks like there is a reunion in the planning so don't waste another minute - get those e-mails off to Terri NOW!

THREE SISTERS FROM TREPASSEY

For this beautiful Family photo I am indebted to Eleanor Dalton.  A little while ago I posted a picture of my mother and her friend, Sr Josephine.  (LINK HERE)  Sr Josephine spent many years at St Patrick's and, although I never knew her myself, I know that she was a popular and well loved member of the community.  I was very pleasantly surprised when Eleanor contacted me to say that Sr Josephine was her great-aunt.  (LINK HERE)  Sr Josephine and her sister, Sr Agnes, were on the photo that I posted.   Eleanor informed me that there was a third Halleran sister who was a Presentation Sister and she promised to send me a picture of the three sisters.  True to her promise, Eleanor has sent me this wonderful picture. 

THE HALLERAN SISTERS FROM TREPASSEY

"The photo is of the three Halleran sisters, Srs. M Agnes, M Josephine and M Zita, (don't know the order of the girls). In the middle of the Sisters is their nephew Fr. Tom Halleran, and Mercy Sister in the second row is their niece my mother's sister Sr. M. Andrea Sutton.  I don't know who the other two Sisters are but would guess that they are also from Trepassey, as the photo was taken in Trepassey."

I don't suppose anyone reading this actually knew Sr Josephine but there is a chance that you have heard older members of your family speak of her. If so, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you very much Eleanor.  Let us know if you come up with anything else.

LINKS TO THIS POST

RAISING MONEY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL
GREAT AUNTS WHO WERE REALLY GREAT

MEMORIAL DAY IN NEWFOUNDLAND



THE FIGHTING NEWFOUNDLANDER

At Beaumont Hamel on 1^st July 1916 the Newfoundland Regiment was all but annihilated as they bravely went over the top only to be cut down in a hail of German fire.  General de Lisle, 29^th British Army Division said, “It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further.”   It was two weeks before the tragic news reached St John’s.  Not a family on the Island was untouched by the news for everyone had lost a relative, a friend or a neighbour.   Not a family on the Island would ever forget!

Since 1917, 1^st July has been observed as Memorial Day in Newfoundland.  As a sign of remembrance, Newfoundlanders wore a spray of blue Forget-me-nots on Memorial Day.

These days, 1^st July is celebrated as Canada Day and Newfoundland observes both Canada Day and Memorial Day.  So on this Canada Day weekend, I wish all St Patrick’s girls a very happy Canada Day.  I also wish you a thoughtful and very proud Memorial Day!

It is fitting today to remember Thomas Nangle, who has a connection with Memorial Day and with  St Patrick’s Parish.  There is even a tenuous link  with Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Presentation Sisters. 

The name “Nangle” is a variant spelling of the name “Nagle”.   “Nagle” is of Norman Irish origin and, after the Norman invasion of Ireland, the Nagles were granted large tracts of land in Cork and in north Connacht.  The Cork branch of the family used the “Nagle” spelling and the Connacht branch the “Nangle” spelling.  (I did warn you that the link was tenuous!)  

PADRE THOMAS NANGLE

Thomas Nangle was born in St John’s on 5^th September 1889.  He was educated at St Bonaventure’s College and, in 1909, young Tom went to Ireland to  commence studies for the priesthood.  On 29^th June 1913, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Tom Nangle was ordained in St John’s by Archbishop Howley.  Father Nangle served in various parishes at Bell Island, Topsail and St John’s.  From 1914 to 1916 the people of St Patrick’s Parish enjoyed the ministrations of Fr Nangle.  St Patrick’s was his last parish for shortly after the debacle of Beaumont Hamel, Fr Nangle was off to join his fellow Newfoundlanders as the Catholic Chaplain to the Newfoundland Regiment.

Chaplains don’t carry arms but Padre Nangle was side by side with the men, tending to the wounded, burying the dead, and encouraging the battle weary.  The Padre’s commitment to the men of every religious persuasion made him a popular figure and he was chosen to do some recruiting while on leave in Newfoundland.  Fr Nangle served bravely and unstintingly throughout the remainder of the War.  After the War, Padre Nangle was involved with the identification and re-interment of the bodies of the Newfoundlanders who had died in battle.  He was also the driving force behind the erection of the Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel.

This proud, patriotic and brave Newfoundlander, Thomas Nangle, died in Rhodesia on 4^th January 1972.  Padre Thomas Nangle and the men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment are worthy of remembrance every day, but especially today, 1^st July, Memorial Day in Newfoundland.

Some Memorial Day/Canada Day reading:

 

MRS GREENE'S GRADE 4 CLASS, 1979

I am posting this picture at the request of 'Anonymous'.  'Anonymous' is on this picture (I have no idea which little girl is 'Anonymous') and she has told me that she would love to see it posted on the blog.  So here it is my friend, just for you.

MRS GREENE'S GRADE 4 CLASS, 1979

FRONT ROW L-R:  K Hickey, D McDonald, A Murphy, P Murphy, D White, M Pitcher, K Matthews, A Barron, T Locke, Mrs A Greene

2nd ROW:    T Greening, J Cobbs, D Piercy, M Avery, L Walsh, H Fowler, D Tobin, L Mason

3rd ROW:     D Tucker, A M Fagan, M Kavanagh, T Ennis, R Cullen, S Rossiter, L Marshall, K Murphy, L O'Connell

HOLY CROSS, GRADE 11, 1957

As I said in a previous post, HOLY CROSS SPORTS DAY 1959, it is almost impossible to think St Patrick's without thinking Holy Cross too.  Our brothers went to Holy Cross and so did most of the boys we had our eye on way back then.  With that in mind, I am posting a picture of the Grade 11 Class of 1957.  Many of you will have brothers on this picture (I do) and you will all know someone on it, I think.  So see how many you can recognise and if you need a little help, the names are below the photograph.  Enjoy this little stroll down memory lane.

HOLY CROSS SCHOOL, GRADE 11, 1957

FRONT, L-R:  D O'Toole, K Sheehan, E Coady, J Fitzgerald, F Galgay, J Ennis, B Neville, E Parrell

2nd ROW:  N Coffey, D Murphy, B Whelan, D Ryan, G Hall,  B Gardner

3rd ROW:   P Carew, L Shortall, E Power, L Nolan, C Williams, K Finney

4th ROW:   John Whelan, F Baxtrome, C O'Leary, R Murphy, B Croke, R Sheehan

5th ROW:     F Squires, D French, E Foran, J Neville, J Dooley, G Jardine

6th ROW:    K Kerrivan, R Snow, P Hurley, D Jones, J Coady, B Fowler, M McAllister, Jim Whelan

ST PATRICK'S BASKETBALL TEAM 1955/56

Today's post is a real humdinger!  Enid (Stanford) O'Brien has sent me a photograph of the St Patrick's Basketball Team of 1955/56.  I didn't even know that we had a Basketball team way back then.   In my opinion, the Nuns were wonderful ladies but not terribly progressive when it came to clothing.  I didn't have a problem with their clothing - it was ours that was the bugbear.  The team must have had the same thought as Enid said,   

"Apparently the uniforms were not permitted to be any shorter than one inch above the knee.  As some of the other schools could wear shorts and have shorter uniforms, the girls thought they were at a disadvantage while running".  

Those long black stockings couldn't have been a big help either.

ST PATRICK'S BASKETBALL TEAM, 1955/56

Left to Right: M Sorenson, ??,  B King, J Wadden, A Hamlyn, C Whelan, M O’Brien, R Stanford, J Galway, Y Snow, B Nugent, P Silver, A Mercer, ??, S Cole, M Madden,

Centre: M English (Captain)

Two names are missing so if anyone out there knows who they are, please get in touch.

 

 

Enid said that she has  two sisters who attended St Patrick's, Joan and Rosemary.  Rosemary played on the Basketball team.  From the lineup of trophies on this picture, the team must have been pretty good, despite the length of their uniforms!

 

 

Thank you, Enid, for this wonderful picture.  It is a real treat and I look forward to some more gems from you.  

GREAT AUNTS WHO WERE REALLY GREAT AND A SCHOOL REUNION

I have had some interesting e-mails concerning this blog.  The senders have given me their permission to share them with you in a post.

The first one is from Eleanor Dalton and it concerns a post that I did on 4th April 2011, RAISING MONEY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL, (click here) and I am very pleased to post Eleanor's e-mail below.

"Hi Beth Anne

Sr M Josephine, Nellie Williams
and Sr M Agnes.  The Sisters are
Eleanor's Great Aunts and Nellie
is my dear Mother.

I enjoy this blog very much as well as interesting. Looked at a photo of your mother with Sister Agnes and Sister Josephine.  These two sisters are my GREAT AUNTS; they also had another sister (Sister Zita).  My grandmother was Margaret Hallernan and married John Sutton. My mother Bessie also had two sisters in the Mercy Order, Sister Mary Andrea and Sister Mary Edmund. I will look for some pictures I think I may have one picture with all three Sisters.

Hope to see you before you head back to the UK.

Take Care

Eleanor"

The next e-mail I received is from Mark Fardy.  Mark had some interesting comments about the post I did on 22nd April 2012, SR MARY XAVERIA FARDY, (click here).  Here is Mark's e-mail.





"Hello Beth Ann,

Sr M Xaveria Fardy,
Mark's Great Aunt

Your blog entry showed up in one of my Google auto-updates. Sister Xaveria was my GREAT AUNT. She also taught piano to both of my sisters (Marie and Joanne) each of whom also graduated from St. Patrick's (1978 and 1981 respectively).  My wife, Michelle Brennan, is also a grad (1977).

It was great to read your article, thanks Beth Ann.

Mark Fardy"

I also received an e-mail from Dora Reid.  Dora is interested in a School reunion.  I think many of you would be interested in a reunion so I am posting Dora's e-mail for all to read.  If you are planning a reunion or know of any that might be taking place, please let us know & we will give you all the publicity that we can.  Here is Dora's e-mail.

 

"Hello and good day!

I just viewed this website and found your e-mail address.

I was wondering if and when there will be a reunion for the students from the 80's. The principal was Sister Cecelia, Sister Regina, and all the wonderful teachers. I remember everything and everyone so well. A trip down memory lane with old friends would be fantastic, as the older teachers are getting older.

Thanks for your time, God bless

Dora Reid"

Thanks to Eleanor, Mark and Dora for these informative and interesting e-mails.  Your input is greatly valued. I appreciate all the help I can get in maintaining this blog so I welcome all photos, stories, memories, comments and e-mails.

CORPUS CHRISTI

ST CLARE AND THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

This event took place in Preston, Lancashire, England, last June.  It created a bit of a controversy but, since today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, I thought I would post the video anyway.  I think, in today's world, it took a lot of faith as well as a lot of courage to publicly proclaim in this manner the reality of Christ's real presence in the Blessed Sacrament.  What do you think? 

OUR LADY OF FATIMA



OUR LADY OF FATIMA, BASILICA OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST,
 ST JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

This is a great link on the Basilica website.   It is a short video clip of that beautiful day in May 1955 when the Portuguese Fishermen carried the statue of Our Lady of Fatima through the streets of St John's.  The statue was lovingly and reverently placed in the Basilica where it still resides.  This video brought back happy memories for me.  I hope it does the same for you.  If you are too young to remember the occasion, ask you mother about it - or your grandmother even!

http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/basilique-basilica/assets/year_of_joy.html

ST PATRICK'S BASKETBALL TEAM 1979

St Patrick's Basketball Team, 1979

Front Row:  S Evans, A M Walsh, C Power, M Evans, L Gallagher, S Prim.

Second Row:  Mrs S Wade (coach), D Woodford, V Hawco, J Tucker, D Fitzpatrick, C Thompson, T Moore, E Donnelley, L Hickey, T Minnett, G Evans, M Keating (manager)

Mrs Wade would never have gotten past the Nuns at Holy Heart of Mary with those boots on!  The Gym floor at H H M would not have been better protected if it had been covered in gold!  Remember girls?  No boots, no heels, no etc, etc?  I admit it - that Gym floor really did have a great finish!

MSGR JAMES DOODY

MSGR JAMES DOODY

Diamonds have many facets.  St Patrick's Convent School was one of the beautiful facets that made up that exquisite diamond that is St Patrick's Parish.  With this in mind, I direct you to St Patrick's Parish website.  Just click here & you will find yourself on the website.

I notice that long time Pastor of St Patrick's, Msgr James Doody,  has recently been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.  This is a special medal commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.  The medal is awarded to those who have made major contributions to their communities.  This Msgr Doody has certainly done over his many years of priesthood.  So, I dedicate this post to Msgr Doody and, on behalf of all St Patrick's Convent School girls ( and boys),  I thank him for his years of dedicated service to St Patrick's Parish and congratulate him on receipt of his well merited award.  

Dear Msgr Doody, you will be missed at St Patrick's but we wish you good health and much happiness in your new home at St Patrick's Mercy Home.  Don't forget St Patrick's Parish - it won't forget you!  God bless you Msgr Doody.

Good readers of this post, don't forget to click here to read the full story of Msgr Doody's award.  You will also be able to keep up to date with all that is going on in St Patrick's Parish.  Speaking from my own experience, I think  that is especially comforting for those of us who now reside in foreign climes.

SR MARY XAVERIA FARDY

Sr M Xaveria & an unamed pupil

This is another picture from the 1979 yearbook. 

The piano teacher is Sister Mary Xaveria.  Sister Xaveria  taught in various Presentation Schools across Newfoundland.  I am not certain of dates but I know it was the early 1950s when Sr Xaveria was a classroom teacher at St Patrick's old school. 

Some of you will remember "The Passage" connecting the Deanery Avenue School with the really old classrooms above the Auditorium.  Sr Xaveria taught Grade 10 in one of those classrooms.  Mother Berchmans taught Grade 9 up there and Sr Imelda taught the Commercial Class in one of those classrooms.  Graduates of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class were highly sought after by St John's firms.  This is all from my memory so if I err, please someone, set me straight.

Sr Xaveria's family name was Fardy.  She was an Aunt of that great St Bon's sportsman, Hugh Fardy.   In the 1970s Sister retired to St Patrick's.  I say "retired" but I don't think Nuns ever "retired".  They just kept on working until the Good Lord decided otherwise.  Anyway, Sr Xaveria then taught piano to a whole new generation of Westenders.

Unfortunately, I do not know the name of  that cute looking little piano student.  I hope someone out there will be able to help me with that.   Also, any other memories of Sr Xaveria, the old classrooms above the Auditorium, or any of the Sisters mentioned here would be appreciated.

FROM A 1920s NEWSPAPER

Here is a little item I came across in a very old scrapbook. The clipping was from a St John’s newspaper published in March 1920. It will, I hope, be of interest to all St Patrick’s girls but especially to those who were ‘Children of Mary’! I knew that the Sisters & students of St Patrick’s were leaders!

“There passed away at the Presentation Convent, St Patrick’s, on Wednesday last at 4:45 a.m. the venerable Mother M Caulfield, a well known and highly esteemed member of the Presentation Order.

The deceased, who was born in Limerick City, entered the Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square, in 1851. She made her Profession there in 1854. A few years afterwards she was sent to the recently established foundation at Riverhead, where she zealously laboured for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the many souls committed to her care during her long religious life of sixty-nine years.

In 1876 she, with Rev Dean Ryan and Sr M Patrick Kielly, was instrumental in establishing the Sodality of the Children of Mary at St Patrick’s (the first Sodality of G. de M. in this Island). In 1884 she, with Rev Father Palmer (then stationed at St Patrick’s) established the Confraternity of St Anne of which she was Directress till her death.”

The article continues with a report of the death of another Sister at St Patrick’s. (More about that at a later date.) 

The report concludes with “We have loved them in life, let us not be unmindful of them in death.”

I was unable to turn up any details of the funeral but, just by chance, I saw Sister’s headstone in the little cemetery at St Patrick’s. Also, just by chance, I had my camera with me. So, of course, I took a picture of the grave. I don’t profess to be a photographer so please make allowances for the quality of the photo and just enjoy this little bit of St Patrick’s history.

Grave of Sr M Aloysius Caulfield

A GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION

The Mission Cross in St Patrick's Church

SR ANNE HICKEY'S GRADE 4 CLASS, 1979

ARE YOU HERE?
Sr Anne Hickey's Grade 4 Class, 1979
(Click on the picture to enlarge it)

Front Row: V Butler, L Greening, L Simon, J Dray, R Hurley, K Parsley, G Rees, M Follett

Second Row: K King, J Flynn, S Butler, S King, D Tucker, J Hollahan, T Doyle, J Healey, V Christopher, Sr Anne Hickey

Third Row: G Benoit, C Delaney, C Howard, K Denine, K Mullins, L Villarosa

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

I remember learning this song for St Patrick's Day when I was in Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class - way back in the early 50s. Do any of you remember learning it too? Anyway, since it is St Patrick's Day, a very special Day for all of us, I thought I would post the song by John McCormack.   I tried to find a version by the McNulty Family because they were the most popular , at least in our house, but I couldn't find their version. I hope you all enjoy this little bit of nostalgia anyway.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!

THREE NUNS AT THE BALL GAME

THEY AREN'T PRESENTATIONS!

This is an e-mail I had from my good friend, Carol (Brothers) Duggan.  I heard it many years ago from that great Newfoundlander, Al Clouston, but in a slightly different format.  However, this version suits this blog & I hope you will all get a laugh out of it.  Thanks, Carol, for the laugh.  It is just one of many we have shared over the years! 


Because he loved to laugh & because he spread laughter like sunshine,  I dedicate this post to my dear brother, Shannon, who would have been 66 years old today.  Rest in Peace, Shannon.

THREE NUNS WERE AT A BALL GAME.  THREE MEN WERE SITTING DIRECTLY BEHIND THEM.  BECAUSE THEIR HABITS WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE VIEW, THE MEN DECIDED TO BADGER THE NUNS, HOPING THEY'D GET ANNOYED ENOUGH TO MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA.

IN A VERY LOUD VOICE, THE FIRST GUY SAID, "I THINK I'M GOING TO MOVE TO UTAH . THERE ARE ONLY 100 NUNS LIVING THERE."

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, THE SECOND GUY YELLED, "I WANT TO MOVE TO MONTANA. THERE ARE ONLY 5O NUNS LIVING THERE."

THE THIRD GUY YELLED, "I WANT TO GO TO IDAHO. THERE ARE ONLY 25 NUNS LIVING THERE."

THE MOTHER SUPERIOR TURNED AROUND, LOOKED AT THE MEN, AND IN A VERY SWEET AND CALM VOICE SAID,

"WHY DON'T YOU GO TO HELL.  THERE AREN'T ANY NUNS THERE!"

MOTHER BERNARD KIRWAN'S GALWAY CONVENT

My good friend, Ed O'Neill, is an artist of the first water.  His videos of various parts of the beautiful Southern Shore are a delight and ensure a great feeling of homesickness & pride in all of us exiles.  Anyway, Ed, being the generous man that he is, has given me permission to post this video on our St Patrick's blog.

As you are aware, Mother Bernard Kirwan was the Superior of the little band of Presentation Sisters who came out to Newfoundland from Galway in 1833 to establish the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland.  Mother Bernard is therefore the foundress of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland.

Mother Bernard now rests in the peaceful soil of Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.  Her grave is lovingly tended by the kind and generous people of that beautiful community. 

Port Kirwan was formerly known as 'Admiral's Cove'.  In his article 'Early Years' in the Port Kirwan Book, 'Kind Hearts and Gentle People' Ed tells us; 

"Father Thomas J Moakler was behind the new name for Admiral's Cove, a change that took place during his tenure as our parish priest (1958-1963)."    Ed goes on to quote Fr Moakler.  "I renamed Admiral's Cove when the Federal Post Office complained there were too many 'Admirals this and that' all over Newfoundland and Labrador, and we would have to get a new name or lose our post office in the Cove.  The community was renamed in honour of Sister Bernard Kirwan, who founded the convent in Admiral's Cove in 1853, the third convent of the Order in Newfoundland."

Now have a look at Ed's great video and see the heritage that, as St Patrick's girls, is ours.    You would also be doing yourself a great favour if you took a trip up the Shore and paid a visit to Mother Bernard's grave.  There is no spot on God's good earth more beautiful that Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.

Once again, Ed, many thanks for your generosity.