Friday 20 December 2013

CHRISTMAS LONG AGO



FIGURE OF INFANT JESUS FROM ST PATRICK'S
CHURCH CRIB, CHRISTMAS 1948
 
Once again it is almost Christmas and I have a very special Christmas picture to post.  Some of you will have no recollection of the wonderful living Nativity scenes that were re-enacted at Midnight Mass in St Patrick's Church long ago. 
 
However, I have no doubt that many of us not only remember but have very fond memories of those Christmases of our childhood.   If my memory serves me correctly, the children from Kindergarten and grade 1  were chosen to play the parts of Mary, Joseph and the Angels.  At the beginning of Midnight Mass (and it actually was MIDNIGHT Mass in those days!) priests, altar boys, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and all the Heavenly Host processed into the church.  The crib was blessed and the Holy Babe lovingly placed in the waiting manger.  It was a simple yet beautiful and moving ceremony.  Despite the years and the miles between now and that very happy childhood experience, the memory of it still adds  a warm and happy feeling to my Christmas Mass.
 
Are you ready for this?  As promised, here is that very special picture.  It was taken at Christmas 1948 and in it we see Mary and the Heavenly Host.
 
 MARY, ANGELS AND INFANT JESUS - ST PATRICK'S CHURCH, CHRISTMAS 1948
 
 
FRONT ROW:   Carol Ann Maddigan, Constance Jackman, Judy Murphy, Bernice Everard, Judy Whiffen
 
BACK ROW:  Roseann Bulger, K Jardine, Catherine Simms, Peggy Bradbury
 
A very big "THANK YOU" to two wonderful St Patrick's girls, Cathy and Betty Simms, for this beautiful picture.   Cathy is the proud owner of the picture and Betty obtained the picture and Cathy's permission to post it here.  Thank you both for sharing it.  I think it will provide a very pleasant walk down Memory Lane for a lot of people this Christmas.
 
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO
ST PATRICK'S GIRLS AND BOYS
EVERYWHERE. 
MAY 2014 BE FILLED WITH MANY BLESSINGS FOR EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF YOU.

1 comment:

  1. Judy Murphy (behind Infant Jesus) tells us that it is Judy WHIFFEN not, as we thought, Judy Griffin. I am inclined to agree with Judy Murphy on that. What do you think Cathy & Betty? Anyone else have any ideas? Thank you Judy Murphy for your input. It is always good to hear from St Patrick's girls.

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