ANOTHER PRESENTATION FACT

After their arrival in St John’s, the pioneer Sisters lived at the Bishop’s residence where a section had been set aside for them. A month later they moved to ‘The Rising Sun’, a former tavern which the Bishop had renovated for their use.  This accommodation proved to be most unsuitable so Bishop Fleming rented the former residence of Archdeacon Wix.  It promised to be a happy New Year for the Sisters as, on New Year’s Eve, 31^st December 1833, the Sisters moved into this larger, more comfortable property situated near King’s Road. The Sisters remained there for about nine years and the area became known as Nunnery Hill, a name it bears to this day.

Next time you are in the Prescott St, Gower St area of downtown, spare a thought for the valiant Irish ladies whose presence gave rise to the name of Nunnery Hill.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A PRESENTATION FACT

On Christmas Eve, 1775, in a cottage in Cove Lane, Cork, Nano Nagle founded the Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Later, the name was changed to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM).

Venerable Nano Nagle,
Foundress of the Presentation Sisters

We wish all Presentation Sisters, pupils and former pupils, a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2017. (Special Christmas greetings to former St Patrick's teachers and pupils.) 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

This is a nice little Christmas video. It will probably set us straight on some Christmas "facts". Enjoy the video and a very Happy Christmas to everyone.

HOLY CROSS HOCKEY CHAMPS

It's Hockey Season again (it seems to get longer every year!) so we dipped into the 1961 Holy Cross Yearbook to see what we could find.  We came up with this wonderful photo of the Crusaders Hockey Team,  High School Champs for that year! How many of you can remember those thrilling games? I am delighted that we have all the names of the players and the coach. Where are they now?  

Holy Cross Crusaders, High School Hockey Champs 1961

Row 1:  Ed Colford, Peter Densmore, Gerry Holden, Pat Densmore, Pat Hearn, John Murphy

Row 2:  Brother H B French (coach), Jim Finlay, Roger Maunder, John McCormack, Jim Casey, Nick Antle, Larry Dillon

Row 3:  Robert Wells, Cyril Kane, Jim Squires, Ron Baird, Ed Kennedy, Paul Labonte

You Don't Know Jack...about Advent

TODAY IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. HOW MUCH DO WE KNOW ABOUT ADVENT? HERE IS A LITTLE REFRESHER FROM FATHER JACK COLLINS.

SISTER ROSE MULALLY P B V M

Venerable Nano Nagle, foundress of the Presentation Sisters

November 21st, is PRESENTATION DAY.

On this Presentation Day 2016, we remember another, long ago Presentation Day, and pay a humble tribute to a very special Presentation Sister, SISTER MARY ROSE MULALLY.  Why is Sr Rose special?

Sr Mary Rose Mulally was the first Newfoundlander to become a Presentation Sister!  Born in Bonavista in 1824 to Edward and Eliza Mulally, she was baptised Catherine. Catherine entered the Presentation Convent, St John’s, on Presentation Day, 21^st November, 1851.  (Sr M Francis Mulally, a founding member of the Harbour Main Convent, was her sister.) 

On 24^th September 1853 Sr Rose Mulally, under the leadership of Mother Bernard Kirwan, was part of the group of five Sisters who founded Our Lady of Mount Carmel Convent in Admiral’s Cove, Fermeuse. 

Three years later, Sr Rose was again a member of a founding group.  On 10^th January 1856, she joined Sr M Clare Waldron, Sr M Ignatius Quinlan and Sr M Regis Halpin in establishing the new community at St Patrick’s, Riverhead. 

At some point, Sr Rose returned to the Fermeuse Community, which relocated to Renews in 1876.  Sr Mary Rose Mulally died at Renews on 3^rd March 1903.  She is buried in the Presentation Cemetery, Renews.

The grave of the first Newfoundland born Presentation Sister

Earlier this year, on a cold and windy day, my sister, my husband, and I climbed the hill to the Presentation Cemetery in Renews to find the grave of Sr Rose. Though cold and windblown, we felt privileged to be able to stand at her grave and honour this Newfoundland girl who played such an integral part in the founding of St Patrick’s Convent.  Surely, as the first Newfoundland born Presentation Sister, Sr Mary Rose Mulally holds an important place in the history of the Presentation Sisters as well as in the history of Newfoundland.

Two very cold St Patrick's 'girls' pay their respects at the grave
of one of the founding Sisters of St Patrick's Convent 

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY EVERYONE!

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2016

POPPIES PAINTED BY HEATHER

Today, Remembrance Day 2016, we remember two priests with a connection to St Patrick’s Parish who served as chaplains in WWI and WWII.

Earlier this week, on 8^th November, Padre Thomas Nangle was recognised as a person of significance across Canada when a commemorative plaque was unveiled at Canadian Forces Station, Pleasantville.

Thomas Nangle was born in St John’s in 1889.  In 1913, after studies in Ireland, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop M F Howley at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in St John’s.  Father Nangle served St Patrick’s Parish from 1914 to 1916.  He enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment and was its respected and well loved chaplain.  After the war, Padre Nangle supervised the exhumation of known graves and was responsible for the erection of the five Caribou Memorials across Europe.  Four are in France and one is in Belgium.  

NEWFOUNDLAND BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL, GUEUDECOURT, SOMME, FRANCE

He was also the driving force behind the building of the War Memorial in St John’s. 

WAR MEMORIAL, ST JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

Regarding Memorials, Padre Nangle was quoted as saying that they were “monuments to our glorious dead and to our just as glorious survivors.  They are monuments to the mothers that bore such brave sons and the land that bred them”. Padre Thomas Nangle rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the 1920s he left the priesthood and settled in Rhodesia where he married and had four children.  He died there in January 1972.

I knew nothing of Fr Francis James Jackman until recently when Eleanor Dalton sent me a photo taken at St Patrick’s Convent more than 70 years ago.  Among a group of Presentation Nuns was a smiling priest in military uniform.  Eleanor didn’t know who the priest was so she sought the help of Frank Galgay. 

 

FR FRANCIS JAMES JACKMAN

Frank was able to tell Eleanor that the priest in question was Fr Francis James Jackman.  Fr Jackman was born in 1903.  During WWII, in 1941, he moved his residence to St Patrick’s. Around that time, Fr Jackman enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy.  He served as a Naval Chaplain for the duration of the war.  On 31^st December 1945 Fr Jackman was demobilised with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

After the war Fr Jackman returned to Newfoundland where he again took up duties as a parish priest.  From 1948 until 1977 he was parish priest of St Edwards Parish, Kelligrews.  He retired in 1977 and died four years later, in 1981.  The Knights of Columbus Fr Francis Jackman Council 9303 was formed in 1986 and is named in his honour.

PRESENTATION SISTERS' PARTING GIFT

On 3rd November the media was full of the news that the Presentation Sisters have donated St Patrick's Convent to the City of St John's for use as affordable housing for senior citizens. Sister Betty Rae Lee pointed out that through their various ministries they learned that elderly people are experiencing great difficulty finding comfortable, affordable places to live. Sadly, the Presentation Sisters, a caring presence in the West End for 160 years, have gone from our Parish, but through their magnanimous  gift, their generous spirit will live on.  The City of St John's, particularly the  people of the West End, owe much to the generations of Presentation Sisters who have graced our corner of the world.  May God's richest blessings be theirs.

ST PATRICK'S CONVENT, WHICH THE SISTERS HAVE GIFTED TO THE CITY

Our thanks go to Katrina who has kindly sent us a copy of a recent Sunday Bulletin from  St Patrick's Parish.  

ST PATRICK'S PARISH BULLETIN

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BULLETIN

ALSO FROM THE BULLETIN

MARYLOU'S TRIBUTE

Those of you who know the Mallard girls will also know what a talented family they are musically.  It seems they have other talents as well. Marylou Mallard Tucker  is also a gifted poet.  We have posted several of Lulu's poems previously and we are proud to post this special poem written by her on the occasion of St Patrick's Convent and the leaving of the Presentation Sisters.  The Sisters' leave taking ends 160 years of their presence at St Patrick's but the memories they have left us with and the loyalty which they have inspired in us will be here for many, many years to come. Here is Marylou's loving tribute.       

St. Patrick’s Convent  

A beautiful Mass was held in the Presentation Sisters honour

With Archbishop Currie, Father Beresford and Father Wayne,

To celebrate one hundred and sixty years

“Love” was Sister Nano Nagle and her Sisters’ claim to fame.

I was asked by my sister Rosemary

To attend a very special Mass,

It was in honour of the closing of the Convent Home

As our memories kept flowing back to the past.

Prayer beads were received when doing messages for the nuns

As we brought back packages to their sacred place,

Piano at this convent was taught to us by Sister Stephanie

We always carried a happy smile upon our face.

A celebration was held at the parish room

Food and drink was so meticulously prepared,

Seeing fellow students from so many years ago

The gathering showed how much everybody cared.

The highlight for me was seeing Sister Brendan

Sitting there to my surprise,

I went over to her and held her hand

With heartfelt tears that glistened in my eyes.

She remembered me when I told her who I was

As it has been over 45 years,

“The Mallards, Oh yes, I think of you often,

Beautiful singers", the words I did hear.

Sister Catherine had introduced us to Sister Brendan.

Rosemary, Helen, Elizabeth and I,

We sang in harmony, “Come Home Newfoundlander”

They smiled, nodded their heads and sighed.

As I stood there, still holding her precious hands

My heart was lit on fire,

Memories flowing back to when we were little kids

Singing in her fabulous and outstanding well know choir.

Love you always, and think of you fondly when we sing!!!!

Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker and the Mallard family

SR MARY BRENDAN 

This is a lovely tribute to the Sisters who served us so well and particularly to Sr Brendan. Thank you so very much Marylou.

ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL FRIENDS AT CLAY CAFE

We lost the last of our three schools in 1999. Now we are losing our convent and we have to say goodbye to our good Presentation Sisters.  St Patrick’s Convent and the Presentation Sisters have been an outstanding presence in St Patrick’s Parish for 160 years and it is certainly a great loss for the West End. 

However, we have not lost the wonderful bonds of friendship that developed during our school days at St Patrick’s Convent Schools!  That those friendships are still held dear is evidenced by all the lovely ‘get-together’ pictures we receive.  Brenda Pearcey Cardwell has sent us just such a photo with news of her group of St Patrick’s friends.

Brenda said they started at St Patrick’s, Miss Murphy’s Grade 1 Class, in 1962.  They try to get together throughout the year.  In September they did a painting class at Clay Cafe.  (What a great idea.)  Here they are, friends and sisters – St Patrick’s girls all!

FRIENDS SINCE 1962

The ladies in the photo are L-R;

Karen Dawe, Audrey Dawe (seated), Lorraine O’Rielley, Debbie Crane, Debbie Doherty, Sharon Pearcey (behind Debbie D), Betty Walsh (back right), Brenda Pearcey (back far left)

Thank you so very much for sharing with us Brenda.  It is really nice to hear from you and your friends and we hope you will keep us up to date on your future meetings.    

ANOTHER HISTORIC PHOTO FROM ELEANOR'S ALBUM

We have another wonderful photograph from Eleanor Dalton's family album!  It was taken sometime between the years 1941-1945 and it really is  a valuable piece of St Patrick's Convent History.  We are very grateful to Eleanor for sharing it with us.

We can name some of the Sisters and we are hoping that you will be able to help us with those we don't know. If you can help, please contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

From the back L-R: 

Sr M Patrick, Sr M Josephine, Sr M  Immaculata ?, Sr M Sebastian, Sr M Columba, Sr M Celine, Sr M Imelda, Sr M Agnes, Mother M John, ?, Mother M DeSales, Sr M Camilla, Fr F J Jackman, ?, Sr M Agatha 

Who do you know in this historic photo?

Eleanor said the picture was taken at the back entrance of the convent. Since she had no idea who the military priest was, she sent the photo to Frank Galgay who was able to identify the priest.  Eleanor has also sent us a copy of Frank's email, which he has given us permission to post here.

Frank's interesting & informative email

Once again, a very big 'Thank You' to Eleanor for all the help she gives to our School Blog. The pictures are an important part of the history of St Patrick's Convent and Schools and we are proud and pleased to be able to post them on the blog.  Thanks also to Frank Galgay for identifying the priest in this photo and for allowing us to post his reply to Eleanor's email. The interesting information about Fr Jackman is another valuable piece of St Patrick's history. Thank you both very much.

CLOSING CEREMONY

I think by now everyone knows the sad news that St Patrick's Convent is closing and that we will lose the presence of the Presentation Sisters in our Parish. What you might not know is that St Patrick's Parish has a great new website https://stpatricksstjohns.wordpress.com/ and it has some wonderful features.   I highly recommend it, especially to all you St Patrick's people who now dwell in foreign climes! As well as current events, news and photographs, there is a very informative section on the History of the Parish.  I came across this excellent report of the closing ceremony and have been very kindly permitted to reproduce it here on our School Blog.  I feel it will be of great interest to those of us who were unable to attend.

(COURTESY OF ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

St. Patrick’s Convent/School Closing – 

Sept 11, 2016

MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION IN THANKSGIVING FOR 

PRESENTATION SISTERS ON 

THEIR COMPLETION OF 160 YEARS 

OF MINISTRY IN ST. PATRICK’S PARISH

Truly, this is a bittersweet occasion. While we are celebrating the incredible impact the Presentation Sisters had on so many of us, we are also sad because after 160 years they will no longer have a presence at St. Patrick’s Convent.

I am part of four generations who were taught by the Nuns, my mother, my sisters and I, my daughters, and my grandson all attended St. Patrick’s School, as did so many other family members in the West End. I’d like to share some of my experiences at school back in the early 40’s and 50’s.

We were very fortunate that **Nano Nagle was a brave woman of faith who came here in 1883 with four nuns** to establish schools in Newfoundland, and the rest is history. My generation was the last pupils to attend the Deanery Avenue School. Many of you will remember some of our teachers: Mother Francis, Mother John, Sister Agatha, and Sister Camilla. As children it seemed to us that the nuns knew everything; they were wonderful teachers, our spelling and writing had to be perfect and who will ever forget learning the “Time Tables”.

All of those skills stayed with us for our lifetime. We had all the core subjects and I even remember we were taught Latin for one year. Religion played a big part in our education, daily prayers, Sunday Mass, and you knew on Monday you would be questioned on the sermon. We were taught to respect ourselves and others and that God saw everything we did.

The Nuns were gifted in so many ways. They taught us how to knit, crochet, and do fancy work. It seems there was nothing they couldn’t do, and teach us to do. Perhaps one of their greatest contributions was in the field of music.

St. Patrick’s was so well known for its wonderful school choirs under the direction of Sr. Brendan, and the choir won so many awards and accolades over the years. Many students took their first piano and theory lesson in St. Patrick’s convent. The love of music was nurtured in so many students under the careful instruction of those wonderful Nuns.

I think we all realize how fortunate we were to get such a good education. While we may not have had all the options available to students today, we were enriched by the wonderful skills that were taught to us.

The Patrick Street School opened in 1954 and the nuns continued their work in education. Later things changed and with the end of denominational education, St. Patrick’s School closed in 1996. The sisters remained at the Convent and focused on other ministries; helping the sick, the needy, doing pastoral work and opening the Lantern and the Gathering Place.

The congregation is ageing and some difficult decisions had to be made for the future, one of which was the closure of our Convent.

MARY SKINNER (PHOTO COURTESY OF
ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

So, while we are sad that our sisters will not have a presence at St. Patrick’s, we are blessed and grateful for the wonderful years they were with us and the profound impact they had on so many lives. We will be forever grateful to them.

In closing, on behalf of St. Patrick’s Parish Family, I wish them well as another door in ministry opens for them. I want them to know they will be warmly welcomed back to visit at any time. Finally, I invite all of you to join us in the Parish Room for a reception to say good-bye personally.

Mary Skinner – 

Parish Council Representative

Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving

 Closing of St. Patrick’s Convent 

St. John’s, NL Canada 

September 11, 2016

Address by Sister Betty Rae Lee, 

NL Provincial Leader

We gather here today to celebrate the story of the relationship between the people of St. Patrick’s Parish and the Presentation Sisters for the past one hundred and sixty years. We honor the weaving of our lives together as a small, but also significant part of God’s unfolding dream and we express our deep gratitude to God and to each other for the blessings we have known throughout the years.

SR BETTY RAE LEE (PHOTO COURTESY
ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

The Presentation Story, through which we are connected, began in the mind of God through the dream of a compassionate and visionary woman, Nano Nagle, our Foundress. Known as the “Lady of the Lantern” in Cork, she did all she could to alleviate the sufferings of Ireland’s poor in the 18th century.

Our Presentation Newfoundland and Labrador story began in 1833 when four brave women from Galway, Ireland, Mary Bernard Kirwin, Xavier Mullowney, Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, and Xaverius Lynch arrived in St. John’s on September 21st of that year after a 25 day journey across the rough Atlantic seas.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our faith-filled ancestors and St. Patrick’s Parish plays an important part in our Irish/Newfoundland story. Can you imagine that this treasured booklet is 160 years old? It records our Presentation beginnings here at St. Patrick’s and I read, “On the 10th of January 1856 Sister Mary Clare Waldren, Sister Mary Ignatius Quinlan, Sister Mary Rose Mullally and Sister Mary Regis Halpin, Novice, came from the Motherhouse to establish a house of their Order at Riverhead, in this town, under the authority of the Right Reverend Dr. Mullock, Bishop of St. John’s.” God bless our noble pioneers.

The Annals further reveal the hardships under which the Sisters lived and, no doubt, the people of Riverhead were suffering much at that time also. So many young Sisters died because of the “provisional dwelling” in which they lived which was described as “miserable, cold, damp and uncomfortable”. There are many touching narratives of the faith and acceptance of these brave women. Of one such Sister, Sister M. Agnes Kitchen who died at 36, it was written, “Her resignation to the Divine Will was admirable and her heroic patience edified all. She offered her life as a sacrifice to her Heavenly Spouse and calmly breathed her last sigh. Her life was holy. Her death tranquil.”

Since these beginnings in 1856, 205 Sisters served at St. Patrick’s and over the years they shared their gifts and leadership as they ministered among you in the school and parish. Since most of our time here was connected with the young through the teaching ministry, these memories are most treasured. It is interesting to note that we have a list in our Archives naming every teacher who taught at St. Patrick’s from 1921-1999.

So many of these Sisters who taught at St. Patrick’s have since returned home to God but their memory remains in this place as does the energy of many of your relatives who were so good to them. Some women who lived and ministered among you have left our community to continue to live their Christian call in a different manner. Many others now live in other parts of our province and beyond and they carry with them the memories of their time among you. We cannot forget to acknowledge the women from this parish who, because of the faith, inspiration and encouragement of home and church community became members of our congregation. We acknowledged our beginning with four Sisters. Now we recognize the last community to reside at St. Patrick’s: Sisters Dorothy Baird, Dorothy Corrigan, Marie Furey, Mary Molloy, Frances Pennell and Patricia Whittle. Sisters Marie and Patricia will remain until the building is closed at the end of October this year. Some of you may not know the Sisters who are present in our Church today here today, who served in this parish so I would ask them to stand now. Hopefully some of you can get re-acquainted during the reception afterwards.

SR PATRICIA WHITTLE (PHOTO COURTESY
ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

As we hold tenderly the lives of these 205 women in a treasured narrative, our hearts are grateful indeed.

In reflecting on the meaning of our common story within home, school and parish over these 160 years, we acknowledge the moments of joy in wonderful connections and the moments of sadness because of misunderstandings and hurts. And that is really the whole of life, the shadow and the sun, the darkness and the light of our lives, both calling out for reconciliation and celebration.

In God’s universal dream for all creation we were drawn together for a time. There is indeed pain for all of us in seeing the Convent close, yet we trust that the God who has led us to this point will continue to be faithful to creating and nurturing life through the next use of this building.

We cannot announce today how the Convent will be used because an agreement for the use of the building, while in process, has not yet been finalized. Hopefully, by the end of October we will be in a position to make an announcement relative to the future of this wonderful and historic building. A new story is waiting to be told in this place.

Before concluding, I would like to say a special thank you to Archbishop Currie, Father Dohey, and to all of you who prepared for and participated in this beautiful Liturgy today and to all of you who have come to share this moment with us. This is a memory we will treasure. In our name I express deep appreciation to you, Mary Skinner, for your kind words of gratitude and we, in turn, extend a heartfelt thank you to the parishioners for your kindness, generosity and support over the years. You have allowed us to share in your lives and you have helped shape our congregational story.

So now the time has come for us to leave this sacred place Strong in this holy company of living faith.  May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten.

I invite the Sisters to stand and raise their hands over you as I pray a blessing from all  our Presentation   Sisters:

THE BLESSING (PHOTO COURTESY
ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

We pray a blessing on you as you journey onward from this moment. As you meet the poor, the sad, the stranger, may you see the face of Christ. May you remember that our love and appreciation for you are etched on our hearts in a bond that unites us forever. And may the power of God’s presence bless us all at this moment of leave taking.

Amen."

RECEPTION IN THE PARISH ROOM
(PHOTO COURTESY ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

RECEPTION IN THE PARISH ROOM
(PHOTO COURTESY ST PATRICK'S PARISH WEBSITE)

We add our own thanks to the Presentation Sisters who have graced our Parish over the last 160 years.  We were indeed blessed!  

Thank you also to Regina Slaney, Parish Administrative Assistant, for her prompt reply to my  email and for permission to use the above material and photographs.

**I just want to point out a small error.  Nano Nagle did not come to Newfoundland, ever.  It was Mother Bernard Kirwan who established the  Presentation Convent in Newfoundland.  This foundation was the first Presentation House outside Ireland and also the first in North America.  That, of course, makes Mother Bernard Kirwan the founder of the Presentation Congregation in North America. 

****AS THEY SAY, "WATCH THIS SPACE" FOR SOME MORE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ELEANOR DALTON AND BRENDA CARDWELL!

SO SAD TO SEE YOU GO!

We are all so sad to hear of the closure of St Patrick’s Convent.     It has been an integral part of life in the West End for 160 years.  As former   pupils of the    School,     it has had a profound influence on our lives.    We will miss   the   presence   of   the  Sisters  in   St Patrick’s   Parish   but   the  memories    will remain. 

Eleanor Dalton has shared some treasured photographs and memories with us.  

The main entrance to St Patrick's Convent as it is today

Eleanor said: 

“I’M SO SAD THAT THE CONVENT IS CLOSING.  HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF THE CONVENT’S MAIN ENTRANCE IN 1948 AND TODAY.  MY GREAT AUNT IS HOLDING ME.  I’M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT I’M A ST PATRICK’S GIRL AND ALSO THAT THERE IS SO MUCH FAMILY HISTORY WITH THE CONVENT.  MY PARENTS WERE MARRIED IN THE CONVENT CHAPEL IN 1941.”

Eleanor being held by her great aunt, Sr M Josephine Halleran, outside the main entrance to St Patrick's Convent, 1948.
Who are the other Sisters?

Eleanor's great aunt, Sr M Josephine Halleran, was her mother's aunt.  Sr Josephine and her sister, Sr M Agnes Halleran, were long standing and well loved members of St Patrick's Convent community and they now rest side by side in the little cemetery there.

The graves of Eleanor's great aunts in
St Patrick's Convent Cemetery

Eleanor, we are very grateful to you for sharing with us and we look forward to hearing more from you.   

We would very much like to hear from anyone with photos, memories or any connection with St Patrick’s Convent so, please, rifle your drawers, albums, cupboards, and anywhere else that you have stashed away the old photos and memories.  When you have dug them out, please share them with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

THE FRIENDSHIPS ENDURE!

C B C has just given us the very sad news that St Patrick’s Convent will soon be no more.  After 160 years in the West End, the good Sisters will finally close the doors and leave what has long been a beacon of education and good works.  We are very sad at their going and we will remember them for many things.  We owe them a great debt and thank the Presentation Sisters, past and present, who have contributed so much to our community and to our lives. 

BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CONVENT, CONVENT SQUARE

We have carried through our lives many gifts gained from our days at St Patrick’s.  One of the most beautiful of those gifts is the precious gift of lasting friendships which we still treasure from our school days. 

Joan Reynolds Fogarty has sent us this lovely photograph of five St Patrick’s Convent classmates. The classmates are Yvonne Stephenson Meissner, Margie Miller Ryan, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Rosemary Ashley Healy and, of course, Joan.

SCHOOL FRIENDS ROSEMARY, YVONNE, MARGIE,
JOAN AND KATHLEEN

Joan informed us that Yvonne lives in Ontario but she and her husband spend several months every year at their beautiful home by the ocean in Pouch Cove.  It is a wonderful opportunity for meeting up with old friends too and every year the friends do just that.  This year the ladies got together for dinner at Joan’s house. 

Joan closed her email with this touching remark, “Still connected after almost 70 years”.  That truly is the beautiful gift of friendship!  Thank you Joan for sharing it with us and may you and your school friends enjoy that special bond for many, many years to come.

McDERMOTT-ROE FAMILY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND IRELAND

I have been indulging my fondness for digging through old scrapbooks again and I have come across this short announcement published in a local newspaper in 1914.  There is a connection to St Patrick’s Parish so I thought those of you who are interested in its history would enjoy this little snippet.

IN 1914, A "COLONY"

Monsignor James J McDermott was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1872.  Ordained in Ireland in 1895, the young priest came to Newfoundland that same year. 

Msgr J J McDermott

When this announcement of the death of his aunt, Mrs Dillon, appeared in the newspaper in 1914, Msgr McDermott was Parish Priest of St Patrick’s in the West End of St John’s, or as it was then known, ‘Riverhead’, St John’s.  Msgr McDermott had been made Pastor of St Patrick’s in 1909 and he served the Parish until his appointment as Vicar General of the Archdiocese in 1915.  Having spent most of his priestly life labouring in various parishes in Newfoundland, Monsignor James J McDermott died at St Clare’s Mercy Hospital, St John’s in April 1947.  

FIRST COMMUNICANTS, CIRCA 1950

Once again I am indebted to Joan REYNOLDS Fogarty!  Joan has sent us this very interesting picture.  The picture, of a large group of First Communicants, was given to Joan by Mary BREEN Kurilko.  It would have been taken sometime around 1950.  Joan has given some names but, as we so often do, we are relying on our readers for help in identifying the other girls.  If you are in this photo or if you are able to name someone who is, would you please contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

Here are the names Joan has given us:

Row 2,

3^rd left, possibly a girl Gushue from Old Topsail Road, 5^th left Peggy Roche from Lime Street, 

Row 3,

5^th left, Barbara Murphy from Water Street,   10^th left, Carol Vavasour

Row 4,

3^rd left, Connie Jackman, 5^th left, Carol Whelan, 11^th left,  Shirley Ryan

Row 5, 

Joanne Ashley,  4^th left, Carolyn Maddigan

The two Sisters are Sr Camilla on the extreme left and Sr Regis on the extreme right.

Joan, would that be Mary Breen in Row 2, 8^th from the left?  We think it might be but perhaps you could confirm it for us? Thank you, Joan, for sharing this lovely photo.  You are always a great help to us and it is really appreciated.    

ST PATRICK'S SPRING GET TOGETHER

Thanks to the organisational skills of Doreen Walsh Noseworthy, a group of St Patrick's Girls held their Spring Get-together in May. On Friday, 27th May, nineteen ladies met at noon for lunch at the St John's Fish Exchange on Water St.

Nancy Stanley, Alice Prim, Mary Hamlyn, Lila Mercer, Madonna Mercer, Carol Cromwell, Margie Power, Elaine Collins, Marina Grace, Jenny Finley, Alice Hennessey, Bernadette Grouchy, Betty Simms, Sheila Bulger, Cynthia Murphy, Doreen McAllister, Beth Anne McAllister and Doreen Walsh were able to attend.  It was a lovely afternoon with lots of hugs, stories, and laughter.  

We have two photographs which were taken there by an obliging member of staff.

AFTER LUNCH AT THE ST JOHN'S FISH EXCHANGE RESTAURANT, WATER STREET

Unfortunately, the girls at the top of the stairs are lost a bit in the back.  I have cropped the picture in an attempt to show them better. Here's hoping it works!

THE LADIES AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS!

Elizabeth Meaney was due to join her friends at the Fish Exchange. Sadly, at the last minute, circumstances prevented it. However, thanks to the thoughtfulness of Betty Simms, she was able to enjoy a sort of mini get-together  a few days later. Elizabeth, Doreen McAllister, Betty Simms and Beth Anne McAllister spent a very pleasurable couple of hours chatting and reminiscing over a leisurely lunch at Swiss Chalet, Mount Pearl. 

ELIZABETH, DOREEN AND BETTY

THE "MINI" GET-TOGETHER!

Friendship surely is a precious gift and it is truly wonderful to be able to spend time with the friends we made so many years ago. Long may it be so!