1967/68 GRADE 3 CLASS REUNION

If ever there is an award for the school with the most loyal and the most fun-loving graduates, I think St Patrick's Convent Schools will definitely be top contender!  Christine Rossiter Butler and Teri Healey Evans have sent me news of their annual schoolfriends' get together. On 14 October 2022, the group met again for some reminiscing, fun, and laughter.

Teri said:  "Today I had the pleasure of getting together with some of my St. Patrick's Girls School classmates.  Unfortunately, some couldn't attend and there are some who we couldn't reach or sadly had passed away. Here is our grade 3 class and today's photo. 4 of the ladies surprised us by wearing a replica of our School uniform! Lol. So nice every year to get together and reminisce and have a few (well a lot) of laughs!  St. Patrick's Girls are the best!"  

Christine and Teri have also sent some great pictures.  Here are the photos and Christine has kindly given us names.

Christine and Terri with their Grade 3 Class, 1967/68
(Teacher is Mrs Coady)

14 October 2022

Back: Ann Norris Lastiwaka, Judy Kavanagh Morgan, Debbie Barron Anderson, Donna Simmonds Brown, Ann O'Driscoll, Joanne Green Gillespie, Janice Fagan, Christine Rossiter Butler

Middle: Cathy Handrigan Vincent, Teri Healey Evans

Front: Mary Harris Squires, Donna Constantine Walsh, Charlene Whelan Pike, Karen Mugford Fitzgerald, Ellen Stone Wright

 Ellen, Karen, Charlene, Donna (Any knees showing?)

Terri imparted a bit of typical 'Convent School' wisdom.  She said that the uniformed ladies knelt down to demonstrate how the Sisters would measure the length of the uniforms.  If, when kneeling, the hem didn't touch the floor, then the uniform was judged to be too short! 😲 

At the get together, they all laughed a lot over that bit of nostalgia, but I don't suppose anyone laughed much when the Nuns were actually doing the measuring! 

Did you notice the little touch that added authenticity to the uniforms and to what it was like to go to St Patrick's Convent Schools?  That blue ribbon and medal pinned to each uniform?  That was the norm every May.  A blue ribbon and medal in honour of Our Lady in the month of May and a red ribbon and medal or Sacred Heart Badge in honour of the Sacred Heart in the month of June.  Well done for thinking of the ribbons ladies.  It was a beautiful touch!

And another bit of authenticity is the 'Presentation Clutch'! The girls in uniform all have their hands clasped just as we did when we were in school. (Have a scroll through this site and you will see the same thing in all the old school pictures.)  In my days at St Patrick's, we referred to this hand clasping as the 'Presentation Clutch'.  It's so nice that you remembered. 

In Christine's email, she said that she looks forward to this gathering every year and that she hopes to continue for a long time!  Oh, Christine, I am with you on that and hope to be posting your contributions for many years to come. As Teri said, "ST PATRICK'S GIRLS ARE THE BEST!"

👉👉A little P S.  I just heard a whisper that the uniforms were made by Donna Constantine Walsh.  Excellent job, Donna.

SCHOOL SOUVENIRS

Teri Healey Evans is sharing some lovely school souvenirs with us.  They are little cards which were given to her late sister, Cindy, and kept by their mother.  Teri came across them in a book belonging to her mother and thought we would like  to see them.  She and I both thought these might encourage others to share any such tokens on our School Blog.  We think there are plenty of them still out there.  I know that I have at least one tucked away somewhere.  I am going to have a look for it and post it when I find it.  Come on, all you St Patrick's Convent School grads, please turn out your souvenir boxes and see what you can find to share with us all. 

Front and back of Cindy's card from Miss Walsh

Front and back of card given to Cindy by Miss Rogers

Thanks Teri.  These are really nice and, anything else you come across would be welcome too.  Keep in touch.📚👩🏼‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓

👉👉 BEFORE YOU GO, HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR BELOVED ST PATRICK'S PARISH. THINGS AREN'T LOOKING GOOD.😭

http://stpatrickschurch.ca/2.0/news/

A WOW MASK!

Now this is what I call a "WOW MASK"! I received an email from Teri Healey Evans with this delightful photo attached.  

The Unique "Wow Mask"

For a better view of the mask, just click on the picture and that should enlarge it.

Teri said that she had the mask made for her Class Reunion on 11th September 2020.  (Even pandemics can't keep those loyal St Patrick's pals apart - well about 2 meters apart perhaps?)  The friends met at The Rooms for Afternoon Tea and Teri said "I had a lovely time 'sipping' my tea and tasting the sweet and savory treats.  And, of course, enjoying the company of my former St Patrick's classmates who were able to attend."  

Thank you, Teri, for sharing news of your get together and for letting us all enjoy this wonderful mask.  I hope we will hear from some of the other friends who attended and see some more pictures of the happy post lock-down event.

A HAPPY MEMORY

A message from Teri Healey Evans has brought us a photo with a happy memory.  Amid the world's present sadness and worry, it is a welcome message.  Among her Mother's things, Teri found a ticket with a story.  Teri kindly shares it with us here.

Teri said, "I was in the St Patrick's Girls' Glee Club and just thought it (the ticket) might be of some interest and start a conversation going. I know for me this concert was a highlight of my time in the Glee Club."

A HAPPY MEMORY FROM 1978

Teri goes on to say "The biggest highlight was when we sang at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and received so many ovations and accolades".  I am certain quite a few of you will feel the same.

You certainly got a lot for $1.50 in 1973!

Thank you Teri.  To you and to all our St Patrick's friends, stay safe, keep well, and may God bless and protect us all.

TERI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

So many of us were classmates of the Healey girls from Brine Street.  Cindy Healey was 58 years old when she died in 2016.  She had been struck down by that cruel and relentless disease, ALS.  

Cindy Healey, 2015, in beautiful Fermeuse where the Healeys spent many happy holidays with relatives

Since Cindy's death, her younger sister, Teri Healey Evans, has worked like a Trojan  to raise funds to help eradicate the scourge of ALS.  Teri has sent a plea for help, which is posted below.  Please help Teri if you can.

"IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!!

I made a promise to my sister Cindy (Healey, Brine St., St. Patrick's Girl) on her death bed as ALS was ravishing & destroying her body, that I would never stop trying to help find a cure for ALS . I am hoping that my friends will help me to fulfill that promise.

This year the 2019 Walk to End ALS is on

Date: June 9, 2019

Location: H.G.R. Mews Community Centre

Address: 40 Mundy Pond Road, St. John's

Time: 12:00 pm Check-in | 2:00 pm Start

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WALK WITH US I CAN SUPPLY YOU WITH A SPONSOR SHEET or IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW. ANY AND ALL DONATIONS ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

LINK TO DONATE ONLINE: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4471820&langPref=en-CA

E TRANSFER: burgawgirl@gmail.com

Or I can pick up your donation within St. John’s - Mt. Pearl

Please support my fund-raising efforts by donating toward my 2019 goal.

Support me now - we are stronger together!

Thanks again!" 

ESCAPE FROM HURRICANE FLORENCE

We are all aware of the hurricane that hit the USA last month.  In September, Hurricane Florence brought devastation to the Carolinas, causing about $13 billion in damages and, more tragically, 53 fatalities. Two St Patrick’s Graduates, Teri HEALEY Evans and her sister, Betty HEALEY Brown, were caught up in this frightening ordeal.  Teri has shared some photos and her story with us.  I will let Teri tell it.  

“I had gone to beautiful North Carolina on July 25 to spend some time with my sister Betty and her husband, Billy.  Early in September we were hearing on the news that a massive hurricane was forming and that it looked as if the eye was going to make landfall in Wilmington, NC.  That was alarming because the city of Wilmington was only about 25 minutes away from where Betty lived in a lovely little town called Burgaw. Her home was situated along Cape Fear River.

Well the weatherman was right, it was heading our way. We had to evacuate because the Cape Fear would indeed flood and all the roads would wash out.  Not to mention all the trees that would fall due to high winds, making any chance of the roads being passable.   To give you an idea of the type of home Betty had I can describe it as a bungalow built on 12 foot pilings.  Because it was up so high (12 foot off the ground) we never in a million years thought that the river would rise that far as to get in to the main house, it had never before. So before evacuating we only secured the grounds and anything at ground level.  Unfortunately Mother Nature had different plans for it.  The River rose 25+ feet, meaning 13 ft or more of water got into their beautiful home and destroyed it and all the contents.  The River stayed that high for over a week ruining everything.  Thankfully, we had evacuated and were safe.

I have attached a few photos for you to see.

The first photo is a sort of 'before' picture (Betty and 
Billy hosted a wedding at their property on July 28th)

The second is of the river beginning to rise.  

The third photo shows the River half way up the house.

 (After this it was too dangerous to go there by boat anymore)

The fourth is a photo of the Restaurant we often ate at which was

 only one mile from Betty's house.  All you can see is the roof.

And sadly, these photos only show a very small fraction of the devastation caused by Florence.  Betty and I have many, many friends there who have also lost everything.  I've been home since October 16 and I still can't get some of the horrible destruction our of my mind.  It was just like a war zone when I left.

Betty and Billy have found temporary housing and do plan to rebuild but that could take up to a year to get everything back to a livable state.  However, they are safe and count their blessings everyday.  As do I now to be living in beautiful Newfoundland!"

Thank you for this account Teri.  It must have been terrible for all of you.  I can understand why you are glad to be back in "beautiful Newfoundland".  There are worse things than "rain, drizzle and fog"!

THE INTREPID TERESA LAWRENCE

We have to thank Teri Healey Evans for this post.  Teri has sent us photos and a story about a very extraordinary lady, her Aunt Teresa Lawrence.  

Teri's Aunt Teresa Lawrence

While Teri and her sisters are all graduates of St Patrick’s Convent Schools, Mrs Lawrence isn’t. However, her place of birth more than earns her a place on  St Patrick’s School Blog.  

Teresa was born in Fermeuse, where Mother Bernard Kirwan, the founder of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland, rests peacefully in that beautiful spot on the Southern Shore.  In September 1853, three years before our own St Patrick’s Convent, Mother Bernard established a Convent at Admirals Cove, Fermeuse.  She was its Superior until her death in February 1857. Admiral’s Cove was named for the English Fishing Admirals who frequented the harbour from the 1700s. In 1960 the name was officially changed to ‘Port Kirwan’ in Mother Bernard’s honour.

Grave of Mother Bernard Kirwan

Anyway, Teresa is Teri’s Aunt, her mother’s sister, and she is one amazing lady!  At the age of 80 years Teresa para sailed.  Then, at the age of 85, she decided she would have a go at zip lining.  Last Saturday, 13 October, 90 year old Aunt Teresa went sky diving! What is next on your Bucket List?

Almost Ready

This is it!

Teresa Lawrence, you are truly an inspirational woman and we congratulate and commend you.  May God bless you with many more years of good health and thrilling adventures.  

The Intrepid Teresa Lawrence

'THREE POINTS CENTER'

This post takes us all the way to St George, Utah, where we find some wonderful work being done.  There is a very strong link to Newfoundland and to St Patrick’s and I am grateful to Teri Healey Evans for sharing this with us. Teri and her sisters are all graduates of St Patrick’s Convent Schools and Teri brings us news of one of the sisters, Betty.  

Many of us shared our school days with Betty and remember her with affection.  Betty Healey Brown now lives in North Carolina.  This is a story of Betty and her two amazing, community spirited sons, Norm and Glenn Thibault.  The boys were born in Newfoundland, Baptised at St Patrick’s and, after moving to the States, spent most of their summers with their Healey family in Newfoundland.  Teri says that if you ask Norm and Glenn where they are from they will proudly tell you “Newfoundland”. 

Both boys put themselves through college and Glenn became a very successful businessman and Norm a dedicated Family and Adolescent Therapist.  Norm had a great desire to help adolescents who have been adopted and who have been coping with issues of rejection, drugs, alcohol abuse and myriad other problems.   With the help of his brother Glenn’s financial backing, Norm’s dream became a reality.

September 2017 saw the grand opening of their treatment centre for such young people.  The facility is named ‘Three Points Center,’  and is located at St George, Utah.  Glenn, who lives in Colorado, was there for the opening. The boys’ very proud mother, Betty, joined them and helped cut the ribbon. At present the facility is operating at full capacity with children from across the USA and elsewhere.  Reports of the Center’s good work and excellent results are spreading far and wide. Recently, ‘Three Points Center’ was featured in a documentary on a French T V Station which had flown a crew over to film at the Ranch. 

I am certain that, not only Betty, but the entire Healey family is bursting with pride at the work these two dedicated young men are doing and the good they are bringing about.  I don’t think it would be too presumptuous if we, as fellow Newfoundlanders, schoolmates, and friends of the Healey family feel a little of that pride too.

 

Betty Healey Brown with her two sons, Glenn and Norm, at the opening of 'Three Point Center'
in St George, Utah

Teri has sent us a picture of the ribbon cutting which we are delighted to post on our School Blog.  Thanks Teri for this very interesting and inspiring story.  We send greetings to Betty and wish Norm and ‘Three Points Centre’ every success.  

**** If you click on either of the 'Three Points' names above, you will be taken to its website where you can learn all about the facility and its work.

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. 

ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE MONTH

Teri Healey Evans has been in touch to tell us about the forthcoming ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE.  Here is Terri's email.

"AUGUST is ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE MONTH. In honour of my sister Cindy & all the many people afflicted with ALS, I have decided to  host an ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE on Sunday August 20, 2017, 2:30 pm, at Middle Cove Beach. The fee to participate will be $10.00 (more or less whatever you can afford) per person (Children under 12 free) & all proceeds will go to the NL Chapter of The ALS Society. My goal is to get as many people as possible to attend & maybe we can break a record! I am challenging all of my family, friends, co-workers, & any businesses to participate. The ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE should only take a few minutes of your time but just think of all the good that may come out of it. Please come along, invite friends & share on facebook! This event will only go ahead if we can get the numbers, but it WILL go ahead rain or shine. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Don't forget to bring your bucket & towel! You can RSVP burgawgirl@gmail.com

Thanks! 

Teri Healey Evans"

WILL YOU TAKE THE CHALLENGE?

I am sure you are all aware of what a terrible illness ALS is and, readers of this Blog will also be aware of all the hard work Terri and her family put in on behalf of the NL Chapter of the ALS Society.  Let's give Teri all the support we can muster and help rid the world of ALS!

NEWFOUNDLAND'S FIRST CANADIAN

Canada is 150 years old this year and of course all Canadians are celebrating. Newfoundland became a part of Canada just 68 years ago, 1st April 1949.  St Patrick's Convent School has a special connection to that historic event. Newfoundland's FIRST CANADIAN, Sharon Rose Healey, was born at 1:35 am on 1st April 1949.  Sharon grew up on Brine Street and, along with her sisters, attended St Patrick's Convent Schools.  

NEWFOUNDLAND'S FIRST CANADIAN,
SHARON ROSE HEALEY O'NEILL

Now Mrs Sharon Rose O'Neill, she is married to Owen who has a special connection with  the Presentation Sisters.  Owen was born and raised on the beautiful Southern Shore, in Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.  

In September 1853, Mother Bernard Kirwan, the founder of the Presentation Order in Newfoundland, with four other Presentation Sisters, established at Admiral's Cove, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Convent.  Mother Bernard died on 27th February 1857 and was laid to rest in Admiral's Cove.  In 1960, this amazing Irish Nun was honoured when the name of Admiral's Cove was changed to Port Kirwan.

Sharon's sister, Teri Evans, has sent us a photo of Sharon who received due recognition at the Canada 150 Celebration Breakfast on Canada Day, 1st July 2017. Sharon was presented with a bouquet of flowers by St John's City Councillor, Sandy Hickman.

SHARON IS HONOURED AT CANADA
150 CELEBRATION BREAKFAST ON
CANADA DAY, 1ST JULY 2017

Congratulations Sharon! Thank you very much, Teri, for the photo and the information about Sharon.  It is an interesting and important part of our Newfoundland History. It is also a part of our St Patrick's History and we are happy and proud to share it here on our St Patrick's School Blog.       

ALS WALK 2017

Congratulations to “Team Cindy” on their great success with their effort in the 2017 ALS WALK, which was held on 11^th June.  Teri Healey Evans led the team in memory of her dear sister, Cindy, who passed away from this devastating disease.  Teri was joined in the ALS Walk by friends and other members of Cindy’s loving and loyal family and together they raised $500.00. 

Teri has sent us this picture of some of those who walked for Cindy.  They seem to be enjoying  some well earned refreshments.



"TEAM CINDY"

L-R: Teri’s son Matthew, Teri, Matthew’s girlfriend Melanie, Cindy’s sister Sharon Healey O’Neill and Sharon’s husband Owen O’Neill.

Cindy’s brother Charlie Healey, Teri’s daughters, their friends, and Sharon and Owen’s grandson Zachary also did the walk but, Teri tells us, by the time she remembered to take a picture they had left.  Perhaps we will get them on next year’s walk!

Thank you, Teri, for shedding some light on ALS and for sharing this wonderful family effort with us.  Keep up the good work and if we can help by posting events for you, please just let us know.

LET'S BEAT ALS FOR CINDY!



LOU GEHRIG

This is an email I received from Teri  HEALEY Evans.  Teri and all her sisters are graduates of St Patrick's Convent Schools.  Tragically, one of the sisters, Cindy, was taken by this cruel disease at just 58 years of age.  Teri is now appealing to our St Patrick's family for support in her efforts to help research into this devastating illness.  PLEASE READ TERI'S EMAIL AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS.  REMEMBER, EVERY CENT COUNTS! 

 

"My name is Teri Evans (formally Healey, from Brine St) At St. Patrick's the Sisters called me Teresa Healey.

I'm not sure if this is something you can post for me on the St. Patrick's Website & if it is not, I totally understand.

I hope I am sending the correct link, my computer skills are much to be desired!

https://apps.facebook.com/fundraising_na/PersonalPage.aspx?RegistrationID=3819863
Thanks! Teri

To My Former St. Patricks Family & Friends,

I have joined the WALK for ALS in my community, because I would like to do my 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, to breathe. This disease attacked my sister, Cindy at the age of 58, literally overnight. My family have seen firsthand how devastating ALS is & are determined to help to find a cure. I am not asking for large donations (although most welcome) just the cost of your one coffees, a toonie can go a long way! Please support my fundraising efforts by clicking on the donate button.

Thank you

 

I wrote this rant a couple of days before Cindy (Jan 23, 2016) passed away to try to get out my frustration at the time. In honor of ALS Awareness Month I decided to post again. This June 11th in Cindy's honor my family are participating in the ALS Walk. If you haven't yet but would like to sponsor us you may do so (one dollar goes a long way when you are trying to find a cure & it this case a how/why also). Just message me if you would like to sponsor & if you can't please don't feel bad, we realize how much you have all already helped out Cindy during her illness. Also please share this "Rant" to spread awareness. Thanks!!!

Teri Evans"

 

"January 21, 2016 ·

Dear ALS.........I hate you, you have stolen so much from my sister. You are a monster, 1st you steal her beautiful voice & rob her of the things she loved so much, talking to her children & grand children, her family & friends, singing which she loved to do & could do so well. Next came the walking, you couldn't even leave her with that ability & then her arms. You stole them from her so that she could not hug her family & her two precious grandchildren. You made sure she couldn't even scratch an itch, you bastard. Then you decide, hey that's not enough, why don't I just make it difficult for her to breathe. Did you love seeing the fear in her eyes when she though she was going to choke? Did you enjoy hearing her scream? BUT just know this ALS, Cindy participated in research studies just to beat you & you may have won her battle but she is leaving a legacy for all of us to fight you & that we intend to do just that!. We will find a way to destroy you yet...mark my words!"



LET'S STRIKE OUT ALS FOR CINDY AND FOR EVERYONE!