SR MARY TERESITA MARTIN

Enid O'Brien has been a constant help to me with this blog and a wonderful source of material.  For today's post I am once again indebted to Enid as she very kindly supplied this picture and the relevant information.  Thank you once again, Enid.

 

Sr Teresita with her childhood friend

 

This is a picture of Sr Mary Teresita Martin P B V M.  The picture was taken when Sister was enjoying a visit home to Cape Broyle.  Also in the picture is Sister's childhood friend, Kathleen Hartery Murphy. 

 

The only child of Ned and Catherine Martin, Sr Teresita was born in Cape Broyle  in April 1914 and given the name Susannah.  When Susannah was just eight years old her beloved mother died. 

 

Eventually, Susannah Martin entered the Presentation Congregation in St John's.  Upon receiving her white veil, Susannah was given the name of Sr Mary Teresita.  Trained as a teacher, Sr Teresita taught in various Presentation Schools around the province, including St Patrick's Convent School in the west end of St John's.  Many former St Patrick's pupils will remember Sr Teresita as a very kind and gentle person with a sweet smile and a quite voice. 

 

Sr Mary Teresita Martin passed away on 1st April 1986 at the age of 72 and she is buried in the Presentation  Convent Cemetery, St John's.  Her dear friend, Kathleen, died on 30th September 2011 at the wonderful age of  98 years.

 

Enid  tells us that Kathleen's sister, Annie Hartery Hayes, was also a good friend of Sr Teresita and she named her daughter Teresita in honour of her friend.  Annie's granddaughter is also named Teresita.  I think it is safe to say that Sr Teresita's memory still lives in the hearts of grateful pupils and loyal friends. 

 

 

Sr Mary Teresita P B V M
1914 - 1986

 

 

"SMART IN THEIR UNIFORMS"

There isn't much information with this photograph.  All we have is that it was taken in the 1960s, and that it could be a class of Grade VI or Grade VII students looking "smart in their uniforms".    I think it is too small a group to be a whole class because in the 1960s classes consisted of at least 30 girls and very often up to 40 students.  However, it certainly is a smart looking group and if anyone can name any of the girls or tell us anything about the group, it would be enormously helpful.  You can email us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com or leave a comment in the comments section of this post.  So very many of you have been extremely helpful in the past and I am confident you will be just as helpful with this little puzzler!   So, I thank you all very much and I look forward to hearing from you.

UPDATE:  I never give up hope that someday, somewhere, someone will supply us with a name or a snippet of information about a photo.  Well, it has been a long time coming (4 years!) but we now have some names to add to this photo.   Only ten more names and we will have everyone so come on now, have another look at the picture and see who you remember.  You can send any names or information to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.   Once again, thank you all for your help.
FRONT ROW, L-R: ?, Barbara Parsons, Bonnie Beck, ?, ?, Lucy O'Keefe 
MIDDLE ROW, L-R:  Connie Jackman, Betty Broderick, ?, Patricia Roche, Sharon Horan
BACK ROW, L-R:  Sheila Carew, Patricia Ann Power, Marie Carter, Fay Murphy, Patricia McCarthy

A group of St Patrick's Girls, looking "smart in their uniforms"

ST PATRICK'S DAY, ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time,  St Patrick's Day wasn't St Patrick's Day in our parish without the annual play put on by Miss Kay Hayes and the St Patrick's Dramatic Troupe. Years move on and tastes change and now those wonderful plays are just a happy memory.  Thanks to my sister-in-law, Pat McAllister, I have been given an opportunity to stroll down memory lane with the help of an old programme from one of those magical nights.  I know  many of you also remember those plays so I am posting excerpts from the programme.  There are also some adds that will bring back fond memories because the companies and products they advertise are no longer with us.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and the memories it evokes.

 

The cover of a St Patrick's Day Concert Programme

 

Setting the scene

The synopsis

 

 

Love the ads!

Meet the cast
(Remember Marty's?)

The cast, continued

 

Did Mary Downey play two parts?



Sometimes multi-talented George also acted in the plays

Did you, or your mother, shop at the London?



With all of this amazing talent entertaining us between acts,
we certainly got our money's worth!

The final "thank you" and the last page of the programme

For those of you who, like me, have had the very great pleasure of listening to "THE BIG 6" on Saturday mornings, here's the tune that still brings me back to those lazy, carefree Saturdays. 

 

 

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

SR CARMELITA'S CHORAL GROUP

We have another interesting picture for you. 

 

St Patrick's High School Choral Group
(Right click the photo to enlarge it)

 

This priceless picture is another from the Presentation Archives.  There isn't a lot of information but we know it was taken in front of the stage in the Auditorium and it is the St Patrick's High School Choral Group.   The Music Director was Sr Mary Carmelita Meaney and it was in the 1950s.  Sr Carmelita spent just a short time at St Patrick's, somewhere around  1955 - 1957.  Sadly, she died on 20th February 1958.

 

Please get in touch with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com if you are able to name any of the girls in this photo.  Perhaps you are even in it.  Any information you can supply would be very much appreciated.  I hope you enjoy this little look back at the way we were and thank you for all your help.

MEN'S MISSION, 1953

As you know, today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent.  What some of you younger readers may not know is that, in years gone by, Lent was the time for Parish Missions.  In St Patrick's Parish there was always a Men's Mission, a Women's Mission and a Mission for the School Children.  Sometimes there were two Men's Missions and two Women's Missions! There would be a Mission for the married men and one for the single men.  The same applied for the women, a Mission for the married women and one for the single women.  The Mission was given sometimes by Redemptorists, sometimes by Jesuits and I remember one given by Franciscans. 

The Men's Mission, St Patrick's Church, Lent 1953

This amazing picture is copied from St Patrick's 100th Anniversary Book and it shows how well attended were those Missions of yesteryear.  Just look at that crowd!  Even the aisles are blocked with men.  We know such scenes could never take place today, and not only because of health and safety rules either.  What would it take today to get this many men, after a hard day's work, to turn up for a couple of hours praying and preaching?   

MORE FIRST COMMUNICANTS

I am so pleased that people are sending their First Communion photographs.  The pictures are always so lovely & First Communion and Confirmation Days are such an important  part of our childhood memories.  For these beautiful pictures, I have to thank Cynthia Murphy Downey.  The pretty little girls are Cynthia  and her cousin, Marie Madden. 

 

Cynthia Murphy and Marie Madden, before
going to St Patrick's Church to receive
First Holy Communion

 

First Communion, Cynthia Murphy
 

 

 

Cynthia has also sent us a photo of the Holy Cross First Communion Class of 1955.  Cynthia's husband, Ted Downey, is on the extreme left in the back row.  Have you ever seen a more angelic looking group of boys?

 



First Communion Class, Holy Cross School, circa 1955

 

 

Thanks Cynthia for this beautiful addition to our St Patrick's Convent School Blog.  Contributions are always most gratefully received.

FIRST COMMUNION CIRCA 1958

This beautiful First Communion picture has been received from LIZ FINNEY CROFT.  She said it was 1958 and she was in Grade 2.  Liz is in the front row, far right.  While Liz remembers the day well, she cannot remember the names of the other girls in the picture.  Do you recognise yourself or anyone else on this picture?  Let us know if you do because Liz, as well as the rest of us, would love to be able to put names to the young faces.

First Communion, St Patrick's Convent, circa 1958
(Right click any picture to enlarge it)

Thank you very much, Liz, for sharing this lovely memory with us. If anyone else has First Communion or Confirmation photographs to share, please send them to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we would be glad to post them on the school blog and facebook page.



ARE YOU IN THIS PICTURE?

It is time to get your Deerstalkers on again, my sleuthing friends!  This time we have a photograph of a Grade 4 Class,  St Patrick's Convent School.  We know that the year is 1950 but we don't have any names for the lovely young girls nor do we know the name of the teacher.  If you are on this photo, or if someone you know is in it, we would love to hear from you.  You can contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com with any names or details.  I look forward to hearing from you  and I thank you in advance for your help. 






Grade 4, St Patrick's Convent, 1950
(IF YOU RIGHT CLICK THE PICTURE IT WILL ENLARGE)

It is time for a bit of editing!  Thanks to Joan (Reynolds) Fogarty, I now have the names of the girls on this picture. 

 

 

ROW 1: Kathleen Dobbin, Emily Bishop*, Lorraine Sheehan, Rosemary Ashley, Joan Abbass, Yvonne Beck, Margie Miller, Mary Bulger, Brenda Casey, Brenda Molloy, Andrea Martin*, Eleanor Sears, Joan Predham*.

 

ROW 2: Mary Whalen, Catherine Corbett, Rita Kielley, Joan Reynolds, Joan Ryan, Joan Connolly, Irene Viscount, Barbara Ryan, Joan Byrne, Ruth Howell*, Patricia McCarthy, Marie Madden, Barbara Mahoney.

 

 

ROW 3: Joan O'Dwyer, Lillian Hynes, Marie Fitzgerald, Gertrude Cleary, Betty Antle, Joan Stanford, Mary English, Mary Farrell.

The Teacher was Mother John.

 

THE * INDICATES  DECEASED.

 

 

Thank you,  Joan, for all your help.  Thanks also to the other ladies who were able to give me a name or two.  I appreciate your help.

VOLLEYBALL TEAM, 1979

St Patrick's Convent School  Volleyball Team, 1979

This is a picture taken from the 1979 St Patrick's Yearbook.  Thank you Paula for the loan of your yearbook.  It has a lot of great pictures in it. 

 

 

Are you on this picture?

1st Row: S Evans, B Martin, C Power, L Barrett, T Hefferman/Mary Heffernan, S Prim,

 

2nd Row: Mrs S Wade (Coach), L Gallagher, V Hawco, J Tucker, C Thompson, M Keating, E Donnelley, L Hickey, P Harding, J Walsh (manager)

If anyone has any stories about this team, it would be nice if you would share them with us on the blog. You can send them to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com

I am very grateful to "Anonymous" who has been kind enough to send us the correct name of one of the girls in this picture.  Here is the comment, which was received yesterday:

Anonymous16 November 2014 17:20

"Hi! In the photo of the Volleyball players, it's Mary Heffernan, I believe I am correct."

 

A MYSTERY WORTHY OF SHERLOCK?

 



High School Chorus, St Patrick's High School
(If you click on the picture, it will enlarge)



 

This post could prove to be a very interesting one  and it might take Sherlock himself to solve it.  However,  I have great faith in St Patrick's Pupils so, although it is a High School Choir, it will probably prove elementary to the St Patrick's sleuths.  Here we go!

 

This photo, from Presentation Archives, comes with very little information and we are hoping that you have some knowledge of it.  All we know is that THE YEAR IS 1955 and it is a group of HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SINGING IN CHORUS AT ST PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL.

 

We know from the uniform that it is a Presentation School. The hands also give it away. In my day at St Patrick's we girls referred to this as 'The Presentation Clutch'.   Not, I hasten to add, within earshot of any of the good Sisters!

 

 

We would appreciate ANY INFORMATION you can provide but there are two main things we hope you can tell us:

 

1)  Please, can you identify any of the girls in this picture?

 

2)   Is this even OUR St Patrick's Convent School?

 

I don't remember the stage in our auditorium looking like this.  The background is too busy with all that pattern and frills and flounces but perhaps it was done that way for a themed concert or something.  Also, did we have footlights?  Perhaps we did but I don't remember them. 

 

So, my dear schoolmates, I am counting on you to help us out with this dilemma because I don't want to call Dr Watson & his strange friend.  They might prove to be very pricey.  We would be more than grateful if you would contact us on mcallistersmith@gmail.com if you have any information at all. 

MINI REUNION IN FLORIDA



Mini Reunion in Florida

I don't know exactly what it is about St Patrick's girls that makes them friends for life.   No matter where they find themselves, living or visiting, they just can't resist getting together for a reunion. That is just one more thing that makes St Patrick's folks so special!

 

Janet (McGrath) Crane, Phyllis Reardon, Cathy (Hearn) Greene, Pat (Hurley) McDonald, Myra (Walsh) Meigle and Judy (Comerford) Newton had a happy reunion in Florida on 13 February 2014.  This picture was taken at Marina Jack's, Sarasota, Florida, where the ladies got together to chat, reminisce and, no doubt, to laugh a lot!  You all look like you are having a wonderful time and, I have to admit to a bit of jealousy on my part as I wish I could have been there too. 

 

Thank you, Pat Hurley McDonald, for the picture & the information.  I am glad it  went so well for you all. 

N B

IF ANYONE HAS HAD, ARE HAVING, OR ARE PLANNING A REUNION, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON THIS BLOG.   ANYTHING CONCERNING ST PATRICK'S OR FORMER PUPILS OF ST PATRICK'S OR HOLY CROSS WILL BE GREATLY WELCOMED.

AWARD WINNING CHOIR

 

St Patrick's Glee Club, April 1973

Were you a member of this award winning choir?  If so, I am in urgent need of your help.   The good folks at Presentation Archives inform me that this picture was taken at CBC Studios and the date on the photo is April 1973.  They are anxious to identify the students in this photo. The Pianist is Miss Eleanor Lawton, the Choir Director is Sr Mary Brendan Lynch and the Principal is Sr Mary Luke Parsley.  This Glee Club was a very talented one &, through its excellence, won a trip to Ottawa. 

 

We would be very grateful if you would help us out with the names of the girls. 

 

Also, do you have, or do you know of anyone who has, a recording of when you sang in any concerts, choirs, glee clubs, etc?   Our friends at Presentation Archives are gathering up any musical recordings or videos and digitizing them. So, if you have any recordings or videos of your choirs, they would be very grateful if they could borrow them.  

 

Please contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com if you can help us to identify the girls or lend us your recordings or videos.  We will be forever grateful!

 

Just so you can see everyone more clearly, I have divided the photo into three sections.  I hope it will help you identify the students.

 

 

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

GET TOGETHER AT PAPA'S RESTAURANT,
18th NOVEMBER 2013

 

On Monday, 18th November 2013, a Get Together Lunch was held at Papa's Restaurant, Churchill Square.  From all reports, a great number of St Patrick's girls attended and a good time was had by all.  I am indebted to Patricia Hurley McDonald and Mary Johnson Godsland for these photographs.  If anyone else would like to share their photos of this event, please send them to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and I will be delighted to post them for you.  Everyone enjoys hearing about school friends and classmates and seeing pictures of them today so, don't be shy, we would love to hear from you!

 

GOOD FOOD, GOOD FRIENDS!

 

LOTS OF MEMORIES SHARED WITH OLD AND
TRUE FRIENDS

 

Again, a big thank you to Mary and Pat for the photographs.  I wish I could have been there!

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

WATCH THIS BLOG FOR NEWS OF A REUNION FOR THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLASS OF 73/74!

REST IN PEACE, SR MARY LUKE

Sr M Luke, taken at St Patrick's Convent, about 1962

 

“Passed peacefully away at Presentation Motherhouse, St. John's, on Friday, December 27, 2013, Sister Mary Luke, daughter of William and Mary Parsley of Harbour Main, aged 94 years. Predeceased by her sisters - Sister Mary Nano, PBVM, Sister Mary Mark, RSM, Catherine Ford and Ursula Kavanagh; her brothers Samuel, John, James, Edward and William. Left to mourn and celebrate her life are the Presentation Sisters, many devoted nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. The wake will be held at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square with visiting hours on Saturday, December 28th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; on Sunday, December 29th from noon - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a vigil at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Monday, December 30 at 11:30 a.m. with interment at Presentation Cemetery, Cathedral Square.”

I am posting this notice, which appeared in today’s newspaper, because I think many of you will want to know the times of visitation and the time of the funeral.  I know that there will be a lot of people who will feel sad to hear this news but who will also feel very blessed to have known Sr Luke.

Sr Luke came to St Patrick’s Convent, St John’s, in 1959.  She taught Grade 8 for some years and eventually became Principal.  Sr Luke was an exceptional teacher and proved to be an excellent leader in the role of Principal.  She was loved and respected by pupils and staff alike. 

St Patrick’s girls will not be the only ones remembering Sr Luke today.  Nuns go where they are sent and so after many years at St Patrick’s Sr Luke moved on to other schools and parishes.  Such places as Cape St George, Trepassey & Holy Heart of Mary were graced with her gentle presence. 

So, on 27^th December, after a long and faithful life of service, Sr Mary Luke passed away at Presentation Motherhouse, Cathedral Square.  A true daughter of Nano Nagle, Sr Luke will be remembered with love and gratitude by those of us who have had the great privilege of knowing her.  For myself, I will certainly miss my visits with Sr Luke but I will always treasure the memory of them. 



Sr Mary Luke, 2009

"But they that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity"   Daniel 12:3

Rest in peace, Sr Mary Luke.

LULU'S CHRISTMAS POEM

This post comes courtesy of Lulu Tucker.  Lulu, better known to most of you as Marylou Mallard, is a St Patrick's girl with a talent for writing poetry.  Lulu's lovely Christmas poem puts the emphasis where it belongs - on the birth of Jesus and the message of love which He brought.  Thank you Lulu and may you all have a very Happy CHRISTmas.

CHRIST'S WISH FOR CHRISTMAS

 

 

As willow white snowflakes fall to the ground

With a cool breeze blowing all around

The only skin showing is rosy red cheeks

Christmas will be coming to our town.

 

 

The beauty of this wondrous season,

Pretty colours peeking through the snow,

Many tired shoppers rushing all around

With perfect Christmas parcels all in tow.

 

 

As this Holy Season approaches we have to reflect

On the blessings that's presented to us

From a little child named Jesus placed in a MANGER

He is trying to teach us we really should not fuss.

 

 

The presents He wants us all to give

Come from our beautiful hearts within

Faith, Hope and Love as we all help each other

Then forever we'll stay closer to him.