Maurice Charette has sent some beautiful photos and, with a little luck, someone out there will be able to enlighten him, and us, as to the occasion. It is definitely an event at St Patrick's Convent but what was the event?
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| Elizabeth Murphy, in white dress, 2nd from right, circa 1936 |
The photos belonged to his late mother and Maurice has identified her in the group of four women on the right side of the picture. She is wearing a white dress and is second from the right. Now let me tell you a little about this lovely lady.
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| What is this grand event at St Patrick's Convent, circa 1936? |
Maurice's mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Murphy, was born in St John's 24th May, 1914. She lived with her family at 9 Patrick Street. The family later moved to 544 Water St. Elizabeth's father died in 1924, when Elizabeth was about ten years old. Her mother was left to bring up Elizabeth and three sons, Bill, Tom and Michael, on her own. No doubt, Mrs Murphy was an heroic woman as times definitely were hard. However, Maurice said that the Nuns were good to her and gave her work to help feed the family. They also helped her to buy a sewing machine.
During World War II, Gilbert Charette from Britt, Ontario, was serving with the Canadian Army at Blackhead. He and Elizabeth met and fell in love. On 1st February 1945, they were married at Elizabeth's Parish Church, St Patrick's, on Patrick St. After the War, the couple and their baby daughter moved to Ontario where eight more children were born to them. The couple enjoyed a long and happy marriage of more than sixty years. Elizabeth passed away on 26th November 2005. Just months later, on 14th April 2006, Gilbert passed away.
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| Gilbert and Elizabeth on their Wedding Day, 1st February 1945 |
Maurice lives in Sault Ste Marie but keeps in touch and visits his relatives in Newfoundland. The family still attend Sunday Mass at St Patrick's and Maurice has accompanied them on several occasions.
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| Clergy attending event at St Patrick's Convent. Who are they? |
Doreen McAllister Heffernan has suggested that the priest, second from the left is a young Fr J J Murray who served at St Patrick's about that time. Anne Walsh has told Maurice that her great aunt, Nellie Byrne, is the lady on the left of the four ladies on the right hand side.
I am delighted to say that several others in this photo have been identified. Marina Carew Aita puts forward Kathleen (Kay) Hayes as the young woman with the priest in the presentation photo. Kay was a life long member and great supporter of St Patrick's Parish. Carmelita Hearn has positively identified the girl at the extreme right of the group of four on the right hand side of photo. It is her father's youngest sister, Bridie Hearn. Bridie, a musician and teacher, was well known and respected in our parish. Carmelita said Aunt Bridie would have been about sixteen years old when this photo was taken.
The priest on the right of the photo and in the presentation photo is, we are almost certain, Fr T J Flynn (later Bishop Flynn). Fr Flynn was Pastor of St Patrick's from 1932 to 1945. In 1945, he was consecrated Coadjutor Archbishop. Judging from his clothes, I would say that at the time of this photo, he would have been Monsignor Flynn. I am happy to be corrected on that if someone knows better.
I am delighted to say that several others in this photo have been identified. Marina Carew Aita puts forward Kathleen (Kay) Hayes as the young woman with the priest in the presentation photo. Kay was a life long member and great supporter of St Patrick's Parish. Carmelita Hearn has positively identified the girl at the extreme right of the group of four on the right hand side of photo. It is her father's youngest sister, Bridie Hearn. Bridie, a musician and teacher, was well known and respected in our parish. Carmelita said Aunt Bridie would have been about sixteen years old when this photo was taken.
The priest on the right of the photo and in the presentation photo is, we are almost certain, Fr T J Flynn (later Bishop Flynn). Fr Flynn was Pastor of St Patrick's from 1932 to 1945. In 1945, he was consecrated Coadjutor Archbishop. Judging from his clothes, I would say that at the time of this photo, he would have been Monsignor Flynn. I am happy to be corrected on that if someone knows better.
We think these photos are an historic treasure and we would be more than delighted if someone can tell us anything, (no detail is too small) about these photos, the people, and the event. Please get in touch with us at mcallistrsmith@gmail.com. We will be forever grateful!
Maurice, I can't thank you enough for sharing these wonderful pictures and your mother's story with us. It is so nice to learn a little about a St Patrick's girl who, although at a different time, walked the same corridors and sat in the same classrooms as so many of us.
Maurice, I can't thank you enough for sharing these wonderful pictures and your mother's story with us. It is so nice to learn a little about a St Patrick's girl who, although at a different time, walked the same corridors and sat in the same classrooms as so many of us.
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| What is being presented here? |
The priest on the far left looks like my Godfather, Father David Morrissey, later Msgr,
ReplyDeleteHi Joan. I got all excited there for a few minutes because, I agree, that priest does look very much like Msgr Morrissey. But then I looked in the 100th Anniversary Book of St Patrick's Church and found that Msgr Morrissey was born in 1929 so he would have been only about 7 or 8 when this photo was taken. Thanks for the suggestion though.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to see this and learn about my Grandma Anastasia family.
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