LOUIE'S RETIREMENT

 July was a very exciting month for our resident poet, Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker.  She has spent most of her working life caring for and loving children but on 16 July Louie retired.  She has sent us a poem to mark the occasion and I am happy to post it here.

LOUIE'S RETIREMENT

Up to 65 years it has been an awesome journey 
As part of my work life comes to a close,
From working in an office for the first seven years
To loving and kissing my little babies toes.

Thirty six years of children attending my day home
My love grows so deep with these tiny little ones,
To teaching these darlings to love, care and share
Hopefully they will continue on once my work is done.

I feel blessed that faith, hope and love has gotten me through life
With my family and friends this gift will never cease,
My thought is that money certainly doesn’t buy happiness
Also forgiveness and giving brings the greatest peace.

I’ve been so thankful for my wonderful husband Robert
As we will celebrate 46 years of marriage in June,
My awesome son Bobby, his darling Tash and our grandkids
When we get to see them safely it will never be too soon.

This place in time I am truly blessed with my beautiful mom Helen
Who will soon celebrate the big 93,
Her living children and her very close family and friends
I thank God in Heaven for the blessings we all see.

Not all my family and friends have made it to this age
I thank God for my 65 years,
Some are granted a very short visit to earth
We are not told how long we’ll be here.

From Stephen Street, to Mckay St., to Brine Street
St. Patrick’s, to Holy Heart of Mary and Business Ed,
From United Nail and Foundry, to dedicating my life to Child Care and St. Bon’s
I agree it’s hard and busy but a most rewarding job as people have said.

I will now be entering semi-retirement 
As my last precious children leave my door,
I’ll certainly be praying for all of you through the next chapter 
My love will be an extension to my babies forever more!! 

For all my babies from three months to over thirty,

Your Louie, always!!! 

I know that the parents will miss Louie's kindness and expertise and I am equally certain that Louie will miss her beloved and cherished charges. 

We wish Louie years and years of healthy and happy retirement with plenty of time to enjoy Robert and all her wonderful family.  God bless you, Louie, and your big kind heart.  Thanks for all your support and contributions to this blog.  Please keep in touch and we look forward to more of your poems (when you get time🍷🍷!) 

TRIBUTE TO RONNIE

Ronnie Doyle, R I P

We are all saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Ronnie Doyle, such a well loved presence in St Patrick's Parish. Ronnie's friend, neighbour, and fellow parishioner has put pen to paper to offer a tribute to Ronnie.  Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker has shared her lovely poem with us.

                          RONNIE

How many tears can one cry to Heaven

For someone so special we have loved and lost,

The shock and stress of his death that happened

The feeling of numbness and helplessness is the greatest cost.

The friendliest family man who loved chatting to everyone

He was that pleasant person we will never soon forget,

Everyone was greeted with his contagious smile and a wave

He was someone many are thankful to have met.

He was so much like his angelic parents, Mary and Kevin,

The family home is still next door to Robert and me

His dad and Ronnie wore a path from St. Patrick’s to Brine Street

Doing good for others that many did not see.

Ronnie was the very energetic sort

Who felt there was never enough time to get things done,

The best maintenance and grounds worker that St. Patrick’s would ever see

But he certainly made time for his family and loved ones.

Ronnie and Ros were blessed with two children, Kevin and Courtney, 

They will always be their special pride and joy,

When two grandchildren were to come from Kevin and Sarah

They were blessed with a beautiful girl and darling boy.

All the siblings from both sides loved him dearly

He was always just a phone call away,

He will be so missed by the priests and co-workers

And by all of us every hour of every day.

Ros, his beautiful soul is now in Heaven

With his loving family who have passed on before,

Jesus smiled and said, “COME MY SON”

You have earned your walk through Heavens door.

Hugs to Heaven Ronnie 

Thank you, Mary Lou, for this touching tribute to  Ronnie Doyle.  He was a well loved man who will be missed by so very many people.  To Ronnie's dear wife and devoted family, we extend our sincerest  sympathy. May God's love support you all in this ordeal and may  Ronnie's gentle soul rest in Christ's peace.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SR BRENDAN LYNCH

I have received some happy news from Wayne Lynch regarding his Aunt, Sr Brendan Lynch.  Wayne tells me that Sr Brendan celebrates her 90th Birthday today, 25 February, 2021.    Sr Brendan, we all wish you a wonderful Birthday and, were it not for this Covid situation we find ourselves in, I am sure there would be a steady stream of St Patrick's girls making their way to Presentation Convent to greet you on this special day. 

Sister Mary Brendan came to St Patrick's in 1967 and began to work her musical magic. She found an abundance of talent at St Patrick's and she certainly honed and polished it into a thing of beauty.  Awards and accolades came thick and fast for Sister and her choirs(here).  (To see other news of Sr Brendan and her choirs, just enter her name in the search box in the top left corner of the blog.)

Gertrude Lynch was born to Agnes and Patrick Lynch on 25 February 1931 in Grand Falls-Windsor. Sadly, Agnes passed away when Gertrude was just a child. Gertrude, Gen Murphy and Kay McDermott all started school together and became fast friends. The girls went through school together and eventually graduated together.  The beautiful thing is that the three are still friends and this year they all celebrate their 90th Birthdays. Happily for us, Gertrude joined the Presentation Sisters and was given the name Sr Mary Brendan. Sr Brendan taught in various schools across the Island sharing her talents and instilling the love of music and song in her charges.

Wayne has kindly shared some photographs of Sr Brendan with us.  I will post them here because I think many of Sr Brendan's pupils will be wishing her well today. 

Wayne, thank you so much for making  it possible for us to let Sr Brendan know that she and her music always will be special to her St Patrick's girls.

Happy Birthday, dear Sr Brendan, and may God bless you today and always.