THE FEAST OF ST MATTHEW - A HISTORY MAKING DAY

St Matthew

Today, 21^st September, is the feast of St Matthew and a very special day in the history of Newfoundland.  On this day 182 years ago, the brig ‘Ariel’ entered St John’s Harbour.  Commanded by Captain William Staunton, the ship was carrying the Bishop of Newfoundland, Michael Anthony Fleming, and four heroic Irish women.  The brave and selfless ladies were four Presentation Sisters; Sr Mary Bernard Kirwan, Sr Mary Xaverius Lynch, Sr Mary Xavier Molony and Sr Mary Magdalen O’Shaughnessy.

 



Captain William Staunton
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Bishop Fleming, ever zealous for the welfare of those in his care, had personally appealed to the Presentation Convent in Galway. His fervent hope was that volunteers from the Order would come with him to Newfoundland to instruct the poor children of his flock.  The good man was not disappointed for almost immediately the four Sisters agreed to join him.

Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming

On 11^th August 1833 the Sisters left their Convent in Galway and travelled some 250 miles by coach to Waterford.  Then, on 28^th August, they embarked on the ‘Ariel’, accompanied by Bishop Fleming. 

 





Presentation Convent, Galway



The ocean voyage was a perilous one.  At one point, their situation was so desperate that the Captain was forced to let the vessel drift helplessly before the wind.  For almost a month they endured the misery and the worry of this journey.  It would surely have been a wonderful relief to the Sisters when, on 21^st September, they reached the safe haven of St John’s Harbour.  They must have been very pleased also with the warm and enthusiastic welcome they received from the population of St John’s. 

 

The Bishop had procured a residence for them in a former tavern called ‘The Rising Sun’.  It is said that this was regarded as a good omen by the townsfolk as it symbolised the light of faith and education which the Sisters came to spread throughout the country.  Indeed, within a few weeks of their arrival the Sisters had attracted approximately 450 pupils.  They began teaching in a room in their home in the old tavern.  The Sisters were well educated, cultured ladies and they taught literature, arithmetic, French, needlework, Christian doctrine and music.  In fact, the Presentation Sisters were the first teachers in Newfoundland to introduce music into schools on a daily basis.

 

Back in Galway, there was much sadness as no word of the arrival of the Sisters in St John’s had reached the Galway community.  The letters containing news of their safe passage had been mislaid in Liverpool and it was several months before the Galway Convent received them.  By then, the four intrepid pioneers were given up for lost and a general mourning took place.  We can only imagine the great happiness and rejoicing that took place when the letters finally reached their intended destination!

 

The Four Founding sisters spent their lives and their talents for the children of Newfoundland and never saw their beloved homeland again. 

Sr Bernard Kirwan left the Motherhouse in 1853 to help establish a new foundation at Admiral’s Cove, (renamed Port Kirwan) Fermeuse.  She is buried in Port Kirwan where she died in February 1857.



Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, upon the departure of Sr Bernard Kirwan, became Superior of the Presentation Convent in St John’s.  She was instrumental in sending out Sisters to found new houses of the Order.  Sr Magdalene died at Presentation Convent, St John’s, in 1889 and is buried in the cemetery there.

 



Sr Mary Magdalen O'Shaughnessy
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Xaverius Lynch founded the Convent in Harbour Grace in 1851 and was its Superior until her death in November 1882.  She is buried in the Presentation Cemetery in Harbour Grace. 



Sr Mary Xaverius Lynch
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Xavier Molony, the oldest of the four foundresses, helped establish the new foundation at Harbour Main in 1853.  She was its Superior until she became ill three years later and returned to the Motherhouse in St John’s.  She died there in 1865 and was laid to rest in the Convent Cemetery.

 



Sr Mary Xavier Molony
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

 

The arrival of the four Sisters in Newfoundland in September 1833 was certainly a history making event.  They founded the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland and, consequently, the first Presentation House in North America.  They were the first English speaking Sisters in Canada.  Sister Mary Bernard Kirwan, who had been appointed Superior of the new foundation, was therefore the founder of the Presentation Congregation in North America.

 

We have much to be grateful for on this Feast of St Matthew, 21^st September 2015:  The dedication and determination of Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming is the first thing for which we should be grateful.  He did much for his adopted homeland and its Catholic population.  Sisters Bernard Kirwan, Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, Xaverius Lynch and Xavier Molony gave their all in the education and betterment of the poor children of Newfoundland.  As products of Presentation Schools, we are particularly indebted to these valiant ladies and to the many fine Presentation Sisters who have been our teachers.  Lastly, we should remember Master Mariner, Captain William Staunton.  Captain Staunton agreed to take responsibility for conveying the Sisters to the New World when others had refused.            



The Three St Patrick's Convent Schools
 

Yes, today is an important day in Newfoundland History.  Let’s take pride in our amazing heritage!

MOTHER BERNARD KIRWAN'S ANNIVERSARY

Today, 27^th February, marks the 156th anniversary of the death of Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan.  Mother Bernard Kirwan P B V M, religious, pioneer, and educator, is an important figure in the history of Newfoundland.  We who have had the great privilege of being educated by the Presentation Sisters are especially indebted to Mother Bernard!



Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan



According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Julia Kirwan, daughter of James and Ann Kirwan, was born in Galway in 1797.  In 1823, Julia entered the Presentation Convent, Galway.  Known in religion as Sister Mary Bernard, she took her vows there in 1829. 

In 1833 Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming visited the Presentation Convent in Galway in the hope of recruiting Sisters to teach in Newfoundland.  The tremendous work that the Presentation Sisters have done in Newfoundland over the years is proof that to say Bishop Fleming was ‘successful’ would be an understatement!   Four Nuns, including Sister Mary Bernard, volunteered to accompany the Bishop.  Sister Bernard was appointed Superior of the new foundation in St John’s, the first Presentation Convent outside of Ireland.  Thus Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan would become not only the founder of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland, but the founder of the Presentation Congregation in the whole of North America.

The group left Ireland on 11^th August 1833 and arrived in St John’s on the feast of St Matthew, 21^st September, 1833.  Despite misfortune and setbacks, the Presentation Order thrived and soon expanded to other parts of Newfoundland.  In September 1853, with Convents already established in Harbour Grace, Carbonear and Harbour Main, a Convent was founded at Admiral’s Cove, Fermeuse, on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula.  Mother Bernard was appointed Superior of this latest foundation.  It was in Fermeuse, on 27^th February 1857, that Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan passed away.  It was said of her that “She was remarkable for a peculiar sweetness of disposition, exalted piety, unbounded charity, and a burning zeal for the glory of God and the good of her neighbour.  Her death was like her life, most holy.”  

 

Mother Bernard Kirwan was interred in Admiral’s Cove, the little Cove to which she would one day give her name.  Admiral’s Cove was named after the English Fishing Admirals who frequented the Harbour from the1700s.  In 1960 the name was officially changed to Port Kirwan, in honour of Mother Bernard Kirwan.  In this pretty little Cove, Mother Bernard’s name is revered and her memorial is lovingly tended.  Sr Mary Magdalen O’Neill, who died at Fermeuse on 27^th October 1871, is also commemorated at this site.



This Stone has since been replaced

 I am greatly indebted to a most wonderful man, my friend Ed O’Neill.  Ed O’Neill, a devoted son of Admiral’s Cove/Port Kirwan, is an historian, photographer, chronicler, preserver and lover of all things ‘Fermeuse’.   Ed has come upon a very unusual piece of our history which he generously shares with us here. 

Ed says, “Here are a couple of photographs of Mother Bernard Kirwan’s walking stick.”  He continues; “Mother Kirwan lived in Port Kirwan from 1853 to 1857 when she passed away.  She must have had knee-joint problems and required the use of a cane.  The cane was made by a Mr Walsh from Riverhead, Fermeuse, a well-known carpenter.  I borrowed it from one of his great-grandchildren who still have it in their possession.”

Mother Bernard's Walking Stick

Being a history buff, I am delighted with this bit of information and with the accompanying photographs.  Thank you so much, Ed.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

MOTHER BERNARD KIRWAN'S GALWAY CONVENT

My good friend, Ed O'Neill, is an artist of the first water.  His videos of various parts of the beautiful Southern Shore are a delight and ensure a great feeling of homesickness & pride in all of us exiles.  Anyway, Ed, being the generous man that he is, has given me permission to post this video on our St Patrick's blog.

As you are aware, Mother Bernard Kirwan was the Superior of the little band of Presentation Sisters who came out to Newfoundland from Galway in 1833 to establish the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland.  Mother Bernard is therefore the foundress of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland.

Mother Bernard now rests in the peaceful soil of Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.  Her grave is lovingly tended by the kind and generous people of that beautiful community. 

Port Kirwan was formerly known as 'Admiral's Cove'.  In his article 'Early Years' in the Port Kirwan Book, 'Kind Hearts and Gentle People' Ed tells us; 

"Father Thomas J Moakler was behind the new name for Admiral's Cove, a change that took place during his tenure as our parish priest (1958-1963)."    Ed goes on to quote Fr Moakler.  "I renamed Admiral's Cove when the Federal Post Office complained there were too many 'Admirals this and that' all over Newfoundland and Labrador, and we would have to get a new name or lose our post office in the Cove.  The community was renamed in honour of Sister Bernard Kirwan, who founded the convent in Admiral's Cove in 1853, the third convent of the Order in Newfoundland."

Now have a look at Ed's great video and see the heritage that, as St Patrick's girls, is ours.    You would also be doing yourself a great favour if you took a trip up the Shore and paid a visit to Mother Bernard's grave.  There is no spot on God's good earth more beautiful that Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.

Once again, Ed, many thanks for your generosity.

THE FIRST PRESENTATION CONVENT OUTSIDE IRELAND

Mother M Bernard Kirwan
(Click on picture to enlarge it)

In a letter to a friend, Nano Nagle wrote: “If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe, I would willingly do all in my power”. Less than fifty years after Nano’s death her Sisters took up the challenge in a very different “part of the globe”.

Michael Anthony Fleming, Bishop of Newfoundland, had travelled to Ireland with the specific aim of acquiring the services of the Presentation Sisters. The good Bishop keenly desired to provide the children of the Catholic population with a solid education and religious instruction. To that end he approached Mother John Power, the Superior of the Presentation Convent in Galway. Bishop Fleming explained his mission to Mother John and the assembled Sisters and, touched by the plight of his charges and his concern for them, Sr Magdalen O’Shaughnessy immediately volunteered. She was promptly joined by Sr Xaverius Lynch, Sr Bernard Kirwan and Sr Xavier Maloney.

The Bishop of Galway gave his approval and appointed Sr Bernard Kirwan as Superior. Bishop Fleming promised to provide the Sisters with £100 a year as well as a suitable Convent and school. Mother John Power stipulated that the Galway Community would be empowered to recall the Sisters after six years should they wish to return. All was agreed. Nano Nagle’s missionary dream was about to become a reality as her four spiritual daughters set out to establish the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland.

On 28th August 1833, the Bishop and the four courageous women set sail from Waterford aboard the Ariel. Their journey was not an easy one. Storms, gales, seasickness, and quite possibly homesickness, made it a very perilous and unpleasant journey. Finally, on the Feast of St Matthew, 21st September 1833, the four intrepid Irish Sisters came ashore in St John’s. They received a tumultuous welcome from the citizens, Protestant and Catholic alike.

Sr Bernard Kirwan, Sr Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, Sr Xaverius Lynch and Sr Xavier Maloney were the first Presentation Sisters to set foot in North America. Soon more would come. The work was just beginning!

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