EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT HOLY CROSS

Holy Cross always had an exemplary academic record but it wasn't all brain work there! These pictures from the 1961 yearbook are proof positive that the school had a varied and full programme, designed to develop every attribute that makes a well rounded person and a good citizen.

JUNIOR GLEE CLUB MEMBERS

We don't have names to go with this photo of the members of the Junior Glee Club although several names have been suggested. The names we have been given are Joe Power, Paul Meaney, John Simms, ? Byrne, and ? Healey.  Can you add to this?

***Lorraine Walsh has just contacted us with some more names of boys in the Junior Glee Club.  Lorraine tells us that Bernie Walsh, Leo Hagerty, Tom Coffey and Bob Ennis are among the young singers. Thank you Lorraine. Your input is very much appreciated. 

SENIOR ALTAR BOYS

How times have changed.  Just look at the number of Altar Boys.  And this is just the senior altar boys!  Again, the boys aren't named but we have managed to identify some of them.  They are, in no particular order, Jimmy Murray, Ed Flynn, Pat Byrne, Joe Ashley, Jim Kelley, Kevin Walsh, Robert Wells, Jack Hurley, David Finch, Johnny Murphy, Frank Fitzgerald, Ron Baird, Bill McDonald, Gerry Duggan, Ed Kennedy, Paul Whelan, Clifford Forristal, Tom Molloy, Ray Pollard. Do you recognise anyone else here? Please let us know if you do.

Our third photo is of the High School Bowling Team. Thankfully, the boys on the Bowling Team have been named so we are sure we have it right this time!  However, we hope that someone will be able to give us the full names of J McCarthy and R Nolan.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING TEAM

Back, L-R: Mike Healey, Rex Snelgrove, 
                 J McCarthy  
Front:        Maurice Cullen, R Nolan

Finally, here are the Brothers who guided these groups.

BR G G McHUGH
GLEE CLUB MODERATOR

BR J M SAVAGE
ALTAR BOY SOCIETY AND
HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING TEAM

Once again, we ask your assistance with names and any information you have about these groups.  Please get in touch with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  

MAY RIBBONS AND FIRST COMMUNIONS

It is May again and, as the old hymn says, "the month of Our Mother".  In days gone by, everyone at St Patrick's Convent School, and maybe at every other Catholic School too, wore a blue ribbon and medal in honour of Our Lady.  There were May Crownings, May Altars,  and hymns sung in honour of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord.  How long has it been since you saw one of these?  Did you ever wear one?

A May Medal & ribbon.  It was worn, in times past, in the month of May in honour of the
Blessed Virgin Mary.

I am indebted to Lynn Miller for this photo.  It is quite a few years since Lynn wore this but, obviously, she has lovingly saved it as a memento of her school days.  By the way, Lynn was a pupil of St Pius X School but she comes from a very long line of St Patrick's Girls!

 

Sharron MALONE Peet has sent us two beautiful photos of her First Holy Communion.  Sharron tells us: "I made my First Holy Communion May 29, 1956. Monsignor Murphy officiated. I remember his black patent leather shoes with the silver buckles. They made a big impression on a little girl from Flower Hill." 

I love the bit about the shoes!  If I am not mistaken, he also wore red socks.  Does anyone else remember the socks?  Msgr Murphy was our Parish Priest for about 25 years and I always thought he was very handsome.  




Sharron's First Holy Communion Class

In this beautiful group photo, Sharron is in the second row, sixth from the right.  Can you name anyone else in the picture?  If so, please send the names to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be happy to post them here.


Sharron's First Communion Day,
29th May 1956

This is a photo of Sharron in her First Communion Dress.  It is beautiful and we are so grateful to Sharron for sharing her happy First Holy Communion memories with us.

 

 

This photo is from a much earlier time.  It was sent to us by Frank McAllister.  Frank told us it is the 1946 First Communion Group, Holy Cross School. However, Frank neglected to tell us if he is in the photo.  Perhaps he could let us know and, hopefully, give us some other names too?

 

First Communion Class, 1946,
Holy Cross School

 

Thank you Lynn, Sharron and Frank for sharing these great pictures and memories.  If anyone else has a First Communion or Confirmation photo to share or a memento of school days at St Patrick's Convent School or Holy Cross School, please send them to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

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.

HOLY CROSS BAND

Every former pupil of St Patrick's Convent School knows that one cannot think of St Patrick's without thinking of Holy Cross too.  Because of that close bond, I am always more than happy to post pictures of anything connected with Holy Cross.  So, I am indebted to my nephew, Craig, for this great picture of Holy Cross Band. I am not sure when it was taken but I would guess it was sometime in the 1960s.   I can see Tom and Brian Healey, Tom Prim, Robert Miller, the Corbett boys, Craig McAllister, Jack Murphy and  a couple of the Hearn brothers.   Perhaps someone can help me out with the date and also with names of the boys.  

 

I know I am not the only one who went to school with no homework done the day after Holy Cross Spring Concert.  We were willing to risk the wrath of an irate teacher because the Band made sweet music and the Spring Concert was our night to enjoy it!  Happy days indeed.  Thanks for the picture, Craig, and thanks for the memories. 

Time to do a little editing here and add this bit of information supplied by Brian Hearn. Anyone else have anything to add?
 

"That is a great picture. I have a copy. I am in the back right corner next to Maurice Smith who is next to a Christian Brother whose name I am not sure of. Maybe Brother Dugan. My brother Ray is three to the left of me, short with glasses and red hair and holding the horn. I believe that is Tom Prim standing next to him. My brother, Frank, is in the middle of the front row wearing glasses and holding a clarinet. The two trombone players on the far left are Brian Galway and Benny Dalton. Standing behind me, holding the sousaphone, is Bob Corbett. Bob and I and a number of other members of the Holy Cross Band all played together for many years with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band."

 

 

Holy Cross School Band