SYMBOL OF HOPE

November is the month of the Holy Souls, the month when we especially remember all the dear people who have graced our lives and who have now been taken home.  This picture was taken by my niece when she visited her father's grave at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery several years ago. The rainbow is  a symbol of hope and it is amazing how often we see them when we visit our loved one's resting places.  This picture is a beautiful example of such a happening and, I believe, really inspires hope.  

Sign of hope, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

RAY'S AMAZING PICTURES

A year or so ago Ray Simms sent me a couple of photos which I thought were just amazing.  Well, me being me (not a computer expert!), I managed to lose the photos somewhere in cyberspace.  It took me until now, and with the encouragement of my dear friend, Betty, who happens to be Ray's niece,  to pluck up courage to admit my loss to Ray and ask him to resend the photos.  The ever understanding and obliging Ray responded immediately.  So I am delighted to post Ray's photos today but first I must fill you in with a little of the background. 

Sr M Imelda taught Commercial at St Patrick's for many, many years.  Then when Holy Heart of Mary opened, Sr Imelda was transferred to that new High School.  She served there until her retirement to Presentation Mother House, Cathedral Square. Such was Sr Imelda's reputation among St John's firms, that she received requests from them for her graduates to fill their vacancies. 

Although in its early days, St Patrick's had taught boys and girls, in later years it became an all girls' school. However, many young men wished to avail of Sr Imelda's expert tutelage so, until sometime in the 1950s, Sister's classes were open to young men wishing to learn office skills. One of those young men was Ray Simms.

Ray has given us the names of the boys in this great photo. 

Sr Imelda's Commercial Class (click on the photo to enlarge)

L-R: Harry Farrell, Bob Kieley, Tom Finn, Francis Evans, Aiden McCarthy, Ray Simms

Ray has also promised to try to identify the young ladies in this photo, so, watch this space! 

Sr Imelda's Commercial Class (minus the boys)

Thank you Ray for these wonderful photos and for your patience with this not so great techie! If you would like to tell us about your days at St Patrick's with Sr Imelda, I would be more than happy to hear your story. Again, thanks for everything, stay safe, and God bless you and yours.

This next photo isn't one of Ray's.  As I don't have a picture of Sr Imelda, I am posting one of her resting place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Sr Imelda's grave in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

COMMERCIAL CLASS

Here is another great picture from Enid O'Brien along with the e-mail that accompanied the photo.  The only thing I will add to Enid's information is that the Commercial Class was taught by Sister Mary Imelda.  She taught at St Patrick's for years and years and her students received excellent training.   Sr Imelda was transferred to Holy Heart of Mary when it opened and she served for many years as Secretary to successive Principals.  I think her heart belonged to St Patrick's though because even at H H M, she still kept an eye on all the St Patrick's girls there.  Sr Imelda died at the Mother House in Cathedral Square and she is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 

 

 

"Hello Beth Anne

I am enclosing another picture for your St. Patrick’s School archives. This is the 1956/57 Commercial Class dressed in their uniforms all prepared to take on the business world. Not only did they get good training they were also found positions in offices when they completed the course. St. Patrick’s girls had a terrific program and local employers would sometimes leave their names with the Sisters to send their girls for interviews when their training was complete. Unfortunately I can not identify all on this picture. However, with the help of former students I have been able to identify most and would be grateful for your readers to help in the identification. If there are errors I would appreciate hearing as well so we can make corrections.

 

St Patrick's Commercial Class 1956/57

 

 

Front Row (Seated L-R) #1 Anna Cahill; #2 Joan Morgan; #3 ?; #4 Helen Brewer; #5 ?; #6 ?; #7 Helen Hearn; #8 Alice Kavanagh

2nd Row (L-R) #1 ?; #2 ?; #3 Mary Lou Ryan; #4 Kathleen Grant; #5 Betty Broderick; #6 ?'; #7 Marguerite Murphy; #8 Elizabeth “Betty” Mason; #9 Frances Cooke; #10 Rosalie Horan; #12 ?

3rd Row (L-R) #1 Mary O’Brien; #2 Joan Cooper; #3 ?; #4 Theresa McCarthy; #5 Rosemary Stanford.

Best wishes for 2013

Enid O’Brien"

 

Thanks once again, Enid, for this trip down memory lane.