McDERMOTT-ROE FAMILY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND IRELAND

I have been indulging my fondness for digging through old scrapbooks again and I have come across this short announcement published in a local newspaper in 1914.  There is a connection to St Patrick’s Parish so I thought those of you who are interested in its history would enjoy this little snippet.

IN 1914, A "COLONY"

Monsignor James J McDermott was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1872.  Ordained in Ireland in 1895, the young priest came to Newfoundland that same year. 

Msgr J J McDermott

When this announcement of the death of his aunt, Mrs Dillon, appeared in the newspaper in 1914, Msgr McDermott was Parish Priest of St Patrick’s in the West End of St John’s, or as it was then known, ‘Riverhead’, St John’s.  Msgr McDermott had been made Pastor of St Patrick’s in 1909 and he served the Parish until his appointment as Vicar General of the Archdiocese in 1915.  Having spent most of his priestly life labouring in various parishes in Newfoundland, Monsignor James J McDermott died at St Clare’s Mercy Hospital, St John’s in April 1947.  

SISTER M PATRICK WADDEN PBVM

While perusing an old scrapbook, which belonged to my late Aunt, I came across this clipping from a 1920's newspaper. The writing certainly differs from today's reporting style and the degree of respect is also quite evident. 

The article very respectfully announces the death of a member of the St Patrick's Convent Community, Sr M Patrick Wadden.  A native of County Wexford, Sr Patrick left her native Ireland to enter the Presentation Congregation at Riverhead (St Patrick's) in 1883.   

THE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FROM MARCH 1920

The newspaper does not give any details of Sr Patrick's funeral but I did find her resting place. She is buried in the little St Patrick's Convent Cemetery which is nestled between the Convent and St Patrick's Church.

THE RESTING PLACE OF SR  M PATRICK WADDEN

As you probably noticed, there is a discrepancy between the day of death reported in the newspaper article and on the headstone.  If, as the article states, Sr Patrick died on a Saturday, then the date on the headstone is incorrect because 6th March 1920 was actually a Saturday.  On the other hand, if the newspaper got the day wrong then it is possible that Sr Patrick died on 8th March, which was a Monday, and the headstone indeed carries the correct date.

A little mystery for us to solve perhaps? In any case, because today could be the anniversary of Sr Patrick's death, let's just give thanks for her courage, her faith and her work among the people of St Patrick's.  May she rest in peace. 

A LETTER HOME

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

As tomorrow, 21^st November, is Presentation Day I wanted to do something special for this day that had so much meaning for us in our school days.   I was thinking hard about what to post and, while browsing the Internet, I unexpectedly came upon something which, I think, is very special!  It was an article written by Jim Corley in Blessington.info History Articles.  If you want to, you can find the article on http://blessington.info/history/historypage17.htm  

 

Mr Corley tells of finding a letter in a grubby old book which he purchased at an Auction in Kells, County Meath, Ireland.  And how does a letter in an old book in Ireland tie in with Presentation Day?  More to the point, how does it tie in with us? 


Well, this letter was headed:

“PRESENTATION CONVENT,

ST JOHN’S N.F.L,

JAN 12^th 1923”.  

It was written by Sr Xavier O’Malley to her niece, Lizzie, in Ireland.  In the letter, Sr Xavier told Lizzie that she was ill in bed, felt very weak and did not expect to live for much longer.  The poor soul also commented on the weather, the cold being too severe to permit her getting up!  It seems a lady called Josephine had asked for her family history and she gives what she knows of it.  Sr Xavier wrote:

“Firstly, my grandfather was Owen O’Malley of Burrishoole, Newport, Co Mayo.  He had three brothers namely: first Joseph who was executed as a rebel: second Austin who escaped to France on one of the French ships sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to pick up all the Irishmen they could get to enter his army as they had gained the name of being great fighters and indeed they were fighters but the poor fellows gained but little for their courage.  Uncle Austin married in France and had two sons.  His eldest son Auguste entered the French army and rose to be Colonel.  Through his bravery Uncle Austin’s sight became impaired and he returned to Ireland when my mother was young, and he lived with my grandfather.  His wife was dead and his eldest son was an officer in the French army.  He had his second son with him, Alexander, but this poor boy had met with an accident at school and was quite deaf.  The French government kindly paid him a yearly pension even after his father’s death.  He died in Dublin some years ago.  Alexander’s brother Auguste O’Malley rose to be general in the French Army.  At the siege of Algeria in the north of Africa only two men were left alive of one particular regiment.  They were Uncle Austin’s son Auguste and a private soldier.  Auguste was made a captain and the soldier a lieutenant.  During a visit which I paid to the French Nuns near here on the island of St Pierre I met a lay sister who had been acquainted with General O’Malley when she was a nurse in a military hospital.”

 

Sr Xavier ended her letter by asking Lizzie to pray for her when she hears of her death and sent her regards to Lizzie’s husband and little ones.

 

Now Mr Corley’s interest had been tweaked, as I hope yours is too, so he wrote to Presentation Convent in St John’s.  He was rewarded with a reply from then Presentation Archivist, *Sr Perpetua Kennedy.   Thanks to Sr Perpetua, Mr Corley and we learned more of Sr Xavier’s story.

 

Sr Xavier was born in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland in 1842 to Austin and Mary O’Malley.   She was baptised Mary Jane.   In 1866 Mary Jane O’Malley said good bye to home, parents, family, friends and all that she held dear.   The courageous young lady set out on a perilous journey to a strange and distant country, Newfoundland.  Like so many other intrepid souls, she would never see her homeland again.

 

On 21^st February 1866, Mary Jane O’Malley entered the Presentation Convent, St John’s.  On 15^th January 1867, 25 year old Miss Mary Jane O’Malley was received into the Order and given the name Sr Mary Xavier Joseph O’Malley.   Here are Sr Xavier’s vows:

 

“I, Sister Mary Jane O’Malley called in Religion Mary Xavier Joseph, do vow and promise to God poverty, chastity and obedience, and to persevere until the end of my life in this Institute for the charitable Instruction of poor girls in this Enclosure, according to the Rules and Constitution of this Order of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady, approved of and confirmed by the Apostolical Authority of Our Holy Father Pope Pius VII under the authority, and in the presence of you, Revd Edward O’Keefe V G and of our Revd Mother, Margaret O’Shaughnessy, called in Religion Mary Magdalen Superioress of this Convent of the Presentation – in the year of Our Lord Oct 23^rd 1867.

Signed: Mary Jane O’Malley in religion Mary Xavier Joseph

Superioress Margaret O’Shaughnessy

Assistant M de Pazzi Mullock”

 

Sr Xavier was Professed at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square on 8^th November 1869.  On 8^th November 1923, exactly 54 years after being Professed and just months after writing to her niece Lizzie in Ireland, Sr Xavier O’Malley died at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square, St John’s.   She is buried in the Convent Cemetery.

Ending his article, Jim Corley urges us to “Spare a thought for those many long-forgotten Irish missionaries like the noble Sr Xavier.”  On this Presentation Day, let us indeed spare a thought and a prayer for all the valiant young Irish ladies who came to our shores and, as Presentation Sisters, spent their talents and their lives instructing the children of Newfoundland.  Let’s prove Mr Corley wrong and make certain that they are never forgotten! 

 

*Sr M Perpetua Kennedy, Presentation Archivist for 20 years, passed away at St Clare’s Mercy Hospital on 7^th May 2013, aged 90 years.  She too is buried in Presentation Cemetery, Cathedral Square.    

VERY REV JOHN RYAN

One hundred and four years ago today, a priest of St Patrick's Parish was laid to rest in Belvedere Cemetery.  Tipperary born Fr John Ryan, Dean of St Patrick's, had died two days earlier, aged sixty-five years.  Thanks to my mother, my brother and my sister-in-law, I have one of his memoriam cards from 1908.   I wonder if there are anymore of these little bits of St Patrick's history around?

 

I dedicate today's post to the memory of Very Rev John Ryan.  May he rest in peace.

 

Memoriam Card for Dean Ryan

 

MOTHER MARY DeSALES WALSH

Mother DeSales, enjoying a sing-along, Christmas 1965

Margaret Walsh was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, on 12th February 1866. In 1882, when she was just sixteen years old, this courageous young girl left kith and kin and sailed across the Atlantic. Arriving in St John’s, Newfoundland in July, she entered the Presentation Order. After a period of formation and training, Sr Mary DeSales, as she was now known, taught at Presentation Convent until 1895.

In 1895 Sr DeSales was transferred to St Patrick’s Convent, Riverhead. At St Patrick’s, Sr DeSales quickly won the minds and hearts of the young West Enders. Back in the 1960s, one of her former pupils was still recounting the story of Sister's leave taking of St Patrick’s Convent in 1912. According to this fervent admirer, it was a sad day indeed when the school girls heard that Sr DeSales was leaving them. Tears flowed in profusion as their beloved teacher left to take up her new appointment at Torbay.

In 1919, after a period as superior in Torbay, Mother DeSales was welcomed back to St Patrick’s. Alas, in 1925, the popular Sister left St Patrick’s to return to the Mother House at Cathedral Square. The pupils of Presentation Convent School then became the beneficiaries of her teaching and musical gifts.

In 1931, Mother DeSales was elected Superior General of the Congregation. She brought all her talents and boundless enthusiasm to this post. Never losing her love of the children, Mother visited all the Presentation Schools in the Province as often as possible. After a very successful term of six years, the little Nun from Kerry was re-elected for another six year term. So it was that Mother De Sales guided and directed the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland for twelve successful years, from 1931 – 1943.

At the end of her second term as Superior General, Mother DeSales was 77 years of age. She remained at the Mother House where she was active in the life of the community and taught music until she was in her 90s.

February 1966 was an exciting month for the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland. The whole Congregation was preparing to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Mother DeSales on 12th February. The days preceding and following 12th February, and the day itself, were days of great celebration. Concerts, visitors, birthday cakes, flowers, congratulations and, to be sure, much joy, abounded. Mother DeSales, petite and dignified, took it all in her stride.

It is the sea kissed coast of Newfoundland which welcomes every new year to North America and so it was there  that Canada’s Centennial Year began.   As the last seconds of 1966 ticked away and the first shades of 1967 crept over the continent, 101 year old Mother DeSales was atop Signal Hill, St John’s.  With television cameras and the press in attendance, Mother DeSales and Premier Joseph R Smallwood lit the first Centennial Flame that would soon spread across the country as 1967 was born.

Just weeks after her 102nd birthday, the long and fruitful life of Mother De Sales drew to a close. On 1st March 1968, Mother Mary DeSales Walsh, former teacher at St Patrick’s Convent School and twice Superior General of the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland, died peacefully at Presentation Mother House. Following Mass of Requiem, this prayerful, cultured and gracious lady was laid to rest in the Sisters’ Cemetery, Cathedral Square.

OF INTEREST TO THE PHILATELISTS AMONG YOU

Are any of you St Patrick’s girls into philately?  If you are, these first day of issue stamps will be of interest to you. The two stamps were issued in Ireland in 1975 to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Presentation Sisters in 1775. Nano Nagle could not have imagined that she would be so honoured hundreds of years after she began her work among Ireland’s poor.

Stamps Honouring Nano Nagle
(Click on picture to enlarge it)

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!

Links to this post:  THE LADY WITH THE LANTERN