HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY

It is 21 November, Presentation Day. Once again my thoughts spin back through the years (many, many years now 😏)!  My thoughts go back to our school days at St Patrick's Convent Schools and our days spent with Nano Nagle's Presentation Sisters, PBVMs.  To the stories of Nano and her little group who ministered to and cared for the poor. Stories of the establishment of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how, in 1833, four brave and selfless Irish Nuns set out from their Convent in Galway.  After a stormy Atlantic Crossing they landed at St John's, Newfoundland, and there they established the very first Presentation Convent outside of Ireland.   

I imagine, like me, you remember all or most of the stories but if you would like to refresh your memory, you will find quite a few posts to  help.  Just go to that little search box on the top left side of the blog and enter either 'Nano Nagle' or 'Presentation Day'.  You will find enough to keep you reading for a little while.

Nano Nagle

Happy Presentation Day to Presentation Sisters, pupils and former pupils everywhere.  A very special Happy Presentation Day to all St Patrick's girls, wherever you may be.

COVE LANE, CORK, 1775

It began in a cottage in Cove Lane, Cork. Here, on Christmas Eve 1775, Nano Nagle founded the Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (After Nano’s death,  the name was changed to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.)  Nano was joined by three companions; Mary Hoey, Elizabeth Burke and Mary Ann Collins.  On 29^th June 1776, they received the habit and Nano took the name of Sr Mary of St John of God.  

Nano spent her time ministering to the poor of the City.  She taught in her schools by day and went out at night to visit and comfort the sick and suffering in their hovels.  Because of her night-time visits, she became known as ‘the Lady with the Lantern’.  The Lantern is now one of the symbols of the Presentation Sisters worldwide.

Nano Nagle instructing the children

Worn out by long days and nights of ministry, Nano collapsed in Cross Street on her way home from one of her schools. She died on Monday, 26^th April 1784. She was 65 years old.   In 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Nano Nagle ‘Servant of God’, the first of four steps to canonisation.  The next step came in 2013 when Pope Francis bestowed the title ‘Venerable’ on Nano Nagle.

In 1769 Nano wrote to a friend “If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would be willing to do all in my power”.   True to the vision of their foundress, Nano’s Presentations spread throughout Ireland and, indeed, to all parts of the globe.  In 1833, thanks to Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, the very first Presentation Convent outside Ireland was established here in St John’s, Newfoundland.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, painted

by a Presentation Sister, Cathedral Square

Today, 21st November is the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as we called it, “Presentation Day”.  As former pupils of St Patrick’s Convent Schools, let’s take a minute to remember Venerable Nano Nagle and all who have followed in her footsteps over the years.  

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY!

ANNIVERSARY OF NANO NAGLE'S DEATH

PBVM Symbol

Worn out by long days and nights of ministry, Nano Nagle collapsed in Cross Street, Cork, on her way to one of her schools. The Foundress of the Presentation Sisters died on Monday, 26^th April 1784.  She was 65 years old.   In 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Nano Nagle a ‘Servant of God’, the first of four steps to canonisation.  The next step came in 2013 when Pope Francis bestowed the title ‘Venerable’ on Nano Nagle.

  

Venerable Nano Nagle

MEMORIES OF HOLY HEART OF MARY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

This isn't strictly St Patrick's but so many of us spent our High School Days at Holy Heart of Mary that I feel pretty certain that these pictures have a place on this blog.  I hope you all agree.  Anyway, Sr Imelda, who spent about forty years at St Patrick's, is in one of the photographs.  Is that enough to make this a St Patrick's post?  I think so!

 

The first picture is an old post card that I have had since Eve was a rib.  The second, and my favourite, is one that has come into my possession from heaven knows where.  Does anyone recognise anyone in it or know what the occasion was?  There seems to be quite a lot of laughter over whatever Sr Nano & Sr Hildegarde have in their hands.

 

HOLY HEART OF MARY
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

 

STAFF AND PUPILS ENJOYING THEMSELVES

 

I would say this second picture was taken somewhere between 1960 and 1965.  Does anyone know when?

 

The Sisters in the front row are Sr M Tarcisius, PBVM, Sr M Nano, PBVM, Sr M Hildegarde RSM, Sr M Imelda, PBVM, Sr M Thomasina, PBVM, Sr M Reginald, PBVM, Sr M Grace, PBVM and Sr Marie Antoinette, PBVM.  In the next row, sitting behind the empty chair, is Sr M Ernestine, RSM. 

 

I don't have any more names but these should stir some memories.  Please let us know if you have any names to add or any information about what was taking place when this happy photo was taken.

 

CLICK ON THE PICTURES

TO ENLARGE THEM!

REST IN PEACE, SR MARY LUKE

Sr M Luke, taken at St Patrick's Convent, about 1962

 

“Passed peacefully away at Presentation Motherhouse, St. John's, on Friday, December 27, 2013, Sister Mary Luke, daughter of William and Mary Parsley of Harbour Main, aged 94 years. Predeceased by her sisters - Sister Mary Nano, PBVM, Sister Mary Mark, RSM, Catherine Ford and Ursula Kavanagh; her brothers Samuel, John, James, Edward and William. Left to mourn and celebrate her life are the Presentation Sisters, many devoted nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. The wake will be held at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square with visiting hours on Saturday, December 28th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; on Sunday, December 29th from noon - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a vigil at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Monday, December 30 at 11:30 a.m. with interment at Presentation Cemetery, Cathedral Square.”

I am posting this notice, which appeared in today’s newspaper, because I think many of you will want to know the times of visitation and the time of the funeral.  I know that there will be a lot of people who will feel sad to hear this news but who will also feel very blessed to have known Sr Luke.

Sr Luke came to St Patrick’s Convent, St John’s, in 1959.  She taught Grade 8 for some years and eventually became Principal.  Sr Luke was an exceptional teacher and proved to be an excellent leader in the role of Principal.  She was loved and respected by pupils and staff alike. 

St Patrick’s girls will not be the only ones remembering Sr Luke today.  Nuns go where they are sent and so after many years at St Patrick’s Sr Luke moved on to other schools and parishes.  Such places as Cape St George, Trepassey & Holy Heart of Mary were graced with her gentle presence. 

So, on 27^th December, after a long and faithful life of service, Sr Mary Luke passed away at Presentation Motherhouse, Cathedral Square.  A true daughter of Nano Nagle, Sr Luke will be remembered with love and gratitude by those of us who have had the great privilege of knowing her.  For myself, I will certainly miss my visits with Sr Luke but I will always treasure the memory of them. 



Sr Mary Luke, 2009

"But they that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity"   Daniel 12:3

Rest in peace, Sr Mary Luke.

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY

Today, 21st November, is Presentation Day.  Because St Patrick's Convent School was founded by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) I thought a post about Presentation Day and the founding of the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland would be appropriate.  The Newfoundland Convent has the distinction of being the first Presentation House outside Ireland and also the first in North America. 

 

Painting of the Presentation of Mary into the Temple.  This
painting is the work of a member of the Presentation
Community at the Motherhouse, Cathedral Square.

Just in case we may have forgotten what 'Presentation Day' actually is, I am posting an excerpt from "The Church's Year of Grace" by Pius Parsch. 

 

"Presentation of Mary
Sacred Scripture contains no text concerning the event commemorated in today's liturgy. For something of a historical background one may consult the apocryphal works, particularly the Protoevangel of St. James (ch. 4:1ff). After an angel had revealed her pregnancy, Anna is said to have vowed her future child Mary to the Lord. Soon after birth the infant was brought to the sacred precincts at which only the best of Israel's daughters were admitted. At the age of three she was transferred to the temple proper (7:2). According to legend, here she was reared like a dove and received her nourishment from the hand of an angel (8:1)."In the East, where the feast, celebrated since the eighth century, is kept as a public holiday, it bears the name, 'The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple'. It was introduced at Rome by a Cypriotic legate to the papal court of Avignon in 1371. In 1472, Sixtus IV extended its observance to the whole Church. Abolished by Pius V, it was reintroduced some years later (1585)."

 

The following video is another of the excellent videos by my friend Ed O'Neill.  It is a very interesting video about Mother Bernard Kirwan and the founding of the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland.  In the video, Ed interviews the late Sr Perpetua Kennedy, visits the Presentation Convent in Galway from where Mother Bernard and her little band of pioneers set out, and also visits Mother Bernard's grave in Port Kirwan, Fermeuse, on the beautiful Southern Shore of Newfoundland.  Please take the time to watch the video.  You will be glad you did!

 

 

Thanks again, Ed, for allowing me to repost your video.  And a very Happy Presentation Day to everyone.