"A CITY BUILT ON A HILLTOP"

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp stand where it shines for everyone in the house."

BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Just as the city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden, neither can a church built on a hilltop be hidden.  For one hundred and forty-one years, through good times and bad, St Patrick's Church stood sentinel on Patrick Street.  Through that one hundred and forty-one years, St Patrick's let its light shine for everyone in the West End.  Sadly, St Patrick's Parish is no more.

What about its light though?  Does it still shine?  Of course it does!  It shines in the heart of every one of us who loved St Patrick's. We will carry its light in our memories and in our hearts wherever we are and as long as we live. 

OUR PATRON SAINT, ST PATRICK

On this, our first St Patrick's Day bereft of our beloved Church, we give thanks for all the good and faithful Pastors and parishioners of St Patrick's Parish.  May God bless them all and may St Patrick's light continue to shine through them.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY, EVERYONE

SIXTY- FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY

St Patrick's Convent School, Patrick St

Sixty four years ago today, on 2nd October 1953, the Corner Stone of the new St Patrick's Convent School on Patrick St was blessed by His Grace, Archbishop P J Skinner. 

Archbishop P J Skinner, Archbishop of St John's
1951-1979

Just look at that gleaming floor!
Didn't we (under Sr Immaculata's watchful eye) do well?

Thanks to Pat Hurley McDonald for this photo of the interior of Lakecrest School (formerly St Patrick's Convent School). Would you believe that the gleaming floor you see here is the original?  Yes it is an amazing sixty-four years old.  It is the same one we mopped and never, ever walked on with our muddy, wet boots!  Sr Immaculata would be so pleased!

PICTURES OF ST PATRICK'S, SCHOOL AND CHURCH

I have two interesting pictures to post today; one is of St Patrick’s Convent School and the other is of St Patrick’s Church.

The first picture is of St Patrick’s Convent School, Patrick Street.  It comes to us courtesy of LEN EDISON. 

In November last year Len sent us the picture with this note: “My son, Kevin, was at a flea market in Winnipeg this weekend and found this framed picture on sale for $6.  He bought it.”   

“WINNIPEG”!  How fascinating is that? 

We don’t know the provenance of the picture so if anyone out there can shed any light on it, we would be obliged if you would share with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

 

Kevin's picture

Our second picture was kindly sent to us by KIM BARRETT-DOYLE.  It is another of KAY SIMMS McCORMACK'S beautiful sketches.  Back in October 2013, we posted Kay’s lovely sketch of St Patrick’s Convent School, Deanery Ave (link here).  Sadly, Kay died in January 2016 and Kim, Kay’s niece, sent us this picture and said, “She was an amazing person and a very special Aunt.  Here is a picture she gave us all of St Patrick’s Church.”

 

SKETCH BY KIM'S AUNT, KAY McCORMACK

Thank you Len Edison and Kim Barrett- Doyle for sharing these delightful pictures with us.  We tip our hats to Len's son, Kevin, for having the acumen to buy the picture of the School!  You have good taste, Kevin!

ELLIE RYALL, ST PATRICK'S CONVENT AND EXPO 67

 

Today's picture comes to us from Ellie Ryall and it  could be a collector's item.  The photo was taken in 1967, a year that was very special for Canada and Canadians as it was Canada's Centennial year. 

Ellie's Class Photo, 1967

 EXPO 67, as it was called, was a World's Fair held in Montreal from 27th April -  29th October 1967 to celebrate Canada's 100th Birthday.  It was said to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th century.  The list of names that Ellie has sent us clearly shows the Expo Logo that adorned souvenir mugs, tee shirts and other memorabilia of that celebration.  It also has the pictures of Canada's Prime Ministers from 1867 -  1967.  Ellie, I think you have here something very special and worth keeping safe.

The List of Ellie's Grade 5 Classmates,  1967

For those of you who are too young to remember 1967, I am adding a picture of a mug from Expo 67.  As you can see, there are cracks in the glaze.  I am not sure if that tells us that the mug is "old" or that it was "cheap".  Perhaps both!

An Expo 67 Souvenir

Ellie Ryall, I am very grateful to you for sharing your picture and your memories with us.  If you have any other pictures or stories that you would like to share, please send them along to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and, as always, we will be more than happy to post them here on the St Patrick's Convent School Blog and on its facebook page. 

MISS MURPHY'S LAST CLASS, JUNE 1964

Mary Elaine (Walsh) Barrett attended St Patrick’s from September 1963 to June 1972, Grades 1-9.  School life began for Mary Elaine in September 1963 at St Patrick’s on Deanery Avenue where she did Grade 1 and Grade 2.  Grade 3 brought a move to the newer building on Patrick Street and, having completed Grade 9, Mary Elaine graduated from St Patrick’s in June 1972.  

This treasure of a photo comes courtesy of Mary Elaine and I think it will awaken some memories for a lot of people.  The picture is of the legendary Miss Margaret Murphy and her last Grade 1 Class at St Patrick’s.  It was taken at the June Concert in 1964.

The Legendary Miss Margaret Murphy with her  Last Class,
June 1964

Mary Elaine has identified most of the girls in the photo. 

LEFT SIDE:

FRONT ROW: ?, Sharon Downey,  ?,  ?,  ?.

2ND ROW: Cathy Auchinleck, ?, Ann Marie Galway, Michelle Squires, ?, Ann Marie Fitzpatrick, Michelle Evans.

3RD ROW: Mary Ann Dawe, Janie Simms, Beverly Holden, Janet Jardine, Suzanne Power, Linda Curtis.

RIGHT SIDE: 

FRONT ROW : ?, Gina Kielly, ?, ?, Regina Power, Madonna Bruce.

2nd row: Mary Elaine Walsh, Yvonne Hamlyn, Sheila Handrigan, Susan Holloway, ?, ?, ?, Janet Lawlor.

3RD ROW: Lorraine Taylor, Brenda Shapter, Elaine OBrien, ?, Sharon Fitzpatrick.

 

Mary Elaine said; “I think the first girl in the front row on the left is Debbie Crotty, also the 4th girl in the back row on the left may be Corrine Murphy”.

****I would like to add another name to the list. A comment from 'Anonymous' identifies the 4th girl in the front row on the right as Carol Ann Thomas. Thanks for your help 'Anonymous'.

The sash which Miss Murphy is wearing around her neck has the names of all the girls in the class.  The sash and flowers were presented to Miss Murphy by Michelle Evans and Mary Elaine Walsh on behalf of the class.  Does anyone know where that wonderful sash is now?

Mary Elaine has sent a copy of the concert program too.  I am sorry I can't reproduce it any better.  I hope you can read it because it is another gem from the past.

 

The Concert Program

 

Mary Elaine, I have certainly enjoyed this jaunt down Memory Lane and I am very grateful to you for sharing your photographs and memories with us.  I think a lot of others out there will feel the same.  Thank you so very much!

THE RUBBER BAG, PART 2

Last post I promised that I would post any comments or memories from those of you who were able to identify the “curious object” pictured there and below.   As expected, all of you recognised it as a rubber bag or a gaiter bag.  The following are some of the comments received on said “curious object”!

THE FAMOUS 'RUBBER BAG'

 

Anonymous 

“Oh, the gator bag....I haven't thought of one of these in years. When you think about it these things made a lot of sense.”

 
 

c984d1d2-a786-11e2-8167-000bcdcb8a73          

“God help you if in Sister Immaculata's class, your rubbers were thrown outside the door, which she watched everyday! Some of us called it a rubber bag.”

 

Carmelita Hearn

“I remember it well....and I remember running back home as fast as I could because I forgot my 'rubber bag'.....it was just as bad to be late. Sister Immaculata would stand by the front entrance of the school on Patrick's St. and check if you had your bag, you could be sent home to get it if you forgot. I also remember mopping the second floor corridors outside our Grade six classroom when we were in her class, anyone else remember that? She was a real 'sergeant major' but we sure learned to do as we were told.”

 
 

Frances Noseworthy “That is a gaiter bag.....in winter you wore your boots to school, carried your shoes in this bag, changed in the front porch and carried your gaiters to the classroom in your gaiter bag. I'd say most moms made these for the kiddies, I know mine did.”
 

 

Catherine Altini “The dreaded boot bags. All the Moms had to make them for the girls. Carrying book bags, then boot bags, traipsing thru the snow, and then walking home uphill or downhill. No wonder we turned out strong as bulls.”

 

MARY KENNEDY   “Of course, I was in Sister Immaculata's class!!”

 

CARMEN CATTLES “Who could forget Sister Immaculata at the front door of the school making sure your boots never touched that floor.”
 

 

CAROL DUGGAN  “Someday I'm going to walk on that floor with my wet boots on in her memory---- and in memory of "rubber bags" as they were called.”

 

JACINTA DOYLE “She (Sr Immaculata) had eyes like a hawk....watching the back door and the front door at the same time...all the while doing her crocheting.....like Madame defarge.”

 

GABRIELLE PAFF   “I'm not a St. Patrick's girl but we had those bags at Mercy Convent also - they were called shoe bags. Same difference.”

 

DOREEN (McALLISTER) HEFFERNAN “ In the late 40s and early 50s I was a pupil at St Patrick’s on Convent Square, the real ‘old school’.  The entrance was on Convent Square, the doors by the auditorium.  Even way back then, dear Sr Immaculata stood at the top of the stairs waiting to see if you had your rubbers/gaiters in your rubber bag and NOT in the sleeve of your coat!  Occasionally pupils would forget their rubber bag and try to sneak their rubbers into school in the sleeves of their coats.  When Sr Immaculata asked where their rubber bag was some would pretend that they hadn’t worn any rubbers and had walked to school in their shoes.  Of course with the snow possibly up to your knees and dry shoes, Sr Immaculata certainly didn’t fall for that one!  She would know immediately that the rubbers were stuffed into the sleeves of their coats and she would say, “Let me see your coat” and then check to see if the gaiters were in the sleeves.  If they were, you got punished for lying AND sent home to get the forgotten rubber bag!”

 

Well everyone, this has been a fun post for me and I hope it has been for you too.  I certainly remember the famous (infamous?) rubber bag days.  Like most of you, I remember Sr Immaculata doing sentry duty at the ‘new school’ on Patrick St.  I know that all that you have said in your comments is fact because I too remember attempting to smuggle rubbers in coat sleeves, being sent home to get a forgotten one, and being told to leave the ‘bagless’ rubbers outside the front door.  Gabrielle, I am very pleased to learn that you girls at Mercy had to suffer the rubber bag ordeal too.  It is great to hear Doreen’s story of her days in the old school on Convent Square.  It just goes to show that, as the saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun”.  Thanks everyone!”

THE PRESENTATION SISTERS COME TO RIVERHEAD

“Ah! Must –Designer Infinite! –

Ah! Must Thou char the wood

ere Thou canst limn with it?"

(The Hound of Heaven,

by Francis Thompson)

After their arrival in St John’s in 1833, the Presentation Sisters immediately and wholeheartedly began their work among the poor Irish Catholics of the port.

The “Designer Infinite” did indeed “char the wood” for, despite the solicitous care of Bishop Fleming, the Sisters’ early years in St John’s were beset with difficulties. Nevertheless, their efforts on behalf of the people were blessed and the girls of the town flocked to their school.

The four founding Sisters, Sr Bernard Kirwan, Sr Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, Sr Xaverius Lynch and Sr Xavier Maloney, were joined in 1843 by two Postulants from Ireland. That year, on the Feast of the Assumption, Bishop Fleming received Catherine Phelan (Sr M Ignatius Aloysius) and Amelia Shanley (Sr M Antonio Magdalen) into the Presentation Congregation in St John’s. In his excellent book, “Fire Upon the Earth”, Brother J B Darcy tells us that a lay Sister was also received that day but, unfortunately, he does not give her name.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for just six Sisters to cope with the more than 1,000 pupils who daily came to the school. Accordingly, the good Bishop once again appealed to the Galway Presentation Convent for more Sisters. In 1846, having received the consent of Bishop O’Donnell of Galway, Sr M Josephine French and Sr M DeSales Lovelock accompanied Bishop Fleming to their new home in St John’s. True to the spirit of Nano Nagle, and in the full knowledge of the tragic fire that had just reduced St John’s to a pile of blackened rubble, these selfless and courageous ladies generously volunteered to forsake their home, family and friends.

Gradually the Presentation Community grew as the Sisters were joined by recruits from Ireland and Newfoundland and the Sisters began to establish new Convents in the Colony. Their first new House was opened in Harbour Grace in July 1851. By 1855 there were five Presentation Convents in Newfoundland.

The Old St Patrick's Convent
(Click on the picture to enlarge it)

On 10th January 1856, four Presentation Sisters came from the Community at Cathedral Square to establish a Convent at Riverhead, in the West End of St John’s. Sr M Clare Waldron was appointed Superior. The next day, Fr Kieran Walsh celebrated Mass in the Convent Chapel. This house was cold and damp so in March 1880 the Foundation Stone was laid for a new building to better serve the needs of the Sisters and their charges. On the Feast of Corpus Christi 1882, Bishop Thomas Joseph Power solemnly blessed the new St Patrick’s Convent and celebrated the first Mass in its Chapel.



In the beginning, the Sisters taught both boys and girls in their school. However, St Patrick’s eventually became an all girls’ school. The enrolment increased steadily and, 65 years after the Sisters opened their first school, a new school was opened. In 1921 a new St Patrick’s Convent School, erected as a Memorial to the men of the Parish who died in WWI, opened on Deanery Avenue.

By the 1950s, it was realized that the current buildings were unable to adequately meet increasing educational needs. On 2nd October 1953, His Grace Most Reverend Patrick James Skinner blessed the cornerstone of the new St Patrick’s School on Patrick St. On 4th January 1954 Archbishop Skinner celebrated Mass on the main corridor of the new school and blessed the building.

Sadly, St Patrick’s Convent School is no more. In 1999 St Patrick’s closed its doors for the last time. The building is now a private school. Fortunately, the Presentation Sisters remain a presence in St Patrick’s Parish and the oft renovated and improved Convent which was opened in 1882 is still their home.

LINKS TO THIS POST:
THE LADY WITH THE LANTERN
FIRST PRESENTATION CONVENT OUTSIDE IRELAND