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. 

GRADE 8, 1962

Recently we have been sent some excellent photographs.  I am very pleased  to receive them and am very grateful to those who have sent them.  I will get them all posted in the coming weeks. 

 

 

Today's photographs have been sent by Sharron Peet (MALONE).  We have a great class  photo from 1962.  Sharron has also supplied the names.  

 

Here are Sharron's photographs.  I bet they will bring back some memories for you!

 

Sharron, is this the cover of a Yearbook? If it is, perhaps you would share some of the pictures in it with us? I love the picture and the snow brings back a particular memory for me. One lunch time I, along with a couple of classmates, got caught having a snowball fight with some of our friends from Holy Cross. You can imagine the telling off we got. (Great fun, just the same!)

 

Is this the cover of a Year book?

From this picture we can see that the School Principal was Sr Mary Mark.  Sr Mark is now over 100 years old and is resident  at Presentation Motherhouse, Cathedral Square.

 

Grade 8, January 1962

 

 

Everyone's name, including the teacher's.

What lovely handwriting you all have.  I see from this list that your teacher was the amazing Sr Mary Luke. 

 

Sharron has also sent some beautiful First Communion pictures.  This time of the year is traditionally the time for children to make their First Holy Communion so I will post Sharron's pictures in a couple of days.  So, as the saying goes, "watch this space". 

 

Thank you very much Sharron.  Your help is greatly appreciated.