ANNIE FINLAY

At St Patrick's Convent, next to where the old Passage used to be, is the little cemetery where so many of our former teachers rest.  If you have ever stopped there to say a prayer for them, you probably noticed a headstone that was a bit different from all the others.  That would be the stone that marks the grave of Annie Finlay.  Why is Annie's stone different?  Who was Annie?

In Memory of Annie

I don't suppose there are many St Patrick's pupils who remember Annie now - just some of us older 'girls'.  At that time I was quite young  myself and I am not entirely certain that I ever actually met Annie. I know Annie was then resident at the Convent as she was frequently spoken of by the Sisters and also by my mother and aunts.

Annie Finlay was born on the beautiful Southern Shore, at either St Shotts or Trepassey, in November 1887. She wasn't a Sister but I think she was a relation of one of the Sisters at St Patrick's Convent.  Annie went to work there as a live in Domestic.  For many years Annie was a faithful member of the Convent family and she was well loved by the Sisters.  When she died on 3rd November 1953, Annie was laid to rest among the Sisters whom she had known and served for so many years.  

If you see Annie's headstone you will notice that it does not give her age at death.  The 1921 census gives her age at that time as 33. Assuming the census was conducted before November, this would correspond with a birthdate of 1887. So, as poor as my mathematical skills are, even I can work out that Annie would have been 66 years old when she died.  If anyone can add something to Annie's story, I would be very grateful if you shared with us.  You can send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

I also came across an interesting item regarding St Patrick's Cemetery in the will of one of the Sisters, Sr M Patrick Wadden.  

Sr M Patrick (Ellen Wadden) was born in Ferns, Ireland, to Catherine and Nicholas Wadden.  She and two of her sisters joined the Presentation Community at St Patrick's Convent, Riverhead.  Her sisters were Sr M Gertrude and Sr M Aloysius.  Sr Patrick died at St Patrick's Convent on 8th March 1920.  She was 67 years old.

Sr Patrick'c Grave

It appears that Sr Patrick was the owner of a property on Water St.  The following is an extract from her will. 

"2nd.  All rights and titles held or possessed by me over that house and property situated on Water Street West, and at present occupied by Mr Thomas Wall, I will and bequeath to my sister Bridget Wadden (in Religion Sister Mary Aloysius) to be held by her as heretofore held by me, having always in view the obligations as well as the privileges of her Religious Vows.


3rd.  It is my wish that the sum of Forty Dollars ($40), be given annually out of the rents of said house, on Water Street, for Masses for the repose of the souls of the Sisters of St Patrick's Convent at present interred, or hereafter to be interred in the Cemetery attached to said Convent."

I don't know if it is possible to visit the Cemetery now that the Sisters have left St Patrick's but I sincerely hope it is.  It is important for relatives, friends and former pupils to have the freedom to pay respects at the graves of the Sisters who, over the years, contributed so much to the life of St John's West. 

May the souls of Annie Finlay, Sr M Patrick Wadden, and all who lie in that little cemetery rest in peace.

MOTHER BERNARD KIRWAN'S ANNIVERSARY

Today, 27^th February, marks the 156th anniversary of the death of Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan.  Mother Bernard Kirwan P B V M, religious, pioneer, and educator, is an important figure in the history of Newfoundland.  We who have had the great privilege of being educated by the Presentation Sisters are especially indebted to Mother Bernard!



Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan



According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Julia Kirwan, daughter of James and Ann Kirwan, was born in Galway in 1797.  In 1823, Julia entered the Presentation Convent, Galway.  Known in religion as Sister Mary Bernard, she took her vows there in 1829. 

In 1833 Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming visited the Presentation Convent in Galway in the hope of recruiting Sisters to teach in Newfoundland.  The tremendous work that the Presentation Sisters have done in Newfoundland over the years is proof that to say Bishop Fleming was ‘successful’ would be an understatement!   Four Nuns, including Sister Mary Bernard, volunteered to accompany the Bishop.  Sister Bernard was appointed Superior of the new foundation in St John’s, the first Presentation Convent outside of Ireland.  Thus Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan would become not only the founder of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland, but the founder of the Presentation Congregation in the whole of North America.

The group left Ireland on 11^th August 1833 and arrived in St John’s on the feast of St Matthew, 21^st September, 1833.  Despite misfortune and setbacks, the Presentation Order thrived and soon expanded to other parts of Newfoundland.  In September 1853, with Convents already established in Harbour Grace, Carbonear and Harbour Main, a Convent was founded at Admiral’s Cove, Fermeuse, on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula.  Mother Bernard was appointed Superior of this latest foundation.  It was in Fermeuse, on 27^th February 1857, that Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan passed away.  It was said of her that “She was remarkable for a peculiar sweetness of disposition, exalted piety, unbounded charity, and a burning zeal for the glory of God and the good of her neighbour.  Her death was like her life, most holy.”  

 

Mother Bernard Kirwan was interred in Admiral’s Cove, the little Cove to which she would one day give her name.  Admiral’s Cove was named after the English Fishing Admirals who frequented the Harbour from the1700s.  In 1960 the name was officially changed to Port Kirwan, in honour of Mother Bernard Kirwan.  In this pretty little Cove, Mother Bernard’s name is revered and her memorial is lovingly tended.  Sr Mary Magdalen O’Neill, who died at Fermeuse on 27^th October 1871, is also commemorated at this site.



This Stone has since been replaced

 I am greatly indebted to a most wonderful man, my friend Ed O’Neill.  Ed O’Neill, a devoted son of Admiral’s Cove/Port Kirwan, is an historian, photographer, chronicler, preserver and lover of all things ‘Fermeuse’.   Ed has come upon a very unusual piece of our history which he generously shares with us here. 

Ed says, “Here are a couple of photographs of Mother Bernard Kirwan’s walking stick.”  He continues; “Mother Kirwan lived in Port Kirwan from 1853 to 1857 when she passed away.  She must have had knee-joint problems and required the use of a cane.  The cane was made by a Mr Walsh from Riverhead, Fermeuse, a well-known carpenter.  I borrowed it from one of his great-grandchildren who still have it in their possession.”

Mother Bernard's Walking Stick

Being a history buff, I am delighted with this bit of information and with the accompanying photographs.  Thank you so much, Ed.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated.