CAN YOU HELP?

"We have loved them in life; let us not abandon them until we have conducted them, by our prayers, into the house of the Lord." (St Ambrose)

Queen of Angels, pray for them

It will soon be November, the month which the Church dedicates to the Holy Souls. If you are a regular reader of this Blog, you will know that, in the right-hand column, we remember our departed St Patrick's friends and relatives.  Of course, I don't know everybody, so I depend on you to help me with this.  Therefore, as November approaches, I ask you to have another look at the names on the list.  If you know of any St Patrick's person, teacher or pupil, who has been omitted, please let me know so that we can remember them too.  Just send names, maiden and married, and the date of death if you know it, to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  I will add them to the list so that we can, in this small gesture, love and honor our departed school friends and teachers. 

WHAT WE COULD LOSE!

The Redemptorist Mission Cross was erected at St Patrick's Church in December 1882.  It was originally placed at the front of the church, at the left side of the altar.  It has been repositioned to the back of the church, at the main entrance.  This cross is beloved of parishioners and is an important symbol of devotion.

THE REDEMPTORIST MISSION CROSS

Will we lose this piece of our parish and faith history?

TO READ MORE ABOUT THE MISSION CROSS, FOLLOW THIS LINK. 

https://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.com/2017/03/redemptorist-mission-cross-st-patricks.html

Musical message from Father Ray

Listen to this and have your hearts and spirits lifted.  THANK YOU, FR RAY EARLE.  May God bless you and keep you safe in these difficult times.

AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS

I think friendship is undefinable but it is  definitely a thing of beauty and a gift to be treasured. It is evident that St Patrick's girls certainly know the value of friendship because they just keep reconnecting with their school friends and the years always seem to melt away.

Some wise words from Charlie Brown

I have had news of another recent get together.  On 5th June 2019, a sizable number turned up at Bally Haly on Logy Bay Road.  This group of friends had graduated from St Patrick's in the late 1950s and early 1960s.  From all reports, it is apparent that a wonderful time was had by all.  We are delighted that Betty Simms and Pat Hurley McDonald have very kindly sent along some pictures of the happy gathering.

Thank you, Pat and Betty, for the pictures and the information.  I don't know if it is true, but I heard a little whisper that there is a BIG 60th reunion in the pipeline for next year.  If you graduated from St Patrick's in 1960, keep your eyes and ears open for news of a reunion.  Be sure to make a big effort to attend - even if you have to trek from far off places like Alberta, Florida, Wales, or anywhere else on planet earth!  If that reunion materializes, it will be well worth attending.

Still close friends

Catching up on the news

Still smiling and looking great!

So great to see you!

Some serious chatting going down here!

Pat and Jackie share some news

I'd rather chat than eat!

Well, Hello!

THE YEARS ROLLED AWAY

Christine Butler has sent us news of their 41 year class reunion,  held on 9th June 2019.

The Friends

One very talented classmate and friend, Janice Fagan, wrote a touching poem for the occasion.

'Friendship' summed up beautifully by Janice

Christine said: "The Big Day was awesome!  We had a great reunion!"

Christine, thank you for sharing this wonderful celebration of enduring friendship.  Please keep us up to date with any news of yourself and your classmates and school friends.  

Keeping St Patrick's people in touch is magic so let's do our best to help the magic continue!  As Janice said: 

"Our lives may have led us in different directions

But ST PATRICK'S will always remain our connection."

'THREE POINTS CENTER'

This post takes us all the way to St George, Utah, where we find some wonderful work being done.  There is a very strong link to Newfoundland and to St Patrick’s and I am grateful to Teri Healey Evans for sharing this with us. Teri and her sisters are all graduates of St Patrick’s Convent Schools and Teri brings us news of one of the sisters, Betty.  

Many of us shared our school days with Betty and remember her with affection.  Betty Healey Brown now lives in North Carolina.  This is a story of Betty and her two amazing, community spirited sons, Norm and Glenn Thibault.  The boys were born in Newfoundland, Baptised at St Patrick’s and, after moving to the States, spent most of their summers with their Healey family in Newfoundland.  Teri says that if you ask Norm and Glenn where they are from they will proudly tell you “Newfoundland”. 

Both boys put themselves through college and Glenn became a very successful businessman and Norm a dedicated Family and Adolescent Therapist.  Norm had a great desire to help adolescents who have been adopted and who have been coping with issues of rejection, drugs, alcohol abuse and myriad other problems.   With the help of his brother Glenn’s financial backing, Norm’s dream became a reality.

September 2017 saw the grand opening of their treatment centre for such young people.  The facility is named ‘Three Points Center,’  and is located at St George, Utah.  Glenn, who lives in Colorado, was there for the opening. The boys’ very proud mother, Betty, joined them and helped cut the ribbon. At present the facility is operating at full capacity with children from across the USA and elsewhere.  Reports of the Center’s good work and excellent results are spreading far and wide. Recently, ‘Three Points Center’ was featured in a documentary on a French T V Station which had flown a crew over to film at the Ranch. 

I am certain that, not only Betty, but the entire Healey family is bursting with pride at the work these two dedicated young men are doing and the good they are bringing about.  I don’t think it would be too presumptuous if we, as fellow Newfoundlanders, schoolmates, and friends of the Healey family feel a little of that pride too.

 

Betty Healey Brown with her two sons, Glenn and Norm, at the opening of 'Three Point Center'
in St George, Utah

Teri has sent us a picture of the ribbon cutting which we are delighted to post on our School Blog.  Thanks Teri for this very interesting and inspiring story.  We send greetings to Betty and wish Norm and ‘Three Points Centre’ every success.  

**** If you click on either of the 'Three Points' names above, you will be taken to its website where you can learn all about the facility and its work.

"WE'LL MEET AGAIN"

A note from Pat HURLEY McDonald brings news of a visit home by Sheelah HURLEY Martin-McArthur and a lunch held in honour of her visit. It seems to me that we St Patrick's folk need no excuse for a get together but when a wanderer returns home for even a brief time it is a wonderful reason to meet up again.  Pat and friends did just that!  

During Sheelah's recent visit, they met for a meal at Pat's Place in Mount Pearl.  Pat has also enclosed a photo of the lovely ladies. 

Pat, Cathy, Sheelah, Judy, Lila, Sheila, Cynthia

The friends who met for lunch are Pat HURLEY McDonald, Cathy TOBIN Healy, Sheelah HURLEY Martin-McArthur, Judy COMERFORD Newton, Lila MERCER Young, Sheila MOYST O'Neill and Cynthia MURPHY Downey.

Thank you once again to Pat for keeping us up to date with her group and for all the help she gives to this Blog.  Sheelah, I am pretty certain that your friends are already looking forward to your next trip home and another chance to meet. Good luck and very best wishes to all of you. 

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. 

FRIENDS FESTIVE GATHERINGS

We have two nice festive pictures to post today. The photos come to us courtesy of Joan Reynolds Fogarty and Pat Hurley McDonald.

Joan Fogarty and her school friends really have something very special.  Their friendship! These ladies have been friends since their school days at St Patrick’s and they maintain that friendship by being there for one another in good times and not so good times.  They also meet up several times a year to share a meal, chat, laugh and just take pleasure in each other’s company.  Long may they continue to do so!

This photo was taken on 2^nd December at The Sheraton Hotel where the friends held their Christmas Dinner and enjoyed a lovely evening.

BACK ROW: Rosemary Ashley Healy, Joan Connolly Alston, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Brenda Casey Grouchy, Joan Reynolds Fogarty

FRONT ROW: Madeline Adams Thomson, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Mary Fitzgerald, Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Eleanor Sears Vatcher.

Our second festive photo  comes from Pat Hurley McDonald.  Again we have a group of school friends who have become life-long friends.  Janet McGrath Crane is home from Florida to celebrate Christmas with her daughters and their families so, as always, the friends took advantage of the opportunity to meet up.  The celebratory meal took place on 16^th December at Milestones Restaurant on Torbay Road.  From the looks of the ladies, we can see that it too was a happy and enjoyable event.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Kay Johnson, Cynthia Murphy, Maureen O’Brien, Pat Hurley, Carmel Hayes, Mary Johnson and Janet McGrath.

Many thanks to Joan and Pat for the photographs and thanks to both of you for all the help and support you give to this blog.  We wish you and all your friends a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2016.  We look forward to hearing about your future escapades.  May they be many and may they all be happy ones!

ST PATRICK'S WAR TIME PRIESTS

The two World Wars, and all the wars and conflicts that have followed, have claimed the lives of many parishioners of St Patrick’s Parish.  The deaths of these brave young people have shattered the lives of their loved ones at home.  Through all this misery and heartbreak, it was very often the job of the Pastor to try to comfort and bring what little solace he could to the bereaved families and friends.

 

In this post, we will take a brief look at some of those Pastors.





Msgr J J McDermott

When WWI broke out in 1914, the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s was an Irishman, Msgr J J McDermott.  Msgr McDermott was born in Roscommon in 1872 and was Pastor of St Patrick’s from 1909 – 1915.  He died in 1947.





Bishop Henry T Renouf

For the duration of the First World War, Father Henry T Renouf tended to the spiritual needs of the good people of St Patrick’s Parish.  Father Renouf, like Msgr McDermott, was born in 1872, but Fr Renouf was born in St John’s.  Fr Renouf was Pastor of St Patrick’s from 1915 – 1920.   In 1920, Fr Renouf was consecrated Bishop of St George’s.  Bishop Henry Renouf died in 1941.

 

Padre Thomas Nangle

The most well know of former priests of St Patrick’s Parish is probably Fr Thomas Nangle.  In 1914, Msgr McDermott was joined by the young Fr Nangle.  When WWI broke out, Fr Nangle was assistant priest to the Pastor, Fr Renouf.  It is commonly, but erroneously, believed that the massacre of the Newfoundlanders at Beaumont Hamel on 1^st July 1916 inspired Fr Nangle to enlist as Chaplain to the Newfoundland Regiment.  There is documented proof that Fr Nangle long desired to join his fellow countrymen in the fray.  We know that Fr Nangle actually enlisted in October 1915 but much correspondence between London and St John’s and much red tape had to be gotten through before the priest was given the go-ahead.  It was in July 1916 that Archbishop Roche provided Fr Nangle with his celebret and a letter giving him permission to leave the diocese and serve as a Chaplain.  Fr Nangle proved to be an exemplary Chaplain, brave, compassionate and kind.  He was well loved and respected by all with whom he came in contact.

 

Archbishop Thomas J Flynn

For the years spanning WWII, Fr Thomas John Flynn was Pastor of St Patrick’s.  Fr Flynn was born in Placentia in 1892 and ordained in 1919.  He came to St Patrick’s in 1932 and served its people until 1945.  In 1945 Fr Flynn was created Coadjutor to Archbishop E P Roche of St John’s with the right of succession.  However, Archbishop Flynn predeceased Archbishop Roche.  He died on 1^st September 1949.

 

Sad to say, the years since the ending of World War II have been anything but peaceful.  The world is still plagued with wars and conflicts and men and women are still dying in the service of their country.  The priests of St Patrick’s, like clergymen everywhere, are always available to offer what help and sympathy they can to the bereaved families of the fallen.

 

On this 11^th November 2015, we remember in heart and prayer all who have made the supreme sacrifice. May they rest in the peace that the world cannot give, the peace of Christ.

Laurence Binyon

 

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

(Robert Laurence Binyon)

 

Let us also remember the priests who have played their sad role in all wars and conflicts, those whose work is done and those who are still striving to bring comfort where often there is none.

 

Perhaps it is appropriate to end this post with the words of a valiant lady, Edith Stein.  Edith, or Sr Teresia Benedicta as she  became,  knew firsthand the horrors of war and died because she was Jewish.

Edith Stein (Sr Teresia Benedicta)





“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have.  It needs what we are.”

(St Teresia Benedicta)

ST PATRICK'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM 1983/84

Today's post comes courtesy of  Kim Barrett-Doyle.  Kim has sent us this picture of St Patrick's Volleyball Team, circa 1983/84. 

ST PATRICK'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM, 1983/84

The teacher on the right of the photo is Mrs Anne Pennell.  Wendy Power has been kind enough to contact us with some information about the teacher on the left of the photo.  Wendy has identified her as the Gym Teacher, Sharon Martin.  Sharon, who taught at St Patrick's for several years,  is a cousin of Wendy's Mom

I don't have any other names so I have my fingers firmly crossed in the hope of receiving some help from you good followers of this Blog.  If you can add any names or details please send us an email on mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be forever grateful.

***I am delighted to say that I have received an email from Kelly REARDON  Sampson.  Kelly tells us that she, Kelly Reardon, is the girl in the back row, next to Mrs Martin.  Kelly has promised to gather more names of the team members and send them to us.  That would be really great Kelly. Thank you very much for your interest and for your help.  

Thank you Kim for sharing this picture and the memories it is sure to bring.  Thanks also to Wendy for the information about the Gym Teacher.  We are always delighted, and grateful, to receive pictures, stories and memories so, please everyone, search out your old photographs and send them along to us with a few details.  We will post them here on the School Blog and on its facebook page. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

I have received two beautiful photographs from Darrin Feehan.  Darrin is the son of Rita WALSH Feehan.  Both photographs are from the years 1946/47. 



The first photo is of, as Darrin says,   "The Walsh sister's from Southside Rd". The girls, smart in their school uniforms, are Helen (Feehan), Imelda (Murray) and Rita (Feehan).  Darrin informs us that the picture was taken in his Nan's back garden on the Southside Road.  The year was 1946/47 and the occasion was Rita's first day of school. 

The Walsh Sisters, Helen (Feehan), Imelda (Murray)
 and Rita (Feehan)

This second photo certainly is  one to be treasured.  It is Rita's First Holy Communion picture.  Her teacher was the famous Miss Margaret Murphy and the year was still 1946/47.  Rita thinks one of the Nuns in the photo is Mother John but she doesn't remember who the other Nun is.  That is quite an impressive number of First Communicants.  Unfortunately, we don't get anything near that number today.

First Communion group 1946/47

Darrin, I am grateful to you for these special photos.  I think they will be enjoyed by so many who follow this blog and its facebook page.  Just one little query, Darrin.  Can you tell us where your Mom is in the First Communion picture?  And, Darrin, if you happen to come across any other gems like these, please, please share them with us.  You can send anything you have to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and I will be forever in your debt.  Thank you Darrin and thank you Rita.

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!

TOGETHER AGAIN!

Those St Patrick's girls are at it again!  Coming home, getting together with old friends and generally having a great time.  And how absolutely wonderful it all is!

 

Pat  HURLEY McDonald has sent me  photographs of a recent happy reunion.  Pat tells me that Cathy HEARN Green was home from Ottawa and a group of her school friends got together on 15th September for  lunch at Papa's Pier 17.  Pat said that a great time was had by all & I have no trouble believing that.  I bet excited chatter and laughter topped the menu that day!

It seems someone has brought old snaps.

 

We'll get around to looking at the menu eventually!

So much to say and so little time to say it!

Eating finished (maybe) but still lots of
chatting and laughing left!

You all look great!  When is the next get together?

The ladies in the group photo are:

Left to right: Pat Hurley McDonald, Lila Mercer Young, Cathy Tobin Healy, Judy Comerford Newton, Cynthia Murphy Downey, Nancy Stanley Cook, Maureen Walsh Carter, Betty Hamlyn, Mary Hamlyn Holloway and Cathy Hearn Greene.

 

Thanks for sharing this, Pat.  Judging by all the smiling faces, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the next reunion isn't already in the planning stages.   

ST PATRICK'S GIRLS AND BOYS!

HELEN GOULDING has sent us two lovely photographs from 1967 and 1968.  Helen, who finished at St Patrick's in 1976, said that the children in these photographs were just six or seven years old. 

 

This first photo is of Helen's Grade 1 Class, 1967.   At one time, boys attended St Patrick's before moving on to Holy Cross.  I am very pleased with this picture because it  is the very first one that I have received which has boys on it.  Can anyone give us a name or two?  Also, who is the Sister?  Love the modified habit!  Believe it or not, some people thought it pretty daring.  I suppose it was quite a big change from the previous one that covered everything but face and hands.  Anyway, I love this picture and I really hope that some of you will be able to identify the Nun and the children.

Grade 1 Girls and BOYS, 1967

 

Here we have another picture of the Rhythm Band at the 1968 Graduation.  Aren't they just the cutest musicians you have ever seen?  I am hoping for some names here too, please.

 

You all look very smart in your red capes and hats!

 

I am always very grateful to receive photographs and/or stories from St Patrick's pupils, girls or boys.  I hope some boys will now be encouraged to allow us to have a peek at their old school pictures.  We really would LOVE to hear from the men out there who are former St Patrick's pupils!

 

Helen, if you come across anything else you would like to share here, we would be delighted to post it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures with us.

THE GRADUATES

Enid Stanford O'Brien  shared this beautiful picture with us.  Any of you who went to Holy Heart will recognize the "Cor Unum" visible on the corkboard as part of the motto of Holy Heart of Mary High School.  Who remembers the whole Latin motto and its English translation?

Elizabeth, Patricia, Barbara, Betty, Enid

This was indeed a very special occasion.   I will let Enid tell the story of the picture and the lovely young ladies.

"It was taken on graduation night at HHM Regional High School just before we went to the auditorium to get our diplomas. We all went to St. Patrick's (except Betty O'Leary) from Kindergarten until we graduated. 

 

They are as follows L-R: Elizabeth Roche, Patricia Squires, Barbara Singleton, Betty O'Leary and myself.  This picture would have been taken in 1962."

 

In those early days of Regional High Schools,  you graduated from Grade 8 at St Patrick's then went on to High School at Holy Heart of Mary to complete your education.  

 

Many thanks, Enid, for this post and for all the help you give us with this blog.  If anyone else out there has anything they would like to share, please send to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be delighted to post it here.

 

Oh, by the way, the motto was "Cor Unum Inter Nos" and its English translation is "One Heart Among Us".  I am sure we all remember that!   

TOGETHER AGAIN

Another group of long-time friends recently met up to enjoy one another's company and reminisce about their school days at St Patrick's.  Again, I am grateful to Pat Hurley McDonald for the information & the photographs.   Keep the news and the pictures coming, ladies.  We all enjoy hearing where you are and what you are up to these days. 

 

This is what Pat told us:

"Janet (McGrath) Crane was home for a visit & a few of us who started school together got together at Poppa's Pier 17 in Churchill Square. A great way to see former schoolmates & catch up on their lives.

Those who attended were:

Mary Johnson, Janet McGrath, Maureen O'Brien, Pat Hurley, Kay Johnson, Bernadette Grouchy, Judy Comerford, Carmel Hayes and Cynthia Murphy."

 

Mary, Janet, Maureen, Kay, Bernadette, Judy,
Carmel, Pat, Cynthia



Mary Johnson, Janet McGrath, Maureen O'Brien, Kay Johnson, Bernadette Grouchy, Judy Comerford, Carmel Hayes, Pat Hurley, Cynthia Murphy

Judy, Maureen, Carmel, Bernadette, Janet, Cynthia,
Mary, Kay  (Pat must be the photographer this time)

It is really nice to see all of you again, even if it is just in pictures, and I hope we will hear lots more from all of you.  Current news and past memories are greatly appreciated.  Thanks again Pat for sharing this happpy meeting of friends.