STEPMOTHER TO HEROES

I think most of us have heard of the famous Captain Arthur Jackman and his equally famous brother, Captain William Jackman.  Well, did you know that there is a special connection to the brothers and our own St Patrick's Convent?  Read on for an interesting little bit of history.

Henry Goodridge of Paignton, Devon, founded his business at Renews sometime in the early 1800s.  In 1828, Henry’s youngest son, Alan, arrived in Renews and stayed there to run the business.  

The Jackmans worked for the Goodridges skippering their ships that crossed the Atlantic or carried freight up and down the Shore. Captain Thomas Jackman was master of one of Goodridge’s vessels. Captain Thomas and his wife, Catherine Johnson, had five sons and one daughter.  When Alan Goodridge decided to move the headquarters of the business to St John’s, Thomas Jackman followed and his young sons grew up there.

Several of Thomas Jackman’s sons followed in their father’s footsteps and became captains out of St John’s. Two sons, Arthur and William, became famous for their brave and heroic deeds.  Captain William was a true hero. He rescued 27 people from a sinking ship at Spotted Islands, Labrador, in the Autumn of 1867. Captain Arthur was a famed whaler, sealer and navigator.  In 1886 Arthur took the arctic explorer, Robert Peary, on his first trip to the Arctic.  

William and Arthur’s mother, Catherine Johnson, died and eventually their father, Captain Thomas, remarried. His new wife was another Catherine, Catherine White.

Catherine White was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1820. Catherine and Captain Thomas lived on Brine St, St John’s, in the kindly shade of St Patrick’s Church. Sadly, on 19 July, 1870, the old Sea Dog, Captain Thomas, passed away at his home.  

Two years after the demise of her husband, Catherine White Jackman joined the Presentation Congregation at St Patrick’s Convent. This was on 1^st August 1872. After a year as a Postulant, Catherine was received into the Congregation on 1^st  August 1873.  Catherine, who was 52 years old, was given the name of Sr Mary Monica.

It seems that Catherine White/Sr Monica Jackman had not been forgotten in her native County Wexford either. On 4^th September 1897, two Wexford Newspapers, The Enniscorthy Guardian and The New Ross Standard reported that “a day of great rejoicing had taken place at the Presentation Convent of St Patrick’s, Newfoundland” as Sr Monica Jackman celebrated her Silver Jubilee.

Catherine White Jackman, stepmother to heroes

Sr Monica spent her entire Religious Life at St Patrick’s Convent, Riverhead.  She passed away at St Patrick’s Convent on 27^th December 1899 at the age of 79. The stepmother of two famous seamen, William and Arthur Jackman, and the step grandmother of a Priest of St Patrick’s Parish, Fr William H Jackman, Sister Monica Jackman was laid to rest in the Nuns’ Cemetery behind St Patrick’s Convent.

ST JOHN'S FIRST CATHOLIC CHAPEL

Bishop James Louis O'Donel

Rev Dr James Louis O’Donel (later Bishop) arrived in Newfoundland in July 1784.  It is widely believed that the first Catholic Church in St John’s, the Old Chapel, was built by Dr O’Donel  almost immediately, about 1786. However, according to Howley’s Ecclesiastical History, a chapel could have existed before this date because the foundation stone of the old Chapel, later known as the Chapel of St Louis, bears the date of 1754.

The Old Chapel, Henry St

In those days, no lease could be granted and no structure erected without the permission of the Governor.  Dr O’Donel applied to take out a lease on a piece of ground on present day Henry Street. A 99 year lease was consequently granted for a house and garden at a rent of £28 per year. Dr O’Donel then proceeded to erect the chapel. The Chapel was a small, L-shaped wooden structure. As a bell would have been illegal in those times, a Flagpole was erected to signal the beginning of Mass and other services.    

The Chapel was enlarged in 1825. Also, in 1825, the Bell was erected. This was the first Bell ever used to call the Catholics of St John’s to worship. The inscription on the Bell read “John Redhall, fecit 1825.”

By the 1830s the Old Chapel had outlived its usefulness as the Catholic population had increased.  Also, by this time, it was found to be in poor condition.  Bishop Fleming later described it as “a wretched building little better than an extensive stable, badly built and badly ventilated and now tottering in danger of falling and so wretchedly contracted that a considerable portion of the Congregation are compelled on the Sundays to abide the pelting of the storm, the freezing winds and drifting snows … with their heads bowed in prayer beneath Heaven’s own Canopy.”

In 1870, the Old Chapel was ordered to be taken down and, in 1872 it was demolished. The site was purchased by the newly instituted Star of the Sea Association who built their very first public hall upon the spot.

The Fishermen’s Hall, Queen Street, was erected in 1861.  In 1872/3 Bishop Power purchased the Fisherman’s Hall. He dedicated it as a Catholic Chapel.  Named St Peter’s, it was divided into two floors. The upper Floor was used as a Church and the ground floor as a School. The School was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy.

When the Old Chapel, Henry St, was taken down in 1872, the Bell was installed at St Peter’s Chapel on Queen Street.  From there it continued to call the faithful to prayer until the Chapel, after the opening of St Patrick’s Church, was converted to a school.

This history making Bell was then obtained by Rev J St John, pastor of St Joseph’s Church, Salmonier. It would be interesting to know what became of that Bell which would have been such a gladsome sound to the ears of our St John’s ancestors.

Sadly, we all know that the part of our history that was the Star of the Sea Hall has been sold and replaced by the ugly Star of the Sea Residences.  All for filthy lucre!  How very sad.  

"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

JOAN AND FRIENDS

I am so happy to see that Joan Reynolds Fogarty and her amazing group of school friends are still getting together.  These ladies have been friends since Kindergarten and on 25 May they met for lunch at The Rooms.  Bless you, ladies, and keep on celebrating friendship.  It really is a precious gift.

THE BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL FRIENDS

Thanks, Joan, for the picture and for keeping in touch.  Please keep us up to date with your group.  Stay safe.

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

http://stpatrickschurch.ca/2.0/news/

HAVE A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEWS FROM ST PATRICK'S PARISH. 

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH STAINED GLASS

St Patrick's Church has some beautiful stained glass windows. Some of the windows date from 1881.  In my opinion, these are the most beautiful.  That is just my opinion and I am not an expert but I know what I like.  I expect a lot of people would hold a different view and that is ok. 

The newer windows were installed in the mid 1960s.  They depict various biblical scenes.  Of these more modern windows, this is my favourite.  It depicts events in the life of Mary and, of course,  salvation history.

Stained Glass windows, mid 1960s,
by McNichols and Williams of Toronto

The original windows were installed in 1881 and their beauty still inspires. Just two of the original windows are shown here.  They are in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and show the Assumption of Mary and St Joseph with the Child Jesus.

Original windows installed in 1881

The most lovely of all St Patrick's stained glass windows are located in the sanctuary, above the altar. These windows were installed in 1881 and reflect our Irish heritage.  St Patrick holds the center position and he is flanked on either side by St Columba and St Brigid, the Patron Saints of Ireland. When the sun shines through these magnificent windows, their brilliant colours dance across the floor and lift the heart.

The two pictures which follow were taken quite some years apart.  The one with the crucifix was taken in 2003 and the other about 2013.  The statue of the Risen Christ was placed there in memory of longtime parishioner and tireless supporter, the late Mike Walsh.

Original Sanctuary windows, 1881

The Patron Saints of Ireland, 1881

There are many other wonderful stained glass windows in St Patrick's Church so if I were you, I would have a good look around this beloved Church while you can.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

👉👉This is the link for St Patrick's Parish site. Why not have a browse and see what is happening there. 

http://stpatrickschurch.ca/2.0/#masstime

There is also plenty of news on St Patrick's Parish Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/stpatsnl

AND THIS?

Today's post continues to look at some of the things that could be lost in our present predicament. As today is Good Friday, and we have previously looked at our Redemptorist Mission Cross, we will have a look at the Pieta.

The original Pieta ("the Piety") is a Renaissance sculpture executed by  Michelangelo Buonarroti about 1498/99.  It was sculpted from a block of Carrara marble and Michelangelo said it was the finest block he had ever seen.  It is the only piece of his work that the artist has ever signed.  Through the centuries many versions of this work have appeared and many Catholic Churches have a version based on Michelangelo's. The original Pieta is housed in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, and is estimated to be worth an eye-popping $300 million today!

Now to our own, not quite so exalted but still beautiful and very loved, Pieta.

The beautiful Pieta in St Patrick's Church

I am pretty certain that there was a version of the Pieta in St Patrick's Church when I was a child.  That Pieta wasn't coloured.  Do any of you 'more mature' folks remember that or am I "misremembering"? (I have never used that word before but I believe I heard a certain P M use it recently.  I like to keep up with newspeak!) According to the leaflet, 'St Patrick's Church', Katrina McAllister and Karen Morrissey, 1996, the present Pieta was installed in the church in 1992. The base of a pulpit supports it.

This Pieta is vividly coloured and is very beautiful. It is inspiring, very touching, and is a point of  deep respect and devotion for so many parishioners.  Pray God we don't lose it.  

A close up of the Pieta in St Patrick's Church

It has been said that in his Pieta,  Michelangelo's intention was  not to focus on death but on acceptance.  Let's continue to work and pray for our beloved Church and Parish but, perhaps we should also pray for acceptance of whatever God has in mind for the Catholic Church in Newfoundland.

AND THIS TOO!

In previous posts I have tried to remind us of what we have, what we take for granted, and what we could lose. In this little post I will highlight the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar and remind us of its origins.  Many of us spent our childhood looking at it but, as is often the case with the familiar, not actually seeing it!

In the following picture, we see the sanctuary of St Patrick's Church with the original altar.  This is the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar, installed in 1881. Bishop John Thomas Mullock, who died in 1869, was keen to forge ahead with the completion of St Patrick's Church and he worked tirelessly towards that goal. 

The original Altar, St Patrick's Church

The Gothic Style altar is constructed of Carrara marble.  The Paschal Lamb is depicted in the central panel.  To the left the Papal Keys are represented and to the right the Cross surmounted with the Crown of Thorns.

During church renovations in the early 1990s, the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar was relocated to its present location, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.

St Patrick's original altar,
the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar,
installed in 1881

Look at it.  It is too beautiful for words.

👉I have found some of the information about the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar in the leaflet 'St Patrick's Church' by Katrina McAllister and Karen Morrissey, 1996👈

HORRIFYING POSSIBILITIES

In the previous post I mentioned  the Fishermen's Hall on Queen St and people were surprised when they saw the photo of the building as it is today.  So, I thought I might post a little bit about the amazing history of this historic building. It certainly has had an interesting life!

FORMER ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL, 1873-1883

Erected in 1861, Fishermen's Hall at 16 Queen Street is the oldest theatre in St John's.  Surprisingly, it is also the second oldest Catholic Church in St John's.  The cornerstone was laid on 23 May 1861 and Fishermen's Hall opened a mere five months later, on 28 October 1861.

Fishermen's Hall was the venue for many and varied entertainments, including visiting trapeze artists, Flower Shows, musicians, shows, and plays by visiting dramatic troupes. 

On 28 February 1871, a meeting took place at Fisherman's Hall.  Captain William Jackman and several other prominent citizens met together and The Star of the Sea Society was founded and formally instituted.

In 1873 Bishop Power purchased the building.  Internal renovations converted the single story building to a two story one.  The upstairs was consecrated as St Peter's Chapel while the ground floor became a school.  Four Sisters of Mercy came every day from Mercy Convent, Military Road, to teach the boys and girls.

(Picture taken from the Centenary Souvenir Book, 1955)

When St Patrick's Church opened in 1881 there was less need for St Peter's Chapel so, in 1883, it ceased to be a church.  The former chapel was utilized by the good Sisters as part of the school.  The girls' school now occupied the upper floor and the boys' school the floor below.  The R C School Board reported in 1882 that the school had 4 teachers and 360 pupils!  Eventually, two ladies, Miss Maher and Miss Nugent, were employed to assist the Sisters at St Peter's School.

The Sisters of Mercy operated St Peter's School until 1903. In 1903 the building became the commercial premises of Frank McNamara.  In 1967 it was taken over by J B Hand & Sons who occupied the building for a number of years. After J B Hand, 16 Queen St was home to several more enterprises.  You will find the plaque pictured below informative, I have no doubt.

Sign on side of building at 16 Queen St

Now, I am thinking about the churches that are being sold to pay off a debt they didn't personally incur. In particular, I am thinking of St Patrick's. I can't help wondering what fate awaits this venerable and well loved church. What indignities will be visited upon it in the years ahead? The possibilities are too horrifying to contemplate.

St Patrick's Church in 1991 (The Deanery Avenue School is partly visible behind the Deanery)

*Some of the information about St Peter's Church and School was found in the two excellent books;

'The Oldest City', Paul O'Neil

'Weavers of the Tapestry', Sr Kathrine Bellamy R S M

WHAT THEY DID! WHAT CAN WE DO?

By now you are all aware that our beautiful, historic, St Patrick's Church is under threat and (too horrible to contemplate) might have to be sold! To save this beautiful Parish Church which has been the spiritual home of so many of us, much help and inspiration is needed. What can we do? 

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Have a look at some of the things our tenacious ancestors did to bring the dream of St Patrick's to fruition.

On 8 February 1864, it was reported in 'The Newfoundlander' "The people of the city had made a beginning to the vast amount of work necessary by hauling the stone needed for the foundations of the church." 

"During the last week the Catholic people of this place have been employed every day in large numbers bringing stone from various neighboring quarries for the new stone church about to be erected at St Patrick's, Riverhead.  Some of the blocks of stone were of colossal size, weighing many tons each, hundreds of men being engaged in drawing them to their destination. The people, as usual, were full of zeal and energy and a work so begun cannot fail of being successfully carried out in a short period." 

Bishop Mullock was impressed, finding the enthusiasm of the people "most extraordinary".

"A portion of the large amount of money required for the construction was raised in a Grand Bazaar in aid of St Patrick's held in the upper room of Fishermen's Hall on Queen Street."  Having paid their admission of 15 pence, patrons were treated to music provided by various bands of the day, a sale of work, and a Grand Lottery.  The Bazaar was quite a success and raised the sum of £1354, a staggering amount in those days.

FORMER FISHERMEN'S HALL

On 14 August 1864, Bishop Mullock "called on the people of St John's area to fish for St Patrick's Church tomorrow". The Bishop even put on a special Mass in the Cathedral at 4 a m "for the people going to fish".  

The following year, 1865, the good Bishop once again announced that the day's fishery for the church on 15 August, both in St John's and on the Labrador, would be applied to St Patrick's.  He also announced that he intended to introduce a penny a week collection as a means of support.  We certainly owe Bishop John Thomas Mullock our thanks.  He was indeed a determined champion of St Patrick's Church.

I have no proof of it, but I feel sure that while all this activity was going on, there was also much prayer being sent up to heaven for the success of the venture.  If we can do nothing else, maybe we too could do a spot of praying.  St Joseph is a wonderful Saint to turn to in any situation but, since he is the Patron of the Universal Church, he would be the ideal saint to come to our help now.

STATUE OF ST JOSEPH IN
ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

ST JOSEPH PRAY FOR US

Quotes are from the book, 

St Patrick's Church, One Hundred Years,

1881 - 1981

A VIDEO TOUR OF ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

 TOUR OF  ST PATRICK'S CHURCH.

I FOUND THIS ON YOUTUBE AND I THOUGHT YOU WOULD ENJOY THIS TOUR OF OUR BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CHURCH.  

OUR CHURCH- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!

Once upon a time, a school stood here.  This was St Patrick's Convent School, erected in 1921 as a Memorial to the men and boys of the parish who lost their lives in WWI.  Now it is gone.

Site of St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue

This is our church, erected by the free labour, hard work and pennies of our ancestors. Through generations this church has been maintained by the free labour, hard work and pennies of their children and of their children's children.  We must not lose this beautiful, historic church.

Our beautiful St Patrick's Church

This plaque was at the back of our church.  It encourages us to look to the future with hope.  Let's do what we can to save our church, trust in God, and never lose hope.

Plaque at the back of St Patrick's Church

ST PATRICK, PRAY FOR US.

Mass, May 31, 2020

CHRISTMAS EVE 1951

If this lovely picture doesn't warm the cockles of your heart this Christmas Season, then I don't know what will.  Doreen Walsh Noseworthy sent it to us way back in September and I liked it so much I had difficulty restraining myself from posting it immediately.  I really wanted to save it for Christmas and, for once, I managed to keep myself in check.  

The little angels formed part of the annual Midnight Mass ceremony, accompanying the priest as the Baby Jesus was placed in the manger.  Doreen tells us that this particular group of angels made their appearance on Christmas Eve 1951, their Kindergarten year.  

Midnight Mass at St Patrick's Church, Christmas Eve, 1951

The angels are, left to right;

Front; Doreen Walsh, Elizabeth Flynn, Lois Morrissey

Middle; Claire Ronayne, Margaret Fleming

Back; Eileen Maher, Margaret Morrissey, Alice Prim

I love Doreen's recollections of that long ago night.  

"Alice and I walked to and from Mass that evening with my Mom.  It was the perfect Christmas Eve.  There was snow on the ground and the moon was as bright as could be.  I'm pretty sure we were anxious to get home and off to bed before Santa arrived though." 

As Doreen said, "they were very special times and life was so much simpler then".  Indeed they were, my friend!

Doreen, thank you so very much for sharing this beautiful picture and the precious memories.  I wish you and 'little angels' everywhere, a happy, peaceful, and memory making Christmas.  

WHAT WAS AMISS?

I am happy to say that this post (click here) had a grand response on our school facebook page.  As promised, I will now reveal the little inaccuracies in the otherwise beautiful sketch by the late Bill Guihan.

The sketch of St Patrick’s Church itself is actually faultless.  It was completely accurate when it was drawn in the 1980s.  The problems arose when the artist inserted the horse and buggy and the old fashioned people walking down the church yard.  Those touches indicated a much earlier time.  Someone pointed out that the horse and buggy were driving on the wrong side of the street.  That was a good observation but, as someone else said, we drove on the left until 1947 so that wasn’t the problem.  Other suggestions were that St Patrick’s statue wasn’t enclosed. St Patrick’s statue wasn’t there at that time so that isn’t it either.  Anyway, I have enjoyed all your remarks on this and I am really grateful to you for making the effort and having a go.  I hope you have enjoyed it too.  But what makes the church and the horse and buggy, etc, so incompatible?  Let’s have a look.

Bill Guihan's beautiful drawing of St Patrick's Church

Well first of all, that side door pictured at the very left of the church was not there until the 1960s.  (Not too many horses trotting up Patrick St then.) That was installed during the restorations carried out by Msgr Murphy to make it easier for the elderly because it had fewer steps than the main door.  A couple of you picked up on the side door and someone else came very close to it.  Those steps at the main door are an epic climb for anyone!  

The railings at the right side of the picture are a later addition so couldn’t have been seen by the folks who travelled by horse drawn carriages.

I think that the statue referred to by one of you is the one on the bank at the side of the church.  If it is, that is the statue of Our Lady and that too is a much later addition; perhaps 1980s.  St Patrick is in his glass box at the side of the church now but he wasn’t there when Bill Guihan gave us this excellent sketch of our beloved St Patrick’s Church.

Bill Guihan was a very talented artist and I really love this picture of St Patrick’s.  However, a little part of me wishes that he had drawn what he saw and left it at that.

Again, thanks everyone for taking part in this little adventure. You St Patrick’s people are absolutely wonderful! 

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

How many of you have seen this picture before?  I think it is a great picture and I love it. It is from a book which was given to me more than twenty years ago by one of my nieces.  Perhaps you have see this book or even own a copy of it. The book, by Bill Guihan, (1917-1992) is called “Sketches of the Old City”.  It is a fascinating documentation of some of the most historic architecture around St John’s.  An interesting and entertaining book, it will make you look with fresh eyes at our lovely old city of St John’s.

 

St Patrick's Church, by Bill Guihan

As I have said, I love this picture but I see a little inaccuracy in it.  I won’t tell you what it is but if you spot it, please leave me a comment and share what you think is amiss.  In a couple of days I will let you know what it is. 

BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Rhonda Denine Peddle sent us a picture of St Patrick's Church.  I think it is a very beautiful picture so I asked Rhonda if she could find out a little about the picture and the artist.  Rhonda came through with flying colours!  She contacted the artist and some very interesting details emerged.

Rhonda's picture

Rhonda's picture is a print of an oil painting by talented local artist Deirdre Jackson.  Although Deirdre lives in the Goulds, she has a special connection to St Patrick’s Parish.

Deirdre’s mother was Joan Gosse from Hamilton Avenue.  Joan’s sisters were Loretta and Irene Gosse.  Joan attended St Patrick’s from the time she was three or four years old and, after she married, Joan Gosse Dinn continued to attend with her husband and children. Joan passed away last year at the age of 95.

  

There is a touching little story behind this beautiful painting.  Deidre’s niece was living in Ireland but in 2008 she came home to be married at St Patrick’s Church.  As a surprise wedding gift, Deidre created the painting and actually presented this thoughtful and loving gift to her in the church, at the wedding rehearsal! 

The original painting is now in Carlow, Ireland, with Deidre’s niece and family but 11 x 14 prints can be purchased from Deidre.  You can contact Deidre at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dees-Art-Worx-Gallery/887096771331837?fref=ts  As well as St Patrick's Church, you will find some really lovely work there.

Rhonda, I am so pleased that you shared your picture with us and very grateful for all you did to find out the details behind it.  Knowing about the artist and the background of the painting makes it all the more interesting.  So, thanks Rhonda and Deidre for sharing and for your help.

REDEMPTORIST MISSION CROSS, ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

Since we are well into this Lenten Season, we should have a look at some reminders of Lent. The most vivid reminder of Lent is the Cross so let’s take a brief look at a very special Cross in St Patrick’s Church.

Inscription on Mission Cross,
St Patrick's Church

St Patrick’s Church officially opened in August 1881.  Parish missions were a frequent occurrence in Ireland and our forebears were not slow when it came to safeguarding their souls.  A parish mission was soon in progress in the new church.  This first mission was conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers in December 1882 and, as was common in those days, the parishioners turned out in droves.  The successful mission concluded with the erection of a Mission Cross. 

We will see from the two old photographs of the interior of the church that the Cross has been moved several times.  

The Mission Cross is to the left of the Sanctuary

Originally, the Mission Cross was located at the front of the church.  The above photo is of the original altar of St Patrick's Church and the Mission Cross can be seen to the left of the Sanctuary.

Men's Mission, St Patrick's Church, Lent 1953

The picture of the Men's Mission of 1953 is almost unbelievable today.  The sheer number of men who, after a hard day's work, came out every evening for a whole week is something that 21st century minds probably find difficult to comprehend.  Even the choir loft is full, as are the aisles.  Perhaps the only fire hazard they were concerned with was the one that the Mission Priests were talking about!  From this photo, we can see that the Mission Cross has been relocated to the back of the church.  It is to the left of the door and, as the custom dictates, the figure of Christ is covered with a purple cloth.

The Redemptorist Mission Cross,
St Patrick's  Church, 1882

The Redemptorist Mission Cross is currently at the back of St Patrick's Church, just to the left as you enter the church by the main door.  The Cross is inscribed “Redemptorist Mission” and in a heart, “Mission Cross erected on Dec 18^th 1882”. This Mission Cross is a familiar sight to all of us.  It has graced St Patrick's Church for more than 134 years.  Over the years, the feet have been worn smooth by generations of pious souls who have been touched and inspired by this magnificent representation of our Crucified Savior.

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!

ST PATRICK'S DEANERY

This post has been prompted by an email and a photograph which we received several months ago from Enid O’Brien.  The photo is of St Patrick’s Deanery.  Enid thought that it might be of interest to former students and parishioners who are living away from home.  I quite agree with Enid!  Enid’s sister worked at the Deanery around 1955, operating the switchboard.  Her sister was still attending school and worked there after school and on weekends.  Enid observed that it is hard to believe that they would have been busy enough to need a switchboard operator.  Good point Enid!

 



Historic St Patrick's Deanery

It was the dream and the firm intention of Bishop John Thomas Mullock to establish at Riverhead in the west end of St John’s a fine Church to minister to the spiritual needs of the people of that area.  His Lordship determined that this Church would be dedicated to St Patrick, the Apostle of their “ancestral land”.  The Bishop recorded in his diary for 23^rd March 1852 that he had “Paid Mr Little £341 for land at Riverhead for church, schools, and a convent”.  On a rainy 17th September 1855, as part of the celebrations for the consecration of the Cathedral, the foundation stone for the new church was laid by Archbishop John Hughes of New York.

 

For various reasons, it was quite a few years before the actual construction of the church could begin.  So, in 1860, Bishop Mullock decided to build a temporary church until the more fitting edifice could be erected.  No time was lost in building the wooden church that would serve the Catholics of Riverhead for more than twenty years.  On Sunday, 9^th September 1860, the first St Patrick’s Church was dedicated to the glory of God.  This time the ceremonies were carried out in brilliant sunshine! 
 

This ‘temporary’ Church stood where St Patrick’s Deanery stands today and it served the people well until our beautiful and long awaited St Patrick’s Church was dedicated in August 1881.   St Patrick’s Deanery was erected in 1884. It is a Registered Heritage Structure.  To learn more about the  designation of St Patrick's Deanery, click here.

 

Our thanks go to Enid for once again providing us with material for an informative post about our St Patrick’s Parish.

FIRST COMMUNION 1916, CONFIRMATION 1943

Still on the topic of First Communion and Confirmation, we have a Confirmation photo from the early 1940s and a First Communion & Confirmation Certificate from 1916.  

Confirmation Time for a group of Holy Cross Boys,
circa 1943

This is a photo of a group of Holy Cross boys on their Confirmation Day.  The date is not certain but it is definitely the early 1940s and most likely 1943.  Notice their red rosettes which,  by tradition, boys wore at their Confirmation.  White rosettes were worn for First Communion. 

 

We have just four names:

2nd Row:
6th left, Alexander (Duey) Fitzgerald
7th left, Derm? Molloy

Third Row:
6th left, John McAllister

Back Row
4th left, John Whalen 

If anyone out there can give us some more names please send them to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

 

This is a First Communion and Confirmation Certificate in one and it records the First Communion and Confirmation of Ellen Josephine Williams.

 

First Communion &
Confirmation Certificate, 1916

 

A close up of the entry on the 1916 certificate



This is a very interesting certificate because it details three major events in the Sacramental life of a young Catholic. We see that Ellen Williams was Baptised in 1905, received First Holy Communion in the Church of St Patrick on the 10th June 1916. It doesn't give us the specific date of Confirmation but it does say that Ellen received "the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation in the same year", i.e 1916.

 

If you have First Communion or Confirmation photographs, certificates or stories that you would like to share with us, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Just send it along to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.