READ AND WEEP

OUR BELOVED ST PATRICK'S CHURCH, 1992

 May 14/15, 2022

Dear Parishioners of St. Patrick’s and St. John Bosco Parishes:

As you are aware, the Basilica Heritage Foundation in partnership with St. Bonaventure’s School and Forum are planning to bid to re-purchase the Basilica Block. If this bid is successful, the Basilica will continue to operate as a parish and as the cathedral for our Archdiocese. We are grateful and relieved that the Basilica may be preserved as a place of worship, especially for the people of the central region of St. John’s. This, however, leaves several questions about the future of our parishes.

On June 2^nd, the bids for all churches in the St. John’s area are due and will be evaluated by the Trustees. Following this, we expect to know which churches have been purchased and which have not. Currently, we are not aware of anyone pursuing to bid on St. Patrick’s church. Since St. John Bosco is not up for sale, it will not be immediately affected by the results of June 2^nd; however, a decision will have to be reached at some point regarding its future as a parish.

From the results of our parish survey and parishioner feedback we have not yet seen sufficient financial commitment to consider a bid to preserve St. Patrick’s in addition to the Basilica. In our parish letter of March 26^th/27^th we also communicated the Archbishop’s points for consideration in this matter, which include:

• It would seem one parish would be sufficient for the central region of St. John’s.
• The Basilica seems to be the preferred home for this amalgamated parish.
• The Archbishop would not stand in the way of any individual parish that wished to proceed with a separate bid to repurchase their parish church, but financial viability and the availability of clergy to staff the parish would need to be considered.
• To bid on a church, an interested parish group would have to either form a separate corporation or make its bid through the Archdiocese’s new holding corporation.

While there are significant reasons in favour of keeping only the Basilica for the central region of St. John’s, if a group of dedicated parishioners wish to preserve St. Patrick’s, they are free to try to do so, keeping the above considerations in mind.

We expect that if St. Patrick’s remains unpurchased by June 2^nd, we may continue to use it as our parish church until some final arrangement of ownership is reached. However, this requires that we meet our ongoing financial costs (e.g. heat, light, insurance, salaries etc.). We encourage all of you to continue to generously support the upkeep of our parish. All your contributions go towards the usual weekly costs of the parish operation. We have been running a deficit each month since January and our parish accounts are getting very low; however, we are planning to begin a fund-raising effort to help meet these operating costs. St. John Bosco has been much closer to meeting its operating costs.

As we await the results of June 2^nd, we will try to continue as a parish, and we thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to any of the members of our Parish Council, Finance Committee, or to our parish priest. To speak with any of us, please either approach one of us in church or leave a message at the parish office and we will get back to you.

Sincerely yours,

The Parish Council and Finance Committees of St. Patrick’s and St. John Bosco Parishes

(Rex Anthony, Jim Armstrong, Katrina McAlister, Allison Myler, Patricia Norman, Brenda Sheir, Kelly Skinner, Patricia Walsh-Warren, David Warford, Liam Warren)

with Fr. James Fleming

SCHOOL SOUVENIRS

Teri Healey Evans is sharing some lovely school souvenirs with us.  They are little cards which were given to her late sister, Cindy, and kept by their mother.  Teri came across them in a book belonging to her mother and thought we would like  to see them.  She and I both thought these might encourage others to share any such tokens on our School Blog.  We think there are plenty of them still out there.  I know that I have at least one tucked away somewhere.  I am going to have a look for it and post it when I find it.  Come on, all you St Patrick's Convent School grads, please turn out your souvenir boxes and see what you can find to share with us all. 

Front and back of Cindy's card from Miss Walsh

Front and back of card given to Cindy by Miss Rogers

Thanks Teri.  These are really nice and, anything else you come across would be welcome too.  Keep in touch.📚👩🏼‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓

👉👉 BEFORE YOU GO, HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR BELOVED ST PATRICK'S PARISH. THINGS AREN'T LOOKING GOOD.😭

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

TROUTERS SPECIAL 2022

Hello to all you St Patrick's Parishioners and supporters.  I hope you are all in fine fettle and avoiding the dreaded Covid.  I haven't posted for quite awhile but this is important so here goes.

I have received an email from Brenda Sheir with news of the Annual Fund raiser and asking for your support.  I will post Brenda's email below and I sincerely hope you will dig deep for our St Patrick's Parish.

 GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

TRIBUTE TO RONNIE

Ronnie Doyle, R I P

We are all saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Ronnie Doyle, such a well loved presence in St Patrick's Parish. Ronnie's friend, neighbour, and fellow parishioner has put pen to paper to offer a tribute to Ronnie.  Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker has shared her lovely poem with us.

                          RONNIE

How many tears can one cry to Heaven

For someone so special we have loved and lost,

The shock and stress of his death that happened

The feeling of numbness and helplessness is the greatest cost.

The friendliest family man who loved chatting to everyone

He was that pleasant person we will never soon forget,

Everyone was greeted with his contagious smile and a wave

He was someone many are thankful to have met.

He was so much like his angelic parents, Mary and Kevin,

The family home is still next door to Robert and me

His dad and Ronnie wore a path from St. Patrick’s to Brine Street

Doing good for others that many did not see.

Ronnie was the very energetic sort

Who felt there was never enough time to get things done,

The best maintenance and grounds worker that St. Patrick’s would ever see

But he certainly made time for his family and loved ones.

Ronnie and Ros were blessed with two children, Kevin and Courtney, 

They will always be their special pride and joy,

When two grandchildren were to come from Kevin and Sarah

They were blessed with a beautiful girl and darling boy.

All the siblings from both sides loved him dearly

He was always just a phone call away,

He will be so missed by the priests and co-workers

And by all of us every hour of every day.

Ros, his beautiful soul is now in Heaven

With his loving family who have passed on before,

Jesus smiled and said, “COME MY SON”

You have earned your walk through Heavens door.

Hugs to Heaven Ronnie 

Thank you, Mary Lou, for this touching tribute to  Ronnie Doyle.  He was a well loved man who will be missed by so very many people.  To Ronnie's dear wife and devoted family, we extend our sincerest  sympathy. May God's love support you all in this ordeal and may  Ronnie's gentle soul rest in Christ's peace.

Remembering Father Shea

Some of us remember Fr Shea when he served at St Patrick's Parish. He was a wonderful man of God and he was taken far too young. May he rest in eternal peace.  Thank you, Fr Ray, for the lovely tribute to Fr Shea.

CONGRATULATIONS FR RAY

Sunday, 3rd May 2020, was a very special day for Fr Ray Earle.  On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Fr Ray celebrated the 34th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. 

Fr Ray Earle on his 34th Anniversary

Very best wishes, Father, and may you be blessed with many years of good health to carry on your priestly work.  And - may St Patrick's Parish be blessed with many years of your kindly and inspiring presence!

Congratulations Fr Ray and thank you for everything. God bless you.

FR FRANCIS BURKE

Maurice Charette has a wealth of items closely linked to St Patrick's past history.  Maurice found them while sorting through his late mother's things.  His mother was  Elizabeth (Betty) Murphy.  Betty lived at 9 Patrick St and later at 544 Water St.  She was a pupil of St Patrick's Convent School and a loyal member of St Patrick's Parish.  Maurice has kindly shared photos with us before (HERE) and now he has sent this interesting little card.

The card from Maurice

Fr Burke was ordained for the Scarborough Foreign Mission Society.  Many young men from Newfoundland became members of that worthy organisation.  This is a group photo which I came across on line.  Fr Burke is in the back row.  

Fr Francis Burke is in the back row

I well remember my mother receiving the monthly magazine from the SFM.  She knew some of the Newfoundlanders who were members and she spoke of them often.  I hope some of you will be able to add more to Fr Burke's story.  Also, any information about the other Newfoundland priests of that Society would most definitely be welcome.(Send to mcallistersmith@gmail.com)  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Maurice.  May God bless you and your family and keep you safe and well during this terrible Covid 19 pandemic.

REST IN PEACE HELEN

We have just lost another of our St Patrick's Graduates, Helen Molloy.  Helen was a larger than life character who, over the years, contributed greatly to St Patrick's Parish life.  Who could forget her spirited performances in the St Patrick's Day Plays?  Always so  full of life and fun, just thinking of those plays brings a smile to my face.  

L-R: Tom Price, Mary Gosse, Doreen Healey,
Shannon McAllister, Frank Newman,
HELEN MOLLOY, Joe newman,
Gerry Costello, Mary Downey

I am pleased to post a picture of Helen and some of the other performers who gladdened our Irish hearts with their wonderful performances under the guiding hand of Miss Kathleen Hayes.
https://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.com/2015/03/happy-st-patricks-day-2015.html

https://www.cauls.ca/obituary/helen-molloy

To the Molloy Family, we extend our sincere sympathy on the loss of your vibrant and well loved family member. 

A TRIBUTE FROM ONE ST PATRICK'S GIRL TO ANOTHER

Today's post is a tribute to Mary Skinner, well know and well loved parishioner of St Patrick's Parish who died recently.  This heartfelt poem was written by Mary Lou (Louie) Mallard Tucker.  

Mary Skinner speaking at St Patrick's Convent  closing ceremony 

"Mary Skinner

A perfect tribute for a Christian life well lived

I shared with a church filled with people for her today,

Fr. Dohey, Fr. Pat, and two other    priests  

Celebrated this sad day in the Month of May.

Father Dohey did treasure Bill and Mary's friendship 

As they appeared to be the salt of the earth,

They certainly left their mark on the St Patrick's community 

Her parents and grandparents were there before her birth.

As May being the month of our precious Mother

Mary was a great mother figure through the years,

Being the outstanding mother to her wonderful family

Also House Mother to Nursing students, for whom she loved and cared.

Some of my siblings knew Mary’s family through singing and softball 

I'd see her at concerts and nod to her from time to time,

I would see her at the deanery with Regina when I’d drop by

She would smile at me while church events were on her mind.

My cousin Rose and Cathy J. were heartbroken for the family,

They had been singing with Mary's girls for years,

Both Rose and Cathy were away on holiday

As they both share the sadness, the cares and the tears.

Jesus smiled at your mother and took her by the hand,

He thanked her for her job so very well done,

Jesus told Mary you would be remembered as an angel

But to me you are my very special one." 

This is a lovely tribute from one St Patrick's girl to another.  Thank you very much, Louie, for sharing this touching  poem with us.  I am sure your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated by Mary's family and her many friends in St Patrick's Parish and beyond.

Mary Lou (Louie) Tucker Mallard

2740, PTE ANDREW SHAW

Andrew Shaw was born in Little Heart’s Ease on 30^th September 1893.  He was the second son of Thomas and Margaret (Walsh) Shaw. On 12^th May 1916 Andrew enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment at St John’s.  Private Andrew Shaw, Regimental Number 2740, embarked aboard the  S S Sicilian on 19^th July to England and then to a training base at Ayr, Scotland.  On 14^th October 1916, Private Shaw embarked Southampton to join his regiment in France.

Pte Andrew Shaw, Regimental Number 2740

August 1917 saw Shaw fighting in Belgium.  On 13^th of that month, at the Battle of Langemarck,  he received a serious wound to his right leg.  

After months of recuperation in England and Scotland, Pte Shaw rejoined his battalion at the Front on 6^th February 1918.  On 12^th  April 1918 he was reported missing in action.  In May it was learned that Pte Shaw had been wounded and was now in enemy hands as a Prisoner of War at Soltau. Soltau, built in 1914, was the largest of Germany’s P O W camps.  In September, after months of suffering, Pte Shaw was released and repatriated to hospital in England.

At long last, Pte Shaw was on his way home! On 22^nd May 1919, he embarked for St John’s aboard the S S Corsican, arriving in St John's on 1^st June.  He was issued discharge certificate number 2908 on 10^th July 1919.  Pte Andrew Shaw had served for approximately three years and two months.  He carried the results of his wounds for the rest of his life.

In 1921, on 15^th June, Andrew Shaw married Mary Stanford of St John’s. Andrew and Mary lived in the west end and were faithful members of St Patrick’s Parish.  They raised a large family and their daughters, Angela, Mary, Imelda and Isabel, all attended St Patrick’s Convent Schools.

After a long life well lived, Andrew Shaw passed away in St John’s on 10^th April 1976. He rests in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, St John’s.

“LEST WE FORGET”

REST IN PEACE MONSIGNOR DOODY

Yesterday, St Patrick's Church was packed as family, friends and former parishioners gathered to bid a fond farewell to a respected and much loved priest, Monsignor James Doody.  Father Doody was Pastor of St Patrick's Parish for 24 years and he endeared himself to all.  He was a man of kindness, compassion and generosity.  We are all very sad that he has left us but we will revere his memory.  Truly he was an exemplary priest who didn't just preach the Gospel.  He lived it!  

Thank you Father Doody.  Rest now in peace with the Lord for whom you lived your life.

Monsignor James J Doody

Below is Msgr Doody's obituary as it appeared on Caul's site.

"Monsignor James Doody

December 01, 1925 - July 03, 2018

Monsignor James Doody, P.P., P.H.

“He threw many of us a life line when we needed it”

December 1, 1925 – July 3, 2018

As a child, Monsignor Jim Doody the son of Casimer Doody and Sarah Byrne of Mosquito, Colinet Island, S.M.B, helped his father in the fishery, and as a teenager he had his own fishing boat.  For the last sixty-five years, he has been what the scriptures describes as a “fisher of people.”  Monsignor Jim Doody, age 92 years, set sail from this place on July 3, 2018, and thus he has secured his berth in the final port of call.

James Joseph Doody was born on December 1, 1925.  He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. John’s on June 21, 1953.  As a ‘fisher of people’ he held a number of Pastoral and Administrative Appointments: St. Joseph’s Parish, St. John’s; Holy Apostles Parish, Renews; St. Kyran’s, Bar Haven, Oderin, and Merasheen Parishes;  Oderin Parish; Monsefu, Peru Parish;  Sacred Heart Parish, St. Mary’s; Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia; Ministry to Priest’s Program, St. Joseph’s Parish, St. John’s; and his final and longest serving ministry was St. Patrick’s Parish, St. John’s and St. John Bosco Parish, Shea Height’s (1986-2010).

In December 1994, Pope John Paul II designated him as a Prelate of Honor (PH) with the lifetime title of Monsignor. It is recognition by the Vatican and Pope of special service rendered to the Church. He retired from active ministry in June 2010, taking up residence at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in 2012.

He leaves to mourn: Archbishop Martin Currie, Brother Priests, Religious Sisters and Christian Brothers, his sister Etta Conway residing in Corner Brook, nieces and nephews, his special friend and caregiver Brenda King and family, the Staff, Sisters and Volunteers at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home and all who cared so well for him.

Visitation at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home Chapel on Wednesday, July 4th, 3-5 pm. 

Caul's Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road, Wednesday, July 4th, 7-9 pm and Thursday, July 5th, 10 am - 5 pm.

St. Patrick’s Church, Patrick Street, Thursday, July 5th, 6 pm - 9 pm.; with Vigil Service at 7:30 pm. 

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 6th at 11 am St. Patrick’s Church.

Internment to follow in the priests’ plot at Belvedere Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the building fund in your home parish.

His boat of life was filled to the brim with family and friends. He took many of us in when our boats capsized, and he threw many of us a life line when we needed it. In life, he knew at times what it was like to be adrift but always found his way back to the harbour where he laid anchor with us and we are all so very grateful."                               

THANK YOU FATHER WAYNE

Fr Wayne Dohey is the well loved parish priest of St Patrick's who, sadly for St Patrick's, is moving on to continue his good work in another parish.  Fr Wayne, his enthusiasm, his kindness, his dedication and his brilliant smile will be sorely missed.  Thank you Fr Wayne and may God bless you abundantly.

The Incomparable Father Wayne Dohey

Mary Lou Mallard Tucker has sent us this touching tribute to Fr Wayne. 

"Father Wayne Dohey

St Patrick’s Parish

Can anyone predict what is in God’s  plan

When we arrive to this uncertain  world?

Unforeseen circumstances do  sometimes happen

Which can put one’s life in a twirl.

Father, all that you have been  through,

You have been through many tests.

God definitely sees the whole  picture

As Satan hates Christian happiness.

God presented us with a wonderful  man of the cloth

Who will always go that extra mile.

You try to preach to Cod’s children  everywhere

With a compassionate heart, which  is so your style.

Your brilliant mind teaches all of us

We should live out God’s holy word.

In the future we will try to  remember

Your powerful words which we  have heard.

You are going where you are  needed now

Your full time work at St Patrick’s  done.

It is with deep sadness that is felt  in all of our hearts

As our parish priest, you are our  special one.

We will all miss you!

Mary Lou Tucker and Family"

Mary Lou, thank you for sharing this lovely poem. Fr Wayne will indeed be missed.

A ST PATRICK'S DAY FACT FROM OUR PARISH

In 1871, St Patrick’s Day was just as important as it is today – but in a very different way!  In preparation for the great Saint’s Day, a special Novena began in St Patrick’s Parish on 8^th March.  For the next nine days the Rosary, a Sermon and Benediction took place in the chapel and the parishioners attended in great numbers.  

Yep, it was definitely different from today! However, I am certain that when the big  day, 17th March, finally arrived, our Patron Saint was well celebrated!

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2016

POPPIES PAINTED BY HEATHER

Today, Remembrance Day 2016, we remember two priests with a connection to St Patrick’s Parish who served as chaplains in WWI and WWII.

Earlier this week, on 8^th November, Padre Thomas Nangle was recognised as a person of significance across Canada when a commemorative plaque was unveiled at Canadian Forces Station, Pleasantville.

Thomas Nangle was born in St John’s in 1889.  In 1913, after studies in Ireland, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop M F Howley at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in St John’s.  Father Nangle served St Patrick’s Parish from 1914 to 1916.  He enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment and was its respected and well loved chaplain.  After the war, Padre Nangle supervised the exhumation of known graves and was responsible for the erection of the five Caribou Memorials across Europe.  Four are in France and one is in Belgium.  

NEWFOUNDLAND BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL, GUEUDECOURT, SOMME, FRANCE

He was also the driving force behind the building of the War Memorial in St John’s. 

WAR MEMORIAL, ST JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

Regarding Memorials, Padre Nangle was quoted as saying that they were “monuments to our glorious dead and to our just as glorious survivors.  They are monuments to the mothers that bore such brave sons and the land that bred them”. Padre Thomas Nangle rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the 1920s he left the priesthood and settled in Rhodesia where he married and had four children.  He died there in January 1972.

I knew nothing of Fr Francis James Jackman until recently when Eleanor Dalton sent me a photo taken at St Patrick’s Convent more than 70 years ago.  Among a group of Presentation Nuns was a smiling priest in military uniform.  Eleanor didn’t know who the priest was so she sought the help of Frank Galgay. 

 

FR FRANCIS JAMES JACKMAN

Frank was able to tell Eleanor that the priest in question was Fr Francis James Jackman.  Fr Jackman was born in 1903.  During WWII, in 1941, he moved his residence to St Patrick’s. Around that time, Fr Jackman enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy.  He served as a Naval Chaplain for the duration of the war.  On 31^st December 1945 Fr Jackman was demobilised with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

After the war Fr Jackman returned to Newfoundland where he again took up duties as a parish priest.  From 1948 until 1977 he was parish priest of St Edwards Parish, Kelligrews.  He retired in 1977 and died four years later, in 1981.  The Knights of Columbus Fr Francis Jackman Council 9303 was formed in 1986 and is named in his honour.

PRESENTATION SISTERS' PARTING GIFT

On 3rd November the media was full of the news that the Presentation Sisters have donated St Patrick's Convent to the City of St John's for use as affordable housing for senior citizens. Sister Betty Rae Lee pointed out that through their various ministries they learned that elderly people are experiencing great difficulty finding comfortable, affordable places to live. Sadly, the Presentation Sisters, a caring presence in the West End for 160 years, have gone from our Parish, but through their magnanimous  gift, their generous spirit will live on.  The City of St John's, particularly the  people of the West End, owe much to the generations of Presentation Sisters who have graced our corner of the world.  May God's richest blessings be theirs.

ST PATRICK'S CONVENT, WHICH THE SISTERS HAVE GIFTED TO THE CITY

Our thanks go to Katrina who has kindly sent us a copy of a recent Sunday Bulletin from  St Patrick's Parish.  

ST PATRICK'S PARISH BULLETIN

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BULLETIN

ALSO FROM THE BULLETIN

McDERMOTT-ROE FAMILY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND IRELAND

I have been indulging my fondness for digging through old scrapbooks again and I have come across this short announcement published in a local newspaper in 1914.  There is a connection to St Patrick’s Parish so I thought those of you who are interested in its history would enjoy this little snippet.

IN 1914, A "COLONY"

Monsignor James J McDermott was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1872.  Ordained in Ireland in 1895, the young priest came to Newfoundland that same year. 

Msgr J J McDermott

When this announcement of the death of his aunt, Mrs Dillon, appeared in the newspaper in 1914, Msgr McDermott was Parish Priest of St Patrick’s in the West End of St John’s, or as it was then known, ‘Riverhead’, St John’s.  Msgr McDermott had been made Pastor of St Patrick’s in 1909 and he served the Parish until his appointment as Vicar General of the Archdiocese in 1915.  Having spent most of his priestly life labouring in various parishes in Newfoundland, Monsignor James J McDermott died at St Clare’s Mercy Hospital, St John’s in April 1947.  

"THE WAR TO END ALL WARS"

The Plaque which was on the Deanery Avenue School

Since this is Memorial Day in Newfoundland, I thought this was a good photo to post here.  As children when we were filing in & out of the doors of St Patrick's on Deanery Ave we probably took no notice of the plaque on the side of the door.

 

The plaque indicated that the school, our school, was built as a memorial to the men & boys of St Patrick's Parish who gave their all in the mud and the blood and the gas and the unspeakable horror of "the war to end all wars"! 

 

Now we can appreciate just what those young men of our Parish sacrificed.  Today, on the Anniversary of Beaumont Hamel, where so many young men were killed or maimed, let us remember those who came before us, those who died & those who grieved for them.  Let's also remember just what this plaque & the school to which it was attached meant to that generation.

 

May they all rest in peace and, please God, may we all live in peace. 

 

"BETTER THAN THE BEST"

ST PATRICK'S DAY, ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time,  St Patrick's Day wasn't St Patrick's Day in our parish without the annual play put on by Miss Kay Hayes and the St Patrick's Dramatic Troupe. Years move on and tastes change and now those wonderful plays are just a happy memory.  Thanks to my sister-in-law, Pat McAllister, I have been given an opportunity to stroll down memory lane with the help of an old programme from one of those magical nights.  I know  many of you also remember those plays so I am posting excerpts from the programme.  There are also some adds that will bring back fond memories because the companies and products they advertise are no longer with us.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and the memories it evokes.

 

The cover of a St Patrick's Day Concert Programme

 

Setting the scene

The synopsis

 

 

Love the ads!

Meet the cast
(Remember Marty's?)

The cast, continued

 

Did Mary Downey play two parts?



Sometimes multi-talented George also acted in the plays

Did you, or your mother, shop at the London?



With all of this amazing talent entertaining us between acts,
we certainly got our money's worth!

The final "thank you" and the last page of the programme

For those of you who, like me, have had the very great pleasure of listening to "THE BIG 6" on Saturday mornings, here's the tune that still brings me back to those lazy, carefree Saturdays. 

 

 

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!