HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY 2015

How did we celebrate St Patrick's Day at St Patrick's in days gone by?  Well, thanks to Kim Barrett-Doyle and Craig McAllister, I have some wonderful old photographs that will give us an idea of how it used to be in the 1970s and 1980s.   (Remember, just click on each photograph to enlarge it!) 

Kim's beautiful coloured photo is from 1984/85 and was taken at a St Patrick's Day Concert in the School Gym on Patrick Street.  Kim tells me that Christina Mallard Cooper, Connie Lambe and Pam Power are in the picture but she isn't sure of any other names.  Debbie Thomas Meyer has also supplied a couple of names.  Debbie says that one of the girls in the picture is indeed Kim Barrett-Doyle and another is Kerri Jones Smith. 

ST PATRICK'S DAY, 1984/85

The rest of our photographs were taken by Craig at one of the  St Patrick's Day Plays that were for many years a fixture of St Patrick's Parish life.  These plays were put on by The St Patrick's Dramatic Troupe under the direction of the wonderful Miss Kathleen Hayes.  Hang on to your "Caubeen"now because here are the photographs of one of Kathleen's plays!

WAKE HIM UP!  THE CURTAIN HAS RISEN!
(Eleanor McAllister and ?)



OH GOOD, HE'S AWAKE!  I THINK SHE
IS ANNOYED AT HIM.



WELL, SHE IS DEFINITELY THE MAID!
(Doreen Healey, Shannon McAllsiter & ?)

COULD HE BE THE HANDYMAN?  AND WHO IS
THE GUY IN THE SUIT?  WE HAVEN'T
SEEN HIS FACE YET.

ANOTHER GUY IN A SUIT!  WE CAN'T
SEEN HIS FACE EITHER.
(?,  Doreen, Shannon & Gerry Costello)



PALM READING PERHAPS?
(Joe Newman, Doreen, ?)

SOME OF THE CAST MEMBERS
(Tom Price, Mary Gosse, Doreen Healey, 
Shannon McAllister, Frank Newman, Helen Molloy, 
Joe Newman, Gerry Costello, Mary Downey)

I wish I knew what it was all about because it looked like a lot of fun.  I think we are missing some of the cast members but I can't be sure.  If anyone remembers this particular play, maybe you would be kind enough to share your knowledge with us.  We have some of the actors names but we would welcome more if you know any.  Those we have are: Tom Price, Doreen Healy, Eleanor McAllister, Gerry Costello, Shannon McAllister, Mary Downey, Helen Molloy, George O'Brien, Pat McAllister, Mary Gosse and Blondie Horan.

At these wonderful concerts you never got a chance to be bored because even between the acts there was top quality entertainment.   The next couple of photos are the young dancers who entertained the night of this particular play.  Again, I have no details of who they are but I am ever optimistic that someone can help us out.  They could be the St Pat's Dancers or they could be the Holy Cross Dancers.  Please, someone, search your memory for us?

GREAT YOUNG DANCERS!

  

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?  I HOPE THEY ARE DANCING SOMEWHERE THIS ST PATRICK'S DAY!

I am really grateful to Kim and to Craig for sharing these beautiful memories with us.  Again, I hope that someone out there will be able to tell us something about these pictures.  If you are able to help us, please contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and add to the pleasure.

I have greatly enjoyed doing this post and I sincerely hope that you too have enjoyed it.  To all St Patrick's people, far and near, have a very Happy St Patrick's Day!



GATHERING 2015 - 1974 GRADUATES

Last year, Christine Butler (Rossiter) organised a reunion for the girls who graduated with her in 1974.  It was a huge success and the ladies suggested doing it again.  Christine has once again taken the lead and is planning a gathering for May 2015.  To help spread the word and alert everyone to this event, I am posting details here.  Please pass the message to any classmates or teachers you know and make this reunion an even greater success than last year!

CHRISTINE'S GRADE 3 CLASS.  ARE YOU IN THIS PICTURE?  IF YOU ARE, YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED

TO A GET- TOGETHER ON 31st MAY 2015! 

(CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM.)

 

The gathering is planned for SUNDAY, 31st MAY.   Please meet at 2 O'CLOCK at 35 NEWMAN ST, ST JOHN'S (COWAN HEIGHTS), where Donna Walsh (Constantine) will be delighted to welcome school friends to her home.  You will then have a few hours to do a lot of chatting and laughing before a POTLUCK SUPPER is served at around 5 O'CLOCK. 

 

It is sure to be a very enjoyable meeting of old friends so don't miss it!  However, Christine must know in advance how many will attend!  

Please contact her by email on butlerchristine@nl.rogers.com 
 

DONNA WALSH SENT US THIS PHOTO
OF THE HAPPY GATHERING LAST YEAR. 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SOME PHOTOS OF
THE UPCOMING EVENT IN MAY 2015.

 

REPORT CARD TIME!

I am very pleased that once again I am able to post pictures on the blog.  I don't know what the problem was but, thankfully, it seems to have been sorted out at last.  So here we are with some old report cards.   I hope you enjoy this post. 

 

 

Thanks to Betty Simms for the first three Report Cards.  They are a record of Betty's work in Kindergarten.  The school year was 1951-52 and the teacher was the wonderful Miss Margaret Murphy.  

Betty's Report Card for December 1951



Who's a clever girl then?

Good Bye Kindergarten!

For the next report card and certificate of promotion, I am indebted to Linda O'Brien Clarke.  I think these are lovely keepsakes to have, Linda, and I am very grateful to you for sharing them with us. 

Linda's Report Card

 

Congratulations, Linda


Thank you very much Betty and Linda.  These are priceless reminders of happy days at St Patrick's.  (Well, happy once the exams were over!)  If anyone else has any reports or certificates, please send them to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and share the memories.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

We have received a lovely email and photograph from Joan REYNOLDS Fogarty.  Joan & her school friends have had their Christmas party and she very kindly shared it with us.     The closeness and loyalty to one another of this group of St Patrick's girls is inspiring. They help us see the importance of maintaining the bonds of friendships that were forged in childhood and youth.  Also, all those happy, smiling faces tell us that there is a lot of pleasure in it too.  Keep it up ladies!

 

Joan wrote:

"We had our Christmas party last night at Rosemary ASHLEY Healy's home. We had a wonderful catered three-course meal, exchanged gifts, and had a wonderful evening together. There were fourteen of us this time."

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SEATED:

Madelyn Adams Thompson, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Eleanor Sears Vatcher.

STANDING:

Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Joan Connolly Alston, Bonnie Beck Byrne, Mary Fitzgerald, Rosemary Ashley Healy, Patricia Connolly Leonard, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Joan Ryan Cobb, Mary Bulger Corcoran.

 

Joan's email continued:

"Our next get-together is May 13.

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2015 to everyone."

 

Thanks for sharing this with us Joan.  We look forward to hearing about your next adventure together.

TIME FOR ANOTHER HOLY CROSS PHOTO (EDITED POST!)

It is time to post another Holy Cross Class Photo and have I ever got a beauty for you!  It was sent to me by Dianne HAWLEY King and it belonged to her late brother, Roger, who passed away last December.  I think many of you will remember Dianne who lived on Water Street and then Sudbury St.  I am also pretty certain that quite a few of you will remember handsome Roger who was a real heart throb.  There were many 'heart throbs' at Holy Cross!  Here are just a few of them.

Another group of Holy Cross Heart Throbs!

***I am very pleased to edit this post because we have recently been given some more names of the boys in the photo.  Originally Dianne and I came up with a few names but Enid O'Brien has once again come to our rescue!  Enid and her friend, Jim Dodd, have been able to supply many more names for us. Jim, by the way, is one of the boys in this photograph. 

Here is the updated version:

 

FRONT ROW, L-R:

Jim Dodd, Bruce Jones, Pat Casey, Damien Ryan, Brian Moriarity, Donald Dinn and Paul Duggan

 

 

2nd ROW:

Jack Power, Hubert Dunne, Bud Gushue, Pat Power, John Dewling, Kevin Martin, Jerome Dinn

 

3rd ROW:

Mike Kelly, Gus McGrath, Pat Ryall, Roger Hawley, Brian Leonard, Andy Samuelson, Mike Power and Tom Fagan

 

4th ROW:

Cyril O'Leary,   Ed Shapter,  Bob Perchard, Don Murphy, Bill Neville, John Anderson and Bernard Sheehan

 

 

5th ROW:

Stuart Rose, Gus Samuelson, Alan Murphy, Dennis Coffey, Bill Hynes

 

6th ROW:

Leo Power, Pat Downey, Brian Philpott, Mike OKeefe, John Whelan and Tom Wakeham

 

We don't know the year this photo was taken nor do we know what grade it is.  We are hoping that someone out there can help us with that and also with any of the names that we don't yet have. 

***The previous paragraph is now redundant because, thanks to Gus Samuelson, we have all the names as well as the grade and year.  Gus informed us that this is a photo of the Grade 11 class of 1958.  Gus noted that  Jack, Pat and Leo Power are three brothers from Fort Amherst.  I rememebr them Gus.  Their father was the Lighthouse Keeper at Fort Amherst. 

 

Thanks Dianne.  This is a great picture and if you come across any more pictures of Holy Cross or St Patrick's, please share them with us.  We all get a lot of pleasure from seeing old friends and classmates.   To Jim Dodd, a very big thank you for you help. Thanks also to  Enid O'Brien who is always helpful!   Last, but by no means least, thank you very much Gus Samuelson.  Whatever would I do without you all?

MISS ANGELA GREENE'S CLASS, 1967

 

Donna CONSTANTINE Walsh has sent this lovely picture from 1967.  It is Miss Angela Greene's Grade 3 Class.  They all look so neat and smart in their green uniforms.

 

AREN'T THEY CUTE?

Donna was able to give us the names of some of the girls.  Donna said:

"These are the names I remember, maybe someone can fill in the rest.
Top row L-R: #6 Kathie Donnelly, #7 Madonna Hearn
Next Row L-R: #1 Sharon Power, #3 Charmaine Maher, #4 Donna Constantine, #6 Eileen Mullins, #8 Peggy Pennell,
Second Row L-R: Mrs Angela Greene, #4 Cathy Foley, #8 Veronica Pitcher
Front Row L-R: #1 Yvonne Cullen, #4 Darlene Thomas, #5 Cathy Walker, #6 ?Ursula Jarvis, #8 Bonnie Mullins, #9 Debbie ( died in a house fire later that year)"

Oh Donna, that is so tragic about that little Debbie.  It must have been so very sad for all of you.

Thanks for the photo and the information that you were able to give us.  As you said, perhaps someone can help fill in the missing names.  And Donna, keep the great pictures coming, please.

**Thanks to Kathie DONNELLY Johnson, Debbie THOMAS Mayer and Judy Ann, I have a few more names to add.  I am grateful for your help ladies.

A LETTER HOME

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

As tomorrow, 21^st November, is Presentation Day I wanted to do something special for this day that had so much meaning for us in our school days.   I was thinking hard about what to post and, while browsing the Internet, I unexpectedly came upon something which, I think, is very special!  It was an article written by Jim Corley in Blessington.info History Articles.  If you want to, you can find the article on http://blessington.info/history/historypage17.htm  

 

Mr Corley tells of finding a letter in a grubby old book which he purchased at an Auction in Kells, County Meath, Ireland.  And how does a letter in an old book in Ireland tie in with Presentation Day?  More to the point, how does it tie in with us? 


Well, this letter was headed:

“PRESENTATION CONVENT,

ST JOHN’S N.F.L,

JAN 12^th 1923”.  

It was written by Sr Xavier O’Malley to her niece, Lizzie, in Ireland.  In the letter, Sr Xavier told Lizzie that she was ill in bed, felt very weak and did not expect to live for much longer.  The poor soul also commented on the weather, the cold being too severe to permit her getting up!  It seems a lady called Josephine had asked for her family history and she gives what she knows of it.  Sr Xavier wrote:

“Firstly, my grandfather was Owen O’Malley of Burrishoole, Newport, Co Mayo.  He had three brothers namely: first Joseph who was executed as a rebel: second Austin who escaped to France on one of the French ships sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to pick up all the Irishmen they could get to enter his army as they had gained the name of being great fighters and indeed they were fighters but the poor fellows gained but little for their courage.  Uncle Austin married in France and had two sons.  His eldest son Auguste entered the French army and rose to be Colonel.  Through his bravery Uncle Austin’s sight became impaired and he returned to Ireland when my mother was young, and he lived with my grandfather.  His wife was dead and his eldest son was an officer in the French army.  He had his second son with him, Alexander, but this poor boy had met with an accident at school and was quite deaf.  The French government kindly paid him a yearly pension even after his father’s death.  He died in Dublin some years ago.  Alexander’s brother Auguste O’Malley rose to be general in the French Army.  At the siege of Algeria in the north of Africa only two men were left alive of one particular regiment.  They were Uncle Austin’s son Auguste and a private soldier.  Auguste was made a captain and the soldier a lieutenant.  During a visit which I paid to the French Nuns near here on the island of St Pierre I met a lay sister who had been acquainted with General O’Malley when she was a nurse in a military hospital.”

 

Sr Xavier ended her letter by asking Lizzie to pray for her when she hears of her death and sent her regards to Lizzie’s husband and little ones.

 

Now Mr Corley’s interest had been tweaked, as I hope yours is too, so he wrote to Presentation Convent in St John’s.  He was rewarded with a reply from then Presentation Archivist, *Sr Perpetua Kennedy.   Thanks to Sr Perpetua, Mr Corley and we learned more of Sr Xavier’s story.

 

Sr Xavier was born in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland in 1842 to Austin and Mary O’Malley.   She was baptised Mary Jane.   In 1866 Mary Jane O’Malley said good bye to home, parents, family, friends and all that she held dear.   The courageous young lady set out on a perilous journey to a strange and distant country, Newfoundland.  Like so many other intrepid souls, she would never see her homeland again.

 

On 21^st February 1866, Mary Jane O’Malley entered the Presentation Convent, St John’s.  On 15^th January 1867, 25 year old Miss Mary Jane O’Malley was received into the Order and given the name Sr Mary Xavier Joseph O’Malley.   Here are Sr Xavier’s vows:

 

“I, Sister Mary Jane O’Malley called in Religion Mary Xavier Joseph, do vow and promise to God poverty, chastity and obedience, and to persevere until the end of my life in this Institute for the charitable Instruction of poor girls in this Enclosure, according to the Rules and Constitution of this Order of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady, approved of and confirmed by the Apostolical Authority of Our Holy Father Pope Pius VII under the authority, and in the presence of you, Revd Edward O’Keefe V G and of our Revd Mother, Margaret O’Shaughnessy, called in Religion Mary Magdalen Superioress of this Convent of the Presentation – in the year of Our Lord Oct 23^rd 1867.

Signed: Mary Jane O’Malley in religion Mary Xavier Joseph

Superioress Margaret O’Shaughnessy

Assistant M de Pazzi Mullock”

 

Sr Xavier was Professed at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square on 8^th November 1869.  On 8^th November 1923, exactly 54 years after being Professed and just months after writing to her niece Lizzie in Ireland, Sr Xavier O’Malley died at Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square, St John’s.   She is buried in the Convent Cemetery.

Ending his article, Jim Corley urges us to “Spare a thought for those many long-forgotten Irish missionaries like the noble Sr Xavier.”  On this Presentation Day, let us indeed spare a thought and a prayer for all the valiant young Irish ladies who came to our shores and, as Presentation Sisters, spent their talents and their lives instructing the children of Newfoundland.  Let’s prove Mr Corley wrong and make certain that they are never forgotten! 

 

*Sr M Perpetua Kennedy, Presentation Archivist for 20 years, passed away at St Clare’s Mercy Hospital on 7^th May 2013, aged 90 years.  She too is buried in Presentation Cemetery, Cathedral Square.    

MISS WALKER'S GRADE 1 CLASS, 1967

We are very grateful to Pam WADE Rumboldt for this lovely photo.  Pam said it is her Grade 1 class.  The year was 1967, and the teacher's name was Miss Walker.  Pam  has done a great job of remembering the names of her classmates too. 

 



Miss Walker with her Grade 1 Class, 1967

 

Row 1: Janet ?, Denise MacLeod, Brenda Barrington, ? Roche, Janet Handrigan, Kelly Norman, Diane Foley, Michelle Cooper

Row 2: Karen Ennis, Pamela Wade, Maria Hurley, Valerie Bhnicsh, Joanne Adams, Elizabeth Evans, ?, Lynn Barron, Debbie Power

 

Row 3: Ramona Curtis, Michelle McCarthy, Barbara Curtis, Paula Reese, Edwina Lush, Maureen Taylor, ?, Terri O' Toole, Judy Shano, Jill Cole

 

Row 4: Karene Collins, Debbie Dower, Christine Barry, Barbara Peddle, Janet Flynn, Patricia Flynn, Karen Ryan, Pamela Brown, Bernadette Walsh, ?,

 

As I said, Pam has done a great job of identifying her classmates.  We would be very happy to hear from anyone who can name the few that Pam has missed. 

 

Thank you Pam for sharing.  I know your photo and the memories it revives will be enjoyed. 

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.

SEPTEMBER GET-TOGETHER AT PAPA'S

Joan Reynolds Fogarty sent us this lovely picture, taken at their September get-together at Papa's.  Joan says that they meet for dinner three times a year, May, September and December.  That is such a wonderful idea Joan.  It is a fantastic way to keep in touch with school friends.  I am really impressed, not to say touched, by the long lasting friendship that you people share.  Good for you!

GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY, GOOD FRIENDS!

The ladies gathered  at Papa's Restaurant are:
 

Back Row, L -R:  Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Patricia Connolly Leonard, Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Mary Fitzgerald, Rosemary Ashley Healy

Front Row, L-R: Mary Bulger Corcoran, Brenda Casey Grouchy, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, and Catherine Corbett Stanley

 

Thanks very much Joan for sharing with us.  I hope your get-togethers will continue for many more years and that you will share them all with us.  I hope your idea will inspire other St Patrick's groups to meet up on a regular basis.  It is so nice to keep in touch.

 

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.