MISS MORGAN'S KINDERGARTEN CLASS, 1967

What a group of little cuties we have here!  This gorgeous picture, kindly submitted by Audrey Dawe-Sheppard, is from 1967.  It is Miss Morgan's Afternoon Kindergarten Class and Audrey is in the second row, fourth from the left.  Audrey has very helpfully supplied us with most of the names. Hopefully, someone will be kind enough to help us out with the names that Audrey missed.

****We recently had an email from Diane Evans Fulford. Diane informed us that she is the little blond girl in the front row, seventh left, sitting between Donna Dinn and Cathy Parrell. Thank you so much Diane and if you can help with any other names, I would be pleased and grateful.

Miss Morgan's Kindergarten Class,
St Patrick's Convent, 1967



ROW 1, L-R:  Margaret (Margie) O'Brien, Daphne Howard, Karen Gough, Jackie Kavanagh, Yvonne Evans, Donna Dinn, Diane Evans, Cathy Parrell, Joanne Ryan

ROW 2, L-R: Paulette Dillon, Sandy Ryan, Gloria Thomas, Audrey Dawe, Imelda Bruce, Jackie Turner, Patricia Hollahan, Marie Ford, Cathy Evans, Miss Rosemarie Morgan

ROW 3, L-R: ?, Colleen Murphy, Norma Peddle, Heather McDonald, ?, Helen Oates, Kathy McCarthy, Sandy Kavanagh

ROW 4, L-R: Cathy Sloane, ?, Mary Power, ?, Toni Coady, Sandra Dower, Marie Lundrigan, Michelle Brennan, Heather Baird

****Two more little girls have been named.  I am very pleased to say that Miss Morgan, who taught this class, has been in touch and identified Colleen Murphy Row 3, 2 left and Sandra Dower Row 4, 6 left.  So, many thanks, Miss Morgan, for taking the time to contact us.  We are delighted to hear from you.

Well done, Audrey, for remembering so many names!  Thank you very much for sharing your photo and memory.  As always, we would be delighted to receive more of your photographs or stories to share here on St Patrick’s Convent School Blog and on its facebook page.  Anyone who has anything to submit can send it along to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be happy to share it.

ELLIE RYALL, ST PATRICK'S CONVENT AND EXPO 67

 

Today's picture comes to us from Ellie Ryall and it  could be a collector's item.  The photo was taken in 1967, a year that was very special for Canada and Canadians as it was Canada's Centennial year. 

Ellie's Class Photo, 1967

 EXPO 67, as it was called, was a World's Fair held in Montreal from 27th April -  29th October 1967 to celebrate Canada's 100th Birthday.  It was said to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th century.  The list of names that Ellie has sent us clearly shows the Expo Logo that adorned souvenir mugs, tee shirts and other memorabilia of that celebration.  It also has the pictures of Canada's Prime Ministers from 1867 -  1967.  Ellie, I think you have here something very special and worth keeping safe.

The List of Ellie's Grade 5 Classmates,  1967

For those of you who are too young to remember 1967, I am adding a picture of a mug from Expo 67.  As you can see, there are cracks in the glaze.  I am not sure if that tells us that the mug is "old" or that it was "cheap".  Perhaps both!

An Expo 67 Souvenir

Ellie Ryall, I am very grateful to you for sharing your picture and your memories with us.  If you have any other pictures or stories that you would like to share, please send them along to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and, as always, we will be more than happy to post them here on the St Patrick's Convent School Blog and on its facebook page. 

WINNIFRED SULLIVAN AND CLASSMATES

I have received a very interesting photo from Pamela (Brown) Hartman.  Pamela graduated from St Patrick's in 1976.  Pamela's mother, WINNIFRED SULLIVAN, is in this picture, front row, fifth from right. 

Winnifred Sullivan Brown is in the very centre of
the front row, 5th right.

The photo, taken in the 1950s, is of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class.  After graduation, many girls went on to do a Business Course, known in those days as "Commercial Class".  Sr Imelda taught Commercial at St Patrick's for many, many years before eventually being transferred to the new High School, Holy Heart of Mary.  Sr Imelda's Commercial graduates were always well instructed and in great demand in offices in St John's.  So highly were they thought of that company bosses and directors would contact the school looking for graduates to fill vacancies in their offices.  Hence, most of the girls would have jobs waiting for them upon completion of their Commercial course.

I am posting a cropped version and the original version of the photo.  The cropped version is to give you a closer look at the girls so that, hopefully, you can identify some of them for us.  I do have someone working on that at the moment but if any of you can help, it would be much appreciated.  (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge!) You can send us any information at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will add it to the post.



Sr Imelda's "Commercial Class", 1950s. 
The Deanery Avenue School is in the beacground.

I love the original version of this photo.  The old Deanery Avenue School is in the background.  This School, which opened in 1921, was built as a memorial to the men and boys of St Patrick's Parish who gave their lives in WWI.  Sadly, this School is no more and where it once stood there is now just a vacant lot.  There is nothing, neither plaque nor word nor picture, to remind the populace of the dedicated teachers, the generations of children nor of the brave young men for whom it was meant as a lasting tribute.

Pamela, thank you very much for sharing this beautiful photo with us.  I hope someone will be able to come up with a bit of information for you.

COOKING WITH SISTER IMMACULATA

I really wish that this photo was one of those scratch & sniff cards that were so common around here a couple of years ago.  Why do I wish that?  Well because research shows that odours are especially effective as memory triggers.  More so even than cues from our other senses, such as sights, songs, music or other sounds.  This, I have read, is known as  "odour evoked autobiographical memory".  It is also known as the "Proust phenomenon", after the French writer, Marcel Proust.  OK, now that we have all that brainy stuff out of the way, let's get on with the important things, i.e. this picture!

The picture, submitted by Jackie ENGLISH Guzzwell, was taken in June 1958.  It is a picture of Sr Immaculata's wonderful  Cooking Class. Can you remember how, every Friday afternoon, we all put on those funny little caps & trudged off to the Domestic Science Room which, I must say, was very well appointed & equipped.  We would then spend the next hour or so whipping up something from the inspired and inspiring culinary repertoire of Sr Immaculata.  Sit back, close your eyes and savour once more those tantalising aromas!

In between scoldings for whoever had sneaked into the store cupboard and eaten all the chocolate chips, burnt the sauce or broken the serving dish, we also had lessons on how to  set a table properly.  All those spoons, forks and knives!  Would we ever remember which came first?  Sure we would.  Sister told us it was easy - you just started from the outside and worked in.

What about all that fudge?  We made pounds and pounds of it for the Annual Sale of Work.  Good grief, who bought it?  Did they actually EAT it? 

 


Sr Immaculata's Cooking Class, June 1958

It is difficult to see the girls at the back but going from the front left and working around the counter to the front right, we can identify some of the girls.  They are:

Anne Whelan, Carol Brothers, Elizabeth Flynn, Mary Glynn, Sheila Glynn, Beth Anne McAllister, Jackie English, Dianne Richards, Marina Grace, Alice Hennessey,  Judy Comerford, Sheila Bulger, Alice Prim, Elizabeth Meaney, (?), Marie Kennedy, Margaret Morrissey,  Geraldine Hearn, Betty Simms, Loretta Maher, (?), Patsy Walsh, Eileen Maher, (?)
Standing behind are (?), (?), Patsy Stafford, Bernice Rose, Brenda Tracey, (?), Cynthia Reddy, (?), Catherine Howell, Barbara Sharpe, Eleanor Simms, Alana Graham, Elizabeth Healey, (?), Anne Frizzell

If you can help with names, send them to  us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com  and we will be very happy to add or correct a name.  We would also love to hear your reminiscences of cooking with Sr Immaculata.

Thanks Jackie for bringing back some wonderful memories.  Who needs scratch and sniff cards anyway?

CHAINED TO THE PEARLY GATES!

I believe it was that true blue Newfoundlander, Al Clouston, who told us that, in heaven, St Peter has to chain all the Newfoundlanders to the Pearly Gates because otherwise they’ll all go home.  Well, I think Al was probably right because, no matter where we are, our hearts and footsteps always seem to take us back to Newfoundland.  What Al didn’t tell us, perhaps because he didn’t know, was that if you are a Newfoundlander AND a St Patrick’s girl you have to get home and then you have to meet up with some more St Patrick’s girls!  Today’s post is about just such a meeting and it comes to us courtesy of Pat Hurley McDonald.

Recently Pat’s cousin, Sheelah Hurley Martin-McArthur, was home on holiday from Florida and a group of school friends got together to enjoy a visit with her.  On 23^rd September, the ladies met for luncheon at Press and Bean Restaurant on Torbay Road.  The friends who attended were Cathy Tobin Healey, Maureen O’Brien Roche, Sheelah Hurley Martin-McArthur, Lila Mercer Young, Nancy Stanley Cook, Cynthia Murphy Downey, Judy Comerford Newton, Sheila Moyst O’Neill and Pat Hurley McDonald.

Pat has sent us some photographs of the gathering.

  

Cathy, Maureen, Sheelah & Lila

Nancy, Cynthia, Judy & Sheila

 

Seated, L-R: Cathy, Maureen, Sheelah, Lila
Standing, L-R:  Nancy, Cynthia, Judy, Sheila & Pat

Pat said that everyone had a very enjoyable time.  They had so much fun reminiscing about the “good old days” and the Nuns that nobody wanted to leave.  I agree with Pat 100% when she says, “Hopefully we will continue this tradition”. 

Thanks Pat for sharing and for all the support you give to this blog.

RENEWING OLD ACQUAINTANCES

Recently I had the very great privilege of spending a month at home in St John's where I still enjoy the wonderful blessing of devoted family and loyal friends.  On Tuesday, 8th September I was fortunate to get together with a group of school friends for lunch at 'Swiss Chalet'.  (My special thanks go to Doreen and Mary Elizabeth who organised the meeting on very short notice and with the added problem of many friends out of town for the Labour Day Holiday.)

 

I think it accurate to say that everyone had a great time.  I know that for me personally it was just wonderful.  Some of the ladies I am in touch with on a regular basis but it was as much as fifty years since I had seen some of my other school friends.  One of the group, Bernadette, shocked and delighted us all by counting up the years we have been friends - 64 beautiful years!  Isn't that amazing?

 

Here are a few of the photographs I took on that lovely afternoon.  It is evident from the photos that I am not a great photographer so if anyone else took pictures that day, I would be delighted if you would share them with us here on the blog.  Just send them to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com & I will post them here and on the facebook page.



Maureen Sullivan, Mary Johnson, Doreen Walsh,
Sheila Bulger & Betty Simms

 

Maureen Sullivan, Mary Johnson, Doreen Walsh & Alice Prim

 

 

Beth Anne McAllister, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy
& Edwena Kavanagh

 

Bernadette Grouchy, Cynthia Murphy
& Kathleen Johnson

 



Betty Simms, Mary Elizabeth Kennedy & Edwena Kavanagh

Carol Cromwell, Lila Mercer & Jackie English

It seems that St Patrick's girls have a special knack for maintaining the valuable friendships made in school days and long may it continue to flourish.  However, lest it be thought that she is denying her old school, I must point out that Edwena is a former pupil of Mercy Convent.  She got hooked up with this crazy bunch of St Patrick's girls at Holy Heart of Mary and became a well loved member of the group.  We are all very glad that she did! 

 

Thanks for everything, ladies, and I hope it won't be too long before we can all get together again.

THE FEAST OF ST MATTHEW - A HISTORY MAKING DAY

St Matthew

Today, 21^st September, is the feast of St Matthew and a very special day in the history of Newfoundland.  On this day 182 years ago, the brig ‘Ariel’ entered St John’s Harbour.  Commanded by Captain William Staunton, the ship was carrying the Bishop of Newfoundland, Michael Anthony Fleming, and four heroic Irish women.  The brave and selfless ladies were four Presentation Sisters; Sr Mary Bernard Kirwan, Sr Mary Xaverius Lynch, Sr Mary Xavier Molony and Sr Mary Magdalen O’Shaughnessy.

 



Captain William Staunton
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Bishop Fleming, ever zealous for the welfare of those in his care, had personally appealed to the Presentation Convent in Galway. His fervent hope was that volunteers from the Order would come with him to Newfoundland to instruct the poor children of his flock.  The good man was not disappointed for almost immediately the four Sisters agreed to join him.

Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming

On 11^th August 1833 the Sisters left their Convent in Galway and travelled some 250 miles by coach to Waterford.  Then, on 28^th August, they embarked on the ‘Ariel’, accompanied by Bishop Fleming. 

 





Presentation Convent, Galway



The ocean voyage was a perilous one.  At one point, their situation was so desperate that the Captain was forced to let the vessel drift helplessly before the wind.  For almost a month they endured the misery and the worry of this journey.  It would surely have been a wonderful relief to the Sisters when, on 21^st September, they reached the safe haven of St John’s Harbour.  They must have been very pleased also with the warm and enthusiastic welcome they received from the population of St John’s. 

 

The Bishop had procured a residence for them in a former tavern called ‘The Rising Sun’.  It is said that this was regarded as a good omen by the townsfolk as it symbolised the light of faith and education which the Sisters came to spread throughout the country.  Indeed, within a few weeks of their arrival the Sisters had attracted approximately 450 pupils.  They began teaching in a room in their home in the old tavern.  The Sisters were well educated, cultured ladies and they taught literature, arithmetic, French, needlework, Christian doctrine and music.  In fact, the Presentation Sisters were the first teachers in Newfoundland to introduce music into schools on a daily basis.

 

Back in Galway, there was much sadness as no word of the arrival of the Sisters in St John’s had reached the Galway community.  The letters containing news of their safe passage had been mislaid in Liverpool and it was several months before the Galway Convent received them.  By then, the four intrepid pioneers were given up for lost and a general mourning took place.  We can only imagine the great happiness and rejoicing that took place when the letters finally reached their intended destination!

 

The Four Founding sisters spent their lives and their talents for the children of Newfoundland and never saw their beloved homeland again. 

Sr Bernard Kirwan left the Motherhouse in 1853 to help establish a new foundation at Admiral’s Cove, (renamed Port Kirwan) Fermeuse.  She is buried in Port Kirwan where she died in February 1857.



Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, upon the departure of Sr Bernard Kirwan, became Superior of the Presentation Convent in St John’s.  She was instrumental in sending out Sisters to found new houses of the Order.  Sr Magdalene died at Presentation Convent, St John’s, in 1889 and is buried in the cemetery there.

 



Sr Mary Magdalen O'Shaughnessy
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Xaverius Lynch founded the Convent in Harbour Grace in 1851 and was its Superior until her death in November 1882.  She is buried in the Presentation Cemetery in Harbour Grace. 



Sr Mary Xaverius Lynch
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

Sr Xavier Molony, the oldest of the four foundresses, helped establish the new foundation at Harbour Main in 1853.  She was its Superior until she became ill three years later and returned to the Motherhouse in St John’s.  She died there in 1865 and was laid to rest in the Convent Cemetery.

 



Sr Mary Xavier Molony
(Courtesy of Presentation Archives)

 

The arrival of the four Sisters in Newfoundland in September 1833 was certainly a history making event.  They founded the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland and, consequently, the first Presentation House in North America.  They were the first English speaking Sisters in Canada.  Sister Mary Bernard Kirwan, who had been appointed Superior of the new foundation, was therefore the founder of the Presentation Congregation in North America.

 

We have much to be grateful for on this Feast of St Matthew, 21^st September 2015:  The dedication and determination of Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming is the first thing for which we should be grateful.  He did much for his adopted homeland and its Catholic population.  Sisters Bernard Kirwan, Magdalen O’Shaughnessy, Xaverius Lynch and Xavier Molony gave their all in the education and betterment of the poor children of Newfoundland.  As products of Presentation Schools, we are particularly indebted to these valiant ladies and to the many fine Presentation Sisters who have been our teachers.  Lastly, we should remember Master Mariner, Captain William Staunton.  Captain Staunton agreed to take responsibility for conveying the Sisters to the New World when others had refused.            



The Three St Patrick's Convent Schools
 

Yes, today is an important day in Newfoundland History.  Let’s take pride in our amazing heritage!

ST PATRICK'S CONVENT SCHOOL CHOIR, 1979

We have previously posted pictures of St Patrick's award  winning choir but I firmly believe that you definitely can't have too much of a good thing!  So, here is a photo of the choir that I found in the 1979 yearbook.  If you click on the photo it will enlarge so you can take a closer look.

St Patrick's Convent Award Winning Choir
(Photo from the 1979 Yearbook)

Sister Brendan Lynch is on the left of the photo and Miss Eleanor Lawton is on the right, standing behind the piano.  Any other names that you can give us would be appreciated and, as always, you can send them along to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will add them to the post.  I hope the photo brings happy memories to mind for you.

THE PRIDHAM SISTERS

I am so pleased to post this  photograph which Peggy Pridham has sent to us. It is a picture of Peggy and her five sisters, all in their St Patrick's Convent School Uniforms. If six sisters at the same school at the same time  isn't unique, then surely it must  be extraordinary!

This is the email Peggy sent with the photo.

"This is a picture of me and my sisters when we all attended St Patrick's School. It was taken by our neighbors son, Bill Croke."
 



THE SIX PRIDHAM SISTERS

Peggy has very helpfully included everyone's name. From left to right Betty, Sheila, Marie, Peggy, Angela and Joan.  Sadly, Joan is now deceased.

 

This wonderful picture is bound to stir the memories of school mates of the Pridham Sisters.  Thank you very much, Peggy, for sharing  it with us.

HOLY CROSS THROUGH THE YEARS

It is time for another Holy Cross post. These pictures were received from several people and they span quite a few years. Thanks to Cynthia & Ted, Frank, Charlene and good old Anonymous. Here's a little secret. Since I have been doing this School Blog, I have received so many communications from 'Anonymous' that I have finally learned to spell 'Anonymous' correctly. A few months ago my little great-niece told me that "every day is a learning experience, for children AND grown ups". She was right!

 

Charlene's photo of a group of Holy Cross Boys in 1928. 
Don't you just love the School ties?



Frank's class photo from 1953/54

Ted's  picture of the School Army Cadets.  It's a great photo with lots of familiar faces

Thanks to Anonymous for this photo of Holy Cross
Basketball Champs, 1979

Now, thanks to Thomas Barrett, we have the names of the young Junior Basketball Champs.  They are;

Front, L-R, John Mills, Frank Squires, Darren Pike, Sean Dawe, Brian Walsh, Bill McAllister

Back, L-R, Rick Barrett, Maurice Lyver, Barry Walsh, Ken Gibbons, Ken Holden, David Hamilton, John Power, Rev Br Marion.

 

I hope you good people out there will be able to supply some names of the boys and the Brothers in these pictures.  A very big thank you to Charlene, Cynthia and Ted, Frank and, of course, Anonymous.  These are beautiful pictures and we are very grateful to you for sharing them.

 

Send your photographs and stories to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be pleased to post them here on the St Patrick's Convent School Blog and on the School facebook page.

WWI AND ST PATRICK’S CONVENT SCHOOL

The First St Patrick’s Convent School was opened in 1856 and it served the educational requirements of the parish extremely well.  However, after more than sixty years, it was evident that a new building was necessary to meet the needs of the increasing number of pupils.  Therefore, plans were put into motion for the erection of a new school.  The new school was to be built on Deanery Avenue and as St Patrick’s Parish, like every other Parish in Newfoundland, had lost many young men and boys to the carnage of World War I, it was decided that the new St Patrick’s Convent School would be built as a Memorial to these young soldiers.  On 4^th December 1921 the cornerstone of the memorial School was laid by Archbishop E P Roche, assisted by the Parish Priest, Msgr William Kitchen and priests of the Parish. 

 

This interesting advertisement appeared in a local St John's newspaper on 15 July 1921.  It invited the populace to a “Grand Concert and Comic Sketches”.  This Grand Concert, to be held at St Patrick’s Parish Hall, was in aid of the Memorial School.  The admission price was just 50¢.







The Newspaper ad for the fund raising concert in aid of
the 'memorial' St Patrick's Convent School

This is the St Patrick’s Convent School, built as a Memorial to the young men of the Parish who died in WWI.  There was, on the right hand side of the main door, a plaque indicating that the school was indeed such a memorial. Many generations of west end girls and boys received their education here but in due course this building also outlived its usefulness as a school and, sadly, closed its doors.  It was not the end though - at least not yet! 



St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue ,
A Memorial to men of the Parish who fell in WWI

 

The plaque which was attached to the right hand
side of the Deanery Avenue School entrance

 

In 1978, the Sisters of Mercy reopened the School as a Residential Detoxification Centre.  It was renamed Talbot House, in memory of Venerable Matt Talbot.  In time, Talbot House also closed and eventually the building was demolished. 

 

We have been given several names of parishioners who died in WWI.  If you know of any other parishioners who died in that war, please send their names to mcallistersmith@gmail.com if you would like them added to the list below. 

 

Carew,  Pte John Joseph, Regimental Number 651, Son of David and Carrie Carew, 2 Brien St, St John’s

Constantine, Pte Peter, Regimental Number 563, Son of Peter and Hannah Constantine, 20 McFarlane St, St John’s

Galgay, Pte Francis Joseph, Regimental Number 892, Son of Francis and the late Mary Galgay, 235 Water St West, St John’s

Holden, Pte Patrick, Regimental Number 555, Son of Joseph and Mary Alice Holden, Southside, St John’s

Kennedy, Pte Michael Francis, Regimental Number 255, Son of Nicholas and Margaret Kennedy, 187 Lemarchant Road, St John’s

Pynn, Pte Jack, Regimental Number 4036, Son of Daniel and Margaret Pynn, 329 Water St West, St John’s

Woodford, Pte Francis Patrick, Regimental Number 364, Son of John Joseph and Sarah Jane Woodford, 7 Convent Square, St John’s

 

Padre Thomas Nangle

We also remember Fr Thomas Nangle, a priest of St Patrick’s Parish from 1914 to 1916.  After the bloodbath of Beaumont Hamel in 1916, Fr Nangle enlisted and became the  Newfoundland Regiment's Catholic Chaplain.  We know that in war,  Chaplains don’t carry arms but Padre Nangle was beside his men tending the wounded, burying the dead and encouraging the battle weary.

 

We Newfoundlanders owe a great debt to Padre Thomas Nangle. During the War he brought comfort to the soldiers and their families.  After the War Padre Nangle was involved with the identification and re-interment of the Newfoundlanders who had died in battle.  He was also the driving force behind the creation of the beautiful Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel in France. This exceptional  Newfoundlander, Padre Thomas Nangle, died in Rhodesia on 4^th January 1972.

Today, St Patrick’s Convent School, Deanery Avenue, built as a memorial to our heroic dead of WWI, is just a memory.  Sadly, nothing remains but an empty space.  No trace of this Memorial can be seen.  It exists only in the mind’s eye of the diminishing number of westenders who spent their formative years as pupils there.  So, on this Memorial Day, 1st July 2015, we remember those who have died in all Wars and Conflicts but we remember especially our own heritage.  We remember the parishioners who came before us; those who gave their lives in war and the families who grieved for them. We remember the people who dreamed a St Patrick’s Convent Memorial School to honour our fallen parishioners and we remember the good people who worked so hard to make that dream a reality.  Yes, the School is gone but the memories remain.  Let us honour the memories!

This grassy bank is where St Patrick's Convent School, a Memorial to parishioners who died in WWI, once stood