PHOTO MEMORIES FROM MAUREEN

Today we continue with our little walk through the years of St Patrick's Convent Schools.  Our evocative photos today come to us through the kindness of Maureen Martin Tobin who has sent two pictures from the 1960s.

Maureen's Grade 4 Class is the subject of the first photo.  The year was 1964/65 and the teacher was Miss Doreen Walsh.  Maureen is in the first row, fifth left.  

Grade 4, 1964/65 (Teacher, Miss Doreen Walsh)

The second photo is of Maureen's Grade 7 Class, circa 1968.  Maureen is the first girl on the left of the first row. The teacher at that time was Miss Fagan/Austin. I am happy to see that the teacher is in the photo.  It is always nice to be able to put a face to the name.

Grade 7, circa 1968 (Teacher Miss Fagan/Austin)

Maureen, any names you can give us would be appreciated.  Thanks again and please keep the great material coming.  Happy Easter to you and your family.

THIRTY YEARS BETWEEN

As I promised yesterday, here are more photos from St Patrick's Convent School's past. These lovely photos, submitted by Rosalita Bambrick, span thirty years.  Well done Rosalita for remembering so many names!

The first one is Rosalita's Graduation Class, circa 1957, and the other was taken at  the School Reunion held in 1987.

Graduation Class of 1957/58

ROW 1: 

Rosalita Bambrick, ??, ??,Mary Colbert, Patricia Ann Roche, Mary Power, Sharon Horan, Mary Fagan, Carmelita Burke, ? King, Clare Ann Connolly

Row 2: 

Marie Harvey, Frances Nugent, Phyllis Silver, ? Hall, Josephine Cook, Kathleen Ryan, Yvonne Snow, Catherine Parsons, Betty Baird

ROW 3: 

Rita Luby, Margaret Birmingham, Anna Hamlyn, Regina Galway, ??, Kathleen Power, ??

The next photo was taken 30 years later.

Thirty years later and still looking good!

ROW 1: 

Barbara Parsons, Peggy Mercer, Regina Galway, Anna Hamlyn, Polly Kelly,  Catherine Parsons, Phyllis Silver

ROW 2:

Madonna Healey, Rosalita Bambrick, Mary Power, Patricia Ann Roche, Catherine O'Reilly, ??, Babby Finney

Rosalita, I am really grateful for all your help and support.  You have shared some lovely photos with us and thereby given us a great deal of pleasure travelling down 'Memory Lane'.

GRADE 7, 1959/60

This year, 2019, marks the twentieth anniversary of the closing of St Patrick's Convent Schools.  That day in 1999 St Patrick's students walked the well kept floors of the "new school" on Patrick St for the last time.  It was a sad day indeed.  Today, I will begin posting photos from different years and submitted by girls from those years.  

The first photos were sent to us by Pat Hurley McDonald.  It is Pat's Grade 7 Class and the year was about 1959/60.  Pat informed us that her teacher that year was Miss Catherine Kennedy. 

A very big "THANK YOU" to Pat who has been a loyal supporter of this blog since its beginning.

Grade 7, 1959/60

The names written on the back of Pat's photo

MIKE'S AUNT ISABELLE, 1918

Mike Power posted this on our facebook page recently.  I think it is an amazing photo, providing us with a look into St Patrick's past. The young lady in the photo is Mike's Great Aunt, Isabelle Power.  The Sister with her is her favourite teacher, Sr Christine, and it was taken about 1918.  Just think about it. A photo of a fellow St Patrick's girl and her favourite teacher from 100 years ago! As someone quite close to me is fond of saying "that blows my mind".

Sister Christine and Isabelle Power, circa 1918

A lot of things have changed in the 100 years since this photo was taken (Nuns' Habits for one thing!) but some things remain the same.  Down through the years and the generations, many St Patrick's pupils have regarded former teachers as friends and stayed in touch with them.  Of course, we all know that it isn't always the case but we have quite a few examples on this blog attesting to lasting friendships between teachers and former pupils. This photo of Mike's is probably the oldest example that we have.  

Thank you, Mike, for sharing this precious photo.  It is really appreciated and if you have any others they too would be more than welcome.  

SR IMELDA'S COMMERCIAL CLASS, 1958

This is another photo from Rosalita Bambrick's collection of school pictures.  This lovely one is of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class of 1958.  Again, Rosalita is able to supply most of the names but we are hoping that you can help too.

Sr Imelda's Commercial Class, 1958

FRONT, L-R:  Kathleen Power, ? ?,  Josephine Cook, Mary Power, ? ?, Rosalita Bambrick, Patricia Ann Roche,  Mary Fagan 

ROW 2:  ? ?, ? Hall, Polly Kelly, Yvonne Snow, Rita Luby, Margaret Murphy, Marie Harvey

BACK:  Sharon Horan, ? ?, Betty Baird, Madonna Healey, Joan Hurley

Sr Imelda's reputation was widespread and the graduates of her Commercial Classes were always in demand.  The offices of St John's clamoured for them and their office skills.

Rosalita, this is another lovely stroll down Memory Lane and we are loving every step of it.  Thank you very much for sharing with us.  If anyone has a photo or a memory that you would like to share on our school blog, please just send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  It would be wonderful to hear from you!

DOWN MEMORY LANE AGAIN

I am so very grateful for all the wonderful photos that I am sent and I love them all.  As dear old St Patrick's is no more, all those photos are historically important and I love every single one of them.  

Today's photo is a real beauty and it was taken 70+ years ago!  I received this prize from Ellen Efford Power who is a graduate of St Patrick's.  Ellen's mother, Kay Barron Efford, grew up on Hamilton Avenue and was also a Graduate of St Patrick's Convent. Kay Barron is pictured here with her classmates.  Ellen said the photo was taken about 1947.  I am especially pleased with this photo because it is, I think, the only one I have seen of the interior of the Deanery Avenue School, which has long since disappeared.

Ellen has identified her mother as the girl in the last desk, far left, next to the row of empty desks.  However, she is unable to help us with any other names.  My sister, Doreen,  recognises Winnie Sullivan, third right, standing.  As usual, I am counting on someone out there coming to our rescue with a few more names. 

St Patrick's Convent School,  Deanery Avenue, circa 1947

Thank you very much, Ellen, for sharing this beautiful memory of your dear mother and her school friends.   

YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH MUSIC!

You can't have too much music or too many musicians so today I am posting another of Rosalita Bambrick's great photos. It is of another, larger, group of music students and it is also circa mid 1950s.

Rosalita has again given us some names, a couple came from other sources, and I am trusting you good people out there to supply us with some more.  

St Patrick's Convent Music Students, circa mid 1950s

The names we have are:

Front Row, far left, Connie Jackman, 7 left ? O'Keefe

Second Row, 3 left Rosalita Bambrick, 9 left Polly Kelly, 10 left ? Horan, far right, Marie O'Toole
THIRD ROW,  5 left Sheila Carew, 14 left ? Cahill

FOURTH ROW, 1 left ? Horan, 2 left Rosalie Horan, 3 left Dorothy Nugent, 5 left Marie Carter, 6 left Madeline Kavanagh, 7 left ? Power, 8 left Joan Tobin, 9 left Maureen Antle, 10 left ? English

FIFTH ROW, Mae Follett, Elizabeth Cahill, Eileen McGrath, Margaret O'Keefe, ? Tobin and Marie Jardine
(If you click on the picture it should enlarge for you.)

Rosalita has reminded us that Mother Gerard and Sr Imelda were music teachers.  I remember Mother Francis also taught music back then.  Thank you Rosalita.  I think this photo should get some gray cells working!  

MUSIC PUPILS, MID 1950s

Rosalita Bambrick, a staunch St Patrick's Girl who now lives in Ontario, has sent some beautiful pictures.  They are all so nice that I am left in a quandary as to which to post first.  I suppose the easiest solution is to post the oldest first.  

This picture is from the mid 1950s and Rosalita tells me that it is a group of music pupils.  Rosalita has been able to give us the names of some of the girls and I am sure that someone out there will be able to help fill in the blanks.

Music Pupils, mid 1950s

Left to Right

STANDING, Polly Kelly,

SITTING, Margaret O'Reilly, ??, Mary Fagan, Rosalita Bambrick, Betty Baird, ??, 

BACK, ??, ??, Sheila Stead, Florence Gorman, Maureen ?, Mary Hurley, ??, Regina Galway, Madonna Healey

Thank you Rosalita for the great pictures.  They will, I am certain, evoke some precious memories.  You have done a good job or remembering so many names.  Are you able to tell us who the music teacher was?

As they say (whoever "they" may be) "watch this space" because I will be posting more of Rosalita's memory jogging photos. 

FRIENDS TOGETHER AGAIN

Maureen O'Brien Roach, Kay Johnson Parsons, Carmel Hayes, Diane Mulcahy Jackman, Mary Johnson Godsland, Phyllis Reardon, Brenda Murphy and Janet McGrath Crane, a group of St Patrick's girls who, though not all in the same class, went around together while growing up in St John's. Their bond of friendship proved strong and they have done their best  to meet up every year.  Sadly, Brenda passed away in 2009 and she is much missed by her friends.  Diane now lives in Calgary but recently spent some time at home.  Of course,  that meant a happy little reunion for those of the group who could make it.  Mary Johnson Godsland sent this photo of the ladies.

Friends together again

L-R: 

Maureen O'Brien Roach, Carmel Hayes, Diane Mulcahy Jackman, Kay Johnson Parsons, Mary Johnson Godsland

It is always inspiring to see how friendship flourishes and survives despite the  years and the miles.  Thanks for sharing, Mary.  Please keep us up to date with any and all of your get-togethers.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2019

We have waved goodbye to 2018.  For some it was a year of happiness while for others I know it was a year of great sadness.  For most, it was a year of mixed ups and downs.  Whatever the year 2018 brought to you, my wish is that this new year of 2019 will bring you  good health, happiness, and peace in your heart and home.

ROMAN SOLDIER AT ISCA

Not far from where I live there is the wonderful little town of Caerleon.  Caerleon, the Roman Fortress of Isca,(link here) is just chock full of history.  Everywhere you turn the pretty little town's Roman roots speak to you in no uncertain terms.  We visit Caerleon often and its Roman museum is always  a treat.  As you can imagine, the museum holds many, many artifacts  that have been unearthed in and around the town.  You might think my favourite is a rather simple thing when I tell you what it is.  I will tell you anyway and I will even show you a picture of it.

FOOTPRINT IN TIME

Ah, "What is it?" you ask.  Well it is the actual, real and ancient footprint, embedded on a tile, of a Roman Soldier. The print of the studs in the sole of his sandal are plainly visible and I run my hand over this tile every time we visit there.  I know, I know!  Weird or what? But I just find it totally amazing that I can actually, right here and now, in 2019, touch the footprint of a man who lived in this town centuries ago.  I wonder did he accidentally walk on the tile? Or did he, as some young people today like to make footprints in  the wet cement of a new sidewalk, do it intentionally?  We will never know and nor do I know what year this fine Roman Soldier left his footprint for us to ponder on.  Whatever year it was, I hope it was a happy one for our friend as he toiled in a foreign land far from his home.  I wish all of you a happy year too.  May this new year of 2019 bring you all you desire.

Funny Nativity: Sing Like No One Is Listening!

This video has been posted on the Blog before but it is so good it deserves to be posted again.  I hope your Christmas will be filled with the kind of joy that this little girl seems to possess in abundance. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

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.  

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2018

A couple of days ago I received an email and photo from Joan Reynolds Fogarty.  Joan keeps me up to date on her most amazing school friends and classmates.  This group of St Patrick's graduates must surely take the prize for longstanding friendship and loyalty to one another.  Here is Joan's email.

“Our Class had our Christmas dinner last night at Portobellos.  We had the private room upstairs which was nicely decorated for Christmas and it was lovely. The view of the harbour was magical.  The service was excellent, and we enjoyed a delicious meal.  We exchanged our usual Christmas gifts.  Patricia Connolly Leonard gifted each of us with a lovely piece of crystal in honor of the event.  This was certainly a lovely gesture, and we were very much surprised and appreciative.  Patsy set up a lovely table, decorated with lights, to display her gifts to us.  It is so nice to get together three times a year to catch up.

Joan and classmates

Standing:  

Brenda Casey Grouchy, Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Mary Fitzgerald, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Rosemary Ashley Healy, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Joan Connolly Alston, Patricia Connolly Leonard, 

Seated: Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Eleanor Sears Vatcher, Betty Fitzgerald  Pye. 

There were twelve of us present last night, with a few unable to attend. The following classmates have passed away since we started getting together in the 90s:  Joan Pridham Janes, Carmel Madden O'Mara, Irene Viscount McCrate, Betty Antle Coffin, Bonnie Beck Byrne, Emily Bishop Monahan, Maureen Byrne Coughlin.  Very sad.  A few of the other regulars were not able to attend last night. 

Our next get-together is mid May.”

Once again, Joan, I am in your debt. Thanks for all the help you give me.  It is a delight to hear about you and your classmates.  You certainly are an outstanding group. A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to each of you.  Long may your friendships flourish.   

CHRISTMAS GIFT LIST

As we have seen from previous posts, former St Patrick's Convent School pupils have many talents.  In this post we are proud to highlight the talents of another schoolmate, author, Mary Johnson Godsland. 

Mary Johnson was born in St John’s and she and her sister, Kay Johnson Parsons, both attended St Patrick’s Convent Schools.  Mary graduated from St Patrick’s in 1960 then went on to Holy Heart of Mary High School.  Mary received a B A (Ed) from Memorial University and spent many years in the teaching profession.  Mary married Peter Godsland and they have two daughters and four lovely grandchildren.

Now retired, Mary has turned her hand to writing.  As a Mom with young children, Mary’s storytelling talents were well honed at bedtime.  Her first published book, “AIRPORT RUNAWAYS”, for ages approximately four to eight years, is now available. This delightful  book would make an ideal gift for the special little ones on your Christmas Gift list.

Mary's delightful book

Mary has taken her book to Holy Family School in Chapel Arm.  There she and the children gathered in the library and Mary read her story for them.  It went over well and the children loved it.  Mary has more school visits coming up. 

Looks like a fun read.  Get your copy now from the suppliers listed below.

For those of you in St John’s, you can pick up your copy at ELAINE'S BOOKS, 208 Duckworth St.  Or, if you wish, you can order "Airport Runaways" direct from the publishers, Friesenpress, at https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000049330109/Mary-Johnson-Godsland-Airport-Runaways.  

We are all familiar with AMAZON  and they too carry Mary’s charming book, “AIRPORT RUNAWAYS” 
https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/134-7846498-0680701?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=airport+runaways%2C+mary+johnson+godsland

When you present your little ones with this lovely book, you'll be proud to tell them that the nice lady who wrote it went to your school!  

Mary, with four grandchildren, we are pretty certain you have another book in you.  We look forward to its publication and thank you for sharing this one with us. We really are proud of you!

COVE LANE, CORK, 1775

It began in a cottage in Cove Lane, Cork. Here, on Christmas Eve 1775, Nano Nagle founded the Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (After Nano’s death,  the name was changed to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.)  Nano was joined by three companions; Mary Hoey, Elizabeth Burke and Mary Ann Collins.  On 29^th June 1776, they received the habit and Nano took the name of Sr Mary of St John of God.  

Nano spent her time ministering to the poor of the City.  She taught in her schools by day and went out at night to visit and comfort the sick and suffering in their hovels.  Because of her night-time visits, she became known as ‘the Lady with the Lantern’.  The Lantern is now one of the symbols of the Presentation Sisters worldwide.

Nano Nagle instructing the children

Worn out by long days and nights of ministry, Nano collapsed in Cross Street on her way home from one of her schools. She died on Monday, 26^th April 1784. She was 65 years old.   In 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Nano Nagle ‘Servant of God’, the first of four steps to canonisation.  The next step came in 2013 when Pope Francis bestowed the title ‘Venerable’ on Nano Nagle.

In 1769 Nano wrote to a friend “If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would be willing to do all in my power”.   True to the vision of their foundress, Nano’s Presentations spread throughout Ireland and, indeed, to all parts of the globe.  In 1833, thanks to Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, the very first Presentation Convent outside Ireland was established here in St John’s, Newfoundland.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, painted

by a Presentation Sister, Cathedral Square

Today, 21st November is the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as we called it, “Presentation Day”.  As former pupils of St Patrick’s Convent Schools, let’s take a minute to remember Venerable Nano Nagle and all who have followed in her footsteps over the years.  

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY!