9TH JUNE, THE BIG DAY!

This post is to remind the school friends and classmates of Christine Rossiter Butler of the 6th Annual Gathering of grade 3 (1967-68) class and/or grade 9 Graduates of 1973-74.

Mrs Coady's Grade 3 Class, 1967-68

Here is Christine's email with details for you to note in your diary.

"This year's 6th annual gathering, 2019, will be Sunday, June 9th at Janice's summer cabin on Salmonier Line from 2 pm - 5 pm.

Mark your calendar! When we get closer to this date we can look at food, car pooling, directions, etc.  Debbie has already offered car pooling. Janice is also looking at renting a van.

At this time I'd like to get an idea of numbers attending and, of course, last minute is awesome and always welcomed!

Look forward to seeing you all!"

You can contact Christine on butlerchristine@nl.rogers.com.  

Have a wonderful time girls and don't forget to let us know all about your get together.  Some pictures would be nice  too.

If anyone else is planning a reunion or just meeting up with a schoolfriend for coffee, please share your meeting with us and send along a photo.  We are all interested in how our schoolmates are doing.  You can send any photos or stories to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP

If this group of ladies isn't the best example of enduring friendship, then I don't know who is!   In the 1990s, some years after graduation, this group of school friends began meeting up.  They meet three times a year, May, September and December.  Sadly, some of the classmates have died and their numbers are dwindling.  However, those who remain and are able, still get together in a happy celebration of friendship.

Joan Reynolds Fogarty is one of the friends and she keeps me up to date with their news, which we share here on the School Blog.  I owe Joan a great debt of gratitude because she helps and supports this Blog in many other ways. 

Here is Joan's news on the latest get together.  Nine of the approximately 15 or 16 who usually meet were able to attend on 15 May.  The venue was Mama Soula's on Torbay Road.  Joan sent along a photo of the party enjoying their meal.

Food and Friendship!

Left, nearest the camera;
Patricia Connolly Leonard, Mary Fitzgerald, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Joan Reynolds Fogarty.
Right, nearest the camera;
Eleanor Sears Vatcher, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Rita Kielley, Betty Fitzgerald Pye.

Again, I thank you, Joan.  To all of this amazing group, I wish you many, many more gatherings.  Friendship is such a very precious gift and you ladies certainly know how to preserve and celebrate it.  God bless you all.

TERI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

So many of us were classmates of the Healey girls from Brine Street.  Cindy Healey was 58 years old when she died in 2016.  She had been struck down by that cruel and relentless disease, ALS.  

Cindy Healey, 2015, in beautiful Fermeuse where the Healeys spent many happy holidays with relatives

Since Cindy's death, her younger sister, Teri Healey Evans, has worked like a Trojan  to raise funds to help eradicate the scourge of ALS.  Teri has sent a plea for help, which is posted below.  Please help Teri if you can.

"IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!!

I made a promise to my sister Cindy (Healey, Brine St., St. Patrick's Girl) on her death bed as ALS was ravishing & destroying her body, that I would never stop trying to help find a cure for ALS . I am hoping that my friends will help me to fulfill that promise.

This year the 2019 Walk to End ALS is on

Date: June 9, 2019

Location: H.G.R. Mews Community Centre

Address: 40 Mundy Pond Road, St. John's

Time: 12:00 pm Check-in | 2:00 pm Start

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WALK WITH US I CAN SUPPLY YOU WITH A SPONSOR SHEET or IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW. ANY AND ALL DONATIONS ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

LINK TO DONATE ONLINE: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4471820&langPref=en-CA

E TRANSFER: burgawgirl@gmail.com

Or I can pick up your donation within St. John’s - Mt. Pearl

Please support my fund-raising efforts by donating toward my 2019 goal.

Support me now - we are stronger together!

Thanks again!" 

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

ANNIE FINLAY

At St Patrick's Convent, next to where the old Passage used to be, is the little cemetery where so many of our former teachers rest.  If you have ever stopped there to say a prayer for them, you probably noticed a headstone that was a bit different from all the others.  That would be the stone that marks the grave of Annie Finlay.  Why is Annie's stone different?  Who was Annie?

In Memory of Annie

I don't suppose there are many St Patrick's pupils who remember Annie now - just some of us older 'girls'.  At that time I was quite young  myself and I am not entirely certain that I ever actually met Annie. I know Annie was then resident at the Convent as she was frequently spoken of by the Sisters and also by my mother and aunts.

Annie Finlay was born on the beautiful Southern Shore, at either St Shotts or Trepassey, in November 1887. She wasn't a Sister but I think she was a relation of one of the Sisters at St Patrick's Convent.  Annie went to work there as a live in Domestic.  For many years Annie was a faithful member of the Convent family and she was well loved by the Sisters.  When she died on 3rd November 1953, Annie was laid to rest among the Sisters whom she had known and served for so many years.  

If you see Annie's headstone you will notice that it does not give her age at death.  The 1921 census gives her age at that time as 33. Assuming the census was conducted before November, this would correspond with a birthdate of 1887. So, as poor as my mathematical skills are, even I can work out that Annie would have been 66 years old when she died.  If anyone can add something to Annie's story, I would be very grateful if you shared with us.  You can send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

I also came across an interesting item regarding St Patrick's Cemetery in the will of one of the Sisters, Sr M Patrick Wadden.  

Sr M Patrick (Ellen Wadden) was born in Ferns, Ireland, to Catherine and Nicholas Wadden.  She and two of her sisters joined the Presentation Community at St Patrick's Convent, Riverhead.  Her sisters were Sr M Gertrude and Sr M Aloysius.  Sr Patrick died at St Patrick's Convent on 8th March 1920.  She was 67 years old.

Sr Patrick'c Grave

It appears that Sr Patrick was the owner of a property on Water St.  The following is an extract from her will. 

"2nd.  All rights and titles held or possessed by me over that house and property situated on Water Street West, and at present occupied by Mr Thomas Wall, I will and bequeath to my sister Bridget Wadden (in Religion Sister Mary Aloysius) to be held by her as heretofore held by me, having always in view the obligations as well as the privileges of her Religious Vows.


3rd.  It is my wish that the sum of Forty Dollars ($40), be given annually out of the rents of said house, on Water Street, for Masses for the repose of the souls of the Sisters of St Patrick's Convent at present interred, or hereafter to be interred in the Cemetery attached to said Convent."

I don't know if it is possible to visit the Cemetery now that the Sisters have left St Patrick's but I sincerely hope it is.  It is important for relatives, friends and former pupils to have the freedom to pay respects at the graves of the Sisters who, over the years, contributed so much to the life of St John's West. 

May the souls of Annie Finlay, Sr M Patrick Wadden, and all who lie in that little cemetery rest in peace.

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.