SHAME ON YOU!

This is just a thought but were you wanting to close some Churches anyway? Did you see this abuse scandal as a good way of getting rid of some Parishes and letting the blame fall, not on the so called "Shepherds", but on the disgusting priests and Brothers who have caused so much pain and distress to so many? Just wondering?

Anyway, SHAME ON THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST JOHN'S FOR NOT DOING MORE TO HELP THE PARISHES THAT PEOPLE HAVE MADE GREAT SACRIFICES TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN.

SHAME ON YOU!

SHAME ON YOU WHO CAN HIDE BEHIND THE COST OF COMPENSATION AS AN EXCUSE TO CLOSE PARISHES THAT YOU WANTED TO GET RID OF ANYWAY.

SHAME ON YOU!

SHAME ON YOU!

MAY GOD FORGIVE YOU!

189 YEARS AGO

Today, 21 September, is the feast of St Matthew. It was on this day in 1883 that the brig, 'Ariel', under command of Captain William Staunton, sailed into St John's harbour with four Irish ladies, and the Bishop of Newfoundland, Michael Anthony Fleming, on board. The four Irish ladies were Presentation Sisters who had volunteered to accompany the Bishop from their convent in Galway. Sisters M Bernard Kirwan, M Xaverius Lynch, M Xavier Molony, and M Magdalen O'Shaughnessy, would go on to establish in St John's the first Presentation House in North America, in fact, the first outside Ireland.  Sr Bernard Kirwan, who was the Superior, was therefore the foundress of the Presentation Sisters in North America.

We, as graduates of St Patrick's Convent Schools, owe our education, and much else, to these four brave and selfless Irish Nuns who left their homes for a distant land 189 years ago.

LINDA'S PICTURES

I have had some very interesting pictures from Linda Withers.  They will take you back more than a few years! 

56 year old kindergarten uniform &
50 year old gym t-shirt

School clothes from 50+ years ago

The green tunic is Linda's 56 year old Kindergarten Uniform.  It is size xx small (how sweet is that💖).  The blue one is a gym t-shirt and it is a mere 50 years old!  It is size medium.

St Patrick's Convent School Pin

Linda surprised herself when she found her old School Pin and she kindly shared a picture of that with us too.

Linda's School Pin on her Gym T-shirt

Linda, I am very grateful to you for sharing your lovely mementos and memories with us. Anything else you would care to share, including anecdotes or stories about your schooldays, would be very welcome.  Thank you, Linda.  

JOAN AND FRIENDS

I am so happy to see that Joan Reynolds Fogarty and her amazing group of school friends are still getting together.  These ladies have been friends since Kindergarten and on 25 May they met for lunch at The Rooms.  Bless you, ladies, and keep on celebrating friendship.  It really is a precious gift.

THE BEAUTIFUL ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL FRIENDS

Thanks, Joan, for the picture and for keeping in touch.  Please keep us up to date with your group.  Stay safe.

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

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

HAVE A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEWS FROM ST PATRICK'S PARISH. 

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/

A MIND BLOWER, FOR SURE!

I was given this photo a few years ago and it is definitely time I posted it.  The quality of the photo is very poor but I think most people on it are recognizable.  I have not been given any date for it but I think it would be around mid 1950s.  I also think it is Sr Columba's grade 4 or 5 class.  I have most of the names.  Perhaps you could fill in the blanks for me. If you click on the photo, it should enlarge for you.

Do you know anyone in this picture?

1. ?
2. ?
3. Bernice or Dorothy Noftall
4. ?
5. Rita Hickey
6. Marina Grace
7. Patsy Noseworthy
8. Bridie Vavasour
9. Jeanie Albert
10. Dorothy Levine
11. ?
12. Diane Edison
13. Cynthia Reddy
14. Elaine Morris
15. Marlene Morris
16. Margaret Power
17. Mary Johnson
18. Valerie McGrath
19. Elizabeth Flynn
20. ?
21. Barbara Sharpe
22. ?
23. ?
24. ?
25. Carmel Fitzgerald
26. Mary Whelan
27. ?
28. Norma Williams
29. Marie Furey
30. ?
31. ?
32. ?
33. ?

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH STAINED GLASS

St Patrick's Church has some beautiful stained glass windows. Some of the windows date from 1881.  In my opinion, these are the most beautiful.  That is just my opinion and I am not an expert but I know what I like.  I expect a lot of people would hold a different view and that is ok. 

The newer windows were installed in the mid 1960s.  They depict various biblical scenes.  Of these more modern windows, this is my favourite.  It depicts events in the life of Mary and, of course,  salvation history.

Stained Glass windows, mid 1960s,
by McNichols and Williams of Toronto

The original windows were installed in 1881 and their beauty still inspires. Just two of the original windows are shown here.  They are in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and show the Assumption of Mary and St Joseph with the Child Jesus.

Original windows installed in 1881

The most lovely of all St Patrick's stained glass windows are located in the sanctuary, above the altar. These windows were installed in 1881 and reflect our Irish heritage.  St Patrick holds the center position and he is flanked on either side by St Columba and St Brigid, the Patron Saints of Ireland. When the sun shines through these magnificent windows, their brilliant colours dance across the floor and lift the heart.

The two pictures which follow were taken quite some years apart.  The one with the crucifix was taken in 2003 and the other about 2013.  The statue of the Risen Christ was placed there in memory of longtime parishioner and tireless supporter, the late Mike Walsh.

Original Sanctuary windows, 1881

The Patron Saints of Ireland, 1881

There are many other wonderful stained glass windows in St Patrick's Church so if I were you, I would have a good look around this beloved Church while you can.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

👉👉This is the link for St Patrick's Parish site. Why not have a browse and see what is happening there. 

http://stpatrickschurch.ca/2.0/#masstime

There is also plenty of news on St Patrick's Parish Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/stpatsnl

Easter Message from the CLT

This little video brings us the Easter message and reminds us of the hope and new life that Easter brings. At this very difficult time in our Archdiocese, I feel it speaks especially to us. 

  

Believe the message.

 It is for all of us. 

HAPPY EASTER. 

 

A NICE 'BLAST FROM THE PAST'

This great photo was sent to me by Joan Fitzgerald Ebsary quite some time ago.  Joan sent it to our Facebook messenger and, for more than a year, I was unable to access Messenger.  So, this photo languished  there until last night when, thanks to Sean, I was able to get into messenger.  

Here is Joan's photo. It is Grade 6, 1961.  I notice the old S P C Crest on the uniforms.  I love it!  Perhaps Joan or a classmate could tell us a little more about the photo.  It might not be a good idea to risk messaging me on Facebook, just in case it decides to lock me out again. Instead, it would be safer to  send anything to me at the Blog contact address,  mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

S P C, GRADE 6, 1961

Thank you very much Joan for this nice 'Blast from the Past'.  I am most sorry for the long delay.  

AND THIS?

Today's post continues to look at some of the things that could be lost in our present predicament. As today is Good Friday, and we have previously looked at our Redemptorist Mission Cross, we will have a look at the Pieta.

The original Pieta ("the Piety") is a Renaissance sculpture executed by  Michelangelo Buonarroti about 1498/99.  It was sculpted from a block of Carrara marble and Michelangelo said it was the finest block he had ever seen.  It is the only piece of his work that the artist has ever signed.  Through the centuries many versions of this work have appeared and many Catholic Churches have a version based on Michelangelo's. The original Pieta is housed in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, and is estimated to be worth an eye-popping $300 million today!

Now to our own, not quite so exalted but still beautiful and very loved, Pieta.

The beautiful Pieta in St Patrick's Church

I am pretty certain that there was a version of the Pieta in St Patrick's Church when I was a child.  That Pieta wasn't coloured.  Do any of you 'more mature' folks remember that or am I "misremembering"? (I have never used that word before but I believe I heard a certain P M use it recently.  I like to keep up with newspeak!) According to the leaflet, 'St Patrick's Church', Katrina McAllister and Karen Morrissey, 1996, the present Pieta was installed in the church in 1992. The base of a pulpit supports it.

This Pieta is vividly coloured and is very beautiful. It is inspiring, very touching, and is a point of  deep respect and devotion for so many parishioners.  Pray God we don't lose it.  

A close up of the Pieta in St Patrick's Church

It has been said that in his Pieta,  Michelangelo's intention was  not to focus on death but on acceptance.  Let's continue to work and pray for our beloved Church and Parish but, perhaps we should also pray for acceptance of whatever God has in mind for the Catholic Church in Newfoundland.

BEAUTY AND HOPE

I have just received this photo from my nephew, Craig.  It was taken by Kimberly Rose. I think the photo is proof that beauty, like hope, grows in the most unlikely places. 

Beauty and hope can flourish in unlikely places

There is always hope!

👉Thanks to Kimberly and Craig for this beautiful picture.

AND THIS TOO!

In previous posts I have tried to remind us of what we have, what we take for granted, and what we could lose. In this little post I will highlight the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar and remind us of its origins.  Many of us spent our childhood looking at it but, as is often the case with the familiar, not actually seeing it!

In the following picture, we see the sanctuary of St Patrick's Church with the original altar.  This is the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar, installed in 1881. Bishop John Thomas Mullock, who died in 1869, was keen to forge ahead with the completion of St Patrick's Church and he worked tirelessly towards that goal. 

The original Altar, St Patrick's Church

The Gothic Style altar is constructed of Carrara marble.  The Paschal Lamb is depicted in the central panel.  To the left the Papal Keys are represented and to the right the Cross surmounted with the Crown of Thorns.

During church renovations in the early 1990s, the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar was relocated to its present location, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.

St Patrick's original altar,
the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar,
installed in 1881

Look at it.  It is too beautiful for words.

👉I have found some of the information about the Bishop Mullock Memorial Altar in the leaflet 'St Patrick's Church' by Katrina McAllister and Karen Morrissey, 1996👈

WHAT WE COULD LOSE!

The Redemptorist Mission Cross was erected at St Patrick's Church in December 1882.  It was originally placed at the front of the church, at the left side of the altar.  It has been repositioned to the back of the church, at the main entrance.  This cross is beloved of parishioners and is an important symbol of devotion.

THE REDEMPTORIST MISSION CROSS

Will we lose this piece of our parish and faith history?

TO READ MORE ABOUT THE MISSION CROSS, FOLLOW THIS LINK. 

https://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.com/2017/03/redemptorist-mission-cross-st-patricks.html

HORRIFYING POSSIBILITIES

In the previous post I mentioned  the Fishermen's Hall on Queen St and people were surprised when they saw the photo of the building as it is today.  So, I thought I might post a little bit about the amazing history of this historic building. It certainly has had an interesting life!

FORMER ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHAPEL, 1873-1883

Erected in 1861, Fishermen's Hall at 16 Queen Street is the oldest theatre in St John's.  Surprisingly, it is also the second oldest Catholic Church in St John's.  The cornerstone was laid on 23 May 1861 and Fishermen's Hall opened a mere five months later, on 28 October 1861.

Fishermen's Hall was the venue for many and varied entertainments, including visiting trapeze artists, Flower Shows, musicians, shows, and plays by visiting dramatic troupes. 

On 28 February 1871, a meeting took place at Fisherman's Hall.  Captain William Jackman and several other prominent citizens met together and The Star of the Sea Society was founded and formally instituted.

In 1873 Bishop Power purchased the building.  Internal renovations converted the single story building to a two story one.  The upstairs was consecrated as St Peter's Chapel while the ground floor became a school.  Four Sisters of Mercy came every day from Mercy Convent, Military Road, to teach the boys and girls.

(Picture taken from the Centenary Souvenir Book, 1955)

When St Patrick's Church opened in 1881 there was less need for St Peter's Chapel so, in 1883, it ceased to be a church.  The former chapel was utilized by the good Sisters as part of the school.  The girls' school now occupied the upper floor and the boys' school the floor below.  The R C School Board reported in 1882 that the school had 4 teachers and 360 pupils!  Eventually, two ladies, Miss Maher and Miss Nugent, were employed to assist the Sisters at St Peter's School.

The Sisters of Mercy operated St Peter's School until 1903. In 1903 the building became the commercial premises of Frank McNamara.  In 1967 it was taken over by J B Hand & Sons who occupied the building for a number of years. After J B Hand, 16 Queen St was home to several more enterprises.  You will find the plaque pictured below informative, I have no doubt.

Sign on side of building at 16 Queen St

Now, I am thinking about the churches that are being sold to pay off a debt they didn't personally incur. In particular, I am thinking of St Patrick's. I can't help wondering what fate awaits this venerable and well loved church. What indignities will be visited upon it in the years ahead? The possibilities are too horrifying to contemplate.

St Patrick's Church in 1991 (The Deanery Avenue School is partly visible behind the Deanery)

*Some of the information about St Peter's Church and School was found in the two excellent books;

'The Oldest City', Paul O'Neil

'Weavers of the Tapestry', Sr Kathrine Bellamy R S M