ST PATRICK'S BASKETBALL TEAM 1979

St Patrick's Basketball Team, 1979

Front Row:  S Evans, A M Walsh, C Power, M Evans, L Gallagher, S Prim.

Second Row:  Mrs S Wade (coach), D Woodford, V Hawco, J Tucker, D Fitzpatrick, C Thompson, T Moore, E Donnelley, L Hickey, T Minnett, G Evans, M Keating (manager)

Mrs Wade would never have gotten past the Nuns at Holy Heart of Mary with those boots on!  The Gym floor at H H M would not have been better protected if it had been covered in gold!  Remember girls?  No boots, no heels, no etc, etc?  I admit it - that Gym floor really did have a great finish!

MSGR JAMES DOODY

MSGR JAMES DOODY

Diamonds have many facets.  St Patrick's Convent School was one of the beautiful facets that made up that exquisite diamond that is St Patrick's Parish.  With this in mind, I direct you to St Patrick's Parish website.  Just click here & you will find yourself on the website.

I notice that long time Pastor of St Patrick's, Msgr James Doody,  has recently been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.  This is a special medal commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.  The medal is awarded to those who have made major contributions to their communities.  This Msgr Doody has certainly done over his many years of priesthood.  So, I dedicate this post to Msgr Doody and, on behalf of all St Patrick's Convent School girls ( and boys),  I thank him for his years of dedicated service to St Patrick's Parish and congratulate him on receipt of his well merited award.  

Dear Msgr Doody, you will be missed at St Patrick's but we wish you good health and much happiness in your new home at St Patrick's Mercy Home.  Don't forget St Patrick's Parish - it won't forget you!  God bless you Msgr Doody.

Good readers of this post, don't forget to click here to read the full story of Msgr Doody's award.  You will also be able to keep up to date with all that is going on in St Patrick's Parish.  Speaking from my own experience, I think  that is especially comforting for those of us who now reside in foreign climes.

SR MARY XAVERIA FARDY

Sr M Xaveria & an unamed pupil

This is another picture from the 1979 yearbook. 

The piano teacher is Sister Mary Xaveria.  Sister Xaveria  taught in various Presentation Schools across Newfoundland.  I am not certain of dates but I know it was the early 1950s when Sr Xaveria was a classroom teacher at St Patrick's old school. 

Some of you will remember "The Passage" connecting the Deanery Avenue School with the really old classrooms above the Auditorium.  Sr Xaveria taught Grade 10 in one of those classrooms.  Mother Berchmans taught Grade 9 up there and Sr Imelda taught the Commercial Class in one of those classrooms.  Graduates of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class were highly sought after by St John's firms.  This is all from my memory so if I err, please someone, set me straight.

Sr Xaveria's family name was Fardy.  She was an Aunt of that great St Bon's sportsman, Hugh Fardy.   In the 1970s Sister retired to St Patrick's.  I say "retired" but I don't think Nuns ever "retired".  They just kept on working until the Good Lord decided otherwise.  Anyway, Sr Xaveria then taught piano to a whole new generation of Westenders.

Unfortunately, I do not know the name of  that cute looking little piano student.  I hope someone out there will be able to help me with that.   Also, any other memories of Sr Xaveria, the old classrooms above the Auditorium, or any of the Sisters mentioned here would be appreciated.

FROM A 1920s NEWSPAPER

Here is a little item I came across in a very old scrapbook. The clipping was from a St John’s newspaper published in March 1920. It will, I hope, be of interest to all St Patrick’s girls but especially to those who were ‘Children of Mary’! I knew that the Sisters & students of St Patrick’s were leaders!

“There passed away at the Presentation Convent, St Patrick’s, on Wednesday last at 4:45 a.m. the venerable Mother M Caulfield, a well known and highly esteemed member of the Presentation Order.

The deceased, who was born in Limerick City, entered the Presentation Convent, Cathedral Square, in 1851. She made her Profession there in 1854. A few years afterwards she was sent to the recently established foundation at Riverhead, where she zealously laboured for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the many souls committed to her care during her long religious life of sixty-nine years.

In 1876 she, with Rev Dean Ryan and Sr M Patrick Kielly, was instrumental in establishing the Sodality of the Children of Mary at St Patrick’s (the first Sodality of G. de M. in this Island). In 1884 she, with Rev Father Palmer (then stationed at St Patrick’s) established the Confraternity of St Anne of which she was Directress till her death.”

The article continues with a report of the death of another Sister at St Patrick’s. (More about that at a later date.) 

The report concludes with “We have loved them in life, let us not be unmindful of them in death.”

I was unable to turn up any details of the funeral but, just by chance, I saw Sister’s headstone in the little cemetery at St Patrick’s. Also, just by chance, I had my camera with me. So, of course, I took a picture of the grave. I don’t profess to be a photographer so please make allowances for the quality of the photo and just enjoy this little bit of St Patrick’s history.

Grave of Sr M Aloysius Caulfield

A GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION

The Mission Cross in St Patrick's Church

SR ANNE HICKEY'S GRADE 4 CLASS, 1979

ARE YOU HERE?
Sr Anne Hickey's Grade 4 Class, 1979
(Click on the picture to enlarge it)

Front Row: V Butler, L Greening, L Simon, J Dray, R Hurley, K Parsley, G Rees, M Follett

Second Row: K King, J Flynn, S Butler, S King, D Tucker, J Hollahan, T Doyle, J Healey, V Christopher, Sr Anne Hickey

Third Row: G Benoit, C Delaney, C Howard, K Denine, K Mullins, L Villarosa

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

I remember learning this song for St Patrick's Day when I was in Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class - way back in the early 50s. Do any of you remember learning it too? Anyway, since it is St Patrick's Day, a very special Day for all of us, I thought I would post the song by John McCormack.   I tried to find a version by the McNulty Family because they were the most popular , at least in our house, but I couldn't find their version. I hope you all enjoy this little bit of nostalgia anyway.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!

THREE NUNS AT THE BALL GAME

THEY AREN'T PRESENTATIONS!

This is an e-mail I had from my good friend, Carol (Brothers) Duggan.  I heard it many years ago from that great Newfoundlander, Al Clouston, but in a slightly different format.  However, this version suits this blog & I hope you will all get a laugh out of it.  Thanks, Carol, for the laugh.  It is just one of many we have shared over the years! 


Because he loved to laugh & because he spread laughter like sunshine,  I dedicate this post to my dear brother, Shannon, who would have been 66 years old today.  Rest in Peace, Shannon.

THREE NUNS WERE AT A BALL GAME.  THREE MEN WERE SITTING DIRECTLY BEHIND THEM.  BECAUSE THEIR HABITS WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE VIEW, THE MEN DECIDED TO BADGER THE NUNS, HOPING THEY'D GET ANNOYED ENOUGH TO MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA.

IN A VERY LOUD VOICE, THE FIRST GUY SAID, "I THINK I'M GOING TO MOVE TO UTAH . THERE ARE ONLY 100 NUNS LIVING THERE."

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, THE SECOND GUY YELLED, "I WANT TO MOVE TO MONTANA. THERE ARE ONLY 5O NUNS LIVING THERE."

THE THIRD GUY YELLED, "I WANT TO GO TO IDAHO. THERE ARE ONLY 25 NUNS LIVING THERE."

THE MOTHER SUPERIOR TURNED AROUND, LOOKED AT THE MEN, AND IN A VERY SWEET AND CALM VOICE SAID,

"WHY DON'T YOU GO TO HELL.  THERE AREN'T ANY NUNS THERE!"

MOTHER BERNARD KIRWAN'S GALWAY CONVENT

My good friend, Ed O'Neill, is an artist of the first water.  His videos of various parts of the beautiful Southern Shore are a delight and ensure a great feeling of homesickness & pride in all of us exiles.  Anyway, Ed, being the generous man that he is, has given me permission to post this video on our St Patrick's blog.

As you are aware, Mother Bernard Kirwan was the Superior of the little band of Presentation Sisters who came out to Newfoundland from Galway in 1833 to establish the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland.  Mother Bernard is therefore the foundress of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland.

Mother Bernard now rests in the peaceful soil of Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.  Her grave is lovingly tended by the kind and generous people of that beautiful community. 

Port Kirwan was formerly known as 'Admiral's Cove'.  In his article 'Early Years' in the Port Kirwan Book, 'Kind Hearts and Gentle People' Ed tells us; 

"Father Thomas J Moakler was behind the new name for Admiral's Cove, a change that took place during his tenure as our parish priest (1958-1963)."    Ed goes on to quote Fr Moakler.  "I renamed Admiral's Cove when the Federal Post Office complained there were too many 'Admirals this and that' all over Newfoundland and Labrador, and we would have to get a new name or lose our post office in the Cove.  The community was renamed in honour of Sister Bernard Kirwan, who founded the convent in Admiral's Cove in 1853, the third convent of the Order in Newfoundland."

Now have a look at Ed's great video and see the heritage that, as St Patrick's girls, is ours.    You would also be doing yourself a great favour if you took a trip up the Shore and paid a visit to Mother Bernard's grave.  There is no spot on God's good earth more beautiful that Port Kirwan, Fermeuse.

Once again, Ed, many thanks for your generosity.

HOLY CROSS PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR

In 1977, Holy Cross Primary School Choir recorded a Long playing album.  We used to say "an L P" way back then! The Title was "Merrily We Sing".  As so many of the children went on to St Patrick's Convent School, I thought I'd post a little about it.  Until recently, I was the proud owner of a copy of this wonderful recording.  (The record has gone to a very good home, so don't feel sad!)

This is what the 1977 Long Playing Record  looked like

The record had some great songs on it, including "Jack Was Every Inch A Sailor" and, of course, "Holy Cross School Song". 

Some of the songs on the L P

The choir was a mixed one, boys and girls.  I have taken the picture of the little songbirds directly from the album so I hope it will be clear enough.  If you or someone you know is in this picture, please let me know.



The gorgeous little songbirds.  Where are they now?

I will try to publish the names of the children in the picture but, hopefully, someone out there will be able to supply me with a name or two.

(IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURES THEY WILL ENLARGE)

"LIFE WAS SIMPLE, BUT IT SURE WAS GOOD SOMEHOW"

I like this song, "Sixteen for Awhile" by Celtic Connection & I think that the line "Life was simple, but it sure was good, somehow" really does apply to our school days(or should I say school daze?). ENJOY!



P S
I just want to point out that I got  this  video from youtube and I am not responsible for spelling, etc.  JUST SO YOU KNOW!

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY

Nano Nagle, Foundress of the
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Well, friends, as you will all be aware, today, 21st November, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as we knew it, PRESENTATION DAY.  I guess we all have our memories of past Presentation Days at St Patrick's but perhaps what we remember most is that we always got a holiday on Presentation Day!  After all, we were children and children LOVE a holiday from school!  However, now that we are older and wiser (well older anyway) we are certain to have a more mature attitude to Presentation Day.  Aren't we?   Let's get serious now.

We owe a lot to Nano Nagle and her Presentation Sisters.  I know that I feel nothing but respect, gratitude and love for the Presentations who educated me.  That in itself makes them deserving of heaven!  As a little tribute to all  Presentation Sisters, I post this lovely little story of one Nun's kindness.  The story comes from Karen (Nelson) Brown.

Once upon a time at St Patrick’s, and probably at other Catholic Schools, too, the First Friday of every month saw us all at Mass and Communion.  After Mass we scrambled home for breakfast then got back to school as soon as possible.

Karen Nelson came to St Patrick’s in Grade Four and her teacher was Mother John.  Many of us will remember Mother John.  Karen lived on Kenmount Road and, at that distance, going home for breakfast definitely was not an option!  What was she to do then?  Remember Ronayne’s Store at the top of Hutchings Street?  So does Karen!  Karen said, “Mother John did not feel the chocolate milk and cinnamon bun that I would get for 25¢ at Ronayne’s Store the top of Hutchings Street was an adequate breakfast.”

I guess it wasn’t, but was there a better alternative?  Mother John thought there was!  Karen continued her story; “She would insist that I came into the convent for my breakfast on the First Fridays of the month.  I totally remember those breakfasts.  I’d be alone in one of the sitting rooms near the front door and dine on eggs, toast, jam and a whole pot of hot chocolate.  All served to me on a big tray by Mother John herself – mmmm!”

That was a truly kind and generous act and I am thinking that Nano Nagle herself must have been proud of Mother John.  I am also thinking that Karen must have hated it when her year in Mother John’s Class was over!

Thank you Karen for sharing this lovely story.  A very Happy Presentation Day to Presentation Sisters and St Patrick's Girls everywhere.  

Um, Karen, did you say eggs, toast, jam and hot chocolate?  Every First Friday for the whole year?  Wow!  Wish I had lived at a distance!

WHO IS THIS VERY TALENTED SISTER? CHRISTINE KNEW!

Back in May, I did a post called "WHO IS THIS VERY TALENTED SISTER?".  Well, I thought you might like to know that I have had a delightful e-mail from Christine (Barry) Chipman.  Christine said that she attended St Patrick's from Kindergarten to Grade 9 and was happy to see "The picture of the School and the windows of my old grade 9 class, far left - top floor - Mrs Byrd's Class!" 

"FAR LEFT - TOP FLOOR - MRS BYRD'S CLASS"

Like me, Christine has fond memories of her years at St Patrick's;

"I have wonderful memories of the teachers, staff and students - most of whom were always in my class."

Christine finishes with "Thank you for reviving some special memories for me and please continue! Oh, and would the Guess Who This Sister Is be Sister Brendan?"

  

Well, of course Christine, you are absolutely right.  It is Sr Brendan!  We could fill a whole post with Sr Brendan's achievements and maybe one day we will do just that.  For now though, I will just say that Sr Brendan Lynch PBVM was a renowned music teacher and for many years the girls of St Patrick's had the benefit of her  talents.  Sr Brendan was inducted into the Kiwanis Music Festival Hall of Honour in 2003.  (More on that in a future post.)

Christine, thank you for your e-mail and your comments. I have added a more recent photo of Sr Brendan and I will certainly do my best to continue reviving memories with this blog.  However, I could do with a bit of help, so come on all you St Patrick's girls out there - how about sharing some of your memories and photos.  You can e-mail me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

SR MARY BRENDAN LYNCH, PBVM, IN 2003

LEST WE FORGET

In 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Armistice was signed, officially ending WWI.  Thousands of young Newfoundlanders made the supreme sacrifice as members of the Newfoundland Regiment or of other Allied forces.  

Many young men who died were members of St Patrick’s Parish.   It was thought that the parish should pay tribute to them in some way.  So it was, in 1921, that the new St Patrick’s Convent School on Deanery Avenue was erected as a Memorial to the men of the parish who died in WWI.

St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue, erected as a Memorial to the
young men of the Parish who fell in WWI

One of the young men who died in WWI was Private Patrick Holden.  Private Holden was just 19 years old when he died on 29^th January 1916.  Private Holden died of wounds received at Gallipoli.  The Newfoundland Regiment has the distinction of being the only North American unit to fight at Gallipoli. I don’t know for certain but it is very likely that Patrick Holden was one of the young men from St Patrick’s Parish.  I base this conclusion on the fact that he was the son of Joseph and Mary Alice Holden of Southside so he lived in proximity to St Patrick’s.  And, you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out he was a Catholic because the inscription on his gravestone includes the prayer, “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul”.  This young man, like many of his comrades, is buried far from home, in the Addolorata Cemetery, Malta.  Several years ago, while on a visit to Malta, we had the great privilege of placing a small Newfoundland flag on Private Holden’s grave and offering a silent prayer for him.  Perhaps some of you might know more about Private Holden than I do.  I would be very happy indeed to hear from you.  You can email me on mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  

Private Patrick Holden's grave, Addolorata Cemetery, Malta

Those of us who went to the school on Deanery Avenue will remember the plaque on the right hand side of the front door.  Perhaps, because we were children, we didn’t grasp the significance or the poignancy of the dedication.  In memory of those young men, I am posting a photo of the plaque. I am certain the words will have a deeper meaning for us now than they did all those years ago. A quiet prayer for the Newfoundlanders who died in the “war to end all wars” would be fitting too.  Let’s also remember those who have given their lives in the wars and conflicts that have followed since 1918.



The Plaque from the School on Deanery Avenue

For those of you who would like to learn more about the actions of Newfoundlanders in the First World War, a recent book, “The Greatest Gallantry”, tells the amazing true story of ten men who, for eleven hours, withstood hundreds of Germans and held the French village of Monchy-le-Preux.  Nine of the men were from the Newfoundland Regiment and one was from the Essex Regiment.   



A thrilling true story of courage & devotion to duty

Although the author is my nephew, I promise you that I am not motivated by nepotism. “The Greatest Gallantry” is a thrilling story and just another reason to be proud of being a Newfoundlander!

LEST WE FORGET!

KAREN'S E-MAIL



Well Friends, I have been out of action for a little while because my computer decided it wanted a holiday.  It simply died on me!  However, it has finally been fixed and I am back in action again.  I have some catching up to do so I am starting with an e-mail I received from Karen (Nelson) Brown.  Karen has given me permission to post her e-mail with her e-mail address. If you remember Karen, she would love to hear from you. 

Karen is also very interested in any reunions that might take place.  If you are aware of any forthcoming reunions please let her know.  Actually, if anybody knows of any St Patrick's reunions, please let me know and I will post details on this blog for all to see.

Here is Karen's e-mail.
 

"Hi,


I just happened to come across the SPC blog and noticed that there have been class reunions.  I am surprised that I have never received any information regarding class reunions as I was a student at SPC from grades four through eight (late fifties/early sixties) and my parents lived at the same address where I grew up until my father's death in 1990.  Perhaps I could get some future class reunion information.


Thank you,


Karen (nee Nelson) Brown"

tkbrown@shaw.ca