MAY, MARY'S MONTH

"Tis the month of Our Mother"

It is May again and the month of Mary, Our Blessed Mother.  For centuries, Catholics have honoured Christ's Mother with special devotions and traditions during the month of May.  Remember the school May Crowning?  The beautiful May Altar in every classroom and the daily Rosary recited around it?  Many set up May Altars at home.  Recitation of the Rosary was greatly encouraged at home too.  Who could forget the medal and blue ribbon pinned to our school uniforms?  All to honour Mary in her special month of May.

This May is a May like no other we have ever experienced.  Covid 19 is ravaging the world and it is no respecter of persons. Everyone is a potential victim. In the Litany of Loreto, we call upon Mary under many titles.  Two of them,  "Health of the sick" and "Comforter of the afflicted", remind us that Mary is always ready to come to the aid of suffering humanity.  

"Comforter of the afflicted"

St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Russia and there is an ancient Russian legend concerning the Saint and Our Lady.  The legend states that St Andrew, released from his earthly toil, hurried to heaven. Immediately he began searching for the Queen of Heaven.  "Where is she?" he inquired.  The reply?  "She is not here.  She is in the suffering world drying the tears of her weeping children."


Considering the dire situation we are in, this is a good time to turn to Our Mother Mary for assistance. A Challenge for this month! Pray a Rosary a day for the Month of May.  Are you up for/to it?

"Pray the Rosary"

Stay safe, stay well. May God and His Mother Mary bless and protect you and your families. 

WENDY'S YEARBOOK, 1990

Wendy Power has kindly shared some pictures from her days at St Patrick's Convent School.  There are quite a few and they are all so good I have had some difficulty deciding which to post first.  I have chosen five to post now and, over time, I will post the remainder.  There are some interesting photos in Wendy's collection so I think you will enjoy them as they appear in this and subsequent posts.  Here are the first five but be sure to watch out for more!

Wendy's Yearbook, 1990

A peek inside

Sr Regina and Mr McDonald

Remembering Raymond

A Happy Group!

Thanks, Wendy.  I will post them all eventually and I think they will definitely stir a load of happy memories for many people.  Keep the news and photos coming, please. 

SR AGATHA'S GRADE 7/8 CLASS

Today I have a great picture to post.  We have Karen Dawe-Gordon and her amazing Aunt, Florence Laurie, to thank for it.  Some of you people out there, because of your age, might have to get your mothers or even grandmothers to have a look at it with you.  This 1949 picture is a real treasure from St Patrick's past.  By the way, Florence Laurie is in the front row, second left.

Florence Laurie, who is now in her 80s, must have a wonderful memory for she has given us most of the names of those in the photo.  Not surprisingly, some of the first names have slipped her mind so, if you, your mother, or grandmother can remember a name, we would be more than pleased to hear from you. 

The young ladies in the photo are:
Larry Hearn,Joan Collins,? Buckingham, ? Athee, Maureen Brennan, ? Malone, ? Dillon, ? Sorenson, ? O'Brien, Mary Barry, Helen Walsh, Jennie Foley, ? Corbett, Madeline Murphy, ? Quinlan, Elizabeth MacKay, ? Luby, ? O'Brien, Florence Laurie, Eileen Murphy, Betty Hall, Mary Power, Mary Snow, Bernadette Collins, Helen Kerrivan, Kay Griffiths, Maureen Wadden, ? Luby, ? Sceviour, Helen Finch, Helen McGrath, ? Merner, Betty Stafford, Alfreda Hearn, Ann Connors, Mary Coady, Dorothy Tobin

Does anyone remember Sr Agatha?  I have a vague recollection of her.  I would have been in maybe Grade 1 or 2.  After she left St Patrick's I didn't see her for years.  In late 1965 or early 1966, I met her again.  She was then very sick and she died shortly after, on 20 March 1966.  Sr Agatha was laid to rest in Presentation Cemetery.

A huge thank you to Florence Laurie for sharing this wonderful memory with us.  If you have anything else you would be willing to share, we would love to receive it. You can just send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be delighted to post it here.  Thanks also to Karen Dawe-Gordon who emailed the photo and information to us.  In this dangerous time of Covid 19, stay safe, keep well, and may God bless you both and all who are dear to you.

Musical message from Father Ray

Listen to this and have your hearts and spirits lifted.  THANK YOU, FR RAY EARLE.  May God bless you and keep you safe in these difficult times.

FR FRANCIS BURKE

Maurice Charette has a wealth of items closely linked to St Patrick's past history.  Maurice found them while sorting through his late mother's things.  His mother was  Elizabeth (Betty) Murphy.  Betty lived at 9 Patrick St and later at 544 Water St.  She was a pupil of St Patrick's Convent School and a loyal member of St Patrick's Parish.  Maurice has kindly shared photos with us before (HERE) and now he has sent this interesting little card.

The card from Maurice

Fr Burke was ordained for the Scarborough Foreign Mission Society.  Many young men from Newfoundland became members of that worthy organisation.  This is a group photo which I came across on line.  Fr Burke is in the back row.  

Fr Francis Burke is in the back row

I well remember my mother receiving the monthly magazine from the SFM.  She knew some of the Newfoundlanders who were members and she spoke of them often.  I hope some of you will be able to add more to Fr Burke's story.  Also, any information about the other Newfoundland priests of that Society would most definitely be welcome.(Send to mcallistersmith@gmail.com)  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you Maurice.  May God bless you and your family and keep you safe and well during this terrible Covid 19 pandemic.

CHRIST IS RISEN

CHRIST IS RISEN!

This Easter, as we rejoice in the Risen Saviour, we pray for an end to Covid 19 which is presently ravaging our world.  May He who has died for love of us, bring us safely through this trying time.

May you all have a Happy and Healthy Easter. 

Stations of the Cross

For Father Pat Power

A HAPPY MEMORY

A message from Teri Healey Evans has brought us a photo with a happy memory.  Amid the world's present sadness and worry, it is a welcome message.  Among her Mother's things, Teri found a ticket with a story.  Teri kindly shares it with us here.

Teri said, "I was in the St Patrick's Girls' Glee Club and just thought it (the ticket) might be of some interest and start a conversation going. I know for me this concert was a highlight of my time in the Glee Club."

A HAPPY MEMORY FROM 1978

Teri goes on to say "The biggest highlight was when we sang at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and received so many ovations and accolades".  I am certain quite a few of you will feel the same.

You certainly got a lot for $1.50 in 1973!

Thank you Teri.  To you and to all our St Patrick's friends, stay safe, keep well, and may God bless and protect us all.

Pope Francis' prayer to Virgin Mary for protection from coronavirus

DAILY MASS AT ST PATRICK'S 

Please enjoy today’s daily Mass by clicking the link below

https://tom0349.wixsite.com/youthchoir/st-patrick-s-mass

ST JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US

Today 19 March, we celebrate the Feast of St Joseph.  This feast was first observed in the 15th century and, in 1621, Pope Gregory XV extended it to be observed by the whole Church.  The Church also dedicates the entire month of March to St Joseph. 

St Joseph's Statue in St Patrick's Church

This great saint is patron of many things and of many countries, including Canada.  He was chosen as Patron Saint of Canada by the first Recollect Franciscan Missionaries in 1624!  Pope Urban VIII confirmed St Joseph as Canada's Patron in 1637.  On 8th December 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St Joseph "Patron of the Universal Church".

Cardinal Herbert Vaughan founded St Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill.   As Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, when speaking of St Joseph, Spouse of Mary and Foster Father of Jesus, Cardinal Vaughan wrote: "Of old it was said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: 'Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you.' (Gen. 41:55).  The same is now said by the Sovereign Pontiff to all needy and suffering people in the kingdom of the Church: Go to Joseph.  What was truly said of the first Joseph .......... is verified much more perfectly, even to this day, in the second Joseph."

At this time, as the deadly Coronavirus sweeps the world, we would do very well to turn to St Joseph and sincerely and humbly seek his help for ourselves, our loved ones, and for the whole of suffering humanity.  

ST JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US. 

CLASS OF 1951

It is time for another post and this picture definitely deserves to be that post!  The photo was sent to us by Marina Carew Aita and it is from 1951.  It was obviously a special event because the girls are all wearing tams, etc, which was usual for parades and special occasions.  Although Marina  remembers being on parade, she can't quite remember what the occasion was (a visit by the Queen or Pope perhaps?)  Definitely not the Pope because the only Pope to visit was John Paul II and that was sometime in the 1980s.  So come on, everybody, search your brain and see if you can help us out with this please.

Marina has also been able to supply all the names for the girls in the photo.  That is really helpful and, if you aren't one of them, then perhaps your Mother or Aunt or even your Grandmother, is one of those girls.  Have a look, enjoy the amazing picture, and let us know if you can come up with the event.

Marina and Classmates, 1951

FRONT:  

Shirley Gardner, Joan Fitzgerald, Maureen Molloy, Betty Croke, Mollie Power, Mary Mansfield,

CENTRE:

Maureen Doyle, Eileen Penney, Patricia O'Brien, Patricia Dunne, Marina Carew, Claudine Horan, Helen Antle, Mercedes Hearn, Shirley Fitzpatrick, Nellie Power,

BACK:

Edith Byrne, Patricia Whittle, Eleanor Whelan, Betty Fitzgerald, Betty Kean, Helen Molloy, Maureen Squires, Mary Malone, Shirley Ring

Thank you Marina.  This will take many of us on a great little walk down Memory Lane.  I just love the picture and, hopefully, you will come across some more like this one.

REST IN PEACE HELEN

We have just lost another of our St Patrick's Graduates, Helen Molloy.  Helen was a larger than life character who, over the years, contributed greatly to St Patrick's Parish life.  Who could forget her spirited performances in the St Patrick's Day Plays?  Always so  full of life and fun, just thinking of those plays brings a smile to my face.  

L-R: Tom Price, Mary Gosse, Doreen Healey,
Shannon McAllister, Frank Newman,
HELEN MOLLOY, Joe newman,
Gerry Costello, Mary Downey

I am pleased to post a picture of Helen and some of the other performers who gladdened our Irish hearts with their wonderful performances under the guiding hand of Miss Kathleen Hayes.
https://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.com/2015/03/happy-st-patricks-day-2015.html

https://www.cauls.ca/obituary/helen-molloy

To the Molloy Family, we extend our sincere sympathy on the loss of your vibrant and well loved family member. 

HAPPY 2020

Because I was unable to blog for quite awhile, I am afraid I will be doing a bit of apologising for the next couple of posts - starting with this one! I am sorry that it is a bit on the late side, but, because I believe good times make good news anytime, I am posting it so that all of us can share in the joy of Christmas and the joy of true friendship.

My very loyal supporter and helper, Joan Reynolds Fogarty, sent us this photo with news of her amazing classmates.  Surely this group must be the most dedicated group of classmates and friends anywhere.  

The friends met on 4 December 2019 at P J Billingtons at Ramada.  Joan described their room as "lovely" and "decked out with Christmas trees, decorations, and a fireplace."  They had the use of this room for three hours, which, said Joan, "made for a relaxing time." 

Christmas Get Together, 2019

The wonderful ladies are:

ROW 1: Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Mary Fitzgerald, Catherine Corbett Stanley,

ROW 2:  Mary Farrell O'Keefe, Joan Ryan Cobb, Patricia Connolly Leonard, Brenda Casey Grouchy, Madeline Adams Thomson, Eleanor Sears Vatcher, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, 

ROW 3:  Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Betty Fitzgerald Pye,

Thank you Joan.  You are such a great group of friends and an inspiration to  all.  I hope you will be celebrating together for many, many years to come.

Joan sent wishes for a "Happy 2020 to all" and I join her in that wish.  May 2020 be filled with God's blessings for all of us and those we hold dear -  family and friends!

ANNA HAMLYN McCARTHY

I begin the New Year of 2020 with a sad post.  On 9th December 2019 we lost a loved St Patrick's Graduate, Anna Hamlyn McCarthy.  From a large and well respected West End family, Anna Hamlyn grew up on Shaw St and she and her sisters all attended St Patrick's Convent Schools.  

Anna Hamlyn McCarthy

After Graduation, Anna turned her many talents to teaching and for a time, returned to her Alma Mater where she became a popular teacher, loved and respected by pupils and colleagues alike.  Later, the students of St Peter's School had the great benefit of Anna's dedicated and loving instruction.

Anna married Mike McCarthy and they became the parents of a beautiful daughter, Karen, and a fine son, Michael. They and the rest of Anna's family must be feeling her loss deeply and we offer them our heartfelt condolences.  But, like all of us who had the pleasure of knowing Anna, they must also be finding comfort in the joy of having had such a person in their lives.

Rest in peace, Anna Hamlyn McCarthy.

https://www.barretts.ca/obituaries/Anna-Mary-McCarthy?obId=9505601#/obituaryInfo