TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO 5, FAMILY AND FRIENDS (MAINLY SISTERS )

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Today I thought it might be nice to post some photos of family (mostly sisters) and friends. This is a small selection and I hope to be able to post more before the end of June. I think you will recognize some of the people - you just might even be one of them. Enjoy! 

Judy and Betty, still singing

Mary and Gerri

Beth Anne, Paula, Susan and Barbara

Gerri, Mary (Mom), Carmie

Katrina and Heather 

Brenda, Moya, Janet, Dianne, Barbara, Norma, Lauren

Doreen, Pat, Sheila, Betty and Donna

Catherine and Pat visit their Alma Mater

Matthew, Teri, Melanie, Sharon and Owen

GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP

This is a post that should have been done in November but I am afraid I missed it.  I apologize to Christine Butler and her friends - I must be slipping!  Each and every friendship is precious and deserves celebrating and this is a very special friendship and worthy indeed of celebrating. 

The friendship between this group of St Patrick's girls blossomed in Grade three and it has survived the ups and downs of life ever since.  The ladies regularly get together to celebrate that friendship.  They all graduated from St Patrick's in the School Year of 1973/74. On the 9  November 2023 they gathered at the Royal Yacht Club in Manuels to celebrate the amazing Golden Anniversary of their graduation together. 

Christine and Terri have sent a photo of that happy day  and I am pleased to post it below.

Celebrating a Golden Friendship

Congratulations on such a wonderful occasion and may you continue to enjoy your beautiful friendship for many more healthy and happy years.  God bless you all.

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO 4 (REUNIONS)

Because of a little mix-up with post  3, I thought I had better point out that the twenty five years in the title does NOT REFER TO THE AGE OF THE PHOTO. The photos are from many different years. The twenty five refers to the number of years that have passed since the last St Patrick's Convent School closed. I hope that clears things up a bit.

Today's post features photos of some of the many reunions that St Patrick's Girls are always so happy to attend.  Long may such reunions and friendships continue! If you don't see your reunion here, don't worry, I will be posting more in the weeks to come.

Class  of 1958, last Grade 11 class

No need to explain this picture

Some 1973/74 Graduates 

Back row, 3 left, Miss  Howard, former Grade 3 teacher
with some of her  'little' pupils'

1957/58 Grads reunion, 2017

1960 Grads get together 

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO 3 (CLASS PHOTOS)

Sr Imelda's Commercial Class, about 1957

Grade 4, circa 1950

 Sister Immaculata's Grade 6 Class 1940s

Grade 2, 1967

Grade 7, 1979

Miss Hamlyn's Grade 4 Class, 1967

Pamela Marie's Grade 1 photo, Miss Walker's Class 1967

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO 2

As Promised, I am back with more photos to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the closing of St Patrick's Convent Schools. Today I am posting some bits and pieces that have made our St Patrick's just that - our St Patrick's!
Enjoy! 💖💖💖💖

Louie's tribute

 

Doreen's School Ring circa 1948

The ubiquitous Rubber/Gaiter/Boot Bag
(name depends on your generation 😂)

Linda's success

Nellie's musical success

Even Covid couldn't diminish the loyalty!

English Grammar Book used by a St Patrick's
pupil in 1912

Date and pupil's name on the inside of the
English Grammar Book

That's enough for today but don't go away.  The next time I will post class pictures from various years.  

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

As the pupils and staff of St Patrick's Convent Schools left the building in June of 1999, they witnessed not only the closing of the school.  They witnessed the close of an era.  For over one hundred years St Patrick's Convent Schools had held such an important  place in the Parish of St Patrick's as well as in the whole community of Riverhead, i.e. St John's West.  With the locking of the doors on that June Day in 1999, St Patrick's Convent Schools ceased to exist, save in the hearts and memories of its former pupils.  To commemorate our School, I am going to post pictures that I have received over the years .  I will post several times each month from now until the end of June.  If you have any that you would like included please send them to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and I will add them to our collection.  Here is the first batch.  Happy browsing.

The First School

An early picture of Sisters and pupils of St Patrick's Convent School

Mother M Bernard Kirwan PBVM, Foundress of
the Presentation Foundation in Newfoundland

The old St Patrick's Convent

Mother M DeSales Walsh, Born Tralee, Ireland 1866, died Presentation Motherhouse 1968.
 Former teacher at St Patrick's Convent and twice Mother General of the Presentation
Sisters in Newfoundland.

From an Irish Stamp depicting Nano Nagle, Foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation, PBVMs

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY 2024

It is hard to believe that another St Patrick's Day has rolled around again but here it is 17 March 2024.  As always, I wish you a very happy day.  ☘☘

I have a very interesting picture to post today.  It will, I hope, stir some pleasant memories of our days at St Patrick's Convent Schools.

ALICE'S MEMENTOS

My very dear friend and school mate, Alice Prim, sent me a picture of her perfectly preserved Uniform Crest and the beautiful green bow and medal of our Patron Saint which was worn on St Patrick's Day.

Thank you Alice for sharing this lovely memento and bringing back the many Happy St Patrick's Days that we have been fortunate to celebrate.

STATUE THAT ONCE WELCOMED
 WORSHIPPERS
 TO ST PATRICK'S CHURCH

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

☘☘

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2024

 

THE GATE OF THE YEAR

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown".

And he replied:

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way".

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

(Minnie Haskins)

MAY 2024 BRING YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES BLESSINGS GALORE 

I don't know if it is a St Patrick's thing, a West End thing, or a Newfoundland thing in general but, whatever it is, it is a beautiful thing!

This group of ladies started Kindergarten together many years ago at St Patrick's Convent and they are still friends who meet up several times a year.  Over the years, they have shared life's ups and downs and remained steadfast friends and loyal St Patrick's girls.

This little group is also an important part of St Patrick's history. In 1958, they were part of the last class to complete Grade 11 at St Patrick's Convent School.  (After that, girls moved on to Holy Heart upon  completion of Grade 8.) Joan Fogarty tells me that their Graduation, with white cap and gown, was held at Holy Heart where some of the girls had enrolled in Business Education Classes.  

Joan Reynolds Fogarty has sent a photo of  the group taken a couple of days ago at their Christmas Tea at Joan's house.  The lovely ladies are L-R:  

FRIENDS FOREVER

Joan Ryan Cobb, Joan Connolly Alston. Rosemary Ashley Healy, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Eleanor Sears Vatcher, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Brenda Casey Grouchy and hostess, Joan Reynolds Fogarty.

To each and every one of you I wish a very Merry Christmas and say may you continue for years to come with your celebration of friendship.

Thank you Joan for the photo and the information.  All the very best to you, your family and friends. 

HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY

It is 21 November, Presentation Day. Once again my thoughts spin back through the years (many, many years now 😏)!  My thoughts go back to our school days at St Patrick's Convent Schools and our days spent with Nano Nagle's Presentation Sisters, PBVMs.  To the stories of Nano and her little group who ministered to and cared for the poor. Stories of the establishment of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how, in 1833, four brave and selfless Irish Nuns set out from their Convent in Galway.  After a stormy Atlantic Crossing they landed at St John's, Newfoundland, and there they established the very first Presentation Convent outside of Ireland.   

I imagine, like me, you remember all or most of the stories but if you would like to refresh your memory, you will find quite a few posts to  help.  Just go to that little search box on the top left side of the blog and enter either 'Nano Nagle' or 'Presentation Day'.  You will find enough to keep you reading for a little while.

Nano Nagle

Happy Presentation Day to Presentation Sisters, pupils and former pupils everywhere.  A very special Happy Presentation Day to all St Patrick's girls, wherever you may be.

SYMBOL OF HOPE

November is the month of the Holy Souls, the month when we especially remember all the dear people who have graced our lives and who have now been taken home.  This picture was taken by my niece when she visited her father's grave at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery several years ago. The rainbow is  a symbol of hope and it is amazing how often we see them when we visit our loved one's resting places.  This picture is a beautiful example of such a happening and, I believe, really inspires hope.  

Sign of hope, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

FRANCISCANS, PART 2

In my last post I spoke of the St John's girls who travelled from their homes in St John's to the USA to join the Sisters of St Francis at Clinton Iowa. It is estimated that about 56 young Newfoundland women joined the Franciscans from the late 1800s to the 1920s. Those brave young ladies left from all parts of Newfoundland and headed off to a country that was as far from their way of life as life on Mars would be to us today.  Seven of them were from St John's and some of them were St Patrick's girls.  I said I would post about some girls who were not from St John's or St Patrick's Convent School but who were in some way linked to St Patrick's, even in a small way.  I will try to do that now.

The first two Sisters are linked to St Patrick's simply by their nieces who were students of St Patrick's Convent Schools. 

Mary Cleary was born in Argentia on 28 August 1892.  Her parents were Lawrence and Theresa (Maher) Cleary. Mary had two brothers and two sisters.  She entered the Franciscans on 23 August 1915, was received on 24 May 1916 and was given the name Sr Mary Jerome. Sr Jerome made temporary vows in 1917 and Perpetual vows on 15 August 1920.  Through her long teaching career, Sr Jerome taught in Catholic Schools in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.  Sr Jerome passed away on 24 February 1959 and was laid to rest in St Mary Cemetery, Clinton Iowa.       

Ellen Frances Kearsey was born in Cape Broyle to Patrick and Mary (Brien/O'Brien) Kearsey on 10 February 1894.  Ellen also entered the Sisters of St Francis on 23 August 1915.  On 24 May 1916, Ellen was received and given the name  Sister Mary Austin.  Sr Austin took temporary vows in 1917 and Perpetual Vows on 15 August 1920.  Sr Austin served as a nurse at St Francis Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, and at St Francis Hospital in Grinnell, Iowa.  At 50 years of age, Sr Austin Kearsey passed away and was interred in St Paul Cemetery, Macomb, Illinois. 

Catharine Ann (Kitty) Keefe/O'Keefe, born in Cape Broyle on 22 July 1902, was the daughter of James and Mary (Duggan) Keefe/O'Keefe.  In 1920 Kitty boarded a ship, set sail for the USA and on the 25 September entered the Sisters of St Francis at Clinton, Iowa.  In March of the following year Kitty was received and given the name of Sr Mary Placida. Temporary vows followed on 15 August 1923 and Perpetual vows on 12 August 1926.  For more than 30 years Sr Placida taught in Catholic Schools in Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. Sr Placida was 54 years old when she passed away on 14 September 1956.  She was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.  Sr Placida's link with St Patrick's is through her niece, Sr M Dorothea Barnable, who was for many years a popular teacher at St Patrick's Convent School. Sr Dorothea passed away on 13 November 2007 and was buried at Presentation Cemetery, St John's.

For quite a number of years the efficient secretary in St Patrick's Parish Office was Mrs Mary (Mills) Collins. Mary ran a tight ship, kept things running smoothly and was always helpful. Mary provides the St Patrick's link with our next Franciscan.

Born in Renews on 21 March 1902, Agnes J Hayes was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (White) Hayes.  Agnes had three brothers and one sister.  She attended Star of the Sea School in Renews. At 18 years of age Agnes entered the Sisters of St Francis on 25 September 1920.  Received on 29 March 1921, Agnes was given the name Sr Mary Imelda.  She professed temporary vows on 15 August 1923 and Perpetual vows on 12 August 1926.  Sr Imelda spent 58 years in active ministry in parishes and hospitals in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Missouri. On 17 June 2005, Sr Imelda Hayes passed away at the great age of 103 years old. She rests in St Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.

Alice Finlay, daughter of John and Mary (Maher) Finlay, was born on 18 November, 1887 in Trepassey on the beautiful Southern Shore.  Alice had three brothers and five sisters. In 1916 Alice left her parents and siblings to travel to the USA.  On 25 August young Alice entered the Franciscan Sisters.  The following year she was received and given the name Sr Mary Evangelist. Sr Evangelist professed temporary vows on 15 August 1919 and Perpetual vows on 15 August 1922.  Her Religious life was spent in the dietary departments of hospitals and schools operated by the Sisters of St Francis in Iowa, Illinois and California.  Sr Evangelist Finlay passed away on 9 May 1971 and was laid to rest in St Mary Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.  Sr Evangelist's connection to St Patrick's?  Read on.

Resting Place of Sr Evangelist in St Mary Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa

Annie Finlay, born in March 1885, was the sister of Sr Mary Evangelist Finlay.  I doubt if there are many of us around now who remember the quiet little lady who spent most of her adult life with the Sisters at St Patrick's Convent as a live-in domestic.  Well that lady was Annie Finlay.  For many years Annie was an integral part of St Patrick's Convent family.  Annie was well loved by the Sisters and when she passed away in 1953, she was interred in the little cemetery at St Patrick's Convent to rest among her friends, the Sisters she had loved and served in life. 

Annie Finlay's Resting Place in St Patrick's Convent Cemetery

For more about Annie, follow this link https://stpatricksconventschool.blogspot.com/2019/05/annie-finlay_12.html

I have enjoyed putting together this post and the previous one and I really hope you enjoyed reading them.  The credit (or blame) goes to my dear friend Alice who asked me a question about my Franciscan Aunt.  That's what inspired me to post about this tiny piece of Newfoundland history. I would be delighted if anyone can add anything to the posts because there may be other Sisters I missed or you might even be able to add (or correct) details.  Perhaps you might be related to someone mentioned in these posts.  It would be wonderful to hear from you and you can contact me  at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  

ST JOHN'S FRANCISCANS, PART 1

This post was inspired by my dear friend, Alice.  She asked me a question about my Aunt, who was one of the St Patrick's Franciscans.  Here I am with a little information about the Newfoundland Franciscans. 

In years gone by, many young women left their homes in Newfoundland and travelled to other parts of the world to join Religious Orders. Quite a significant number of them went to the United States. From the late 1800s to the late 1920s, 56 Newfoundlanders joined the Franciscan Sisters at Clinton, Iowa.   These valiant ladies came from all parts of the Island, including St John's.  Several of the St John's girls had attended St Patrick's Convent School.  I have been trying to find out about these Sisters and I have managed, with the help of the Franciscan's web page, to find some details which I think would be interesting to share with you here.

My search has turned up seven St John's Sisters.  They are Sisters Mary Gabriella Murphy, Mary Madeline Power, Mary Rosina English, Mary Wilhelmina Callahan, Mary Helena Penney, Mary DeBorgia McAllister and Stella Marie Penney.

On 23 August 1915, three St John's girls, Belle Murphy, Bridget Mary Power, and Mary Marcelis English, entered the Franciscans at Clinton.  

Belle Murphy was born to Matthew and Alice(O'Neill) Murphy on 16 February 1896.  At 19 years of age, Belle entered the Clinton Franciscans on 23 August 1915.  Belle was received on 24 May 1916 and was given the name Sr Mary Gabriella.  The following year, 30 August 1917, Sr Gabriella professed temporary vows.  Sadly, 23 year old Sr Gabriella Murphy passed away on 14 March 1919.  She is buried in Mount St Clare Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.

Bridget Mary Power, born on 20 February 1897, was the daughter of James and Bridget (Commerford) Power.  At five days old, Bridget was Baptized at St Patrick's Church.  Bridget later attended St Patrick's Convent School. On 23 August 1915, Bridget was one of three Newfoundland girls who entered the Franciscans at Clinton and was received on 24 May 1916.  Bridget was given the name Sr Mary Madeline. On 30 August 1917, Sr Madeline took temporary vows and, on 15 August 1920, she took Perpetual vows. On 29 June 1947, Sr Madeline Power passed away and was laid to rest at St Paul Cemetery, Macomb, Illinois..  She was 57 years old. 

Mary Marcelis English, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Margaret (Hennessey) was born in St John's on 21 August 1899.  She was only 16 years old when she arrived in the USA and presented herself to the Franciscans on 23 August 1915.  On 24 May 1916 she was received and given the name Sr Mary Rosina.  She went on to take Temporary vows on 30 August 1917 and Perpetual vows on 15 August 1920.  On 19 May 1922, Sr Rosina English passed away, three months before her 23 Birthday.  Sr Rosina rests in Mount St Clare Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.  It is not certain, but it is believed that Mary Marcelis English attended St Patrick's Convent School.

Ellen Elizabeth (Nellie) Callahan was born in St John's on 14 January 1885.  Her parents were Nicholas and Margaret (Dwyer) Callahan.  Nellie was baptized on 19 January at St Patrick's Church.  She lived at 167 New Gower St, attended St Patrick's Convent, and before going to the USA, Nellie worked as a seamstress.  On 25 August 1916, when she was 21 years old, Nellie entered the Franciscan Congregation at Clinton, Iowa. On 25 March 1917 she was received and given the name Sr Mary Wilhelmina. Sr Wilhelmina professed temporary vows in 1917 and Perpetual vows on 15 August 1919.  She trained as a nurse and served in Franciscan Hospitals in Iowa and Illinois.  Sr Wilhelmina Callahan passed away on 25 January 1965 and is buried in St Paul Cemetery, Macomb, Illinois.

Margaret Mary Penney was born to John Joseph and Ellen (Sullivan) Penney on 1 March 1901.  Margaret had seven brothers and three sisters.  Margaret was educated at St Patrick's Convent School.  When she was only 15 years old Margaret set off for Iowa. Along with Nellie Callahan, she entered the Franciscans on 25 August 1916 and was received on 25 March 1917.  Margaret received the name of Sr Mary Helena. Temporary vows were professed on 15 August 1919 and Perpetual vows on 15 August 1922. As a teacher, Sr Helena worked for 50 years in various Franciscan Schools, mainly in Iowa and Illinois. On 12 march 1991, 90 year old Sr Helena Penney passed away.  She rests in St Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.

Bridget (Bride) McAllister was born on 23 December 1901 to William and Ellen (Keels) McAllister. Bride had one brother and one sister.  They were Baptized at St Patrick's Church and Bride and her sister, Mary, were educated by the Presentation Sisters at St Patrick's Convent School. Bride worked at various jobs in St John's before deciding to join the Franciscans in Iowa. In August 1922, Sr M Evangelist, a Newfoundland Franciscan returning from holiday at home, accompanied Bride to Clinton.  On the 5 of August Bride entered the Clinton Franciscans.  The following year, on 6 March 1923, Bride was received and given the name Sr Mary DeBorgia.  Temporary vows followed on 15 August 1925 and Perpetual vows on 12 August 1928.  Sr DeBorgia served as a teacher in schools operated by the Sisters of St Francis and, in later life, assisted in caring for the elderly at Mount Alverno in Clinton and worked in the office at St Francis Hospital in Grinnell. Sr DeBorgia was 93 years old when she passed away on 3 January 1994.  She rests  with her Franciscan family in St Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa. 

Stella Mary Penney was born in St John's on 30 April 1907. Her parents were John Joseph and Ellen (Sullivan) Penney.  Stella Mary had seven brothers and three sisters.  Her sister Margaret (Sr M Helena) had preceded her to the Franciscans in 1916.  Stella entered the Franciscans on 8 August 1924, was received on 16 April 1925, and given the name Sr Mary  Chrysostom.  Temporary vows followed in 1927 an on 16 April, Sr Chrysostom professed Perpetual vows. The changes wrought by Vatican 2 permitted the Sisters to return to their Baptismal names if they wished. Sister Chrysostom took advantage of this name change (who could blame her?) and became known as Sr Stella Marie. Sr Stella Marie spent her long career as a music teacher.  For over 45 years she  taught voice, piano, organ and band in many Franciscan Schools. On 3 March 1992, Sr Stella Marie Penney passed away and was laid to rest in St Irenaeus Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa. 

There is more to add but I am afraid you will stop reading if the post is too long.  So, I will leave it there for now but will add the rest tomorrow or the next day.  I hope you will read it all because, you never know, you just might find a relative of yours among those valiant girls and young women.  

MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS

November is bearing down upon us once again. The church traditionally keeps November as the month when we particularly remember those who have gone before us. It is  the month of the Holy Souls.  

👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉  

On the right hand side of the page you will see a list of departed pupils and teachers of ST PATRICK'S CONVENT  SCHOOLS. Over the years I have tried to add the names of our departed family and school friends to this list. Naturally, I do not know everyone so it is to be expected that some names will be missing.  This is where I depend on you to help me.  There are several faithful supporters of this Blog who usually inform me of any St Patrick's Convent family who pass away and I am extremely grateful to them.  Now, I am asking all of you to give me a hand this November. Just scroll down the column at the right and if you know of any St Patrick's student or teacher who is not on our list, please email their detail to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com so that we can all remember them in our November prayers.  It doesn't matter how long ago or how recently they died. We want to remember all of our St Patrick's Convent people.  So please let me know of anyone I have left out.  Just send me the name, maiden and married, and if you know it, the date of their death.

Thank you for your help.  May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

MEMORIAL DAY , "BETTER THAN THE BEST"

The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of WWI and one of the bloodiest in human history. It began on 1^st July 1916 and dragged on for almost five months, ending when Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig called off the offensive in November. Over the 141 day battle, casualties were more than one million with over 300,000 deaths. The British had advanced a paltry five miles!

Marker at Beaumont Hamel

No Canadian infantry units participated in the attack on 1^st July.  (Newfoundland was not part of Canada until 1949!) The 1^st Newfoundland Regiment, attached to a British division, was there.  On that morning the Newfoundland Regiment was cut down by German machine-gun fire as it attacked over open ground. Pte Cameron of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers witnessed the battle.  He wrote, “On came the Newfoundlanders, a great body of men, but the fire intensified and they were wiped out in front of my eyes.”

Plaque in the Museum at Ypres

After the Battle of 1st July, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces, Sir Douglas Haig, wrote to the Newfoundland Government “I should like you to let my fellow citizens of the Empire in the oldest overseas portion of the British Realm know how well their lads have done, both Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, and how proud I, as their Corps Commander, am to have had such a Battalion under my command, and to be a comrade in arms of each and all of them.  Newfoundlanders, I salute you!  You are Better than the Best"

In the Museum at Ypres

In the 1920s the Newfoundland Government bought the ground over which the Newfoundland Regiment fought. 

Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel, France

The first Memorial Day ceremony took place in downtown St John’s one year after the battle. For many years 1^st July was an official day of Remembrance in Newfoundland but now Memorial Day is very largely overshadowed by the celebration of Canada Day (more’s the pity!).

War Memorial, St John's

Get yourselves off to Bowring Park today (INVITATION OR NO INVITATION!) and sing it LOUD and sing it PROUD!

https://youtu.be/J_wzVUaKLi0

They won us the right to sing it!