MORE FROM HOLY CROSS YEARBOOK, 1961

We have two more pictures from the 1961 Holy Cross Yearbook.  The pictures tell their own stories but if any of you are able to add to the stories, please share with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

HOLY CROSS JUNIOR FOOTBALL TEAM 1960/61

Front, L-R: Vic Dawson, Ted Downey, T Mallay, Otto Byrne, B Fitzgerald

Back, L-R: Bill Downey, John Walsh, Justin Pierson, Joe Ashley, J Power   

HOLY CROSS SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPS, 1960

Front, L-R: Mike Hearn, Jim Finlay, Gerry Holden, Clarence Husk, Patsy Hearn, Mike Kinsella, Larry Dillon

Back, L-R: Ron Baird, Br J M Savage, Cyril Kane, Pat Densmore, Roger Maunder, Gus Neville, Mike Healey, Bill Melee, Gerry Tobin

AND THE COACHES WERE:

BR HICKEY, JUNIOR FOOTBALL COACH

BR SAVAGE, SENIOR FOOTBALL COACH

MOYA GREENE GREETS THE QUEEN

Today is the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrations began yesterday in Windsor when Her Majesty opened a new Bandstand, did one of her usual walkabouts, and visited the Royal Mail Sorting Office there.  To mark the Queen's special Birthday, the name of the Windsor Sorting Office has been renamed "Queen Elizabeth Delivery Office".

Perhaps some of you are wondering what all of this has to do with St Patrick's Convent School as it is highly unlikely that Her Majesty is  a Graduate of that well loved institution.  I will explain!

The Chief Executive Officer of Royal Mail is none other than Moya Greene who is a former pupil of St Patrick's Convent School and many of you have been her classmates and sung in choirs with her. Moya is the first woman and the first non-Briton to head Royal Mail, the United Kingdom's state owned postal service.


Moya officially welcomed Her Majesty to Windsor Sorting Office and escorted her on a tour.   Here are some photos from yesterday's celebration.

Here is one last picture of Moya.  It was sent to us by Norma Peddle Bulger. Norma tells us that it was taken in 1969 and identifies the "tall girl in the dark rimmed glasses" as her sister, Janet Peddle.  By coincidence, the blonde girl on Janet's right is, yes, you guessed it, Moya Greene.  Thanks for the picture Norma. 

The girl in the dark rimmed glasses is Janet Peddle and to Janet's right is a young Moya Greene in her days with St Patrick's Convent Award Winning Choir.

The Royal Mail had its beginning with King Henry VIII.  His father, the parsimonious Henry VII, had awarded John Cabot a pension of £10 for the discovery of the "new found land". What a surprise he'd get if he could only know that, 500 years later, The Royal Mail is in the capable hands of a daughter of that wonderful Newfoundland!  Well done Moya!

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY, YOUR MAJESTY

ST PATRICK'S GIRLS GLEE CLUB RECORDING "SPELL CANADA"

We have KATHY STONE MEEKER to thank for this amazing post.  Kathy originally posted it to our facebook page. I think it is so lovely that it should be shared on the blog too.  I am pretty certain you will all enjoy it.  I certainly did!  Thank you very much Kathy.   

 


Are there any more recordings of St Patrick's choirs out there?  Please make us all happy by sharing them with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

THANKS TO BRIAN WALSH!

I know that for a number of years boys attended St Patrick's Convent before moving on to Holy Cross. Unfortunately, not many of them send us photos of their time at St Patrick's.  Therefore, I am more than grateful, as well as very happy, to have received this gorgeous picture from Brian Walsh!  

AFTERNOON KINDERGARTEN CLASS, 1967

Brian Walsh is in the second row, far right.   According to Brian, third from the right of Brian is Ed Oates.  The boy at the far left of the third row is John Quinlan.   

It would be really wonderful if someone can identify more of these handsome little tykes.  It would be good too if you could tell us the name of the teacher. Any information you can give us would be appreciated and you can email it to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

***Debbie Meyer has gotten in touch to tell us that the little boy in the far right of the front row is her brother, Robert (Bob) Thomas. She said that he has identified the teacher as Mrs Madden.    

Thank you Brian for sharing this lovely photo and all the memories that it will rekindle.  Your support of the St Patrick's Blog is certainly appreciated and we hope you will keep in touch. Thank you also to Debbie Meyer for identifying her brother Bob and thank you Bob for giving us the name of the teacher.  With a bit of luck, someone else will be able to tell us a little more about this charming class picture.

ST PATRICK'S YEARBOOK, 1979

Here is a selection of photographs from St Patrick's Convent School Yearbook, 1979. Are you in any of the pictures? Can you tell us a bit about them and the activities? You can send your stories to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be happy to share the information here on the blog.

****UPDATE!  The little girl playing the xylophone has gotten in touch and we are very happy to be able to put a name to the pretty face.  It is Linda BARRETT McLeod.  It is so nice to have a name to go along with the picture so thanks Linda for getting in touch.  Anyone else out there with some names to add?  If so, we would love to hear from you at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

ACCORDING TO THE YEARBOOK, EXCEPT FOR ONE, THESE ARE THE DANCERS.  COULD SR LUKE BE THE EXCEPTION?

LINDA BARRETT - MAKING MUSIC

A HELPING HAND FROM MISS LAWTON

IN THE LIBRARY 

STILL IN THE LIBRARY

1978 MEDAL WINNING BASKETBALL TEAM

Norma PEDDLE Bulger has kindly sent us a picture of another St Patrick's basketball team - champions again! 

Norma said "Here is another picture of the St.Patrick’s Basketball Team taken in 1978 when we earned the right to play in the Newfoundland Winter Games in Gander-Grand Falls.  We came home with the Bronze Medal.  You can post if you think the quality is OK. I didn’t want to remove it from the album since its been there so long and I’m afraid I may tear it."

In an attempt to make it easier to see the girls, I have cropped the picture, removing the details and names from the bottom of the newspaper photo. However, I will also post that descriptive part of the photo so you will be able to see the names of these talented young girls.  If you click on each photo they will enlarge and it will be easier for you to read the names. 

Norma has sent us some very interesting material which we have used in previous posts so we are very grateful to her for all her loyal support.  We hope Norma has lots more to share with us!

THE 1978 MEDAL WINNING TEAM

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

CLASS PHOTOS FROM 1967

Some time ago we had computer problems and we lost some photographs. We were able to get back most of them, hopefully all of them. The two pictures that are posted here were among those we retrieved so we are very happy to post them today. We do have one small problem though - we aren't 100% positive who sent them to us!  I think I have worked it out but,  if I have attributed them to the wrong person, please let me know. We are so very grateful to everyone who contributes to this blog and we like to give credit where credit is due.

This first photo was contributed by Ann Joy.  Ann also gave us the names of all the girls.  She apologises if any names are incorrect and both Ann and I hope you will correct any mistakes.

MISS CROFT(MRS MEANEY) AND HER CLASS, 1967

1st Row L-R: Annette Kenny, Janice McGrath, Heather McDonald, Barbara Wickham, Sharon Thistle, Patricia Hynes, Patricia Adams, Sandy Woods, Miss Anna Croft

2nd Row: Linda Constantine, Elizabeth Short, Maureen Lundrigan, Maureen O'Rielly, Elizabeth Chafe, Brenda Hurley, Ann Kavanagh, Joyce Dillon, Felicita Walsh

3rd Row: Barbara O'Neill, Carol Ann Kirkland, Jacqueline Holden, Sandra Fitzpatrick, Lauren Peddle, Sharon Oliver, Colleen Antle, Yvonne Wicks, Nancy Maher, Dianne Darcy

4th Row:Mary Lou McGrath, Joan Power, Brenda Hamlyn, Barbara Manning, Barbara Connors, Alicia Price, Cynthia O'Reilly, Joanne Moore, Angela Hawco

The second picture was submitted by Janice Baird and it is Mrs McGrath's Grade 4 Class from 1967.  Janice said that she is "the blonde on the end of the first row".  If anyone can help us out with some more names, we would be pleased to hear from you at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  A very big THANK YOU to Ann and Janice for your contributions.  

MRS McGRATH AND HER GRADE 4 CLASS, 1967

SISTER M PATRICK WADDEN PBVM

While perusing an old scrapbook, which belonged to my late Aunt, I came across this clipping from a 1920's newspaper. The writing certainly differs from today's reporting style and the degree of respect is also quite evident. 

The article very respectfully announces the death of a member of the St Patrick's Convent Community, Sr M Patrick Wadden.  A native of County Wexford, Sr Patrick left her native Ireland to enter the Presentation Congregation at Riverhead (St Patrick's) in 1883.   

THE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FROM MARCH 1920

The newspaper does not give any details of Sr Patrick's funeral but I did find her resting place. She is buried in the little St Patrick's Convent Cemetery which is nestled between the Convent and St Patrick's Church.

THE RESTING PLACE OF SR  M PATRICK WADDEN

As you probably noticed, there is a discrepancy between the day of death reported in the newspaper article and on the headstone.  If, as the article states, Sr Patrick died on a Saturday, then the date on the headstone is incorrect because 6th March 1920 was actually a Saturday.  On the other hand, if the newspaper got the day wrong then it is possible that Sr Patrick died on 8th March, which was a Monday, and the headstone indeed carries the correct date.

A little mystery for us to solve perhaps? In any case, because today could be the anniversary of Sr Patrick's death, let's just give thanks for her courage, her faith and her work among the people of St Patrick's.  May she rest in peace. 

HOLY CROSS YEARBOOK, 1961

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Eleanor, I am able to post some very interesting photographs from a 1961 Holy Cross Yearbook.  The yearbook belonged to her late husband, Shannon.  I hope I don't offend anyone but, in all honesty, I have to say  whoever took the pictures for this yearbook was a pretty poor photographer.  Some of the pictures are fine but most of the class and group pictures are really poor quality.  Anyway, I have picked out some of the better ones and I will post them for you all to enjoy.  As well as finding your brothers here, you just might come across some youthful crushes and even an old boy friend or two - maybe even an old boyfriend  who eventually became your husband!

 Cover of the 1961
Holy Cross Yearbook, "Crusader"



Grade 9, 1961, Brother Lawlor is the teacher



Grade 3, 1961, Mrs M Hollihan is the teacher

Holy Cross Senior Glee Club, 1961





 

Thanks, Eleanor, for keeping Shannon's Yearbook safe and for letting me borrow it.  I think it will kindle memories (some fond and some not so fond?) for lots of people.   Anyone with pictures, yearbooks, stories, etc, of Holy Cross or St Patrick's is welcome to share.  Just send anything you have to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will all be very grateful to you.  Anyway, as they say, "watch this space" because we will be posting more from the 1961 Holy Cross Yearbook, "CRUSADER".

TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC, LONDON

I know that 2016 is almost a whole month old but, as this is my first post of the year, I want to wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope that you will all continue to support this blog with your comments, photographs and stories.



Today we have a real blast from the past - some wonderful certificates that will, I think, be greatly appreciated by all of you musicians out there.  The certificates were kindly shared by NORMA PEDDLE BULGER.  These TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC CERTIFICATES were awarded to her late mother, NELLIE SPARROW PEDDLE in the 1940s.  Norma said that her mother was a beautiful singer and a wonderful pianist.

We are grateful to Norma for sharing these wonderful mementos of her dear mother with us.  We are pretty certain that they will stir some musical memories for readers of this blog.  Memories of Mother Francis, Mother Gerard, Sister Presentation, Sr Edwardine, Sr Brendan and many, many others.  If you have  a musical moment that you would like to share, please contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  We would love to hear from you.


Trinity College of Music Certificate awarded to
Nellie Sparrow in 1942

 

Nellie's Theory of Music Certificate awarded in 1944
 

Theory of Music Certificate awarded to
Nellie Sparrow in 1945



FRIENDS FESTIVE GATHERINGS

We have two nice festive pictures to post today. The photos come to us courtesy of Joan Reynolds Fogarty and Pat Hurley McDonald.

Joan Fogarty and her school friends really have something very special.  Their friendship! These ladies have been friends since their school days at St Patrick’s and they maintain that friendship by being there for one another in good times and not so good times.  They also meet up several times a year to share a meal, chat, laugh and just take pleasure in each other’s company.  Long may they continue to do so!

This photo was taken on 2^nd December at The Sheraton Hotel where the friends held their Christmas Dinner and enjoyed a lovely evening.

BACK ROW: Rosemary Ashley Healy, Joan Connolly Alston, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Brenda Casey Grouchy, Joan Reynolds Fogarty

FRONT ROW: Madeline Adams Thomson, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Mary Fitzgerald, Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Eleanor Sears Vatcher.

Our second festive photo  comes from Pat Hurley McDonald.  Again we have a group of school friends who have become life-long friends.  Janet McGrath Crane is home from Florida to celebrate Christmas with her daughters and their families so, as always, the friends took advantage of the opportunity to meet up.  The celebratory meal took place on 16^th December at Milestones Restaurant on Torbay Road.  From the looks of the ladies, we can see that it too was a happy and enjoyable event.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Kay Johnson, Cynthia Murphy, Maureen O’Brien, Pat Hurley, Carmel Hayes, Mary Johnson and Janet McGrath.

Many thanks to Joan and Pat for the photographs and thanks to both of you for all the help and support you give to this blog.  We wish you and all your friends a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2016.  We look forward to hearing about your future escapades.  May they be many and may they all be happy ones!

ST PATRICK'S BASKETBALL CHAMPS, 1975

Norma PEDDLE Bulger is the youngest of seven sisters who all attended St Patrick’s Convent Schools.  Norma attended St Patrick’s from 1967 to 1976.  Norma’s mother, the late Nellie Sparrow, also attended St Patrick’s so the family’s St Patrick’s roots run deep.  Sadly, Norma’s dear Mom passed away this year on 17^th January at the age of 84 years.



Norma's beautiful Mother,
the late Nellie (Sparrow) Peddle

Norma’s mother had prepared an album for each of her girls and, while going through hers, Norma came across a wonderful picture which was published in the Evening Telegram on 16^th December 1975.  That is exactly 40 years ago today! Once again, St Patrick's girls had displayed their talents - this time by winning the  Roman Catholic Junior High School Basketball Championship for 1975!  Therefore, Norma & I thought it would be a good idea to post it on our St Patrick’s School Blog and facebook page today, the  FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY.  Where do the years go?  Anyway, here is the picture just as it appeared forty years ago today.




ROMAN CATHOLIC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
BASKETBALL CHAMPS, 1975

I have also cropped the picture so, hopefully, you will be able to see the champs more clearly.

OUR TALENTED CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, 1975

It might be  a bit difficult to read the details that accompany the photo but here is what it said:

"St Patrick's Girls School captured the Roman Catholic Junior High School Basketball championship during the weekend by defeating St Francis of Assisi of Outer Cove 18-16 in the championship game.  Members of the winning team are, first row (l-r) Patrice Power, Vicki Walsh, Mary Hearn, Paula Noseworthy, Chris Howlett, Susan Hayes, Cathy Walsh, Marion Walsh.  Second row; manager Michelle Walsh, Michelle Brennan, Debbie Hanlon, Janet Flynn,  Debbie Pittman, Norma Peddle, Daphne Howard, coach Susan Poole"

 

Norma, thank you very much for sharing these wonderful photographs and memories.  If you or your sisters come across any other pictures of your school days, we hope you will share them with us also. 



THE PEDDLE SISTERS
(L-R) BRENDA, MOYA, JANET, DIANNE, BARBARA, NORMA & THE LATE LAUREN 

If any other members of the championship team are reading this, please tell us  your memories of that happy event.  You can contact us on mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

MISS PATRICIA LAIDLEY'S GRADE 7 CLASS, 1967

Today we have a photo from 1967.  It was sent to us by Paula Jackman who is on the extreme right in the front row.  It is Paula's Grade 7 class and the teacher is Miss Patricia Laidley.  Paula has given us most of the girls' names but there are a few missing.  Perhaps you can help us out with the missing ones.  If you can, please get in touch with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

ST PATRICK'S CONVENT SCHOOL, GRADE 7, 1967

 

ROW 1, L-R: Janice McGrath, Marilyn Whalen, Brenda Carroll, Donna Aylward, Donna Power, Karen Ryan, Donna Martin, Paula Jackman, Miss Patricia Laidley

ROW 2:  Marilyn Skinner, Victoria Osborne, Elizabeth McDonald,?, Patricia Murphy, Barbara McAllister, Dianne Madden, Caroline Courish

ROW 3: ?, Maxine Miller, Susan Walsh, Carol Short, Diane Fagan, Mary McDonald, Denise ?, Alice ?,

ROW 4: Debbie Murphy, Judy Kane, Maureen Hamilton, Sharon Reddy, Regina Whelan, Reverna Griffin, ?, Teresita Healey, Cathy Emberly

Paula, we are very grateful to you for sharing this lovely class photograph.  Anything else you might like to share, photos or stories, would be very welcome.  We are always on the lookout for material for this blog so anyone who wishes to share memories of their days at St Patrick's can contact us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  Don't forget to check us out on facebook also!



CONGRATULATIONS, MARIAN WALSH

I expect you will probably be reading about this in the media too but I could not let it pass without adding our CONGRATULATIONS to one of our own St Patrick’s girls, MARIAN WALSH. Marian was born in St John’s to Betty and the late Leo Walsh.  Many of us will have been schoolmates and friends of Marian and her sisters, who all attended St Patrick’s Convent Schools.

At present Marian is the Associate CEO and Chief Transformation Officer with Sinai Health System.  She has recently been named a WXN 2015 CANADA’S MOST POWERFUL WOMEN: TOP 100 AWARD WINNER. 

In speaking of Marian’s award, Joseph Mapa, President and CEO of Sinai Health System, said; “I have been an admirer of her long-standing commitment to positively impacting the lives of patients and families. Possibly her most significant accomplishment to date has been the transformation of Riverdale Hospital into Bridgepoint Active Healthcare and, under her leadership, its evolution into a preeminent, high performing leader in healthcare for complex patients.”      He goes on to say; “The Top 100 Awards recognizes exceptional female leaders, role models and change agents.  In my view, Marian exemplifies every trait at the highest level.”

MARIAN WALSH

 MARIAN WALSH
Associate CEO & Chief Transformation Officer, Sinai Health System
BIO:

Identified as a futurist by Canadian Healthcare Manager magazine, Marian Walsh is a visionary and advocate for transforming the health-care system to meet the evolving needs of patients. She has built Canada’s leading health-care organization for research, education and care focused on complex health conditions.             

BREAKING BARRIERS:

“When I became CEO there were virtually no other women CEOs, unless they came from religious orders. I initiated a network for hospital women CEOs in Toronto to support and promote more women in the C-Suite.”

TEAM/LEADERSHIP BUILDING:

“Engage team members individually and collectively on strategy and vision every quarter at least. Make time and space for thoughtful discussion. I deliberately surround myself with nice people who are smart, have different perspectives and are willing to challenge.”

 

Marian, our heartiest congratulations go to you.  You have done us all proud!

 

(My thanks to Doreen Walsh Noseworthy, Marian's understandably proud sister, for alerting us to this happy news.) 

A VISIT TO PRESENTATION ARCHIVES

Today, 21st November, is Presentation Day.  It is a very meaningful day for all Presentation Sisters and for those who have been educated by them.  To mark this special day, I am posting some photographs taken during a most interesting visit to Presentation Archives, St John's.

 

In September, at the invitation of Assistant Archivist Wanita Bates, Betty Simms and I spent a most pleasant afternoon at the Archives.  We were warmly welcomed by Wanita and Archivist Sr Patricia Whittle PBVM.  To be quite honest, an afternoon was not nearly enough to peruse the wonderful material housed there.  (We are keeping our fingers crossed that another invitation will be forthcoming!)

 

Time and space does not permit an in depth account of our visit but suffice it to say that Sr Patricia and Wanita are worthy guardians of a long and impressive history.  A history that we, as Newfoundlanders and as beneficiaries of the Presentation ethos, should be extremely proud to own.

Our visit to Presentation Archives

The dolls in the display case are all in pre Vatican II attire.  From left to right they are Postulant, Novice and Professed Sister.  Some of us will remember the Sisters in just such Habits.  The cloak that the Professed Sister is wearing was not part of the everyday dress of the Sisters.  It was worn only on special occasions.

 

Captain William Staunton
(Photo Courtesy Presentation Archives, Newfoundland)

Captain William Staunton was  master of the brig Ariel. On 21st September 1833 the Ariel, under command of Captain Staunton, arrived in St John's Harbour.  With him were Bishop M A Fleming and four Presentations Sisters.  The four, Sisters Bernard Kirwan, Xaverius Lynch, Magdalen O'Shaughnessy and Xavier Molony founded the first Presentation Convent outside Ireland and therefore the first in North America.  Captain Staunton retired in St John's and died there in 1884, aged 84.

Three St Patrick's 'Girls'

Here we are with Presentation Archivist, Sr Patricia Whittle PBVM.  Sr Patricia, the pretty lady in the centre, is an alumna of St Patrick's Convent School.  In case you are too young to remember our Sisters in Habits, the mannequin behind us will give you a pretty good idea of how they looked.

 

Mother John's beautiful work

This beautiful piece of work was of special interest to us.  Mother John, as we knew her, was our Grade 4 teacher.  We have vivid memories of Mother John but Betty and I were not aware of the extent of her artistic talent.   

The description

This notice was attached to Mother John's work of art.  As well as a description of the work, it also gives a little information about the artist.

With Wanita, Lucky, and Sr Patricia

 Assistant Archivist, Wanita Bates, was kept busy taking our pictures but we were really delighted when she and Sr Patricia  agreed to another photo.  This time Betty was the photographer!  Sr Patricia is the Archivist, Wanita is the Assistant Archivist and I think Lucky must be the Assistant Assistant Archivist. 

The Presentation of Our Lady

This painting depicts the Presentation of Mary in the temple.  It was painted by a Sister at the Motherhouse.  It is not in the Archives but it is on display in one of the parlours for all to see and admire.

 

We are deeply grateful to Sr Patricia Whittle and Wanita Bates for an unforgettable experience. Our afternoon with you was informative, interesting and enjoyable and we thank you most sincerely.  We wish you both a very Happy Presentation Day.  We know you will keep the lamp burning brightly.

 

A HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY TO ALL ST PATRICK'S STUDENTS, WHERE

EVER YOU MAY BE TODAY