OUR ROOTS ARE SHOWING!

Before you read another word, I must tell you that this post has absolutely nothing to do with St Patrick! However, it does have much to do with our roots, our Newfoundland heritage, and our way of speaking.  

A couple of days ago I was reading a book and I came across an amusing little anecdote that really delighted me.  As St Catherine of Alexandria is the Saint involved perhaps I should wait until 25th November, St Catherine's Day,  to post it.  No, I can't wait.  I think it is so cute I want to share it with you right away.  

Among other things, St Catherine is the Patron Saint of unmarried girls.  This little anecdote that I came across told of the young girls of Milton Abbas in Dorset who used to chant this little prayer to St Catherine.

"St Catherine, St Catherine, O lend me thine aid, 

and grant that I never may die an old maid.

A husband, St Catherine, a good one, 

St Catherine,

But arn-a-one better than narn-a-one, 

St Catherine.

Sweet St Catherine, a husband St Catherine,

Handsome St Catherine, rich, St Catherine,

Soon, St Catherine."

I don't suppose this verse would be considered politically correct today but it was the 'arn' and 'narn' that jumped out at me when I read it. We all learned in school that Newfoundland's first settlers were mainly people from Ireland and the West Country of England.  The West Country includes Dorset. I was just pleased to find such an unexpected confirmation of our Dorset roots and, if you haven't already heard this verse, I hope you will enjoy it now.

Dorset, where some of our forebears hailed from

ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE MONTH

Teri Healey Evans has been in touch to tell us about the forthcoming ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE.  Here is Terri's email.

"AUGUST is ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE MONTH. In honour of my sister Cindy & all the many people afflicted with ALS, I have decided to  host an ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE on Sunday August 20, 2017, 2:30 pm, at Middle Cove Beach. The fee to participate will be $10.00 (more or less whatever you can afford) per person (Children under 12 free) & all proceeds will go to the NL Chapter of The ALS Society. My goal is to get as many people as possible to attend & maybe we can break a record! I am challenging all of my family, friends, co-workers, & any businesses to participate. The ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE should only take a few minutes of your time but just think of all the good that may come out of it. Please come along, invite friends & share on facebook! This event will only go ahead if we can get the numbers, but it WILL go ahead rain or shine. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Don't forget to bring your bucket & towel! You can RSVP burgawgirl@gmail.com

Thanks! 

Teri Healey Evans"

WILL YOU TAKE THE CHALLENGE?

I am sure you are all aware of what a terrible illness ALS is and, readers of this Blog will also be aware of all the hard work Terri and her family put in on behalf of the NL Chapter of the ALS Society.  Let's give Teri all the support we can muster and help rid the world of ALS!

WINNIFRED SULLIVAN AND CLASSMATES

***** THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 12th OCTOBER 2015.  DOREEN HAS RECENTLY HELPED WITH A FEW MORE NAMES SO WE ARE RE-POSTING IN THE HOPE THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE HER MEMORY  JOGGED AND WE WILL RECEIVE EVEN MORE NAMES. HERE IS THE ORIGINAL POST: 

"I have received a very interesting photo from Pamela (Brown) Hartman.  Pamela graduated from St Patrick's in 1976.  Pamela's mother, WINNIFRED SULLIVAN, is in this picture, front row, fifth from right. 

Winnifred Sullivan Brown is in the very centre
of the front row, 5th right.

The photo, taken in the 1950s, is of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class.  After graduation, many girls went on to do a Business Course, known in those days as"Commercial Class".  Sr Imelda taught Commercial at St Patrick's for many, many years before eventually being transferred to the new High School, Holy Heart of Mary.  Sr Imelda's Commercial graduates were always well instructed and in great demand in offices in St John's.  So highly were they thought of that company bosses and directors would contact the school looking for graduates to fill vacancies in their offices.  Hence, most of the girls would have jobs waiting for them upon completion of their Commercial course.

I am posting a cropped version and the original version of the photo.  The cropped version is to give you a closer look at the girls so that, hopefully, you can identify some of them for us.  I do have someone working on that at the moment but if any of you can help, it would be much appreciated.  (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge!) You can send any information you might have to mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will add it to the post.

Sr Imelda's "Commercial Class", 1950s.
The Deanery Avenue School is in the background.

I love the original version of this photo.  The old Deanery Avenue School is in the background.  This School, which opened in 1921, was built as a memorial to the men and boys of St Patrick's Parish who gave their lives in WWI.  Sadly, this School is no more and where it once stood there is now just a vacant lot.  There is nothing, neither plaque nor word nor picture, to remind the populace of the dedicated teachers, the generations of children nor of the brave young men for whom it was meant as a lasting tribute.

Pamela, thank you very much for sharing this beautiful photo with us.  I hope someone will be able to come up with a bit of information for you."

NOW FOR THE ADDITIONAL NAMES I HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

ROW 1: 

3rd L, Mary Ford; 

5th L, Winnifred Sullivan; 

9th L, Kay Barron;

ROW 2:  

8 L, ? Collins;

ROW 3:  

1 L, ? Horan;

IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY SOMEONE IN THIS PHOTO, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AT mcallistersmith@gmail.com. 

GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN

I apologise for the delay in reporting these two get-togethers.  There are several reasons for my tardiness, i.e holidays and computer problems!  

Both gatherings took place in May and we are really happy to post them here today.

The first photo is from Joan Reynolds Fogarty. Joan and her classmates are still meeting several times a year for a meal and a chat.  This group of ladies is remarkable in their lasting friendship and loyalty to one another. This get-together took place on 15th May at Milestones.  

The friends in the photo are:
Front L-R: Catherine Corbett Stanley, Kathleen Dobbin Benson, Rosemary Ashley Healy
Back L-R:  Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Patricia Connolly Leonard, Mary Fitzgerald, Brenda Casey Grouchy, Joan Connolly Alston, Betty Fitzgerald Pye, Mary Bulger Corcoran 

CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS!

Joan said they had a wonderful time and they plan to meet up again in September. We will be waiting for news of it, Joan.  

The next photo is from Christine Mary Butler.  Christine has sent us a photo of the fourth annual gathering of the Grade 3 Class of 1967/68. This gathering took place on 28th May at Smitty's Restaurant in Mt Pearl. Christine said it was an awesome afternoon!  She also tells us that plans are in hand for next year's big 50th Anniversary reunion. Anyone interested can contact Christine on butlerchristine@nl.rogers.co.

FOURTH ANNUAL GATHERING

Thank you to Joan and Christine for keeping us in touch with what you are getting up to these days and we look forward to hearing more from you both very soon.  Christine, if you would like us to post any news or details re the 50th celebrations, just send details to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will be delighted to spread the word for you.