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Recent Messages ... 2010

Memories of St. Aloysius: It was so great to find this site, and the first visitor's letter I see is from someone I remember from St. Aloysius! I was there 1953-1955, having gone to Bellerive (also FCJ) in Liverpool, 1947-1953. I remember Pam Harris, too, as of course Frances McKenna, with whom I ran around in school, together with Pat Collins, Mary Williams and Vivian Woodham, a friend of Frances. I also have very fond memories of most of the teachers and nuns mentioned, especially Mother Dorothy, who once chased me all around the school and caught me! She was one spry lady. I am so grateful to them all for what they taught me, although I did not know all of the ones mentioned by Pam. I also remember Miss Gorman (English) Miss Russell (Latin). After St. Aloysius, I went to La Chassotte, (another FCJ convent) in Fribourg, Switzerland 1955-1956, after which I returned with my parents to their country of origin, El Salvador. My name at that time was Ileana Serrano, I am now an American named Ileana Bash, and I live in Sandy, Utah, in the United States with my husband. I am so thrilled to have found this site and hope to find more news of people I knew when I was in Europe. I am also very grateful for all I learned at the FCJ schools I attended, it has helped me in life. I am retired military, but I'm still working as a translator, Spanish to English, locally.
Ileana Bash

Comme une flamme ardent: Mes cheres Soeurs, I am looking for details of dear Sr Thérèse de Rancé's book, Comme une Flamme Ardente. My cherished copy was given to a French teacher and alas we no longer have a copy. For the present, I simply need date of publication and the name of the publisher. However if another copy could come to Australia that would be wonderful. Madeleine Bothams,nee Grogan,sister of Patricia Grogan FCJ died on June 26th 2010. I still have very happy memories of my tertain days at Rue de la Santé in 1979, when we were priveleged to have Patricia and Thérèse inspire us with their own great love of Marie Madeleine. Those days with all the dear French sisters who lived there at that time made a deep and lasting impression. In companionship.
Margaret Claver fcJ

My name is Eileen Sayers Corba. I'm living in the US now and was just talking to Susan Stokeld. We would love to get in touch with anyone who remembers us. Kind Regards.
Eileen Corba

Hello, I would like to contact anyone in my class from 52 to 56...............susan stokeld of the 'chain gang'.............thank you! I would like to know how to contact chums from the fifties.....thank you!
Susan Stokeld

Does anyone have any photos for that celebration we had on that Saturday at the Metropolitan Cathedral. I was the soprano soloist who travelled up from London in all adversity, an old St Victoire's Convent School girl with Josephine Clayton as my head teacher, who died just after my Dad died just a few months before that Mass. I was unable to attend Jo's funeral as I'd only just buried my Dad, but came to sing and dedicate my solo to her. Have been trying to get some photos of that occasion for more than a year and there was a photographer there, so I just wondered where they photos went? Many thanks, and a very happy New Year.
Una Barry       (NOTE: webwriters do not have these photos!)

I found your website by accident and it brought back many memories. As Pam Harris I lived in Chelsea and still live nearby in Pimlico. I would love to hear from anybody who remembers me. 
      I have many happy memories of my time at St. Aloysius .Phoenix Rd. between 1951 and 1958. I realized long ago that the education I received there was second to none. We were encouraged to aim for the highest achievements academically, spiritually and personally. I am grateful for the care and discipline of the teachers and staff. I remember especially Miss Cunningham (English). Miss Worthington (Malhs), Mrs Hutchison (Science and Latin),  Mrs Thomas (Music).  Mother Theodore was headteacher followed by Mother Patricia. Mother Agatha was feared by all. She was the guardian of the skin length and uniform blemish as she stood on duty by the entrance, morning and evening. As I got older I recognised that behind her fierce appearance was a sense of humour. I also remember Mother Alice and dear Mother Dorothy.
     I worked in industry for five years, gaining HNC qualifications in Chemistry, before marrying and spending twelve years at home bringing up three children. During this time I gained a B.Ed.Honours Degree at London University followed later by a Diploma in Education. I taught at local primary schools in Pimlico for twenty five years and loved every minute of it.
     Thank you to the FCJs for the provision of such good education. Because of it I have lived a very happy and fulfilled life.
     I would love to hear from anyone who knows me. Some names I remember are Pamela Sabini, Eileen Devitt, Rita Skillen, Pattie Smith, Pat Fitzgerald, Joy Clatworthy, Julie Francis, Valerie Bryant, Maureen McNicholas and Patricia Collins.
      I saw on a message posted in 2001 from a Doug Shaw (Canada) the name Sister Francis McKenna.  I think this is the Francis McKenna I knew at Phoenix Rd. I remember her with much affection. She wore dark rimmed glasses and was very quiet and thoughtful but had a wicked sense of humour. She surprised as all at the end of VI form by announcing that she was entering the order of FCJs.
      I am retired now, have been happily married for nearly fifty years, have nine grandchildren and spend my time between London and Brighton. I am still very active (swim daily) and tutor grandchildren for GCSE in Chemistry and French.  I hope that schools such as St. Aloysius, now Maria Fidelis, continue to thrive and provide the same solid education for many years.
Pam Duley (née Harris), England

Buongiorno mia sorella, sono felice di fare la vostra conoscenza attraverso il vostro sito e sono stato toccato veramente dal vostro carisma e la vostra spiritualità ed amerò servire il Signore nella vostra congregazione.  Sono in una famiglia impegnata nella chiesa cattolica ed io stesso.  Sono Gwladys Estelle NGUIGNONG, sono della nazionalità del Camerun e sono a Yaoundé per i miei studi.  Vi auguro un'eccellente festa.  
Gwladys, Camerun

Translation:
Hello Sisters, I am happy to make your acquaintance through your web site and I am truly touched by your charism, spirituality and loving service of the Lord in your congregation.  Both my family and I are committed to the Catholic Church.  My name is Gwladys Estelle Nguignog, from the Cameroon and I am at Yaoundé for my studies.  I wish you an excellent feast.

Hello to Carol Brannigan, Mary Mc Auley and Jacqui Lamb.
I was probably a year ot two ahead of you in school, so you may not remember me. However, it's always nice to catch up with peers! My name is Joan Mc Geough. I was a pupil at St. Margaret's Convent 1964-1970. Sr Patricia (RIP) was headmistress at the time. On leaving school, I became an FCJ sister, so you will now understand why I may be looking at the FCJ web site!
      I don't know what became of Mary Mc Laughlan, I'm afraid. I do remember a teacher, Mary Ross, who became a sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
      I hope you and all close to you are well,  God bless,
Joan FCJ, Brussels, Belgium

Hello all former FCJ Convent Pupils
I noticed that there was a message from a Mary McAuley and Carol Branningan - I think you may have been at St Margaret's in Paisley the same time as I was - 1965 - 1970. I then went to St Margaret's Convent in Edinburgh. I would dearly love to trace a wonderful teacher called Miss Mary McLaughlan - she became a Missionary - and I never saw her again. I hope you and your families are both well - it would be great to hear from you.
Jacqui Lamb, Scotland

I am delighted to learn about the final vows of 3 new FCJs ! Hooray!
Jennie Abbate, CiM , Portsmouth, RI

Dear Sisters, I was a student at St Aloysius, Phoenix Rd, Sommers Town, London from 1951 to 1956. I loved every moment and realise now how deeply I was influenced by the talented teachers ably led by the Headmistress, Mother Patricia. It was devasting for me when my parents decided that I should leave school. However I have since realised that learning is not just for the young. A move to Australia led to new opportunities and in due time I attended university. This resulted in a BA Hons and the discovery of a talent for research and writing. Having celebrated my 70th birthday last month I realise that there are some things I still need to do. First of those is a big thank to the FCJ Sisters for their guidance, example and  encouragement during my formative years. They played a crucial role in my life and I am grateful to them. May the mission of the FCJ Sisters thrive and grow so that many others can benefit as I have. I would love to hear from any of my fellow pupils especially Doreen Keane and Marie Rose Powell they have given me very fond memories. Does anyone know of their whereabouts? Wishing success and happiness to all.
Eileen Teresa Bonnell (nee Brierley)

Does anyone have any photos for that celebration we had on that Saturday at the Metropolitan Cathedral.  I was the soprano soloist who travelled up from London in all adversity, an old St Victoire’s Convent School girl with Josephine Clayton as my head teacher, who died just after my Dad died just a few months before that Mass.  I was unable to attend Jo’s funeral as I’d only just buried my Dad, but came to sing and dedicate my solo to her.  Have been trying to get some photos of that occasion for more than a year and there was a photographer there, so I just wondered where they photos went? Many thanks, and a very happy New Year.
Una Barry

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