Would you like to send us a message for our visitors' book?
We would be glad to hear from you, and
we will post messages that we receive on this page!
Click on the image below to leave a message!

Privacy Policy

Messages récents ... 2008

Dear FCJs -- I have such joyful memories of doing my initial teaching practice at St Victoire in the early '70's. Many happy returns and prayers on your anniversary. (teaching at Mary Mother of God School in Toronto)
Tom Sherrard, Toronto

What a truly beautiful and informative website. thank you for the great work you do in spreading God's word and love.
May God continue to bless your community with dedicated women. Sincerely,
Sr. Blanche, CND

A wonderful celebration of Marie Madeleine Victoire's anniversary in Middlesbrough. Many thanks.
Denis Couhig

Hola soy Abigail Carnicel soy de Tarija Bolivia hoy visistamos alas hermanas FCJ conocimos mas acerca de la vida de la fundadora y la vocacón de cada una de ellas, nos acogieron muy a gusto tuvimos un momento de Oración y compartimos la vocación que tenía cada una de nosotras, todas las que visitamos somos del colegio Maria Laura Justiniano Abigail, Lesdy,Andrea, Marcela, y nuestra querida profesora Silvi , yo doy catequesis en una capilla que se llama san Juan de Dios , me despido con un cordial saludo a todas las hermanas desirles que el trabajo que realizan es muy importante sigan adelante chauuuuuuuu
Abigail Carnicel, Tarija, Bolivia

Soy Andrea vivo en Bolivia en el departamento de Tarija hoy tuve el gusto de conocer a las hermanas FCJ son muy divertidas esto es una muy Buena experiencia en mi vida soy catequista de primera comunión estoy cursando el cuarto curso de secundaria estoy muy contenta por estar con ellas y conocer un poco de sus vidas y tambien de su congregación bueno hasta la proxima chauuuuuuuuuuuu
Andrea, Tarija, Bolivia

I am a 'one time' pupil of St Joseph's School in Benalla, Victoria, Australia. I am aproaching the venerable age of 80 years, but thank God am still active, alert and well. I was a class mate and close friend of Sr Shirley Kimball, and we still have close contact with each other. I have never lost my love for the FCJ's. They brought a dimension to my life from Gr Prep to Gr 8 (Merit Certificate in those days!) that I did not find in the last years of my education. I seemed to have a bit of talent in the music and drama departments, and to this day I am still involved in those areas. Thank you for this. During my life my husband and I have had a close association with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who provided the later years of our children's educations. We also have so much to thank them for. I did not know until we had been to Issoudin and thereabouts, that there was such a close tie with the FCJs. A friend who was a member of the Genazzano community at the time gave me a book on the life of the Foundress, and I felt so at home with it when I read it, that I nearly missed my tram stop. Sometimes in life we don't appreciate our history until we are much older. I hope the charism of the FCJ order continues for a long, long time. Best wishes and prayers,
Stephanie Kent

Dear Sisters, Much love and prayers to each of you for this wonderful occasion (April 5 2008). Remembering you all as you join to celebrate  the journey to 'Faithful companionship' that was started so many years ago. Loving the new site...
Sharon ( CASEY)

Sister, I am sending this message in the hope that it can be placed in your message page on your wonderful web site. I wish to extend warm and loving greetings to all FCJ Sisters and especially those who have had such a powerful influence in my life. I want to take this opportunity to say hello to old friends and to let you all know that I am living in Monroe, Louisiana (Northeast Louisiana). I work at St. Francis Medical Center and my ministry is focused on the mission, vision and values of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System who are the sponsors of this health care ministry. The religious community of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady was formally known as the Franciscan Sister of Calais, France.
       I feel my ministry here is shaped, fashioned and influenced by my own FCJ formation. I often think that Marie Madeleine would have loved the work and challenges present in this part of the world. The poor are numerous and the needs are great. So, I hope it is not too bold on my part to believe that my ministry here is experienced by me as a continuation of not only the mission of the Franciscans, but also of the FCJ's. It is in my blood since I have been with the FCJ's since elementary school and my mother was also taught and influenced by FCJ's.
       I have a sense of great pride for the FCJ community who were able to send two FCJ's to assist with the poorest of the poor when the area of Monroe was so overwhelmed with Katrina evacuees over two years ago. They made such a positive impact on the people they encountered and in the midst of great turmoil were able to bring comfort, help and joy. They were a blessing to these people of God – many people still speaking and smile about the two FCJ's who came to Monroe. Thank you for sending them this way.
Yvonne Boudreau, Louisiana, USA

While my sister and I attended Sacred Heart School, run by the FCJ Nuns in Kew Victoria. Australia, we both had pen pals from Salford. It was between 1940-1948; we use to send food parcels over to our pen pals. My sister was cleaning her cupboards and found this box, and in it was a photo of her pen pal and her sister, it was very clear, the girl's name was Maureen Atherton. It had Salford, Lancashire. We would love to get in touch with Maureen and talk about old times. We do not know what school Maureen went to, but we feel it was a school that had FCJ Nuns as teachers. as they found our school in Australia. My sister's name is Joan Marshall, Kew, Victoria, Australia. We would be grateful to hear from anybody, who can help. Thanks.
Betty Walters.

Hello, I'm an old St Victoire's girl from East London and ended up as a classically trained singer. I was very pleased to have come across the advert in the Universe last weekend – a paper I don't normally buy - regarding Marie Madeleine's 150th anniversary. What wonderful occasions in Paris and Liverpool. I would very much like to be part of the celebrations. Please do send me details of what is happening. St Victoire's closed down in 1973 but I am still in touch with Sr Christine and Sr Helen in the East End, as well as having met Mother Josephine Clayton who was my headteacher and who I believe is now in Salford. Also Theresa Sterling aka Watson who was Mother Mary at the time, and taught me Geography. I saw her last year with Sr Helen. They are both wonderful ladies and were at Gumley together all those years ago. I owe a lot to the FCJs and now live back in East London again, having been in Manchester, Glasgow, Colchester and other parts of London.
Una M Barry

Hi. It is some time since I last wrote to the visitors page. It seems that there are very few messages from past Scottish educated FCJ girls. We must have been a very rare breed indeed. Can I ask if Sister Agnes Convery is still alive and if so where is she situated. She was my primary school teacher in the 1940's. I know that the last time I enquired she was in the Salford Area - I think. Are there any more Paisley girls, we did have English boarders and I thought they might have been adding to the visitors page. God Bless.
Margaret McDowall (MacKay)

I was in La Chassotte in 1950-51,57-58 and remember quite clearly these excellent years. thank you, Sisters!. I am a grandmother now, and would like to have news from the Sisters and also from some of the "girls" of that time. thank you. Happy Easter!
Maria Luisa Cannavina Marioni

Hi everyone - I found this website by chance and was mesmerized.  It brought back so many memories to me - from decorating our bedrooms for December 8 to learning many many lines of Shakespeare!! Would love to hear from anyone who might remember me.... I attended St. Georges, Broadstairs and then Poles Convent, Ware, from 1957 - 1967. 
Christine Rozalla

Hello I have just visited your site and enjoyed reading. My name was Sylvia Porritt and some of my class mates (Newlands convent Middlesbrough) were Helen McLintock, Pat Duffy Ann McPartland. I am in my 70s now but would love to hear from any of the old class.I have lived in New Zealand and Australia since I was 26 but been lucky to visit UK many times.
Sylvia Pluck (née Porritt), New Zealand

I'd  like to add my bit to this website!  I attended Newlands in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, from 1951-8, and have been pleased to find overlaps between my time there and that of other posters in this Visitors' Book.  I now have a very happy correspondence with Maureen Hodgson, who preceded me at the school, but we have found many areas of interest and have exchanged updates about all the decades since we were there! I'd be happy to hear from other students from that school, whether during my years there or not!   People who remember Marion Smith, brilliant English teacher, or Elise Berry, who taught Latin and Greek, Sister Gertrude, wonderful young nun,  Hilda Cassidy, French teacher who entered during my time at Newlands, and whom I missed very much once she became a Carmelite, Miss Carolan who ploughed a lone furrow in the art room at the top of the school.  and other memories you might have, I'd love to hear.  ( )
Liz Adams (then Elizabeth Ryder)

On a whim I searched to see if there was an Old Girls of Adelphi House website and was delighted to find your website and to read messages from a number of ex Adelphi House pupils.  Unfortunately none from my time.  After leaving school, I attended one Old Girls Reunion and soon after married  and came to live in New Zealand. I always intended to make contact with my friends from those formative years at Adelphi.  On my frequent trips home  I found the time was taken up visiting with my extensive family.  One year I determined to contact some of my old friends and was devastated to find the school had closed.  I would love to hear from anyone who was in my class.  I was there about 1950 - 1955.  The names that spring to mind are Olga Loram, Sheila Coughlin , Kathleen Reid, Margaret Richmond.  I vividly remember Mother Anna,  Mother Benedict and Mother Margaret Mary who had the unlikely job of teaching me to sew.  Miss Davis who gave me my love of history.  My name was Margaret Potter.  Today I am known as Margo Tamati.  To contact me by or . Kind regards,
Margo Tamati (née Potter)

When I lived near your part of the world I occasionally passed by the school knowing that my aunts Vera and Doris attended there sometime around and following the First World War. They had five brothers and their father Charles had his own building firm in Twickenham. Sadly Charles died in 1918 leaving his 16 year old son Arthur to go to sea and supply an income to the family. I never saw much of Vera, always a happy and positive lady, a genuine presence. There was a certain worldliness about her despite the convent upbringing. On the other hand, it was probably because of that experience because she always had compassion for people: an excuse for them and a helping hand whenever things went wrong. Vera married Charles and lived in Devon for a long while in poor circumstances but she was never diminished by that. One of her brothers, Percy, became a policeman and during World War II got promoted very rapidly ending up in charge of the Rome police and then doing the same for Milan. He had the bizarre distinction of retrieving and burying Benito Mussolini a couple of times. The Pope gave this protestant a Catholic knighthood for the social work he did around Anzio. Children were starving and dying, so he had begged, borrowed and stolen from the Americans. Policemen were good at doing that sort of thing. With the proceeds and the connivance of the Church he set up orphanages. Not bad for an ex-fairground boxer and a helping hand from Cardinal Gaspari. Percy's wife Dorothy was blown up during the blitz and became permanently hospitalised later in life, being totally disabled. Doris remained a spinster living with her bachelor brothers. For almost 16 years she took trains and buses from Petts Wood in Kent to Putney, visiting Dorothy in the RHHI each weekend. We nicknamed her "old faithful". She, like Vera, never rose very much in life career-wise, but for us they had very great value. Of course, Percy and Dorothy were my parents.
No need for a reply to this vignette. I am doing a bit of family genealogy at the moment and felt like thanking you for giving me two marvellous aunts. Wishing you all fruitful lives.
John Coxhead

I was a pupil at Gumley House from 1942 to approximately 1947 together with my Brother who is two years younger.  We both have vivid memories of being at the school and the kindness of the nuns.   Things remembered such as not being allowed to walk on the white squares on the black and white marble hall when we had to pass through on our way to lunch.   I particularly remember names such as Mother Agnes, Sister Francesca and how we had to take flowers to Reverend Mother on her Saints Day.  Miss Stead was our teacher in Kindergarten and sat at a very high desk.   We were terrified of her!  We then went up to Transition and the teacher there was a Miss Parsons - she was even more frightening to a small girl and boy.  I am still in contact with another ex pupil who married a friend of mine.  His name is Tony Crist and his daughter Henrietta Crist has been a more recent pupil.   My name in those days was Sonia Barnes and my Brother Richard. Sincerely,
Sonia McLaren

How lovely to come across your site. It brought back so many memories to me of my very early childhood. I attended the FCJ  Convent in Richmond Victoria known to us as Vaucluse Convent. It was my first school and where I learned the ABC & to write on a slate. I commenced there in 1939 & although I spent just a few years there, before war time evacuation to a country school, the memories are still strong.The names of my teachers have dimmed with the years but I remember their beautifully pleated bonnets & the painfully starched collars of our uniforms, the fun of the egg & spoon races & the uniform inspection days.  I wish you well in all of your endeavours & thank you for brushing away the cobwebs on a long gone childhood.
Maureen Lum (nee O'Rourke), Burwood, Victoria, Australia 

Hi from New Zealand. I have just discovered the FCJ web-site and have enjoyed reading the messages posted there. I was a pupil from 1955-1960 and really enjoyed my time there. I remember Elizabeth Wright and her descriptions of the teachers were as I remember them. Newlands was a great school with dedicated staff who really educated us. Each one of the women who taught me there have left a very clear impression on me, even today. I would be delighted to hear from any one who was at school with me and would love to know what happened to the teachers who taught me. Best wishes. ( )
Mary Cook ( nee Terry) New Zealand

I must be one of the real 'oldies'. A pupil at Adelphi  1940-45 and at Sedgley 1945-48. Lived in Salford, married and travelled, now living in New Zealand. As each year passes I become more grateful for the splendid education we had. Oh! For the wisdom of age when we were young, or at least when I was young. Still going strong. I often wonder if I am the only ex-pupil who made it so far away as this far flung corner?  Would be pleased to hear from any ex. pupils.   Best regards. ( )
Kath. Bengree  (nee Marchant) New Zealand

 

2007

I attended Lark Hill House School Preston from 1950-1961 and during that time wrote to Annie Low in Singapore who also? attended an FCJ school, not too sure, but I obtained her name and address through the nuns at Preston. Does anyone know of her whereabouts please, I would love to hear from her again. Please me.
Jennifer Robinson (nee Pickering)

I  was so lucky to be educated (not just taught subjects on a curriculum) at Newlands Convent FCJ, in Middlesbrough, from 1956 to 62. The only fly in the ointment at the time was the headteacher, Mother Mary Monica - most girls were terrified of her & that cannot be a good thing.  On many an occasion, we saw her belittle pupils from the "wrong side of the tracks" so to speak or pupils who were very poor. She was eventually replaced by someone who treated all girls the same, regardless of their background. I still remember the wonderful smell of polish-litter was unheard of as was swearing, stealing or being unkind to another. The FCJ life was unlike any other-it was a family and so very painful to leave. I loved my days there and will always be grateful for what I was taught there, much of which I still remember. Schools these days cannot compare.  ( ) 
Joan Mctigue, England

Hai...apa kabar saya ingin tahu di mana alamat suster Afra fcj atau adakah no.telp yang dapat dihubungi? Saya Christiana teman lamanya. Sudah lama saya tidak bertemu. Atas pertolongannya saya ucapkan terima kasih.
Tolong balas ke email saya di atau ke no. hp saya 08122913615. Thanks. Best Regards,
Christiana Subekti

I attended Gumley House in Isleworth between 1979 and 1986. I loved my time at the school and never wanted to leave. I now live and work in Sydney Australia and have been blessed with three son's and a daughter, though sadly lost my daughter at three months old. I was searching for information on the FCJ order to tell my eldest son. His Catholic primary School is being officially opened tomorrow, as it has been rebuilt. This is a bIg day for this little school (only 40 years old) and is a big occasion for all of the local families, as there is a blessing from the Bishop. I have volunteered to look after the old nuns, most being Brigidine Sisters and I wanted to tell them about the wonderful FCJ nuns who taught me. I feel very emotional just looking through your and my old school's website. Very happy days.
Katie Ashford (Nee Norris), St.Thomas More. UK

I was taught by FCJ's at St Margarets Paisley, where I received a wonderful education, just a pity I didn’t appreciate it then!!!  I still keep in touch with some of the girls and I am only sorry that the order is not in Paisley  any morel  We could do with more schools like St Margaret’s in this day and age. It never fails to surprise me that some youngsters nowadays know nothing about the basics of education.
Mary Hay, Scotland

Hello, from Colorado, USA ....I attended Gumley House, Isleworth in the 40's & 50's. During the war when the sirens started we would all scramble for a room made of "marble" in the main convent and also over in the playing fields we had underground shelters where we would stay until the all clear. My brother John attended St. Mary's next door and I was able to wave to him from one of the upper rooms where we took sewing class. My most cherished memories are the wonderful chapel with the smell of wisteria through the open windows, the smell of the roses in the gardens, everything was so clean and smelled of polish, food in the refectory on white table cloths, nuns clothing hanging out to dry on the line, the hill up to Mary's grotto where every May we would have a procession to crown Mary. These are but a few of my memories, there are so many more. Nuns and teachers I remember were, Mother Agnes, Sister Stanislaus, Mother Angela, Miss Gavigan (gym), Mrs. Black (German), Miss O'Connor (English), Miss O'Flynn (French). I have been lucky in contacting a couple of Gumley friends, but would enjoy hearing from more. Whatever happened to some of the teachers? You may contact me at . Thank you and God Bless.
Maureen Cunningham, Colorado USA

Thank you so much for posting my message on the Visitors' Book - I forgot to give .   I would love to hear from any old girls who were there in my time at Newlands, Middlesborough.  Patsy Butler was my very good friend and I believe she went back to teach there.  What a wonderful website!!  How lucky we are to have all this incredible technology.
Sally Rochford (Power) Trinidad, West Indies

I was delighted to discover your website and to read some messages from girls who studied at Poles Convent.  I would very much like to get in touch with anybody who attended Poles from 1975 to 1980!  I would also like to know how to get in touch with Sister Ethna Dempsey or Sister Brenda!  Attending Poles were really some of the best years of my life even though I did not realize that at the time!  It is a shame the school closed down as I would very much like to have gone to visit, but if anybody is interested in setting up a reunion please . Thank you to all the nuns who taught me so well.
Angela Crilly  (née Angela Mary Prajantabut)

I had a message for your website visitors book, but have had to come off-site to send it, so here goes:  This is a clear and easy to navigate site, with a good balance of text and imagery. It was intriguing to catch a glimpse of some old faces and to see what they are doing now. However, for women who have  been historically  involved  with education I was astounded at the sub-literacy scattered throughout your site. For example: "I have companioned..." or " I was missioned to…" etc.  One could perhaps argue that such misuse of English constitutes nothing more than an expression of group mentality; but in reality it is merely a sorry indication of sloppy language.  Of course, if such misappropriation had occured, even once, when I was at school (St Aloysius, Somers Town. London), it would have been swiftly corrected. This does mar the overall presentation of the site, which is a shame.  So Sisters-you are in detention! Please correct the grammatical errors in the text and take 100 lines:   'I must obey basic grammatical strictures.' Corrections, for the sake of the reading public, really are necessary. Thank you.
Sile Martin

We thank you for your appreciation of our website.  As you know, English, as any living language, is constantly changing and you are correct in recognizing that groups do in fact evolve their own language.  For many years, FCJ Sisters, for whom mission and companionship are extremely important concepts, have used these words both as verb and noun.  Those of us who became FCJs in the ‘60s were very familiar with the word mission, but equally with the sense that we would be missioned (that is “sent”) once we had made our vows.  So here again it is both noun and verb. If you check the Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary at http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ you will find both the words’companion' and 'mission' shown with verb forms.

I attended St Aloysius Convent from 1951-1956, I clearly remember Mother Agatha above all the other nuns because I was scared of her, no stain or other imperfection on your uniform escaped her notice. I was very fond of Mother Alice, Mother Dorothy and Mrs Thomas. After all these years I have started going to the annual school reunion, where I have met up with a few of my school friends. It is very odd to wander around the building now and use the dreaded front staircase without fear. It would be lovely to hear from anybody who remembers me.
Maria Longaretti now Mansfield

Greating from year 6 pupils at FCJ Primary School, Jersey . We notice that we are not on your map for the British Province. Please could we be added.  (Yes! You are on the map now; thanks for pointing out the omission.) Last week we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the past pupils association.We had a reception at Government House. We very much enjoyed having Sister Lucy and Sister Miriam at the reception. A big HELLO to Sister Cecilia and Sister Gloria and why not vist our brand new improved website: www.fcj.sch.je. Please wish us luck as we go to secondary school.
Love from Yr6 and Miss Kielty xxxxx

Had a look through. It meant a lot to us since our visit to Southern Leyte with Margaret and meeting Veronika. Keep up the good work.
Mary & Gerard O'Connor

Therese Lang here! I went to the Prep school at East Marton, 1955-59. I then moved on to St Monica's itself. I still speak of my time there with great pride. I have visited Skipton a few times since leaving in 1966. I get a good feeling every time I do. Happy memories.
Therese Lang

I noticed another message from someone having attended Marymount Academy in Midnapore, Alberta at the former Father Lacombe Home. It was a girl's boarding school, grades 7-12 which I believe was only open for two years 1966-67 and 1967-68. I attended the first year and there were about 100 of us with about 7 sisters which were FCJ's. There was a lovely chapel in the older part of the building and a French-Canadian priest said Mass daily, and benediction on Sundays. I was protestant at the time and reacted to the Latin Mass and rigorous traditions of Catholicism. But a seed was planted during that year and about 20 years later, after much spiritual searching, I eventually converted. Some of the sisters (who we called Mother at that time,) were Mother Loretta, Mother Campion, Mother Margaret Mary, and elderly Mother Theresa who taught the grade-7's. I remember the swooshing of the nuns habits coming down the hall in the middle of the night, when all was quiet. I could tell many stories and I wonder if there are other ladies who might read this and remember. We had about a dozen girls from Ecuador and Mexico attending school that year. It was a difficult, but very memorable, experience for me and I'm grateful for it because it served to draw me closer to Jesus' most Loving Heart. Sincerely,
Monica Julson ( )

Hello to the Sisters at Sedgley Park . l go back to Our Lady Of Grace School in Prestwich during the 1940/50 period. The Headmistress was a Mother Mary Francis, from the Convent. She was a strict disciplinarian, but believe me she did give me some advice when l left the school to start my working career that l have never forgotten, words of wisdom that will never be found in any book. Keep up your good work, l do not think people actually understand the good you have done in Education over the years.
Rowland Curliss, Australia

I was just reading your visitors book and was thrilled to see a message posted from Steven Borbo.  I don't know if you remember me Steve but I was in Kailahun with Srs Agnes and Marie Annick from 1990-91.  I have wonderful memories of my time there and I often pray and wonder what's happened to those I knew.  Do you happen to have news of John Baion?  And what about you?  Are you still in Sierra Leone ?  I would love to have your news!  I am married to Sean and have 3 boys, Joshua, Joel & Jacob and we live in Ontario, Canada . Can't wait to hear from you! ( )
Danielle Lord, Ontario, Canada

Dear sisters, Congratulations on your work and the wonderful web page. I was a boarder at St. George's School, Broadstairs for 7 years (roughly 1957-1964) and have spent since 1969 working and studying here in SPAIN . Now and again Mother Dorothy would write to me but since her death I have lost touch with you all. I would above all love to hear from anyone (nuns or pupils) who went to school with me then (especially Mary Poltera who was my best friend). I have loads of photos of us all (in black and white) on the beach at the 39 steps, Corpus Christi etc. I went to Broadstairs with my other three sisters (Jennifer, Susan and Angela Johnson).(we were the only non-catholics in the school) Looking forward to hearing from someone, Tons of love and prayers, ( )
Sally Johnson, Spain

Hi! Have just been on the website and read all the messages and some of the names were familiar though not in my years. 1957/58 at Marton House, 1958/65 at St Monica's. Have made contact with Helen Miller but so far am unsuccessful with Margaret Lawton, Bernadette Sowerby and Mary Bateson. So many memories and good times.
Monica Jane Kirk

Dear All, I have visited your web site. It is good to know all what you’re doing all over the world. I have to know some of you particularly those who have worked in  Sierra Leone . Though your stay was brief, your contribution in the field of education transformed the lives of many that are very useful in their community.   I pray your congregation grow from strength to strength so that many more people maybe touched by your contact.  Yours in Christ
Steve Borbo

I would like to add to the letter from Maureen Hodgson (Carins) with whom I have kept in touch over the years - she was my dear sister Marie Power's close school chum,  and also mine (Sally Power - now Rochford.  I live in Trinidad and have four daughters - I have lovingly brought them up in the FCJ tradition of values and ethics and in the words of our School Song - "our School's traditions handed down, our future lives to mould."  Maureen's letter brought back so many lovely warm memories of those wonderful nuns to whom I owe so much. Like Maureen I would love to hear from any of my old chums.
Sally (Power) Rochford, Trinidad, West Indies

Have just discovered this great web site, thanks to Sr. Breda at Broadstairs. Have read all the letters posted going back a few years.  Stayed at Wincot, Westpoint and the convent during the 90's. The times spent at Broadstairs have, witjhout a doubt, have been the highlight of my UK visits. Would like to hear from anyone who is or has been assoc. with the FCJ Sisters, especially the UK . Would like to hear from Sr. Mary {Condron?} who was at Stella Maris, also Dawn Harvie from Melbourne. ( )
Cath Jenkins, Melbourne

Hello!  How wonderful it was to catch up once again on all the latest news of the FCJ communities.  I lived and worked with Srs Paula Mullen and Anne Morrison in Tarija, Bolivia from 1992-1994 as part of your lay missionary programme.  The FCJ Sisters have had such a profound and deep effect on my life and spirituality.  To be able to connect once again with all the sisters that I know and keep myself updated with all their new developments is truly a blessing.  It is wonderful to see the progression of the Tarija community since I was last there.  I will definitely bookmark your website into my favourites so I can keep a regular update with all your work.  My love and kindest regards to all the FCJ's I know worldwide.
Danielle Lord (formerly de Gruchy), Ontario, Canada (originally from Jersey, C.I.)

Came across your website and was very interested to read some of the comments. I was at The Grange in Broadstairs Kent in 1960/1961, which was part of Stella Maris Convent, and spent a wonderful year there with 12 others from around the world. Would love to hear from anyone who was there at that time. Fondly remember Mother Xavier, Sister Breda, Sister Raphael and Mrs Riley. Congratulations on this site. Regards
Dawn Harvie, Melbourne, Australia

For many years I have longed to find a way to be in contact with some of the girls with whom I went to school during the War. It was 1940 when I started at St Mary's Convent, in Borough Road, Newlands, Middlesbrough and I was almost 11 years old. Our headmistress was Mother Mary Monica Prendergast who kept us all firmly, but gently in line, treating us with respect and always having high expectations of "her girls". One of my clearest memories is of the great welcome and importance that surrounded the visit of REVEREND MOTHER - sadly I don't recall her name.
       Mother Gerardine played the piano as we marched out of the hall after assembly, Miss Kennedy taught us French, Miss Marie Saul opened our eyes and ears to Shakespeare, Miss Sewell, later Mrs.Jones, introduced us to the world of science, Miss Kitty Diamond taught history, Miss Robinson, Geography, Miss Brockbank, later Mrs.Douglas, was in charge of Sports while Miss Wood, the Maths teacher, frequently came near to apoplexy when faced with my abysmal lack of comprehension in her subject.
       Bottles of milk (1/3rd of a pint) were sold to us at break by Sister Scholastica, who greeted each pupil with "That's right now!" and whose large hands were always red & cold. During air raids we sat on cold cement benches in the Air Raid Shelters that ringed the netball pitch.
      The words of the School Song "Fortiter et Recte" often ring in my head as does the hymn "Oui, je le crois" which we always sang on every December 8th. The smell of wax polish immediately transports me back in front of the blessed Sacrament in the Chapel while Plainsong Masses are still remembered but greatly missed. The lessons in how to live our Christian life were being unconsciously absorbed alongside school subjects.
       I shall always be thankful for the five important years I spent under the influence of these noble women. I have four children, all born in South Africa and I tell them "Yes, you went to school. But I, I was educated."
       If there is any woman of my time who remembers these years I should be very happy to receive a message. My name is Maureen Elisabeth HODGSON born CARINS. My husband and I live in Cape Town, South Africa. ( ) May God richly bless all in the FCJ family.
Maureen Elisabeth Hodgson (née Carins), Cape Town, South Africa

Tampilan halaman bagus, tidak terlalu banyak pernak-pernik dan warna, namun informatif. (Translation: The presentation of the page is beautiful, not too many details and colours, but informative.)
Andhika, Indonesia

I attended St. Aloysius FCJ Convent Grammar School for girls, Phoenix road, London NW1, from 1949 to 1952.  After completing my Ordinary Levels I spent 2 years at the Lycee Francais de Londres, Queensbury Place, South Kensington, London S.W.7.  Upon completion in 1954 I went to work at the Egyptian Embassy, 24 South Street (just off Park Lane) London.  I married in 1956 and together with my husband emigrated to Canada.  We had 5 children, 3 live in my area, one is in Vancouver BC, and one is living in New Hampshire USA.  I presently live in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and would love to hear from some of my school companions. Thank you,
Monica Healey (nee Cabell), Canada

Retour en haut de page ...