Let's move on to 1958.
This was written on the back of the following picture:
"Jan 1, 1958
New Year's Party
Patty, Johnny, Diane, Joanie, Nancy, MEM"
I love Johnny in the sombrero - the ironing board leaning on the fridge.
I wonder if my folks and Hannie and Norman had gone to the Hibernians for New Year's Eve. My father was very involved with the Hibernians and used to organize dances there.
Love the hats as well as the ever present flannel shirts and pants - is that a big patch on Johnny's pants?
?, Alice Nelligan, Patty, MEM, ? , Johnny
? , Johnny, ? , Patty, Alice, MEM
Johnny, Joanie, Diane, MEM, Patty
Johnny, Patty, Joanie, Diane, MEM
We loved to be outside no matter what the weather. I do remember the radiators full of our wet clothes after we came in from playing in the snow. We used to go ice skating as well in later years. I know Joanie and I would take our ice skates down to the Boston Skating Club on Soldiers' field Road on Saturday mornings for skating lessons. I also worked to get my Girl Scout badge in ice skating. And did we go down to some place on Nonantum Road to a field to skate?
They used to flood the tennis courts at Victory Field so we would all go skating up there - me, Johnny, Joanie, Patty, Diane, and the Navins. We would practice spins and stops or do a snake/snap - hold each other's hand and skate in a line one behind the other - the leader would pull the second person around - the second person would pull the third person around - the last couple of kids would be flying and snap around! We used to have a great time - I remember my feet would be killing me after skating for a couple of hours.
MEM - I had Sr Sylvia in 2nd grade
Above is Sr Sylvia's 2nd grade class - I am in the front row with no bowtie. I was afraid of Sr Sylvia - she was very strict. I remember being terrified and crying when going up to her desk to return a report card after my mother signed it - when I took it out of the envelop, my mother had put in a note that she had cut thru the report card by mistake when she was cutting a pattern for a dress she was making. I thought Sr Sylvia would kill me, but she just told me to stop crying and to sit down.
She would also pick 4 or 5 of us and call us to the back of the room - it seemed like every day - to give us a slice of bread with honey on it - I hated it but forced it down - what else could I do? And why would she do it? In later years I wondered if she picked kids with less financial means to give them something to eat?
My sister Patty and I were just talking about how my mother would tell us when she was trying to get us to bed that Sr Sylvia and Sr Rose Margaret could see us from the convent over on Chestnut Street - they would know what time we were going to bed. Bedtime was 7 pm so we were in bed by 7 on the dot because we were so terrified of the nuns.
I became sick at school one day and threw up at my desk - Sr Sylvia was yelling at me for making a mess - she called my father to come down and clean it up - I don't remember if my mother came to get me or if I went home with my father or if I just walked home.
My father used to drive some of the nuns to their homes - in Cambridge or Somerville maybe - I want to say the nuns were of Irish descent. I am thinking it was Sr Sylvia and Sr Rose Margaret but that may be incorrect. Whoever it was, my mother used to make me go with my father - maybe to make sure he came home! I hated to go after seeing them 5 days a week at school. But I remember sitting between two nuns in the backseat - all I could smell was talcum powder! They would always give my father a bottle of whiskey every Christmas - I'm not sure how my mother felt about that!
I tried blowing up this picture but it is still blurry.
We went to a Catholic School so obviously we prayed a lot - at a minimum to start and end the day. I remember one day we were saying the rosary. Sr Sylvia was telling us to concentrate on praying to the Blessed Mother. So of course I did what I was told - I was concentrating on the words of the Hail Mary - "Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus." I had no idea what a womb was, but I was concentrating so intently that suddenly I saw the angel Gabriel talking to the Blessed Mother! They were covered with bright light and it was very fuzzy. I was sure that I was seeing the Blessed Mother - I still think so today! I became very devoted to Mary - for several years when we were living on Green Street, I would go to Mass every day before school in May and October - two months associated with Mary.
We often would just stop into Church to do the Stations of the Cross - no one would tell us to do it. The Catholic Church played a big part in our lives. We were praying for the conversion of Russia as well as worrying about saving non-Catholics' soul - after all we belonged to the one true Church. I still remember reciting: "Who made you? God made me. Who is God? God is the Supreme Being who made all things. Why did God make you? To love Him and to be happy with him in Heaven." We studied our catechisms every day and would have tests on it.
I used to go to the 5:30 pm Mass during Lent as well - why not, we lived next to the Church. We knew all the priests of the parish - they would visit us at school - we would see them at Mass - we might see them around the rectory when we were out and about. I remember collecting the chestnuts in front of the rectory - there were chestnut trees there at that time - hence Chestnut Street!
Patty's birthday in February - Patty, Joanie, Johnny, Nancy, MEM, Diane - why is the cake on a chair?
Diane is beside the stove - on the side of the stove toward the front of this picture there were 2 pipes that went from the cellar to the 2nd floor - I don't know what they were for. If my mother wanted Hannie for something, she would hit the pipes with a spoon or a knife. Hannie could hear the tapping and would tap back that she heard my mother - then each would go to their cellar door and shout back and forth to each other. Their voices would carry thru the cellars. Hannie would do the same thing if she wanted my mother.
I don't know when we first got a phone - it was on Green Street. I remember sometimes I would pick up the phone - maybe to call Alice Nelligan - and one of the neighbors would be on the phone talking to someone. I don't know how many people were on our party line, but I don't think anything could really be private!
Fishing down along the Charles River - MEM, Patty, Johnny, and Chris Navien
Fishing was a big deal for my brother Johnny - he used to fish down at Falmouth Harbor. In July Jimmy Keohane came down to Falmouth a couple of times to stay a few days so Johnny wasn't always stuck with all the girls - I think they would go fishing.
I remember Cynthia and Kathleen coming down one day - we were teenagers then. We had all walked down to Falmouth Harbor and were walking up along Ma's beach. Bertha Keohane was not Catholic - I think she was Episcopalian? Anyway my mother and Hannie must have been worried about saving Cynthia and Kathleen's souls because they were asking both Cynthia and Kathleen what Church they were going to belong to - our Catholic Church or their mother's Church. I was horrified at that point and couldn't believe they were talking to Cynthia and Kathleen like that. I was much less devout as a teenager.
From the right: Ricky, Diane, Johnny, Jay and Chris Navien, ? - Watertown Square in the background.
Hanging down at the dock - from right: Ricky, Johnny, Patty, Diane, MEM, maybe Joanie
MEM and Jay Navien after making our First Communions at St. Pat's.
First Communions were always a big deal - just look at our outfits! I vaguely remember shopping for a First Communion dress - I was fussy - everything seemed scratchy! Were they made with taffeta? I also needed the veil, shoes, stockings, pocket book - some kids wore white gloves.
Once we made our First Communion and maybe when we started school, we used to have to attend the 8 am Mass in the downstairs church - we would sit according to grade and class - the nuns would take attendance, and if we weren't there, they would ask us on Monday morning why not! I remember missing Mass sometimes when we turned the clock ahead, and we overslept. I would be a wreck on Monday mornings knowing I would have to explain why I wasn't at Mass. Those were the days when the priest would bless us at the end of Mass using incense. We would be fasting since midnight - I know I fainted twice from the smell of the incense - the nun would be poking me saying "Mary Manning get up! Get up!" Nowadays do people even fast before Communion? I don't.
We must have been celebrating up at the Naviens on Green Street Terrace - that's Peggie holding Tommy I think.
Ma wiping Jay's face - I look like I'm wiping my own face!
Chris Navien seems to have a camera in his hand.
Peggy with Tommy, Chris, ? , Ma, my mother or Hannie - who is the baby in front?
Peggy holding Tommy, Joanie behind Mary Patricia, Diane, Paul, Ma, Rita David, Ricky at Naviens on Green Street Terrace
"Remembrance of first holy Communion
Mary E Manning
received first holy Communion in St. Patrick Church
on May 10, 1958 Rev. Michael J. Houlihan"
"Remembrance
of
My First
Holy Communion
St. Patrick's Church
Watertown
May 10, 1958"
"As You Make Your First
Communion"
"As you kneel before
the altar
To receive our
Lord today,
May He come to you
and bless you
In a very special way.
Alice"
Alice Nelligan was my best friend from Main Street.
"To a Sweet Girl on Her
First
Communion"
"Mary Ellen
May God bless you
today and all
your days
Lillian
May your heart be filled
with happiness
And many blessings, too,
As you receive
this Sacrament --
Our Savior's Gift to you."
Lillian used to live in the house out front but I can't think of her last name. She was Billy Hughes' aunt - he lived further down on Green Street - we started Kindergarten together. Lillian much later sold my father her old Cadillac - he was delighted, but I hated that car because it seemed so old. I was embarrassed riding in it - I would scrunch down so no one would see me in it. I now have a better appreciation for that car and can understand why my father was so happy with it!
"Silver Jubilee
of
Rev. John J. Kelly
June 2
1933 - 1958"
I vaguely remember Fr. Kelly as saying a quick Mass - no long sermons - we'd be in and out pretty quick.
This is the envelope that my mother put the note re cutting up my report card into while cutting out a pattern. We would take the card home - my mother or father would sign it and put it back into the envelope. Then Sr Sylvia would call us individually up to her desk to give her the envelope.
"St. Patrick School
Watertown, Massachusetts
Grade 2
Reverend Michael Houlihan
School Year 1957-1958 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Sessions Absent 0 1
Times Tardy 0 0
Religion B+ A A
Language Arts
Oral Reading B B- B+
Silent Reading
English
Spelling A A A
Penmanship A A- A
Arithmetic B B A
Science, Health, Safety B A- A
Music
Art B A B
A - Excellent, B - Good, C - Fair, D - Poor, F - Failure
Promoted to Grade 3
Sr Mary Sylvia"
"Personality Record
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
I. Conduct:
Accepts Correction A A A
Is Courteous A A A
Takes Care of Property A A A
Does Careful Work A A A
Works Well With Others _ _ _
Finishes Work on Time A A A
II. Effort
A. Puts forward Best Effort A A A
.....
Parents are requested to read carefully, sign, and return this report card.
First Quarter
Second Quarter John Manning
Third Quarter John Manning
Fourth Quarter"
More pictures at that Grotto - MEM, Johnny, and Patty - I like the matching sun dresses.
John, MEM, Patty - where is this place!
Patty, MEM, Johnny
Green Street ragamuffins - Patty, Ricky Walsh, Johnny, Joanie - the white Gallagher house in the background - The Maloney's lived in the back - Susan Fisher had lived there too.
"Our Lady of Lourdes" - this was a prayer crusade for the pupils at St Pat's school. Our Lady had appeared to Bernadette in 1844 and told her to pray the Rosary for forgiveness of sins and to sacrifice for sinners. She told Bernadette to dig in the ground where a spring
then appeared which is supposed to have healing powers - thus the many pilgrims to the site.
"1858 Special Prayer To Our Lady Of Lourdes 1958
to be recited during the centenary of the Marian apparitions,
composed by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, with special indulgences.
Heeding your voice, O Immaculate Virgin of Lourdes, we hasten to your feet at the humble grotto where you deigned to appear to show the way of prayer and penitence to those astray, and to disperse to the stricken the graces and wonders of your unsurpassed kindness.
Receive, O Merciful Queen, the praise and supplications which peoples and nations, oppressed by bitterness and anxiety, trustfully raise to you.
O fair vision of paradise, banish the darkness of error from our minds with the light of faith! O Mystical Rose, relieve crushed souls with the heavenly fragrance of hope! O inexhaustible source of healing waters, revive barren hearts with the flow of divine love!
Grant that all of us, your sons and daughters, comforted by you in our sorrows, protected in our danger and aided in our struggles, may love and serve your gentle Jesus, and merit eternal happiness near your heavenly throne. (An indulgence of three years.)
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
(300 Days Ind., Ran. 296)
Nihil obstat:
Joseph A. M. Quigley, Censor Libroram
Imprimatur:
John F O'Hara, C.S.C., D.D,
Archbishop of Philadelphia
August 15, 1957"
"A Crusade Of Prayer
Lourdes Project
Special Intention
Students of
St. Patrick's School
Watertown
1958"
MEM already for school - notice the beanie on top of my head. I never liked uniforms, but looking back now I see the value in them - I would never have been able to keep up with current trends - we didn't have enough money. Wearing regular clothes to school would have made school difficult financially and emotionally - when we were kids, we only had 2 or 3 changes of clothes - that's why in winter there were always clothes drying on the radiators - we didn't have a dryer - did anyone back in those days?
MEM and Johnny - I was wondering if this was the first day of school but then noticed the leaves on the ground. I love Johnny's suspenders. Not sure if this was 2nd or 3rd grade.
I had Mrs Branch for a teacher in 3rd grade - she seemed so young compare to the nuns. She went out on maternity leave at the end of the year. She was very nice - I was sad when she left but was excited that she was having a baby.
"St. Patrick's School Watertown, Mass. Grade 3 1958-59"
Top row: Mrs Branch, Mary Power, ?
2nd row: ? , Henry Hotin, Wilma Jones, John Calleva, MEM, Paul Geary
3rd row: ? , Maria Gregorio, Thomas Brennan, Sandy Mosca, Paul Regan, Rita Foglia, Jimmy Piscatelli, Arlene O'Donnell?, Frank Cerrati?, Diane?
4th row: ? Kathleen Brown, Michael Rooney?, Linda Nardone?, Joseph Staten, Barbara Ryan, Quinn Centola, Kathy Femia, John Fahey, Barbara Rossi, Mario Tulipano.
5th row: Andrew Nardone, Pamela Martino, Michael Fitzgerald, Maria Miranda, John Brady?, Kathy Furey, ? , Donna Bagarella, Mary Joyce, Martha Melican.
The names of some of these classmates are on the tip of my tongue but I can't get them out!
Jay Navin, Johnny, ? Kathy Navin, ? Mary Navin, MEM, Joanie, Chris, Patty
First day of school per the back of the above picture - September 1958 - not sure whose writing it is.
Alice Nelligan - this is in her living room on Main Street - Frannie or Audrey's picture on the table.
"His Holiness, Pope Pius XII
Eugenio Pacilli
'Pope of Peace'"
Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Jesus Christ,
Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles,
Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church,
Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy,
Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province,
Sovereign of Vatican City.
Born, March 2, 1876
Ordained, April 2, 1899
Created Cardinal, December 16, 1929
Elected to Papacy, March 1939
died, October 9, 1958"
"PRAYER
O God, Who by Thy Ineffable providence didst will that Thy servant Pius be remembered among The High Priests: grant, we beseech Thee, that he who on earth was the Vicar of Thy only-begotten Son may be eternally joined to the company of Thy Saints. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to admit to fellowship with Thy saints, the soul of His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, Thy Servant, whom Thou hast called away from the toil and strife of this world. Through Our Lord, Jesus Christ Who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
(300 days indulgence, applicable to Holy Souls)"
I don't know if indulgences are still available for Catholics - it's been a long time since I even thought about them. But when I was young, we were always praying, visiting Church, making the Stations of the Cross, going to extra Masses, going to confession, receiving Communion to help the poor souls in Purgatory get out early or to have our time in Purgatory for our sins lessened.
We used to get "Our Little Messenger" in school - I don't remember how often or if we had to pay for it. When Pope Pius XII died, they put out a special edition.
"Extra Edition School Edition ***
Our Little Messenger October 24, 1958
Volume XXIV, No. &A
1. Pope Pius XII, Our Holy Father, is dead. We Pray for him.
2. On March 14, 1939, Pope Pius XII was crowned. Pope Pius XII was a good shepherd. We were his sheep. Pope Pius watched over us.
3. Pope Pius XII got up early every morning. At once he offered a prayer for us. Then Our Holy father offered his Mass for us.
4. Pope Pius XII prayed every day for us. Let us pray for Pope Pius."
"5. Many, many people went to see the Pope. They came from many countries of the world. The Holy Father was always happy to see the people. He talked with them and blessed them.
6. The Holy Father loved to laugh and talk with children.
7. Pope Pius XII wrote many letters to us. He often wrote them on his typewriter. The Holy Father sent his letters to churches all over the world. Our priests read the letters to us.
8. Pop Pius XII talked to us by radio. His wise words helped us to be good Catholics."
I probably knew very little about Pius XII when I was in third grade, but I became very interested in him after I was long out of school. I was intrigued by accusations against him for not standing up to Hitler. I have read many pros and cons about that. I would love to know what information is still hidden in the Vatican about that time in history. Will we ever know what really went on?
Patty and Diane sitting on the ground, Mary Patricia Navien and ? Karen who was Jimmy Walsh's granddaughter - he owned the triple decker. We played with all kinds of toys outside in the driveway - we were always outside - no parents supervising - they were inside with the younger kids.
Karen, Patty, Mary Navien, Diane - Karen would always come over to our house when she was visiting Jimmy and Florence Walsh.
"Picture Study Number I
Mary Manning November 20, 1958
In this painting we see howVelaquez has used light and dark color
to show the effect of atmosphere on
canvas. Velaquez was one of the founders of modern painting."
I had forgotten about the picture study classes at school. I found this in a scrapbook that I had kept - it is just one example of what we studied. When I think back on my education at St Pat's, I have to give the Dominican nuns credit - not only did we cover the basics, but we also had art and music education - later we had French. Religion of course was a major basis for that education - we learned more about historical Catholics in history than about many of the heroes. But overall in hindsight, I received a great education. I have felt that way since my kids were in school and I saw what was NOT included in their education.
"Sing all ye citizens of
heaven above...
Dear Mother
and Dad,
I have asked the Baby Jesus
to bless you
in a very
special way
on his Birth-
day.
I wish
you a very
Happy Christmas
love Mary"
We used to make cards like this in school for every possible occasion - almost always with a religious theme. We would be cutting, pasting, coloring, decorating.
Christmas morning - Johnny with his new western town on the table we used for birthdays outside. MEM and Patty with new dolls - there were two cradles - I think those arrived on a previous Christmas. I think that is a small doll's dresser beside the cradle. I can't remember what was in the two cases. I see the TV has rabbit ears - I wonder how many channels it got - black and white still I think. Picture of baby Jesus above the TV.
I don't know if we ever had a really full Christmas tree - they always looked so straggly. But we loved Christmas and the lead up to it - getting out the decorations, putting the candles in the windows, making colored paper chains for the tree then decorating the tree, putting Christmas cards up around the house, singing Christmas carols, cleaning the house, my mother getting groceries for the Christmas dinner - the whole atmosphere.
When I was older and we were living on Marshall Street, my mother would give me $5 to dust and clean the living and dining room - that was something! You can believe I was thorough! After all it was for Christmas! She did the same for Easter. The Church would be packed on Christmas Day - it was exciting to see the decorations and to sing Christmas carols - everyone was happy and wishing each other Merry Christmas. I have such happy memories of Christmas and my childhood in general.
