This year's silent auction at Nora's school was bittersweet. It was well attended, but watching as furniture and other mementos of the school got auctioned off for its last year was just about all I could bear. I really wanted an old cupboard in which I remember manipulatives like
parquetry blocks, geoboards, and wooden letters being stored in my
second grade classroom. Alas, once the bidding reached $350, I had to
bow out. I felt fortunate to win a lot of four framed photos of Daughter's of the Holy Ghost. Here is some more information about them:
On Sunday, February 3, 1929, all the adults at Mass were asked their opinion. Those in favor of building a new school and willing to contract a $100,000 debt were asked to stand up. They were counted. The next day, Father Proulx told the Bishop that 1,667 persons wanted a new school and were willing to contract the debt.
The school was completed before the end of 1929. It cost a little less than $200,000 plus $88,000 for the purchase of the property mentioned above.
The Roberge and Denault properties next to the school on Allen Street were purchased by the parish. The two houses were connected and remodeled into a convent for Sisters. The convent was nearly ready for the Sisters in September.
When the children reported to class in September, they were welcomed by their new teachers. Twenty-two Daughters of the Holy Ghost, wearing a white religious habit, replaced the Ladies of Nazareth. Father Pariseau, at the suggestion of Bishop Brady, invited them to Burlington. They accepted the call. Mother Francis was their superior. Twenty Sisters taught nine hundred and twelve pupils from kindergarten through the eighth grades. The remaining two Sisters cared for their living quarters.
excerpts taken from
History of St. Joseph Parish
Burlington, VT by Rev. Joseph N. Couture, S.S.E.
On their way to the Chapel of the Mother House
St. Brieux, Brittany, France
Feeding the Poor
Brittany, France
Two novices on their way to the Mother House Chapel and
Two Sisters in discussion
St. Brieux, Brittany, France
Provincal Superior
Daughters of the Holy Ghost
Hartford, CT, USA
While I adore these photos for their historical value and the ghostly nature of the photography, my mother actually recalls being taught by these Sisters and liking them especially because their white habits seemed to make them less intimidating and kinder. I only had one Sister as a teacher -in second grade (the one with the parquetry blocks!) I fondly remember Sr. Madonna's round face and smile. I believe I have a photo around here of her. I'll have to dig it out as I'm gathering my own mementos of a school that taught so many generations of my family.
