ANNUAL LUNCHEON ö BALMAIN LEAGUESâ CLUB
SUNDAY, August 22 at N00N FOR 1:00 p.m.

We trust our headline has imprinted the Annual Luncheon in your minds. More information will be found within this issue.

The Committee and Editorial Group are thrilled to report on the success of the last issue of THE GREEN SASH. Never before has an issue received such favourable response. The sincere notes of appreciation warmed our hearts. To those who forwarded donations our sincere thanks.

Among the letters came one on the letterhead of the Patrician Brothersâ Generalate, Tullow Hill, Tullow, Co Carlow, Ireland from the Superior General. Brother Philip Mulhall and we are delighted to share it with you.

Easter Monday

Dear Kevin,

I was very impressed with the March issue of The Green Sash. Itâs a very thorough historical treatment and, as such, an extremely important document.

(Bro.) Linus was also quite impressed and it has duly gone into the archives and annals. Congratulations, I enjoy all the editions of The Green Sash and feel that it honours the memory of great men in a special era.

I am enclosing a couple of copies of our own March Newsletter.

Regards,

(Bro.) Philip Mulhall S.G.

The Patrician Generalate Newsletter titled In  Love and Confidence is a fine journal produced in colour with many photographs. To date the following issues have been received; Foundation Day, St. Patrickâs Day, Eastertide, and Sts. Peter and Paul. The contents cover the spectrum of the Patrician Brothers activities in the provinces of Ireland & Kenya, India, California and Australia & Papua New Guinea.

A new feature, International News, introduces extracts from the Foundation Day and St. Patrickâs Day issues. International News will be a regular feature of THE GREEN SASH. It will contain a potpourri of items gleaned from the Newsletters. Our only regret is that, by reason of space, the report will be limited to two pages
 

Prayers were held at the Holy Cross College Chapel, Ryde at 7 p m on Sunday evening, 30 May 1999.  Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Brother Malachy was celebrated at the Chapel at 10 a m the following day (Monday). The Provincial, Brother Paul OâKeeffe, delivered the eulogy. 

Brother Malachy was buried in the Brothersâ plot at the Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde.

The above record shows the outstanding contribution Brother Malachy made to Catholic education in Australia.

In Ireland, a Memorial Mass was held in Brother Malachyâs home parish of Newcastle. The church was packed with family and friends. From among the Brothers who attended, Brother Robert Ruane, having known Brother Malachy well since 1946, gave an address at the end of Mass. May he Rest in Peace. (In Love and Confidence ö Patrician Generalate Newsletter- Sts. Peter & Paul, 1999)

In 1996, Brother Malachy provided a record of his sailing to Australia with five other Patricians aboard the aircraft-carrier HMS Indomitable. First published in THE GREEN SASH in April 1996, we reprint Brotherâs story on the following two pages. 

THOSE WHO DIE IN GRACE GO NO FURTHER FROM US THAN GOD AND GOD IS VERY NEAR.

On Easter Tuesday, April 10, 1945 I was notified of my transfer to Australia with five other Brothers, one of whom, Br. Aloysius Delaney, was then a student with myself at University College, Galway. World War II had still had about a month to run in Europe and up to August 15 in the Pacific. Our likely departure date was completely unknown due to the difficulty of securing post-war passage.

So it was not till 8.00am on the morning of April 1, 1946 that we left Dublin by boat to Holyhead and then by train to London, followed by night-train to Southhampton. We had a pleasant two-hour break in London thanks to Jim Tobin, Br. Majellaâs brother, who took us home for a quick cup of tea ö and it was only later we realised what an awful dent we must have put in his severely rationed food supply. (Comparative war-time rationing in Ireland was much easier).

Southhampton still looked almost a shambles due to bombing and we were housed for a couple of nights in what was obviously a temporary structure. By happy coincidence during our stay we met the local parish priest and his assistant, both Patrician ex-students from Ireland. Fr. OâByrne, the parish priest, had gone to the Brothers in Tullow while Father OâDonovan was an ex-student of the Patrician Academy, Mallow (Co. Cork). Fr. OâDonovan was a superb baritone and I can still almost hear his beautiful rendition of the war-time United States Marines.

Anyway, by April 4, it was all aboard the Aircraft Carrier Indomitable ö a totally male passenger list consisting of Australian and N.Z. returning servicemen plus the first post-war English Rugby League team to visit Australia and eagerly awaited. (Clem Kennedy, for instance, will likely recall the ãIndomitablesä!).

We also had on board three priests en route to Queensland. We were all referred to by the shipâs personnel as ãPadresä and as Padres we were given honorary Officer status ãupstairsä as distinct from the other indomitables ãdownstairsä (including the footballers!). The ships officers were initially a little distant but very courteous and later became very friendly with the padres.

Our brief ports of call on the four-week voyage were Valetta (Malta), another urban war-wreck; Aden with its blistering heat; Colombo (Sri Lanka), likewise and finally Fremantle. With three priests aboard we had daily Mass of course plus ceremonies for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The first week felt a bit boring but the magnificent flight-deck of the Indomitable, itself the size of a mini football field gave ample scope for walks and later became the launching pad of the padresâ sporting prowess.

The shipâs personnel organised a deck-hockey competition and cordially asked if we would like to enter a team. Thoâ we knew little about the game we said ãof courseä and the organisers immediately christened us The Sky Pilots. Our team consisted of five Brothers and two priests and believe it or not for the first trial we were drawn out of the hat to play The Blackâ nâ Tans! (The organising officer was later very apologetic about the mishap). With the trials over our first competition match was against seven shipsâ officers and even already we could detect some quiet Aussie/N.Z. support. The officers scored early and then we were down 2-0 before we got back a goal early jn the second half. For the next ten minutes our superb defence kept it 2-1 and the barrackers were hoarse. In the final seconds as the referee raised his whistle to blow full-time Br. Majella slotted in the equaliser. The resulting cheer could be heard many miles away and from there on the Padres/Sky Pilots were a privileged lot! We won on replay and then the next before losing in the semi-final.

The last ten days of the voyage across the Indian Ocean were rather relaxed. By then we had met many aboard, including the footballers as they all enjoyed the flight deck ö I suspect our ãsports showä changed our image in all eyes. Close to the Equator I remember one little incident that Iâve always cherished. As I strolled on the deck just as the sun had suddenly set an officer passing by casually said: ãPadre, look at something you may never see againä. And there on the Northern horizon was the famous well-known stellar-grouping The Plough and on the Southern horizon for the first time I saw The Southern Cross ö never again have I seen both simultaneously, though I crossed the Equator a couple of more time.

We knew nothing of Rugby League but once they knew we were human it was a pleasure meeting Joe Egan, Fred Hughes, Frank Whitcombe, the Ward brothers, the great lock Ike Owens and a few others. In fact when Joe returned with the 1950 English team he and three team-mates called out to Holy Cross with a distinguished Old Boy, Mr. Jack Renshaw, much to the delight of all the students, particularly the country boys.

I myself was particularly looking forward to Fremantle. My sister, Sister Majella, had arrived there nine years previously on her way to the St. John of God Convent at Subiaco, Perth. But when I rang the convent and asked for her I got a bit of a shock as did the Sister who answered the Îphone. ãButä, she said, ãSister Majella is in Kalgoorlie for some weeksä. Her first letter from Kalgoorlie had not arrived home before I left Ireland and of course we had no forwarding address en route.

Anyway, within twenty-four hours came the second surprise. A ship-load of war brides from Sydney to London ran into trouble in the Australian Bight and had to dock finally in Fremantle. The Indomitable was commandeered to continue with the war brides and with little fuss we were told that we would continue by train to Sydney. Then came surprise number three for me. At our stop in Kalgoorlie there was Sister Majella with two other nuns who took Br. Pius and myself out to lunch at the convent ö while the other passengers changed trains! (Sister Majella passed away at Perth, August 14, 1995, over 58 years after she first arrived there).

The three-day trek across the Nullarbor to Adelaide was cramped to put it mildly ö nine of us in a compartment for eight seated and sleep as best you could. Meals were in the open during stoppages. At Adelaide the Bishopâs secretary welcomed us and took us to the Presbytery for a meal.

It was there I also got a glimpse of Aussie humour. As our new train moved off at dusk a gentleman opposite me casually said, ãThey have the best lighted-up cemetery in the world hereä. ãOh!ä I said, ãwhere is itä? as I looked out the window. With a grin he said, ãNobody moves here after darkä (probably a Sydney-sider).

And so on to Melbourne for a few hours break on Saturday and then over-night to Sydney. Brothers Anthony Phelan and Norbert Phelan met us at Central and took us to Holy Cross where there were many more of the Brothers to greet us.

I still recall walking up the College steps and in the main door with the clock on the stairway showing some minutes after 1.00pm on Sunday May 12, Motherâs Day 1946.

By amazing co-incidence May 12 is Motherâs Day 1996 ö the close of a half-century of many pleasant memories for me.

The 1950s saw the movement to the western and southwestern suburbs of Sydney to meet the needs of the families of the areas. These six Patricians and those who came after them, together with Australian Patricians formed the second wave of the Brothers of St. Patrick in the Australian province.

Who were the  Sky Pilots? What were the names of the three priests bound for Queensland? We sought this information from Brother John Gallagher. We intended to include it as a footnote but Brother Johnâs letter was so entertaining we feel it should be read by all.

Patrician Brothers, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Hello Kevin,

Greetings, Graces and Blessings from the Emerald Isle and John. 

Bro. Philip forwarded your letter to me. I reach 80 years in September next, so you canât expect too much from me. But surprisingly enough I have very clear recollections of that famous trip in 1946.

Let me fill you in  - on a few details not mentioned by Malachy (R.I.P.). The six of us travelled on the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable as officers of His Majestyâs Navy ö Free, Gratis and for nothing.

This occurred because of the new Australian Ambassador to London early in 1946. He was an ex ö Patrician pupil of Redfern and obviously had not forgotten it. Bro. Oliver Healy taught him and the Ambassador arranged the trip for us from Davenport. I think the three Priests were also free. We had the privileges of Officers and were decked out in tropical clothes in Aden. 

Now to the priests and Skypilots. The three priests were Fr. Bree (Sligo) Fr. Arthurs (Belfast) Fr. Sheeran (from ?). I am not dead sure of him. Bree and Sheeran were in the deck-hockey team with Majella, Pius, Malachy, Xavier, Aloysius Delaney in goal. You have all the details of our games.

Another thing omitted by Malachy is our stay in Fremantle after abandoning the Indomitable. We moved to a Navy camp for about five days ö still Officers and transport laid-on. We had a whale of a time and met many Irish people there and in Perth. Finally we were issued with panniken, knife, spoon, plate and fork for use on the troop-train. It was pretty rough living. The train stopped at particular times (anywhere). All out ö up to the engine and got the meal.

The ãaboriginesä eventually arrived everytime ö selling carved items, boomerangs, etc., etc., They cost 2 bob or one cigarette! Pius bought a boomerang and enquired at the next stop from the ãaboriginesä. They replied, ãNo bloody good ö kill rabbits!ä

The whole experience was really unforgettable!

Hope these few notes may be useful to you. I celebrated my Diamond Jubilee last August and as part of it I hope to visit Auzzie Land in October or November next if fit.

Cheers, God Bless and every good wish.

Bro. John Gallagher 
 

We congratulate Brother Gerard Histon who celebrated SIXTY YEARS of Profession on 3 March 1999. Brother Gerard, born at Newtown, an alumnus of St. Vincentâs, Redfern, entered the Juniorate at Wahroonga on 26 May 1934 and obtained his Leaving Certificate in 1937. In 1939 he taught at Waterloo while studying for his Arts Degree at night. On 1 February 1942, three Australian Patricians, Brother Joseph Tierney assisted by Brother Gerard and Brother Vincent Budin, with a roll call of 101 pupils, commenced the Patrician Brothersâ school at Granville. Brother Gerard succeeded Brother Joseph as Principal in 1948. 1n 1952 he transferred to Blacktown and had 53 pupils in First Year. In 1954/5 he was Deputy Principal at Holy Cross College, Ryde. 1956 saw Brother Gerard at Forest Lodge as Superior and Principal. In 1957 he suffered a serious illness and was on medical leave until 1959 when he returned as private secretary to the then Provincial, Brother Rodan Bergin at Wahroonga. In 1960 he returned to Granville and 1962 to Blacktown. 1963 saw him at Sefton and 1965 at Fairfield where, among other subjects, he taught Economics. In 1983 Brother Gerard retired from teaching. Extracurricular interests included conducting school choirs and physical culture activities particularly the vaulting horse and pyramids. Brother Gerard is a member of the Blacktown Community.

We also congratulate Brother Gerard on attaining his 80th birthday on 26 December last.

The items on the following two pages have been extracted from In Love and Confidence newsletters  issued on Foundation Day and  St Patrickâs Day 1999.

Foundation Day Issue.  We reproduce the opening paragraphs of the editorial.

The air was brisk and clear. And very cold. Silver gleamed on the hedges and in the fields in the hard light of a frosty moon. Dawn was yet to come and deep ruts in the road were hardened so that iron-shod boots rang out on them and sometimes the traveller stumbled on a darkened ice-patch. Wrapped in cloth and hanging from the handle of a spade, which he carried, were his few worldly possessions, his second shirt, socks to be worn on Sundays, three books and, folded in a rag purse, five shillings in cash. These represented the material wealth which Ambrose Dawson carried with him to Tullow in the hour before dawn on that cold second day of February 1808. 

Thus begins the story of the foundation of the Patricians as written by Brother Linus Walker in To Build and To Plant. On that day four men, Ambrose Dawson, James McMahon, Maurice Cummins and Richard Fitzpatrick knelt at the Mass said by Bishop Delany in a tiny chapel in Mill street. They saw the Bishop touch the host to the wood of the tabernacle after the Consecration and say the words, ãNe quis evertat quid feci!ä- ãLet no one undo what I have done!ä

We know also a subsequent story, when in mid-winter 1810 Dr. Delany sat with the penniless and starving community in Tullow and offered each member freedom to return to their former way of life. We know too, the response of the community, the vote ãto stay together, whatever the struggleä.

This issue featured the Kenyan section of the Congregation. Kenya presently comes within the control of the Irish Province.

Eldoret

In 1967 two Patrician Brothers took over the running of the Eldoret Harambee secondary school in Kenya. Brother Ed McCarthy, Headmaster since 1970 tells of its history since that time. 

The following Brothers have worked in the school: Vianney Grogan, Marcellus Broderick, Francisco Murphy, Edward McCarthy, Gerry Breen, John Gallagher, Joseph Doheny, Sylvester Oâ Neill, Willy Carroll,  John Fitzpatrick, Eliud Kimuthi and Amoscars Barasa.

Presently there are 520 students (360 boys, 160 girls) selected from Eldoret Municipality and the surrounding district of Uasin Gishu. Only those who fail to obtain places in Government schools are considered for selection. Parents who can afford it will send their academically weak children to high-cost private schools as they do not want them rubbing shoulders with the riff-raff in schools like Harambee ö so the students who are admitted are academically and financially poor.

Since this was the aim and ideal of the founders it has been continued down through the years to the present day. These children have shown that, given a second chance, they can climb the academic ladder with the best of them. Among the past pupils of the school are professors, lawyers, doctors, teachers, priests, brothers, sisters, electricians, blacksmiths, and carpenters to name just a few. Of course there are also a few who are guests of the Government!

The school offers a wide range of subjects: English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Christian Religion, Accounts, Commerce, Drawing and Design, and Electricity.

Iten

This article, A Long Run in Africa, by Brother Colm OâConnell is introduced by an Editorâs Note. 
By now most of us are aware of the long and fruitful involvement of our own Brother Colm OâConnell with Kenyan Athletics. The list of world class and world champion runners who have come from Iten and through Colmâs guidance has dumbfounded the athletics world·.

If somebody told me 25 years ago that Iâd be coaching athletes today in Kenya I would have considered the idea very far-fetched·. Little we know what fate has in store for us, how our lives unfold. What may appear a rather insignificant decision now may eventually become a major turning point in our lives. It was such a decision on St. Patrickâs Day 1976 that led me to where I am today.

I arrived in Iten on a wet and cold July evening. I wasnât even sure how long Iâd be staying. And for good measure they gave me the ãvisitorâs roomä ö a subtle hint that I might not be staying too long. ö or was it a special welcome? Sixteen years later I was still in that room. As missionaries we need to remember that, no matter how long we stay, we are always just visitors.

Like most success stories many people seem to think that there is a special gene. For years scientists, medical and research experts have come to see and analyse what goes on here at Iten. They have studied the culture, tested the oxygen, cut out pieces of muscle, taken samples of blood, hair and God knows what. The results reveal little of significance to the athletic world or should I say that in itself reveals a lot·Sorry to disappoint them but there isnât a secret formula. But as long as others think there is a secret, then there is one.

My coaching work has its own rewards. The friends Iâve made, the opportunities received, the enjoyment and satisfaction from seeing and being part of young peopleâs development, helping them become not only better runners but, more importantly, better persons.

The Foundation Day Issue includes congratulations to Brother Gerry Gannon in Mussoorie, India who celebrated a very significant SEVENTY YEARS of profession on 12 January 1999. 

St. Patrickâs Day Issue reported on the Extended Council held in the Midway City, California Monastery on Sunday 21 February 1999.

The Extended Council was first formally defined at the 1986 General Chapter. Its first meeting was at Midway City in 1987, followed by Delhi in 1989, The Entrance, north of Sydney in 1991, In 1994, ãThe Mountä at Tullow, Co. Carlow and in 1996 at Mussoorie, India. The Council would like to have its next meeting in Kenya and the following in Papua New Guinea. A further Council will be held in India in 2003 and be charged particularly with the preparation of the 2004 General Chapter.

The Passing of Old Warriors. 

Brother Fiacre Shanahan (R.I.P.) passed away on 29 January 1999. Born 10 December 1915, he was a member of the Galway Community. He entered the Brothers in 1932 and after qualification spent 11 years teaching in Tullow. After relatively brief stints at Ballyfin, Galway, Tullow again and Carrickmacross, he was stationed in Mallow, where he spent the rest of his teaching career. He became widely known as an excellent teacher of the Irish language and the turn-out at his funeral in Mallow, Co. Cork was evidence of the respect that the people of the area had for this outstanding Patrician.

Brother Francis Redmond (R.I.P.) passed away on 31 January 1999. Born 25 December 1912, he was a member of the Generalate Community at Tullow, Co. Carlow. Brother Francis, of course, had himself been Superior General from 1956 to 1968. He made many friends in far-flung places and was widely loved and respected by Brothers and their friends and associates. His body lay in repose at the Generalate on Tuesday 2 February, Foundation Day and a constant stream of people came to pay their respects. We buried him on the following day after Requiem Mass in the Parish Church, Twenty three priests concelebrated at a ceremony which was marked by the inclusion of symbols to illustrate that Francis was an international character and once the leader of the Patrician Brothers.
 

The above statement (not included) is the last of many prepared over the years by Noel Sara, classmate of the two Kevins of the Editorial Group at St. Jamesâ, Forest Lodge in the Intermediate Year of 1945. Noel has been associated with Eric Leahy in Alumni activities for nigh on 50 years and both were closely involved in the 1950s and 1960s with the Prince of Fundraisers, Brother Aloysius Delaney (R.I.P.).

Noel and Maureen are travelling north. We will miss his firm control over our finances and sage contributions in the conduct of our affairs. Sadly, like so many in the area and some other of our readers, their Sydney home was devastated in the savage hailstorm which hit Sydney and their departure has been delayed.

We record our sincere appreciation to Noel and wish both he and Maureen a happy retirement in sunnier climes.
 

We record the passing of Father Tom Kerr, on 1 April 1999. Father Kerr was assistant priest at Forest Lodge from March 1935 to November 1940 when he became an RAAF chaplain and served in Canada, New Guinea, Borneo and with the occupation force in Japan. He entered the Springwood Seminary in 1927 and in 1933 was ordained at St Maryâs Cathedral by Archbishop Michael Kelly. His first appointment was to Dulwich Hill then to Forest Lodge. After the war he worked in Earlwood and St. Maryâs parishes. He later was parish priest at Tempe, then Lakemba until his final appointment in 1972 at Blakehurst where he stayed until his retirement in 1983. In his homily Bishop Cremin recalled that Father Kerr and Father Wallington, while at Forest Lodge, had once owned a greyhound; they took the first three letters of their surnames and called it Walker. The trainer held out high hopes for the dog but, a very promising racing career came to a halt when it was run over by a tram. (Obituary S.M.H.) 

Students will start Year 8 at the new site at Delany Centre on Smearton Grange Road, Narellan at the beginning of the school year in 2000. Magdalene Catholic High School will develop into a full Year    7-12 co-educational school by the year 2005. The Patrician Brothers and the Diocese of Wollongong are pleased the site, which the Brothers have been occupying, will be the home of the Catholic high school serving the Macarthur district. (The Catholic Weekly, 28 March 1999.)

30 August 1884 
Our Goulburn correspondent writes: I have heard that the Brothers of St. Patrick so long expected to take charge of our Catholic schools are soon to touch Australian shores in company with his Grace, Dr. Moran. I believe the Superiors of the house at home have taken the greatest care to train the Australian Branch to be thorough teachers, all of them having passed the intermediate examinations before being sent out.

Comment: Apparently Australia was identified some years before we became a nation! 

20 September 1884. 
Our Maitland correspondent writes: There has been a change in the teaching staff of St. Johnâs School owing to the arrival of the Brothers of St. Patrick of whom you spoke last week. Brother Fenton (Fintan) OâNeill who with Brother Dominic OâNeill have had charge of St Johnâs for some considerable time past ö has been removed to Goulburn ö to take charge of the Brothers of that Diocese. The school is now conducted by Brother Dominic and three of the new arrivals.

Our Goulburn correspondent writes: Five of the Brothers of St. Patrick arrived here on Monday last. The Brothers have rented Poplar Cottage close to the church and school.

23 January 1886.
The Patrician Brothers at Bathurst. A residence for the Brothers to be erected on George Street near the school. Foundation stone to be laid on Sunday next (24 January).

19 January 1889.  Advertisement.
St. Patrickâs College, Armidale
Conducted by the Brothers of St. Patrick
Under the patronage of the Right Rev. Dr. Torreggiani, OSFC, Bishop of Armidale.

The climate of Armidale is unrivalled in the colony. Students are prepared for the University. The boarders are under the constant supervision of the Brothers.

Full particulars on application.   Dr. E. Torreggiani  OSFC.

18 July 1907.
Holy Cross College. Formation of ex-Students Union. In attendance Brothers Fenton (OâNeill) Benignus (Kealy), Patrick (Fogarty), Boniface (Carroll) from Holy Cross College and Brothers Stanislaus (Bergin) and Baptiste (McGrath) from Redfern. A photo of the members of the OBU appears in issue of 25 July 1907. 

19 September 1907.
New School at Waterloo. Another bright link was forged on Sunday last, September 15, 1907 by his Eminence the Cardinal blessing the foundation stone of the new boysâ school at Waterloo.

14 November 1907.
Edward Harrington, Holy Cross College and Redfern, first in Commonwealth examination.

9 April 1908.
Mt. Carmel Boysâ School. The new boysâ school at Mt. Carmel, Waterloo will be opened after Easter under the direction of the Patrician Brothers whose educational work at Redfern has proved a blessing to the district. The new school has been amply furnished with the most modern equipment and no expense has been spared in the work of supplying the latest improvements. Notable among these is the automatic dual desk, the latest of its type. Maps on spring rollers, in what is known as the diamond case also form a new feature, and there are others.

On page 25. Cost 1500 Pounds. Building 1200 Pounds, the extras, furniture and school grounds etc. 300 Pounds. Opened Saturday last, 5 April 1908. 

$25.00 per person. Drinks will be to your own account.

When forwarding your reservations please provide the CHRISTIAN and SURNAME of the members of your party. Spouses, family members, etc. are invited to come along. 

Please complete the booking slip below and return it post haste. Les McMahon is awaiting your booking.

Remember lunch is at 1:00 p.m. So, a noon to 12:15 p.m. arrival will give you the opportunity to relax before lunch.

Mini Raffle.

Our raffle is sponsored by the Family Murphy, mine hosts of the Toxteth Hotel, Glebe. So this year the value of our prizes has doubled. First prize is to the value of $200, second $60 and third $40. A grand total of $300. The result will be announced at our Luncheon on August 22.

Stationery and postage costs for THE GREEN SASH are about $100 per issue so once a year we run our mini raffle. If you are unable to attend the Luncheon, it is an opportunity to be there in spirit. The tickets are attached to this page.  Please return your completed butts with the ãreadyä as shown below.