by Sr. Maureen Clare Hall, OSF
The life of Sister Tarcisia was celebrated at a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph's Teachers' College chapel about six months after she died. It was initiated
by Mrs. Joy Grant-Carter and supported by other alumnae members of the college as well as the Immaculate Conception High School alumnae.
Alumnae of the college lauded Tarcisia for her keen interest in each student and the discipline she demanded, but also for the way she helped each one
to find herself and draw on her strengths to accomplish what she was really capable of.
Past students of the high school remembered her as an excellent and resourceful librarian who made herself available to help those who had
difficulty in sourcing their material, giving them helpful hints and never turning anyone away.
The college alumnae donated a beautifully-framed portrait of Tarcisia, which hangs in the conference room at the college.
The conference room has since been named in her honor.
St. Joseph's Teachers' College
On Friday morning, August 28, 2009.at the end of the Holy Spirit Mass for the beginning of the school year. Gwendolyn Melhado was officially presented
to the students of St. Joseph's Teachers. College as the new principal. Trinita, Maria Goretti and Magdalen Marie represented the Franciscan Sisters at
the Mass and the events that followed.
After Mass, the newly-erected mathematics block was blessed and named for the immediate past principal, Hazel Keating. On this occasion, it was also
announced that the refurbished hall which houses classrooms for the music, drama and PE departments would be renamed the Sr. Maria Goretti Lowe Villa,
and the "Smart Room," the IT room, would be named the Sr. Trinita Solnek Room. The outgoing principal has made sure that the Franciscan aura
remains at the college and that the presence of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany will always be remembered by the naming of buildings in their honor.
The administration block is named for Avril Chin Fatt, and other areas are named for Charlotte O'Brien, Bartholomew McDonald, Teresita DeSouza, Cordia
Keady, and D'Aquin Hall of residence, in memory of the two sisters who entered our congregation many years ago and whose father gave the the
congregation the property on which the college now stands as their dowry. The roadways and other areas all have Franciscan names
(St. Clare Park, La Verna Drive, etc.). On that same day, the staff and students had a small farewell function for the retiring principal, Miss Hazel Keating.
The college continues to grow in numbers, programs and capabilities. Gwen, together with her dedicated and competent staff, are in the process of
doing their evaluation for accreditation to be able to offer the first degree, the BSC in Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Marymount, Highgate
On Saturday, August 29, the eleven sisters who were capable of making the winding hour-and-a-half journey through the mountains from Kingston to Highgate,
went to Marymount for the ritual leave-taking of the convent. The sisters, Archbishop Edgerton Clarke (now Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston), who celebrated
the Mass, Deacon Kong and faithful employees Eustace and Daphne, were present for this event. It was a sad affair, a bittersweet occasion, but there were
many laughs once the reminiscing began.
Archbishop Clarke was wonderful in his reminiscing, beginning with his coming to Highgate at age 7 and being placed immediately in Marymount Preparatory
(Grade) School. He still feels that Sisters Laurine, Philomena and Juliana were responsible for his and his family.s conversion to Roman Catholicism, as well as for the vo-cations of the three members of his family who have given their lives in the service of the Lord: himself, Sister Greta Clarke (Allegany Franciscan), and Brother Calvin Clarke, S.J.
With his help, that of the annals, and the collective memory of the other sisters, we were able to compile a list of all the sisters who were missioned in
Highgate and prayed for them according to three categories: deceased, living, and living but no longer in the congregation. We read some parts of the annals
and recalled many of the funny stories.
We also enjoyed Daphne's and Eustace's excellent country cooking and thanked them for being such devoted workers for over 50 years. They each received a
good gratuity and were given help on how to invest it.
Colleen Chen lived alone in Highgate for about three years, traveling into Kingston each week to spend time at Immaculate Conception Convent. On Saturday,
August 29, she left Marymount Convent and High School for the last time, after 31 years there. At the same time, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, as
a congregation, took leave of the place where they had ministered for 75 years.
Until the end of the present academic year, FSA remains the sponsors for Marymount High School. On Sunday, August 29, there will be the ritual and formal leave-taking and handing over of the school and the property on
which the school and the convent stand to the Archdiocese of Kingston.
Marymount High School Celebrates 75 Years
Members of the newly-formed Marymount Alumnae Association had a weekend of activities to celebrate this anniversary. The first event,
On Thursday, April 22, was a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Clarke. The Mass was celebrated under a tent on the school grounds, on the site where the
alumnae plan to erect an auditorium for the school in memory of the 75th anniversary and also as a tribute to former principal, Eloine Marie Palomino.
They plan to name the building in her honor. Following the Mass was a groundbreaking ceremony and blessing of the site. Three sisters represented the
congregation at this function.
On Saturday evening, April 24, the Franciscan Sisters were honored by the alumnae at a gala and banquet at the Robin's Bay Beach Resort. The alumnae
provided transportation for the five sisters from Kingston who attended this event. A beautiful citation was given and, during the open microphone time,
the women spoke sincerely and movingly about the sisters and the impact they made on their lives. A beautiful commemorative plaque was also presented.
Gwendolyn Melhado Receives Award from Girl Guides: On Friday, March 12, 2010, Gwen received an award for her invaluable and consistent contribution to
Guiding in Jamaica over the years. This was part of the celebration of 100 years of Guiding throughout the world and 95 years in Jamaica.
Gwen attended the ceremony at King's House, where she received a commemorative plaque from the governor-general, Sir Patrick Allen. A citation was read by
one of the Guide commissioners.
The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany had every reason to be proud on that day, because, present on invitation was the Brownie pack from our own St.
Aloysius School, with their leader, Pamela French, who is also an associate. One of the Brownies who has a beautiful voice also entertained with a song.
June 2010