St Lawrence's
The parish church on Main Road had close connections with the Convent.Sister Marie-Claire arrived in Sidcup before the Marist Fathers. They took over from the Verona Fathers who owed £6000, almost half a million now. The church has close ties with St Peter Chanel as the Fathers bought the apple orchard where that school is. They also ran St Mary's school on the bypass & that hall in Hatherley Road where the school held Christmas parties, the priests owned that. It used to be an apple orchard too!
In the 70's & 80's Tuesday morning was Mass day. Sadly not in Latin (a blunder by John XXXIII; it sounds better in Latin).
The 3 priests I remember taking the masses were the aging priest, balding with glasses who was still dynamic & gregarious. He died around 2006 by which time he was only able to shuffle into the church for matins.
A bespectacled priest who looked like the character of Nader from Dr Who's Genesis of the Daleks, and a young dark haired priest who took most of our Masses in 1978 & sadly died of a heart attack shortly after.
The latter priest was excited when the Marists first received a lapel microphone. He first used it in one of our services,during a thunderstorm! The screeching feedback forced him to turn it off.
Since the closure of the Convent, Jesus has been repainted. He's now bright gold. He looks vulgar and lacks the dignity of the patina staining he had.
At the base of Jesus in the St Lawrence courtyard there was an ellipse in the white cement. By stepping into that you could trigger a furious response from teachers & nuns. Well that's been resurfaced so that pleasure is now denied!
The holy water fonts are still filled with aged water that is probably full of lethal bacteria. Father Robin Duckwoth introduced a library.
The greatest calamity at the church is it's refurbishment. The wonderful floral heavy curtain at the back of the church is gone! And the sky blue arched ceiling which represents Heaven is now glaring white. The interior is now brighter but the blue was better
By Stephen Armourae 22nd Mar 2015
Although it's called St Lawrence's, does anyone
remember seeing St Lawrence? I found him in the organ loft. He must have
been there for decades. The plaster statue had had it's nose chipped
off, hence being relegated out of sight.
The organ itself doesn't sound as powerful when played as when listened to in the pews.
Around 15 years ago I had a few discussions with the parish priest about considering monastic orders. As a former assistant professor of Biblical Languages he had detailed knowledge of texts and practices which my own Gnostic knowledge tried to extract more details.
Father Robin Duckworth installed a small library in the church and encouraged children of the congregation to make banners which were displayed on the 2 columns near the altar, also greater involvement of women.
I was at Father Robin's leaving celebration where Father John Collier took over as parish priest & immediately had the banners & probably other matters removed. He died in 2012 & the current priest is Fr John Diver
The organ itself doesn't sound as powerful when played as when listened to in the pews.
Around 15 years ago I had a few discussions with the parish priest about considering monastic orders. As a former assistant professor of Biblical Languages he had detailed knowledge of texts and practices which my own Gnostic knowledge tried to extract more details.
Father Robin Duckworth installed a small library in the church and encouraged children of the congregation to make banners which were displayed on the 2 columns near the altar, also greater involvement of women.
I was at Father Robin's leaving celebration where Father John Collier took over as parish priest & immediately had the banners & probably other matters removed. He died in 2012 & the current priest is Fr John Diver
By Stephen Armourae 22nd Mar 2015
In freezing winter, we would gather around the
grating in the ground in front of the kindergarten section of the
school. The grating was the flu from the kitchen's ovens so warm air
would rise to meet us shivering and crouching around it
By Stephen Armourae 23rd Mar 2015
Totally agree with your comment Stephen about Mass
being said in Latin being far better. Although Pope John XXIII headed
the Second Vatican Council, it was not until after his death that we
lost the Tridentine Mass. I am a member of the Latin Mass Society and
since Gregory approved that the 'old rite' could again be said, I'm
please to say that it's popularity is growing. If you love the
Tridentine Mass, do also visit St. Nicholas du Chardonnay in Paris,
where it is the only form of Mass. Great clips on Youtube; I am a
regular at St. Nicholas too!
By Barrie Wright 30th Mar 2015
Anyone remember Father Philip Greystone?
He was headmaster at St Mary's Grammar from 1967 & as a Marist we would have seen him at St Lawrences.
In particular there was one Tuesday morning service around 1979 when just before the blessing of the Communion, the 9 other priests came shuffing out of the vestry, shuffled round the back of the altar, backs arched, hands in a prayer position & back in the vestry! I have no idea why & i only saw it once.
Back to Fr. Greystone. He has died in the last few months.
I'm posting under 'Teacher Memories' on St Mary's page details
He was headmaster at St Mary's Grammar from 1967 & as a Marist we would have seen him at St Lawrences.
In particular there was one Tuesday morning service around 1979 when just before the blessing of the Communion, the 9 other priests came shuffing out of the vestry, shuffled round the back of the altar, backs arched, hands in a prayer position & back in the vestry! I have no idea why & i only saw it once.
Back to Fr. Greystone. He has died in the last few months.
I'm posting under 'Teacher Memories' on St Mary's page details
By Stephen Armourae 8th Apr 2015
Last week was the feast day of St Peter Chanel, a
member of the Marist Fathers. A relic from him was ensconced at St
Lawrences near to the statue of Mary on the right hand side. Placed in a
red flower with an inscription
By Stephen Armourae 6th May 2015
I certainly do remember Fr Philip Graystone. In the
first form I once randomly threw an acorn and it hit him on the chest.
He was not best pleased. See his four books on Roman Roads in the North
West of England. There are a few other non-fiction titles also.
R.I.P.
By Roy Lale 19th Jun 2015
Jean Schmidt
I'm sure this isn't para amnesia/false memory.
Sister Antoinette mentioned once a child living at the Convent. It would
have been around 1977 as we were in Mrs Lonsdale's class and as I
recollect it would have been when it was raining outside, she was
supervising us during lunch break, doing her needlework and muttering;
which was her method of trying to quieten noisy children.
In her mutterings she mentioned 'Jean' & didn't say much more about
it.
I have found a Jean Schmidt born in...
Reply
The nuns didn't mention Popes, that appeared to change as I describe at the bottom .
With the exception of Sister Antoinette who I got the impression was more stridently anti-Communist & pro-Curia than the others. However the way Eastern Bloc countries persecuted Catholics she was justified in her anger.
I found a tiny photo of Paul VI stuffed behind a vase in the right hand corner next to the window overlooking the playground of Mrs Lyons room (that's the year below Sister Theresa's class).
Vatican doctrine was dominated by the long reigns of the conservative Popes Pious XII & Paul VI. The 2 reformers: John XXIII & John Paul I were too short to make a real impact.
John Paul II charisma & international travel had an impact on the Convent. When I visited later, photos of the Pope were on many classroom walls after his visit to Britain. In the early '80's he was a diplomatic force, but most didn't know how much of a conservative he was then
Barbara Robbins,May Bosman are you there?
My God! I've always remembered speaking to the Sister
Superior who replaced Marie-Claire when she was gardening in April
1989, she was one of the cooks.
But-
This is why I was St Josephs:
In April 1975 my mother and I were walking down Hatherley Road. My parents were looking at schools, and I had a say in the matter.
I saw that same nun and a couple of others in the same front garden in April 1975 and what I felt was a religious experience. Something powerful felt & spoke to me that this was the place I was meant to be at.
And it was the right place and always will be
Reply
By Stephen Armourae Added 10th Apr 2015
Funeral of Pope John XXIII - June 1963
When Pope John XXIII died, just after Vatican II, in 1963, the entire school crammed into the sports hall to watch the televised funeral on a tiny Black & White television set. I was lucky as I was quite close to the screen, but anyone at the back of the hall wouldn't have seen a thing. A great Pope - now to become a Saint.
By Barrie Wright 2nd Oct 2013
We missed out on the coronation of John Paul I which
the nuns were excited about when he became Pope: he was the most liberal
along with John XXIII.
Then one morning in October 1978 Sister Theresa had all of us brought into the hall straight from the playground to watch the coronation of John Paul II.
Colour TV then, brought from Sister Theresa's classroom.
Very memorable
Then one morning in October 1978 Sister Theresa had all of us brought into the hall straight from the playground to watch the coronation of John Paul II.
Colour TV then, brought from Sister Theresa's classroom.
Very memorable
By Stephen Armourae 6th Oct 2013
John XXIII was the greatest Pope of the 20th
century. However I disagreed with Vatican II imposed cultural changes:
altering the liturgy, abandoning the Latin Mass etc. It should have been
optional.
After him probably Pious XI for his ferocious opposition to Nazi & Communist persecutions. John Paul I was clearing out corruption in the Vatican Bank and the influence of the Curia. Not a good scholar but one of the best humanitarians.
Professor Cardinal Lorscheider of Brazil was the best who never became Pope
After him probably Pious XI for his ferocious opposition to Nazi & Communist persecutions. John Paul I was clearing out corruption in the Vatican Bank and the influence of the Curia. Not a good scholar but one of the best humanitarians.
Professor Cardinal Lorscheider of Brazil was the best who never became Pope
By Stephen Armourae 22nd Mar 2015
I see we have similar views on the past Pope's. So
happy that John XXIII is now a saint. I spent time last year at his
Altar and Remains in St. Peter's, giving thanks. Have you read is auto
biog?
By Barrie Wright 30th Mar 2015
With the exception of Sister Antoinette who I got the impression was more stridently anti-Communist & pro-Curia than the others. However the way Eastern Bloc countries persecuted Catholics she was justified in her anger.
I found a tiny photo of Paul VI stuffed behind a vase in the right hand corner next to the window overlooking the playground of Mrs Lyons room (that's the year below Sister Theresa's class).
Vatican doctrine was dominated by the long reigns of the conservative Popes Pious XII & Paul VI. The 2 reformers: John XXIII & John Paul I were too short to make a real impact.
John Paul II charisma & international travel had an impact on the Convent. When I visited later, photos of the Pope were on many classroom walls after his visit to Britain. In the early '80's he was a diplomatic force, but most didn't know how much of a conservative he was then
By Stephen Armourae 8th Apr 2015
A very long time ago.
My Mum is curious about this FriendsReunited site.....does anyone remember her,Pat O'Sullivan? or sisters Eileen & Moira...Barbara Robbins,May Bosman are you there?
By Anne Potter 2nd Apr 2002
Anne, what period was mother at the Convent please? I
have never heard of Sr. Eileen or Moira. Does she remember Fleur Adcock
from the 40's? She's now a successful writer & has poems about the
Convent.
I'm in touch with the last remaining nuns of the Order in France. There have been no new nuns in the Order since the 1950s. The Order survives through missions across the world.
My nuns from the 70s & 80s are: Marie-Claire,Theresa, Emanuel, Denise, Blanche, Antoinette, and te 2 cooks who's names I do not know.
I've been researching with a view to making a short documentary.
I'm in touch with the last remaining nuns of the Order in France. There have been no new nuns in the Order since the 1950s. The Order survives through missions across the world.
My nuns from the 70s & 80s are: Marie-Claire,Theresa, Emanuel, Denise, Blanche, Antoinette, and te 2 cooks who's names I do not know.
I've been researching with a view to making a short documentary.
By Stephen Armourae 29th Mar 2015
She returned to Normandy with the rest of the nuns in
1989, she would have been about 92.. I spoke to her with the other nuns
in April 1989, she had retired and her voice had weakened.
Saw her again in July 1989 in station Road near the police station.
A former teacher visited the nuns in the early 90's. I'm waiting for a reply from the Sisters of Mercy. The last 7 nuns of the Order of Religious Education are living with them
Saw her again in July 1989 in station Road near the police station.
A former teacher visited the nuns in the early 90's. I'm waiting for a reply from the Sisters of Mercy. The last 7 nuns of the Order of Religious Education are living with them
By Stephen Armourae 3rd Apr 2015
I wish I had visited the Convent before the
demolition and rescued more artifacts. The statue of Jesus and Mary
from the boys playground. The girls' motto plaque from the girls block
which was where the main front door was situated. The plaque was between
Mrs Taylor's and Mrs Cullen's room.
The framed plaque was in the St Jospeh's blue with the motto 'Honour and Duty' beneath that badge the girls had: a heraldic shield in quadrangles.
Apparently there was also a boys plaque with a different motto but I never saw that.
The framed plaque was in the St Jospeh's blue with the motto 'Honour and Duty' beneath that badge the girls had: a heraldic shield in quadrangles.
Apparently there was also a boys plaque with a different motto but I never saw that.
By Stephen Armourae 3rd Apr 2015
But-
This is why I was St Josephs:
In April 1975 my mother and I were walking down Hatherley Road. My parents were looking at schools, and I had a say in the matter.
I saw that same nun and a couple of others in the same front garden in April 1975 and what I felt was a religious experience. Something powerful felt & spoke to me that this was the place I was meant to be at.
And it was the right place and always will be
