Memories are Seeds of Hope

Students of Sister Josephine Carney ‘38 can probably recall these cherished words, which she used to open many a Religion, English Literature or other class. Sister Jo, as she is affectionately referred to, was born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on February 9, 1920. She began her elementary school years at James Douglas public school before switching to St. Ann’s Academy, then located on Dunsmuir Street in Downtown Vancouver. After finishing grade 8 at St. Ann’s, she transferred to Little Flower Academy, from which she received a junior matriculation graduation diploma in 1938 with 7 other classmates. At the graduation ceremony she was awarded a gold cross and chain for energetic participation in Catholic Action, a sign of things to come.

Sister Jo recalled the physical layout of the school in the 1930’s, very different from its layout now. The Convent was the Sisters of St. Ann residence and the location of the grade 1 and 2 classrooms. The neighbouring building to the south, known as Foundress Hall, had classrooms for grades 3-8, the Chemistry Lab and a cafeteria on the bottom floor. On the upper floors were classrooms for grades 9 to 12 and a gym with very low ceilings. The stage in the gym was used for graduation ceremonies. The area where Foundress Hall was located is now home to the school’s enclosed courtyard and Grotto, and the Convent has been replaced by the new wing, which was built in 2007.

Shaughnessy Elementary, the public school west of LFA, was formerly known as Prince of Wales High School. There were no trees along King Edward behind the school’s current playing field. At the corner of King Edward and Alexandra, where the tennis courts are now, netting was placed so that the girls could play softball on a very lumpy and uneven field. On the corner of Alexandra and Nanton was an area where they played basketball. At the time, LFA had sports teams in softball, basketball, badminton and ping pong.

In terms of academics, students had no choice as to which subjects they could take. Everyone was required to enroll in Religion, English, Algebra, Geometry, History, General Science, Geography, French, Latin and Gym. All subjects were taken daily at shorter intervals, and students stayed all day in the same room except for half an hour of gym. The teachers were all Sisters of St. Ann with the exception of Mrs. Goddard, who taught gym. Gym classes consisted of physical exercises such as push-ups, callisthenics and the occasional lesson in fencing.

Little Flower students wore navy dresses with white collars and detachable white cuffs. Later, the uniform changed to a navy tunic with a white blouse. It wasn’t until 1968 that the uniform moved to the current Canadian Autumn plaid kilt with white blouse and maroon sweater. The school colours, which had nothing to do with the uniform colours, were old rose and silver. The current school song, “Hail to thee our Alma Mater,” was composed by Mona Walsh in the mid 1950’s when the school colours were not maroon and white. Sister Jo has always wondered what colours were used in the song prior to them becoming, “Ever true to maroon and white.” If you know the answer, please write us a note, and we’ll pass it on to Sister Jo and print it in the next Alumnae magazine.

Sister Jo mentioned the myriad of other changes that have occurred since her graduation in 1938, including those in transportation and technology. However, there is one thing that she says hasn’t changed in all those years - the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of Christ in each of the students, staff, parents and grandparents.