Nineteen years after the Presentation Sisters sold their convent and left Witless Bay, 13 of them, five of whom were former residents, returned for afternoon tea. The reunion, organized by the Heritage Committee of Witless Bay, had been planned for last November but was postponed due to a case of COVID, and a hoped-for visit on Valentine’s Day was delayed due to a winter storm. Finally, it proceeded on a sunny Saturday, May 13. On arrival, the sisters were greeted by members of the Heritage Committee. Also attending were several local residents, some of whom were taught by the sisters, who graciously volunteered to help with Heritage Committee events. After being encouraged to leave the kitchen where all migrated upon entering the house, they were escorted to the second storey chapel where Heritage Committee Co-Chair Maureen Walsh and member Colleen Hanrahan described the committee’s activities since its formation in 2004, and the role the former convent played. The youngest member of the Committee, Chelsea Green, delivered a solo rendition of Patsy Cline’s Walking After Midnight to an appreciative audience including her grandparents, parents and brother. Following this, all were invited to the dining room for tea, sandwiches, and sweets. The afternoon ended with a singalong accompanied with live accordion music. “In all, it was a wonderful afternoon in a historic setting which the Irish Presentation Sisters first occupied in 1860,” said Walsh. Above, starting at the top of the stairs and going from left to right are: Sr. Doris Walsh, Sr. Sheila Leonard, Sr. Margaret Mary Gosse, Sr. Marie Furey, Sr. Francis Pennell, Sr. Mary Molloy, Sr. Helen Martinez, Sr. Mary Rossiter, Sr. Betty Quinlan, Sr. Marilyn Doyle, Sr. Mary Dower, Sr. Roisin Gannon, and Sr. Clo Martin. Missing from the photo is Sr. Martina O'Reilly, who is also a former student.
