“Bless US, within OUR very First Year

Apr 24th “Bless US, within OUR very First Year

“Making our First Communion”

Just looking at this PHOTO taken in maybe 1946… makes me think that for once in my LIFE… my brothers and I were just the best looking little Angels to be here on Earth!

Being in the Orphanage was not something that we liked and we were always waiting for that day, that we would receive the good NEWS … that we could go back home… to be with our parents.

1st communion 001

In this photo is ME, and brothers Denny Jr., and Tommy.

Looking at this photo of us and all dressed in white, and at the grotto of “Our Lady of Lourdes”… It just seems to me, that… we three were as close to being little Angels, as ever in our Life… we could be!

One thing about being in this Orphanage is, that our day started at 5:30 a.m., each and every day.

Everybody up and out of your bed… and as you are making your bed, you are saying the same daily prayers … all together.

Each dressing yourself and making your BED as taught, then making your trip from the third floor , via the outside steps to the “Play Ground” outside toilets… and you very quickly run to the basement “PLAYROOM” and making a quick stop to the “WARSH ROOM”… to brush your teeth and wash your face.

Your face cloth and towel hanging from a hook, each with your individual number, and your number above your items.

All around the room were these numbered hooks.

To this day… I still remember who was No. 10 and No. 29 and No.90 and No. 91 and No.92.

As we were called by our numbers, and if you were ever in trouble… usually the NUN in charge would write your number on the small sheet of paper that she would have pinned to the front of her vest.

Keeping track of each child by their number was the way that the NUNS kept track of your offenses, to determine who would get to go to the Normandy Theatre on Friday evening.

On Friday evening the “BOYS” would go to the “Normandy Theatre” which was within walking distance from the “HOME”… and then the next week would be the “GIRLS” chance to go.

But… if you received “three ” 3 marks within that period time… you did not get to go. So the NUNS would keep track of who was good and not so good and this was their way of getting your attention, by holding you back from getting out of the Orphanage… for any and all other “outside of the HOME” activities!

The above was just, that I soon did learn… after awhile of living in the HOME… as you were getting older and seeing some of the things that took place…it was hard for you to continue to be a very good ANGEL for ever.

After you are up and got yourself ready… we all march up the stairs to the Chapel… and file into the row and sit at your assigned place. We are then ready for MASS to begin at Six o’clock… Mass is then over at six-thirty.

We return to the PLAYROOM… Change from our School uniform to our play clothes… immediately we go the the assigned work places … then to the Dining rooms (as assigned)… breakfast at 8:00 and then done in a half hour.

Those that work in the Dinning rooms will do their job and everyone will then change to their School uniform and be in their assigned Class Room by 9:00 am.

One must hurry, even though the School rooms are in the same building… you would be surprised how many are late and get into trouble for being late… and that is no picnic… that’s a whole other type of trouble … you could find yourself in!