“50th Anniversary of St. Vincent’s Home Memories”

May 4th “50th Anniversary of St. Vincent’s Home Memories”

Autograph Memories pg. 10

June 13, 1975 – A 10-day celebration of the 50th Anniversary of St. Vincent’s Home in Normandy, Missouri – took place with several of the Nuns writing in my Autograph Book. Have a picture of Sister M. Alvira, Sister M. Celestine, and Sister M. Luitrard enjoying an ice cream cone!

(See the Prise Wining Photo below!)…(You just do not see NUNS eating.)

Sister Jane Frances was the Nun in charge of health care and the Nurse, with her own office area and infirmary. She was the one that saw to it that we each received a liquid doze of Epsom salts with a glass of water to wash it down. This would take place early morning “Monday” following a “Visiting Day” – even if you did not have visitors – you may have eaten something that a friend gave you – and we all needed to be clean … inside!

Sister Maria Aleppia was in charge of “Kindergarten” children and was also the Nun in charge during the Breakfast time in the girl’s side dining room. This was a Nun that would not let anyone leave their “oatmeal” in the bowl – you ate it – or she would spoon feed you – no matter what – you never got to leave food – uneaten!

Sister M. Columbo was the Nun in charge of everything in the care of the Chapel. She had two boys and one girl to help her, cleaning, flower arrangements and the making of the communion hosts and she took care of the priest garments and the linens – you name it she saw to it that everything was spic and span.

I worked for her for six (6) months and did a lot of sewing in my spare time and when she made the communion hosts – I got to eat the communion hosts – “leftovers” – and those not finished baking – these I really liked!

Sister Mary Alvira is the NUN sitting on the left of this photo… enjoying an ice cream cone on the “Anniversary” Sunday Celebration taking place at the German St. Vincent’s Orphan Home. That would be at 7401 Florissant Road, Normandy, Missouri 63121 – in the Saint Louis County – North – not to hard to find.

The Nun sitting in the center is Sister M. Celestine and she worked on the “Girl’s-side” the Dining Room and on the right side of this Photo is Sister M. Luitroud and her work assignment was in the Laundry.

When I saw this photo in the Newspaper, I just had to cut it out – since you never did get to see the NUNS eating in public, as their uniforms, before this one you now see, did include a large white bow that ties up close and under the chin – and to eat in public, really would be taking a chance on food getting onto the uniform and that just would not look good.

Now that I think about it, that just might be why this new version of their uniform was made.

The Nuns were usually all so nice and thin and perhaps they did not get any extra – in between meals and or snacks?