Masbrough

I was born into a strong Irish Catholic family: My Mother was the oldest of eleven sons and daughters of her parents - Theresa and Thomas Fenoughty. My mother was a bit of a rebel. she had to go to Galway on the west coast of Southern Ireland to look after her Grandfather who was ill. Mum was there for twelve months. My Grandmother received a telegram saying that my Mother was coming home from Galway a week later - married. Maggie, my Grandmother adored my Father, his name was John, but she always called him ‘Jonnie’.

Mother Maggie and Father John went on to have ten children. My Brother - Michael is the youngest and I Eileen was the second youngest. My Parents lived a full and happy life. My Mother died aged fifty, leaving an eight year old son, two Daughters - one aged twelve and the other eighteen. We had an excellent Father who took the blows of life in his stride. We never saw my Father leave the house without blessing himself.

The early days were so different to what we know today at Mass. Back then Mass was said in Latin. The Priest always had his back to you throughout the service - opposed to today where the Priest stands and faces everybody, which in my view is much better as it makes you feel part of the Mass. Back then when you received Holy Communion- it was at the altar rails with the Body of Christ on a silver paten which was placed under your chin and it would be passed along between all receiving. Children would be sat at the front with their Parents, behind them would sit the older Ladies of the parish in their fitted coats and felt hats. Behind them Dr. And Mrs. Hargan with their nine children all dressed in kilts - what a glorious sight they were.

My Grandmother was very kind. She would give you her last penny and often did just that. Her saying was “no matter how high in life you rise, never forget the bridge that carried you over”. My Mother would repeat this often. I was baptised in St.Bede’s church, one of five generations before me. I went to St. Bede’s nursery, Mrs. Croften was my teacher. We all had a little bed which would be taken out and everyone would have a sleep in the afternoon. The nursery was also used for children’s first Holy Communion. We would come out of church after the service to the nursery. Tables would be set for breakfast - we often had boiled eggs with bread and butter- most likely margarine. The one thing that always sticks in my mind was that the eggs were blue inside when the top was cut off. (I think they boiled them at seven o clock in the morning………) Fr. Hammond would come in and every child got a holy picture with your name and date of Communion on it. I remember the processions were beautiful, the strewing of flowers in front of Our Lady’s statue. It is a shame we do not have this nowadays. Father Burke always said these are memories you will never forget and he was right.Over the years in St. Bede’s there was a lot to do- Children of Mary, Boys football, retreats, Guides, singing groups. The boys had access to a Catholic hall named Clumber Hall. The boy’s group was called ‘The Squires’ and God only knows what they got up to………..

Christmas time at school was wonderful. We loved making and putting the decorations up. The parties were great and we all had lots of fun. We would all bring cakes and jellies. The potted meat sandwiches were to die for! We would all have our own cup,saucer and a spoon with our name on it. There was also a Sunday school with me and Tony Flynn pumping the organ, woe betide you if you took a rest to catch your breath back -it would make a right old noise.The Parish Priest was Father Hammond - a very strict Priest. If ever anyone ever spoke in church - he would know and see them afterwards. He once stopped my Aunt Mary who was seventeen about talking to a boy outside the railway station. Father Hammond could be really kind but did not often show it. My Aunt told me that once Father Hammond was in his car and he noticed a young boy who attended St.Bede’s struggling to carry some wooden logs - coal was too expensive. Father Hammond stopped his car to help the boy home with the logs - not many would do that these days.I have a Crucifix on my wall. Father Hammond bought this for my sister when she was very ill. He would come and visit her four times a week. When he came through the door she would call out ‘ is that you Father’? And he would reply ‘yes it is Maureen’. She adored him. The Crucifix was from a Mission- priced at three shillings and sixpence. I have always treasured this - it remains on my wall to this day. My aunt used to say you had to make your own fun-well the Fenoughty clan did just that. A piano in the front room - Grandad would go to work on nights - in would come the Flynn’s and Kennedy’s - carols would be sung and lots more. The children upstairs in bed would often be woken up with all the singing. Grandfather could often be mardy but my Grandmother was just the polar opposite - she was full of life and laughter. My Uncle Jack used to call her ‘Lady.’In those days all women and girls had to have their heads covered to come to Mass. No ladies or girls were allowed on the altar- it was very much a man’s church.We were brought up with sayings like ‘God rest their souls’ or ‘if God spares us’ or ‘God willing’ which you do not hear often these days. St. Patrick concerts were the talk of Rotherham and were held at the Assembly Rooms. Catholics and those who were not Catholic would stand in line to obtain a ticket. The school would put on wonderful shows, choirs, dancing and those beautiful Irish songs- fantastic memories.I know we all must move on in life but to a a lot of people they never forget a lot of joy and friendship was formed which lasted lifetimes.

Joy is one of the greatest graces the Lord has given us and in this world of so much unhappiness- we must try to give joy to one another. Joy is one of the greatest graces - do not forget that Christ and you are an overwhelming majority. God bless you all. Eileen Owens.

Eileen Owens

Val Green

Thorpe Hesley

I was born in Clayton Manchester the second daughter of Frank and Winnifred Bellamy. There were two more sisters born after me. The first time I remember hearing the word Catholic was as a young child when my Mum and my Nan were talking about myself and my sisters being baptised Catholics. I didn’t know what it meant so never questioned it. As four sisters growing up - Mum sent us to Sunday school each week and I found I quite liked it. My parents were separated when we were very young and I didn’t know why and still do not. When I reached the age of about twelve Mum became quite poorly and the doctors were quite worried about her. We lived with Nan and Grandad so it was decided that our Father should be sent for as my Nan and Grandad were too old to look after four sisters. Cutting a long story short Mum got better and her and my Father decided to give their marriage another try. Consequently because of my Fathers work we left Manchester and settled in Rotherham.

I went to Kimberworth Secondary school for girls and I loved going to school. I found that one of my favourite subjects was scripture. I don’t know why but it was on leaving school I got a job at the GPO in Sheffield and was trained as a telephonist and I really enjoyed working there. At the age of seventeen I was out one evening with my friends at a place called Greasborough Club and a young man asked me for a dance and needless to say (as we said in those days ) started courting. I didn’t know at this time that he and his family were a Catholic family.When I first met his Mum (she was a widow ) I realised right from the beginning of our relationship that she was a very religious woman. She went to Mass every day and her son and daughter went to Mass every Sunday and sometimes during the week . After many months of trying to get me to go with them to Mass I decided that one Sunday I would go with them. We went to the 11am Mass on the Sunday morning. I continued going to Mass but not every Sunday. After a while I did go every Sunday. By this time we had decided that we wanted to get married so we began to arrange things for this to happen. At the same time I decided that when I was going to Mass I felt like an outsider in a way and felt that I needed to belong as part of the whole procedure. We had a long discussion and then decided that we would make an appointment with the Priest at St. Bede’s Catholic Church for more information. It was then that I decided I would take instruction from Father Clifford in the hope that I could learn enough for me to convert to the Catholic faith. After about eighteen months of weekly instruction usually lasting about an hour Father Clifford decided that the time had come for me to have my first Holy Communion. I remember the day like it was yesterday. 

It was the feast of Christ the King 1967 and such a lovely day one of the best things I have done. When we married we had a nuptial mass. It was a beautiful sunny day and relatives of both families were also there. We were blessed with two beautiful children and both were baptised Catholics. My son also baptised his two children. I am so very proud of him. There is still much more I want to learn about my faith. There is so much more that I need to know. I have had my prayers answered many many times. I pray daily even if my prayers are simple. I talk to God daily. I definitely need forgiveness and I try to go to communion as often as I can it makes a great start to my day. I always think that my faith is a very simple one because I didn’t go to a Catholic school so I am not aware of all the prayers and the answers that are always given during different celebrations but this is never a hinderance to me. I have asked for many things to happen in my prayers and these things do happen I think I am very blessed to be where I am today and I hope to continue being in touch with my God and my church ♥️

Colette Sharp

Kimberworth

I was born at home at 2 Joiner Street Masbro on 18th January 1946 and was baptised in St.Bede’s on 17th February 1946.

I went to St.Bede’s nursery aged three and attended St.Bede’s school where I received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation. I enjoyed the May processions – a devotion to Our Blessed Lady and the Sacred Heart processions when the whole school and the congregation would walk around the streets of Masbro professing our faith. When I was eleven I attended Notre Dame High School. Each school day I caught two buses and a train to arrive at school in Sheffield.

I left school at 16 and worked for a chartered accountants on Moorgate and studied shorthand and typing at night school three evenings a week. My Mother died when I was 18 and I helped my Father to run the home and look after my younger brother and sister.

I married my husband Mick in St.Bede’s in 1965 - Fr. Terence Clifford officiated. We were blessed with four children who all attended St.Bede’s school and Amanda is now head of the school and Gavin teaches computing.

Many of the young mothers in the parish used to meet on a Monday evening. We listened to many speakers on a variety of subjects. We planned and ran the Christmas fayres that used to take place in the school before moving to Forty Martyrs’ hall. We assisted with the Lent lunches and today many of us still assist with fundraising schemes.

In 1995 I made my first Hallam pilgrimage to Lourdes. I have been every year since until Covid stopped us in 2020. It was wonderful to return this year and I hope to return next year for the 40th anniversary of the Hallam pilgrimage. I have always felt a special close relationship with Our Blessed Lady. I feel she is constantly by my side supporting me.

Since I retired in 2006 I have had the pure joy of attending Mass each day. I have many roles in the church - reader, Eucharistic Minister, flower arranger, cleaner, ordering for the repository and secretary for Missio. For many years I have been aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Far too many instances to mention – for example deciding to visit someone who was not expecting me only to find they were in need and grateful for someone calling. Some people may say a coincidence but I believe it is the Holy Spirit motivating us at these times. He helps us to live in appreciation of the events of each precious day. The happiness of life is made up of such simple charitable acts prompted by the Holy Spirit.

My husband died in 2020 and is buried in our new graveyard. One day I will join him at the side of my beloved St. Bede’s.