One of our English teachers, Sr. Frances, passed away two years ago. We remember her love for all things Shakespeare and for Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. "I do remember having to write a paper about one of the Canterbury characters and also memorizing some verse." ... "Yes, I can still recite it!" (Prologue to Canterbury Tales in Middle (I think?) English .)

I sure do remember Chaucer’s Prologue, since I often recite it in the classes I teach related to linguistics and language learning, and have teachers tease out the modern English to understanding the Germanic nature of English in its everyday vocabulary (opposed to its Latinate reading vocabulary). There are so many kids in schools today that have English as a second language, and teachers who can barely read, but who can learn something about the evolution of their own language that is helpful in dealing with today’s kid population. Who knew back then that this was not just another bit of “homework.”

I remember having to sing "In the Gloaming oh my Darling" to the 4th grade class for Mrs Barth.

But my favorite was Sr. Mercedita, she seemed to be 100% there, and I was always happy to be around her, and felt sorry at her sadness at the low level of interest in math (and poetry) that she saw in her classes.

As for Sr. Mercedita, I had her just for homeroom and adored her because she was so present for us. She saw each of us. "There 100%" you said, Steve D. Yup. In senior year, she gave me the key to her locker. Who knew nuns had lockers, right? . Inside were papers of every colors and scissors and bulletin board supplies. And she told me: Create. And I did, one board after another for our homeroom. Trinity did not have a program for fine arts. But it did have music, song, Mr. Lento.

Yes, Sister Mercedita was a beautiful spirit. Even though I did not enjoy Math (putting it mildly) I admired her kindness, dedication, brilliance, and lovely smile. Ironically, I actually enjoy Math now, and tutor students in Algebra and Geometry. She would be shocked. Bless you Sister.

I always had a hard time with math, but Sister Mercedita was so very patient. I remember the breakthrough (for me) when she made it so clear that each side of the equal (=) sign was the same thing. So easy, but so hard!

“Bat” Masterson taught freshman year history. I got the best grade of my high school years in his class! I enjoyed Sister Mercedita’s classes even though math challenged me. Sheila taught sophomore English. Pat, you may have had Sr. Anita instead.

I remember the tag in the back (of my gym uniform) that gave the measurements for the person wearing the garb. Mine read something like: 48-36-48. The thing was a sack, intentional cover up. (See "Photos Then")

I remember Sr. Margaret Imelda who taught Latin. In 1984 I taught Math at a Charity high school in Jersey City- the Academy of St. Aloysius. Sister had aged by then and was doing the attendance for the school! I remember her telling me at the time that she was in some kind of contact [thru letter writing (before email)] with Fred C. I don't remember anything more, except that she was a real sweet nun when I met her again!

Let's not forget Sister Maria, the spanish teacher -- quite an imposing presence. Wish I had studied harder in that class....I could use Spanish everyday out here ( I continue to practice Spanish on Duolingo.) Sigh -- what we realize later that we wished we knew sooner.

Do you remember Krisantha Weerasuriya from Sri Lanka, Mari Shinoda from Japan, and Kazuako (?) who spent time at HTHS? Their photos are on the "Photos Then" page. Check out what happened to Krisantha at: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/core/page/krisantha-weerasuriya

From John N: "Kazuako Ueno, our exchange student from Japan, stayed at my home for about two weeks if I recall correctly. A number of things stand out; exchange student and host family gathering at the United Nations, Saturday morning CBS broadcast from NY studios on 57th St. with all of us. My first taste of Japanese food. And lastly the sight of Kaz running up the street with suitcase in hand after a small laundry room electrical fire sent black smoke through the house."

When Mr. Lento decided that my sister, Barbara Ann, and I were to perform (sing and dance) "We're a Couple of Swells" from the movie, "The Easter Parade", I needed a pair of worn out men's shoes that would fit my feet. My sister wore my father's old shoes (Size 6?); the only other person I knew who might have a small foot like my Dad's was Mr. Stevens, who kindly lent me his. After hoofing my way across the stage in the number, I returned the shoes to Mr. S. the following week, placing homemade brownies wrapped in tin foil into each one.

How about Sr. Sheila’s “Land, not where we had planned, but land?” with its “great mastiff bitch?”

Sister Sheila had us read Huckleberry Finn out loud. In her southern accent, she read the part of Jim the runaway slave. “Doan’ Do nuffin to Ole Jim, ‘at ‘us awluz yo’ fren.”

Anyone remember Senior year Creative Writing class with Sister Francis? I remember sharing Jimi Hendrix's song "Castles Made of Sand" for poetry. Not sure she loved that one.

Speaking of Sr. Francis, do you remember her (perhaps disguised autobiographical) story of a romance between two young people? When the boy moved away for work (or maybe military service) they exchanged letters. Upon reading the boy’s letters, the girl (Sr. Francis?) came to realize that they were not intellectually suited, and decided on the convent instead of marriage. Moral: “Pay attention to your grammar and diction, kids, especially you boys!” At the time I remember strongly feeling that this was an autobiographical as well as a teaching story. That classroom story stands out in my memory as one of the very few glimpses of any nun as a person with a life history, though, of course, it could have been fiction.

I had Sr Anita for typing. Which I must say I did very well - helping me to make money in college typing other guys papers. Thank you Sr Anita.

Sister Francis was, in my opinion, the just about the most intelligent, stimulating and effective teacher on staff. I do remember, albeit with a modicum of certainty, that she would often animate her comments with air parentheses.

......Sr. Frances's love for all things Shakespeare and for Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I do remember having to write a paper about one of the Canterbury characters and also memorizing some verse.

Does anyone remember Sister Francis' favorite Greek tragedy joke? -- "Euripides -- I mend em"

Had an interesting run in with Sister Frances. I was talking with someone and we were, shall we say, employing colorful metaphors and were overheard. Sister Frances instructed us that it's not the language you use but where you use it. She then repeated every "colorful metaphor" (with air parentheses) and said that was ok in the locker room or athletic field, but not in hallway at Holy Trinity. That said, I agree with you that she was likely the best teacher I had in high school.

As for Sister Anita, all I remember is memorizing quotes from Shakespeare (Hamlet? MacBeth?), at least I think it was her, and scaring Pattie at a dance (our first date) by telling us we were dancing too close together.

Trinitas: 1968

Do You Remember?