In the 1940's when I was growing up Catholic (I'm recovering, thanks) in Northern Bay, Conception Bay, August 15, the feast of Mary's Annunciation was a Holy Day which was similar to a Sunday - obligatory mass, etc. In my area, the day was known as Lady Day. Here are a few tidbits re Lady Day: Normally, RCs didn't fish on Sundays - most Protestants either for that matter. As August 15 was at the height of the fishing season, the RC church allowed fishing provided that the value of half the catch on that day was donated to the church - sort of a "you win, you lose" deal. As far as I know, the Protestants didn't have to make this little "donation" to their church. Northern Bay Sands is a well known beach and fresh water swimming pool where we kids spent most of our summer days. However, after August 15, swimming by Catholic kids was forbidden by our parents because "the chill was in the water". I never did find the origin of that stupidity as August 15 is still summer - even in Newfoundland. Anyone here know? I doubt that this has anything at all to do with your question though Ron. Regards from Florida. Matt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron St.Croix" <[email protected]> To: "Nfld Lab" <[email protected]>; "Nfld Roots" <[email protected]>; "NL-ROOTS" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 1:33 PM Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Holiday: > The following item is from the 19 August 1944 issue of the Western Star > Newspaper, Corner Brook, Newfoundland under the heading "Codroy Valley": > "The 15th of August passed by rather uneventfully. However, many sadly > recalled the big celebrations it occasioned in days gone by, and would > like to see it return to its former festivity." > Would anyone know what particular celebrations are being referred to here? > (Napoleon's birthday was/is celebrated in some parts of the world on 15 > August, but would that have been the case in Newfoundland?) > Note that Newfoundland was not a part of Canada at that time. > Thanks. > Rj > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Matt, I think you've made a slight error. August 15th is a Holy Day of Obligation involving Mary but it celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven. The Annunciation of Mary of the Birth of Jesus (the angel appeared to her and told her she was with child) is March 25th. At least it is here in the USA and has always been for my 50 plus years. Is it possibly different in Newfoundland? John Responding to the following quoted message RECEIVED 14:27 11 15 2006, FROM Matt Mullaly : QUOTE: In the 1940's when I was growing up Catholic (I'm recovering, thanks) in Northern Bay, Conception Bay, August 15, the feast of Mary's Annunciation was a Holy Day which was similar to a Sunday - obligatory mass, etc. In my area, the day was known as Lady Day. Here are a few tidbits re Lady Day: Normally, RCs didn't fish on Sundays - most Protestants either for that matter. As August 15 was at the height of the fishing season, the RC church allowed fishing provided that the value of half the catch on that day was donated to the church - sort of a "you win, you lose" deal. As far as I know, the Protestants didn't have to make this little "donation" to their church. Northern Bay Sands is a well known beach and fresh water swimming pool where we kids spent most of our summer days. However, after August 15, swimming by Catholic kids was forbidden by our parents because "the chill was in the water". I never did find the origin of that stupidity as August 15 is still summer - even in Newfoundland. Anyone here know? I doubt that this has anything at all to do with your question though Ron. Regards from Florida. Matt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron St.Croix" <[email protected]> To: "Nfld Lab" <[email protected]>; "Nfld Roots" <[email protected]>; "NL-ROOTS" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 1:33 PM Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Holiday: > The following item is from the 19 August 1944 issue of the Western Star > Newspaper, Corner Brook, Newfoundland under the heading "Codroy Valley": > "The 15th of August passed by rather uneventfully. However, many sadly > recalled the big celebrations it occasioned in days gone by, and would > like to see it return to its former festivity." > Would anyone know what particular celebrations are being referred to here? > (Napoleon's birthday was/is celebrated in some parts of the world on 15 > August, but would that have been the case in Newfoundland?) > Note that Newfoundland was not a part of Canada at that time. > Thanks. > Rj

Matt, I think you've made a slight error. August 15th is a Holy Day of Obligation involving Mary but it celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven. The Annunciation of Mary of the Birth of Jesus (the angel appeared to her and told her she was with child) is March 25th. At least it is here in the USA and has always been for my 50 plus years. Is it possibly different in Newfoundland? John At 14:27 11 15 2006, Matt Mullaly wrote: QUOTE: In the 1940's when I was growing up Catholic (I'm recovering, thanks) in Northern Bay, Conception Bay, August 15, the feast of Mary's Annunciation was a Holy Day which was similar to a Sunday - obligatory mass, etc. In my area, the day was known as Lady Day. Here are a few tidbits re Lady Day: Normally, RCs didn't fish on Sundays - most Protestants either for that matter. As August 15 was at the height of the fishing season, the RC church allowed fishing provided that the value of half the catch on that day was donated to the church - sort of a "you win, you lose" deal. As far as I know, the Protestants didn't have to make this little "donation" to their church. Northern Bay Sands is a well known beach and fresh water swimming pool where we kids spent most of our summer days. However, after August 15, swimming by Catholic kids was forbidden by our parents because "the chill was in the water". I never did find the origin of that stupidity as August 15 is still summer - even in Newfoundland. Anyone here know? I doubt that this has anything at all to do with your question though Ron. Regards from Florida. Matt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron St.Croix" <[email protected]> To: "Nfld Lab" <[email protected]>; "Nfld Roots" <[email protected]>; "NL-ROOTS" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 1:33 PM Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Holiday: > The following item is from the 19 August 1944 issue of the Western Star > Newspaper, Corner Brook, Newfoundland under the heading "Codroy Valley": > "The 15th of August passed by rather uneventfully. However, many sadly > recalled the big celebrations it occasioned in days gone by, and would > like to see it return to its former festivity." > Would anyone know what particular celebrations are being referred to here? > (Napoleon's birthday was/is celebrated in some parts of the world on 15 > August, but would that have been the case in Newfoundland?) > Note that Newfoundland was not a part of Canada at that time. > Thanks. > Rj END-QUOTED.