On Granite St.

I think this statue is right in front of Holy Name highschool

St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church was founded in 1855 on Eastern Ave. In 1962, the congregation merged with Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the building was razed.

This Grotto is indeed in front of Holy Name High School. It is located across the street from St Ann's Orphanage which was torn down and replaced with individual "cottages". It was run By THE GREY NUNS from Canada. I remember going to the Grotto as a group to say the rosary when the weather permitted. To my knowledge it had no connection to the parish of St Ann's. As we had a beautifull chapel and a resident priest Fr. Alfred Berthiume, an Assumptionist. Brings back wonderful memories.

I can rember the Oraphanage Maby more than Id like to When I was a boy both my brother Gene and myself spent about 3 years there,I can't rember if it was 3 or 4 floors but I do rember we slept on the top floor.in a dorm that must have held 50 beds. I rember the back was all caged in for safety .and this building sat atop a hill that we played ball on in the summer and went slideing when it snowed, I do rember at the foot of that hill was a little woods and vines of "concord Grapes'and across the street there were hazelnut trees on the side were the shrine was there was also a very small pool in Pea green.and below that were the playgrounds we played in .over on the other side I can rember a barn and Pigs. I have got to say that Ive never gone back but my brother Gene has and told me of the change,he still lives in Mass. I have lived all over the world.and just never found the time to go home. but I do have fond memeries if the sisters who took care of all us kids and put us on the right road in life.

I believe the address for St. Anne's Orphanage in 1963 was 133 Granite St. It was not far from St. Vincent's Hospital. I believe the orphanage was one huge building (or two, front/rear, joined by an internal rampway). Father Alfred Berthiaume was the serving priest in that year; he passes away in the early 80's. Sister Dolores served in the girls section--we all thought she was pretty hep for a nun. She left the sisterhood later--last known address in Florida somewhere. I hope Jose Gomez from Cuba (pre 1963) writes and adds comments to this site. Behind the orphanage was a baseball diamond where the nuns taught us baseball. Sister Dolores taught us football. Also out back and down the hill was the pathway we walked to the junior high school (Providence St. School, I think). What a trip down memory lane. Thank you, Chuck.

i attended holy name, and would often stop here to smoke one last one before the school day

My Grandmother, Blanche lived at St. Ann's, made her First Holy Communion there on May 30, 1910. Father Marie-Clement Staub gave my Grandmother her first Holy communion. My Grandmother told me of her memories at St. Ann's, one of which was the dandelion greens. My Grandmother, and her sister Loretta, would pull dandelion greens from the grass on their way down to supper. They would place them between the bread they were given, for flavor. My Grandmother never spoke an angry word about the Grey Nun's or St. Ann's. It though was a tough life, but much better than the alternative. My grandmother was a "boarder" which meant that she did have a surviving parent, her Father, Peter Goyette. Pete as his friends called him, was a barber. His shop was on Grafton Street in Worcester. Peter, my great gandfather, killed himself in 1948.

My son and I live off of Granite Street, and hanging in my hall is a picture of my Dad's first communion class taken in front of the St. Anne's Grotto. I have only heard stories, but know that he and his twin brother were at St. Anne's orphanage for a period of time. I found it interesting to learn that the nuns who took care of him were French Canadian, because so is he. Currently my son goes to school at Holy Name, and he is named after his Grandfather. I've often wondered why I was drawn to this neighborhood, maybe St. Anne's is the connection.

I was five years old when I was sent to Saint Ann's.My first night was spent in what I considered a big crib, in a huge room with many of the big "cribs". The girls and boys were in seperate parts of the building, and I only recall seeing boys at playtime outside. The nuns did indeed speak french, but had to speak english too, obviously for english speaking kids were most likly the majority. I do not remember that grotto, but I do remember the showers were in a lower part of the building, and it was just one open room with alot of shower heads,rather spooky and dreary place. We used to be helped by older girls, and my daily wish was not to have to be there like the older girls that were'nt adopted. I Felt terrible for them. I was adopted about a year later, and when I was leaving the orphanage, I had my two little girlfriends ready to go with me. I don't remember their names,but they were twins, and had red hair. Needless to say how upset we were when we found out we could'nt all be adopted together.I still wonder about those girls, and all the other kids that were there. I wonder what happened to the children when they closed/tore the place down.

I attended Saint Anne's Orphanage from September 1951 'til June 1959. Thank you for the page on Saint Anne's otherwise known as Saint Anne's French Canadian Orphanage. I remember the buildings, grounds and pool. I attended class at Saint Anne's Orphanage and remember the showers and dining hall. After Saint Anne's I went to Working Boy's Home in Newton Highlands Massachusetts from 1959 - 1961.

I would really like to contact some "boarders" from St Annes between 1954/5 and 1961 about the time I was there. If anyone would care to respond - please use this email. I remember the orphanage, sister frigette, sister roy, fr. alfred, monsignor sullivan,I remember days totally alone when all the kids went home and I could not, I remember the showers, the dance recitals, etc. does anyone else? Yes, I remember the grotto too. kblackwood2002@yahoo.com

I was sent to Saint Ann's in 1969 and lived there through 1975. My first 3 nights were spent in the young girls cottage as there was no room in boys cottage. There was 5 cottages at that time, 1-Young Boys, 2-older boys, 3-young girls, 4-mid girls, 5-older girls and one main main building which housed the Chapel, kitchen (All meals prepared there and walked to each cottage) Ron Archiri (sp?) was my counselor. Sister Margaret was the closest thing I had to a mother. Over-all it was a good place

I am trying to determine if this is the same orphanage that was also listed as St. Anne's Orphanage,Needam, Mass? Or is there another St Anne's Orphanage that anyone may know of in Needam, Mass?

I appreciate the chance to comment on my memories of St. Anne's Orphanage. My sister and myself were boarders. We attended from 1954 to 1959. Reading through all the postings brought back all the memories that have been shared. I started as a "Little Boy" and graduated to the "Big Boys" upstairs. I, too, remember the separation of boys and girls, the fields where we learned baseball and football. I remember going to Holy Cross College and seeing my first football game. We were the guests of Holy Cross and got to eat with the students in the great dining hall. Tommy Green was the quarterback and they played Syracuse. It wasn't until years later that I realized that we had seen the great Jim Brown playing for Syracuse. I'm sure someone else remembers that game. I'm sure someone else remembers going to the Boston Garden and seeing the Celtics play and meeting Bob Cousy and other players after the game. I'm sure others remember when the Mouseketeers came to give us a show (complete with Annette). Or when we did the Hula-Hoop dance at the Stadium Festival in Holy Cross Stadium. It was hosted by Dick Clark and we were about as close to the stage as you could get. I remember that Connie Francis and Fabian were the headliners. I won't ever forget because myself and a girl named Marilyn were chosen to go on the stage and pull the tickets for the cars that were given away. We later had our picture taken with Dick Clark, Connie Francis and Fabian. What I wouldn't give for a copy of that. The memories I have are countless and good. I remember studying and becoming an alter boy. I made my First Communion there and was one of the alter boys serving Fr.Alfred when my sister Cheryl Ann made her First Communion. I got to hold the platter under her chin when she received. I,too, would like to communicate with others that attended the years that I did. If anyone would care to communicate, please use my e-mail address. In closing I would like to comment on one memory in particular. As I said, my sister and I were boarders, we had a parent. At Christmas time everyone at the school was told to make a list of three things we really wanted. We could wish for anything except a bicycle. At Christmas time, downstairs where the stage was, we all opened gifts and at least one item, maybe it was two, of the three we listed, had our name on it.

My father was raised by the nuns at St Anne's and he turned out to be the kindest gentles man that I have ever known. He use to tell me about the pigs and other stuff to. He learned about God and he knelt and said his prayers morning and night and I attribute that to the nuns. I wish that I could get some info on him from the early 1900's. Janice (Pepin) Young . His name was Emile H Pepin

I remember the grotto and the orphanage! I was there along with my biological brother 1955 to 1963. My memories are sad, but make me a better person. Would love to have pictures of the orphanage if anyone has one for my children and grandchildren, and niece who is most interested! I have a picture of Sister Roy and Siter Lucias (sp?) that I cherish!

MY UNCLE WAS FATHER ALFRED BERTHIAUME. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL FATHER ALFRED BROUGHT A GROUP OF CHILDREN FROM THE ORPHANAGE TO A PICNIS AT OUR HOUSE IN SPENCER MA. ONE YEAR, WHEN HE WAS AT OUR HOUSE FOR THE ANNUAL PICNIC A HERD OF COWS CAME RAMBLING ACCROSS THE STREET FROM JOLICOEURS FARM TO JOIN THE PICNIC. WE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO A VISIT FROM FATHER ALFRED AND HIS CHILDREN. PB

I was at the orphanage from 1936-1946 I was three when I arrived and thirteen when I left I would like to here from any one that might remember me.My e-mail address is tvayo@bellsouth.net

I remember the orphanage just like most of you do The little girls The big girls The same for the boys I was there when the Groto was built. In the 1940,s I used to bring the food to the big boys on a big cart thru the connecting tunnel to the boys side. I thought I was something having that chore. It was a big deal to me at the time. I went to Mass in the old chapel hundreds of times over the years I remember the pigs and barn. The play areas. The metal ones attched to the back side of the orpahnage. Does any one remember Sister Perault,sister Trouxier They were the big boys Mothers at my time there 1936-1946

If you were at St. Anne's Orphanage in the early 1950's please email me with the subject line St. Anne's Orphanage - at kellysquare2003@yahoo.com. I'd love to compare notes, hear stories, etc. I was about 4 or 5 when I went there --I think between 1954-1957. I remember Father Alfred - Sister Baceau(sp), Sister Roy, Miss Shirley who used to have a room right off the dormitory, etc. Thanks much.

JAMES - Jan 2008 Jan 21,2008, I was a boarder at St Anne's orphanage 1947 - 1953, I have some good memories and some not so good, such as getting the "stick" in the closet every morning for wetting my bed and carrying the sheets to the laudry. I do have good memories of Sister Ann and baseball albums my team was the Washington Senators, also remember the swiming pool and visits from Bishop Wright. I remember the pigs and barn and eating Yuck blood sausages, the plays we put on, and 'parlor' if you had a visitor on Sunday. If anyone attended in those years please email at nubywinds@verizon.net and share memories thanks!

My father-in-law was at St Anne's orphanage from 1954-58. His name is Roger LeBlanc. He was there with his brother Ivan and sisters Doris & Murial. He has many fond memories of his time there and would be interested in talking with anyone who might remember him. He is not on-line but if anyone would like to get in touch with him please send me a e-mail at Misty182@aol.com.

I attended St Ann's from 1953 until 1959 - I was three and remember Father Alfred, the "big" girls and the "little" girls - I remember we each got a "big" girl as a mentor, I remember me sitting at the top of the stairs, there would be a girl at the bottom and she would call up a name and I would go get the girl who had company. I remember being a flower girl for the bishop. I remember the HORRIBLE showers down somewhere and the awesome pool. I remember running around that pool and the shrine across the street. I remember walking to the store with money in our "envelopes" and seeing Fanny on the walk down to buy penny candy. I had a friend, her name was Linda Lesperance - I have often wondered what happened to her. I do not remember the cows and the pigs mmmmmm thanks everyone for all of the memories

In 1978 I lived at Mt St Ann's orphanage at 133 Granite Steet, Worcester, Mass. It was a wonderful place to be. It was not like the little orphan Annie stereotype. The sisters were wonderful and beleive me they were indeed strict when the occasion called for it.

I remember in 1978 we had the big blizzard. I was 11 years old at the time. It was dangerous outside. The wind was tearing up the city. The temperature was unbearable. Man, the snow that came down with that storm. The next day of course there was no school at Granite Street School. After morning breakfast and our chores, we all got to go outside and play in the snow. We dug tunnels and built forts a couple feet taller than us. Somebody came up with the idea to spray down the walls of the snow forts with water from a watering bottle. It worked great. the walls became coated with thin layers of glistening ice. At the end of the day we had the snowball battle to end all snowball fights. It was the funnest time i had there (other than the swimming pool in the summer. Note: The pool has since been filled in and grown over, but the fence is still there and you can see where it was.) Thanks to sisters Margaret, Helen and Marie and Father Alfred for taking such good care of me.

hello...back again. if anybody remembers being at Mt. St. Anns in 1977 & 1978, i'd like to here from you. We may even know each other. My e-mail address is bootlegt1@yahoo.com

I lived at St Ann's from mid 1975 to 1979 when I graduated North High. I lived in the 'D' house down at the bottom of the hill. It was for older girls and younger children and babies. Sr Marguerite and Sr Marie were the house mothers. I remember FR Alfred taking us to Assumption basketball games. My email os othy_84116@yahoo.com

Does anybody knmow what happened to the little cottages after the Grey Nuns left in 1979? St. Ann's was then run by the Catholic Charities corporation until it closed in 1983. I know the cottages housed some poor people in need a little after that, but then what happened? Are the cottages still there today? Any help would be more than welcomed.

Hi again folks. It's been a couple months since I've visited here and I see some new posts. Lorraine I remember a lot of what you posted here and more - although I don't remember name really of any of the girls. James I too have bed wetting stories and one that is pretty vivid even now 50 years later :). My sister has been going to the Worcester library and looking up information. I'm wondering information from the library can be accessed on-line - it would be easier. Also, how to go about getting any records, or information about staying there.?I seem to have run into roadblocks several years ago from writing to Catholic Charities. Anyone have any ideas on this? James, I'll email you at some point. Feel free to email me at peafreen@gmail.com and please use St. Anne's in the subject line so I won't think it's spam.

My father , JOseph Willialm Donovan, his brother Harold and sister Ruth were at ST. Ann's in 1915 -for several years. They were aged 2, about 6 and 9 0r 10. Ruth died there of septicimia - any one have any relatives that go that far back?