"A CHRIST-LIKE WORK."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1926, Page 14

"A CHRIST-LIKE WORK."

ST. MARY'S HOMES. OPENING OF NEW BLOCK. ACCOMMODATION FOR STAFF. " Unfortunately, the work of St. Mary's Homes shows no signs of decreasing. Rather it is increasing. 'J !ie need for financial support is apparent when it is realised that if the Church did not perform this Christlike work in helping the girl who has fallen by the way, , on would have to be made by the .State," said his Grace, Archbishop Averill, this afternoon, at the official opening of the new nurses' home at St. Mary's Homes, Otahuhu. " However, I believe it is a work that should be done by the Church, assisted by the State,' , continued the Primate. In appealing to the community for support, his Grace said there were some who realised the value of the work being done. Only yesterday a generous oitizen and churchman had handed him a cheque for £350. His Grace hoped that others would follow his example. , Creed Does Not Count. "It lias to be borne in mind that the doors of St. Mary's Homes are open to al. quite irrespective of creed. The doors are open to all who stand in need of help, training and encouragement to lead a new and better life. Girls who come here are given a chance to fit themselves for the struggle which lies ahead. The best and holiest influences are brought to bear on their lives." Continuing, his Grace said it was hoped to re-build the financial reserve which had been depleted by the building of the new wing and by improvements to the existing buildings. Archbishop Averill stressed the fact that the nurses' home was one of the most important parts of the whole building. The provision of this home had been delayed too long. It was a recognised fact that nurses and those who worked for the well being of others required congenial surroundings for their leisure hours. Up to the present the staff had been compelled to put up with whatever accommodation had been available. It had long been felt that this was unfair. The staff could only give of its best service when its members lived under proper conditions,. The workers at the home had carried out their duties in the past in a spirit of real self-sacrifice. It was of vital importance that the nurses in such a home should be able to get away for a few hours to a place entirely separate from the scene of their labours, in order to enjoy rest and recreation. They then returned to their work refreshed and strengthened, renewed in body, mind and spirit, with the result that this benefit reacted upon their work and patients. The work of a nurse in such a home required patience, love, sympathy and firmness. If the nurses were to possess and manifest such qualities, they must have the facilities at hand to build up a reserve, just as those in other spheres of work had to lay by a reserve for the rainy day, when special effort was required. What The Home Has Done. No appeal had been made to the public in building this home and in making the improvements. It had been found necessary to draw upon the slender reserves, continued his Grace. Therefore, it was essential that support be freely given. The institution includes three departments; a maternity home, a training home, and a nursing home for infants. For over forty years hundreds of friendless, unmarried, expectant mothers have found shelter in St. Mary's Homes, irrespective of creed. Girls from all parts of New Zealand have been taken in and cared for in their hour of trouble. Kifty-three unmarried mothers availed themselves of this sanctuary during the past year, and forty-three infants were given a chance in life. That the work is worth while is shown by tlig fact that many women, thus helped in the past, have since married, and are now mothers of promising citizens. , The new building opened this afternoon, together with improvements to the existing buildings, cost £6500. It is a single-storeyed structure, of fine appearance, set well away from the main buildings. It is of brick, and has a deep balcony on the sunny side. Accommodation is provided for about fourteen nurses and probationers, and the , building contains a common room and a reception room. Sister Constance, Order of the Good Shepherd, directs the work of the institution, which is under the control of a committee of management. A " bring and buy " sale was held at the conclusion of the opening ceremony, ■which was well attended, and afternoon tea was served.