"A NOBLE WORK"

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 296, 14 December 1936, Page 8

"A NOBLE WORK"

MANY TRIBUTES.

good -shepherd sisters. OPENING OF NEW HOME. Standing in beautiful simplicity on Mount St" Joseph, Waikowliai, with its magnificent vistas of scenery over the sunlit countryside and Waitemata and Manukau harbours, the new home of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Auckland yesterday offered a splendid setting for the impressive opening ceremonies. It was a setting, however, that was only equallv as impressive as the tributes that were paid to the work of the sisters. They were paid by the Minister 01 Justice, the Hon. H. «. R- Mason, by Bishop Liston, of Auckland, Bishop Brodie, of Christchuvch, Mr. Arthur Kosser (representing the Mayor), Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P. (Roskill), Mr. C. G. McCullough (chairman of tlie Mount Roskill Road Board), Mr. Wyvern Wilson. S.M.. atld the Rev. W. C. Woods (chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board). It is just live years since the Sisters of the Good Shepherd had established in Auckland a home, similar in ideal with the mother house at Mount Magdala, Christelmrch. During that period they have made a distinct impression 011 the community, an impression that was given voice yesterday. And during that period, too, they have been planning, and the building opened yesterday represents the realisation of those'plans. It is a fine three-storeyed building, with, at present, accommodation for 100 inmates, and has adjoining it a large laundry building. Built at a cost of £30,000, 'it is of reinforced concrete with large airy dormitories, a library, hospital and' surgery, and a splendidly equipped kitchen. Later the dormitories will be extended to accommodate another hundred.

For Those in Need. 111 the words of Bishop Liston the result is a home, simple and dignified in appearance, filled with sunlight, comfortable and eminently suitable for its purposes. This home wishes to take its place, however humbly, in the province, in the social service of those who are in need of service of the soul or of the body. He expressed his thanks to the sisters who were, he said, doing invaluable work for those 111 need. As the Auckland Hospital combated the diseases that attacked the body, so this homo would concentrate upon the ills that attacked the social body —whether the causes of those ills were lack of authority in the home, unemployment, poverty, injustice, the irresponsibilities of youth or delinquency. They gave to those who came under their care mother love and guidance in the wide and lofty vision that was signified in the situation and name of Mount St. Joseph. He congratulated the architect, Mr. C. Reginald Ford, and the builder, Mr. W. H. Whittaker.

Mr. Rosser read a message from the Mayor, Mr. Krnest Davis, praising the work of the nuns, and himself .added a sincere tribute to a work which he said was of similar ideal to that of the late Father Da mien among the lepers. With gracious kindness, lie said, they would Tift the fallen, cheer the down-hearted and heal the sick. Worth in Community. Bishop lirrxlie, who referred to his association with the work of the sisters at Mount Magdala, Christchurcli, ex- t pressed hi> gratitude to them. The new home, he said, would be dedicated to a great and glorious work. it was the work of specialists. Those who came under their care would have the essential influence of religion, the spirit of sympathy and kindness, a programme of life with needful proportions of useful work and recreation, and the privilege of association with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Those factors in the sisters' work in Christchurcli had accomplished a veritable miracle of grace. The Hon. TT. G. R. Mason said that as Minister of Justice he knew the need of such institutions as that of Mount St Joseph. The world was awakening now from the material considerations that had governed life during the past half-century, and was feeling anew the power of religion. He thanked the sisters who in the various branches of their work had kept the flame alight despite the prevailing outlook of those yeais. Their work, inspired by religion and devotion, was a great one. . The fact that the Sisters of the Good Shepherd throughout the world were caring for 81,000 persons was mentioned bv Mr. A. S. Richards; M.P., Theirs was an ideal that was worth living for and worth working for, lie said. It was a grand and noble work. Similar tributes were paid by the Rev. W. C. Wood and Messrs. C. G. McCullough and Wyvern Wilson, S.M. The latter, speaking of the use that the magistrates found in such homes, said that "the homes of the good sisters of the Good Shepherd are a blessing to the community." Afterwards the large number of people present had an opportunity of inspecting the home. In addition to those mentioned, there were present many representatives of public bodies, the Legislature and of religious orders.