NAZARETH HOUSE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 5

NAZARETH HOUSE.

EXTENSIONS TO BUILDINGS.

LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE. The foundation stone of the extensions to Nazareth House, Sydenham, was laid yesterday afternoon by Lordship Bishop'Brodie. The new buildt inga will accommodate the old people who formerly have been housed in the old wooden building. It was most encouraging to the butters to have so many kind friends with them—it was an assurance that the work of Nazareth was generous approval, and that |W«J co-operation would be given in f mU , in jf the financial obligations the S.sters bad to meet in providing adequate accom modation for those entrusted to wieir care, said Bishop Brodie. He noticed in the gathering many constai* ,j£ unfailing friends, workers in &« fetes, etc.. but he felt he would not incur censure if he publicly expressed pleasure at the recovery Cahill to enable him to take his place again in his favourite pastime or organising and promoting ways ana means of helping Nazareth House and other kindred works of charity "It would be opportune t°- dav *? outline briefly the origin, nature, ana development of the work of the «™» of Nazareth," said Bishop Brodw. "London was the scene of the first activities of Nazareth House. the year of the Crimean War the renowned Cardinal Wiseman sought help of some devoted woman to care for the aged and the orphans of their great city of London. The first to volunteer' her heln was Victoire Lar-. menier, a native of Br'ttany in France In her homeland she had seen homes saddened by the death of the breadwinners while following the dangerous occupation of fishermen on the coasts of France, and she was ever ready to extend most practical sympathy to tne widows and orphans and to the poor in general. Victoire Larmemer associated with herself two other souls of similar generous and charitable nature, and in 1851 established the first Nazareth House for the needy and the poor at Brook Green. Hammersmith, London—this work still stands and has grown to great dimensions. The work of JSazareth House has spread abroad, and there are now no less than 45 Houses of the Institute in various parts of the &nglish speaking world. Their Work in Christchurch in their kind care of aged men and women and of orphan children enables us to view at close range their noble and successful work. Ine Sisters give their lives to the work and even cheerfully submit, to the arduous duty of going from door to door requesting gifts and offerings to support those entrusted to their care. This involves much hardship and personal discomfort, but no hardship is too great to deter them in the noble sacrifice they have made. "If we admire the wonderful devotion of the Sisters, it is gratifying that we are able to acknowledge the widespread spirit of generosity of the community in general in the support accorded 'to the Sisters of Nazareth. We read in the annals of the Crimean War that when the British troops were being welcomed home at the close of the campaign the columns were led by the nurses and sisters who had cared for the sick, wounded, and dying. The religious- habit was not then well understood in England, and the Sisters in the procession were greeted with marks of disapproval. Observing this the Commanding Officer halted the procession and addressed the assembled throng. 'These Sisters' he exclaimed, 'are worthy to take their place in, the triumphaL. marsh..of om 4 nation's "heroes; they have risked their lives, and have submitted to all the dangers and privations of War that they might be able to administer to the needs or our wounded and dying soldiers, and by their devotion to. theni* self-imposed task they have won the undying gratitude, of the nation.' Immediately the people understood, and cheers of gratitude and appreciation marked the line of march as the Sisters approached. This incident explains why in England to this day Sisters are treated with such respect and courtesy; the distinctive dress of the religious Sisters is understood as a mark of their consecration to a noble and unselfish work of charity. So it is in our young country;. when the Sisters of Nazareth are ' seen in our. busy streets, or again when they have to endure the fatigue of trying Journeys in the heat of summer or in the depth of winter, theii very appearance visit act as a strong appeal on behalr of the aged men and women and. or the orphan boys and girls under their kind care. To the honour of the people of the Provinces of Canterbury and Westland be it said that the Sisters ot Nazareth meet with Worthy encouragement and support, the scriptural monition 'Blessed is he that is mindful concerning the needy and the poor, ana our Saviour's declaration 'As often as ve have done it to one of these My least brethren, ye have done it •to Me.' seem to be widely understood, and the visit of the waters brings home the edifying trutn that the precept of charity has urged them to give their lives to the career the aged and orphan, and such a noblesacrifice must ever be a telling appeal prompting kindly hearts to co-operata m a great work. "The work of the Sisters of Nazareth has grown since it was started in a humble way in 1905—the present_Na- , zareth House was completed in IVw j at a cost of £22,000 with supplementary ; additions amounting to a further £8000; the growth of the work now demands further extension involving the outlay of of some £22,000. "In the name of the Sisters I express their deepest gratitude for the generous kindness extended to them in the past and appeal for continued help that the money required for the new building will be soon forthcoming and Nazareth House in its completed design may be an ornament to our beautiful city, and so a towering monument to proclaim the noble work or the Sisters, and the unfailing practical support accorded to this great charitv by the true and faithful friends of Nazareth House. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that there was no charitable work carried on that was more appreciated than that of Nazareth House. There was nothing more pathetic in the world than an old man who was not wanted, and it was a wonderful thing that for him thefe was a door at Nazareth j House alwavs open. The work was a Wonderful illustration of applied Chris- ■ tianity. I The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Father O'Connor. Mr E. J. Howard. M.P-, and Mr J. R. Hayward also spoke. The stone, which is of granite, bears the following inscription: —"This stone was blessed and laid bv the Right Rev. Matthew Brodie, D D., Bishop of Christchurch, November 4th, A.D. 1928." Messrs Collins, Harman and West are the architects and Mr T. E. Marriott is the contractor.