NAZARETH HOME, CHRISTCHURCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1917, Page 8

NAZARETH HOME, CHRISTCHURCH

A MISSION OF CHARITY.

Men’s" minds differ as rivers differ, and on most subjects differences of opinion are beard og all sides. There is, however, one subject on which all may agree, and that is on the Divine attribute of charity. These truisms are brought to mind by the arrival in our midst of the Sisters of Nazareth. As is well known, the "good Nuns give shelter, food and clothing to a large number of the aged poor of both sexes of all denominations. Thejpe are many West Coasters among Diem. A large number of poor orphan children/ the waifs and strays, are also well cared for and receive a good schooling in the orphanage attached to the institution, Nazareth House, Christchurch. The good Sisters are hard hit by the present abnormal conditions brought' about by the war, t Every item of food, clothing, firing, and all the hundred and one articles required in a large home, such as the nuns control, have increased in cost enormously—indeed, there is extreme difficulty in making ends meet. The only .qualifications for admittance to the f\ome are that the applicants must be poor and helpless. To these the Nuns, many of whom are of genteel: birth and. high culture, bestow without fee or reward the most devoted care and attention. These angels of charity are not out for war bonuses for themselves. They merely get their food and clothr ine‘/%A visit to the Home causes a visitor to reflect on the ups and downg of colonial life. Little did many of the inmates think when in the heyday of their prime and strength that a day woulch come when they would be glad to receive food and shelter in a charitable .institution, and thafikful many of the old pioneers are to be in such a haven of rest after the storms and ills of life. Truly, as Burns wrote: “Old age rfind want are an illmatched pair.” . We feel sure the good. Sisters oft Charity, who are now in Greymouth district) will receive that measure of support from all on whom they call which the pressing needs of their home and the Divine nature of their work so richly deserve. . /