SUCCOUR FOR GIRLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 11

SUCCOUR FOR GIRLS.

ROMAN CATHOLIC HOME.

THE. OPENING CEREMONY. SERVICE TO COMMUNITY. "The fact that this home will be open to receive girls of all denominations makes it a community seKico that is entitled to the warmest civic commendation," said the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, yesterday, at tho opening of (he Mount Saint Joseph Home at Waikowhai, where sisters of the Order of the (!ond Shepherd will carry out rescue work for young women.

"There are those, I believe, who would condemn the fallen woman (o the retributive penalties of her own folly, but that is not Christ's way, nor is it the way of the sisters of tho Good Shepherd," Mr. Hutchison added. "There is no higher ideal than theirs, for they not only strive to remove from innocent children an unjust stigma, but provide a means of rehabilitation for many girls whose only fault is that of ignorance. I look forward to the day when a wider knowledge of the susceptibilities and dangers which beset tho emergence of girlhood into womanhood shall be more freely imparted, and when some recognised system of education shall fulfil the duty which for some inexplicable reason many mothers seem to shrink from performing. "Tho wonderful Christian and community service performed by the Mount Magdala, Christchurch, and St. Mary's Homes, is well known, and I am sure that the sisters who aro engaged in the conduct of the Mount Saint Joseph Home will fulfil tho best traditions of those institutions." Widespread Work of the Sisters. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Liston, who presided, formally opened the building, and also blessed the foundation stone of the Mount Saint Joseph convent, which is to be erected in the same grounds. He was assisted by Bishop Brodie, of Christchurch, and Bishop Whyte, of Dunedin. The widespread work of the sisters of the Good Shepherd throughout, the world was mentioned by Bishop Liston. He said the order cared for more than 100,000 children in nearly every country of tho world. Charity was the aim and the inspiration of tho sisters, and the forgiveness of charity was never bounded by race, colour or belief. In furtherance of their work, the sisters had come to their new home in Auckland for a twofold purpose—to care for those who had been touched by the irresponsibility of youth, and those whom pitiless circumstances had overcome. The hilltop on which the home stands would in due time be crowned by a fine group of buildings, which would serve a purpose of truly divine charity.

Reference to the history of flie charitable work carrier] out in Auckland by Roman Catholic institutions was made by Bishop Brodie, who said a pioneer band had arrived in the Dominion with Bishop Pompalier in 1851. Since then, institutions had been founded in many parts of the country, and the Mount Saint Joseph Home would be another important step in valuable social work. Urgent Need lor such a Home. Bishop Whyte said he could express no kinder wish for the future of the new home than that it would soon rival the Mount Mngdala Home. Jt was a striking fact that the inmates of homes conducted by the sisters of the Good Shepherd were always happy. A brief address was also given by Mr. E. C. Cuttcn, S.M., the senior Auckland magistrate, who said his official position had impressed upon him the urgent need for such a. home in Auckland. No work was more thoroughly deserving of public support than that of the sisters of the Good Shepherd. A vote, of thanks to the speakers was proposed by Archdeacon ITolbrook. who iias been prominent, in social work in the city for many years past.

After 1 lie addresses, (he large number of people present inspected the new building, which commands a fine view of the Manuknu Harbour. The visitors included many prominent social workers and representatives of public bodies.