CARE OF THE AGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23907, 7 September 1939, Page 5

CARE OF THE AGED

UTILE SISTERS OF THE POOR CENTENARY OF NOBLE WORK CELEBRATIONS AT ANDERSON’S BAY One hundred years ago, in the town of Saint Servan, in Brittany, the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the charitable organisation which has spread throughout the civilised world, was founded by Jean Jugan in circumstances which gave no indication of the extent to which the movement would subsequently spread. In the winter of 1839 Jean Jugan rented part of a working class home, and with only two rooms and an attic at her disposal, commenced a work of benevolence and charity among the aged and friendless that was 1 later to establish itself in many parts of the world. All the branches of the order are at present celebrating the centenary of its foundation, the local ceremonies commencing at the home of the Little Sisters of me Poor at Anderson’s Bay yesterday. Yesterday . morning.. Pontifical Mass was celebrated at the home by Bishop Whyte, .and in the afternoon a special centenary dinner was enjoyed by the aged occupants of. the. home, the serving being done by Bishop Whyte, the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr A. H. Allen), the Mayor of St. Kilda (Mr J. J. Marlow), and a number of friends and benefactor?: of the order, ; ' ; At the conclusion of the dinner a reception was held in the main dining room. Bishop Whyte presided, and associated with him were Mr Allen, Mr Marlow, Monsignor Delaney, and Father Columb. Before the formal business commenced a choir consisting of several of the Sisters and male inmates sang a centenary hymn in which the history of the order was outlined, amd a welcome was extended to Bishop Whyte and the friends and benefactors of the. home. ” . : . Father Columb extended the thanks Of.the Little Sisters to Bishop Whyte and the other visitors for. their attendance to do honour to the celebration of the centenary of the order. The spirit of the great work of the order had been admirably expressed in the song they had just heard, he said, and the attendance of the visitors endorsed to the utmost the.noble aims of the organisation. The old people and the Little Sisters were always pleased to have Bishop Whyte with them. He haddn them sincere Mends, and in his recent illness the prayers of the Little Sisters and the old people undoubtedly had some effect, towards his recovery. It was also a fine gesture on the part of Mayor and Mayoress of Dunedin to attend the celebrationis, Father Columb continued. Their presence endorsed the work of the order on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin. The work was open to all creeds, and it was fitting that : the people of Dunedin should be represented. The presence of all .the visitors had made the day a memorable one for the Little Sisters and the old people, and on their behalf he thanked them for their attendance, - ■ Bishop Whyte said he was very grateful to Mr, and Mrs Allen for attending the, simple but important function that : afternoon. He did not intend to'deal with, the history of , the order, for that would be made the subject of other addresses during the course of the celebrations. He expressed gratitude to the Little. Sisters and the old people for their prayers on his behalf during his illness, and said thgt prayers played a ,greater part in' life than was generally realised. They should : therefore continue their prayers for peace, so that the prophecy that the nations would beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into sickles might be , fulfilled. Bishop Whyte concluded ' by,. joining with Father Columbia thanking, the visitors for the interest' they , had . shown in the work of.,the order.: .. Mr Allen expressed .thanks, for the welcome’which had’ been, extended to Mrs Allen and himself, and for the honour accorded them.. by the Little Sisters in inviting them to be present ■on such ah important occasion m the history of the order. A period of 100 years was not a long’time in the history of the world, but when it was realised that the Congregatlon of , the Little Sisters of .the Poor, was as old as organised settlement in the- Dominion, a better appreciation of the age of the order could be obtained. During the whole of that period the prder had been carrying out a noble work, giving comfort, solace, and hospitality to the aged and friendless, and on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin he congratulated the Little Sisters and the Church, generally on the wonderful work they had done in the city since„ the establishment of the order at Anderson s Bay. The old people in the home were fortunate in that, in the autumn of their lives, they received , the benefit of the care and,assistance of the Little Sisters, whose - kindness made their days happier than .those of many who Were outside, the walls of the institutiCThe ceremony concluded with cheers for Bishop Whvte, the visitors, and the Little Sisters of the Poor, and ,the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” v , The' celebrations will be continued to-day. when private functions will be held; and to-morrow, when .there will be a special .Mass, at which the St. Joseph’s Cathedral boys choir will sing. .. ■ ■ _ -__ .