NAZARETH HOUSE, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 30 June 1910, Page 1014

NAZARETH HOUSE, CHRISTCHURCH

IMPRESSIVE OPENING CEREMONY (From our own correspondent.) The weather was all that could he desired on last Sunday afternoon, when the ceremonial opening of the magnificent new Nazareth House, the permanent home of the community and their numerous charges in this city, took place in the presence of a vast gathering of people. Were evidence required of the popularity of the Sisters of Nazareth, and of their noble work in the spiritual and temporal interests of the poor, the orphan, the aged, and the afflicted, it was amply demonstrated on the occasion. The Catholic community, as a matter of course, turned out in their crowds, but there were a great many non-Catholic sympathisers and helpers as well, leading citizens of all denominations, Parliamentary and civil representatives—desirous with one accord of participating in so important an event and exhibiting a keen interest in an undertaking the proportions of which were a distinct surprise to very many, whilst satisfaction was widely felt that a want—long felt in" this city—is now amply supplied. At 3 o'clock, the hour appointed for the opening ceremony, the huge area set apart for the function was closely crowded, many having to be content to remain in the corridors or view what they could of the proceedings from outside. Seated on the platform were his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., his Lordship Bishop Grimes, S.M., the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr. C Allison), Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., Very Rev. Father Price Adm., Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Fathers Hyland, Cooney, Daull, S.M.A., McDonnell, Graham, S.-M., Gilbert, S M., floare, S.M., Dignan, S.M., and Tyler, M.S.H.

spect, your Lordship's grateful children of Nazareth House. Both addresses were very tastefully engrossed and 'illuminated by one of the Sisters, and in point of merit are indeed works of art. - : .• ; . ,T- ---. After the reading of the addresses, his Lordship Bishop Grimes said that he had just returned from a very protracted visit to the West Coast, and he was truly glad that his first public function on his return was the opening of that magnificent home a home that in many respects owed its existence to his first visit to the West Coast,, a little over twenty-two years ago. The sight and condition of many of the old people over there had deeply and painfully impressed him, for he saw a fine type of veterans who, after living and laboriously toiling for a mere pittance and the bare necessities of life, found themselves in their declining years without suitable homes, without any loving •: or tender hands to help them, and without kind voices to soothe them in the hour of their bitterest heed. He resolved as soon as possible to obtain a home for that aged and distressed humanity, and he applied to the head of that well-known institute in London, the Sisters of Nazareth, for volunteers among her devoted daughters who would be willing to bid farewell to Home friends and relatives, and all that was dear to their hearts, and journey to this far-away land to become Samaritans of the aged and incurables, and mothers to the little cripples. He was thankful to say that after certain negotiations, necessitating a trip to Europe, his idea began to materialise. There was no difficulty about volunteers, for 100 or more of the Sisters expressed, their willingness to make the sacrifice. About 18 months ago the foundation stone of the present building had been laid by our late Governor, Lord Plunket, and to-day it was their great privilege to have their Metropolitan, Archbishop Redwood, in their midst to declare the building formally opened. He thanked the Archbishop for accepting the invitation to

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A little orphan girl, with two companions, approached and read in clear tones the following address to his Grace the Archbishop of Wellingon:— ' Your Grace,— the aged people and little orphan children of Nazareth House, beg to offer you a warm-hearted welcome to our new house marking as it does the auspicious occasion of its formal opening. We appreciate, in common with all our coreligionists in the Dominion, the deep interest your Grace manifests in works of charity, as witnessed in the archdiocese of Wellington. We pray that God may grant you verv many more years to be the light and consolation of your devoted people in the Dominion, as well as a father and guide to the poor. Asking your Grace s blessing, we remain, your respectful children of Nazareth. House, Christ--01 Having retired, three others, smaller than the first, came forward, and, in an equally effective maimer, read the following address to his Lordship Bishop Grimes: May it please your Lordship,—We the children of Nazareth House, Christchurch, on behalf of the Sisters and inmates, heartily Greet your Lordship to-day. Since first the Sisters of Nazareth came to our city from the.far-off Homeland your Lordship has shown yourself the kind and generous friend of the community and those confided to their care. The day on which you first wore the mitre was a happy one for Canterbury' Catholics + The cause of the Catholic Church, with the advancement of religion, .in this city and far-reaching diocese has been your sole aim and nhiect If then, our future lives prove worthy (as we trust in God's goodness they may) of the training we have here received, we may under Providence thank your Lordship, Is you lave ever at heart. the welfare of the poor of your flock especially the little ones so dear to the Heart of Our lavioiu P In conclusion, we fervently hope and pray that ™ur Lordship may rule many years over the important See of Christchurch and your beautiful Cathedral, which is a monument of your love and zeal for God's honor and glory Begging your blessing, we remain, with profound re-

perform the opening ceremony. He would also like to express his great satisfaction at the beautiful design of the architects of the building, and at the admirable manner in which the contractors had carried out their duties. In the name of the devoted Sisters, he would like also to thank the public press of Christchurch, for it had always helped and encouraged this good and noble work. Again, he would like to thank the people of Christchurch, irrespective of faith or nationality in fact, he would like to thank the whole of Canterbury and Westland for the very cordial reception that they had at all times given to the Sisters of Nazareth. And well they might help, : for the Sisters were engaged in a noble and Divine work, and. he felt inclined to say that few, if any, in the Dominion, no matter what their wealth or influence, would have had the courage and indomitable perseverance to engage in such an undertaking and bring it to the issue which they saw that day. Of old they knew the poor and distressed and suffering were despised and trodden under foot, and destroyed from the face of the earth, but Christianity had changed all that, and the Sisters of Nazareth in their midst set them an object-lesson by their noble devotion. The Sisters expected no earthly reward; they sacrificed themselves, and the worst part of the establishment was that tenanted by the Sisters themselves best and grandest portion was for the dear little children and the poor aged and distressed, who so well "represented in their misery the Divine Founder of Christianity. The Sisters thought the poor and distressed should be treated as the Divine Father would have them treated, and in doing this they consecrated their lives to Him. For the sake of their duty they had become mendicants, servants, and slaves, and had given peculiar demonstration of the highest form.of Christianity. The presence of the large crowd that day was proof of the interest taken in the magnificent work, and he felt sure it was also a recognition of their indebtedness to the noble nuns.' His Lordship then went on to state that he bad received a very large number of telegrams and letters (some of them containing handsome

contributions) apologising for the non-attendance of many well-known people who were unable to be present that day. One of these letters, he said, was from Bishop Julius, several were from members of the Cabinet, and many from leading physicians and other professional and business men. In urging those present to contribute freely to the funds of the Home, he stated that since the Sisters came to Christchurch in 1905 forty men had passed through the temporary home in Ferry road, 49 women, and 120 children. The Sisters, had prepared the passage from time to. eternity of 11 men, 13 women, and 3 children. At the present moment 25 men, 24 old ladies, and 78 little children were being cared for. Although the work was begun by the Catholics, the home was quite undenominational, and people who applied for admission were not questioned as to .their nationality or religion. People of all creeds were welcome, and could be visited by clergymen whom they desired to minister unto them. They could also be visited by their friends. The Mayor (Mr. C. Allison) briefly spoke of the enthusiasm of the Catholic Church, which he thought should be an example to other denominations. It was such institutions as Nazareth House that would enable the Catholic Church to advance and prove itself worthy of the reputation it had attained in the community. ■••• ""• His Grace Archbishop Redwood thanked the inmates of the home who had presented him with such a very beautiful address,' and, continuing, said that the vast crowd

- Style and Dimensions. * -■ The building consist of three floors, and when completed will be divided into departments, each of which will be conducted, entirely, independently of the others, although all will be under one. supervision. The tower in the centre of the front elevation rises above the main entrance; which opens into a spacious hall, at the back of which is situated the central staircase, and alongside this there is provision for a lift large enough to carry a stretcher, and attendants. There will be a staircase to each- department, making five altogether. The ground floor is divided into sitting rooms, class room, refectories, etc., and a centre wing of one storey comprising kitchen block and offices. The 'first floor consists of dormitories, etc., for boys, women, and Sisters, contained in separate wings; rooms are also provided on.this flat for visitors, and dormitory, sitting room, and refectory for old ladies. On the second floor will, be accommodated girls and infants, and infirm girls, the two last-named departments having refectories on this floor. All departments have infirmaries, sitting rooms, and lavatories in connection with them. The largest dormitories are 61ft by 36ft, while on the ground floor the class rooms are divided by accordion doors, which enable them to be thrown into one large room. All floors of corridors, passages, and lavatories are tiled, or laid in arkilite, and throughout the whole building a dado of oiled jar rah is fixed. The height of the main building to ridge is 72ft, and the height of the tower

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present was eloquent testimony to the appreciation of the work that was being done. He congratulated his Lordship Bishop : GrimeSj to whose energy and ideas they owed that splendid building. The people of Christchurch of all denominations were also to be congratulated, for the institution was for all denominations alike. The work of the Sisters was one of the greatest examples of true Christian charity. There was a vast difference between philanthropy and Christianity. Philanthropy meant the love of men for men's sake, but Christianity meant the love of men for Christ's sake. Under Christianity they viewed the distressed person, the unhappy and poor one, as the representative, of the God Incarnate, who condescended to be the representative of the poor and distressed. He had said, 1 Whatever ye do for the least of men for My sake ye do for Me. In declaring the institution open, his Grace made .an earnest appeal to those present to contribute to the funds, for by doing this, he said, they would be contributing to an institution which represented one of the noblest forms .of Christianity. As the population increased so would the building increase,, and not only would it be a pride to Christchurch, but to the whole of the Dominion. .. At the conclusion of the speeches about thirty of the little orphans sang choruses, and Mrs. Arthur Mead sang Gounod's 'Ave Maria,' with violin obhgato by Herr Zimmerman, in a highly artistic manner. At "the conclusion of the ceremony as many as could do so partook of refreshments, and for some,time the building was thronged in every direction by interested sightseers. The offerings . amounted to the handsome sum of £337 12s 4d. :.. ";. ' .'. .

102 ft. A most complete system of heating the entire building is installed by Messrs. Taylor and Oakley, whilst the lighting, ventilation, and sanitary arrangements are everything to be desired or that science and experience could suggest. The design in brick and stone is carried out in domestic Gothic, with touches of Venetian Gothic. The cost of the portion now completed and in occupation is about £22,600. When completed the building will occupy a square 250 ft by 240 ft. The number now in occupation of the present portion is 25 men, 24 women, between -70 and 80 children, and 11 Sisters. The architects for the building are the Christchurch firm of Messrs. Collins and Harman, and the result of their effortsguided in many essential details by the Rev. Mother Superior, who has had considerable experience in the home country, and notably in the erection of Nazareth House in Glasgow—is an imposing edifice, admirably adapted for its purpose—one that takes a foremost rank among the institutions of the Dominion, and one of the most striking architectural examples in the city. The contractor is Mr. J. Smith, who has carried.out his work well within the period of his contract. The plastering was by Messrs. George and Forward, and the plumbing by Messrs. O'Connell Bros. Mr. Thomas O'Connell was clerk of works—an exacting position of trust, and one requiring a vast amount of expert knowledge, tact, and constant attention to detail. : ::■ -■■