St. Joseph's Boys' Orphanage, Takapuna Auckland

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 23, 14 June 1923, Page 46

St. Joseph's Boys' Orphanage, Takapuna Auckland

An Appeal God's ways are strange, but they are wise. We can be quite sure then that He had some very good purpose in sending the fire that has reduced the Boys' Orphanage, Takapuna, and everything in it, to complete ruin. Perhaps it was to give us —Bishop, priests, and people an opportunity of practising charity to Our Lord Himself in the person of 109 orphan boys. And certainly the many good Catholic people who eagerly claimed the privilege of giving a home for the next few months to 80 boys, and the many others who claimed the same privilege but for whom there were no orphans left —these performed a very beautiful act of charity. s Whilst we return heartfelt thanks to God for His kindly Providence in protecting the lives of the little ones and the Sisters, I am sure we are all determined to make sacrifices in order to provide another home for our orphans. We are appealing to our fellow-countrymen of other faiths, for charity knows no bounds, but we must take up our own responsibility and give the example. The position is this: The new wing, happily untouched by fire, is costing about £IO,OOO. We have to add to that and rebuild what is left of the old orphanage (the walls of one part are standing). These additions and the furni- __. ture will cost at least another £IO,OOO. We require, therefore, the sum of £20,000. We have now £7OOO in hand, and the insurances will come to £3OOO. So we have to find the sum of £IO,OOO. Others will helpthe kindness of non-Catholics at Takapuna to the orphans was unboundedbut it is mainly our work, and with God's blessing we will take it up and carry it out. We earnestly beg of you, dear friends, to make a not unworthy offering to the Divine Babe of Bethlehem in the person of the orphan boys. Every one of us will give—men, women, and children. No offering can be too big, no offering if given at a sacrifice can be too small. Those who haven't much wealth will give what they can; those who have been blessed by God with the goods of fortune will gladly seize this opportunity of thanking Him. All will be generous, giving at the cost of a sacrifice twice as much as they first intended to give. Fathers! Mothers! Help generously to build a good home for these 109 boys, even as you would like other fathers and mothers to build a home for your boy where he an orphan. Young. Men and Women! Give cheerfully a week's wages — can do this easily by cutting out some amusements — so do your share towards providing for these orphans what you have yourself—a good home. Children! God is very kind to you because you have good parents and a comfortable home. Come and help your little orphan brothers. Let us all earn the reward promised by Him who repays even a cup of water given in His name to "the least of these My little ones." * JAMES M. LISTON, Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland. J. J. O'BRIEN, G. H. FOSTER, Treasurers. H. F. HOLBROOK, Secretary. -