The Irish standard., 1896-03-28
HELPING POOR AND AGED.
Tho Work Accomplished by the Little
Sisters OF the Poor.

Sisters OF the Poor.
IA sPLEaDlD new. HOME ERECTED
Declining Years of Men and Women
Made Very Happy.
The new Home for the Aged of the Little
Sisters of the Poor is about completed
and will be occupied sometime during the
coming week, perhaps Tuesday. 1t is
four stories high, not including the attic,
which practically makes the building five
stories, in addition to the cellar. 1t is OF
brick and presents an imposing appear
ance. 1t is situated at 215 Broadway, at
the junction of Broadway and Second
street northeast, and was begun last
July. Its cost was 100000. 1t contains
four large dormitories, large dining
room, chapel reception room, parlor and
all other necessary rooms and recepta-
bles 1t is heated by steam and no
modern improvements have been omitted
that would add health and comfort to the
inmates. 1t will accommodate 100 per-
sons in addition to the Sisters who have
it in charge.
All this work has been accomplished
by these Sisters through the charity or
our people. Of course the gifts OF some
have been much more munltlcent than
those Of others, as for instance the dona-
tons of Samuel Hill, OF the Eastern Mimi
railroad, Anthony Kelly, Charles A. Pills
l@.,,,v 4 M 11rd nj
the Sisters the three lots upon which the
building stands, the others contributing
in money. The donors were not confined
to any particular creed or nationality,
nor are those applying and receiving ad-
mission questioned as to these matters
Al! the aged poor above go years are re-
ceived, the only other necessary condl-
lions being that they should be destitute
and of good moral character.
These Sisters have been quietly but
earnestly doing their deeds of benevo-
lence in this city during the past seven
years. The work began with four Sisters
in charge, three of whom still remain
The mother superior is Sister Monique
Joseph, bright, clear minded young
woman, a native Of France. Her sister
assistant is Alice de St. Francois, born
in the north of Ireland. She, too is
young and intelligent. These women are
all earnest and devoted to the alienation
of human suffering. For the past six and
half years they have occupied build
ing within block of the new structure,
for which they were obliged to pay rent.
1t was much too small for the demands
made upon their charity. They, how
ever, took in all they could find room
for, and at the present time are caring for
30 women and ii men. When the new
building is occupied large addition will
be made to these as number are wait
ing to be received. The men and Wom-
en- when physically able do what work
they can about the home-the women
washing and mending and the men doing
whatever other work may be necessary.
A casual look into the faces OF those who
are there showed them to be cheerful.
and contented, as assuredly they should
be under the circumstances. They have
not to think of the morrow. Shelter
from the heat of summer and the storms
of winter they have. Food. clothing and
lodging are gratuitously given. The
women frequently indulge in the memory
of by-gone days, perhaps when fortune
smiled more kindly upon them. The men
discuss in quiet murmurlngs whatever is
uppermost in their thoughts. Just now
the Cuban war is attracting their atten-
ton. These aged people have no one
but the Sisters to turn to for help Most
of them have been married. In some
cases their children are too poor to render
them assistance; in some cases they do
not know if their children exist. Still as
they glide down quietly the sequestered
shade of life they are amply cared for,
thanks to their benefactors and protec-
tors. They often meet in prayer. and
Protestant and Catholic join in common
Should anyone-a Protest.
ant, for instance-not wish to join the
Catholics in prayer they are not obliged
to. There is no ciercion nor prosecuting.
Charity is here given it's fullest meaning.
These Sisters are always at work col
lecting from the charitable. donations
of old clothing, broken victuais, bread,
meat, vegetables, etc, are most thank
fully received by them and called for
when requested
DR.. Leiberte attends the Home and
administers to the sick free of charge
When patients require attention the sist
ers attend to them watching and nursing
and in every way bringing them back to
health. And those who know of the deeds
of mercy of those sisters always feel like
making this pathway as easy as poss-
ible. Some have donated furniture
for the new building and some have coz
tributed in other ways.
To carry on this immense work from
such small resources required money and
this was lent to the sisters by generous
hearted people but without interest. By
this means they have been enabled to
pay the greater portion of their current
In addition to the money
borrowed, which must be paid In time.
other items of indebtedness are required
to be met from day to day and for this
money is needed. If the charitably in
clined, who are in a position to do so,
would devote a, portion of their surplus
wealth to advance the interests of the
Home, they would perform deed of be
nevolence of jncalculable merit, for the
good done by these voluntary laborers
the sisters--in works Of charity and
compassion can never be measured by
dollars and cents.
1t was some SIS years ago in Brittany,
in France, that this order began its ex-
istence. 1t has now homes in all the
large cities of the world wherever Chris
tianity is recognized. In some cities
there is more than one Home. In China