Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-15
HOME FOR WORKING GIRLS
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES ATTEND
ING ITS DEDICATION YESTERDAY.
Cardinal Gibbons Omciates and De-
livers an Address-The Objects
of the Institution.

The new home for working girls, st.
GATHERINGS, located at the Intersection OF
North Carolina avenue and 1st street. south
east, and conducted by the Sisters OF
Mercy was dedicated yesterday afternoon
with impressive ceremonies. Cardinal Glib
bons of Baltimore oficiated. his assistants
being Rev. DR.. D. ]. Stafford, Fathers MO-
ran and Farmer of st. Dominics Church
and Father Griffith Of ST. Augustine s.
Fully 1000 persons were gathered in front
of the main veranda of the handsome build
Ing where they were addressed. Prior 10
the outdoor exercises Cardinal Gibbons,
followed by the assisting clergy, walked
through the corridors Of the institution anu
sprinkled holy water, Offering up prayers
at the same time.
the great assemblage without. section
of the Marine Band had rendered num-
Der of preliminary sacred selecuons. II.
Stafford spoke of the great good resulting
to the world from the love of Christ ana
from charity The first hospital, he SAID,
was established by Christ himself. and He
inaugurated the work of helping manklna
through brotherly love. Father Stahord
spoke of the rich class who must help the
poor, and Of the poor who are dependent
upon the bounty Of others. Between these
two, however, he declared, there is huge
middle class, the members OF which heeo
PASsSSeAOAA'
Objects of the Home.
The aims of st. GATHERINGS Home are d.
rected toward this middle class. 1t pur-
poses to provide residence for working
girls and women, where they may be pro-
tected from the snares OF lie, and wnere
they will also be surrounded by an atmos-
phere of religion, which. it is believed will
be most helpful to them In carrying Tor
ward their life's work. DR.. Stafford spoke
of the pitfalls that beset the young woman
alone in the world when she comes to city
like washington to earn livelihood. TheSe
girls do not need charity, but they do need
protection, and to that estimable end the
home had been established under the Sis
tiers Of Mercy. The nome was estaphsneo
Capitol street. These soon proved made
quate, and 1t was finally determined to build
q home suitable in every detail for the pur-
poses Of the institution. In concluding his
address DR.. Stafford said: Here the vir-
tue and purity Of womanhood-all that
makes her loveliest and fairest-shall be
fostered and cherished"
The Cardinals Address.
Following DR.. Stafford Cardinal Gibbons
delivered an address much along the same
lines He spoke Of the many charities that
had grown up in the world since the COM
ing of Christ. In pagan days, he said, there
were neither hospitals nor asylums. WHAT
ever charity now exists ls inspired Dy
Christ The cardinal also spoke OF the
many institutions of charity conducted by
the Catholic Church, saying that at each
there was no question OF race religion.
II the candidate be q member OF suffering
humanity he or she WAS welcome. In this
same spirit Of cosmopolitan helpfulness the
Sisters Of Mercy had established St. Cath
crimes Home, and he predicted for it sue
cessful mission. The home is entirely self
supporting.
The new building cost In the neighborhood
Of $4,000. It Ia OF red pressed brick with
stone trimmings There are dormitory ac-
commodations for forty-six girls. Forty
have already entered. There Is a chapei.
living rooms, etc., for the girls and for the
sisters in charge. A fair IL soon to be held
to assist in paying or the indebtedness on
the building. The sister superior Is Mary
Josephine. The mother house Of the order
Is at Mount st. Agnes. near Baltimore
A committee composed OF Messrs Ed.
Weight, Charles c. Lacey and J. X. Brown,
had charge Of the ceremonies OF dedication.