The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-06

completion Of the new st. Joscph's Founding
Home we cannot refrain frum glancing back over
the year OF incessant, hut consoling, labors u
the members OF St. Josephs society and OF
hearty cooperation with the sisters q the in.
stitution, with which they have been so closely
allied
\ retrospect OF fruitful years is ever source Of
true qualification, but when in that backward
glance the years are such as are pregnant with
fruits Of charity, Of mans consideration for
his fellow beings, how much more consoling the
view. Scarcely more than twelve years ago, in
response TO a call for volunteers issued by Rev.
Mc,hcr Frances, Of st. Patricks orphanagc,
small band OF women gathered under the stand.
ard OF charity 10 lend assistance to the sisters
in their noble struggle of rcscuing souls from
destruction Thus came into existence St. Jo'
scph's society and so modest a beginning had IL
that few knew OF its inception. II is not our
intention to enter into historical narration.
ITS BEGINNING.
The intervening events, the work Of all these
years has been thoroughly and well reviewed by
our former secretary; but what person unac.
quaintcd with the facts, on beholding the elab'
crate home now devoted to the care OF found
liugs, Catholics and non Catholics, to whom IL
affords uncommon blessings with its palatial en-
yironmcnts, with all the appliances Of the modern
mechanics skill, its corps Of efficient nurses
and its happy inmates, averaging eighty, what
person, we ask, could be persuaded that in u
frame building, scantily furnished, with but
solitary nurse, three or four waits and little or
no accommodations, this institution began its
notable career During the past year one hun.
dred and thirty'six children were admitted to the
home, seventy Of whom were boys. OF this
whole number, sixty were returned to friends
and guardians seven were transferred to other
institutions; nine incorrigible boys were sent TO
l. =. a l..
Refuge; homes with capable persons were found
for seven.
A distinctive faatue OF the new Founding
Home is the Maternity hospital. Since May, 1900,
thirteen patients have been received into this
department, which must be considered remark
| able This hospital does away with a longfclt
| want. Words are inadequate to express the in
| estimable benefits OF this haven OF peace and re-
| pose.
The Sisters OF the Good Shepherd have made
gigantic efforts in their field OF labor, amid
disappointmcnts and obstacles which could not
but oyorwhelm any other than Christian fortl-
ture The work has been so successfully carried
on that today lis influence is widespread as
| its name.
In pursuance of their duties these good sisters
deal with four classes The first embraces those
who are exposed to danger through neglect Of
parents and from environment. In the second
| themselves no longer dependent On the counsel
| and command Of parents, but consider them
selves their own guides. The third is composed
| OF those who, through their Kind and gentle
| nature have allowed themselves to become OBJ
| jccts OF pity, or even IN remolse for their inl-
prudence, through sorrow and spirit OF pen
| ance, desire to initiate the Magdalen Of old,
| Of whom our Divine Lord has said; "Bccausr
she loved much, many sins have been forgiven
! her."
THE FOCRTH CLASS.
| Those represent the fourth class who no longer
| hope for forgiveness but cndcayor to drown their
sorrow and remorsc, not in a hope Of pcnancc,
| but seek forgctfuncss by adding sin TO sin, Ivy
| deadcning TemOrse or 10y Inconsistencies OF an
| all existing Power TO forgive or punish. such
| Is the God.likc charity OF the religious OF the
| Good Shepherd, to look on all with equal pity,
to tender with Increasing hope and constant
prayer their maternal soliCitude TO the hopeless
in bringing them by kindness to know that
their sins are forgiven; TO instll into them a
desire TO resist temptation and 10 do all that
an affectionatc mothers heart would direct them
| to do for their own and Others welfare.
| Many instances could be recorded 10 convey
| an idea Of the kindly, almost tal, feeling en-
| gcndercd in the hearts OF the pcnitents for the
| gentle spouscs Of Christ, as result OF their ma
| ternal solictude. For example, the frequent
| NlsltQtlOnS 10 the nome on Inc part OF Rlrls
| who have become happily married. US a mark oi
affection to the good sisters who have remouldet
| their characters and fitted them 10 live cxcm
| plary and editying lives in the world.
| But the most striking example OF the inhucnci
Of these sisters is played in the persons OF those
| who, having lett the sisters care, and rclapset
into their former wretched state, return agair
| and lur!l in the shadow oi the Home Of In,
| Good Shepherd unable TO overcome the magnetic
t,,t,t rg tbrfr a,1 faf
| moments, spent within these peaceful. confines
An idea Of the progressive labols Of the sister
can be obtained from tho following statistics
AZ present there arc one hundred and fifty in
mates, all OF whom, with the exception OF three
are gratuilous During thg past year sixty hav
been received into the home, tlty.two retulno'
10 parents and guardians; two died and one wa
| dismissed,
SOURCES Or REVENUE.
Until the year 1000 the principal revenue 70
support was from sewing, but owing To tn
low rate OF wages paid ior this class OF wor
the sisters were obliged 10 seek other mean
of support. That means is now in their laundry
it IS one OF the finest in the city, having al
modern improvements. The patronage Of Il,
| city OF Scranton is earnestly solicited. Thos
who wish TO help the good work along can do SO b
calling telephone No. 1880 and one of the NJ
mcrOus wagons used in their business will ca
and deliver the work. This, indeed, is a grcl
charity, as neither state, county or city aid ha
been accorded.
Here on opposite hills, facing each other, thes
monuments OF Christian Catholic charity an
perseverance stand forth in mutual encourage
= ment aud from their respective eminences sen
broadcast welcome to all who are outclsts
: the world and society as well as 10 those brougl
; into the world destined TO wander rs friendle
and homeless waits.
The society extends sincere thanl,s TO the
, attending physician, who Is ever at hand to d
, vote his service, SO thoroughly appreciated,
the members OF St. Josephs Homt 10 the pres
: always faithful, aud to those whose efforts naI
the sacred concert of Dee. &c, 1900 such
grand success. We also extend grateful thanl
! TO the county officials through whose aid n
! grounds about the home were bcautifed; 10 Il
regular donors who withhold thcr names, az
to al who in any way nave the success OF u
home at heart.
4 great part Of tho success of our work b
= longs to our right reverend bishop, who n
i never failed TO heartily cooperate with us, al
whose generous approval and encouragement ha
; | spured US on in our earnest endeavors 10 a
stricken humanity.
TREAsURER's STATEMENT
Following is the statement Of Mrs. +. ". Gu
ster. treasurer, in account with the St Joseph