The Daughters of Charity have been honoured for their decades of faithful service at Adelaide’s Hutt St Centre for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the city, The Southern Cross reports.
From Sr Vincent Cormac to Sr Carole Jones, 34 Sisters of the Daughters of Charity have faithfully served at Hutt St Centre, formerly known as St Louise’s House, since its founding in 1954.
Last month the centre unveiled an honour roll commemorating the work of all Sisters who have supported people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Adelaide.
Sr Carole Jones (right) demonstrating sand play therapy, which she uses in her ministry, before her departure from Adelaide last month. PHOTO: The Southern Cross.
The event coincided with Sr Carole’s golden jubilee and her departure to Sydney after five years as a Board director and leader of the Hutt St Centre pastoral care program.
The honour roll was donated by the Southern Cross Charitable Trust Fund in memory of Phil Burns, a former State chairman of the Knights of the Southern Cross in SA. Mr Burns was an active member of the Knights, a national organisation for lay Catholic men, until his passing in 2019.
His son, Chris Burns, is chief executive officer of the Hutt St Centre. Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Burns said the honour board would be a lasting reminder of the centre’s connection with the Daughters of Charity and their values.
“Hutt St Centre has always responded to the challenges and needs of our community with the courage, perseverance and resourcefulness of our founding Sisters,” he said.
“Today we maintain a strong commitment to providing support to those who need us in a way that is both practical and empowering.”
Mr Burns also paid tribute to Sr Carole who had “endeared herself to clients, volunteers and staff through her warm and compassionate nature, her gentle wisdom, and her willingness to lend a hand”.
The current State chairman of the Knights, Don Campbell, said funding of $1800 had been obtained from the Charitable Trust for the newly redeveloped Hutt St Centre. He paid tribute to Phil Burns for his inspirational leadership and said the honour roll was a fitting memorial to him.
Hutt St Centre was established by the Daughters of Charity and the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide to care for people at risk or experiencing homelessness. Three Sisters – Vincent Cormac, Agatha Ellrott, and Maria Maguire – opened St Louise’s House at 258 Hutt Street, Adelaide.
Working in the local community, they found many people were suffering in isolation, sleeping in the surrounding parklands, or living in temporary boarding houses. In the alley behind the Centre, now known as Vincent Place, the Sisters provided sandwiches and jars of tea to people in need.
Sr Carole, who has worked with a number of Aboriginal communities in Western Australia and New South Wales, said that similarly, her work with homeless people at Hutt St Centre had been “life giving” and she had gained much more than she’d given from clients, staff and volunteers.
“The Adelaide people have been the most amazing I’ve come across – they always manage to come to the centre’s aid when it’s needed,” she said.
“It’s a very special place.”
While health issues have prompted the 74 year old’s return to Sydney, she expects to continue her pastoral care work in some way.
This is an excerpt from an article by Jenny Brinkworth, published in The Southern Cross. Read the full article here.