Blessing for De Paul House

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne,
on Friday, 16th December, 2005, at 3.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am delighted to be with Sister Elizabeth Dodds - Provincial, Mrs. Brenda Shanahan - the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive - Nicole Feely, and so many friends here at Saint Vincent’s for the blessing of De Paul House.

It is a moment of thanksgiving at this magnificent new facility and of rejoicing in what has been achieved in the special identification, which Saint Vincent’s has always had with those who suffer and with the people of our inner suburbs.

As we celebrate this prayer service, let us thank God who is the giver of many good gifts for all that has been achieved in its construction and which will be provided in the care it offers.

Homily

“As often as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I look around this gathering I see many friends:  friends of the Sisters of Charity, of the hospital and of those who use its services.  Nowhere is this truer than in the opening of De Paul House and the outreach, which it will provide to those who suffer. 

I am particularly proud that the Sisters of Charity have been in Melbourne since 1889 and that Saint Vincent’s Hospital has existed since its opening on 6th November, 1893.  It has been a constant force for good, has enjoyed proud partnership in medical services and research with the University of Melbourne, with its own research institute, as well as with the constant patient day by day care of people who come through the hospital’s doors.

It was the vision of Mary Aikenhead of bringing compassion, inspired by the dedication of Saint Vincent de Paul, to the poor that has led the Sisters and their collaborators to envision De Paul House, to commence its construction and bring the project to completion.

This project is the latest in an association between the Sisters, the hospital, the Archdiocese and people of Melbourne, which has existed for the duration of seven of the eight Archbishops of Melbourne.  I am deeply grateful, on behalf of our people, to say how much I appreciate all that continues to be achieved and to highlight the hope and care that it offers us all.

In an age of increasing specialisation and technical skill in medicine it is a great joy to me that those who suffer most are not forgotten, that the compassion for people and the respect for the dignity of personhood, which so characterised Saint Vincent de Paul, is enfleshed and given reality in this present project.

Congratulations to all who have envisioned this important work and who with skill and compassion have brought it to completion and who now with Christlike care and patience will be its staff and provide its services.

Congratulations and thank you for the example that you give to all of us in this city of seeing Jesus Christ present and suffering in the people who come to us.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.