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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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HISTORY OF THE HOUSE
My Grandmother, who came from the "Land of the Purple
Heather", often reminded us that "Every Mickle makes a
Muckle". And so it is when researching the days of long ago.
I am grateful to all those who have shared with
me their memories of days past, however small or vague.
Quotes by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd,
and photos of the Convents and grounds have
been taken from the St. John Vianney Church magazine.
My special thanks to Mrs. W.B.Hancox, Sister
Catherine, Sister Carmel, Alma Sullivan,
Mr. J.Cooper, and Mr.G.Mulholland for their cooperation.
My husband Keith, has been my listening post,
and my critic, He also designed the front cover,
and the final printing of this History.
Finally I am indebted to the Managing Director
of Private Life Care (NZ) Limited, Mr.John Bethell,
and his staff for their helpful contribution in
typing the final draft copy.
Jeanne Wade
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This historic house was built in 1903 by
Daniel, Arkell
It later became the Convent of the Good Shepherd.
? WHO WERE THE SISTERS ?
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, and organisation within the Catholic Church,
had its headquarters in America. Australia and New Zealand formed a Province
with it's base in Melbourne. The aim of these Sisters was to care for women
and girls in distress.
Mt.Magdala in Christchurch was already involved in this work, when some of
their Sisters came to Auckland to set up the Convent of the Good Shepherd,
and the Mt.St.Joseph Home for girls in need.
The Diocese of Auckland had, no doubt, informed the Sisters of the need for
their work, and assisted them to find a suitable site for such a venture.
The financing of such an expensive project did not have to be met by the
Sisters managing it, as there was full Diocesan support both spiritually
and financially for their organisation as a whole.
The "House on the Hill" became th Convent of the Good Shepherd, and the
buildings erected over subsequent years, formed the St. Joseph School
for Girls. When the property in Ridge Road was decided upon, and
purchased in 1928. the signatures on the Land title were as follows:
ANNE PHELAN
MARGARET KENNEDY
MARY BEATRIX DICKSON
CATHERINE O'CONNOR
ALL "Spinsters of Christchurch". Within their Order, many of the Sisters
sometimes adopted names of special significance to them, personally,
but on a legal document, only the five names were registered.
In the early days of the Convent and Home, the sisters only wore the
traditional long black habit, with white gowns, and black and white
head-dress. For the Summer they all wore long white gowns. Today, the
Sisters wear a neat street-length frock i a mid-blue colour - not
nearly as daunting to younger girls, as the old-fashioned ground length
apparel might have been.
A CHAPEL FOR THE CONVENT
When the Convent of the Good Shepherd was established in 1931 in the
"House on the Hill", the large room on the ground floor was used by
the Sisters, and the girls in the Home, as their Chapel.
In 1935 their new Chapel was built, consecrated and blessed. It was
quite large by comparison with the room they had been using in the
house, and now held approximately 80 people.
A covered walkway with double doors, connected the House to the
Chapel. It was surprising to learn that originally the Chapel
had a tall slender spire (which can be seen in following photographs).
After some years, the spire ceased to be weather-proof, and the
Sisters were advised to have it removed.
Inside the Chapel there was a warm glow from the coloured glass
window and the dark polished woodwork of the pews an Altar. A
place for quiet contemplation and prayer. Later, some fine singing
by the girls of the Mt.St.Joseph School rang through the arches.
When the building of the Retirement Village began, the old Chapel
became the Sales Office until the new offices within the Village
complex were completed. Today, it has become a modern Restaurant.
Its modernised exterior gives no hint that it was, originally, a
place of worship!
Within the Village in one of the buildings that originally housed
the girls, but now provides residential accommodation, is a small
attractive, inter-denominational chapel. The coloured windows, the
wooden pews, and Altar were all part of the original Chapel, thus
a link with history has been preserved. An undenominational service
is held there once a week. This wee Chapel has been consecrated and
blessed. There has so far been a christening there but, as yet,
there have been no marriage ceremonies performed in this special place!
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