Page 10, 23rd December 1983

23rd December 1983

Page 10

Page 10, 23rd December 1983 — A candle shining for the homeless
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People: Terence Sheehy
Locations: London

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A candle shining for the homeless

Christmas is busier than ever at Providence Row hostel, writes Terence Sheehy
NOT SO LONG ago it was a universal custom for every cottage in rural Ireland to have a lighted candle placed in the window on Christmas Eve to guide the Blessed Mother "in her hour of need". It was a symbolic and lovely gesture, with candle flame answering candle flame across the nation throughout the night of Christmas, and on every mountainside, and in every valley.
More than a symbol is the light shining out in the darkness at Christmas, and all the year round, at the Providence Row Night Refuge and Home at 50 Crispin Street in London's East End, where the Sisters of Mercy have taken care of the homeless, without charge, for the past 130 years.
Pressure is really on this Christmas to ensure that the
good Sisters can give a meal and a welcome to every penniless person who comes to the door on Christmas Day. In addition there are 50 homeless people already in residence. Our photograph shows one of the Sisters of Mercy preparing the Christmas Tree for the expected 200 of London's homeless people who will enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at the Refuge this year.
All the good Sisters of Mercy connected with the Night Refuge and Home have already concluded their mammoth shopping expedition, and are now helping to get the gifts ready for the tree, and the food for the table.
The fact is that this Refuge is the only night shelter in the East End of London to admit the needy without any payment of any kind at the door. When this unique work was. 'threatened with closure recently the OLC made a generous grant and others helped, which has enabled the present work to continue.
The work is absolutely vital in the freezing days of winter ahead which will see heavy demands on the Refuge.
Plans are already in hand to re-build the refuge to provide modern single bedroom accommodation for 36 women and 45 men, and for sheltered flats for 22 people with longer term needs. Ten Sisters of Mercy devote their life to the work at the Refuge and hostels at present, and this new scheme is greatly in need of financial assistance.
In the foreseeable future, with economic conditions continuing as they are, the numbers calling for help on the Sisters of Mercy will be getting greater and greater. A staff of lay people. with specialist knowledge and experience, work alongside the Sisters in fruitful partnership.
Their continued devoted care of the many who may be down, hut not out, calls for the "lighted candle" of Providence Row to shine out in the darkness particularly this Christmas, and all it needs to keep the flame bright is your donation, however large or small.
The address is 'the Secretary, The Providence Row Night Refuge and Home, 50 Crispin Street, I.ondon El. Telephone 01-247-4030.




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