Nuns praised for helping women

ARCHBISHOP of Port Moresby Sir John Cardinal Ribat congratulated the nuns of the Loreto Hostel during its golden jubilee celebrations last week.
“The Loreto Hostel has accommodated and cared for thousands of workers,” he said.
“As it celebrates its golden jubilee, we thank God for the initiative started by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sisters, the Religious of the Virgin Mary for their contributions, and to sisters who support young women and the centre to this day.
“The 50 years are testaments to God’s abiding love for our young women workers, providing them a home while in pursuit for a life of meaning and purpose,” Cardinal Ribat said.
Bishop Rochus Tatamai, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands presided at the celebration. ‘
It was also attended by general-secretary Fr Giorgio Licini, Fr Alfred Maravilla priests and the people.
In his homily, Maravilla said Jesus showed that the only way to glory was through service and suffering.
“As we are all called to holiness, God works in so many ways and Loreto Hostel showed an important way of helping women find dignity and grow in holiness by interweaving work and prayer, professional work and sanctified work,” he said.
“We thank the Lord for the 50 years of the existence of Loreto Hostel and the many women who have grown in their professional life and sanctified their work as Christians.”
A feast was shared followed by songs and dances to commemorate the day.
Sister Relida Gumur said Loreto was a refugee for abused and unwanted children, which later expanded to cater to the needs of abused and poverty-stricken women.
“After 25 years of service to the young women, destitute mothers and street kids of Port Moresby, the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sisters, sisters left Loreto and handed it over to the care of the Sister Servants of St Joseph,” she said.
“The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sisters, story ended.
“ A new story began.”
The programme was coordinated by the Sister Servants of St Joseph under the direction of Sr Yolanda Pugal Sister Servants of St Joseph and the hostel ladies.