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Record PERTH, WA: June 6, 1996
PRINT POST APPROVED P P602669/00303
Number 3000
POST ADDRESS: PO Box 75, LEEDERVILLE, 6902, WA LOCATION: 587 Newcastle Street, Cnr Douglas St (near Loftus St)
TELEPHONE (09) 22 77 080
FAX: (09) 22 77 087
PRICE 60c
SIII) opens suburban house for mentally ill By Colleen McGuiness-Howard The outreach of Catholics in Western Australia to people with mental illness took a big leap last week when the Society of St Vincent de Paul opened the first of three homes for people with psychiatric disabilities. Although the society has always supported people with psychiatric disabilities, its latest venture has made it a major player in the field of caring for psychiatric disability. The house will provide full board and lodgings for four people with a psychiatric disability. The Presentation Sisters have joined with the Society of St Vincent de Paul in the new venture in psychiatric services. The society plans to open another two houses in August this year and March next year. Chairman of the society's mental health advisory committee, Keith Wilson, said at the launch the Presentation Sisters would bring a strong infrastructure and Christian values to the project. This would be supported by the St Vincent de Paul Society's solid reputation, "equally strong infrastructure, shared Christian values, and huge membership throughout its regions." He said the undertaking did not involve simply transferring institutionalised psychiatric care into a community setting as had happened with previous attempts at de-institutionalisation. The Society of St Vincent de Paul's unique support services would help the project escape the traps of institutionalised care. Although "the bureaucracy of government" would not now impede care of the psychiatrically disabled, he nevertheless hoped that increased mental health dollars would be directed to their care. Presentation Sister Kathleen Corby will live with tenants on a 24-hour basis, (backed by volunteers when required), providing emotional and spiritual support. The project has the financial backing
of Society of St Vincent de Paul resources, Homeswest for the house, the Lotteries Commission with $20,000 input for furnishings, and Mrs Jo Kelly who has donated towards furnishings. Professionals in psychiatry will provide honorary services when required. This first phase of the project, which is to provide individual houses for shared permanent accommodation, will be followed by another phase to include single, supported units for permanent accommodation for one or two people per unit. The residents will manage these themselves with 24-hour on-site support from Sr Kathleen or another Presentation Sister. Later initiatives will include individual houses for urgent short-term accommodation, and an undertaking that will address the needs of Aboriginal people with a psychiatric disability. But, Mr Wilson emphasised, "we are there as a Society showing Christ in the place of those with whom we work, and allowing them to contribute to their own care, and to become their own proficient selves. We are not simply a dogood organisation - we are there to enhance the human abilities and qualities of the people with whom we work." Archbishop Barry Hickey officially opened the service by blessing the work of the service and unveiling a bronze commemorative plaque. He said that many families within the Church and society were affected by psychiatric illness and the service, located in a parish, was an expression of the loving voice of the Church. The location of the house within a parish would have far-reaching benefits beyond its residents, "because it will be a signal to the community that it needs to provide this service and that their pastoral care extends beyond parishioners to the care of all people within their area," Archbishop Hickey said. He congratulated the Society of St Vincent de Paul and applauded the "marvellous witness" of the Presentation Sisters "who are showing a model of cooperation which may go far into the future."
What's Inside... Last will and testament of Trappist monk murdered by Islamic guerrillas - Page 13 Priestly Brynes celebrate 90 years - Page 3 Life/ink Schools Welfare Day - Page 3 Bell ringers continue ancient service - Page 9 The Body and Blood of Christ brings us closer to God and humanity - Page 8
Western Australia honours Mercy Sisters for 150 years
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Sr Leonie O'Brien with the Gold Swan Award this week.
One huhdred and fifty years of self- young, old, oppressed and unemless dedication and service to the ployed. Mercedes College, the site of the people of Western Australia has been recognised by the coveted Gold Mercys' first endeavour in 1846 conSwan Award given to the Mercy tinues to give top education today. Sisters at the 1996 WA Citizen of the Congregational leader Sr Leonie Year Awards last Monday. O'Brien, this week gave thanks for It is the first time it has been award- the pioneering sisters and those who ed to a religious group and the followed, as well as the laity and all Sisters have been now formally feted those who linked hands with the for their outstanding contribution in Sisters to make the aims and dreams the fields of education (their first of the leader of the first Mercy sisters major thrust), hospitals, benevolent in WA and Australia, Mother Ursula institutions, orphanages, aged and Frayne, come true. community care centre to help the - Colleen McGuiness-Howard