Blessing of new social housing a ‘great day’: Bishop

The homes in Birkdale were blessed by Bishop Lowe on July 15, with the day also marking 40 years since the opening of De Paul House.

“This is the kaupapa (mission) Jesus wanted his disciples to have,” Bishop Lowe said. “And I am proud to be here today to be part of the kaupapa and the mahi (work) of Jan [Rutledge] and the De Paul House team.

“This is indeed a great day,” the bishop said. “Matariki is about new beginnings. Let’s continue to work together to create new beginnings [not only] for the people who are going to live here, but for those around our city who desperately need a new beginning of hope and of love, so that their mana, their dignity, may truly be respected.”

In a Facebook post, De Paul House general manager Jan Rutledge thanked Bishop Lowe for his “positive and powerful message of hope for change in our community”.

Ms Rutledge said, “this is indeed a new beginning, not just for us, but for the nine families who will be living in these brand-new homes”.

Ms Rutledge thanked the Auckland Diocese “for your ongoing support and commitment to social services like ours”.

She also thanked the De Paul House board of trustees, builders, funders and staff.

“We are fortunate at De Paul House. We work in a hard space, but we see the change housing such as this can make. This is more than a house; it is a home,” she said at the opening.

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Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Auckland)

From Jan: This is indeed a new beginning, not… (De Paul House/Facebook)

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