Founders journey celebrated at Murdoch
Monday 3 October
2011
St John of God Hospital Murdoch celebrates the
founding of the Sisters of St John of God on Friday 7 October.
Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mott, said
Foundation Day celebrations gave all caregivers an opportunity to
reflect on the pioneering work of the Sisters, and the legacy they
have created in delivering compassionate health care to many
generations of Australians.
“It is a day when we remind ourselves of the
journey of the Sisters, and take the time to celebrate their
positive impact on many communities around Australia for over 100
years,” he said.
“The small group of Sisters who first arrived
in Western Australia from Ireland in 1895 experienced significant
hardship, particularly in the goldfields, where they administered
nursing care to miners and families seeking a better life.
"Since those pioneering days, St John of God
Health Care has grown to thirteen hospitals throughout Australia,
employs over 9,300 people, and treats over 184,000 patients each
year,” Mr Mott said.
“Today, as lay people, we continue the healing
mission of Jesus with the same underlying values and approach to
service as the Sisters of St John of God,” he said.
On 7 October 1871, Bridget Clancy gathered a
group of nurses together to become a new group of religious women
- 'a congregation' - to serve God by serving others.
They took their inspiration from St John of
God who pioneered caring Christian health services in Granada in
the 16th century. The Sisters of St John of God
stepped out in faith to tend to the health needs of the poor and
marginalised.
The Sisters of St John of God commenced the
provision of health care in Australia in 1895 in response to an
invitation from Bishop Matthew Gibney to help care for people
stricken by disease in the chaos of the gold rush in Western
Australia.
Foundation Day celebrations at Murdoch on 7
October include:
- Foundation Day display
- Foundation Day Mass
- Charity of the Year Caregiver Lunch
- Presentation of Service badges
- Commissioning of Managers