McAuley Nazareth Home — A Longstanding Commitment to Youth
1901 was the year that the McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys in Leicester came into existence. The brainchild of the Sisters of Mercy, it continued the pastoral vision of Mother Catherine McAuley. The Irish foundress was born in the middle of the American Revolution.
At first, in the days of high mortality for young parents, ‘Nazareth’ was an orphanage with a population of 90. Over the years it’s evolved into a residence and school offering family oriented services to troubled youth and their families in an environment of mercy.
“The whole object of the mission is to move the boys back to natural settings, their own families or adoptive family settings,” says Sister Janet Ballentine, RSM, one-time executive director. “A family-style lifestyle is offered and the average length of stay for the boys is two-and-a-half years.”
Sister Janet had been at Nazareth for nearly 45 years! She began as a teacher. Later, she received a degree in social work at Boston College and applied her new skills. Then she became a child care worker, did more social work, and ultimately became Director of the Home. “It was quite a journey.”
Longstanding commitment to the boys at Nazareth marks the lives of several of its former leaders. Monsignor Edmond Tinsley had been there about 50 years, Sister Carol Kell, 45, and Sister Mary Barry, 37. Collectively, that adds up to 174 years of loving service from the Home’s once guiding foursome. Add to that an active Board of 23 members and 30 lay staff.
Each of Nazareth’s boys have come from experiences of deep hurt. What they need and receive is a place where they can gain trust, find hope, and begin to dream. Professional house parents provide for the needs of each boy and the array of services provided for them is no less than astounding. Boys typically enter the program from age 6 to 13 and several stay into their later teen years. Each is seen as a unique gift from God.
After-care is a vital part of Nazareth’s mission too. There’s a commitment to place each boy in the best possible circumstances. In that way, Nazareth, now an agency sponsored by the Diocese itself, never really ends its commitment to the boys.
“We would receive phone calls from older men who lived here long ago,” says Sister Janet, who is now enjoying retirement. “They’d tell us, they ‘considered it home.’”
An annual grant is given from the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal because the mission of the Diocese so closely embraces the principles of a wonderful place like Nazareth. Partners in Charity believe that children learn through trusting relationships with adults and peers. Partners in Charity believe that small group living in a compassionate setting provides fun and freedom for troubled youth.