Sr Monique Bonami, in the community at the MRS St Joseph in Evere, Bruxelles, shares a story about the pleasures of sharing between young and old.
Next to the St Joseph’s Rest and Care Home (MRS) in Evere, north of Brussels, there is an elementary school and happily there are good exchanges between the two structures with intergenerational activities (games, etc.). In the past Sr. Mia had done activities in the school on interculturality, and Sr. Marie-Paule Schiltz and I did some tutoring. For Christmas, the guests of the rest home were invited to the school.
This year the religion teacher, Mrs. Sylvie Panneels, organized some Eucharists for the children in our chapel, and all the Residents could participate so about 12 MSOLA were there. I had been with the children in the classes for the preparation and also the Father Chaplain adapted well to the children.
The children are of 10 nationalities and 5 different religious denominations, and the parents gave permission for them to participate. For the Mass with the theme “The Good Shepherd”, the children made little sheep. Another time with the Story of Zacchaeus, they made puppets. With great enthusiasm, the children sang appropriate songs.
The whole thing took place in joy and respect for the prayers of each person, and the Residents were also happy.
To be repeated at Easter and Christmas, perhaps!
