Christmas arrived early at McQuoin Park residential care home in Wahroonga when a group of 30 enthusiastic Year 11 students from Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills brought joy to the residents by singing Christmas carols and leaving their own handmade gifts for each of the 122 residents.
The choir’s rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’ had the residents singing along, with some reminiscing about their own special ties to the college. One resident, Margaret, had been a librarian there, and another, Veronica, had sent her daughters to study at the college.
Veronica said of the visit, ‘It is wonderful of these young girls to show up for others. We have been where they are now, we have lived our lives, and their presence is so comforting, especially in our twilight years.
The college's Dean of Mission, Kerry Bailey, spoke about the girls' excitement following their visit and the college’s enthusiasm for continuing the intergenerational program.
‘Experiences like this highlight why it is so essential for young people to interact with the older generation, especially when many don’t have the chance to visit and hear the wisdom and stories of older people.’
‘I’m really excited about growing a genuine relationship with Catholic Healthcare, I believe both our communities will be so much the richer for connection,’ she said.
Student Imogen Hays said the visit gave her and her classmates a chance to connect with people who may feel isolated over the holiday period.
‘It was really special seeing their faces light up and hearing them sing along with us, because music has a way of connecting people no matter their age.
‘For us, it’s a chance to step outside our usual world - it helps us build empathy, patience, and a deeper sense of responsibility to others in our community,’ she said.
Research* shows that intergenerational programs benefit both age groups as young people help reduce loneliness in older people. In comparison, older people demonstrate how to age with dignity and purpose, increasing younger people's knowledge and empathy.
Catholic Healthcare’s Chief of Mission Integration Nehme Khattar said connecting with the local community was incredibly important.
‘Fostering social connection both inside and outside the walls of our homes helps to reduce loneliness amongst residents.’
‘The importance of this can’t be underestimated, it's at the heart of our Mission and something that we are continuously working to promote and encourage,’ he said.
The Christmas initiative between Mount St Benedict and Catholic Healthcare showcases the strength of Catholic Healthcare's catholic Connected Communities (cCC). This dimension of the model aims to build meaningful relationships between students and residents, demonstrating care, respect, and solidarity across generations while illustrating how partnerships with local schools enrich the lives of both young and old.
The visit by Mount St Benedict marks the beginning of a planned intergenerational engagement program for 2026, laying the foundation for ongoing collaboration.
*De Bellis, A., Gregoric, C., & Grant, J. (2022). Intergenerational Activities Involving Adolescents and Residents of Aged Care Facilities: A Scoping Review. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 21(3), 380–401. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2022.2073311