Meanwhile, fellow resident Basil Daniel (also affectionately known as “Number 4” because he leads the fourth decade of the rosary each day) agrees and says praying the rosary with the group after breakfast is “a great way to start the day.”

At Carmel Heights Seniors Residence in Mississauga, Ont., the spiritual needs of Catholic residents are also fulfilled.

Sr. Veronica Dobson says in addition to daily Mass, there is daily eucharistic adoration for the 33 residents. A priest also hears confession.

“When they come here (to the Mass), it means so much to them,” Dobson said.

Carmel Heights resident Doris Braganza directs the choir. Braganza, 77, a former Catholic elementary school teacher, has been at Carmel Heights for seven years. She says she enjoys living in a Catholic atmosphere where faith is an integral part of everyday life.

“The nuns are very giving and loving,” said Braganza.

For Sharon Leroux, a resident at St. Bernard’s Residence in Toronto, attending Mass and being a member of a faith-sharing group has also enriched her experience at a retirement residence.

“Daily Mass is a gift. I hadn’t been able to do that until I came here,” Leroux said.

“It’s keeping me focused on the spiritual aspect of my life. The Eucharist is the centre and everything flows from that.”  

Leroux added that other residents also value this spiritual component.

She recalls a day when the residence elevator was broken. But that didn’t dampen the faith of senior residents using walkers.

“(They) tried the stairs to get down there,” she said.

“It was quite a demonstration of faith.”