10th Dec 2010
A visit to the Holy Family Home for the Elderly, better known as Little Sisters of the Poors, at Lorong Batu Lanchang, Penang. We visited the Home with the sole intention of meeting Fr. Decroix, the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church Batu Gajah from 1992 – 2002. SJC was his last parish before retiring at 80. He stayed in Stella Maris till August 2010.
Fr. Decroix still looks fit except that he carries a walking stick to stabilize his steps at difficult situations. His ability to express his plan for the coming years showed that he is mentally alert. We thought he should be comfortable here but from our conversation we understood that this was not his wish. He would prefer to remain at Stella Maris to enjoy his writing and solitude. Unfortunately, he was perceived as old and be treated as old. Jokingly, he told Connie ‘ don’t get old’ and Connie replied to him ‘don’t get older’.
The new home, rebuilt and reopened in October 2009, looks like a resort hotel. Besides food and lodging, the residents are provided full health care and recreation facilities, enabling them to enjoy life until the moment God calls them home. Even though they are near death every minute of their lives is worth living because the Little Sisters are caring for them with big hearts.
A visit to the Holy Family Home for the Elderly, better known as Little Sisters of the Poors, at Lorong Batu Lanchang, Penang. We visited the Home with the sole intention of meeting Fr. Decroix, the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church Batu Gajah from 1992 – 2002. SJC was his last parish before retiring at 80. He stayed in Stella Maris till August 2010.
Fr. Decroix still looks fit except that he carries a walking stick to stabilize his steps at difficult situations. His ability to express his plan for the coming years showed that he is mentally alert. We thought he should be comfortable here but from our conversation we understood that this was not his wish. He would prefer to remain at Stella Maris to enjoy his writing and solitude. Unfortunately, he was perceived as old and be treated as old. Jokingly, he told Connie ‘ don’t get old’ and Connie replied to him ‘don’t get older’.
The new home, rebuilt and reopened in October 2009, looks like a resort hotel. Besides food and lodging, the residents are provided full health care and recreation facilities, enabling them to enjoy life until the moment God calls them home. Even though they are near death every minute of their lives is worth living because the Little Sisters are caring for them with big hearts.
Seated: Fr. Decroix, Standing: Connie and Christopher. Taken at the Dining Hall
The main entrance to the reception and dining hall.
Panorama of the Home
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