The young and the not-quite-as-young got together to do some painting.
Mother McAuley students joined forces with residents of the Mercy Circle senior living community to paint dozens of birdhouses for families and individuals who utilize Pat’s Pantry at the Mount Greenwood Community Church.
While the students and residents enjoy the common goal of helping others, they also get a kick out of mingling with those from other generations.
“I love it,” resident Sr. Nancy Kennelly said of working with the students. “I love their enthusiasm, their joy, their happiness.
“I mean, they are just so full of life. They have all sorts of energy. We’re at the tail end and they are at the beginning.”
McAuley senior Ava Knight, a member of the Science National Honors Society, appreciated working with the residents.
“I like to paint in general,” she said. “I like connecting with the residents. It’s interesting hearing their thoughts and their perspective.”
Maire Woolley, a Catherine McAuley Honor Scholar, spends a lot of time at the retirement facility as she works as a server in the dining room. But she liked working side-by-side with the retired nuns as it gave her a different dynamic of interaction and calls it a “rewarding experience.”
Phoebe Mueller, a Science National Honor Society student, loved the project.
“The birdhouse is a really good idea because we are bringing in spring,” she said.
Pat’s Pantry has 70 clients and was founded in 2021 by Kathy Cavallone-Turney, who started it in honor of her son, Patrick Turney, who died at age 23 in 2019. The group provides groceries to Southwest Side families.
McAuley students make the short trip next door to Mercy Hall each month for various projects.
“They enjoy doing service and visiting the residents,” McAuley Director of Student Life Susie Zajack said. “That connection between Mother McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy is strong and it’s a good connection with the community.
“The residents are joyful with how smart the girls are and how involved the girls are. They get to know the students personally and talk with them about academics and sports.”
