After a relationship was forged between the Diocese of Cleveland and the faith-based senior living facilities in the diocese, four Intergenerational XLT events were planned for this spring. XLTs are Eucharistic holy hours with music. The events included both traditional and praise and worship music. They took place April 10 at St. Mary of the Woods in Avon; April 11 at Mount Alverna Village in Parma; April 17 at Mount St. Joseph Rehab Center in Euclid and April 24 at Regina Health Center in Richfield. Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization and head of Parish Life and Special Ministries for the diocese, was the presider at each holy hour.
“The events were well-received,” Father Ference said. He explained that they are part of the ongoing local events related to the National Eucharistic Revival. “It was a beautiful encounter between the old and the young.”
(See photo gallery above.)
Father Ference said the Intergenerational XLTs developed as a way to help connect – or reconnect – young people and seniors. Previously, the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Ministry led by Terri Yohman implemented a series of nationally acclaimed Anne and Joachim Workshops that emphasized the importance of grandparents and seniors in helping to pass on the faith. Yohman brought the sessions to area nursing homes to assist grandparents in those facilities. These holy hour events continue to build on the importance of grandparents/seniors as evangelists.
A cadre of almost two dozen Elyria Catholic High School students, led by Sara Lanzola, director of campus ministry, joined residents at St. Mary of the Woods for the first event. The group gathered in the chapel at 4 p.m. for an hourlong session of prayer, music, a brief homily by Father Ference and adoration, followed by a meal and conversation. Elizabeth Gonzalez was the musician.
The teens and seniors enjoyed animated conversation during dinner, sharing thoughts about their faith and the importance of prayer in their lives
Click here to see a short video from that event.
The other XLTs followed the same format.
At Regina Health Center, which is home to many retired priests, religious sisters and at least one retired deacon, about 15 high school students from St. Mary Parish in Hudson, St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield and St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville, as well as Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls participated in the XLT. Matt Fafrak from St. Barnabas was the musician.
Father Ference told attendees that his father, who was legally blind, lived in a nursing home the last few years of his life. He would visit him on Sundays after he finished celebrating Mass.
“Often, I was tired, so I told my dad I was going to crawl into his bed for a nap. He sat in his wheelchair with the baseball game on. We didn’t say much, but I loved him dearly and I knew he loved me. Just being there in his presence was important. That’s like Jesus being present – body, blood, soul and divinity – for us in the Eucharist. We can spend some time in his presence during adoration,” he said.
After adoration at Regina, the group moved to a dining room where they enjoyed chicken, macaroni and cheese, fruit and brownies from Chick-fil-A while chatting about a variety of topics. The seniors were interested in things like the students’ activities and classes. The teens also asked the seniors – most of whom were retired religious priests and sisters – about their ministry.
Father Ference said the events likely would resume at another group of senior living facilities next spring.