Ottawa archbishop visits Kanata homes

'It was pretty special that he came here, the residents absolutely loved it'

March 12, 2010 -- Deron Hamel

Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast recently visited residents and family members at Garden Terrace and Forest Hill to give people an opportunity to meet him, and to speak on a spiritual level to residents who are Roman Catholic.

"It was pretty special that he came here, the residents absolutely loved it," says Garden Terrace life enrichment co-ordinator Sylvia Monette.

During his time at Garden Terrace and Forest Hill, the archbishop visited with residents one on one, providing an opportunity for people to ask him questions. He also performed a blessing for everyone.

As part of his visit to Garden Terrace, the archbishop spent time with about 50 residents, asking them questions about life in long-term care and if they were happy with life at the home.

"Every one of (the residents) had this huge smile and said, ‘We love it here,'" says Monette.

Monette says the March 7 visit from the archbishop, who was accompanied by Father Pierre Champoux, who regularly celebrates mass with residents at Garden Terrace, and Episcopal Vicar Father Joseph Muldoon, was well-received by residents no matter their faith.

In addition to meeting with the archbishop, residents at Garden Terrace were presented with personalized colour photos of them with Prendergast, which were taken by Monette.

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