An unlikely but beautiful friendship
A student at St Charles Primary School Ryde has struck up a beautiful friendship with a retired priest after writing to him as part of a school outreach project during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Year 3 student Francis’ letter was one of nearly 500 letters and cards St Charles students wrote to residents of Calvary Ryde Retirement Community during the last weeks of Term 3.
Many residents had had little to no contact with anyone during isolation, so they were touched to receive these messages of support which were all addressed “Dear Friend.”
Lorraine Blacklock, Team Leader for Leisure and Lifestyle at the retirement community, said the residents were delighted to read the stories and do the puzzles provided by the children.
Francis – along with Year 1 student Emma – were thrilled to get a warm and appreciative reply from Father Bernie Maxwell, a retired priest now living at Calvary.
Fr Bernie told Ms. Blacklock he appreciated the thoughtful connection the letter created with “a young person who cared for an elderly person.”
Principal of St Charles, Peter Watkins, said hearing what Fr Bernie said brought huge smiles to Francis and Emma’s faces.
Encouraged by Fr Bernie’s feedback, Francis immediately said he would write to Fr Bernie again.
But he then later decided writing wasn’t enough and insisted that his mum, Kaye, take him to visit Fr Bernie instead.
The pen pals have since met and, we’re happy to report, a lovely friendship has developed showing the enduring power of a paper letter exchange – even in the age of email and SMS.
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