Welcome to St. Theresa’s Home for the aged in Singapore, a peaceful haven providing care and love to elderly individuals in need. Managed by Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), this Catholic nursing home was founded in 1959 with a mission to uplift the lives of the less fortunate in the community. And on Friday, 13 September, a special visit is scheduled – Pope Francis will be meeting with the residents and staff.
As I walked through the tranquil grounds of St. Theresa’s Home, Director of Nursing, Gillian Beins, shared her heartwarming perspective on working with the residents. She expressed, “Every little thing we do for the elderly, we do with love. It’s incredibly satisfying to make a difference in their lives every day.”
Residents Bridget Ng and Bertha Hang, sitting outside their room, echoed this sentiment by referring to the staff as their friends rather than caregivers. Bridget, excited about Pope Francis’ visit, expressed her joy in having the opportunity to meet him without having to travel far from their home.
And it’s not just the residents who are eagerly anticipating the Pope’s visit. Candy Lin, the HR Manager at St. Theresa’s Home, is thrilled about the upcoming meeting. She spoke about Pope Francis’ dedication to his people, despite his age and health challenges, emphasizing his message of hope and unity.
St. Theresa’s Home currently houses 185 elderly men and women, many of whom are unable to be cared for by their busy families due to the high cost of living in Singapore. Victor Seng, the Executive Director, highlighted the importance of providing financial support to residents in need, with assistance from both government subsidies and collaborations with different religious groups.
With a diverse staff from various countries, St. Theresa’s Home offers a range of services, including medical and pastoral care, to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling life for the elderly residents. Victor’s ultimate goal is to provide them with the love and care they deserve, embodying the love of God that shines brightly within the walls of St. Theresa’s Home.
So, as we eagerly await Pope Francis’ visit to this compassionate and loving community, let us remember the words written in Chinese within the chapel: “The love of God abides in the world” – a sentiment felt deeply at St. Theresa’s Home for the aged in Singapore.
