Dining Hall Reopens
For the first time in four months, after weeks and weeks and weeks of having to eat all meals in their rooms, our Residents were finally able to make their way to the dining hall, and eat together. At long last, on July 22, communal dining resumed at St. Mary’s Home!
Most Residents haven’t seen each other for quite some time due to the safeguards and restrictions we had to put in place back in March. But now they were able to reconnect over a nice meal. Although social distancing and many other precautions have been put in place—only one Resident at a table—we managed to create a more familiar atmosphere in a most unfamiliar time.
“I love it,” Liz F. said after the first lunch. “It’s a nice change. It’s really nice.”
Lyubov H. agreed, noting that the staff and Little Sisters “are doing everything very safely and accurately.” With a smile, she added: “It’s nice to get out of our rooms.”
Nancy G. was also delighted to finally get out of her room. “I’m with my friends that I haven’t seen in a long time, and the servers are so wonderful,” Nancy explained. “And it’s always wonderful to see the Sisters!”
“I love being in the dining room eating,” said a delighted Jane K. No doubt summing up the mood of our Residents she declared: “It feels more human to eat surrounded by friends—and smiles makes the meals taste even better!”
Returning to communal dining, even with the distancing and masks for all servers, has been welcomed by everyone. It is another small step toward normal activity at St. Mary’s Home.
Dining Hall Reopens