“At a certain age, little things like people visiting or singing for you are your milestones.”

Pauline Levert
Special to Spur Ottawa

The season of “Joy to the world” often resounds with a lonely echo for shut-ins. Nadine Langlois understands the struggle, so this year she and her family are joining a group from her church to strike up some Christmas cheer.

“I stayed in hospital overnight and felt lonely, even with people around,” Langlois shares. “I know many seniors experience this pain in a long term situation and I want to temporarily ease their pain.”

This is the third year members of Église Le Chemin, in Gatineau, are going to the Centre de santé et de services sociaux to sing Christmas carols. The Centre is a seniors’ residence in Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham, just north of Ottawa.

“At a certain age, little things like people visiting or singing for you are your milestones,” says Langlois.

Langlois’ whole family is joining the carolling—seven adults and nine children. The church’s pastor, Jean-Claude Joyal says the excursion makes a real difference for the seniors.

“It gives the seniors good memories of younger days,” he explains, while his wife Valerie adds, “People know the songs and their hearts are open for the gospel.”

“I’m 82 and can imagine how I’d feel in their place,” says caroller Madeleine Charron with tears welling up in her eyes. “Some say they feel alone and abandoned because their family doesn’t visit. I love the people. It gives me pleasure to bring them joy.”

Charron is among five others who go regularly to sing, read scripture, and pray with the residents.

The team that visits the seniors regularly to sing, read scripture, and pray with them. Madeleine Charron is centre left.

Last year, a local Christian band called So Innocent joined the carolling. They plan to join the group this year too, on Saturday, December 17.

“My heart is filled with compassion for the people,” says band member Sylvia Langlois, who is also Nadine’s sister. “Carolling brings love and joy. It shows we care and they’re not forgotten.”

The carolling has become a staple at the Centre. Residents look forward to it as soon as the Centre is decorated for the season.

When asked how he likes the singing, resident Paul Parrington raises his arm as his face lights up with a big smile.

Resident Paul Parrington really enjoys hearing the carollers. Photo by Pauline Levert.

“I like it when they sing, [then he sang] ‘Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.’ I like ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.’ It reminds me of my mom because she died on December 23. Sometimes it’s hard when it gets close to Christmas.”

Another resident, Yvonne Robertson-Brazeau, smiles and shares, “It’s very beautiful when they sing. You would never know how much I love it.”

When it comes to carolling, the more the merrier. The group gives an open invitation to anyone who wants to join in. They plan to visit the Centre at 10:30 a.m. on December 17 and 31, and at 5:30 p.m. on Boxing Day.