Saint Mary's Way - Panti Werdha *THE RECOUNT TEXT*

My Experience of Saint Mary’s Way

A little while ago, I joined a school program called Saint Mary’s Way, which was created for ninth graders to learn about serving others with kindness and sincerity. There were several service options, but after a few chit-chats with my homeboys, we chose to visit the nursing home Panti Werdha. We wrote a proposal, sent it to the sisters there, and once it was accepted, we met almost every day in class 9.3 to prepare the event and divide responsibilities.

The visit was scheduled for Saturday, 27 September 2025. I arrived as the last member at around 08:40, and everyone was already gathered in the parking area. After taking a few pics together, a senior sister welcomed us and led us to the hall, where many grandmothers were already seated. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as we walked in.

We began the program with a short introduction from our MC, followed by some praise songs and an opening prayer. The atmosphere slowly warmed up. We played a ball-passing game and served fruit to the grandmothers. Then we continued with my game, “Back to the Past.” Some grandmothers happily shared memories from their childhood, while others took longer to recall their stories. Even so, being able to sit with them, listen patiently, and gently encourage them felt meaningful.

Afterward, we had snacks and chatted with the grandmothers for about an hour. Our final activity was a writing session where they wrote short pieces of advice for younger people. Before ending the event, we took a group photo, prayed together, greeted each grandmother, and then headed home.

Throughout the day, I saw many different reactions—some grandmothers were cheerful and energetic, while others looked bored, nonchalant, some even UNIMPRESSED. Well, who knows? Maybe they were actually excited, internally. Still, I reminded myself to serve with sincerity, because even small gestures can bring comfort and warmth.

This experience taught me humility and the beauty of serving without expecting anything in return. It strengthened my faith and reminded me that following Christ can be shown through simple, everyday actions. Moving forward, I hope to carry this spirit of service into my daily life—being more aware, more patient, and more willing to help wherever I can, both in school and beyond.