![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/St.-Bernadette-confirmation-Roberto-with-Giovanna.jpeg\")
St. Bernadette eighth-grader Roberto Romeo works with Giovanna Susca, a resident at the Norwegian Christian Home, on her arts-and-crafts project, a \u201cWelcome\u201d sign depicting fall foliage. (Photo: Paula Katinas)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\tSt. Bernadette eighth-grader Roberto Romeo works with Giovanna Susca, a resident at the Norwegian Christian Home, on her arts-and-crafts project, a \u201cWelcome\u201d sign depicting fall foliage. (Photo: Paula Katinas)<\/p>\n
DYKER HEIGHTS \u2014 Christopher Trochalides, an eighth-grader at St. Bernadette Catholic Academy, paid a visit to a senior citizens\u2019 home and found that age is not a barrier when it comes to making new friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Christopher was one of 21 St. Bernadette students who spent the morning of Oct. 15 visiting with older adults at the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center in Dyker Heights, getting to know the home\u2019s residents as they worked side by side with them on arts-and-crafts projects like coloring foliage on fall-themed \u201cWelcome\u201d signs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was all part of a community service project Christopher and his peers had to complete before receiving the sacrament of confirmation at the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette on Oct. 23.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, while Christopher was obligated to be there, he enjoyed the intergenerational get-together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese people are really nice,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s fun interacting with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The visit was arranged by Lisa Papio, who teaches social studies and religion at St. Bernadette Catholic Academy and worked on the details with administrators at the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Papio also accompanied the youngsters on their visit as the group walked from their school on 83rd Street in Dyker Heights to the home, which is located nearly a mile away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Papio, who previously led the confirmation candidates on a trip to a Bensonhurst food pantry as part of their community service obligation, said she chose these specific locations to help the students develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be true to their Catholic faith and serve others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a wonderful thing to give back to the community rather than just sitting in school reading a book,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see how they\u2019re interacting with them and how they\u2019re bringing their faith alive, being that they\u2019re making confirmation soon.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n