Naperville nursing home hosts party at ‘mom’s house’

Organizers of the annual fundraising party held this time of year at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville like to refer to it as the “Come to Mom’s House” event. Regina Millington, a longtime organizer of the party, takes that title personally.

“My mom used to live here, and I will never be able to give back enough for everything they did for her.” Millington said. “The sisters here are incredible human beings, and they bring such a sense of love and dignity to the lives of the residents.”

The party, officially known as the St. Patrick’s Day Party, took place Sunday at the Catholic nursing home, operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The day began with Mass, and then residents and their families enjoyed Irish and Scottish music and dancing, games, face-painting — even a visit from St. Patrick himself. Lots of Irish delicacies were on sale, and the party came to a close with a raffle.

Millington, among the army of volunteers that pulls the event together, said it’s one of the highlights of the year for the home’s residents.

“When we started putting decorations up, they’d tease us by saying, ‘Whoops, you missed a spot!’ They really got into it,” she said.

Sister Jeanne Haley, administrator of St. Patrick’s, said she loves seeing the smiles on the faces of the residents when their families arrive for the party.

“This is the residents’ home,” she said. “They come here to live, and today they get a chance to spend time with their families in their home. They get to be the people they’ve always been in their families.”