Neumann University needed housing for its students. The university’s founding order, the Catholic Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, were living in the Our Lady of Angels Motherhouse Convent which had way more space than they needed.

So, back in August, 40 undergraduate men and women moved into the Convent at the edge of the Aston campus, joining 40 sisters living there, writes Melissa Korn for The Wall Street Journal.

It’s working out well. On a recent evening, students painted pumpkins, made s’mores, and danced to a DJ playlist.  The sisters joined them.

 “Young blood, it’s wonderful!” Sister Bernadette Brazil said when asked about the newcomers.

Both groups keep their privacy but find opportunities to mingle, taking nature walks and meals together, and planning knitting lessons.

The intergenerational opportunity at the convent is appreciated, but it’s also a little poignant.

The sisters founded Neumann as Our Lady of Angels College in 1965 and the order once boasted 1,600 sisters.  These days there are about 350, with a median age of 82.

“We do not need that building going forward,” said Sister Kathy Dougherty, vice president for mission and ministry at Neumann.

Read more about these unique living arrangements at The Wall Street Journal.