Candy, I have an admission. You say you are in awe of me being able to type articles with one finger – well, to be truthful these main stories were prepared before my shoulder operation, only these little asides are being given the one finger!! Just over two weeks and the sling is driving me crazy, won’t stay in place and ripping my skin where it touches not a lot to complain about in this day and age.
I know some people who just stay in bed till lunch time to make the day shorter which is understandable but sad as these morning have been bright and beautiful looking out into the garden, buds are bursting and bulbs pushing up above the soil not even fearful of the squirrels and their hungry young. We have a family and it’s a delight to watch them jumping around and foraging for titbits. The camellia tree is rich in bright red blossom, some brightening up the kitchen as I type and the magnolia is busting with excitement.
I know there is a future, I know life goes on but for so many it’s dark and frightening times and there is little comfort. Funerals with only four or five allowed by the graveside where there should be friends and family to mourn and celebrate a life well lived but struck down far too soon.
Give a wave to the bin men, a thanks to the post man and another to the newspaper delivery man – or women in every case. And special recognition to the guy who comes round and washes out the black bin resplendent in yellow overalls, mask and gloves. And gardeners who continue to work and keep things under control when you can’t. And how do you thank those working their fingers to the bone preparing delivers from shops and stores, we can’t do it face to face much any more and as for all those engaged in health services – Words are inadequate.
And respect too to those in authority who are making plans on our behalf, it’s a relief to see grown ups taking their jobs so seriously never mind the party politics.
And all the mums and dads at home with children and grown up sons willing to shop and daughters who cook and clean for you, both willing to spend time with their parents where possible and help them through this time. Oh to give them a hug of thanks and wrap yourself round your grandchildren. Some day.
ONE MAN’S STORY
Over 30 years ago Terry Waite was taken hostage, held in a tiled cell deep underground, chained to the wall, totally alone. One visit to the bathroom a day, no natural light and he didn’t see another human beings face for years.
Terry Waite spent 1,736 days, almost five years in captivity in Beirut from 1987 until 1991, and recently in a newspaper article he has told of how he is again
self-isolating and of how the current strange conditions have “levelled” us all. He urged people to be positive about the future.
“The way to do that, in part, is to try and live for the moment; try and live for now. Now, how do you do that in captivity where you’ve no books, you’ve no paper, you’ve nothing? Well, I had to do that by mentally adjusting to the situation. Saying there’s little or nothing I can do to change this, but I can hold on to the fact that I have life now, not tomorrow, I have it now. And I’m going to live it as fully as possible.”
Speaking of finding something useful to do, he continued:
“I began to write in my head, I began to use my mental capacity in a way that extends that. And that was a way of just surviving. And, as I say, there will be many people who are deeply afraid and worried at the moment; well, somehow, remember that this virus will be defeated, there will be a life after that and, you know, things do have a habit of turning out well if we want to work for them.”
“For the majority of us, it will be fine. But we just somehow have to develop that capacity within ourselves to take the situation at the moment as it is.”
“What I had to do was to keep myself alive in the following way. I’ll tell you a silly story, but it is perfectly true. In the first week of captivity, I had my own clothes. And at night, I managed to get my trousers off even though I was chained. And I put them under the mattress to press them. Now, that might sound really stupid, but it was something that I learned in the army during National Service.”
“In all these situations, keep your own dignity, keep yourself smart and the same applies today when those people are at home in lockdown. You know, don’t just get up and hang around all day in a dressing gown or pajamas. Take a pride in your appearance still, keep yourself smart. Retain your own dignity. That’s really pretty important.”
“The other thing to say is form a structure for the day. Now, I’m sitting here at home alone. I’ve been in lockdown for the last week, maybe longer, but I’m so fortunate. I mean, I’m surrounded by my books, I’m surrounded by papers, I’ve got access to the Internet, a whole range of things. I can use this time creatively, which I’m trying to do. I’m actually beginning to start writing a new book at the moment. We can use this time creatively… rather than emphasising the negative.”
He’s a strong man of faith and what he says is fine when you have your health to fight and consider this situation but for those who are sick with anguish and those who are grieving, the future looks bleak. There’s little to say except we are thinking of you, praying for you and here to help where possible.
ANOTHER MAN OF FAITH
There aren’t enough hours in the day for Stephen McBrearty. As parish priest in St Colmcille’s Holywood, amongst other duties he’s either thinking about services and the current disruption to every day life, talking with parishioners, mulling over paperwork or spearheading the huge development for a new pastoral parish centre. 30 years ago this beautiful church was ravaged by fire, only the spire and the bell tower remained. The smoke and flames were visible for many miles around, even on the Co. Antrim side of the Lough, and there was genuine sadness amongst people of all faiths. However, Holywood is a vibrant place and it wasn’t long before work began on a new church which is recognised as being of outstanding design, modern but with a great traditional feel about it. The ambitious new development will be called Sanctus Boscus from the Latin meaning the Holy Wood.
The town has a strong ecclesiastical history and in 1866 it became a parish in its own right. History records that the foundation stone for the original church was brought from the ruins of a church in Gartan Co. Donegal where St. Colmcille was born. In June 2024 it will be 150 years since Bishop Dorrian dedicated the building and there are many plans to celebrate the new complex which will become the spiritual home for over 2500 parishioners.
The new centre will be on the present site on the corner of My Lady’s Mile at the top of the town and will involve the conversion of the curate’s parochial house into meeting rooms for both social and spiritual gatherings and there will be accommodation for a retired priest. This development of a new parish centre will benefit life for the young growing population and families as well as for the elderly.
The Very Reverend Stephen McBrearty has another responsibility which was recognised in March when he received an MBE in recognition of his 22 year chaplaincy work inside prisons. As lead prison chaplain for the Catholic church he coordinates his team representing Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church, a member of the Sisters of Nazareth community as well as St. Vincent de Paul and when receiving his MBE he publicly recognised the work of the entire prison chaplaincy in Norther Ireland.
“I would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary chaplains from all Christian denominations and other faiths, the men and women who untiringly give their service to the Prison Parish family.”
Some time ago he invited me to go along to Hydebank Wood to experience first hand life inside the prison.
First thing I noticed was how everyone greeted Stephen, he knew them all. One young man was on the phone: “You getting out today?” “Yes Father, in about an hour, trying to get my girlfriend.” We talked, he told me he was a country boy who came to town, his parents separated, he fell into bad company, got drunk and committed an offence that brought him to Hydebank for five months. He’d lost out on his wages, £350 a week but he said, he had an understanding employer who believed in him and had held his job open; on visits his parents would sit at opposite ends of the table which he says did his head in. “I’ve young brothers and a sister, I’m the man of the house now so this won’t happened again. I’ve learned my lesson.”
Another man was fighting to see his six month old baby but he didn’t know how to get through to the courts to organise a visit. “Girls get rights for their children,” he said, “boys don’t.” Typically Father Stephen promised to get involved and see what he could organise.
The heart of this prison is the ecumenical chapel where Stephen takes Mass, and, like his colleagues, he’s always ready to speak to a prisoner privately about personal concerns. One of the female prisoners told me, “He has a nice way with him, he’s approachable,” she said, “and I like to give him a hug because he uses the loveliest after shave.”
He and I talked about the fine line between good and evil, how too often a lack of experience can draw people into a life of crime because their judgement has been flawed and they may well end up in Hydebank, a centre that at that time accommodated all young male offenders aged between 18 and 21 years on conviction serving a period of 4 years or less in custody, and all female prisoners including young offenders.
We visited the chapel a warm, circular room, big windows with a plain wooden cross above the alter table. It’s seen as a neutral space for families to meet, although there was an officer standing by with an alarm to summon attention should trouble break out.
Stephen then took me to the male corridors where there was little by way of comfort, a large room with a snooker table was all I saw although there are football and badminton teams and education classrooms. The cells are tiny, clean, a single bed that doesn’t look over comfortable and clothes hung on a hanger in the corner. One wall I saw was covered with family photos and pinups.
I won’t forget that visit and the skilful and caring way Stephen confront his responsibilities.
Back in Holywood we talk about the current situation and Stephen’s message to his parishioners not to come out if you have a cough or feel unwell. “There is no obligation to come to church but do keep praying, if anything at this time prayer should be strengthened in every possible way. And remember you can see us on-line when we have a service as we broadcast.”
It’s strange and frightening times with churches being effected with closures however, there are always opportunities to talk to clergy like Stephen McBrearty. Keep in touch through stcolmcillesholywood.org for details of Easter celebrations on the church website.
THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE, KEEP THE FAMILY WASHING THEIR HANDS AND WASH DOWN SHELVES, DOOR HANDLES, AND SURFACES WITH SOME TYPE OF DISINFECTANT PREFERABLY AN ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCT. KITCHEN GLOVES FOR MOVING SHOPPING TO SHELVES HAVING GIVEN THEM THE WIPE DOWN TREATMENT TOO. JUST TRY TO BE ONE STEP AHEAD OF THIS EVIL VIRUS. MY LOVE AND BEST WISHES. ANNE