Irish news digest

Photo: River House in Newcastle, County Down, one of PCI’s residential homes of older people, which opened in 1988.

Care homes: PCI welcomes sector support package

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has welcomed the support package for Northern Irelands’ residential care and nursing homes, announced this morning by Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health.

In a statement on behalf of the denomination, Lindsay Conway, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Social Witness, which runs the Church’s 10 homes in Northern Ireland, said, “As a care provider for upwards of 400 people across Northern Ireland, I very much welcome Minister Swann’s announcement today. The support is not only a practical response, but also an acknowledgement of the essential work that frontline staff across the sector are doing. It is vital that we remain vigilant, as the battle is ongoing.

“The extra funding, and other practical measures that the Minister announced, will go a long way in alleviating the stress and anxiety amongst residents, relatives and staff and will contribute greatly to the additional costs that are being incurred daily during these exceptional times. The announcement of increased testing regimes for staff and new admissions is also very welcome and will be critical in keeping our homes virus free.

“As a Church, we are called to demonstrate Jesus’ love for people, which means putting our faith into practical action and simple Christian caring, which is a powerful social witness of the gospel. I would like to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of our teams who are caring for our residents, and the understanding shown by those we care for and their loved ones, as we implement the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

“This is not an easy time for relatives, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the difficulty and anxiety that the current necessary separation causes, as they are unable be with their loved ones. I would also like to reassure them that we are doing absolutely everything that can be done to minimise the risk posed by this virus.”

Foyle MLA praises Eglinton churches’ response to ‘lockdown’

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan visited Eglinton Community Centre last week to thank local volunteers from Eglinton Churches Together for working in partnership with Eglinton Community Centre to serve the needs of local people self-isolating or feeling vulnerable during the current ‘lockdown’.

When it became clear that the government was moving towards a lockdown, local clergymen Rev Canon Paul Hoey (St Canice’s Church of Ireland), Fr Noel McDermott (Faughanvale RC parish) and Rev Lindsay Blair (Faughanvale Presbyterian Church) teamed up with Debbie Caulfield, the Manager of Eglinton Community Centre, to co-ordinate a local response.

Mr Durkan remarked on how the experience of working together after the August 2017 flood had enabled the Eglinton community to hit the ground running and get badly-needed, practical help out to local people within a few days of the lockdown announcement.

A leaflet describing the kind of support available – help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, posting mail and telephone support – was delivered to 6,000 local homes, mostly by volunteers going door to door. The services are greatly appreciated by those who use them, and many positive comments have been made about the lifeline it provides.

Mr Durkan commended ECT/ECC for their effective organisation, for example by supplying high-visibility jackets and volunteer cards, giving volunteers ‘fast track’ access to local shops and the village chemist. He also noted how volunteers had been assisting Lloyd’s chemist with the delivery of prescription medications, and delivering District Council food parcels to those most in need, especially people with Shielding Letters.

“I am here to express the gratitude of the wider community to the 90 people who have volunteered to date – willingly giving time to support their neighbours and friends in this Community,” Mr Durkan said. “I’m grateful to them all.”

Echoing Mr Durkan’s warm words of appreciation to the volunteers, Canon Hoey said, “I’ve been impressed, but not surprised, by the response of this community. Not a day goes by without me hearing of the impact the sacrificial service offered by our volunteers is making on the lives of many individuals. I thank God for the opportunity to be part of it.”

Arrangements for Methodist Church Conference 2020

Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Annual Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland will not be held as planned in June.

The General Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland has agreed to defer Conference until October 7 – 11, 2020 but will, however, be guided by the latest Public Health Agency (PHA) advice with the safety of all members as paramount importance.

Neighbours join in the Lord’s Prayer together

Many people across the diocese of Down and Dromore took part in Saturday’s Day of Prayer and Fasting and at 8.00 pm prayed the Lord’s Prayer on their doorstep. Some had the joy of sharing the experience with their neighbours.

The Revd Niall and Gerry Griffin are retired and live on an estate in Rostrevor, Co Down. “Niall went to each of the 42 houses in our estate,” explains Gerry. “We are the only Protestants living here and most of the folks are well known to us. Many of them responded with an immediate ‘yes’ to doing this and thought it was a great idea. On Saturday evening Niall went up and down the streets and folk came out, maybe as many as 30. He led us loudly in the prayer and then we clapped the Lord! We agreed to do this again next week so Niall will go to them again and weather permitting we will pray together. There was a great atmosphere of desire and agreement and we do thank God and Bishop David for the idea.”

The Revd Peter Bourke, rector of St Jude’s, said: “I was blown away with the response on my street. At 8.00 pm I was joined by about 10 neighbours whom I invited to join me to pray The Lord’s Prayer. Even an atheist who came out for moral support!”

The Revd Jono Pierce, rector of St Finnian’s, Cregagh, dropped a little note into seven nearby houses explaining the initiative and inviting people to come out and share the Lord’s Prayer at their gate:

“Four households made their way to near our gate and after sharing the Lord’s Prayer we stood a good distance apart and just chatted about home schooling and the challenges and joys of lockdown. We hadn’t met some of the people before as they are quite new, and we don’t often see our neighbours day to day. It was a really moving and beautiful thing to do together. Being honest, I didn’t expect anyone to turn up but people seemed keen to build community and try to live differently. In the note I explained about how we ring the bells for the NHS on Thursday nights for 5 minutes and for hope on Fridays at 12 noon and invited the neighbours to connect into our Facebook page if they want us to pray for anyone during the bell ringing.”

“If God is calling you to the priesthood have the courage to ‘Yes’!” – Bishop Cullinan

This Sunday, 3 May, is Vocations or Good Shepherd Sunday, the dedicated annual day for Catholics around the world to offer special prayers to encourage vocations from families and parishes to the priesthood and to religious life. On Sunday RTÉ One television will broadcast Mass for vocations at 11.00am and it will be celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan and concelebrated by Father Willie Purcell.

Ahead of the world day of prayer for vocations, the chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, Bishop Cullinan, said, “We join with Pope Francis in asking the Church to continue to promote vocations. The Holy Father asks us to find courage to say ‘yes’ to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ. My prayer is that all who are being called to diocesan priesthood will have that courage to say ‘yes’ to God`s call!”

Father Purcell, National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator, said, “During these days of social distancing and isolation we have the opportunity to connect with the unfolding plan of God in our lives. For those who are discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood and religious life it is a valuable time through prayer and reflection to listen more deeply to where God is calling you, and in generosity to say ‘yes’ to that call.”

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan is Bishop of Waterford & Lismore and chair of the Council for Vocations of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. This Mass will be broadcast on RTÉ One television, Radio 1 and on digital at 11.00am on 3 May from its Donnybrook studio. It will be the first Mass from RTÉ to use a virtual outdoor chapel created on a video wall. The organist for the Mass will be Simon Orrock; violist, Killian Grumley-Traynor; Cantor, Kerri Connor; conductor, Sister. Moira Bergin; and Deacon Rev Eric Cooney will also be in attendance.

Prayer points

God in creation