Irish news digest

Without words in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Each day in Easter Week the diocese is publishing a photograph without words to illustrate Easter and Holy Week 2020.

Help for those bereaved by the Covid-19 pandemic

The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland has produced a booklet to help those grieving for loved ones who’ve lost their lives during the Covid-19 crisis. The pamphlet, ‘Grief and Bereavement during the Covid-19 Pandemic’, is written for those mourning the loss of a loved one and those comforting the bereaved.

The Public Health Agency says grief is difficult and painful at any time, and the COVID-19 pandemic may present additional challenges to the process, because of self-isolation and social distancing from friends and family.

The new booklet explores the process of grieving and directs the bereaved to individuals and organisations who can provide counselling and assistance.

The Rev Canon David Ferry, who is a member of the Derry and Raphoe Diocese’s team of hospital chaplains, has welcomed the new publication. “The booklet is full of very practical advice presented in a very sensitive manner,” Canon Ferry says. “It will be very useful for anyone who has lost a loved one to Covid-19 because the circumstances they find themselves in are quite unlike anything we have experienced before.

“The health and safety guidelines which have been implemented make it virtually impossible to grieve in the manner we had been accustomed to,” Canon Ferry says, “and that makes the whole process of bereavement so much harder than it already is. This booklet will be a practical comfort to anyone who’s mourning a loved one. It’s also an invaluable resource for those like myself – chaplains, counsellors, health professionals – who are doing our best to help the bereaved in the most challenging of circumstances.”

Maundy money for Marie

Congratulations to Marie Anderson, a parishioner of Christ Church Parish, Lisburn, who received the gift of Maundy money from Her Majesty the Queen.

The Maundy purses are traditionally handed out by Her Majesty on Maundy Thursday, and Marie and her husband Ivan had been invited to the special service in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Marie had received a letter advising her that, due to the coronavirus crisis, the service would not be held, but the arrival of the Maundy purses in the post came as something of a surprise. Enjoying their garden while self-isolating, neither Marie or Ivan heard the doorbell when the special delivery from Her Majesty arrived, and didn’t open the parcel containing the two purses until a family member collected it from the Post Office last Saturday!

“I don’t feel very deserving of it,” said Marie. “It is all down to Bishop Alan.”

Bishop Alan Abernethy, former Bishop of Connor, nominated Marie for the honour. “I knew the bishop from attending church events and his annual Lenten Talks, but I got to know him a bit better because we went on the same journey at the Cancer Centre,” Marie said.

“He was getting his radiotherapy at 12 noon and I was getting mine at 11.30. We enjoyed each other’s company while waiting. I had 27 sessions and the bishop had more, but we went through the whole thing together.”

Marie and Ivan have two children and five grandchildren. Brought up in the Presbyterian Church – “I still value my Presbyterian roots” – Marie became a parishioner in Christ Church on her marriage, more than 50 years ago.

She was a Sunday School teacher from more than 20 years, has been a long-term member of the Mothers’ Union and for a number of years was branch leader. She also worked as the parish administrator for five years and was secretary of the Select Vestry for five years.

“I just sort of fell into these roles and did them because they were there to do,” she said.

Marie and Ivan were due to go to Windsor Castle just days before jetting off on a family holiday to Portugal. Now the couple are confined to their home and garden. Marie’s cancer treatment has ended, but she still suffers from lymphedema in one of her legs. “I really love being out in the garden and have to drag myself away to rest my leg, but if I wear the special stockings and do my exercises it is not too bad,” she said.

Marie added that she is very honoured to receive the Maundy money.

“I still can’t get my head round why I was chosen. There was a letter from the Lord High Almoner along with the Queen’s letter, and I read about what people have done in church circles and I think, that’s not me! There are lots of people who are much more deserving!”

Marie plans to keep the specially minted coins as an heirloom for all the family.

Prayer points

Pray for Rev Graeme Stockdale chaplain in Maghaberry Prison as he seeks to respond to concerns and anxieties among staff and the prison population. The prison cannot close so pray for wisdom for NI Prisons as they manage the challenges of the situation.

Wonderful Saviour, you commanded your disciples to follow you. Empower and equip Church Army Evangelists in Training, who have made it their vocation to follow you and in doing so to tell the world about you, even when that feels limited to doing evangelism online.

Prayi for those in care homes who are suffering with coronavirus, and those who are working in such difficult conditions to look after them with extraordinary dedication.

God in creation