‘The pandemic has brought people together in a good way...’
FR John Magner of Kanturk Parish is in self-isolation at the moment but he stresses how important it is for us all to keep ‘ the heart up’ and continue to pray as this moment will pass. “It’s a strange feeling for sure,” Fr John says. “I’ve been phoning all the people that I would normally visit on a day-to-day basis, and those who may be living on their own, just to have a chat. Phoning around people and letting them know that they’re not forgotten has been my aim since I went into self-isolation.”
Fr John said the past few weeks has brought about huge change to people’s lives, but that it may also help bring more prayer to people.
“This pandemic has brought people together and that spirit of helping one another. When I was a boy it was all about helping one another and our neighbours. It’s been nice to see that happening again; hopefully it will continue long after this virus has passed us. Look out for people is what I would say.”
In one of his recent homilies, Fr John touched on the necessity of helping each other. Don’t be afraid to ask for help is Fr John’s message: pick up the phone if you’re living on your own and ask for help.
“Some people are very independent and may not want to ask for help, but be sure to ask. In a way we had lost this as life became too demanding for some. The main thing is to look out for one another and keep up our prayers to the Lord.”
Fr John concludes: “I know of some families who are using this time to say the rosary together. If there is a positive to come from all this, it’s that it is giving us the space for people to pray together and appreciate the simple things in life together. All we can do is take one day at a time to get through this.”