Journey back to life with a ‘Day of Reflection’
Members of the public are invited to journey back into life after the pandemic with a ‘Day of Reflection’ in the church on the grounds of St Patrick’s Community Hospital, Fermoy.
Taking place on Saturday, May 21 from 10.45am until 3pm, the event is facilitated by Sr Una Boland and will help those in attendance to connect with the ups and downs of everyday life and living during the pandemic.
Una, a registered counsellor and psychotherapist, ran programmes from the Blue Nuns Convent on Monument Hill. These programmes focused around human development and counselling skills, as well as book reviews on life and living. She also ran bereavement support groups which she hopes to begin taking bookings for once again.
Speaking with TheAvondhu, Una said that the aim of the ‘ Day of Reflection’ is to help people connect once again.
“A lot of people are struggling as a result of the pandemic because many of them were locked in. There was no way to connect with other people. Ireland is noted to be community-oriented and that disappeared during Covid. I am delighted that we are able to do this because I see this very much as a community where we come together,” Una said.
LOSING CONTACT
According to Una, a key area covered on the day will be the effects of Covid-19 and cocooning and the impact it has had on people.
“We had a great fear of going out. All age groups had fear, but the older generation was told to cocoon. This told them to stay away from everything so they lost contact with their neighbours, and they lost contact with going to church or for their cup of coffee. They lost contact,” Una said.
On the day, Fr Biletskyy, who is now living at the Blue Nuns Convent on Monument Hill having recently moved to Fermoy after fleeing Ukraine with his family, will also share his experiences.
The day will start with a cup of tea or coffee, before those in attendance come together to talk and share experiences. At around 12.30, there will be a light lunch with refreshments, allowing people to reconnect and be together.
Finishing the day, a Service of Light and Healing will be held where people can receive a special blessing with oils from The Holy Land and share a prayer.
RELEASING THE PAST
“What I will say to people is to come back again and engage with life-giving force again as we work together for a brighter future, because life is about living and we lost a lot of that community dimension as a result of the pandemic.
“It will be a day where you can relax in an open, caring space and take a few hours for yourself. The past is in the past unless we hold onto it. I give skills on how to release the past and not be caught up in the pain of what has happened us,” Una added.
Places on the ‘Day of Reflection’ are limited, so booking is advisable and donations of €10 are requested.
The ‘ Day of Reflection’ will take place from 10.45am until 3pm this Saturday, May 21 in the church on the grounds of St Patrick’s Community Hospital in Fermoy. For more information or to book a place, contact the parish office at (025) 30856 before 12 noon or Una on (087) 6263934.