News from United Kingdom 1

ARRIVAL IN LONDON AND WELCOME AT HACKNEY

Sr Virginia with the GAP Participants during the Orientation Program in February 2009, Currajeen, Doreen
From left: Megan Gaffney, Ros Hiser, Virginia Wilkinson RSC,
Clare Christi, Becc Hyland

From arriving in London it was clear that I was changing into a completely new culture - one that I felt was very similar to one at home however with many differences. From the moment we entered London we were warmly welcomed by the many sisters. The first week was really about us getting our bearings on where we are and what we can do to add to the life in the hospice and in particular in the convent.

It has been so far so much fun to simply spend time with the Sisters because they really all have such amazing and individual stories that we really are very lucky to hear. I feel as if I have been here in London for longer than a few weeks, mainly because the sisters have made us feel at home.

Being at the hospice has been brilliant. Some of the patients have truly remarkable stories of struggle and grief yet they overcome that and look at all the positives. I feel as if I could learn a lot from the patients and their outlook on life. One of the patients who suffers heavily from many cancers told me that everyday she could wake up and look at the world in a negative aspect however she chooses to see the upside of life and goes out of her way to make sure that every day there is something to enjoy.

I feel truly lucky for the people that I have met so far and the way I have been given a chance to experience a part of their life.

Megan Gaffney

ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE HACKNEY

It has been a few weeks since our landing in London and it has been a really exciting and wonderful time so far. I had mixed emotions coming to London, as I was so sad to be leaving Zambia yet at the same time I couldn't help but be excited to finally experience London and all it promises to be. I always knew it was going to be a very different experience for me than that of the first three months but nevertheless just as worthwhile.

On arrival the sisters at St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney were so welcoming of all of us and have really made us all feel right at home. The retired sisters here have shown so much appreciation towards us being here. I think they are really enjoying having young people around again. It has been such a great opportunity for me also to interact with such interesting people like the sisters who have lived such amazing lives

We have just started to record some of the sisters’ life stories, which has been really lovely to hear about their families, becoming a Sister of Charity, living through wars, their work and many other interesting things.

Working in the hospice has been fantastic as well. It has been really nice to be able to visit the patients on ward rounds once a week with Sr Catherine and to meet some of the patients and their families at the hospice.

We have also been contributing to ward liturgies and weekly masses with singing and prayers and helping at the day hospice centre on various activities like pottery and creative writing. Helping out with the gardening each Wednesday morning has been a really wonderful experience because the garden is such and important place for the patients at the hospice.

I really enjoyed the summer fair, which was such a great day for all. The place was just filled with people and all the staff were on all the stalls. I was even on the garden and ice cream stall. The hospice managed to raise £17,200 in just 3 hours, which just shows the massive amount of respect that people in the area have for St Josephs.

I feel very privileged to be able to be apart of St Joseph's and to be able to help in some way. I know I am really going to love it here for the next two months.

Clare Christi

IRELAND

Last week we were given the opportunity to travel to Ireland and stay in Dublin at the Sisters of Charity house. The experience was very worthwhile as we got a chance to walk in Mary Aikenhead's footsteps.

We travelled to Cork to visit the town where she grew up as well as the important sites of Dublin where much for her religious life was spent. I think the special thing for me was to visit the Heritage Centre. This not only told the story of her life but also hinted to the legacy that one woman left behind. It really showed how one person can make such an impact to those coming after them.

Foxford was a also a trip I really enjoyed. The woolen mills there were set up by the Sisters of Charity to benefit and employ an impoverished community. Again this highlighted the way in which the work of one person can impact positively in so many others as well as the important lessons of courage in adversity.

We were very privileged to have been invited by the sisters in Ireland and are very grateful for the love and care they showed us.

Ros Hiser

SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES AT HACKNEY

As we are well into our programme I will endeavour to give an account of our first few weeks here.

After a very long flight I arrived to the warmest of welcomes from the Community of sixteen sister, all Irish except for two, with several in high care, others more able and a number of active members. Catherine Egan, the Community Leader, can’t do enough and has made sure that we are very much at home.

On the day after I arrived, Jacinta Boland, the Provincial, came to meet me and is absolutely delighted that we are staying here. She has even had a phone and computer set up in the office next to my bedroom for our use.  Unfortunately, the computer has had many problems and is still not functioning.

I met with a number of the Hospice staff and a programme was arranged for the group. Everyone knows who we are, why we are here and think that our project is something really worthwhile.  Among other things that come up, our programme involves ward visitation with Sr. Catherine and Fr. Brian, the chaplain. Fr. Brian has adopted us completely and has installed Megan, Becc, Clare and Ros as Ministers of the Eucharist. They have prepared Liturgies for the wards, a special one for the Laying of Hands and even a special one for a woman who is Salvation Army and wanted someone to pray with her.     Each evening one of the group accompanies Catherine on the Communion round where they also meet family members and have realized the number of deaths here each week. They are coping very well and are able to debrief and talk about their experiences.

Steve, one of the physiotherapists, gave us a whole lesson on wheelchair safety, which means we are no longer Pplaters ! This has enabled a number of the sister to be taken out ,as five extra people make a big difference. We accompanied a group to the Carmelite Monastery in Kent (built in 1214) with Mass in the chapel, exploration of the beautiful gardens and duck ponds, soup and rolls in their cafeteria --- all in wheelchairs.

Another outing was to the London Palladium for a matinee of “ Sister Act”. Needless to say, there have been hilarious moments in all of this.
Sisters, staff and patients love having young people around. One darling sister, who is almost blind, loves a game of cards, and has found great partners in the girls.

Jacinta asked if they could record the sisters’ stories as she has wanted to do this for a long time. We have a video camera and the stories are gradually being told. These sisters have wonderful histories and careers behind them. We had a coach trip to Hampton Court ----- wheelchairs, walkers and walking sticks ---- where I had to brush up on my history of Henryv111.

On sunny days we are able to wheel people to the park and get them outside for a while. This is beginning to sound a bit like a wheelchair derby!!  Our days are filled with many activities and the weekends have been spent exploring London.

We have been invited to Dublin by Mary Christian and have booked from 2nd. to 7th July on Ryanair with return tickets at 2euro each. There is accommodation for us and we will be able to visit the Mary Aikenhead Heritage Centre and visit Cork, among other things. We have also been invited to Scotland in August.

I can’t quite convey to you the extent of the hospitality, warmth, even love, that is being given to us. From the minute I arrived I was enveloped by the community and feel very much a part of it. Megan, Becc, Ros and Clare are experiencing the same thing. The sisters are interested in our outings and our plans and share in everything we do.

We have spent time in the districts of Hackney, Walthemstow and other areas of the East End where we would be the only white people on the bus or in the street but everyone is happy, smiling and ready to speak. I had an hilarious experience helping Catherine to wheel two Irish sisters around the streets, to a rather run down pub, to watch the final game of the season for Celtic.

We are managing well with gratitude for all the support from home. I would love a secretary to do my typing correctly but wanted to send something to you.  I will continue at a later date.   I must add that the “four” are all very musical and have lovely singing voices so the Aussie flag was held high at a 90th. Birthday, when all the Irish songs were sung and we were asked for something Australian. The girls performed beautifully.

The main fund raising events for the Hospice are Fairs that are held four times in the year, with great support from the Community and wonderful staff. The Spring Fair was held on Saturday, 20th. June and we were able to assist in the preparation and on the day itself. A lot of sorting of goods took place in the preceding days and on the day itself Megan and  Ros ran the children’s games and Rebecca and Clare the plant store. They worked very hard but it was really a fun day and they enjoyed the experience. Their assistance was much appreciated by the organizers. My friends won’t be surprised to know that I worked on the Book Stall.

On the previous Friday, Fr. Brian conducted a very meaningful “Blessing of Hands” ceremony for staff on each of the ward levels. Our group prepared a small liturgy, singing the hymns and providing the Readings, While Brian and I, using fragrant lemongrass oil, anointed the hands of each staff member. I have met such dedicated, wonderful people working here and am always made so welcome..

We have been invited to the Education Programme , held each Wednesday afternoon and it is a very informative session. The first was on dealing with grief and loss in children... something that we have already experienced here, when a parent died... and the second was on understanding and dealing with illness and pain in handicapped people. We enjoy the input and the following discussions.

Helping in the Day Hospital is a priority and is an opportunity to meet with and talk to people who are battling illness but enjoy the hour or so to be with people, enjoy the activities and a cup of tea. The girls are wonderful with these people and successfully” control” a group of eight year olds who come on Tuesday afternoons and give great joy to the adults.

We are continuing to gather the elderly sisters’ stories. They are enjoying it and remembering forgotten events, such as their experiences living through the bombings in World War 11.  Each week there are ward visits with Fr. Brian and Sr. Catherine, as well as “time out” in the sunshine ( when it remembers to appear) for those who are able to be wheeled outside.

There are enjoyable days outside St. Josephs as well. Fr. Brian took the girls on a walking tour of London where they discovered that he knows everyone, how to get to any place and how to get free tickets to anything. They have managed cheap tickets to a couple of shows, a “Jack the Ripper” night walk, a number of galleries and markets and have” done “ the shopping strip from end to end.

There has been a lot of reflection on all of this and a great appreciation of all that is done for us by the sisters and staff.

At the invitation of Mary Christian, the Congregational  Leader, and the organization of Jacinta, the Provincial, we are going to Dublin from 2nd July to 7th July with accommodation in one of the convents. It is an opportunity to visit the Mary Aikenhead Heritage Centre and Cork. I will be able to give an account of our visit when next I write. Incidentally, we were able to book 2 euro return tickets each on Ryanair

Virginia Wilkinson RSC