Notebook
We buried him today in Culmore
10, 15 people there, no more;
for we are told that is the way
to keep the deadly virus at bay.
But it’s sad for sure and lonely too
far removed from what we do,
when parish stops to bow its head
and mourn a neighbour who is dead.
To spend some time, to shed a tear
remember in story and in prayer,
the one who died and left us now
hand, in death, taken from the plough.
Distance now just not in death
but removed from each other’s breath,
no hand in hand, touch or embrace
to ease the pain of the ashen face
of saddened people, hearts ripped apart
and ripping too our very heart.
we wonder, wonder what’s around the bend
and will this darkness ever end?
On this last April day
we beg you Lord for a brighter May,
that light return with sun warmed rays
ending these worry-filled days,
when news recalls those who have gone
to be buried with a few just looking on,
like Johnny today, buried in Culmore
10, 15 people there, no more.
I wrote those lines on Thursday evening, the last day of April, after my second funeral in two days with just a handful of people in attendance.
I’ve had five since this ‘lockdown’ began and each reminds me of how incredibly lonely it is for people to bid farewell to a loved on in the absence of wider family, friends and community. Each day I have prayed at Mass for those grieving loved ones, not least in these difficult and strange times.
I think of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary after their brother had died and was buried. “Where have you put him?” Jesus asked. He had to go to the place and, having found it, we are told “Jesus wept”.
That is truly the only response we have to the loss of loved ones. To those who have buried relatives in recent weeks and months, in quiet cemeteries with just a handful of people present, know that we will come to see where you ‘put them’ and, with Jesus, we will shed a tear and offer a prayer there.
Not a statistic
The lyrics of Danny Boy come to mind – “kneel and say an Ave there for me”…no death should go un-noticed in these times of daily statistics. One Mayo-based woman expressed it well recently when she said, “my sister is not a statistic” and so she’s not.
One of the things I have found quite moving is the way people have adapted to these days and quietly show respect as maybe the hearse passes by or arrives at the church. Whilst maintaining distance, people have found a way of letting the bereaved know that they are not alone. There is something very dignified about it and comforting too.
Social distancing is necessary but spiritual closeness is vital.
Mary’s month
Pope Francis is asking us to focus on praying the Rosary this month. In doing this, he is hopeful that families may again feel the call to pray together and share some sacred time. He is echoing the words of Fr Peyton, who said “the family that prays together, stays together” and “a world at prayer is a world at peace”.
I mentioned the Pope’s call to pray the Rosary during a live-streamed Mass in the parish recently and jokingly added that I wanted to do this because the “Pope looks in every day”. Later I met a woman who said: “Isn’t it wonderful that the Pope joins us every day?” I had to point out that I was joking, and I think both of us were a bit disappointed!
Whatever about the Pope tuning into what is happening in Kilmovee, Our Lady is tuned into the world and its needs. “They have no wine,” she told him when the Cana reception was in doubt.
She will find the words and the way to help us at this time too.