Notebook
Last weekend I found myself celebrating Mass in an almost empty church again. Our parish is part of the Kildare/Laois/Offaly two-week lockdown so we had no choice but to close our church doors for public worship. The Gospel passage of the frightened disciples in the little boat battered by the unexpected storm seemed very appropriate. I was conscious that Pope Francis had chosen a similar passage back in March when he reflected on the impact of Covid-19 across the world.
In the early weeks of the pandemic, many were consoled by the sense that ‘we were all in this together’ and some even used the image of us ‘being in the same boat’. I think it was Bono who challenged that latter image by stating accurately that while we may all be facing the same storm. we are not all in the same boat.
Some people are better placed to deal with storms than others and some find themselves in stronger and bigger boats. Many are in shaky or leaking boats and the storm has taken, and will continue to take a bigger toll on their lives.
Now in our neighbourhood this week as we find ourselves caught in a storm within a storm, the range of boats is still vastly different.
Vulnerable group
One of the boats I’m particularly concerned about is the very shaky one occupied by migrant workers in many of our meat processing plants throughout the country. Almost 60% of all meatplant workers in Ireland are from outside the country.
Long before coronavirus hit our shores, migrant workers in our meat factories were a very vulnerable group. They are generally on very low wages and are forced to live in shared rented accommodation where overcrowding is the norm.
They are also vulnerable because of poor English language skills and perhaps more significantly are not entitled to any sick pay if they become ill. All of this is disturbing at any time but pandemic has exposed and magnified the fault-lines in our treatment of migrant workers.
Over the last few months, through organisations like Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, concerns have been raised consistently about how ‘worried, frightened and angry’ migrant workers have been forced to operate in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
After the residents of our care homes, the workers in our meat plants and food production companies are easily the most vulnerable to the effects of the virus. The combination of high moisture, cold temperature, inevitable close proximity of workers, physical exertion and noisy workplaces which force people to shout at each other creates a unique set of vulnerable circumstances for meat plant and food production workers.
Anger
These working conditions, combined with less than ideal living accommodation, produces very vulnerable and frightened migrant workers. They may now face the added problem of becoming a target of people’s anger as we in the wider community have to live with local lockdowns. This would be extremely unfair and unwarranted.
The frightened disciples cried out in fear from their shaky boat in last Sunday’s gospel. Jesus responded to their fear by saying: “Courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” Then he reached out his hand to save a sinking Peter.
Today we have to be the reassuring voice and saving hand for all those who are sinking in fear. Let’s do what we can to bring all the boats to shore during the coronavirus storm.
Man’s Best Friend!
A priest delivered a sermon in 10 minutes one Sunday which was about half the usual length of his sermons. He explained: “I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond of eating paper, ate that portion of my sermon which I was unable to deliver today.” After the Mass, a visitor from another parish shook hands with the priest and said: “Father, if that dog of yours has any pups, I want to get one to give to my parish priest.”
Sláinte John
Among the many people saddened by the death of John Hume was my sister-in-law. Noeleen worked for many years looking after the famous Members Tea Rooms at the House of Commons in Westminister. When John Hume realised she was from Donegal they became great friends and of course she looked after all his dietary needs, particularly his love of chocolate!
When John won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 he was given a crate of very rare Irish whiskey specially commissioned to mark the historic event. Mr Hume gave away two bottles, one to President Bill Clinton, the other to Noeleen. It will remain one of her most precious possessions. Sláinte John and may you rest in Peace