Chai Brady
Photo: CNS Priests tell of ‘heart-breaking’ Covid-19 ministry
A Co. Kildare-based priest has spoken of the moving and humbling experience of helping to bring peace and consolation to patients suffering from coronavirus through the grace of the Sacrament of the Sick.
Fr Seán Maher described ministering to patients isolated from their loved ones as visiting “the wounded Christ in our world today”.
He said when he gets a call to go to Naas General Hospital to anoint someone suffering from the virus, he is also touched by the care and attention of the many medical and catering staff. He described “the kind nurse helping me to put on the PPE, who says to me ‘thanks for coming, because where we cannot bring healing, you can bring peace and hope’”.
Fr Damian O Reilly, who is working as a chaplain in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin described it as a “humbling” experience “to be working alongside health care professionals and all the staff of the hospital.
“Because of the restrictions, families are unable to be with their loved ones and this is particularly difficult if the loved one is dying.
“To be a pastoral and spiritual support especially to the family is vital,” according to Fr O’Reilly.
Listening
Fr John Kelly, Chaplain at Tallaght University Hospital insists that the work of chaplains is by its nature face-to-face. “Listening compassionately, connecting immediately and loving unconditionally.
“Covid-19 has challenged and changed the way we provide this pastoral care. Wherever chaplains are, whether at the bedside or the other end of a video camera, it is about connecting people,” he said.
He recalls one patient who “after a pastoral conversation we prayed together, celebrated the Sacrament of the Sick and she received Holy Communion”
Fr Kelly said that the patient had not spoken to her brother since she was hospitalised, and he was able to connect the two “and they had a conversation which turned out to be her last as she died peacefully a short time later”.
He recalled another patient who he had met on numerous occasions during her treatment for cancer. “She recognised my voice behind the protective mask and goggles. Having listened to her fears and sense of isolation I was able to connect her by Zoom to her husband and two sons. This was the last time they were able to see and hear their mother’s voice.
“After her death the nurse and I placed a wooden cross in her hand as we prayed for her,” he said.
New situation
Shauna Sweeny – who is a lay chaplain at Tallaght – said that the new situation takes quite a bit of adjusting. “To see our patients having to go through this unthinkable ordeal is heart-breaking.
“Patients have not seen their family in weeks and feel isolated and lonely. Families are at home waiting to hear from the hospital and feel helpless. Staff are dealing with extremely stressful situations that change every day,” she said.
In Naas, Fr Maher described one visit. “One of the patients is silent, there’s nobody else there, his eyes are already swelling over and he can’t respond. Another breathes heavily, makes the sign of the cross, and at the very end musters up the courage and the strength to say, ‘Thank you’. The third is a little bit more lively. As soon as you go in and say, ‘I’m Fr Seán, I’m here to say a few prayers’ – ‘Oh, am I in trouble?’
“A little bit of banter that takes away something of the sadness of the moment. ‘No, you’re not in trouble, I’m here to bring you peace’.”
Read the full Feature here.