Message of Hope and Solidarity

 A Dhaoine Uaisle,

The staggering speed with which the Coronavirus has spread has caught us all off guard. It has shown us that we are depending on something much bigger than we think. It has made us appreciate the luxury we lived in, the abundance of product, freedom and health that we took for granted.

This quiet time has allowed us to put aside all our problems that we once thought were important and is showing us what is really important. We have woken up to the sheer fragility of our lives and have come to realise the reality of human inter-independence. We breath the same air and we share the same planet.

Our ancestors faced many difficulties in the past. We are now facing difficulties as we are now in a more intensive stage of curtailing the Coronavirus. We are confined to our homes and gardens while vulnerable RTAI members are in residential care where there are clusters of the virus in some.

This is a challenge for us to help our doctors and nurses so they can help us. We will do our part to keep the demand on our health services down. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine,” (people live in one another’s shelter); Comhar na gComharsan (co-operation of neighbours) – both were much used phrases and much practised acts by our ancestors. But we will have hope for the future. Is gaire cabhair Dé ná and doras.

Be cheerful, do not be a slave to rumours of fear and panic as we struggle through the trials and tribulations of this virus. When this time of fear and uncertainty passes and it will pass let us be ready to CARE and CONNECT with each other in a meaningful way to make this world a better place for all mankind.

“This is a time to be slow

Lie low to the wall

Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let

The wire brush of doubt

Scrape from your heart

All senses of yourself

And all your hesitant light.

John O Donohue

Enjoy as best you can this quiet time.
Seasfaimid le chéile gualainn le gualainn
Care and Connect and share the love that lives within you.
Casfaimid le chéile amach anseo le cúnamh Dé.
I am with you in spirit.

Mary Kyne
March 30th 2020

Nature Awake

In the unprecedented times we are living in,we are compelled to take solo walks. It is a time for reflection. A time to enjoy the marvels of nature around us.

Taking a solo walk over the waterfall and along the banks of the Owenriff river opposite my house I took delight in seeing cows grazing in the fields, lesser celandines, dandelions, primroses, daisies and furze in full bloom.The birds are singing, building their nests.

Nature is oblivious to the pandemic sweeping the globe.

Enjoy this quiet time.

Share the love that lives within you.

Care and Connect.

Seasfaimid le chéile gualainn le gualainn.

Beannachtaí,

Mary Kyne March 2020

Coronavirus 2020

Thanking you for shaking us and showing us we are depending on something much bigger than we think.

Thank you for making us appreciate the luxury we lived in,

the abundance of product, freedom, health

and realise we were taking it for granted.

Thank you for stopping us.

To make us see how lost we were in the business of life. 

Not having time for the most basic things.

Thank you for allowing us to put aside all our problems we thought were so important and showing us what is actually important.

Thank you for stopping the transfers

The earth was begging us to look at the pollution for a very long time.

We didn’t listen.

Thank you for all the fears.

STRESS has been a global disease for years

But not many of us wanted to face it.

And now we have to face it and learn how to embrace it with love and the support of our community.

Thank you for the revaluation of our lives.

Thank you that we finally understand what it means that WE ARE ALL CONNECTED.

Thank you for the union between us all.

We knew the world had to change.

Thank you for helping us to undermine everything and giving us the chance to build the world from the very beginning

This virus is part of us

It is between us, in us.

It connects us all either physically or energetically.

Gradually support the immune system

But let us see things from many perspectives

It is up to us to see which perspective we choose.

But best be aware of all of them

Be grateful. Stay Safe.

Seasfaimid le chéile gualainn le gualainn.

Gach dea ghui,

Mary Kyne

20th March 2020

President's Address to RTAI Members

A Dhaoine Uaisle,

COVID-19 has changed our world in ways we could never have imagined. This pandemic is a fast spreading health crisis with no certain end in sight forcing entire societies to shut down.

We should not be disheartened. CARE and CONNECT by phoning a friend and supporting each other. We will get through this crisis.

Is treise muid le chéile.

Perhaps this piece I would like to share with you by Fr. Richard Hendrick OFM will bring you comfort.

Lockdown

Yes there is fear

Yes there is isolation

Yes there is panic buying

Yes there is sickness

Yes there is even death

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that just after a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes – but blue and grey.

They say in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that hotels and businesses in Ireland are offering free meals and delivery to households.

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To LOVE.

So we pray and remember that -

Yes there is fear

But there does not have to be hate

Yes there is isolation

But there does not have to be loneliness

Yes there is panic buying

But there does not have to be meanness

Yes there is sickness

But there does not have to be disease of the soul /spirit

Yes there is even death

But there can always be rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how you live now.

Today, breath

Listen, beyond the factory noises of your panic.

The birds are singing again.

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming.

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul/spirit.

And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square

SING

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Go gcoinneoidh Dia i mboise a láimhe sibh go léir.

Beannachtaí Dé is Muire libh,

A chóiche is go brách.

Mary Kyne

March 16th 2020

P.S. I have sent this to Head Office so that it can be shared with all Branch secretaries.