LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR SPRING/SUMMER 2020 NO 281 “May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the JOY of our HOPE.” Pope Francis: Laudato Si’ “When you go through deep waters I will be with you.” Isaiah 13:2 been trampling over their habitat; our seas are cleaner and fish are more bountiful. solated ‐ but never alone. So, no, not everyone wants things to go back to ‘how they were’. We prefer the Support and encouragement came from all quarters human race when people are kinder, more considerate and more focussed on what I is important. We’ve given space elsewhere in this magazine to V E Day and the immense joy and relief which greeted the news that, after six years, the War in Europe was finally over. Of course, these have also been dreadful times. Many people have died from the So many people lost their lives, so many millions were left injured, bereaved and virus, and therefore many are bereaved, most governments are facing huge deficits without homes or belongings. Yet, somehow, the British stoicism, fortitude and spirit and we will struggle for a long time before the books can be balanced. was not crushed. It may have been momentarily bowed, but it rose again to ‘keep calm and carry on’. It is perhaps not surprising then, that when faced with new For Catholics and worshippers of all faiths these have been particularly difficult times, adversity in the shape of a global pandemic, most of our residents, who lived through as churches of all denominations have been closed. Not only were we unable to the Second World War, took the imposed attend Mass in person, but we were not allowed to hold Funeral Masses with the regulations in their stride. They seemed not to coffin present. It is so hard to lose a loved one, and not being able to grieve, to say show much in the way of fear of contracting a final ‘farewell’ made the mourning process even more painful. Covid‐19. The greatest hardship experienced by most was the lockdown, which meant that their “Where is your God in all of this?” said the doubters. “Why did He allow this to families could not visit them in our and their happen?” The question is asked every time there is a disaster of any sort. So, did Homes. God visit this pandemic upon a wicked world? No, we don’t believe He did. We cannot know His mind, but could it be that He intends us to learn from this situation? As Little Sisters of the Poor we did all we could And, after several months, it seems we are learning some important lessons about to safeguard our residents, who, of course, are kindness, charity, consideration, gratitude, selflessness, proper regard for the planet among the most vulnerable groups. Meals were of which we are stewards. About loving our neighbour and our world. And that is delivered to rooms by staff who were where our God is to be found. appropriately dressed in protective kit, the temperature of every resident was taken twice a As Little Sisters of the Poor who tend and care for the elderly in need, we are among day and staff and Sisters did all we could to keep those who have been very much at the fore‐front of news headlines because of the spirits high. Our housekeeping and laundry staff vulnerability of those in Care Homes. We have lost friends and Little Sisters to Covid‐ were fastidious in their cleaning routines and various precautions were put in place 19. But we have been truly amazed at the generosity of so many people who have to reduce the risk of the virus entering the Homes and spreading. given money, goods and their time unstintingly to help us through this. We remain positive and we never forget to pray for those we love, for those we have lost and for As you will see in the following pages, throughout all, our suffering and exhausted world. We know that this will come to an end; we pray we received an extraordinary amount of help from we will all come out of it as better people. As Our Lord Himself said, “Stand firm, and you, our benefactors and friends! Food, fruit, you will win life.” (Lk 21:19) chocolates were regularly donated; masks and protective equipment were provided free, a taxi ‘Small yet strong in the love of God, account was opened by a benefactor to pay for the like St Francis of Assisi, travel to work for any of our staff who would all of us, as Christians, are called otherwise have had to use public transport. to watch over and protect Supportive letters and cards were sent from well‐ the fragile world in which we live, wishers, children and religious organisations, such as and all its peoples.’ the Sikh community. We launched appeals for funds, Pope Francis which had been seriously depleted as our Collecting Little Sisters were unable to leave the Homes. 2 3 been trampling over their habitat; our seas are cleaner and fish are more bountiful. solated ‐ but never alone. So, no, not everyone wants things to go back to ‘how they were’. We prefer the Support and encouragement came from all quarters human race when people are kinder, more considerate and more focussed on what I is important. We’ve given space elsewhere in this magazine to V E Day and the immense joy and relief which greeted the news that, after six years, the War in Europe was finally over. Of course, these have also been dreadful times. Many people have died from the So many people lost their lives, so many millions were left injured, bereaved and virus, and therefore many are bereaved, most governments are facing huge deficits without homes or belongings. Yet, somehow, the British stoicism, fortitude and spirit and we will struggle for a long time before the books can be balanced. was not crushed. It may have been momentarily bowed, but it rose again to ‘keep calm and carry on’. It is perhaps not surprising then, that when faced with new For Catholics and worshippers of all faiths these have been particularly difficult times, adversity in the shape of a global pandemic, most of our residents, who lived through as churches of all denominations have been closed. Not only were we unable to the Second World War, took the imposed attend Mass in person, but we were not allowed to hold Funeral Masses with the regulations in their stride. They seemed not to coffin present. It is so hard to lose a loved one, and not being able to grieve, to say show much in the way of fear of contracting a final ‘farewell’ made the mourning process even more painful. Covid‐19. The greatest hardship experienced by most was the lockdown, which meant that their “Where is your God in all of this?” said the doubters. “Why did He allow this to families could not visit them in our and their happen?” The question is asked every time there is a disaster of any sort. So, did Homes. God visit this pandemic upon a wicked world? No, we don’t believe He did. We cannot know His mind, but could it be that He intends us to learn from this situation? As Little Sisters of the Poor we did all we could And, after several months, it seems we are learning some important lessons about to safeguard our residents, who, of course, are kindness, charity, consideration, gratitude, selflessness, proper regard for the planet among the most vulnerable groups. Meals were of which we are stewards. About loving our neighbour and our world. And that is delivered to rooms by staff who were where our God is to be found. appropriately dressed in protective kit, the temperature of every resident was taken twice a As Little Sisters of the Poor who tend and care for the elderly in need, we are among day and staff and Sisters did all we could to keep those who have been very much at the fore‐front of news headlines because of the spirits high. Our housekeeping and laundry staff vulnerability of those in Care Homes. We have lost friends and Little Sisters to Covid‐ were fastidious in their cleaning routines and various precautions were put in place 19. But we have been truly amazed at the generosity of so many people who have to reduce the risk of the virus entering the Homes and spreading. given money, goods and their time unstintingly to help us through this. We remain positive and we never forget to pray for those we love, for those we have lost and for As you will see in the following pages, throughout all, our suffering and exhausted world. We know that this will come to an end; we pray we received an extraordinary amount of help from we will all come out of it as better people. As Our Lord Himself said, “Stand firm, and you, our benefactors and friends! Food, fruit, you will win life.” (Lk 21:19) chocolates were regularly donated; masks and protective equipment were provided free, a taxi ‘Small yet strong in the love of God, account was opened by a benefactor to pay for the like St Francis of Assisi, travel to work for any of our staff who would all of us, as Christians, are called otherwise have had to use public transport. to watch over and protect Supportive letters and cards were sent from well‐ the fragile world in which we live, wishers, children and religious organisations, such as and all its peoples.’ the Sikh community.