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Community life in difficult times

I have often talked and written about "random acts of kindness" - simple acts that make a difference to someone's day or life.  I think the best act of kindness that I've seen recently was the advert from the Portaferry Hotel, which offered to supply meals to those who had been isolated through the Covid-19 outbreak - at their own expense!  I commend their action as a means to survive this current difficult time.

The current news is obviously worrying everyone - and probably rightly so!  It will alter our outlook and our participation in society in the short-term, and there could be a chance that our long-term outlook and opinion could be changed too.

I think we have two main options - either become islands, working and looking after only ourselves, or we can allow the current circumstances to make our communities stronger.  In rural Fermanagh we pride ourselves in being community-minded, living together side by side, looking after each other, and being ready to help our neighbours in times of trouble.

In our Gospel lesson yesterday in church from John 4, Jesus met with an outcast Samaritan woman and changed her life through conversation and respect.  She, in turn, changed the life of her village by sharing the news of Jesus with her community.  By the end of the chapter, the other members of the village accepted Jesus into their midst and believed in him.  They wanted him to stay, but Jesus had others to preach to.  Both Jesus' and the woman's examples to us couldn't come at a more opportune time - we should be prepared to serve our neighbours in times of trouble like those we face today.

I really hope that we can continue share random acts of kindness with our community, our neighbours and our friends and families.  Let's support each other through the difficult times ahead, let's not panic too much, and act safely and securely.

If you need some help in the days ahead, contact the rectory, or one of the members of the church - and I'm being careful to mention that this offer isn't limited to our parishioners!  If you're in the Brookeborough/Aghavea area, we're here for you!

Take care and God bless.
Johnny

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