Page 11 - Raise Coronavirus Edition 3

FEATURE
Faith
in Times of Crisis
In a time of crisis, we tend to look for comfort in the familiar. It could be a home-cooked meal that brings back memories of our youth, an album of our favourite singer, or photos from cele- brations over the years. As the coronavirus crisis continues to play out in Australia and around the world, I have been thinking about how faith can be a comfort for us all at this time.
SHARON O’KEEFFE
Faith is the ability to trust and hope in something that is not easily defined or able to be seen. I have spent the last couple of weeks, exercising on my local beach. During this time, I feel the sand beneath my toes and the water wash over my feet; I feel the rain on my face and the wind in my hair. I can see the water, sand and rain, but I can’t see the wind. I can see the impact the wind has on the environment, but I don’t actually see the wind move around me. I feel the wind.
“ For me, this is what faith is; it is seeing the impact of those who trust and hope in a belief then feeling what this belief can offer me and my community.”
When Australia declared a state of emergency because of coronavirus we had to change our ways of gathering as a community and connecting with each other. We have also had to change how we nurture our faith. In our Catholic context, there are many spiritualities and ways of practising our faith that helps us find new ways of being in isolation and with each other. For me, I try to find God in all things. This type of practice is called Ignatian Spirituality and encourages us to find wonder and awe in all we do – like when I walk on the beach and feel happy because it is just so beautiful.
In the Cairns Catholic Education community, many of the schools and colleges were founded by women and men who brought their own spirituality with them to help them in their work. The Good Samaritan Sisters practise deep listening through meditation, the Mercy
Sisters have created virtual prayer rooms to practise the Spiritual and Corporal Words of Mercy and the Augustinians work for justice through a practical love of neighbour.
RAISE MAGAZINE • SPECIAL EDITION 3
“ I have been encouraging teachers and students to make time for journaling. Whether we
find comfort through our faith, through the practise of a spirituality or through music, food or photos, I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on what brings you comfort and how you are managing this time. Once we are through this crisis, what a rich read these journals will be!”
Sharon is the Cairns Catholic Education Director Identity and Outreach
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