Photo: canva.com/sinseeho
I have heard it said quite often that Ballymun is not a good area to live. When I was preparing to move here, I asked myself, “Should I be afraid?” Then a familiar phrase came to me, “The Lord was here before you arrived”. Yes, God was here with his people in the Ballymun community before my arrival !
Now I thank God for granting me the past thirteen years of journeying together with the community here, especially during the Covid lockdowns. Elderly people, who were the most vulnerable ones, were advised not to go out. Confined to their homes, their daily needs were met by friends and neighbours, who had to visit them outside on the road or in the garden. They needed help with shopping for their food and supplies and the delivery of all kinds of messages. On the one hand, it was a difficult time for them; on the other, they experienced much love, concern, kindness, and goodness.
When the restrictions were lifted, this elderly group were then able to come out to the park to enjoy a walk and admire the flowers and trees and meet their families, neighbours, and friends face to face once again. I am grateful to the City Council for maintaining the parks so well as I could see people full of life there: parents with their children relaxing in the meadows and the different kinds of games being played in the fields. Even the wildlife was blooming - families of birds in the sky and fish in the ponds. It seemed all creatures were joining their lives together as the Creator’s Symphony, singing their praises to God.
Some time ago, I joined the “Ballymun Tidy Town” group of volunteers. We were soon out on the road every week in the local carparks and fields, picking up litter, weeding and planting seeds. It was quite a challenge at times, especially when the weather turned nasty. Having said that, it was also very rewarding to see how we were transforming the environment. And it was a good experience to work as a team serving the community.
In Ballymun, we also have a group of Sisters from different religious congregations who come together from time to time to pray, reflect and share our lives. One day, one of the Sisters had an idea - "Why don’t we collect discarded cans and plastic bottles for recycling?” Soon, with cooperation from the local people, we started this project. In addition, we received financial support from the local supermarket and the local council. This project continues to develop and is very successful so far. All of us who are involved share the same vision of caring for the earth and our environment, as well as nurturing a community spirit.
Every year in Ballymun the three Catholic churches come together to celebrate Good Friday when we have the Stations of the Cross outdoors. Each of the churches is visited by the people taking part in the procession. During the procession we sing and reflect on how Jesus suffered and sacrificed himself for us. Each time, the Station that touches me the most is when Jesus meets his mother and the women. My heart feels drawn especially to Jesus telling the women not to cry for him but to cry for their children instead. I am usually moved by this because I remember the sorrowful and suffering mothers of Ballymun crying for their children addicted to drugs and alcohol, and some who have been lost to suicide or illness.
Nowadays, not many churches have bells ringing to call people together to pray in the church. But some faithful people have bells ringing in their hearts, calling them together as God’s family when the time for Mass arrives. I feel so honoured to sit among this faith community to listen to the Word of God and receive the Eucharist as we share life in Ballymun. Together we pray for all the intentions and needs of the world and the community of Ballymun itself. When we pray for the dead or attend a funeral, I quite often feel connected to the historical Ballymun and thank God for all those senior people who shared their lives and contributed so much to this community.
Now, I believe that God has a plan for us in Ballymun as I can see the community here expanding. These days, there are so many happy and joyful faces of children under the loving care of their parents - on the streets, on the bus, in nearby schools and shops and inside the church. Under the same sky God is here sending his blessing and love to each family, especially the Ukrainian families now joining us in this community.
The Lord is truly here.
Some time ago, I joined the “Ballymun Tidy Town” group of volunteers. We were soon out on the road every week in the local carparks and fields, picking up litter, weeding and planting seeds. It was quite a challenge at times, especially when the weather turned nasty.
Columban Sr Lucia So is a native of Hong Kong, where she served on mission, as well as in Mainland China, before being assigned to Ireland where she has been working at the Columban Centre in Dublin for many years.
Listen to "The Lord is here"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - August 2023
