Material needs such as coffee, tea, biscuits etcetera were also catered for if required. Most people visited for one hour. A truly noble couple Rene and David Barrett took the very early morning watch. Father Murtagh and Deacon Philip also contributed their valuable time to this project. Deborah Bennett (from St Gertrude's parish) and myself did a joint hour, and were delighted to "take over" from Marion de Souza. Jill O'Donnell was there with us for our hour and Tricia Steel "took over" from us, and so it went on all day and for much of the night, for twenty four hours.
There was a quiet area with an extremely varied selection of books in a side room. Many seemed to find this restful and an aid to meditation, quiet prayer and, of course, some spiritual reading. In fact one person noted the name of a book and has since ordered it. Others wrote out prayers or added requests for prayers to the very creative static displays provided by the Cliftons. Some members of the Art Group did quick small paintings or drawings or even wrote poems as all materials, paper, paints, pencils and modelling materials were laid out ready for use.
Afterwards, talking about this very simple and humbling experience to others who had been there, the overwhelming feeling we took away with us was the complete trust the home owners displayed by giving their house and keys for a whole week to a number of comparative strangers. Such complete faith and trust in a local varied community is truly impressive, perhaps more demonstrations of such faith in humanity would be a splendid thing.
M P Coffey
The occasion inspired Jill O’Donnell to write the following poem:-
What a wonderful family you must be
To open your house up like a tree
Each branch reaching out among the `borough'
Doing God's Work and all so thorough.
What an amazing `aura'
So still and calm
Music, candles, paint and balm
All to produce such Spiritual calm
Communicating all as one
Under the Cross of God's Son
What a kind and loving person your baby is bound to be
With parents so kind and trusting
For all to experience and to see
God Bless all your family
Your work and your home
I know that you will never be alone.