Hello Friends,
I wanted to write to you and let you know how things have been in Ireland! It is good to be back and home. Most COVID-19 restrictions have been discontinued which opened the way to re-start the Little Friends Mother and Baby group in April. The response has been fantastic and it is good to be meeting some new (and a few returning) mums.
You may remember that in 2019-2020 I was in the midst of a time of sabbatical when COVID-19 hit and everything came to stop. I have been encouraged to come up with a new plan and complete the sabbatical. So, at the end of April, I wrote a new plan – where I get to stay in Ireland and rest. It seemed easiest to do it now, before I begin more groups or endeavors in the community. I have continued with the baby group, but for the time being I have stepped away from other responsibilities for May and June. Next week I will be traveling by ferry to Wales and I will spend a week at a Jesuit monastery meeting with a spiritual director daily, but otherwise this will be a silent retreat!
Pray for me as I spend time thinking about what comes next in Ireland, and how to move forward in this changed “COVID-19” environment (I want to say “post” COVID-19, but we aren’t really there yet!). I think that many of the programs (and people that were participating before all of the upheaval of the last couple of years) probably will not continue – at least not in the same way. I want to take time and be thoughtful about this. I will be away from June 13-20. Please pray also for the travel. I am part of the minority of people who have not yet had COVID-19 and I would like to continue that streak! Cases are on the rise again in Ireland.
You may also remember that last fall I began taking courses at Barclay College in an effort to complete a degree that I began a long time ago! I will be working on the research portion of my Capstone Project over the summer. You can pray for me as I figure out online survey systems, data collection, and all that goes with that. I’m excited about it, and also recognize that I have a steep learning curve ahead of me! In the end (hopefully in December) I will have an M.A. in Practical Theology.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Kathi
