The Team with Fr. Reynolds and Rev. Rae
After a night's sleep. The Team woke to Pat tapping on the door with a "Good Morning"! Breakfast and an outline of the day's activities followed by Devotions by Lyle. Our regular morning routine is already established. Then off we went to attend Mass at the Church of the Holy Redeemer. We were met by Sister Jillian. Sister Bridgette participated in the Mass.
We were warmly welcomed by Father Gerry Reynolds and others who attended the Mass. We were invited for tea and a talk after the Mass, at Clonard Monastery connected to the Church. Father Reynolds, Rev. Rae ( a Methodist minister) and Ed Peterson. Father Reynolds assistant. We had a discussion on reconciliation in Belfast - past, present and future.
Jim Rae was raised in Belfast and has seen much movement toward reconciliation, but still sees underneath great sectarianism. Those who are active in the Churches, both Protestant and Catholic, are peace builders with much interaction and comfort with each other. There is a need to reach those who are not part of the active church community.
Ed Peterson is from New Jersey and his wife is from Belfast. He has worked with Father Gerry as his assistant for 10 years. Their church is changing the focus from getting people into the church, to reaching out from the church to the people. He participates with a catholic/methodist group discussing how we hear the bible together - how we differ in bible interpretation. He discussed how his children attend a Methodist high school and a discussion on education ensued.
Jim Rae said the work of Clonnard has been historic to the whole peace process. While the work of peacemakers may never be publicly known, work by those like Father Gerry should be in the history books.
The discussion went on covering politics and ongoing issues. Father Gerry asked, can we sow seeds of friendship while we are here? Through this we can share our acceptance of others and make a difference.
We went to Forthspring a Community Center for lunch and orientation of what their ongoing activities are. Johnston Price discussed discussed the 5 Decades Project, collecting 150 oral stories on living through the conflict. The project documents shared but different pasts. Several years of work is reaching culmination but Johnston does not see this as an end, but a continuous project he hopes will go on.
Richard, the youth director, has taken on the Cross Interface Community Planning Project. He dIscussed steps to improve surroundings, like litter cleanup mad dog foul cleanup that were community concerns. A full plan is established and is being implemented. The solid gate in wall will be replaced with a see through gate, which is a big deal.
Sprinters is an after school program for ages 5 to 11for children from both Protestant and catholic schools.
Youth Matters is for youth 11 and up. They have accreditation programs, and youth groups to allow youth to gather and feel safe. Much more information was shared. We toured the facility, discussed project options for our group, then off we went to dinner and a historical tour of Belfast downtown. We ended at the giant fish by the river.
This write up May seem long, and yet it nearly captures the information and activity of the day. And I didn't even mention any rain... We all look forward to our adventures continuing tomorrow.
Submitted by Deb Aldrich
The Team in Downtown Belfast at end of City Tour
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