One of the things that I most like about my job in the public service is that I work as part of a committed team and can use my communications and administration experience to deliver public services to the people of Ireland. I also like the fact that I have flexible working hours and a reduced working week – so that I can have more time to pursue my leisure interests and to prioritise my self care – as these interventions are very important for maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing. My Fridays are Feel Good Fridays – whereby my motive is to focus is not on productivity – but on activities that give me meaning, purpose and enjoyment in my life.
On Friday 31 July I chose to travel by train to Dublin city-centre. I like to travel regularly to Ireland’s capital city having lived there for fifteen years – approximately one third of my life. My long-time physiotherapist is based in the city centre and I often come to meet friends as well. On this occasion – as the only return train to Mullingar I could book was at 9pm – I decided to go beyond the confines the city where I usually visit. I prepared my backpack, food for the day, my Bible, spiritual journal and some reading materials and had a brainstorm about how I could get the most benefit from the day.
My first port of call after departing Connolly Station was Saint Teresa’s Carmelite Church in Clarendon Street, in order to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I frequently go there or to Whitefriar Street Church for this purpose as I always feel a sense of community, taking my place in the queue, in the company of others, and and then humbly asking for God’s forgiveness and healing mercy through the ministry of the priest. I always feel renewed in the Christian life after going to Confession, and usually challenged by some nugget of wisdom or inspiration from the priest. This time I joined in the celebration of Mass and providentially it was the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He was a Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian, who, with six companions, founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is best known for his Spiritual Exercises, a set of meditations that help Christians to deepen their relationship with God.
I have some experience of Ignatian Spirituality [the spirituality of the Jesuits], having worked on Sacred Space, a ministry of the Irish Jesuits, for nine years. I worked with Jesuit priests and their collaborators, while I also undertook the Spiritual Exercises in Manresa, Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, presented on Sacred Space at the Jesuit Webmasters Conference in Porugal and went on pilgrimage to Loyola. Ignatian Spirituality has enriched my Catholic faith by helping me to focus on gratitude – and through the contemplative prayer known as The Examen – to notice the sometimes hidden and unexpected blessings in my life. Focusing on Prayer from the Heart – using verses from the bible – has helped to slow down and to come to an awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary and everyday aspects of my life.
After a stop at Saint Stephen’s Green Park where I had lunch by the lake – I felt inspired to visit another park – Cabinteely Park located in the leafy green suburb of Cabinteely on Dublin’s southside. The Luas green line stop was nearby so took the tram to Carrickmines and walked the rest of the way to the park. Cabinteely Park is a large suburban park of 45 hectares with grassy meadows and a small forest – as well as a café and courtyard – not to mention Cabinteely House, a historic manor that remains a central feature of the park. It was in this park that I trained for several marathons and I enjoyed peaceful walks around its perimeter woodland trails. The park was a particular blessing during the COVID pandemic and I was privileged to live beside it for six years of my young adult life.
This time when I arrived at the park I sat on one of my favourite seats – right in front of Cabinteely House and overlooking the forest. I took time to enjoy the simple pleasure of an ice-cream – just noticing my surroundings – the presence of others and the beauty and colours of nature. I listened to the sounds around me and enjoyed the bright light and warmth from the sun. I retreated to my still point – a place where I could rest and just be. As I opened my Bible the Holy Spirit suggested a few lines from the fourth section of Chapter 10 of the Letter to the Hebrews Perservering Faith:-
…..Let us be sincere in heart and filled with faith, our hearts sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is trustworthy. Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works.
Hebrews 10:22-24
This scripture verse encouraged me to hold onto the hope that has been planted in my life through my Catholic faith and to strive to more intentionally respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship – conscious of the primary characteristic of a disciple – to love God and to love others. Being immersed in the beauty of God’s creation helped me to see my life in a new light. I was drawn to reflect on Laudato si‘ – the encyclical letter of Pope Francis on the subject of the care for the environment – ‘our common home’. Pope Francis pointed to the example of Saint Francis who “faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.” (Laudato si’ 12).
Certainly God did speak to me during my afternoon and early evening in the magnificence of Cabinteely Park. Through a combination of quiet walks and contemplative refection I glimpsed the goodness of God in my life and his steadfast faithfulness and love. I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to share a video reflection on how this spiritual experience touched me and then I enjoyed a sustained time of peace and relaxation into the early sunset. Feeling the warmth of the sun on my body and the peace of God in my heart – I took a few slow deep breaths – calling on the name of Jesus – invoking his protection and healing – feeling reawakened to his presence in all things.
