COVID – Preaching with a Difference
“If I’ve inspired just one person from putting my banner up, I’m happy.”
That’s the uplifting sentiment from Sister Jenny Gerathy OP, who has attracted a bit of attention among the residents of Waratah in recent weeks.
Her carefully thought-out words, Gift Our World With Joy Love Peace Hope, adorn a residence in Station Street to offer optimism and sanguinity to others in the current COVID-19 landscape. And, with many people struggling with the stay-at-home orders, it seemed a timely act. “We’ve done things like this before in the past,” she explained. “We have put up a message that said Wrap The World In Prayer For Peace, given the war situations throughout the globe. “However, recently, I was out on my walk and I went past Corpus Christi (primary) school, where I’ve been a pastoral worker. “I was moved by the fact that the children had signs up saying ‘hope’ – and they’d coloured them in with beautiful rainbow colours. “So, I thought I could do something like that, too.
“I’m in the community of Dominican Sisters and we’re an order of preachers. “That means we preach by our actions; it doesn’t have to be our words. “But, being in this COVID time of lockdown and not being out with people, I thought to myself that’s one thing I can do.”
Sister Jenny admitted the words Gift Our World With Joy Love Peace Hope came easy to her. “I chose them because I believe it’s what our world needs – and what we need in relationships to each other,” she said. “It’s all about right relationships. “And, if we’re not in them, we have an absence of peace and love. “We’re not bringing joy to the world and to those around us. “So, it’s our role to provide that.”
Now, she’s hoping her bunting encourages the other Sisters in the community, as well as passers-by, in these challenging times. “It’s hard to gauge the reaction due to the lockdown,” she told the Newcastle Weekly. “However, I’ve noticed some cars drive past, slow down and have a look at what’s happening. “We also sent it out to our Sisters in the congregation and to the Solomon Islands. “Some of the younger ones over there said ‘great preaching’ while someone else said ‘there’s still a spark there, you’re not going to go quiet’.”
Sister Jenny also offered some advice to those feeling blue behind closed doors, thanks to the extended government restrictions. “Let’s think about the blessings we have in life at this time,” she said. “I believe the COVID environment invites us to communicate in a different way and ponder outside ourselves. “We can be inside and think it’s miserable and horrible being in here. “But, we have an invitation to nurture the planet – it’s the season of creation.
“Our Mother Earth is crying out for help. Those of us who have gardens can do that. And, little messages like that might just say to people ‘I can do it, too’.”
Newcastle Weekly (Printed with permission)
September 3, 2021