Page 16 - LOTN Issue 45

WITNESS

delighted with the opportunity to visit the Falklands due to
the diversity of the wildlife and natural resources.
In the capital Stanley, there is a large Anglican cathedral
which he went to first and a small Catholic church- St Mary’s.
St Mary’s felt like home to Sean. He muses that perhaps
this was partly because of an emotional connection to his
childhood in Cornwall as he was raised Catholic. Although
there were only 10-20 parishioners in attendance at any one
time, Sean says that when they said "Peace be with you"
it felt sincere, and his faith and knowledge continued to
grow. He felt compelled to go to Mass and started meeting
with the parish priest who helped him return to, and grow Sean (far left) and friends at the top of
in, his faith. Mount Tumbledown, Falkland Islands
On the night he made those first steps, Sean saw a a separate room. On one occasion, prior to upgrading the
beautiful big shooting star and said thanks to God. He is internet facility, the phone connection ran out of data during
careful to mention that he is not superstitious, but that Mass and he had to use his own Wi-Fi! The broadcasting of
moment held a lot of symbolism for him. The parish priest Mass has continued to evolve with the addition of music, of
gave him a rosary, lots to read, and asked him to contact his readers and with the text of the order of Mass being added
local church in Aberdeen. to the live stream for the benefit of viewers.
Sean returned to the UK on a Monday, found out that St I am told it takes hours of work to produce the four to
Mary’s Cathedral was his local church and was starting an five minutes of music added to each Mass. All the individual
Alpha course on the Tuesday. He joined on the Wednesday parts are synchronized by Jorge de Barry and David Noden
which turned out to be the first day of the course! who also add in the organ music. To date, in addition to
Attending the Alpha course was similarly daunting for the Cathedral Choir, the African Choir, Children’s Choir and
Sean but when he walked in, the first person he met who Gospel Choir have all accompanied Mass.
welcomed him was someone he knew. He found the course Sean says it was the best homework ever to distil the Order
was delivered in a relaxed way. There was fellowship and of Mass so that parishioners can participate and follow
food and the theme of homecoming was also on the menu along if unsure of the responses. There are currently two
that night. cameras in use, one to give a main view of the sanctuary
In March 2020, prior to the lockdown, public church and the other a side view. Sean has continued to operate
the computer linked to the cameras but now has a team of
volunteers.
Keen not to be singled out for praise, he asks me to
mention that many people have helped ensure that online
Masses could be offered. He also points out that God is
acting through Fr. Keith who has continued to prepare and
deliver a moving homily every day in the face of so many
other pressures.
Sean tells me he has been moved by the prayer requests
in the live chat that accompanies the Mass. He says the
Mass is the fulfilment of all Jesus has asked us to do, and
although people have been hurt by the lockdown, he feels
that it is making us stronger. People are yearning for Mass
and the Eucharist and that is really encouraging.
"God answers our prayers," said Sean. "I said my prayer
with my whole heart and my life is completely different
Sean was thrilled to visit the Falkland Islands due to the now. Six months ago, twelve months ago, I had no idea
diversity of the local wildlife where my life would be. I’m looking forward to where my
(By amanderson2 https://www.flickr.com/ growing faith takes me. Listen to God’s Word and don’t
photos/49399018@N00/49473908641/, CC BY 2.0, https:// be afraid to follow it. When Abraham was asked to take a
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87744500) gruelling walk up the mountain and sacrifice his son Isaac,
he needed strong faith. God has asked us to put Him before
services were suspended. Sean tells me that despite having everything else, and God rescues you if you do that."
no audio-visual experience he volunteered to help with the For Sean, St Mary’s Cathedral is now home and he is part
live streaming of Mass. When I ask if he was apprehensive, of the family.
he tells me that the Book of Daniel is one of his favourites "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
because of Daniel’s faithfulness to God and his courage. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to
When Mass started being broadcast from the Cathedral prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place
Clergy House prior to the lockdown, Sean had to control for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so
the computer linked to the camera by remote control from that where I am you also may be." (John 14:2-3).

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