EXPERIENCES FROM CENTRAL AND EAST CANADA DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD MARCH-APRIL 2020

An act of love can be contagious

See the video of this experience : Click here

Living as a big family

Just before our confinement, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Now that I have begun my chemotherapy treatment and my immune system is compromised, I am not permitted to go out in public to shop for groceries for the family. My husband, who is now working from home along with our 5 children, is also terrified to go out for fear of bringing back a germ that might infect me. However, everyone who has heard of my diagnosis is reaching out to help us! Apart from my sisters who shop for me, my neighbour across the street will pick things up for us when she goes out. Friends have added items we needed to their "online grocery lists" which they pick up and drop off at our house. Sometimes I find groceries on our porch that seem to appear magically and with no note attached! But by far the most incredible gift is that the entire Focolare community here in Toronto have provided our family with meals every night since my treatment started! This allows our older children the freedom to help with the schooling and caring of the younger ones, something that is difficult for me since I need frequent naps because of the effects of the treatment. Any extra food that we may have we share with my parents who live down the street, or with my husband's elderly dad who is all alone and confined to his condo. Every Sunday, the community gathers via Zoom to pray the rosary for me and for the many other intentions we all have. This is a source of great strength for me because I feel like I am not living this sickness alone, but rather I have an army of people helping me carry this cross! I am full of joy, hope and optimism because of the gift and concrete love of this great big family!!

To be there for the other

Since the confinement started, it has allowed me to refocus on the essential: my relationship with God by taking the time to meditate well, trying to live the Word of the day, living the Mass virtually and taking the time to pray during the day. Each gesture is "for you My God" but as Chiara Lubich says, beyond that, being there for the other. I take the time to phone people who are alone and offer my services for shopping and take the time to do exercises or even walks. A week ago, in the family we have been living a more difficult situation, my mother-in-law has been diagnosed with generalized cancer. In these moments, we forget ourselves to be present to the other. What is more difficult is the fact that we cannot be physically present as we would like because there are strict rules of visit. However, we feel a very strong unity between us and we take the time to support my stepfather who finds himself confined to the residence and who cannot be visited. We organized virtual visits by SKYPE with him so that he can see his wife in the hospital and speak to her by telephone. We try by all means to stay in contact so that they can feel this proximity despite the distance imposed. This situation makes us realize the importance of being there for the other and that the present moment makes me live for the other. The confinement makes me realize beautiful moments of solidarity and that puts a balm on the current situation experienced. With the risen Christ, I remain serene in each moment. Taking care I share with you how I live confinement with my colleagues: despite the difficult times we live, we remain united and full of hope. I accompany a colleague who, while being a member of our community group, lives in a center for the elderly. He comes to spend a day a week with us. Since the beginning of confinement he cannot leave the building where he lives, he cannot even leave his apartment. So I got into the habit of calling him every day to break his loneliness. At first I felt that he was very annoyed by my calls as if he felt that I was trying to control him. Now, after 3 weeks, he is the one who calls me. Once a week I go to get his dirty linen to wash it and bring him the clean one from the previous week. I add some fruit and treats in the box. With my colleagues (there are ten of us in the house) we had the idea of building a rainbow (composed of a hundred small hearts) in our chapel to pray for all those who recommend themselves to our prayers. We are fortunate to have a priest who lives with us. There were therefore many opportunities to pray for each of you during the holy days. I imposed a routine on myself in order to love my brothers concretely: every morning I put on a pair of gloves and I go around all the doorknobs, telephones, stair railings, computer mouse, etc.… to clean them well with a disinfectant. To do the first step I called my brother to see how he was doing lately. He used to tease my faith but that is happening less now. Before phoning him I prayed to the Holy Spirit. My brother shared with me his concern and worry about the present situation. After listening I shared with him that our lifestyles might be changed for a better world.

With the neighbors

The confinement led me to worry more about my 2 neighbours upstairs. One of these neighbours comes from New Brunswick and has few contacts. She is 75 years old and does not have internet nor a credit card. Our daughter does the shopping for her on Saturday. Our neighbour has not been outside since confinement started so I invite her for a short walk in a park and she is very happy. The other neighbour, a young confinement nurse - because immuno-suppressed - will walk her dog twice a day 3 or 4 times a week. I go with her. It breaks the isolation because she is rather alone. As we know, in return there is the discovery of a joy that comes into our hearts. Work at the hospital I work in the hygiene and sanitation department of a hospital. I work in the emergency room. This is where all the people who suffer and who know or do not know why generally need help the most. When they go upstairs it is to be treated. This is where they are often lost waiting for a diagnosis. So I look them in the eyes and give them a smile. I make them feel that I see them even if I can't do much for them and it allows me to do my part, like for example giving them a glass of water, put a small blanket on them, give a small tissue box, chat a little, give little slippers, clean a little mess, ask the attendants for help. It may not be much but it’s my way of telling them "I see you and if I can help you it’s with great pleasure that I will do it". Regarding nurses, attendants ... they are all out of breath. They have demanding schedules. I try to help them even if everyone tells me that I shouldn't. But my relationship with them is as important as a member of my family. I am overwhelmed especially when I give without waiting and when I receive in return a beautiful smile or a thank you saying "you saved my life".

An artistic production

Here is a link to an artistic production during this time of pandemic A work by Gilles Lebel inspired by the experience of the pandemic: Click here